Spiritual Disinfectant

Most folks know that sunlight is a good disinfectant because the ultraviolet rays kill bacteria and viruses. A hospital in New Zealand found this out during the Spanish flu of 1918. The nurses put some patients outside to enjoy fresh air and sunlight. Those who were placed outside recovered faster and fewer died.

Truth is a spiritual disinfectant. As Christ told Nicodemus in John 3:19 (Bible in Basic English). "And this is the test by which men are judged: the light has come into the world and men have more love for the dark than for the light, because their acts are evil."

The Bible equates righteousness with light, as we read in Psalms 37:5 and 6 (BBE). "Put your life in the hands of the Lord; have faith in him and he will do it. And he will make your righteousness be seen like the light, and your cause like the shining of the sun."

And as light exposes the scene, so God's scrutiny illuminates all our secret sins. Psalms 90:8 (BBE) reminds us, "You have put our evil doings before you, our secret sins in the light of your face."

Likewise Psalms 139:12 (BBE) affirms, "Even the dark is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day: for dark and light are the same to you."

And as God is light, so is Christ. Isaiah 9:2 (BBE) heralded the coming of the Messiah. "The people who went in the dark have seen a great light, and for those who were living in the land of the deepest night, the light is shining."

And as we belong to our Lord, we must be his illuminators in this darkened world. Matthew 5:14 and 15 (BBE) says, "You are the light of the world. A town put on a hill may be seen by all. And a burning light is not put under a vessel, but on its table; so that its rays may be shining on all who are in the house."

A day will come when we'll be physically like our Lord as well. Matthew 17:1 and 2 (BBE) tells of how he revealed his glory to three of his disciples. "And after six days Jesus takes with him Peter, and James, and John, his brother, and makes them go up with him into a high mountain by themselves. And he was changed in form before them; and his face was shining like the sun, and his clothing became white as light."

What a wonderful day that will be when we are given new bodies fit for heaven's kingdom. No more will we feel the nagging pull of sin. That alone makes Christ's coming worth waiting for.

If that doesn't happen by Thursday, I hope to post about how the Bible is one long story.

Saturday Song: Frank Mills, "Love Me Love Me Love"

What a story this song tells. A heart-broken man took to the streets to sing about his lost love. It's one of a handful of songs, that I know of, which deals with the subject of street people. Listen to it here.

Emotional trauma is nothing new. Imagine how Adam and Eve felt when they were driven out of Eden and couldn't return. Imagine how Moses felt during his forty years in the desert. Job, Elijah, and others also had their times of deep depression and loss.

This is why many people who hear the gospel are attracted to Christ. We read of one outcast woman's reaction to meeting the Messiah in John 4:28 and 29 (Bible in Basic English). "Then the woman put down her water-pot and went into the town, and said to the people, 'Come and see a man who has been talking to me of everything I ever did! Is it possible that this is the Christ?'" The whole Samaritan village believed when she led them back to where Jesus was.

Christ also gave this marvelous invitation to weary souls in Matthew 11:28 (BBE). "Come to me, all you who are troubled and weighted down with care, and I will give you rest."

But proud people, like the Pharisees, feel they need no help. Jesus told a parable about two sons. One said he'd work in the field but didn't. The other refused at first but felt guilty and went into the field to work. Then Christ asked in Matthew 21:31 (BBE), "'Which of the two did his father's pleasure?' They say, 'The first.' Jesus said to them, 'Truly I say to you, that tax-farmers and loose women are going into the kingdom of God before you.'"

This is why rescue missions are so successful. Like Christ said in Matthew 18:4 (BBE), "Whoever, then, will make himself as low as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

If Christ hasn't returned by Monday, I hope to publish about a type of disinfectant you can't find in stores.

How Hatred is Murder

From my conversations with Christians, it seems as if people don't understand how hatred of an enemy is equal to murder. After all, it's just occurring in the mind. Nobody actually is killed, right?

Jesus had a thing or three to say about mentally murdering some one in Matthew 5:21 and 22 (Bible in Basic English). "You have knowledge that it was said in old times, 'You may not put to death;' and, 'Whoever puts to death will be in danger of being judged:' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be in danger of being judged; and he who says to his brother, 'Raca,' will be in danger from the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, 'You foolish one,' will be in danger of the hell of fire."

