Saturday Song: 10cc, "Second Sitting for the Last Supper"

Back in the summer of 1975, I felt delighted to hear this song. Somebody was actually singing about Jesus on the radio. And while I did have some trepidations about the lyrics, I took encouragement in the fact that there would be a second supper at which all the faithful could eat. Of course 10cc didn't share the blessid hope of Christ's second coming as I did and still do.

Listen to 10cc's song here:

I do agree with 10cc that it should be time for resurrection but that's up to the Lord to decide. Whenever it happens, we can anticipate that even when our bodies die,we will be raised in new bodies on that wonderful day. As Paul wrote about burial in Romans 6:5 (KJV), "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"

And this resurrection won't take place secretly but will be abundantly obvious to all. As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:18 (KJV) about those spreading rumors, "Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some."

When we are raised from the dead, it'll be a wonderful day for believers and a terrifying day for those who rejected the gospel all their lives. As Jesus was quoted in regard to the future judgement in John 5:29 (KJV), "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."

So, what do you think of 10Cc's song and what I've written? Please let me know in the space below.

By the way, I'll be dealing with the differences between the God of the Bible and Islam's Allah. Some professing Christians actually think God and Allah are the same person. They aren't and I'll show why next month.

The Born Basically Good Error

Liberal Christian denominations teach that humanity is basically good and all people need to do is be nice to one another. But these misled folks forget that we live in a fallen world where humanity has been corrupted by the fall.

Even in the beginning, humanity quickly sank into wickedness. Genesis 6:5 (KJV) shows just how bad folks became. "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

The very first human family was dysfunctional. After Cain's offering to God was rejected, he became bitter. Genesis 4:8 (KJV) reports, "And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."

In fact, we are so corrupted that we can't possibly even know how bad we are. Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV) describes how far gone humanity is. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Isaiah 64:6 (KJV) shows that we have no hope of saving ourselves from God's wrath. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

Even children aren't innocent. Proverbs 22:15 (KJV) states, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."

Even David, a man after God's own heart, was born under Adam's curse. He admitted in Psalms 51:5 (KJV) that, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."

Gospel means good news and this is the best news which any sinner can hear. Romans 5:15 (KJV) explains, "But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many."

This is the theme of my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People figure they aren't so bad but even a small sin is an affront to the Almighty. We wouldn't like it if there was a black speck floating in our glass of milk and the waitress said, "It's only a little dirty." Imagine how much more offensive our sin is to a pure and holy God.

On Saturday, I'll post about a secular rock group and their song about Christ's return.

The Dismissal of Creeds Error

During the past two-thousand years, church fathers came up with creeds to consolidate and solidify the tenets of the Christian faith. But in these modern days, some believers assume we don't need such supposedly restrictive rules. They believe that merely loving Jesus is enough.

The problem with that notion is that Satan has infiltrated churches with false teachers. We're warned in 2 Peter 2:1 (KJV) of such wicked people. "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

Some of these false doctrines end up bringing people into the bondage of works. Paul warned about these types and shadows in Colossians 2:22 )KJV). "Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?"

Paul also warned of these retrograde doctrine preachers in Galatians 2:4 (KJV). "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:"

The Apostle's Creed is one of the first to be adopted by believers. It sets out the doctrines which the church teaches so as to immunize believers from lies.

So why would anybody want to ditch such valuable teaching tools as creeds? Some honestly don't understand their value but others deliberately wish them gone. Jesus said in John 14:24 (KJV) that, "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."

People who are misled need correct teaching, the kind I'm adding to my book called You Think You're going to Heaven? Satan's infiltrators seek gullible followers but we can protect them from lies with the truth. Creeds are the condensed version of those.

On Thursday, I hope to post about the nonsense that we're all born basically good. Some professing Christians actually believe that but it isn't so.

Saturday Song: Bread, "Everything I Own"

What a touching and poignant song this is. David Gates wrote it after his father died but, as he said in one interview, it's for anybody who's ever lost anybody precious to them.

Listen to the song here.

There's no getting around death. It's waiting for us all. Worse yet, we never know when our lives will end. Even so, those of us who have placed our trust in Christ's payment of our sins on the cross look forward to being resurrected and to live with him in the new heavens and earth.

Whoever wrote the book of Hebrews mentioned that Death is the cut-off point for the grace of Christ. Hebrews 9:27-28 (BBE) states, "And because by God's law death comes to men once, and after that they are judged; So Christ, having at his first coming taken on himself the sins of men, will be seen a second time, without sin, by those who are waiting for him, for their salvation"

Jesus also spoke about the final judgement in John 5:29 (KJV) that dead people will rise out of their graves, "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." Damnation means eternity in hell.

