How To Protect Yourself Now From Judgement Day

What a terrifying time it will be when Christ returns. For those who rejected him, it'll be their worst nightmare come true.

We read of how powerfully the Lord will punish the wicked in Jude 1:14 and 15 (BBE) when he wrote, "The prophet Enoch, who was the seventh after Adam, said of these men, 'The Lord came with tens of thousands of his saints, To be the judge of all, and to give a decision against all those whose lives are unpleasing to him, because of the evil acts which they have done, and because of all the hard things which sinners without fear of God have said against him."

Even worse for rich, wicked people, Everything they accumulated will be destroyed. As we see in 2 Peter 3:10 (BBE), "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; and in that day the heavens will be rolled up with a great noise, and the substance of the earth will be changed by violent heat, and the world and everything in it will be burned up."

Revelation 20:12 (BBE) shows that neither will anybody be able to avoid God's courtroom. "And I saw the dead, great and small, taking their places before the high seat; and the books were open, and another book was open, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged by the things which were in the books, even by their works."

This Book of Life contains all the names of those who yielded up control of their lives to Christ. Revelation 21:27 (BBE) warns that only those who have their names in the book will be in God's new Jerusalem. "And nothing unclean may come into it, or anyone whose works are cursed or false; but only those whose names are in the Lamb's book of life."

But Revelation 20:15 (BBE) declares the fate of those who refuse Christ's plan for their salvation. "And if anyone's name was not in the book of life, he went down into the sea of fire."

Fortunately, there is a way to escape God's wrath. Romans 10:9 and 10 (BBE) explains how to become a child of the King of Kings: Jesus Christ. "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."

This is the central theme of my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? We should be glad that God has made a way for us to be saved from his justifiable wrath. Jesus took the punishment for those of us who have surrendered ourselves to his rulership.

On Saturday, providing the Lord doesn't return before then, I hope to post about being under house arrest and how the Apostle Paul made good come out of his imprisonment.

Will Christ Ever Return?

This is one question which, I feel confident, has crossed the minds of all believers at times. We've been waiting for almost two-thousand years but he hasn't wrent the sky to take vengeance on the wicked.

Even in the first century, people wondered when the Lord would return. We get a perfect answer to this question in 2 Peter 3:8 and 9 (BBE). "But, my loved ones, keep in mind this one thing, that with the Lord one day is the same as a thousand years, and a thousand years are no more than one day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his word, as he seems to some, but he is waiting in mercy for you, not desiring the destruction of any, but that all may be turned from their evil ways."

Until the last person preordained to be saved repents, we must wait patiently. As I wrote before, there are those whom God appointed for salvation. Ephesians 1:4 (BBE) tells how Christ chose certain individuals before the world began. "Even as he made selection of us in him from the first, so that we might be holy and free from all evil before him in love:"

We also have God's promise, relayed by angels, that Christ will return. Acts 1:10 and 11 (BBE) tells us, "And while they were looking up to heaven with great attention, two men came to them, in white clothing, And said, 'O men of Galilee, why are you looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come again, in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'"

We also have Paul's encouragement of recompense for the persecution we suffer. We read in 2 Thessalonians 7 and 8 (BBE) that the gospel is a command meant to be obeyed. "And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus comes from heaven with the angels of his power in flames of fire, To give punishment to those who have no knowledge of God, and to those who do not give ear to the good news of our Lord Jesus:"

When Christ does bring in that last sinner into his family, it certainly will be a frightening day for those who persist in rejecting him. Revelation 6:16 (BBE) shows just how traumatic it will be for them. "And they say to the mountains and to the rocks, 'Come down on us, covering us from the face of him who is seated on the high seat, and from the wrath of the Lamb:"

I hope and pray that my writing will be used by the Lord to bring in many lost souls to the kingdom of Christ. To that end, I'm writing a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? With the Chinese flu keeping folks home, it's the perfect time to buckle down and get it finished.

On Thursday, providing the last sinner is still lost, I hope to post about how to protect oneself from Judgement Day.

Why Christianity Matters

As fish aren't conscious that they're in water, we followers of Christ take Christianity for granted. Unless we spent time in a pagan culture, we aren't aware of how special our faith is and how it benefits all people.

We read in Galatians 3:8 (BBE) how the world would be blessed through Christ, Abraham's descendent. "And the holy Writings, seeing before the event that God would give the Gentiles righteousness by faith, gave the good news before to Abraham, saying, 'In you will all the nations have a blessing.'"