John states this truth bluntly in 1 John 3:15 (BBE). "Anyone who has hate for his brother is a taker of life, and you may be certain that no taker of life has eternal life in him."

Some folks might think that this is taking things to extremes. People who annoy us or even do us physical or emotional harm earn our hatred, right? Not according to James 4:1 and 2 (BBE). "What is the cause of wars and fighting among you? is it not in your desires which are at war in your bodies? You are burning with desire, and have not your desire, so you put men to death; you are full of envy, and you are not able to get your desire, so you are fighting and making war; you have not your desire, because you do not make request for it."

And lest some one think this is just a New Testament commandment, check out Exodus 23:4 and 5 (BBE). "If you come across the ox or the ass of one who is no friend to you wandering from its way, you are to take it back to him. If you see the ass of one who has no love for you bent down to the earth under the weight which is put on it, you are to come to its help, even against your desire."

We also learn from Scripture that it's God who will repay the wickedness done to us. Deuteronomy 7:9 and 10 (BBE) states it plainly. "Be certain, then, that the Lord your God is God; whose faith and mercy are unchanging, who keeps his word through a thousand generations to those who have love for him and keep his laws; Rewarding his haters to their face with destruction; he will have no mercy on his hater, but will give him open punishment."

What a relief it is that God takes note of those who cause us grief and harm. We take these matters to him in prayer and he dispenses punishment in the way he knows best to our enemies. And showing love to these miserable people demonstrates our forbearance in avenging our wounded pride.

On Saturday, if Christ hasn't returned, I hope to publish about a broken-hearted man and his song about the one he loved. I love the story in this song.

The Original Instigator

From the beginning, Satan has instigated rebellion against God. He was the one who led a third of the angels to defect as well.  If we could trace every evil act back to its originator, the proverbial buck would stop with the Devil.

Christ himself gave the evidence of Satan's endless malice when he confronted the Pharisees for their incomprehension and unbelief. John 8:43-45 (Bible in Basic English) says, "Why are my words not clear to you? It is because your ears are shut to my teaching. You are the children of your father the Evil One and it is your pleasure to do his desires. From the first he was a taker of life; and he did not go in the true way because there is no true thing in him. When he says what is false, it is natural to him, for he is false and the father of what is false."

aiah 14:12 and 13 (BBE) describes the fall of Lucifer. "How great is your fall from heaven, O shining one, son of the morning! How are you cut down to the earth, low among the dead bodies! For you said in your heart, 'I will go up to heaven, I will make my seat higher than the stars of God; I will take my place on the mountain of the meeting-place of the gods, in the inmost parts of the north. I will go higher than the clouds; I will be like the Most High.'"

Our ultimate enemy also delights in destroying people, as we note in Job 2:3-6 (BBE). "And the Lord said to the Satan, 'Have you taken note of my servant Job, for there is no one like him on the earth, a man without sin and upright, fearing God and keeping himself far from evil? and he still keeps his righteousness, though you have been moving me to send destruction on him without cause.' And the Satan said in answer to the Lord, 'Skin for skin, all a man has he will give for his life. But now, if you only put your hand on his bone and his flesh, he will certainly be cursing you to your face.' And the Lord said to the Satan, 'See, he is in your hands, only do not take his life.'"

The Devil also falsely accuses us Christians. Revelation 12:10 (King James Version) tells us, "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 'Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.'"

I could go on about how Satan loves pitting people against each other like the organizer of a cock fight. I could list the horrific deception of unsaved people too. I'll save those topics for another post. Bear in mind that as everything good comes from God, everything repulsive and destructive comes from the Devil.

If our Master hasn't returned by Thursday, I hope to post about how hatred is actually mental murder.

Saturday Song: The Human League, "Seconds"

The music scene of the early eighties was dominated by groups using synthesizers. This was especially so in the United Kingdom. 

One of those groups popular back then was The Human League. They had a hit with their song "Seconds" in November of 1982. Listen to it here.

History has a way of changing without much notice. The song reminds me of Duke Franz Ferdenand being assassinated in August 1914, triggering World War I. Nobody, at least that I know of, anticipated the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 either. Many other historical events likewise happened without warning.