By the way, this doesn't mean two separate resurrections, as some folks claim, but one with two outcomes. My hope is that all my friends will receive the resurrection to life eternal.

So, what do you think of this song and what I wrote? Please sound off in the comment box below.

On Monday, I plan on posting about how some folks think we need no creeds to live by. There are good reasons for having creedal statements of faith.

The Social Justice Error

Is social justice wrong? It sounds like a good thing since we are supposed to do good works. But, as I've written before, doing works to impress God won't work. Just look what happened to the Pharisees.

Of course we followers of Christ should be helping the less fortunate out of compassion for them. Even in ancient Israel, provisions were made for impoverished folks. Exodus 23:11 (KJV) instructed, "But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard."

Moses also exhorted the people, not the government,  to be generous. Deuteronomy 15:11 (KJV) says, "For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, 'Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.'"

God also blesses those who help the less fortunate. Proverbs 19:17 (KJV) states, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."

Sadly, socialists have co opted social justice. It once was the responsibility of Christians to defend the disadvantaged but our governments are taking more and more opportunities away from us. Furthermore, we have no say on whom they lavish our tax money.

Additionally, secular social justice warriors approve and praise that which God forbids. For example, they covet the money which hard-working citizens have earned for their families. But their real motive in redistributing wealth is selfish since increasing numbers of civil servants need to be hired to police the population. As it says in Exodus 20:17 (KJV) "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." Socialism is based on class envy, not freedom to generate wealth.

While we are to help those who can't help themselves, we must also be free to preach the good news. We can't save ourselves from hell but Christ offers salvation and eternal life. All government do gooders offer is temporary relief.

I'll be writing more about how good works, laudable though they appear, can't save a person in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Far too many good deeds are done so that the doer of them will look more noble to others and God.

On Saturday, I'll post about a beautiful song by a seventies band called Bread. I'm sure you'll enjoy that song.12

The Meek Jesus Error

This might surprise some believers but Jesus wasn't always meek and mild. There were times during his earthly ministry where he became angry. For those who might doubt this, I'm pasting scripture verses below which show that he could exhibit righteous wrath.

The most famous example of Jesus' anger was recorded in Matthew 21:12 (KJV). "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,"

Jesus also told the shocked temple attendees why he did what he did in Luke 19:46 (KJV). "Saying unto them, 'It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.'"

Christ had no animus for lost sinners but the over-religious Pharisees. We see this in Mark 4:4-5 (BBE)which reads, "And he said to them, 'Is it right to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil? to give life or to put to death?' But they said nothing. And looking round on them he was angry, being sad because of their hard hearts; and he said to the man, 'Put out your hand.' And he put it out, and his hand was made well."

The harshest language our Lord used was directed against these religionists.  Matthew 23:15 (KJV) says, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."

Jesus also condemned those cities in Israel who witnessed his miracles but refused to believe he was their long-sought Messiah. Matthew 11:21 (KJV) quotes him as saying, "Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes."

The final woe was pronounced on Jerusalem itself. After Jesus tore a strip out of the wicked Pharisees, he left the temple. Matthew 24:1-2 (BBE) records, "And Jesus went out of the Temple, and on the way his disciples came to him, pointing out the buildings of the Temple. But he, answering, said to them, 'See you not all these things? truly I say to you that here there will not be one stone resting on another, which will not be pulled down.'"

In A.D. 70, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. Christ's prophecy came to pass as he foretold. When Jesus returns, as  2 Thessalonians 1:8 (KJV) records, he'll come  "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:"

I hope to complete a book soon called You Think You're Going to Heaven? So many professing Christians have never surrendered themselves to Christ. Like the ones in Hebrews 6:4-6, they have sampled the goodness but haven't yielded to the Master's will. May the Lord use my book to guide them to salvation.

I hope to post about the social justice error on Thursday.

Saturday Song: T.Rex, "Dandy in the Underworld"

What a sad day September 16, 1977 was for many fans of glam rock. Early that morning, Marc Bolin died in a car crash. And though he wasn't popular in North America, Fans in the United Kingdom mourned his passing.

And in a bizarre twist of fate, Marc even predicted his death. He said in an interview that he couldn't see himself living past thirty. This came to pass just as he said.

Even more strange was his 1977 album called Dandy in the Underworld. The title song was about a man who was a dandy, U.K. slang for a fancy person, who was stuck in hell. Marc Bolin fit the description in that he wore flamboyant clothing as part of his act and put glitter on his cheek bones.