The gospel is that blessing. As Christ commanded his disciples in Matthew 28:19 (BBE), "Go then, and make disciples of all the nations, giving them baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:"

And since Christianity is a personal belief system and not a political or national one, it improves the lot of even its enemies. That's why Christ said in Matthew 5:43 and 44 (BBE), "You have knowledge that it was said, Have love for your neighbour, and hate for him who is against you: But I say to you, Have love for those who are against you, and make prayer for those who are cruel to you;"

Imagine how violent this world would be if Christians didn't love their enemies but sought to get revenge. Like a certain Chinese proverb says, "he who seeks revenge must dig two graves."

Even in the Old Testament, we read that God is the only one who can repay evil. Deuteronomy 32:35 (BBE) quotes him as saying, "Punishment is mine and reward, at the time of the slipping of their feet: for the day of their downfall is near, sudden will be their fate."

In a way, Christianity spawned hospitals. Christ told a parable of a man badly beaten and a Samaritan who had compassion on him. Luke 10:34 (BBE)shows how this caring gentleman made sure the beaten-up stranger had a safe place to recover. "And came to him and put clean linen round his wounds, with oil and wine; and he put him on his beast and took him to a house and took care of him." The Samaritan even gave money to the Innkeeper to pay for the man's extended stay.

But imagine if we lived in a non Christian world where vengeance reigned and violence was praised. This is what our western lands are becoming. Since governments have abandoned God, so god has abandoned our countries.

I hope to put my next book together and title it, You Think You're Going to Heaven? Just knowing that there are eternal consequences for wickedness has tempered our collective behaviour.

On Saturday, I hope to publish a post about a great song by The Hollies and how it relates to us believers in Christ.

Why is Christ Called The Lion of Judah?

Non Christians certainly don't understand the metaphors we use to express gospel truths. Having explained about the Lamb of God, I now want to write about the Lion of Judah.

The last book of the Bible holds the answer. In the vision of the future which Jesus' disciple saw, nobody was worthy to open a scroll in heaven. Revelation 5:5 (BBE) tells how an angel named Christ as the only one who could break the seals and open the scroll. "And one of the rulers said to me, 'Do not be sad: see, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome, and has power to undo the book and its seven stamps.'"

Another title Christ has is the Son of David. Though King David died long before the birth of Jesus, he descended from him. That's why we read what we read in Matthew 9:27 (BBE) about him. "And when Jesus went on from there, two blind men came after him, crying out, 'Have mercy on us, you Son of David.'"

Of course the temple rulers didn't believe for a minute that Jesus was heir to David's throne. Matthew 21:15 (BBE) relates, "But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the works of power which he did, and the children crying out in the Temple, 'Glory to the son of David,' they were angry and said to him, 'Have you any idea what these are saying?' And Jesus said to them, 'Yes: have you not seen in the Writings, "From the lips of children and babies at the breast you have made your praise complete?"'"

Jesus himself knew that he was of royal blood and God-given power. Revelation 22:16 (BBE)says, "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give witness to you of these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star."

Furthermore, Muslims wonder how we could call Christ the Son of God when the Quran teaches that Allah has no partners. They don't understand that "son" means that he has the top rank and is chief over all creation.

God, the real one, said of Christ at his baptism in Luke 3:21 and 22 (BBE), "Now it came about that when all the people had been given baptism, Jesus, having had baptism with them, was in prayer, when, the heaven being open, The Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove, and a voice came from heaven, saying, 'You are my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'"

I could point out other scriptures which use metaphors but I'll save that for my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? We Christians need to realize that these terms we use sound like nonsense to today's unchurched masses.

On Thursday, unless Christ returns first, I hope to post about why Christianity and western culture matter. What a cruel world it would be without both of them.

Why Christ is Called The Lamb of God

This is an easy matter to answer. All we need to do is read John 1:29 (BBE) which reads, "The day after, John sees Jesus coming to him and says, 'See, here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'"

But what does that mean? It's a reference to sacrificial lambs which were slaughtered each Passover. The first such Passover was recorded in Exodus 12:3 and 4 (BBE). "Say to all the children of Israel when they are come together, In the tenth day of this month every man is to take a lamb, by the number of their fathers' families, a lamb for every family: And if the lamb is more than enough for the family, let that family and its nearest neighbour have a lamb between them, taking into account the number of persons and how much food is needed for every man."

After explaining when and how to kill and cook the lamb, God explained why blood had to be smeared on the door posts of each Israelite house in Exodus 12:12 and 13 (BBE). "For on that night I will go through the land of Egypt, sending death on every first male child, of man and of beast, and judging all the gods of Egypt: I am the Lord. And the blood will be a sign on the houses where you are: when I see the blood I will go over you, and no evil will come on you for your destruction, when my hand is on the land of Egypt."

