Baptism

You may have heard of it – it is something associated with churches and religion. But what exactly is it?

The symbolism of baptism

It is essentially a symbolic act.

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.    Romans Chapter 6:3-14

From this passage in scripture we can see that baptism is very similar to what Jesus did when he died and was baptised.

The following table shows what the act of baptism represents:

Died to sin   Before baptism we served sin. We thought about ourselves and not God.
Buried under water   Burial of our old self. We are symbolic letting the life of sin die.
Rise out of water   Resurrection into a new life in Jesus. Once the old life of sin is dead we then start a new life dedicated to God and Jesus.
New life in Jesus   We live our life serving God.

There are two ways we can view the symbolism of baptism:

1. Baptism is a burial

having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.     Colossians Ch.2:12

2. Baptism is a washing away of sins. 

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptised and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’      Acts Ch.22:16 

How should we be baptised?

You may have heard of some people being sprinkled with water whereas others are fully immersed in water. What is the correct way of being baptised?

In the first century full immersion was the way people were baptised.

And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.    Acts Ch.8:38-39

Baptism symbolizes the burial of your old self so a baptism that does not involve full immersion in water does not fulfill this symbolism.

The Greek word “baptize”, which is translated “baptise” in the English Bible, does not mean to sprinkle. It means to completely wash and immerse in a liquid. This word is used in classical Greek concerning ships sinking and being “baptised” (i.e. submerged) in water.

Other verses to prove submersion versus merely sprinkling:

Now John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptised.       John Ch.3:23

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.   Matthew Ch.3:13-16 

How does baptism change our life?

The act of baptism gives the person a freedom they have never felt before. This freedom comes from knowing that our natural self is really dead, and therefore Jesus is very actively living with us through our every trial.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians Ch.2:20

The baptised person experiences a peace and true spiritual joy which is indeed unique to only those who take the step.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.    John Ch.14:27 

Baptism means changing our behaviour to meet the needs of your new master.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.   Ephesians Ch.4:29 

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.      1 Timothy Ch.6:18 

Baptism puts you on the path towards eternal life in the future.

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”      Matthew Ch.25:46

Is baptism really necessary?

Some people say that you can be a believer and follow God without being baptised. It is something which you choose to do or not do.

The Bible makes it very clear what the true position is in relation to baptism.

Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.      Mark Ch.16:16

Baptism is essential if we are to be saved from sin and death and to be given eternal life.

How do you know when you are ready for baptism?

Baptism is the biggest decision you will make in your life so it is important to make it carefully.

Before you are baptised you must believe the gospel concerning Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. You must also repent of your past sins. If you honestly believe the gospel then your conscious will steer you towards being baptised.

and this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,     1 Peter Ch.3:21 

Baptism is a symbolic act where you have said you will give a life-long commitment to God. You will join the family of God as one of his adopted children.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans Ch.8:12-17

Purity

Many of us look for purity in our lives. If you

buy a diamond you want it to be flawless – to be as close to perfect as possible. If you drink water you want it to be pure. Some people buy filtering machines to try and get it close to pure water – they don’t want it to be contaminated by chemicals or disease carrying  organisms. If we want these things in our

life to be pure then why shouldn’t we be trying to make ourselves pure.

What is purity? Purity is the condition or quality of being pure; it means freedom from anything that debases, contaminates, pollutes, etc.

Moral purification

A pure heart is what is needed in the future kingdom.

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.  Psalm 24:1-4 

Those who will be accepted will have clean hands and pure heart. The clean hands signifies that the person’s actions during their life were godly. The pure heart indicates that they had good intentions in their mind during their life.

Reading the Bible is the only way of cleansing and purifying the mind. It implants the purity of God into our minds.

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; Psalm 19:8   NKJV 

God wants us to be pure. He wants us to clean up our behaviour when we begin a new life with him at baptism.

Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin”?       Proverbs Ch.20:9

The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.       Proverbs Ch.21:8 

True purity comes from the heart

We must be careful not to fall into a common error of thinking we are pure and yet not seeing all the mistakes we are making in God’s eyes.

Equally we must be careful not to project a image of being religious and righteous to those around us and yet when no one is watching behaving in a ungodly way. For example, participating in activities that a true follower in Jesus would not do.

There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.        Proverbs Ch.30:12 

This was a trap the teachers of the law fell into.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.  

Matthew Ch.23:25

True purity comes from the heart. The Pharisees strained their water so they wouldn’t accidentally swallow a gnat – an unclean insect according to the law. Meticulous about the details of ceremonial cleanliness, they nevertheless had lost their perspective on inner purity. Jesus condemned the Pharisees and religious leaders for outwardly appearing holy but inwardly remaining full of corruption and greed.

Living as a Christian merely as a show for others is like washing a cup on the outside only. When we are clean on the inside, our cleanliness on the outside won’t be a sham.

The source of purity

True purity comes from God.

Make them pure and holy through teaching them your words of truth      John Ch.17:17 The Living Bible 

A follower of Christ becomes sanctified (set apart for sacred use, cleansed and made holy) through believing and obeying the Word of God.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.       Hebrews Ch.4:12 

He or she has asked for forgiveness through Christ’s sacrificial death.

Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.      Hebrews Ch.7:26-27

But daily application of God’s Word has a purifying effect on our mind and heart. Scripture points out sin, motivates us to seek forgiveness, renews our relationship with Christ, and guides us back to the right path.

Spiritual purification through Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ was an example of a life of perfect obedience – of purity. Through his sacrifice it was made possible for personal and individual sins to be forgiven.

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Hebrews Ch.1:3

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.       1 John Ch.3:1-3 

True worshippers are ever conscious that the time will come when they must present themselves before the judge (Jesus Christ) at the start of the kingdom. In preparation for that occasion they purify their characters by seeking forgiveness of their sins through Christ and by reforming their ways.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.     1 John 1:7

As the Israelites ceremoniously purified themselves prior to appearing at the Passover (see John 11:55), or as the nation of Israel was required to do in preparation to meeting God at Sinai (see Exodus 19:10-11), so Christ’s followers do morally in preparation for the Judgment Seat.

As Jesus Christ is pure, the same kind of purity is revealed today by those who are truly Christ’s, and the same degree of purity will be manifested in the kingdom, when such are clothed with divine nature. In their present pilgrimage, they aim for that degree of purity, seeing in the Son the ideal of God-likeness to which they aspire.

The actions of one wanting purity

What must we do to go through the act of purification?

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.     1 Peter 1:22

The effect of purity – wisdom

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.     James Ch.3:17

The wisdom of God is first and foremost pure – it is unadulterated. The Word of God is completely pure in itself, and purifying in its influence. This is the first effect of embracing the true, heavenly wisdom. The heavenly wisdom will open out a new perspective on life, a new way of thinking and feeling.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.      Psalm 51:10

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.      Ezekiel Ch.11:19 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.        2 Corinthians 4:16

For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;    Romans Ch.7:22 

After baptism a new man or woman is created – one who is striving for purity.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.       Ephesians Ch.4:22-24 

since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.    Colossians Ch.3:9-10 

The new man or woman (after baptism) delights in the law and principles of God. He denies himself of all ungodliness and lusts of the world around him, and walks soberly, righteously and godly in the world. He aims for godly wisdom.

The objective of those striving for purity

The man striving for purity hopes for the glorious return of Jesus Christ to this world where Jesus will reign as King.

The man (or woman) striving for purity will truly love the appearing of Christ at the future kingdom. They will desire to be part of his Kingdom.

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.      2 Timothy 4:8

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.       Titus Ch.2:11-14

However, we are always reminded at this current time that when we sin that we are imperfect. We make mistakes and are always asking for forgiveness. But we can look forward to a time in the kingdom to come when the righteous will be resurrected to incorruptible existence in the Paradise of God.

81 MEMORY VERSE

Killing In War

Romans 13:1-14 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. …

Luke 6:27 ESV / 14 helpful votes

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Romans 13:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

Exodus 20:13 ESV / 11 helpful votes

“You shall not murder.

Exodus 21:23 ESV / 9 helpful votes

But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life,

Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, …

Acts 5:29 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Matthew 26:52 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Ephesians 5:11 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Luke 3:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

Matthew 10:34 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

James 4:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

Numbers 31:1-54 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.” So Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the Lord’s vengeance on Midian. You shall send a thousand from each of the tribes of Israel to the war.” So there were provided, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand from each tribe, twelve thousand armed for war. …

Exodus 15:1-27 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name. “Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. …

Philippians 3:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 13:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Romans 13:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Romans 12:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

Deuteronomy 1:1-46 ESV / 4 helpful votes

These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea. In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the people of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him in commandment to them, after he had defeated Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth and in Edrei. Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to explain this law, saying, …

1 Thessalonians 5:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Galatians 5:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 3:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 7:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)

Romans 11:33-36 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

John 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Mark 10:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

1 Kings 21:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.” But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food. But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” …

1 Kings 19:19-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.

Leviticus 19:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Hebrews 10:1-39 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; …

1 Timothy 6:1-2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.

Ephesians 6:1-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, …

Galatians 6:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

2 Corinthians 3:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, …

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— …

Romans 13:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. …

Romans 8:1-39 ESV / 2 helpful votes

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. …

Romans 2:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. …

Acts 10:1-48 ESV / 2 helpful votes

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. …

John 3:1-36 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …

Luke 22:36 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.

Luke 18:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’”

Luke 10:25-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” …

Luke 3:1-38 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, …

Matthew 25:31-46 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, …

Matthew 22:39 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:15-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. …

Matthew 19:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,

Matthew 11:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 10:1-42 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, …

Matthew 5:39 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Matthew 5:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’

Matthew 5:1-48 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. …

Matthew 4:1-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple …

Isaiah 26:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain.

Isaiah 11:1-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. …

Isaiah 11:1-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. …

Isaiah 9:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 2:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

Isaiah 2:1-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. …

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. …

Psalm 119:105 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

1 Samuel 8:1-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” …

Deuteronomy 19:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Deuteronomy 19:1-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“When the Lord your God cuts off the nations whose land the Lord your God is giving you, and you dispossess them and dwell in their cities and in their houses, you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess. You shall measure the distances and divide into three parts the area of the land that the Lord your God gives you as a possession, so that any manslayer can flee to them. “This is the provision for the manslayer, who by fleeing there may save his life. If anyone kills his neighbor unintentionally without having hated him in the past— as when someone goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down a tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies—he may flee to one of these cities and live, …

Exodus 22:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him,

Exodus 21:1-36 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Now these are the rules that you shall set before them. When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out alone. But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ …

Exodus 20:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, …

Exodus 20:1-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, …

Genesis 3:1-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” …

Genesis 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:26-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 1 helpful vote

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ESV / 1 helpful vote

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. …

Romans 12:9-21 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. …

Mark 13:1-37 ESV / 1 helpful vote

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. …

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 1 helpful vote

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Genesis 2:7 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

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What does the Bible say about killing in self-defense?