Listen to this prescient song here.

One line of the song tells of the Dandy crying in the dungeon and trying to repent. But Marc should have known that repentance is impossible after death. Hebrews 9:27 and 28 (BBE), explaining about Christ being the ultimate sacrifice for sins, gives this reminder. "And because by God's law death comes to men once, and after that they are judged; So Christ, having at his first coming taken on himself the sins of men, will be seen a second time, without sin, by those who are waiting for him, for their salvation."

So since judgement comes after death, there's no room to repent. Some churches teach wrongly that we can repent after death but that's clearly impossible.

Likewise, there's only one time in which we can be saved. Look at what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV). "(For he (God) saith, 'I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.'"

So, what do you think of this song and what I've written? Please let me know in the space below.

By the way, Monday's post will be about how some folks think Jesus was only a mild-mannered man.

The Moralism Error

One objection for not following Christ is that people claim they already do good things. They believe that just doing kind deeds for disadvantaged people will count for something on Judgement Day.

Moralists often claim Matthew 25:34-35  (BBE) as their justification for believing in their good deeds. Christ told a parable about the last day when the good shepherd will separate the sheep from the goats. "Then will the King say to those on his right, 'Come, you who have the blessing of my Father, into the kingdom made ready for you before the world was: For I was in need of food, and you gave it to me: I was in need of drink, and you gave it to me: I was wandering, and you took me in;'"

But God judges us by the motives for doing deeds. As he said in 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV), "But the LORD said unto Samuel, 'Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.'"

Nobody can fool the heavenly Father. Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) explains, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

The Pharisees certainly seemed moral to the first centry Jews. But Jesus wasn't fooled. Matthew 6:2 (KJV) quotes him as saying, "Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."

Which kind of deeds are approved of by the Lord? Paul answered that in 2 Corinthians 5:14 (BBE) which reads, "For it is the love of Christ which is moving us; because we are of the opinion that if one was put to death for all, then all have undergone death."

These verses demonstrate that people often do good works for selfish motives. But God judges what we do by our hearts rather than outward appearances. This is why I'm working on a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Human religions encourage their followers to do good deeds but the reason is to butter up their deities or improve themselves. But our works are as filthy rags and not righteous garments.

On Saturday, I hope to post about a man who's music I adore but who now is a dandy in the underworld. How I wish he had repented because he can't now.

The Belief in a Higher Power Error

Is it really enough to just believe that there is some sort of universal higher power? Many people, including good friends of mine, say that they can't believe in the Bible and Jesus. Then they give me some sort of excuse about bad examples of Christians or of misunderstandings they have of church doctrines.

Look at what James wrote about those who just believe about God. In chapter two and verse nineteen (BBE) he wrote, "You have the belief that God is one, and you do well: the evil spirits have the same belief, shaking with fear."

Beyond mere mental ascent, people must place their trust in Christ. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) plainly states, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Some people will doubtless be confused at how we can believe in God and Jesus as well. Even so, Christ tells us to do so. John 14:1 (KJV) quotes our Lord as saying, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."

Believing in the Lord means placing one's full and total trust in him and Christ's atonement for sins on the cross. As Romans 10:9 and 10 (BBE) instructs, "Because, if you say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and have faith in your heart that God has made him come back from the dead, you will have salvation. For with the heart man has faith to get righteousness, and with the mouth he says that Jesus is Lord to get salvation"

Additionally, we must love the Lord rather than roboticly obeying him. Jesus said in John 14:15 (KJV) "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Christ also explained the benefits of loving God in John 14:21 (KJV) when he said, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

And not only in this world do we receive new life in Christ but in the age to come. Romans 6:23 (KJV) states, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

So mere ascent that there is some sort of divine being somewhere who made the universe isn't enough to give people salvation and save them from sin and eternal torment. This is the main theme of my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven. May the Lord use my writing to guide folks to eternal life.

On Thursday, I'll post about the error of moralism. Just being a nice person won't get one into heaven either.

Saturday Song: Gerry and The Pacemakers, "Ferry Cross The Mersey"

I'm sure I'm right that almost all of us have a fondness for where we grew up. Whether it's a desert, jungle, or tundra, we all feel a connection to that special spot on earth where we call, or called, home.

This song by Gerry and The Pacemakers is one of those which, though we might not live in Liverpool, we still can identify with it. It's also a nice song from the mid sixties British invasion.

Listen to the song here.

I deeply admire missionaries. They leave the comforts of home and their families to bring the gospel to people in distant lands. It isn't easy to learn a new language and acclimatize one's self to a completely different part of the world. Even so, these brave men and women do so to bring the wonderful news of salvation to folks who never heard about Jesus before.