So, what does this have to do with Christ's death and us today? Luke 22:19 and 20 (BBE) gives us the answer when Christ instituted God's new covenant. "And he took bread and, having given praise, he gave it to them when it had been broken, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you: do this in memory of me.' And in the same way, after the meal, he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new testament, made with my blood which is given for you.'"

We also read of the messianic prophecy in Isaiah 53:7 (BBE) which likens Christ as a sacrificial lamb. "Men were cruel to him, but he was gentle and quiet; as a lamb taken to its death, and as a sheep before those who take her wool makes no sound, so he said not a word."

Since we can't earn God's forgiveness, only the sinless one could atone for our wickedness. This is what I'll emphasize in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven?On Saturday, unless the Lord returns first, I hope to post about a song regarding an unfortunate truck driver.

Why the Resurrection Matters

Having celebrated Christ's resurrection yesterday, many folks still have little or no understanding of why it's important. What most Christians don't comprehend is that we would have no hope if Christ stayed in Joseph's tomb and rotted.

The Apostle Paul explained why the resurrection is crucial to us in 1 Corinthians 15:19 (BBE) when he wrote, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most unhappy."

According to Revelation 20:5 and 6 (BBE), we who place our lives in Christ's hand and believe in him will be resurrected, never to die or suffer again. "The rest of the dead did not come to life again till the thousand years were ended. This is the first coming back from the dead. Happy and holy is he who has a part in this first coming: over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will be ruling with him a thousand years."

The resurrection of the dead isn't exclusively a New Testament doctrine. Job 19:26 (KJV) shows how even that ancient believer knew it. "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"

We also read in Scripture that the Pharisees and Sadducees argued continually about whether we would rise from the dead. Paul used this truth to his advantage in Acts 23:6 and 7 (BBE). "But when Paul saw that half of them were Sadducees and the rest Pharisees, he said in the Sanhedrin, 'Brothers, I am a Pharisee, and the son of Pharisees: I am here to be judged on the question of the hope of the coming back from the dead.' And when he had said this, there was an argument between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and a division in the meeting."

And as we read in 1 Peter 1:21 (BBE), Christ's resurrection sustains our faith. "Who through him have faith in God who took him up again from the dead into glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God."

Since Christ's resurrection is the foundation of our faith, I'll stress it in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Without it, Christianity would be like all other pointless belief systems.

Unless our Lord Returns before Thursday, I hope to post about why Christ was called the Lamb of God.

What Did God Do To Rescue Us?

As I promised, here is a more detailed explanation of God's plan to save humanity. Even so, I can't include every single point.

Remember what Genesis 3:15 (BBE) said about Satan? "And there will be war between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed: by him will your head be crushed and by you his foot will be wounded."

Lineage is important to our heavenly Father. That's why he promised to Abram in Genesis 12:3 (BBE), "To them who are good to you will I give blessing, and on him who does you wrong will I put my curse: and you will become a name of blessing to all the families of the earth."

The entire first chapter of Matthew and Luke 3:30-38 shows how Christ descended from Abram whom God named Abraham. Matthew records his lineage through the male side and Luke from the female side.

But God wasn't making things up as he went along. We read in Ephesians 1:4 (BBE)how he chose his saints before they were even born. "Even as he made selection of us in him from the first, so that we might be holy and free from all evil before him in love:"

Neither was Christ's choice of disciples haphazard, as he said in John 6:70 (BBE). "Then Jesus said, 'Did I not make a selection of you, the twelve, and one of you is a son of the Evil One?'"

Christ's crucifixion was planned from the beginning of time and the rituals Israel observed were a shadow of the real thing. Hebrews 9:11 and 12 (BBE) explains, "But now Christ has come as the high priest of the good things of the future, through this greater and better Tent, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this world, And has gone once and for ever into the holy place, having got eternal salvation, not through the blood of goats and young oxen, but through his blood."

I'm glad God knows the beginning from the end. It's one point I want to stress in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? Errant teachers claim he has no idea of what will happen in the future. Are they ever wrong!

On Saturday, provided Christ doesn't return first, I hope to post about the man who sold the world.

Why Is Sin So Sinful?

This seems like a silly question. Even so, it needs to be answered in order for us to understand why God hates sin.

Sin separates us from all God's goodness and his love for us. We see that when Adam and eve hid after eating that forbidden fruit. Genesis 3:9 (BBE) shows how the loving relationship between the first two people and God caused panic in their souls. "And the voice of the Lord God came to the man, saying, 'Where are you?' And he said, 'Hearing your voice in the garden I was full of fear, because I was without clothing: and I kept myself from your eyes.'"