What does the Bible say about killing in self-defense? E-mail

The Bible does allow for killing in self-defense. In a sense, there are different kinds of self-defense. There is personal self-defense, self-defense of the society (“social self-defense”) and there is national self-defense, which we call “war.” In all of these cases, the taking of another human life is allowed for by God. This booklet has been dedicated to “social self-defense,” the execution of criminals who are dangerous to society. War is a national self-defense, when people are called upon to protect their nation from outside aggression, and any student of the Bible will attest to the large number of wars recorded therein. Of course, there are unjust wars of aggression for property, wealth, or slaves, and the heads of state who start those wars will be held responsible by God at the Judgment. Furthermore, not all killing in a war is justified, and almost every war has cases of what are now called “war crimes.”

As with war and the execution of criminals, personal self-defense is also allowed for in Scripture. For example, Exodus 22:2 says, “If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed.” This verse should be the law of our land today, and unfortunately in many places it is not. In many cities, a homeowner is not allowed to be readily able to defend himself against someone breaking in. Some areas do not allow homeowners to have loaded guns available, while in some other areas the homeowner must first “be sure” that the intruder has a weapon or is capable of being deadly. Biblical Law says that if someone is breaking into your home, he does so at the risk of his life, and the homeowner would never be considered a criminal for defending himself. Also, remember that on the very day of his arrest Christ said to his disciples, “If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one” (Luke 22:36). Christ expected things to become very unsafe for his disciples after his death, and told them to prepare to defend themselves from unjust aggression.

It may help to think of killing in terms of “just or unjust” and “accidental or on purpose.”

Murder: unjust and on purpose.
Manslaughter: unjust but accidental.
Execution of criminals (social self defense): just and on purpose.
Killing in war (national self defense): just and on purpose.
Killing in personal self-defense: just and on purpose.
Self defense resulting in an accidental death: just but accidental.

In the above list, we see that murder and manslaughter are unjust causes of death. In personal self-defense, the execution of criminals and in war, the cause of death is just, whether there is initial intent to kill the person or not. We can rightly conclude from Scripture that personal self-defense is something that God sanctions, even if it means the death of an unjust aggressor. The Founding Fathers of the United States were correct in asserting that God gave every person the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” An aggressor who tries to take from others forfeits those rights, and it should be the law of the land that each and every person have the right to defend himself from unjust aggression of all types.

Even a casual look at God’s Creation reveals that self-defense plays an important role in the self-preservation of nearly all forms of life. Perhaps human society could be profitably likened to a biological organism, every one of which has some way of warding off internal and external enemies. The more complex animal bodies dispatch white blood cells to attack germs and other toxic intruders. These white blood cells are very simple forms of life, but they are “wise” enough to act as if the wholeness and health of the organism is at stake, and without sentiment or ceremony destroy the intruder. These enemies of the body are not kept alive and cordoned off in prisons to be preserved. They are destroyed and eliminated as any future threat.

Similarly, evil persons are intruders into the “body” of decent human society, which has a right to protect and defend itself against such intrusion. A body without an immune system cannot defend itself and soon dies. Any godly society that refuses to establish and enforce God’s laws will also eventually “die,” i.e., be overcome by wickedness. People in the medical field work very hard to control “evil” in a body so that a person will not die of disease, and it is understood that harmful bacteria must be killed so the body will be healthy. So too, if we are to have a healthy society, wicked and harmful people need to be executed. This clearly teaches the value of life, because it shows that the only thing as valuable as a life is a life. No wonder God commanded, “Life for life” in Scripture, and even repeated it twice (Ex. 21:23; Deut. 19:21).

 

What does it mean to be missional? Should Christians be missional?”

Question: “What does it mean to be missional? Should Christians be missional?”

Answer: “Missional” or “missional living” is a Christian term that in essence describes a missionary lifestyle. Being missional includes embracing the posture, the thinking, behaviors, and practices of a missionary in order to reach others with the message of the gospel. The term “missional” gained its popularity towards the end of the 20th century with the influence of Tim Keller, Alan Hirsch, and others, as well as the Gospel and Our Culture Network. Their basic premise is that all Christians should be involved in the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20).

Essentially, the idea of being missional teaches that the church has a mission because Jesus had a mission. There is one mission which says that the “missional church is a community of God’s people that defines itself, and organizes its life around, its real purpose of being an agent of God’s mission to the world. In other words, the church’s true and authentic organizing principle is mission. When the church is in mission, it is the true church.” Yet there has been some confusion regarding the term “missional.”

Alan Hirsch, one its proponents, says that “missional” is not synonymous with “emerging.” The emerging church is primarily a renewal movement attempting to contextualize Christianity for a postmodern generation. “Missional” is also not the same as “evangelistic” or “seeker-sensitive.” These terms generally apply to what he calls the “attractional” model of church that has dominated our understanding for many years. Missional is not a new way to talk about church growth. Although God clearly desires the church to grow numerically, it is only one part of the larger missional agenda. Finally, missional is more than social justice. Engaging the poor and correcting inequalities is part of being God’s agent in the world, but should not be confused with the whole.

Hirsch also says that a proper understanding of missional living begins with recovering a missionary understanding of God. By His very nature God is a “sending God” who takes the initiative to redeem His creation. This doctrine, known as missio Dei is causing many to redefine their understanding of the church. Because the church is comprised of the “sent” people of God, the church is the instrument of God’s mission in the world. However, most people believe that missions is an instrument of the church, a means by which the church is grown. Although Christians frequently say, “The church has a mission,” according to missional theology a more correct statement would be “the mission has a church.”

Though many churches have mission statements or talk about the importance of having a mission, where missional churches differ is in their attitude toward the world. A missional church sees the mission as both its originating impulse and its organizing principle. It is patterned after what God has done in Jesus Christ, that is, to be missional means to be sent into the world; not to expect people to come to us. This idea differentiates a missional church from an “attractional” church.

The attractional church seeks to reach out to the culture and draw people into the church. But this practice only works where no significant cultural shift is required when moving from outside to inside the church. And as Western culture has become increasingly post-Christian, the attractional church has lost its effectiveness. The West looks more like a cross-cultural missionary context in which attractional churches are self-defeating. The process of extracting people from the culture and assimilating them into the church diminishes their ability to speak to those outside. As a result, people cease to be missional and instead leave that work to the clergy.

Missional represents a significant shift in the way one thinks about the church. Being missional means we should engage the world the same way Jesus did—by going out rather than just reaching out. Missional means that when a church is in mission, it is then the true church.

According to Dave DeVries, author of “Missional Transformation: Fueling Missionary Movements that Transform America,” there are five biblical distinctives that form the foundation of a missional perspective:

• The Church is sent by Jesus Christ (John 17:1820:21Luke 9:2Matthew 28: 19–20;Acts 1:8)

• The Church is sent with the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:18Ephesians 2:16Colossians 2:141 Peter 2:242 Corinthians 5:17–24)

• The Church is sent in Community (Acts 2:42–475:42John 13:34–351 John 3:16–17)

• The Church is sent to every Culture (John 1:14Matthew 20:28Acts 17:22–34Luke 5:29)

• The Church is sent for the King and His Kingdom (Matthew 10:725:34Luke 4:43;Revelation 11:15–17Jeremiah 10:7John 18:36)

So, the question is asked, “Should Christians be missional?” Fundamentally, missional theology is not content with missions being a church-based work. Rather, it applies to the whole life of every believer. In truth, every disciple of Christ should strive to be an agent, a representative of the kingdom of God; and every follower should try to carry the mission of God into every sphere of his life. We are all missionaries sent into the world.

There are many ways we can do this as we’re each individually blessed with certain talents and skills to utilize to the glory of God. Jesus has told us in Matthew 5:13-16 that we are the salt of the earth, the light of the world . . . to let our light shine before men.

And, finally, in light of this idea of being “missional,” we can best sum it up with the words of the apostle Paul: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God . . . and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (1 Corinthians 10:31;Colossians 3:17).

What Can I Do To Help?”

BY TBK

Proverb 18:1,2, “Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. A fool hath no delight in understanding…”

       People often ask me what they can do to help save America, i.e., fight evil, win souls, help the poor, and make a difference for God. I will be quite frank, I am daily frustrated that there is not more I can do myself. I have many burdens. The important thing is that we all look at what talents and resources that God has provided to us, and then do what WE CAN individually for God. Everybody’s area of ministry is different.

Certainly, there is much we can all do; but, the key word is “DESIRE.” All the talent in the world means nothing without desire. Carefully notice that the word “triumph” begins with “try” and ends with “umph.” Hence, nothing will ever happen until someone tries to make something happen, and that often requires a lot of dedication, time, money and hard work. This is true of anything worthwhile in life. Many people want the glory and glamour; but few are willing to pay the price. 

I once asked a man how he became so good at playing the banjo, to which he replied, “Well, let’s just say I missed a lot of TV.” Proverb 18:1 tells us that DESIRE is the key to accomplishment. The Apostle Paul was without a doubt the greatest missionary who ever lived; but he suffered greatly for his ministry, even to the point of despairing life itself (2nd Corinthians 1:8,9). 

The Lord has graciously blessed my laborers for Him. This website now receives 15,000 to 18,000 visitors each day. Praise God! I never dreamed this would happen. Lest I should be exalted above measure, the Lord showed me a Harry Potter website that receives 1,300,000 visitors per day! Don’t be deceived, Satan is using the Harry Potter series to prepare young people for the New World Order, i.e., to receive the coming Antichrist.

