The Nature of Our Nature

In this season when everybody is showing outward goodwill to others, we humans are still evil within. Most folks don't want to believe that but it's true. Here's why it is.

According to the Bible, nobody is righteous without God giving it to them. Romans 3:9-11 (Bible in Basic English) says of wicked people, "What then? are we worse off than they? In no way: because we have before made it clear that Jews as well as Greeks are all under the power of sin; As it is said in the holy Writings, 'There is not one who does righteousness; Not one who has the knowledge of what is right, not one who is a searcher after God;'"

The only way a person can become righteous is to surrender to Christ's rulership. As Romans 5:19 (BBE) points out, "Because, as numbers of men became sinners through the wrongdoing of one man, even so will great numbers get righteousness through the keeping of the word of God by one man."

We also see that the righteous are protected by God from everlasting destruction. As 1 Peter 3:12 (BBE) rightly states, "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."

Now some will ask, "what about Old Testament saints? How did they become righteous without Christ?" They gained it by lovingly obeying the Lord. Genesis 7:1 (BBE) tells us, "And the Lord said to Noah, 'Take all your family and go into the ark, for you only in this generation have I seen to be upright.'"

We also read all through the Bible that it's trust in God which saved the saints of old. They all sought after the Lord. As Hebrews 11:6 (BBE) explains, "And without faith it is not possible to be well-pleasing to him, for it is necessary for anyone who comes to God to have the belief that God is, and that he is a rewarder of all those who make a serious search for him."

Just as those faithful saints looked forward to the Messiah, we look back and know we're forgiven. Let's always ponder this great gift we've received.

In the event that Christ doesn't return for us by Thursday, I hope to post about how we're one year closer to Christ's glorious return.

Is Animal sacrifice Still required to Please God

What a pity that pagan religions and offshoots of Judaism still practice animal sacrifice. We who believe in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross must do more to get the word out regarding this gospel to those people.

We know that animals such as sheep and goats were sacrificed in the Old Testament and during the life of Christ. But they were only a foreshadowing of what Christ would do to take our sin away. Hebrews 10:10 (KJV) explains, "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

In the Old Testament period , a priest would enter the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement for the people's sins through sprinkling lamb's  blood on the altar. But Jesus put an end to that, as Hebrews 9:12 (KJV) explains,  "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

So how is it then that Hebrews 10:4 (KJV) says, "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."? The animals sacrificed were just a spiritual I O U until the perfect Lamb of god would come.

As Hebrews 10:11 (KJV) explains, "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:"

The Holy Spirit gave John the Baptist the inspiration to proclaim in John 1:29 (KJV) who this person would be. "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.'"

God wants all people to trust in Christ's completed work on the cross. As Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) proclaims, "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."

My goal is to assist people in finding the Lord, May he do this through my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? I pray that people will realize that nothing we puny humans do will remove our sins from our account with God.

And speaking of trusting in the Lord, I plan on posting throughout December how so many prophecies were fulfilled just by Christ's birth. I'm sure you'll feel astonishment when you read those.

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.

The Free Will Error

This month, I'll be tackling some errors believed by established churches. These denominations aren't cults but they do follow errors which can easily be debunked with Holy Scripture.

Some churches believe that we have the exclusive ability to choose between following or rebelling against God. Consequently, they avoid any verses mentioning predestination. To their way of thinking, God would be a monster if he forced salvation on unwilling people.

Since God made everything, he owns it all and can do with his creation as he pleases. Therefore, people are chosen by him to accomplish his will. Deuteronomy 10:15 (KJV) is one of many verses which shows God's sovereignty. "Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day."

The biblical truth is that we can't save ourselves. Psalms 14:3 (KJV) states, "They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one."

God likewise said in Ezekiel 18:4 (KJV) that, "Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die."

So how can we be rescued from eternal death in hell? Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) provides the answer. "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."

But seeking God alone doesn't save us. He has the power to give anybody faith who asks him for spiritual life. Ephesians 2:1 KJV), regarding believers, explains,  "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:"

Through the preaching of the gospel, God calls sinners to repentance. That means he calls people to give up their wicked and rebellious ways and follow the commands of Christ. Peter explained this in Acts 2:39 KJV) when he said of salvation, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

Because I want people to know the liberating truth of salvation, I'm working on my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Far too many people think they're safe from hell when they aren't. I want nobody to miss out on an eternity of bliss so that's why I'm writing my book.