For millennia, people have shunned the Lord's word. We find how he felt about that rejection in Jeremiah 44:4 (KJV) when he said, "Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate."

God showed how wicked wilful disobedience is in 1 Samuel 15:22 and 23 (BBE) when King Saul didn't destroy all of the enemy's livestock like the Lord told him to. "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as much delight in offerings and burned offerings as in the doing of his orders? Truly, to do his pleasure is better than to make offerings, and to give ear to him than the fat of sheep. For to go against his orders is like the sin of those who make use of secret arts, and pride is like giving worship to images. Because you have put away from you the word of the Lord, he has put you from your place as king.'"

People often quote Jeremiah 29:11 (BBE) as if it applied to themselves. It actually was addressed to Israel while the nation was in Babylonian captivity. The verse reads, "For I am conscious of my thoughts about you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope at the end." But it is true that God wants to give us blessings.

Jesus told a parable about a landowner who hired out his vineyard to labourers. They beat and stoned the servants whom he sent at harvest time and the tenants refused to pay their rent. Mark 12:6 and 7 (BBE) records, "He still had one, a dearly loved son: he sent him last to them, saying, 'They will have respect for my son.' But those workmen said among themselves, 'This is he who will one day be the owner of the property; come, let us put him to death, and the heritage will be ours.'"

As Christ predicted,Jerusalem was utterly destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70. And a day will come when the entire heavens and Earth will be replaced with new heavens and a new earth. Every person ever born will be judged then.

I'll be mentioning this fact often in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? People think their Christening or good works will get them there but they won't.

On Saturday, I'll hopefully post about a piece of furniture which writers use and why it's such a blessing to have one.

Why God Tests Us

Since God knows us better than we know ourselves, why does he still test us? This is one issue which young Christians wonder about.

The answer is that it's for our benefit and his glory. How so? James 1:3 (BBE) replies, "Because you have the knowledge that the testing of your faith gives you the power of going on in hope;"

Not only that but we're encouraged to pray for fellow believers. Ephesians 6:18-20  (BBE) says, "With prayers and deep desires, making requests at all times in the Spirit, and keeping watch, with strong purpose, in prayer for all the saints, And for me, that words may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make clear without fear the secret of the good news, For which I am a representative in chains, and that I may say without fear the things which it is right for me to say."

Likewise, we read in 1 Peter 1:6 and 7 (BBE) that our trust in God is built up through testing. "You have cause for great joy in this, though it may have been necessary for you to be troubled for a little time, being tested in all sorts of ways, So that the true metal of your faith, being of much greater value than gold (which, though it comes to an end, is tested by fire), may come to light in praise and glory and honour, at the revelation of Jesus Christ:"

And as I pointed out on Thursday, the Lord works through our trials to help others through theirs. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 3:2 and 3 (BBE) about one example of encouragement. "We sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the good news of Christ, to give you strength and comfort in your faith; So that no man might be moved by these troubles; because you see that these things are part of God's purpose for us."

While settling another matter, Paul had to explain how we all will be rewarded for our faithfulness in 1 Corinthians 3:8 (BBE). Using a farming analogy, he wrote, "Now the planter and the waterer are working for the same end: but they will have their separate rewards in the measure of their work."

Our Lord and Master also assures us in Revelation 22:12 (BBE) that, "See, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man the outcome of his works."

So it's obvious that we go through the testing of our trust to strengthen it. Like exercising muscles, our faith in Christ grows as we make use of it.

I'll explain what faith is all about in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? Many charismatic churches teach that it's some sort of magical power but they don't use those words for it. But it isn't magic but trust in the Father.

On Thursday, providing the Lord doesn't come first, I'll be posting about why sin is so sinful.

How Trials Help Us Help Others

This truth might surprise some believers but trials actually help us help others. How so? By us having experiencing the testing of our faith, we can counsel others.

The Apostle Paul summed this up perfectly in 2 Corinthians 1:3 and 4 (BBE) when he wrote, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort; Who gives us comfort in all our troubles, so that we may be able to give comfort to others who are in trouble, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Likewise, the experiences and writings of the Old Testament saints are helpful to encourage one another. Romans 15:4 (BBE) reminds us, "Now those things which were put down in writing before our time were for our learning, so that through quiet waiting and through the comfort of the holy Writings we might have hope."

And in times of peace, we are also comforted. We read in Acts 9:31 (BBE) what happened after Saul became Paul. "And so the church through all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was made strong; and, living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was increased greatly."