And lest I should be exalted above measure, I have permanent neuropathy (nerve damage to my spinal cord in my neck). Only God knows my bodily afflictions and the misery I endure every day of my existence. My life ended in March of 2004, and I’ve been surviving ever since. I was diagnosed in 2005 with Cervical Degenerative Disk Disease (basically it means that your neck starts falling apart as you get older). I have slipped disks, bone spurs, stenosis (narrowing of the spinal cord passage) and radiculopathy (tingling, weakness, burning, a puffy sensation, and pain extending down into both arms and legs). From the outside I look fine, but on the inside I am afflicted day and night. To say that it is a heavy burden is a giant understatement. It has completely destroyed my life. I ask for your prayers.

The Devil has attacked me relentlessly, painfully so, trying to destroy my labors for the Lord Jesus Christ. By God’s grace this ministry will continue and hopefully perpetuate through changed lives. We need many John the Baptists today, crying in the wilderness of cyberspace for men to repent toward God, to be forgiven of their sins. The great need of this hour is preaching preachers! 2nd Timothy 4:2a, “Preach the word.” This we must do! If you want to help save America, PREACH THE WORD! Everyone can share the truth of the Gospel with others, even if you simply pass out Gospel tracts. Everyone can have a ministry. A ministry is anything that you do for God.

It will be a cold day in Hell before I ever sell anything on my website. I’m so sick of covetous believers. I wish I could visit a Baptist church nowadays that doesn’t make an issue of money. I’ve had several people ask me how much money I make from my website—NEVER A PENNY! I want everyone to know that this is a labor of love and sincerity. When you sell something, it is a conflict of interest. To the same degree that a minister is covetous, to that same degree he will censor the truth. Guaranteed! My ministry is the Lords, I do it for Him, and I trust Him to keep it going. It only costs me a couple hundreds dollars per year for my 10 GB sized website. I get unlimited bandwidth. I get upset at these so-called Christian 1 MB sized websites that beg for money to keep up with their “high expenses.” Oh please! Who’s kidding who?

I’m just a humble sinner (or a loose nut behind the wheel of life… lol) that’s trying to make it day-by-day, and without the Lord Jesus I’d be absolutely nothing. The only good in me is Jesus Christ.

What Is That In Thine Hand?

God came to Moses and asked him to lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt. Moses didn’t think he was the right man for the job, so he began to make excuses (Exodus 4:1). Moses said, “You’ve got the wrong man Lord, I’m just a shepherd living out here in the desert.” Moses didn’t think he could do what God had asked of him. Moses was focusing upon his weaknesses (as most people do), “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue” (Exodus 4:10). God asked Moses … “What is that in thine hand? And he (Moses) said, A rod.” 

This is a miraculous Bible truth! God didn’t need a man with a trained voice, or a mighty man, or a man with a suave personality; rather, God just needed a yielded man! All Moses had was the stick in his hand; but that’s all God needed. It was through that rod that God performed all the miracles in Egypt before Pharaoh and in the Wilderness. It was through that rod of Moses that God parted the Red Sea. It was through that rod that God brought forth water from the rock to quench the thirst of the Jews. It was through that rod that God performed the 10 Plagues upon Egypt. So, I begin this article by asking you… what is in thine hand? What talents has God given you? What resources do you have? What are your abilities? Only YOU can answer these questions. There is something you can do for God that no one else can do.

I simply want to get the truth out and wake people up. I’m still waking up myself. I’ve just scratched the tip of the iceberg of truth.

Earnestly Pray for Me Personally, and for My Labors in the Lord

Many people have asked how they can help me with my ministry, or personally. More than anything else in the world, I need for your prayers. I believe the Bible is God’s Word, and the Bible teaches power through prayer. Many people today seek God’s power through televangelism, charismatic experiences, multi-point programs, idols, good luck charms, meditation, charitable donations, self-improvement, chants, and other schemes. As Simon the former sorcerer found out in Acts 8:18-20, you can’t buy God’s power! It is not merchandise. God is not a genie at our disposal. God is a Person, Who loves us and sent His dear Son to pay for our sins. God’s power comes through prayer, which is asking.

In James 5:17-18 we read that Elijah was “a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly” and God answered his prayers. God is encouraging us to pray, reminding us that Elijah was no different from us. Elijah prayed sincerely, and God answered. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary Of Old And New Testament Words says concerning the word “earnestly” in James 5:17…

In Jas. 5:17 the dative case of the noun proseuche is translated “earnestly” (KJV), in connection with the corresponding verb, lit., “he prayed with prayer” (RV, “fervently”), implying persevering continuance in prayer with fervor… (ISBN: 0-7852-1160-8, pg. 191).

Thus, I desperately ask for your sincere prayers on a continual basis, i.e., persevering continuance in prayer with fervor. I cannot save anybody. I cannot make people see the light. But God can, and will, speak to people’s hearts and do great things of God’s people will prayer, not just for my ministry, but for others as well. America is dying for praying Christians. Jesus’ disciples never asked, “Lord, teach us to preach,” nor did they ever say to Jesus, “Lord, teach us to teach”; but they did request, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). Could it be that prayer is more important than preaching and teaching? Yes, most definitely, “for without me ye can do nothing” our Lord said in John 15:5. Please pray for me and my labors in the Lord, as I pray for you, my web visitors.

Please don’t misunderstand James 5:17. You don’t have to believe that God is going to answer your prayer to get the answer, you just need to have enough faith to SINCERELY KEEP ASKING as Elijah did. In Acts Chapter 12, a group of believers gathered to pray for Peter’s release from prison, and the Lord worked a miracle; thus, answering their prayer. When Peter came to the place where they were gathered together praying, Rhoda answered the door. She ran to tell everyone that Peter was at the door and they said… “Thou art mad” (Acts 12:15). They literally called her crazy! Why was it so crazy that God answered their prayers? They had so little faith that they didn’t even think God was listening to them; but, they had just enough faith TO PRAY. Prayer is faith. This is a fascinating portion of Scripture. Even the smallest amount of sincere faith can cause great things to happen in the Lord.

Again, I desperately ask for your sincere prayers on a continual basis, i.e., persevering continuance in prayer with fervor. Please make time to pray daily. If you truly want to help me with this ministry, or personally, then this is what I ask from you with all my heart. I know God answers prayer, and that the prayers of His saints will effectuate God’s blessing and power. There are dead churches and ministries all over the world, that speak the lingo, and put on a good show; but they are powerless, serving the Lord in their own strength. The Apostle Paul said in 2nd Corinthians 12:10, “for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 

Thus, I want to be weak, and unable, and unqualified, and an underachiever—because then Jesus Christ gets all the glory. I’m just a hell-deserving sinner, nothing more, who is so blessed to have Jesus Christ as my Savior, Who wonderfully lives within my soul. Without Jesus Christ I am nothing, “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Galatians 6:3). If there is anything great to be done for God in this life, it will be the Spirit of God that does it, and not us. Zechariah 4:6 declares, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” 

PLEASE PRAY for God’s Holy Spirit to work in people’s hearts through this ministry of love—for lost souls to come to Jesus Christ for salvation, for believers to be inspired to serve God, for lives to be changed for the Lord, for more labourers to be sent forth into the harvest (Matthew 9:37-38), for God to bring swift judgment upon those leaders within our government who are hardened evil criminals, for God to help those government leaders (such as congressman Ron Paul) who are true Americans and loyal to the American people, for believers to awake to righteousness and join the spiritual battle, for preachers to start preaching against sin again, for believers to aggressively contend for the faith, for false religions to be exposed, for THE TRUTH to get out! We are living in a prayerless generation! Remember, God answers KNEE-MAIL.

I ask for your prayers, for me personally, and for this international ministry. I never dreamed this website would reach so many people for the Lord. I don’t want to go it alone without the prayers of other believers, lest my work be in vain. I am only a man with a website, but God is able and willing to do great things THROUGH PRAYER.

I believe prayer is the most neglected command in the Bible today, which is why believers are not soul-conscious. In 2nd Chronicles 7:14-15 God gives us the formula for revival and saving America. God begins by telling His people to humble themselves enough to pray. We are conscious about everything except prayer. This is why believers are carnally-minded and don’t care about the THINGS OF JESUS CHRIST (Philippians 2:21).


Get Informed!

I do not agree with everything which Alex Jones promotes, does or says; BUT, he is a blessing from God to the American people. His website is at www.infowars.com. Also see, www.prisonplanet.com. Alex Jones is more than just another guy making comments on the radio and internet, he’s a fighter for freedom! Alex gets out there in the evildoer’s faces and stands against them. There’s not a pastor in America with the influence of secular radio host, Alex Jones. That is a shame.

America’s largest pastors are Bush and Obama worshippers, apostate, and sell-outs; they are mostly concerned about securing a steady flow of donations and profits. The entire reason why 501C3 State-licensed organizations were created in the 1950’s was to lure America’s churches into a government-controlled system that would legally silence them as the New World Order progressed.. Today, the need has never been greater for America’s pastors to cry aloud against the blatant crimes, robbery, mass-murdering, tyranny, and wickedness being committed by our elected government leaders; but pastors are crippled, prohibited by law from preaching against such government, because of their 501C3 status. It is evil.

No true man of God would accept a license from the State that forbids him from preaching against evils and crimes in government. If you are pastoring a church that is a 501C3 organization, preach THE TRUTH anyhow. Expose the evils in government. Yes, we ought to obey government, more than anyone as Christians; but we also ought to be the first to rise up and stand against evil. Christians ought to roast the Supreme Court for legalizing abortion. We ought to continually preach against the wickedness prevalent in our government. OUR government does what they do with OUR money in OUR name and with OUR children in the military; thus, it is OUR business! Obeying government does not mean that Christians are supposed to ignore crimes and tyranny in government. How insane for anyone to teach that God wants Christians to blindly submit to criminal government. Romans 13 does NOT teach that at all.

The love of money is the sworn number one enemy of preaching THE TRUTH (1st Timothy 6:10). Alex Jones is without a doubt doing more to save America than 99% of the preachers and pastors in this country. Why? Because he is doing something to wake people up and make a difference! HE IS MAKING SOME NOISE! Alex Jones is being heard by millions of weary Americans, who are tired of being abused by an out-of-control government. America is no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. It is a whorehouse under the control of a foreign elite criminals. Please read, The 13 Bloodlines of the Illuminati for shocking information.

Everything goes to the Private Bankers. First they get you dependent on government. Then they take control over every facet of your life. Finally, you are enslaved to them. Parents become incubators for the State. Private property ownership is abolished. The government controls your lifestyle. By controlling interest rates, the private bankers decide your comfort level. By relocating American jobs to foreign soil, Americans are forced to apply to government welfare and financial aid. There are few jobs left. As evidence of just how much the United States has deteriorated, U.S. citizens are now being forced to COMPETE with llegal immigrants for the remaining jobs. Illegals should all be arrested, prosecuted and deported.

