Holiness Can't Be Feigned.

The world considers certain religious leaders to be holy. But the world can't judge holiness as it knows nothing about it.

God has much to say on this matter. The most famous passage is 1 Samuel 16:7 (BBE) when David was selected as king of Israel. "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not take note of his face or how tall he is, because I will not have him: for the Lord's view is not man's; man takes note of the outer form, but the Lord sees the heart.'"

Another good passage which shows how God knows our innermost secrets is Psalms 44:20 and 21 (BBE). "If the name of our God has gone out of our minds, or if our hands have been stretched out to a strange god, Will not God make search for it? for he sees the secrets of the heart."

In the Old Testament, circumcision was a rite which separated Israelite males from those of other Nations. God used metaphorical circumcision to sanctify his people spiritually in Deuteronomy 30:6 (BBE). "And the Lord your God will give to you and to your seed a circumcision of the heart, so that, loving him with all your heart and all your soul, you may have life."

We also have the responsibility to warn others who are sliding toward destruction. As Solomon wisely wrote in Proverbs 24:12 (BBE), "If you say, 'See, we had no knowledge of this:' does not the tester of hearts give thought to it? and he who keeps your soul, has he no knowledge of it? and will he not give to every man the reward of his work?"

Likewise, we read this truth in Jeremiah 17:9 (BBE). "The heart is a twisted thing, not to be searched out by man: who is able to have knowledge of it?" God is the only one who can figure it out.


This truth is even expressed in the New Testament. Hebrews 4:12 (BBE)says plainly, "For the word of God is living and full of power, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through and making a division even of the soul and the spirit, the bones and the muscles, and quick to see the thoughts and purposes of the heart."

It's obvious that people who say they're holy will be proven wrong on Judgement Day. That's why I feel compelled to write my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? All bishops, priests, and whatever else they're called will answer to God Almighty. Most won't have a decent answer to give.

On Thursday, I hope to post about God's reward for sanctified deeds.

What About All the Good I've Done?

God must seem like a meany to so many people. They can understand Adolf Hitler or Pol Pot being in hell but what about (fill in the blank) who never harmed anybody?

At the risk of repeating myself, nobody is good. Check out what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 3:10 and 11 (BBE) with respect to all humanity, "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;'"

Furthermore, God isn't a sadist.  If he were, he wouldn't have said in Ezekiel 18:31 and 32 (BBE), "Put away all your evil-doing in which you have done sin; and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit: why are you desiring death, O children of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him on whom death comes, says the Lord: be turned back then, and have life." does that sound sadistic to you?

Furthermore, why would God have sent Christ, the sinless one, to die in our place? Because he has pity on us. The heavenly Father said through Paul in Romans 5:6 (BBE), "For when we were still without strength, at the right time Christ gave his life for evil-doers."

And as I've explained before, it's the motives of our hearts which the Lord judges. Hebrews 4:12 (BBE), usually quoted regarding the Bible, shows how he knows our every thought. "For the word of God is living and full of power, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through and making a division even of the soul and the spirit, the bones and the muscles, and quick to see the thoughts and purposes of the heart".

But some folks will point out scriptures regarding the Judgement Day where Christ rewards folks who met the needs of the poor. This too is where Christ sees the motives of the genuinely-caring people verses the pretenders. Matthew 5:28 (BBE)shows how even our thoughts are wicked. "But I say to you that everyone whose eyes are turned on a woman with desire has had connection with her in his heart."

So we must realize that doing good to show off or gain points with God won't excuse us from punishment. I'll have to keep pointing this hard-to-swallow truth out in my book called You Think You're Going to Heaven. People don't want to admit this but we are all biased toward thinking good things about ourselves while ignoring our faults.

And speaking of wicked motives, my Saturday Song post will be about those who seek evidence of wrongdoing but even they do wrong things at times

God's X-ray Vision

I'm sure we all have read books or seen movies about crime fighters with super powers like the ability to see through walls. This isn't an original concept since God sees all. Trying to fool God is like hiding behind a barbed wire fence.

Our creator knows our thoughts and desires. As he said in 1 Samuel 16:7 (BBE), "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not take note of his face or how tall he is, because I will not have him: for the Lord's view is not man's; man takes note of the outer form, but the Lord sees the heart.'"

And King David, whom Samuel was directed to choose as the next Israelite king, also understood this. As 1 Chronicles 29:17 (BBE) reads, "And I am conscious, my God, that you are the searcher of hearts, taking pleasure in righteousness. As for me, with an upright heart I have freely given all these things; and I have seen with joy your people who are here to make their offerings freely to you."