But our Lord doesn't leave them comfortless and uncompensated. Mark 10:29-30 (KJV) explains, "And Jesus answered and said, 'Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.'"

So, what do you think of this song and what I wrote? Feel free to leave me a comment below. But if you won't or can't do that, have a great weekend anyway.

I'll be posting on Monday about how some folks only believe in a higher power. It isn't enough to merely believe that a superior being made everything.

The Lack of Commitment Error

As I wrote in my previous post, generosity is one part of the way we show that we love the Lord. But it isn't the only way we demonstrate our adoration of him.

Our Saviour said in Matthew 22:37 (KJV) what the greatest commandment is.  "Jesus said unto him, (the lawyer) Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.".

But for many churchgoers, Sunday service is the only time out of their week which they devote to the Lord. These folks have the same attitude as synagogue attendees in the first century. Jesus described them well in Mark 7:6 (KJV). "He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."

Some folks might say this is only a New Testament problem. But look at what Joshua 22:5 (KJV) instructs God's people to do. "But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."

Of course zeal for zeal's sake is foolish. Look at what Paul said of Israel in Romans 10:2 (KJV). "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge."

God actually hates loveless worship. Amos 5:21 (BBE) shows his contempt for those going through the motions of worship. "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies."

We should have the fervent adoration for Christ as the early church had. Acts 2:46 (KJV) says, "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,"

It isn't practical in this day to do like they did but we can have that attitude of joy always with us. We serve an awesome Lord and his commands must permeate our daily lives.

I'll be writing about the true sign of born-again believers in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Many churchgoers have never yielded their lives to King Jesus. What a horrifying shock they'll receive when their filthy-rag works won't be accepted by the sovereign Lord.

On Saturday, I'll post about a song which expresses love for one's homeland. Though Christ gave us the great commission, we still feel a fondness for where we once called home.

How Much Must We Give?

I realize that donating to the church is a controversial subject. It has caused congregants to leave while others justified their lack of giving by saying we don't have to tithe. But never mind what people say. What does the Bible say about giving to the church?

First of all, we must give gladly. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV) that congregants must donate, "Every man according as he purposed in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

But how much money must we give? Paul laid out the amount and day of donating in 1 Corinthians 16:2 (KJV). "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."

Notice that there's no percentage specified. Some folks can't afford to give much money. Certain ministers have caused members to give more than they could afford to give, causing families to go without essentials.

Paul also said in Acts 20:35 (KJV) that, "I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Therefore, the attitude we ought to have is one of constant and habitual generosity. With proper budgeting for the emerging needs of missions, needs of the poor congregants, and our own family needs, we can please our Lord through helping those in need of spiritual and physical help.

I'll be writing about the misunderstanding of giving as a sign of self righteousness in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Some folks figure that they can impress God and others with how much they donate, blowing a metaphorical trumpet in front of themselves. That self-aggrandizing attitude most certainly won't impress our Lord.

I'll be posting on Thursday about people's lack of commitment to the Lord. Righteousness isn't a DIY project but we must follow the Holy Spirit's lead in all matters of life.

Saturday Song: A Flock of Seagulls, "Telecommunications"

We certainly live in an interconnected world. News can be reported in real time and we can connect with people all over the globe. We have so many apps on our smart phones that their original function of voice communication is being overshadowed by all the other things they can do.

Just think of all the innovations during the past 150 years. The telegraph began the communications revolution. Then the telephone and Radio became an everyday part of people's lives. And though the facsimile machine was first invented and demonstrated in France in 1842, it didn't become ubiquitous until the mid 1980s. In the mid nineties, the Internet was opened up for civilian use.

Listen to this ode to modern technology here.

Though there are abuses of these communication modes, they've also been a boon to spreading the gospel. Through shortwave radio transmissions, the gospel is penetrating closed countries such as North Korea and Saudi Arabia.

Satellite television is popular in Iran. Christian broadcasters are beaming in Arabic gospel shows to the millions of viewers since evangelizing in person is forbidden in that Islamic state.

Thanks to the Internet, many people can hear or download gospel programs and sermons. Countries such as China restrict what their people can see, read, and hear but radio fills that gap.

Telecommunication has allowed Christ's statement, regarding the woman who wept on his feet and wiped them with her hair, come to pass. Matthew 26:13 (KJV) says, "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.".

What an absolute blessing this technology has been in proclaiming the gospel, especially where missionaries are banned!

On Monday, I'll be writing about how much we are told to give in the Bible.