Instead, the federal government is allowing U.S. companies to hire illegals and cater to them. Illegals get free welfare, free medical, free education, free housing; while U.S. born citizens can’t make ends meets, are losing their homes, can’t get surgery because they have no insurance, et cetera. Our prisons are saturated with illegals who are criminally violent. Several dozens California hospitals have been forced into bankruptcy because of the illegal immigrant scandal. The government has done nothing, nor will they do anything effective, because their goal is a North American Union. It’s all a part of the restructuring of the nations, to divide the world into just a handful of sections.

Just as the European Union, so will we see the creation of the North American Union, and a unified currency. Why the consolidation of power, currency and nations? It’s all part of the global takeover of the world, aka, the New World Order. To truly understand what is happening, you must understand the Bible. The Antichrist is coming. In order for the Antichrist to be effective in his evil plot to lead the world to worship him, and to have control over everyone, the stage must be set. The New World Order is a key phrase for a Godless Global Totalitarian Communist Police State! We are witnessing a consolidation of the world’s religion’s into a New Age belief system that says it doesn’t matter what you believe, just so long as you believe in a divine force. Adherents to this Luciferian religion teach their followers to set aside all doctrinal differences, sharing their common belief in a divine force (not necessarily a Supreme Being).

Sadly, Christians are just as woefully ignorant and sinfully complacent as the rest of the foolish public. Wickedness always causes people not to care, to lack concern, and become selfishly complacent. To have concern is Christlike, for God Himself does Care (1st Peter 5:7; 2nd Peter 3:9). It is humanity that doesn’t care (Philippians 2:21).

Personal ambition and hard-work are stifled by Communist confiscation of wealth and give-away programs. There is no light at the end of the tunnel unless we stop the evil Banksters. We either stand together, or we will hang separately. They are working relentlessly and criminally to transfer all wealth to themselves. They know what they are doing. Taxes are going up, while local police and public services are being reduced and slashed. The population is being squeezed, tax-exemptions are being eliminated, veteran’s benefits are being cut, taxpayers are being robbed. It is happening. They get you to invest in pensions for decades and then that money is not there when you need it and are entitled to it. They’ve bankrupt Social Security of $7,000,000,000,000!

They bankrupt the steel worker’s pension trust fund that was intended to protect their pensions. The government and elite criminals even squandered the steel worker’s trust fund. Men who had worked hard in the steel mills for 30, 40 even 50-years were robbed and betrayed. America has been going downhill ever since. Obama just froze pay to federal workers, while the newsmedia reports how great they have it. This is treason. They are taking over every major society with the same formula.

Veterans are required to pay for their own insurance in case they get their legs blown off. The government wants to completely rob veterans of their healthcare. Unions and dropping healthcare coverage for the children of workers. U.S. citizens are getting ripped-off in so many ways. In just the past 20-years, Americans have lost so much and this is just the beginning. Water prices will triple. They are going to completely sell-out the nation economically. What has happened in third world nations is coming. Austerity is total enslavement. it is all a big fraud. They get tens-of-trillions- of dollars of taxpayer money, and we get the bill. it is pure robbery. The bankers are crooks and criminals. The banks have openly fostered this system of getting us into debt over the past couple decades.

The fractional-reserve banking system is demonic, intended from its inception to rob and bankrupt our nation’s economy. We are in deep doo doo. The average American only cares about sports, having fun and stuffing their face. The media is spinning all of this, lying to us. The government is slashing pensions, retirements and all sorts of programs. It is economic warfare. Europe is about a year ahead of us. Greece is in shambles. Germany and France are going down in flames economically. The Banksters are our enemies. You’ve probably never heard that before, but the facts are irrefutable. They’ve ripped off $23,700,000,000,000 (yes, trillion) alone over the past 2-years from U.S. taxpayers. It is mathematically IMPOSSIBLE to pay back what we owed the Central Bankers.

Our founding father sternly warned us about the vile evils of the hideous Central Bank. in 1913 America’s worst nightmare became a reality. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson was spoiled rotten with wine, women and song until the day he died by the Banksters, Satan’s reward for betraying his nation, being a rotten traitor, and hurting hundreds-of-millions of people. Wilson sold his soul to the Devil. The Central Bank has had control over our nation ever since, causing World Wars I and II, and soon III. They causedThe Great Depression and are now afflicting America’s economy, housing and job market. They are pawns for Satan, doing the Devil’s will. Their Hell will be hot enough.

Honorable politicians such as Congressman Ron Paul and Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney keep in close contact with Alex Jones are are working together in a desperate last attempt to save America from imminent destruction. But without the churches, America is doomed. Our nation cannot be saved by waking people up to the evils of the Banking Cartel and other evils unless there is a spiritual revival in our nation. Cleaning up The White House is not enough. Waking people up concerning the evils afflicting them is not enough. Buying silver and gold is not the answer. Stocking food in an underground shelter is not the answer. People need Jesus Christ, they need salvation! The answer is not legislation, education, reformation, nor rehabilitation; but rather, regeneration!

Even if all the criminal Banksters, dishonest lawyers, crooked politicians, bought off judges, corrupt legislatures, guilty Senators and Congressman, greedy CEO’s, thug law-enforcement officials, and others were tried and imprisoned, it would not restore our Republic to a state of peace, happiness and freedom. God will not bless a wicked people. Americans need to stop thinking and talking filthy, having sexually-degenerate hearts and minds. Abortion must stop! Adultery must stop! Homosexuality must stop! Pornography must stop! Gambling casinos must stop! Drunkenness must stop! Witchcraft must stop! Hollywood smut, violence and cursing in God’s name must stop! You know as well as I do that Americans are too far gone, too evil-minded, too rebellious to repent toward God. Our only hope in America is either massive Hell, fire and damnation preaching; or severe and merciless judgment upon our nation.

Tragically, the average American has their head stuck where the sun don’t shine. The average pastor doesn’t know what time of day it is concerning the evils which are destroying America. I would highly recommend that you read Dr. Ron Paul’s articles if you want to know what’s going on in our government, and they way things should be, and were meant to be by our founding fathers. We need Gospel preaching; but we also need to stand up as Christians against the evil. I know pastors who think their only duty is to preach the Gospel, refusing to lift a finger to expose the evils of government crimes and the robbery of taxpayers. Yet, God told Ezekiel that He was upset over the ROBBERY and OPPRESSION being committed in Israel (Ezekiel 22:29). Our problem as Christians is that we DON’T CARE like God cares. Most pastors care about the church budget more than anything else. Most pastors don’t care about the affliction of other people, just so long as their own fat butt has it good. Most pastors are a disgrace to the name of Christ.

With due respect to the Office of the President, George W. Bush is a mass-murderer, a thief, and a scoundrel concerning the illegal Iraqi war; yet, ignorant and compromised pastors all across America have a blind loyalty for a President which is a member of the Satanic Skull and Bones group, and of the sinister Bohemian Groveorganization. Bush’s administration has funded over $1,500,000,000 to Planned Parenthood (the largest provider of abortion services in America) during his presidential term (and you’re naive enough to believe that he’s against abortion). Wake up! The average Christian can’t handle the reality that our government has been hijacked by criminalswho are committed to the destruction of America

Stop voting Republican or Democrat! Regardless, those two parties will ALWAYS control The White House, because BOTH parties are evil to the core, and there’s NOT a dime’s difference between them at the highest levels (i.e., the New World Order thugs control them both). Anybody with any knowledge at all knows that the 2000 presidential election was stolen. The system is corrupted with evil through and through. Supreme Court?… you’ve got to be kidding me!… you means Supreme Puppets! Those imposters are told what to judge, when to judge and how to judge. It’s no coincidence that every time the abortion issue is voted on that the results are 5-to-4 in favor of keeping abortion legal.  Oh Please!, who do you think you’re kidding? Oh that’s right, the tens-of-millions of dumb citizens in America. Listen friend, HELL WILL BE HOT ENOUGH for those rotten jerks who vote pro-choice (i.e., pro-murder). 

GET INFORMED! Learn the truth about 911. Learn the truth about Iraq. Learn the truth about the nonexistent War On Drugs. Learn the truth about our abandoned POWS inVietnam. Learn the truth about the godless Federal Reserve Bank. Learn the truth about the Pharmaceutical industry. But you say, “Doesn’t Romans 16:19 tell us to be, ‘wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil‘.” Yes, of course; but it doesn’t mean what you think it means. We shouldn’t be familiar with sin, i.e., from practicing sin. That’s what the Apostle Paul is saying. You’re crazy if you think God wants us to be isolated, ignorant, and complacent about the evils in OUR society or corruption in OUR government. 

Some believers have the insane idea that it’s not our place to fight against government evil. Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is that most professed Christians are yellow-bellied, spineless, cowards, who dare not make a spectacle of themselves by going against the common consensus of mainstream APOSTATE Christianity. John the Baptist stood alone in the wilderness for God, because no one wanted to stand with him. Daniel ended up in the lion’s den alone, because he was the only one who cared enough about God to pray. Look, it is your responsibility and mine to expose the evils in society and in government. But you say, “Oh, there are things in government which we don’t understand, so we must be careful about criticizing such things.” Do me a favor …shut up! Anyone with a brain and an ounce of care knows that abortion is murder. Anyone who pay taxes knows that our tax-dollars are being stolen and squandered. 

Here’s a video of Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney asking Donald Rumsfeld what they did with a missing $2,300,000,000,000 from 1999!!! Then they stole another $1,100,000,000,000 in 2000!!! That is OUR money! We are idiots if we don’t get upset and DEMAND answers. And yes Mr. President, what about DynCorp’s sex-slaves? There needs to be a big trial in Washington, and many politicians executed for their treasonous crimes against the American people, their murderous crimes against the Iraqi people, and their sexual crimes against children. We have been lied to, our children have been exploited as paid mercenaries to kill the innocent in Iraq, our children are being taught how to have homosexual sex in the public school system, etc, etc, etc. 