Even so, there were many events prophesied in the Bible long before they happened. One of many catastrophes was the obliteration of Jerusalem in A. D. 70. Christ prophesied in Luke 19:43 and 44 (Bible in Basic English), "For the time will come when your attackers will put a wall round you, and come all round you and keep you in on every side, And will make you level with the earth, and your children with you; and there will not be one stone resting on another in you, because you did not see that it was your day of mercy."

We also read in the Old Testament of prophecies which came true and in a timely manner too. We read where Belshazzar's kingdom was judged and taken from him after the fingers of a hand wrote on the wall of his throne room. Daniel 5:26-28 (BBE) records the interpretation of those words. "This is the sense of the words: Mene; your kingdom has been numbered by God and ended. Tekel; you have been put in the scales and seen to be under weight. Peres; your kingdom has been cut up and given to the Medes and Persians."

That happened the very night the prophetic warning was given.

We also read of long-range prophecies which couldn't have been faked. Jeremiah 31:15 (BBE) reads, "So has the Lord said: In Ramah there is a sound of crying, weeping and bitter sorrow; Rachel weeping for her children; she will not be comforted for their loss."

After Christ was born, King Ha rod had all the children under two years old killed in Bethlehem in the hope that he would execute his supposed rival.

There are many other places in Scripture where God warned humanity, often long before the events were to take place. Most of the time, few folks listened.

If the prophecy of Christ's return isn't fulfilled by Monday, I hope to publish about the original instigator of all our sorrows.

The Best Sort of Peace

I'm sure that only a tiny minority of people oppose peace between nations and ethnic groups. When world leaders broker peace deals between bitter enemies, almost everybody cheers.

We Christians are in the peace-making business too. We never receive any prizes or global recognition but we do help to bring rebels to our Lord. 

Romans 5:1 and 2 (Bible in Basic English) shows the good result of evangelism. "For which reason, because we have righteousness through faith, let us be at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; Through whom, in the same way, we have been able by faith to come to this grace in which we now are; and let us have joy in hope of the glory of God."

When people surrender their wills to Christ, they experience what Philippians 4:6 and 7 (BBE) promises. "Have no cares; but in everything with prayer and praise put your requests before God. And the peace of God, which is deeper than all knowledge, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

We should be the most confident people on the planet. After all the hundreds of verses which reassure us of our lord's love and protection, nobody should still be doubtful. Let's remember the words of Jesus in Luke 12:29 and 30 (BBE). "And do not give overmuch thought to your food and drink, and let not your mind be full of doubts. For the nations of the world go in search of all these things: but your Father has knowledge that you have need of them."

Now I recognize that some people suffer chemical imbalances which cause depression. But most of us merely experience the blues on occasions. That's why Psalms 42:5 (BBE) reminds us,  "Why are you crushed down, O my soul? and why are you troubled in me? put your hope in God; for I will again give him praise who is my help and my God."

This is why we, whom Christ has rescued, must remember to whom we belong and what he promised us.

And if the promise of Christ's return isn't fulfilled by Saturday, I hope to post about the fragility of life and a great song by The Human League.

What Is Our Common Salvation?

In the house church I once attended, the lay minister claimed that Jude 1:3 referred to everybody becoming saved. This Universalist idea is wrong and many scriptures refute the belief that nobody is sent to hell forever.

So what did Jude mean about our common salvation? It's open to every person who surrenders control of their lives to Christ. Peter proclaimed in Acts 2:39 (Bible in Basic English) that, "For the word of God is for you and for your children and for all those who are far off, even all those who may be marked out by the Lord our God."

In one of Christ's parables, he described the end of the age as the end of a day when a farmer hired day labourers to reap his field. We see in Matthew 20:16 (King James Version) that not everybody will be chosen to follow him. "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."

Those Universalists should also read Matthew 8:29 (BBE). Even the demons knew better than to think hell didn't last forever. "And they gave a loud cry, saying, 'What have we to do with you, you Son of God? Have you come here to give us punishment before the time?'"

I've written before about Luke Chapter sixteen and how the rich man had a great gulf fixed between him and heaven so nobody could cross it. This one verse alone shows that going to hell is a one way trip.

But for us who are marked out for salvation, we won't ever depart out of Christ's glorious kingdom. As Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 17 (BBE), "Because the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a word of authority, with the voice of the chief angel, with the sound of a horn: and the dead in Christ will come to life first; Then we who are still living will be taken up together with them into the clouds to see the Lord in the air: and so will we be for ever with the Lord."