People foolishly think that the cover of night will hide their wicked deeds. But Job 34:21 and 22 (BBE) proves them wrong. "For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps."There is no dark place, and no thick cloud, in which the workers of evil may take cover."

God's Word is also his X-ray machine. Hebrews 4:12 (BBE) penetrates right to the core of our beings. "For the word of God is living and full of power, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through and making a division even of the soul and the spirit, the bones and the muscles, and quick to see the thoughts and purposes of the heart."

And as we read in Isaiah 29:15 (BBE), God can't be fooled. "Cursed are those who go deep to keep their designs secret from the Lord, and whose works are in the dark, and who say, 'Who sees us?' and who has knowledge of our acts?'"

How wonderful it is for those who love God that he knows what we think and feel. But how alarming it is for those who harbour wickedness in their hearts. I'll point out this X-ray vision ability God has in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People think they're good enough to be in the Almighty's presence in the filthy rags of their unrighteousness but they're not.

On Saturday, I'll post about one of America's most troubling times. It sure did look like the nation was on the brink of destruction.

Saturday Song: Bolland, "You're in the Army Now"

Though this song was written and performed in the early eighties, it still brings back memories to us who lived through the Vietnam war years. In fact, the whole theme of the Domino Theory album is about that conflict and how it effected soldiers.

Listen to a live performance of this song here.

Believe it or not, all born-again Christians are in Christ's army. Only our weaponry is different from worldly armies and jihadists. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV), "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)"

Not only that but Paul likened our armor to the real thing. For example, we must wear our breastplates and helmets. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (KJV), he wrote, "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation."

We also need to wear a belt to keep our armour together and for our scabbards. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:14 (KJV), "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;"

Additionally, Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) tells us how our only offensive weapon can defeat our satanic enemies.  "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."

Paul likewise admonished his protege in 1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV) to, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

How beautiful it is that we don't kill our enemies but love them with the gospel. Imagine how peaceful this world would be if no religions urged their followers to avenge themselves on those who don't believe the doctrines they do. But we're stuck with the world we have.

I'll be dealing with the topic of revenge on Monday. This is another subject where the Bible and the Quran differ.

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 Open Canon Error

Before I explain why it's important to believe in a closed canon, I need to describe what it is. The Bible contains sixty-six books which have been examined by scholars and approved as being divinely co-written. And while the Catholic Bible has the seven apocraful books from the time between the book of Malachai and the New Testiment, scholars have questioned the canonicity of those writings.

And with that explanation out of the way, here is why we must never allow supposedly divine writings to be given canonical status. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) that, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

Since this is so, any writing which contradicts any of it is therefore heretical and mustn't be considered as coming from God. Otherwise any crackpot ramblings could be used as justification for all sorts of sinful activities.

In reference to the scriptures, 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."

It alone has that Holy-Spirit-breathed power to convict and convert sinful people. While other writings which people believe to be divine may have profound observations of the human condition, only God's Word possesses the power God breathed into it.

And studying the supposed divine writings of other belief systems shows how absurd they are. The Quran, Book of Mormon, and many others are filled with contradictions whereas the Bible is consistent. Though forty or more authors wrote God's Word down, they all agree with one another. These men lived in different lands and at different times, yet the Bible is consistent. Any assumed contradictions are the misunderstandings of people, not flaws in Holy Scripture.

I'll be writing much more about this in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? If the Bible is a mere book of Jewish history and rambling prophecies, our whole belief system crumbles. This is why we must keep God's Word as the infallible and inerrant source.

My next post will expose the insanity of one form of charismatic lunacy. Please stay tuned for that.

Why is God's Justice Just?

In my previous post, I wrote about who angers god. It's the cruel actions and rejection of his law which upsets him. But what makes God's justice just?

First of all, God created everything. He has the right to do whatever he wants with it, including us. Isaiah 44:24 (KJV) explains, "Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;"

Furthermore, God always gives good things to those who follow him, even when things seem bad. He said in Jeremiah 9:24 (KJV), "But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD."

The Lord also knows us through and through. Unlike people who can only judge external actions, he sees our intentions. As it says in Jeremiah 11:20 (KJV), "But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause."

Likewise, we can see that God's word cuts through all human pretence. Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) reads, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged 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."

I could find many other scriptures to prove God's just judgement but this post would become too long. Instead, I'll save that for my next book, which I'm still working on, called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Far too many people are living as if their deeds and membership in churches guarantees their home in heaven. Only by repenting of sinful ways and following Christ will any of us make it into his eternal dwelling place.