My website is hear to help you get informed; but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. You must DESIRE the truth for yourself. Every generation must rediscover the truth for itself. We read in 2nd Thessalonians 2:9,10 that many people will be deceived by the Antichrist BECAUSE they don’t love the truth… “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Do you love the truth? Is there something in you that must know the truth, to get to the bottom and find out the truth of a matter? Every born-again believer should have such a DESIRE. People who care want the truth, and caring is the hallmark of a genuine Christian.

Only Support Genuine Local New Testament Churches!

The first thing I’d recommend to anyone is to support your local New Testament church, if there is one. What do I mean by “local New Testament church”? I mean a SOULWINNING church. I mean a church that ONLY uses the King James Bible. I mean a church that actively stands against and exposes evils and false religions. Good luck, there are only few such churches remaining, because they are so few genuine men of God these days. The pastor sets the spiritual barometer of the church. Most so-called “churches” in the United States have gone apostate! 

If you CAN’T find a godly pastor in your area who is on-fire for God, soulwinning, preaching against sin, and contending for the faith in the local community—then perhaps you should START your own church! Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Many churches have been started in people’s homes, garages, backyards, etc. Remember, a church is NOT a building, it’s Christians coming together for the purpose of doing something for God to reach the community for Christ. Philemon 1:2, “And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house.”Notice the words, “church in THY HOUSE.” We need many new churches today, a different kind of church, because the traditional dead church is not doing anything to save America. 

We need Billy Sunday type churches—alive, on fire for God, soulwinning, haters of sin, lovers of sinners, contending for the faith, separated from the sinful world, etc. The average church is a deadbeat social club of religious do-nothings and critics. A small group of soulwinning Christians going door-to-door to win lost souls to Christ is a church! This is what is often called an “Acts 20:20 vision,” where Paul went door-to-door soulwinning daily. Most people have no idea of what a church is supposed to be like. A church should be a hotbed of soulwinning, having a strong influence in the local community, reaching out to the needy, standing against sin, contending for the faith, and doing their best to reach lost sinners for Christ with the Gospel. 

Sadly, the average church is dead—sin is not preached against, the pastor gives watered-down sermonettes, the women in the church wear pants, the teens listen to Devilish Christian rock, the men don’t go soulwinning, false religions such as Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism are never exposed, they use the hell-spawned and blasphemous New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, and they criticize soulwinners and separated Christians. Whatever you do, DON’T support such a church! If people would stop supporting bad churches with lazy ministers, then they would be forced to do their JOBS. A church will never rise above the spirituality of the pastor, and that’s the big problem in the world today—a lack of true men of God. Preachers are dime-a-dozen nowadays; but where are the men of God who hate sin, love people, and refuse to compromise concerning sin? God deliver us from money-hungry ministers who are afraid to step-on-toes by preaching against sin, and who never take the truth outside of the church walls

One of the biggest problems in the world today is naive people who support dead churches. It’s because most people want religion; but they don’t really want a closer walk with God. Unlike religion, God expects you to do something about the truth. Religion is a form of entertainment; but genuine Biblical Christianity will change you, and people don’t like to be changed. Since the truth makes most people uncomfortable, they don’t want anything to do with the truth. The Word of God is full of Scriptural references attesting to this fact. Jesus stated in John 8:40, “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth.” Again again in John 8:45, “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” People refuse to come to Christ for salvation because they don’t want to face the truth about their sins, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:20). The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 4:16, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

It is rare to find a church with a pastor who is zealous about the truth. This is evidence to the tragic apostate condition of the United States. I’d recommend an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. “Independent” simply means they stand alone, not being part of a large denomination (such as the apostate Southern Baptist Convention). “Fundamental” means that they take the Bible literally, and don’t teach doctrines that can’t be backed up with Scriptures. And finally, “Baptist” because Baptists come closest to the Bible, in my opinion, than any other group. However, Being Baptist won’t get anyone to Heaven, just as no religion will. Only through the blood of Jesus Christ can sins be taken away, not through any mortal minister or priest (1st Peter 1:18-19).

Be Careful With Your Money

There’s a reason why charlatans, crooks, and con-artists make so much money pretending to be MINISTERS of righteousness. It’s because people are ignorant and, well, stupid, to be honest. So if you want to help save America and do something for God, ideally it would be through a local New Testament church; BUT, please don’t be a fool whogives money to a do-nothing, cowardly, compromised pastor or minister. I have a pet peeve about Christians who support neoevangelical ministries that do next to nothing for God. I am a firm believer in holding ministers 100% accountable for the money entrusted to them. This is true of ANY ministry or non-profit organization. A responsible pastor provides a monthly financial statement to his congregation to account for every penny donated to the church. If your church doesn’t account for where the money goes, kindly ask the pastor or financial secretary to provide that information. If you don’t get it… find another church!

If more believers would stop tithing to BAD churches, then more pastors would become honest and more con-artists would be forced to go to work for a living. There are many churches today, whose pastor regularly talks about reaching the lost for Christ, but there is no scheduled time in the church for its members to go soulwinning. They are playing church.

Don’t Be Afraid to Stand Alone!

Sometimes we have to stand alone as believers. In fact, it’s usually that way. Daniel was cast in the lion’s den alone. Jeremiah was cast into the miry pit, and left to die, alone. John the Baptist was cast into prison alone. If you can’t find a church in your area, then serve God alone, until you can find some likeminded believers to work with. 

There is much we can do for God. I believe we ought to do as much as we can for the Lord. We must redeem the time. Every believer should look for ways to serve God. Sometimes people write me and thank my ministry team, folks… it’s just me. It is true that 1% of all Christians do 99% of the work for the Lord (i.e., the soulwinning and contending for the faith). 

There are some faithful ministries today, that are doing great works for God; but they’re probably not the one’s you’re thinking about. The most popular “ministries” are usually scams, paying their executives 6-digit salaries (or more) and never preaching the Gospel of Christ. Watch Pat Roberson on the 700 Club sometime and you’ll be disgusted. When he tells his viewers how to be saved, he vaguely mentions the word “sin.” He avoids a lot of important things, like being “born-again” and the “blood of Jesus.” He’s leading people into religion without Christianity. I am leery of televangelists and you should be too! The Bible calls them “greedy dogs” in Isaiah 56:11. DON’T support any televangelists! They’reall con-artists, at least the ones who can afford to be on TV. It costs them millions to make tens-of-millions. It’s a sham.

Perhaps Start Your Own Website

If you want to make money, please don’t exploit Christianity to do so. One man wrote me who said he was a long-time member of an Independent Baptist Church, had worked in law-enforcement for many years, and wanted to make a website to reach others in law-enforcement. I kindly wrote him back and told him I’d help him any way possible; but, NOT if he planned to make money from his website. To no surprise he never wrote back again, not even to thank me. This is where Christianity is at today, so many believers are covetous.

I’m saddened that more Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches DON’T have large websites (i.e., packed full of truth). A website is a ministry that operates 24/7. While you’re sleeping, your website for the Lord is helping others. That’s a great feeling. There’s no way humanly possible that I could speak with thousands of people in one day, nor could I share with them the amount of information available to them on my website. 

As mentioned earlier, I never accept donations, although many people have kindly offered. My work is for the Lord. I get upset when I see so-called “Christian” websites begging for donations due to the high cost of maintaining a website. Gimme a break! Don’t be fooled, having a website shouldn’t cost a lot. You may want to start your own website. It’s not too difficult, it just requires a lot of patience. The most difficult part is getting started. The Devil’s crowd has saturated the internet, why shouldn’t God’s children do the same? What takes time is the thousands-upon-thousands of hours of work which go into maintaining a large website (i.e., writing articles, doing research, answering e-mails, fixing dead hyperlinks, etc). 

However, your website doesn’t have to be any bigger than what you want it to be. If you want lots of visitors, bigger is better. More articles means more chances that your website will contain what people are looking for in the search engines. Although I’ve invested well over 10,000 hours in this website, I’ve never regretted a moment of the time spent. You are welcome to copy/paste whatever you want from my website to yours … the truth should always be free. 

Also, you are welcome to promote and distribute my ministry freely (and THANK YOU!). Here’s a page of free banners that you are welcome to copy/paste to your own website or webpage. I believe the truth should always be free.

Every Believer Should Have A Ministry!

If not a website, then how about starting a local soulwinning club? A husband and wife could organize a local soulwinning meeting, where the ladies and the men divide and go soulwinning in different areas. A church doesn’t need a building, pews, an organ, etc. The idea of a church requiring a building is an illusion. The Christians in the book of Acts DIDN’T have a church building. If America is going to be salvaged, then INDIVIDUAL Christians are going to have to take the initiative to make something happen for the Lord, because most of our churches are ignorant, sidetracked, and dead. Increasingly, I can’t find a good church to recommend to people when they write me asking for a referral. They’re just not out there! One man who’s on fire for God can do more than 10,000 churchgoers who are spiritually sleeping.

Perhaps start a homeless ministry or a prison ministry in your area.

Men should consider STREET PREACHING!

Please visit my other website at www.soulwinning.info for more ideas!

237 countries
6.3 billion people
70% have yet to hear
 

Foreign Missions

Do you have a world vision for souls?  Are you interested in helping get the Gospel out to the world?  Most missionaries are supported through missionary boards, who make sure they’re getting the job done.  It’s a far better cause for your charitable contributions, than the ridiculous things which many people support. 

Expose the Cults!

I am saddened and wearied that hardly any Christians expose false religionsfalse prophetsfalse gods, and false Christs.  Why are so many believers silent concerning thehellish monster of Catholicism? Over 1,000,000,000 people in this world are following the dreaded beast of Roman and Orthodox Catholicism. Oh, how we need Christians today who will contend for the faith (Jude 3). I am not advocating being unkind or rude to people. I am saying that we need to stand for the truth and let the chips fall where they may. Yes, people will be offended, because the truth is usually offensive. Over 1,000,000,000 lost souls are following the damnable Islamic Muslim religion, headed straight for an eternity in the Lake of Fire. 

Ephesians 5:11 commands, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” We’re supposed to “reprove” (Greek: elencho, which means “to expose”) all works of darkness. False religions are works of darkness, which lead people into Hell. Abortion is a work of darkness. Pornography is a work of darkness. Hollywood is a work of darkness. Rock-n-roll is a work of darkness. Walt Disney is a work of darkness. 