If that doesn't happen by Thursday, I plan on posting about the best sort of peace.

Saturday Song: King Crimson, "Epitaph"

 This song is about the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust or devastating war. In the scenario King Crimson presents in this song, people are coming to grips with the grim reality they face.

Listen to this song here.

We Christians have the hope that God is with us no matter what happens. This promise is in Hebrews 13:5 (Bible in Basic English) which reads, "Be free from the love of money and pleased with the things which you have; for he himself has said, 'I will be with you at all times.'"

And since we gentiles are grafted into the vine, meaning the people of Israel, we can trust in the promise given in Deuteronomy 31:8 (BBE). "It is the Lord who goes before you; he will be with you, he will not take away his help from you or give you up: so have no fear."

Furthermore, our Good Shepherd won't let us go. John 10:27 and 28 (BBE) reassures us of that. "My sheep give ear to my voice, and I have knowledge of them, and they come after me: And I give them eternal life; they will never come to destruction, and no one will ever take them out of my hand."

I know that some Christians believe we'll go through the great tribulation mentioned in Scripture. Others believe we'll be snatched out of the world before all hell literally breaks forth upon the earth. Whatever happens in the future, we trust in our Lord and Master to preserve us.

Since God gave Jesus his disciples, we can also claim this protection. John 17:6 (BBE) reads, "I have given knowledge of your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world: yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your words."

If our Good Shepherd hasn't come for us by Monday, I plan on publishing about our common salvation and what it means.

Why is Christ Called The Prince of Peace?

 I'm sure that most of us have heard this scripture from Isaiah 9:6 quoted at least a hundred times. The Bible in Basic English (BBE) renders it this way: "For to us a child has come, to us a son is given; and the government has been placed in his hands; and he has been named Wise Guide, Strong God, Father for ever, Prince of Peace." But what exactly does "Prince of Peace" mean?

Christ is the one who makes peace between us rebels and Holy God. The Apostle Paul pointed that out in Colossians 1:19 and 20 (BBE). "For God in full measure was pleased to be in him; Through him uniting all things with himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, uniting all things which are on earth or in heaven."

Now some folks might quote Matthew 10:34 (BBE), claiming that Christ denied being the Prince of Peace. "Do not have the thought that I have come to send peace on the earth; I came not to send peace but a sword." In the next two verses, Jesus speaks of the divisions in families caused by people following him. It has nothing to do with political peace.

We also note that the analogy of healing our relationship with God is used in the Bible to describe being made right with God. Charismatics figure that Isaiah 53:5 (BBE) means that we can claim healing in Christ's name. The BBE renders the verse like this: "But it was for our sins he was wounded, and for our evil doings he was crushed: he took the punishment by which we have peace, and by his wounds we are made well."

I keep telling my pastor that this verse doesn't mean physical healing but a spiritual one. The previous verse does predict Christ healing ailments but verse five hearkens back to the start of the chapter and how Christ bore our sins.

Neither are we to establish Christ's kingdom as the Dominion Theology folks claim. Acts 1:6 and 7 (BBE) makes that quite clear. "So, when they were together, they said to him, 'Lord, will you at this time give back the kingdom to Israel?' And he said to them, 'It is not for you to have knowledge of the time and the order of events which the Father has kept in his control."

Christ will come when he comes and not a millisecond sooner. Our job isn't to conquer nations but to preach the gospel. May Christ find us doing so when he does arrive.

But if our Lord delays his coming until after Saturday, I intend on posting about the end of the world and a powerful song by King Crimson.

When is War Justified?

I'm sure I can state with confidence that no sane person wants war. For all but the victorious kings and generals, war means only misery and death. So when can a war be justified?

We read in the Old Testament how Israel conquered the land of Canaan. Critics say it was a war of aggression but the Lord gave them the land. Exodus 6:4 (Bible in Basic English) plainly states, "And I made an agreement with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their wanderings."

God was justified in dealing with the Canaanite's by driving them out of their land and replacing them with Israelites. Leviticus 18:24 and 25 (BBE) tells us why. "Do not make yourself unclean in any of these ways; for so have those nations whom I am driving out from before you made themselves unclean: And the land itself has become unclean; so that I have sent on it the reward of its wrongdoing, and the land itself puts out those who are living in it."