Every Catholic Church should know that there is a fighting group of Christians in their local area exposing them. People need to be warned! Hell is real folks and 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9 are frightening Scriptures… “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord…” I marvel how some people say that Hell has no fire, or that Hell is just the grave. If that be true, then the Scriptures I just quoted you make no sense at all. As believers, we need to teach people the truth, WARNING them that there is a Hell burning with fire and brimstone, where lost sinners WILL spend eternity in torment!!! Is it nothing to you all ye that pass by (Lamentations 1:12).

Be Aggressive About Soulwinning!

Nothing else matters if we lose site of our precious Savior, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious…” (1st peter 2:7). There are many ministries and non-profit organizations in the world today that have a form of godliness; but they deny the power thereof as the Bible states… “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” That “power” is the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvationto every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Please read, The Simple Gospel. It is NOT our efforts, or eloquent words, or education, that wins the lost to Christ… It is the Gospel. Our primary job as believers is NOT to help and feed the poor, it is to preach the Gospel to them. What good does it do to help the poor, lift up the fallen, cloth the naked, and comfort the feebleminded—if they die in their sins and go to Hell for all eternity?

Yet, tragically, MOST so-called ministries today place soulwinning as a last priority, if the Gospel is preached at all. There is a generic, mainstream false gospel being propagated today that simply requires people to “ask Jesus into their heart” or “commit one’s life to Christ.” That is a road to Hell. The Biblical Gospel EXCLUDES all forms of self-righteousness, including water baptism and the Mass. You’ll never hear Pat Robertson or Benny Hinn criticize the Roman Catholic religion publicly on TV. Every unsaved Mormon and Jehovah’s Witness believes that Jesus died, was buried and rose again. But they’ve ADDED doing good works to the Gospel, which then becomes a false gospel. Think about this, 95% of the unsaved religious people in America believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose again. The problem is that it is just religious information in their head, and they have never been born-again by trusting Jesus as the Christ in their heart. They have never acknowledged their woeful guilt of sin, for violating God’s holy Law. They have added self-righteous works, such as water baptism and living an upright life, as part of their requirements to get to Heaven. They are lost.

The once famed army of soulwinners led by William Booth, known as the Salvation Army, has deteriorated into an organization that is far more Army than Salvation. It’s all about money nowadays. How many Gospel tracts do you think the Salvation Army Santa Clause passes out each year? You know the answer … NONE? How many firemen does the Salvation Army‘s hot-chocolate wagon witness to throughout the year? … NONE? I’ve been in dozens of Salvation Army thrift stores and I’ve yet to find anything even remotely indicative of a Christian organization… NOTHING! Oh, but the Salvation Army owns some great property in the Hawaiian Islands. It’s a shame! I recently read that there are 7,000 homeless people on Oahu. How many of those people have been witnessed to by the Salvation Army? 

As with most PROFITABLE non-profit organizations, the Salvation Army has a lot to be desired of it. PROOF of what I am saying is that the Salvation Army is rarely mentioned in the news for contending for the faith or upsetting the wicked. Their statement of faith is buried within their organization. The New Testament church caused a ruckus by preaching the truth. It’s not enough for the Salvation Army to post their doctrinal/positional stand on the back pages of some website, they need to start taking a visible stand against evil or America will face certain destruction. The Salvation Army will be held much more accountable by God for their lack of faith, because they are one of the most influential groups in the world. Nearly everyone loves the Salvation Army these days, because they have hidden their spiritual candle under a bushel. They ought to be ashamed.

If John the Baptist were to behave like members of the Salvation Army, he’d walk around Jerusalem in a nice uniform, playing a trumpet, doing nice things for people and never say a word of warning about God’s wrath, of coming judgment or of the Lake of Fire. John was a sight to behold, clothed in camel’s hair, eating wild locusts and preaching REPENTANCE FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS! Much of professed Christianity has become a business nowadays, a den-of-thieves who exploit Christianity to make merchandise of people.

The Truth Must Be Told!

America needs VOICES! The truth is lonely these days, having few friends. Love the Truth! The truth is that the New International Version and the English Standard Versionof the Bible are of the Devil, ruthlessly attacking the deity of Jesus Christ (compare Philippians 2:6). The truth is that President George W. Bush is a pro-choice, pro-homosexual, occult member who is NOT a Christian. The truth is that Barack Obama is a Communist. The truth is that the 911 attacks in New York were orchestrated by the Bush Administration, and the concrete evidence is irrefutable. Mr. Bush, Ashcroft, Rumsfeld, and Cheney are mass murderers. Would you just sit there doing nothing if you were the President, and were just told your nation was under severe attack? Why did WT7 mysteriously collapse? 

Whatever you can think and find to do to wake people up, do it! Satan is the god of this rotten wicked world and has blinded the minds of the masses (2nd Corinthians 4:4). The truth of the Gospel is the most important truth, for without Christ we would all go to Hell forever. Ironically, most people who reject the truth of the Gospel also reject the truth about the New World Order. People are wearing blinders and it’s hard to wake them up. I have learned that people who want the truth about one subject are likely to want the truth about others subjects too. And those wicked people who reject the Gospel are very likely to also reject the truth about everything. Jesus said inJohn 18:37, “…To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” Most people don’t look at Jesus from the perspective of TRUTH, but He is the truth (John 14:6). Jesus said in John 4:24 that God the father can only be worshipped in spirit and in truth. The truth is critically important.

I suggest that you go to infowars.com and buy some of Alex Jones’ videos to be educated concerning the truth of the New World Order. I have all of them in my video library for reference. If nothing else, please watch for free the masterpiece 2:19 hour documentary, END GAME!

Why were there mock war games going on at the exact SAME time as the actual attacks on the morning of 9-11-01? Why did BBC News report that WTC 7 fell 23 MINUTES BEFORE IT FELL! They knew! The American people have been lied to repeatedly and blatantly about so many things concerning 911 and the Godless war against the Iraqi people. I will preach against the evils of 911 until the criminals behind 911 are brought to justice, or the Lord says it’s time for me to go home. Psalm 94:16 challenges every believer to stand against evil and injustice!… “Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” 

Each of us has different talents and opportunities in life. Look at what God has given to you, and see what you can do for God. The main goal is to win lost sinners to Jesus Christ, by sharing the Biblical Gospel with them. Without the good news of Jesus Christ, nothing else matters anyway. Praise God for the gift of His dear Son, Jesus Christ.

What are you doing to unlock minds?

JESUS CHRIST

Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)

If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, “I repent,” forgive him.
(Luke 17:4)

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. (Mark 11:25)

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.(Matthew 6:12)

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.(Matthew 6:14-15)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18:21-22)

**Copyright, 2002, Brian Campbell (Permission is granted to copy for personal use only.  

FORGIVE/FORGIVENESS

Excerpts from Dr. Brian Campbell’s Book:  “Godly Counsel.”
Copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved

“Forgive  and you will be forgiven.”

(Luke 6:27)

Forgive : to pardon; to waive any negative

feeling or desire for punishment

 

 

All of us have been hurt or offended by others at one time or an­other in our lives.  Sometimes these hurts run so deep that it’s hard to “let go” of them, even when the person who hurt us has apologized, repented, and asked for forgiveness .  When we begin to recognize the depth of our own sin, and the incredible sacri­fice that Jesus Christ made on the cross for our sin, we can begin to forgive others, and even ourselves.

 

Synopsis

 

We are all sinners.1 No one is perfect or good except God alone.When God first created the world, it was “good,”3 but sin soon entered in.  It was the mission of Christ to come to this earth to die for our sins so that we might be reconciled with God and have eternal life .4

 

---

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time

my mother conceived me.

(Psalm 51:5)1

No one is good—except God alone.

(Mark 10:18)2

 

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

(Genesis 1:31)3

 

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous  for

the unrighteous, to bring you to God.  He was put

to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.

(1 Peter 3:18)4

 


When Christ died for us on the cross, He took away all of our sins.5  Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ, and acknowledges that He died for our sins, receives complete forgiveness  of sins.6  From God’s perspective , forgiveness  is a “one hundred per­cent,” all-or-none type of thing.  That is, when we accept Jesus Christ and repent  of our sins, God forgives each and every one of our sins, no matter “how many,” “how big,” or “how small.”

 

Scriptures give us vivid illustrations of how deep and complete God’s forgiveness  is for our sins.  For example, the Bible states that God: hides our sins behind His back;7 covers over them;8  doesn’t remember them anymore;9 removes them “as far as the east is from the west”;10 and, when God forgives us com­pletely we are “whiter than the snow.”11

 

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God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,

not counting men’s sins against them.

(2 Corinthians 5:19)5

Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness

of sins through his name.

(Acts 10:43)6

In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction;

you have put all my sins behind your back.

(Isaiah 38:17)7

You forgave the iniquity of your people

and covered all their sins.

(Psalm 85:2)8

Their sins and lawless acts

I will remember no more.

(Hebrews 10:17)9

As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

(Psalm 103:12)10

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me,

and I will be whiter than snow.

(Psalm 51:7)11

God’s Guidance

 

Jesus Christ made it very clear that in order to receive the in­credible gift of forgiveness  from God, we must first forgive oth­ers.12 There is no “wiggle room.”  He stated that:  “if you do not forgive men of their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”13

 

As human beings, we often find it difficult to forgive the sins of others.  Deep down, we would sometimes like to “pick and choose” the sins of others that we will forgive, or decide on “how many” sins the other person has committed against us before they have “exceeded their limit” and we can no longer forgive them.  However, Scriptures  indicate that God does not allow for this type of “selective” forgiveness  when someone repents and asks us for forgiveness .

 

For example, God’s Word makes it clear that when we come to the Lord in prayer, if we hold “anything against anyone,” we are to forgive him.14  Along similar lines, we are to forgive “whatevergrievances you may have against one another.”15

 

FORGIVENESS

The Bible speaks about every person needing forgiveness and every person needing to forgive. Why? Because we are all sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. None of us is perfect. We need God’s grace and we need to extend that same mercy to others. This subject is the very essence of true Christianity. Until we understand it, we will not really understand God Himself.

Likely, if you are reading this page, you want to receive God’s forgiveness, and you want to forgive. You want your slate to be clean. The problem is how? If we do not receive this grace from God, and extend it to others, the Scriptures make it clear that we will die in our sins. God has made forgiveness so important, that all our happiness and fulfillment depend on it – in this life and in the next.
He knew that all of us, without exception will be wronged. Furthermore, all of us will treat others wrongly. All of us will sin against God and others. These sins block and hinder our relationship with Him. Jesus spoke more of forgiveness than possibly any other topic. This is a lesson we must learn on deeper and deeper levels until the very core of our being is changed into Love.
There is no life apart from God’s love. Therefore, there is no life apart from forgiveness, for forgiveness is the seal, the mark, and the proof of Love. If we say we have love and cannot walk in forgiveness, we deceive ourselves, and our “love” is only a parody of the real thing.

We All Need Forgiveness

The psychologist, Freud, accurately determined that the main source of all humanity’s woes are feelings of guilt. He came to this profound truth, but didn’t know what to do with it. Today, we are encouraged by pop psychologists to “feel good about ourselves,” and to do away with the troubling guilt that we all have. The Bible teaches the opposite. It says we must face our sin and deal with it – and only then can we have the peace that the world craves so badly. It can be a frightening and painful thing to face our sin, yet we will never receive healing unless we do. Our guilt will continue to torment us and wreak havoc on our lives until we receive forgiveness for our sins. The key is not to ignore our guilt or try to gloss over it, but to face it and seek God for forgiveness, through the blood of Jesus.
When Jesus died on the cross, He took our punishment upon Himself. He took the guilt of our sins and bore them in our place. He received all the emotional pain of the abuse, betrayal, injustice, and scorn that we ourselves have given and received. In a prophetic portrait of the future Christ, Isaiah wrote, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Hebrews 9:22 says, “In fact, under the Law, almost everything is purified by means of blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins.” (Amplified Bible, emphasis mine)
The weight of sin is so great that only shed blood can atone for it. We treat it so lightly, yet all the world is reeling and stunted and dying under the consequences of it. In the days of the Old Covenant (before Jesus came), God made laws requiring specific animals to be sacrificed to atone for certain sins. The one who committed the sin, was to slay the animal himself. We look at the Old Testament and wonder why God would be so strict, so seemingly cruel, and so specific. In confusion, many of us have said “Well, that is how God was back then…” and we try to put it out of our heads. There is something we must understand about God though. He does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. What He hated 2,000 years ago He hates today, and will hate 2,000 years from now. He hates what destroys His creation, and He will be merciless against all forms of sin and injustice until every last bit is purged from us. (Please note that He is merciless with the sin, but not the repentant sinner!!)
Sin has destroyed this planet far more than even the most perceptive of us can realize. Only by shedding blood can we understand the extreme consequences of the price of sin. The shedding of blood is a vivid illustration that all sin will end in death. God, in His mercy, has allowed us to see and receive a small portion of the consequences of our sin in this lifetime, so we can change while we still have the opportunity to do so. After we die it will be to late.
When we see that the price that we must each pay for our sins is lifeblood of something or someone–and that there is no way around it–the debt must be paid, only then we begin to have a true appreciation of what happened on the Cross.
If we do not understand the Cross, we can never receive absolution from the guilt that eats away at us. The Cross is essential for us to have new life. It is our only path to freedom.

Walking in the Joy of a Clean Conscience

Up to this point, you may be feeling less optimistic than you did when you started this article. If you are, it is a good sign. Believe it or not, you are closer to freedom than you have ever been! As we stated earlier, to be free from any problem, we must first recognize that we have one. Sometimes this is the hardest part. Recognizing and dealing with our sin is the only way to overcome the consequences of it. Are you ready for the good news now?
You can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if you were to die tonight, you could stand before your Creator with a clean conscience. You don’t have to rely on hopeful wishes or vague optimism. You can be washed clean and fragrant and sparkling. You don’t have to hide from the guilty feelings that oppress you deep inside. You don’t have to mete out penance for yourself to ease your conscience. You don’t have to feel unworthy to come before the Lord in prayer, or accept the evil things Satan would try to do to you as your “punishment” from God. (Satan loves to masquerade as God Himself)!
God already punished Jesus in your place. If you were to receive your true punishment, you’d already be long dead! God’s grace has kept you alive this long for a reason. Part of it is bringing you to this very place so you can hear Him calling out to you. It’s not too late! No matter what you’ve done, it isn’t too late for you to repent and to change you ways! If you are willing and ready to change your life, God is more than ready to help you, forgive you and restore you.
When Jesus cried out “It is finished!” on the cross, and took His last breath, the curtain in the temple was ripped from top to bottom. This curtain was extremely thick, and separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This inner sanctuary was where the presence of the Living God dwelled. No unclean thing could enter into this sacred place. A priest only went in once a year and if he had any sin in his life, he would die as he came to minister before the Lord. Yet, when Jesus finished the work on the cross, that curtain that kept us away from God’s presence was ripped open, symbolizing a new relationship that we can now have with the Living God.
Jesus’ atoning death on the cross made it possible for us to receive complete access to the presence of God. We can be forgiven of all our sins and no longer need to cower in the distance, afraid to face God. This problem has been dealt with once and for all, but we need to apply it for it to have any significance in our lives. This will not work if we agree only in theory. It must become a practical action in our lives.

Steps to Receive God’s Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not automatic. Through the blood of Jesus, every person alive has the opportunity to receive forgiveness, but it does not happen involuntarily. The Bible makes it clear that there are some conditions we must meet to obtain God’s forgiveness. Let’s look at the following verses to find out what we must do to obtain forgiveness.
    1. 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Hosea 14:2-3: “Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips…We will never again say ‘our gods’ to what our own hands have made’” (NIV). From the above verses, the first thing we see is that we must confess our sins. We must recognize where we have erred, and hurt God by our actions. When confessing your sins to God, be as specific as you can. General confessions do very little to convict of sin, or to convince God of your seriousness, or to bring healing in those areas.
    1. Isaiah 55:7: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Ezekiel 18:21: “But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” Our next step in receiving forgiveness, is to turn from our wicked ways and change them. We may struggle with a certain sin, but if our intent is truly to change our ways and overcome that sin, God will give us the grace to do it. Many want to receive forgiveness from God without changing their ways. God knows the difference between those who are sincere and those who are using Him to temporarily ease their conscience. He is not mocked or deceived. If one comes to him in sorrow, humility and sincerity, His grace is abundant. However, He has little patience for those who would abuse His mercy. Search your heart and ask God to give you the grace for true repentance, and the power of the Holy Spirit to make the changes you need to do. His greatest joy is to help those who repent in sincerity. This should include asking forgiveness of those you have wronged and making restitution to them. True repentance will always be accompanied by corresponding actions.
    1. Along these lines, the Bible also makes it clear that we are to “make right” any situations where we have failed in our responsibilities to others. Matthew 5:23-25 says ”Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” Romans 13:7: “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” (NIV). If we are sincere in our repentance we must be willing to pay the penalty for our crimes against others. This could include restoration of any goods, monies, or services that were taken wrongfully, (or never given at all, if we owed them). The Lord says to “agree with our adversary.” If we are in dispute with someone, that means we must admit to what we have done and quit trying to defend ourselves. If we are in the wrong (even partially) it is better to take responsibility for it, than to argue for our rights. Many of us have failed to give honor and respect to those who are due it. That includes elders of any kind. They may be our parents, those in ministry, government leaders, our employers, those who are merely older than us in general, etc. Even if we don’t agree with all their decisions, we are to honor and respect them for the office and position they hold. We are to refer to them with respect, both to their face and behind their back. Furthermore, God also commands us to treat everyone with common courtesy and respect regardless of who they are, because they are created in His image. Again, we do not have to concur with everything they do, but we owe them basic respect, out of respect for God. In fact, how much we really respect God will be evident in how we treat others. If you have failed to show proper respect and/or honor for someone, it is your responsibility to apologize (if applicable), and to change your ways. No one can do this for you. If you do not change your ways, you will face the inevitable slide into prideful self-deception and self-righteousness, both of which are an abomination to God.
  1. Matthew 6:14-15: “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.” Mark 11:25-26: “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop – leave it, let it go – in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your (own) failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.”(Amplified) These verses are perhaps some of the least applied Scriptures in the Kingdom of God. Somehow, many of us are deceived into thinking that we do not have to take them literally. However, Jesus emphasized this principal over and over again in His parables and teachings. If we receive God’s forgiveness, it is our duty to forgive those who have wronged us. The two are inseparable. Jesus said plainly that God will not forgive us, if we do not forgive others. Many Christians are full of condemnation and guilt because they still feel the weight of their sins, even though they’ve asked God to forgive them. Could it be that they have not been able to receive God’s forgiveness because they still have bitterness in their own hearts toward others? Sometimes, we may carry bitterness and hurt so long, that we no longer even recognize it as a problem. It becomes a part of our very nature. We may not scheme for revenge, but our souls are clouded with a quiet, persistent bitterness.
Some of us have been betrayed in devastating ways, and have suffered profoundly at the hand of abusive people. Others have been horribly mistreated by those of other races, nations, and religions. If you are suffering with deep unhealed wounds, know the Lord has also been hurt with your pain. He loves you and wants to heal you. It is because of His great love for you that He is calling you to forgive. It is your only release from the emotional prison that you are now in.
You do not have to live in a continual state of submission to evil emotions. You can be free of them, through the power of the cross. “Behold, I make all things new” says the Lord. You can be made new on the inside, and no longer staggering under a load of bitterness, hatred, pain, and depression. God wants to set you free right now!