Another thing those critics of Scripture miss is the barbarity of the Canaanite's. Even Israel's King Ahaz copied the horrendous ways of the pagans, as we read in 2 Chronicles 28:3 (BBE). "More than this, he had offerings burned in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and made his children go through fire, copying the disgusting ways of the nations whom the Lord had sent out of the land before the children of Israel."

Since we don't hear from God directly these days, how are we to decide if a war is justifiable? God has given governments the task of protecting their people from foreign and domestic enemies. Therefore, we Christians must pray for our nation. As we read in 1 Peter 3:12 (BBE), "For the eyes of the Lord are on the upright, and his ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

What a relief that God is in charge and whatever happens is his will. He raises up nations and brings them down. The Lord punishes nations and people through bad government and wars. A day will come when we find out why things happened the way they did and we'll be totally amazed at his genius.

And if Christ hasn't returned by Thursday, I plan on posting about why Christ is called the Prince of Peace.

Saturday Song: Christie, "Yellow River"

What a great Vietnam-war-era song this is. In it, a soldier says his fairwells to his brothers-in-arms and looks forward to returning home.

Check out this song here:

This song reminds me of the most famous spiritual warrior: the Apostle Paul. He wrote of his race for Christ's high calling in 2 Timothy 4:7 (Bible in Basic English), the last letter he penned. "I have made a good fight, I have come to the end of my journey, I have kept the faith:"

And following his Lord's example, he worked for him until his execution. Hebrews 12:1 and 2 (BBE) tells of Christ's dedication to save all who will come to him. "For this reason, as we are circled by so great a cloud of witnesses, putting off every weight, and the sin into which we come so readily, let us keep on running in the way which is marked out for us, Having our eyes fixed on Jesus, the guide and end of our faith, who went through the pains of the cross, not caring for the shame, because of the joy which was before him, and who has now taken his place at the right hand of God's seat of power."

While we spiritual warriors look forward to being posted to heaven, we have Paul's admonishment to bear in mind in 2 Timothy 2:3 and 4 (BBE). "Be ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus. A fighting man, when he is with the army, keeps himself free from the business of this life so that he may be pleasing to him who has taken him into his army."

Having done so, we anticipate the end of our service in this world. Christ, our commanding officer, said in Revelation 22:12 (BBE), "See, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man the outcome of his works."

If our blessed Master doesn't arrive on Monday, I hope to post about which sort of war is justified.

What About Rebuking Demons?

As I wrote last time, spiritual warfare is all about controlling one's thoughts and debunking the nonsense which opposes God's wisdom. But there are some Christians who figure they can cast out demons and use Jesus' name like a magic wand. These ideas are false and must be confronted.

Regarding rebuking Satan, Jude 1:9 (Bible in Basic English) makes it clear that even angels didn't dare to do that. "Now when Michael, one of the chief angels, was fighting against the Evil One for the body of Moses, fearing to make use of violent words against him, he only said, 'May the Lord be your judge.'"

Those fools who assume they can chase demons out of people must make them howl with laughter. I believe such people assume that they can do so because Jesus' disciples did so. But look at what he said to seventy of his disciples who were thrilled at using his power to exorcise demons. Luke 10:20 (BBE) says, "Do not be glad, however, because you have power over spirits, but because your names are recorded in heaven."

And as I've shown before, Only Jesus has the power to send out demons and to heal people. Matthew 8:16 and 17 (BBE) says, "And in the evening, they took to him a number of people who had evil spirits; and he sent the spirits out of them with a word, and made well all who were ill; So that the word of Isaiah the prophet might come true: 'He himself took our pains and our diseases.'"

Fake healers have never grown back withered hands or given eyesight to people and neither have they genuinely delivered people from demons. But Jesus did both. Mark 5:15 (BBE) tells us of a man freed from a legion of demons by Christ. "And they came to Jesus, and saw the man in whom had been the evil spirits seated, clothed and with full use of his senses, and they were full of fear."

I love the story John MacArthur told about a demon-possessed woman who entered his office and even threw a desk across the room. John and some elders did that rebuking thing but it never helped. Then they spoke to the woman about the gospel. She surrendered her life to Christ and the demons departed. That incident alone shows what we should always be doing.

If Christ doesn't return by Saturday, I'll feature a song about a man coming home from the war and the excitement he felt. May we all be elated at the prospect of Christ ending this age-old spiritual conflict.