Forgiveness in Practice

If you have been wounded, God will take even this frustration and pain of rejection in your life and work it for something good so you can be a vessel of healing to His people – if you let Him.
“…But what if they don’t even see how bad they’ve hurt me?” Whether they see it or not is between them and the Lord. Your responsibility is simply to forgive them.
“…I’m afraid if I forgive, I’ll only get hurt again.” If you call on the Lord for wisdom He will help you in your situation. If you are in an abusive relationship/partnership/friendship you need to pray about whether you should stay in it. You can still forgive them, but it doesn’t mean that you have to live with, or be closely associated with them. There is a difference.
“…If I forgive them, they’ll only go on hurting others.” If the person who hurt you has done it in an illegal way such as sexual abuse, theft, murder, etc., you have a responsibility to do all you can to stop others from being hurt in the same way. However, you can still forgive them, in the sense that you do not actively hate them, and can pray for God’s mercy on them.
When God forgives us, He no longer holds our sins against us. Therefore, we don’t have the right to hold others’ sins against them–not if we belong to Jesus. If we belonged to the world, we could indulge in bitterness, but the blood-bought child of a merciful King has no such right.
Whether we “feel” forgiveness in our hearts or not, we are under obligation to obey God. As we obey Him, He will supply the feelings. Obedience must come first, then the right feelings will follow. We can’t wait for a special nudge from On High to get us to do what His Word already tells us plainly to do. The longer we wait, the worse off we will be. Oswald Chambers, in his famous devotional, “My Utmost For His Highest,” preaches strongly about this concept:
“Revise where you have become stodgy spiritually and you will find it goes back to a point where you knew there was something you should do, but you did not do it because there seemed no immediate call to, and now you have no perception, no discernment; at a time of crisis you are spiritually distracted instead of spiritually self-possessed.”
The best way to be rid of bearing a grudge against someone (or a race, nation, gender, or church, etc.), is to confess it to the Lord and seek His help. Then, begin to pray for that person as if you were praying for yourself.
“Lord, bless so and so. Cause their way to be pleasing to You in all that they do. Lead them closer to you! Cleanse them of all sin and give them the grace and strength to repent of any wickedness in their heart. Cause them to thirst for intimacy with You, and let them be fulfilled in Your presence. Let them honor You and put You first in all their ways. Send Your Holy Spirit to minister to them, to strengthen them, and to lead them. Let them fulfill the call of God on their life. Bless their family/job/ministry/etc. Cause them to be fruitful and to be established in your love. Minister to them in the area of their deepest needs. Help me to be truly concerned for them. Let me have your heart for this person. Show me how to pray for them and love them as you want me to….”
Then, bind away any spirit of deception that has come over them, or anything else the Lord may show you in prayer. This is what “loving our enemies” is all about. It is looking past the sin they have committed against us, and honestly wanting the best for them and for God to be merciful to them.
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; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48
As you are faithful to pray for those who have wronged you in this way, you will see a change come about in them–and in you!!! Instead of hate, you will begin to have God’s compassion for them. There is nothing that pleases the Lord more than to see His children bearing each other’s burdens, loving each other from the heart, and living in humility toward each other.

“Standing on the Promises of God”

Many have written us with a fear that perhaps they have “gone too far.” They have continually struggled with a besetting sin that seems to master them again and again. They wonder if they have lost their salvation, if God has given up on them, of if they were ever truly saved at all.
Please know this: If you are crying out to Him for forgiveness, it is only because He has given you the grace to do so–and He WILL answer your heart’s cry. If you were past the point of no return, you wouldn’t even care about the concept of forgiveness. It is only because you belong to the Lord that you are still seeking Him.
Jesus said in John 6:37, “All whom My Father has given (entrusted) to Me, will come to Me and I will most certainly not cast out–I will never, no never reject one of them who comes to Me” (Amplified).
If you are feeling weak, understand this about your beautiful Savior: “He does not crush the weak, or quench the smallest hope…” (Matthew 12:20, Living Bible).
God loves you and He is on your side to help you overcome sin. He is not against you. He is for you. Please refer to the above (and following) scriptures as often as you feel the need–as often as the devil would whisper lies of condemnation in your ear (Satan literally means “Accuser” and that is what he does best). Jesus stood against the devil with scripture and we should do the same thing! These promises are true and precious, for “God is not a man that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19). Even if you don’t “feel” forgiven, that is beside the point. God’s word is truer than our emotions.
All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That is why Jesus died for us in the first place! This is the most basic tenant of Christianity, yet it seems it is the primary lesson we all must learn again and again. God doesn’t love us because we are worthy. He loves us because He IS Love.
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.) Hebrews 10:18-23
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. In this way love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:16-18 (NIV)
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. Psalm 103:8-13
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22 (NIV)
He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Psalm 103:2-3
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:11
Jesus said that the one who is forgiven much will love much. We all need to be forgiven of much, but very few of us recognize it. If you recognize your sins and mourn deeply because of them, you are closer to true love than all the multitudes who are doing “just fine.”
However, just as there is a time to mourn for our sins, there is also a time to rejoice that we are truly forgiven and clothed in the very righteousness of Christ Himself. Once we have been forgiven, God wants us to walk free of the burden of guilt. That is why He assures us over and over in His word that He literally forgets our sins. I used to think preachers only made that up, until I saw it in the Bible. As if forgiveness were not enough, God also gives us the royal robes of holiness to wear. In Him, we are made righteous in Christ. If that is not something to rejoice about, nothing is! Praise God!!!
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

It Is Utterly Impossible For Love To Be Defeated

In all of God’s creation, one thing can absolutely never be defeated, and that is Love. Though it has been trivialized, mocked, perverted, ignored, and trampled on, True Love will eventually change the whole order and fabric of creation. It is impossible for this not to happen. God is Love, and God will never be defeated. Love cannot fail, but it will vanquish every foe that is set against it, of which unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred and pride are a part. These things will cease absolutely one day. But we can hasten that day and speed it’s coming, by applying the parameters of love to our lives now. If we do this, we wage spiritual war with the most powerful (and essentially only) weapon of spiritual warfare that there is.
We all love to talk about love in the abstract, but the depth of our commitment to it is revealed in our willingness and ability to forgive. It is the true measure of what sort of warrior we really are, in the kingdom of God. No matter what accusations the Enemy may make, forgiveness drowns them in the blood of Jesus, and turns the bullets of his words into butterflies. That is why forgiveness and walking in love cannot be mere options for the Christian. Either we do it, or we don’t. If we don’t, we deceive ourselves that we are Christ’s followers. If we want to follow
Jesus then we must walk where He walked. We must forgive as He forgives and love as He loves. The simplicity of this gospel is the only thing that can and will transform us–and the world!
We’ve all heard these words, but let’s read them again from the Amplified Bible:
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy; it is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited–arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude (unmannerly), and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking ; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it–pays no attention to a suffered wrong. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness , but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best about every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything (without weakening). Love never fails–never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end.  1 Corinthians 13:4-8
If you need to pray for forgiveness, here is a sample prayer to help you:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Your grace and mercy to me. Forgive me for my hardness of heart which I have displayed to others as well as You. Cleanse me of all self-absorption, self-pity, anger, hatred, bitterness, vengefulness, hopelessness and resentment. Help me to walk in Your love and to know Your love in my own heart. Though I don’t have it within me, I know that You have it within You and that you share your power with the weak. I confess my weakness and I look to You to make me strong in love, patience, longsuffering and humility. I look to all the testing of my faith as something good, for You know it will make me stronger in it. You are rich in mercy and will not chide and scold forever. I’m calling on You for forgiveness and the strength to believe Your Word and to follow it. Now, Lord, please send me the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen me so I can follow through with all You’ve put in my heart. Help me not to stumble back into my old ways, but walk in the newness of life that You have promised those who are born again. Let my life be the very fragrance of grace to all I meet. Let me show others the the kind of love that You have shown me. Thank you for your faithfulness Lord. I cling to your mercy and love You with all my heart.

How do I know what God’s will is for my life?

What is God’s will for your life? Many students desire to do God’s will, but struggle because they don’t know what God’s will is. The following are some principles from God’s Word that will help you to discern what God’s will is for you.
  1. God does have great plans for your life!
    We were created by God, in His image, for a purpose. Just as God set apart from birth Isaiah (Isaiah 49:1), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5) and Paul (Galatians 1:15) for a specific purpose, he also has a specific plan for your life.
    “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declared the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).
    The Bible says that God’s will is “good, pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
  2. God’s will, first and foremost, is that we have a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
    “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
  3. God wants us to be Christ’s disciples.
    This means Christians must be committed to following God’s will daily, whatever the cost.
    “If anyone would come to me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
  4. The Bible will help us to know God’s will.
    “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).
  5. God promises to give us wisdom if we just ask Him in prayer, believing that He will give it.
    Sometimes we need to just ask God to give us wisdom to discern His will.
    “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
    In Philippians 4:6, God tells us that we can pray about everything.
  6. God has given us the Holy Spirit for guidance.
    “…when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13a).
  7. We should listen to the advice of godly men and women that God has placed in our lives.
    Many times the advice of a parent, pastor, youth minister, Sunday School teacher or other mature person is just what we need to hear to help us decide what God wants us to do.
    “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15).
    “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).
  8. The Bible says that there is a peace that comes when we are pleasing God with our lives.
    When deciding between two alternatives that you have been praying about, sometimes one of the options will give you a greater peace. That option is probably God’s will.
    “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17).
  9. We should trust God in faith that He will accomplish His will in our lives.
    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
    “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in your will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
  10. God has given each of us gifts and abilities to use in His service.
    God always equips us to do what he calls us to do. If you aren’t gifted in a certain area, God is probably not calling you to minister in that area. (see Romans 12:6-81 Corinthians 12:1-11 andEphesians 4:11-13 for lists of spiritual gifts and a discussion of them.)
    Remember that God’s ultimate purpose for all of us is that He would be glorified (1 Corinthians 10:31) and that the gospel and God’s kingdom would be advanced (Genesis 50:20 and Philippians 1:12).
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TRUE MEANING

If God has spoken, then that is the end of it.

Please hear my caution. If God speaks, then you must hold onto what He says, and don’t let your sight interfere.

If you won’t listen to my words, then listen to the countless stories of the bible, where God makes a promise and then it seems all of the world tries to prevent that thing from happening. Joseph’s brothers threw him in a pit and sold him to the Egyptians. If Joseph had looked at his circumstances in jail in Egypt then he may have chosen to believe God’s words won’t come to pass.

Let’s take another example… one day you might be married, and if things go badly for your marriage, will you stick to your promise and covenant and the blessings and promises of God over your marriage? Or will you pay attention to the circumstances and leave your marriage?

What if God gives you and your wife a promise? If things go badly – as they surely will – and the promise looks impossible, will you abandon your calling? Jesus Christ said it plainly, anyone who puts their hand to the plough and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God. It takes strength and courage and tenacity

Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:62.

We have a high calling and it requires us to be faithful to what God said. The bible says His words never return to Him void. The bible says that He is unchanging, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. I suppose the key question is… DID He speak? And what did He say? And if He did speak, you can be sure the enemy is mobilising his resources to ensure God’s words do not come to pass.

If one day He says something to you, hold onto it. And always remember… the bible is chock full of promises that apply to all believers. So if you think God has not spoken, you need to read your bible, because He has spoken through His Son Jesus Christ.

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15 – As For Me And My House We Will Serve the Lord