But as we read in 1 John 3:23 (BBE), we are commanded to care for one another by our Heavenly Father. "And this is his law, that we have faith in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love for one another, even as he said to us."

Another aspect of comforting one another is admonishing against unfaithfulness. Hebrews 3:12 and 13 BBE) reminds us, "My brothers, take care that there is not by chance in any one of you an evil heart without belief, turning away from the living God: But give comfort to one another every day as long as it is still Today; so that no one among you may be made hard by the deceit of sin:"

Finally, Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 7:1 (BBE) why it's so important that we keep each other encouraged and faithful. "Because God, then, will give us such rewards, dear brothers, let us make ourselves clean from all evil of flesh and spirit, and become completely holy in the fear of God."

Because we love God and each other, we naturally wish to help one another. I'll point this unfeigned love out in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? People must understand this truth or their deeds will be phony.

On Saturday, I'll feature a song about the futility of fighting the police.

Why Jesus Was a Man of Sorrows

Have you noticed that Jesus never laughed during his three-year ministry of proclaiming the Kingdom? He might have chuckled as a child but all the biblical accounts picture him as being serious.

In the Old Testiment's greatest prophecy regarding Christ, we read of an individual who was deeply troubled. Isaiah 53:3 (BBE) prophesied, "Men made sport of him, turning away from him; he was a man of sorrows, marked by disease; and like one from whom men's faces are turned away, he was looked down on, and we put no value on him."

Our Lord knew in advance that he was headed for a brutal death and an even more brutal betrayal by one of his own disciples. We read in John 12:27 (BBE) how he felt as his impending crucifixion approached. "Now is my soul troubled; and what am I to say? Father, keep me from this hour. No: for this purpose have I come to this hour."

We also read that Christ knew when it wasn't time for him to die. After saying he was sent from God, the temple rulers wanted to arrest him. John 7:30 (BBE) tells us, "Then they had a desire to take him: but no man put hands on him because his hour was still to come."

But Christ did make a pun once. Simon received the name Peter, which means a little rock, after he declaired that Jesus was the messiah. Matthew 16:18 (BBE) tells us, "And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock will my church be based, and the doors of hell will not overcome it." The big rock was the truth of Jesus being the Christ, the Son of God.

Even so, Christ's life was anything but easy during his preaching ministry. It even started off with threats against his life. When Jesus read part of Isaiah chapter sixty-two in Nazareth, the people realized that he was declairing himself the messiah. Luke 4:29 and 30 (BBE) tells what happened next. "And they got up and took him out of the town to the edge of the mountain on which their town was, so that they might send him down to his death. But he came through them and went on his way."

In light of all this, there is a silver lining for us in his difficulties. Christ understands experientially what it's like when we suffer. Hebrews 2:17 and 18 BBE) informs us, "Because of this it was necessary for him to be made like his brothers in every way, so that he might be a high priest full of mercy and keeping faith in everything to do with God, making offerings for the sins of the people. For having been put to the test himself, he is able to give help to others when they are tested."

I'm putting together a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Far too many churchgoers assume that their church affiliation and infant baptism will get them through the pearly gates but they're hellward bound.

On Thursday, I hope to post about how trials help us help others.

Saint Patrick and What We Must Remember

Every March seventeenth, the western world celebrates Saint Patrick's Day. But these people know little about the man whose birthday people are celebrating.

You can Google Saint Patrick's Day if you wish but here's the basic story. He was kidnapped from Britain as a youth by Irish pirates. He managed to escape and go back to his home. But God laid it on his heart to go back to Ireland with the gospel. Patrick did so and that act of obedience changed the entire nation.

As Christians, we're commanded by Christ to proclaim the gospel everywhere. People need to hear the good news of salvation-without-works, as the Apostle Paul pointed out in Romans 10:14 (BBE). "But how will they give worship to him in whom they have no faith? and how will they have faith in him of whom they have not had news? and how will they have news without a preacher?"

In Patrick's case, the people listened to him. But that wasn't the case for God's prophets. Jeremiah 44:4 (KJV) shows how often the Lord tried to bring back Israel to have faith in him. "Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, 'Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.'"

Even our Lord Jesus was rejected by his own people. John 1:11 (BBE) reads, "He came to the things which were his and his people did not take him to their hearts."

Likewise, Christ expressed his anguish in Luke 13:34 (BBE) when he cried, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, putting to death the prophets, and stoning those who were sent to her! again and again would I have taken your children to myself, as a bird takes her young ones under her wings, but you would not!"

It's easy to preach to those who speak our language but heartbreaking when they refuse to hear the message God gave us. Ezekiel 3:7 (BBE) shows why this is so. "But the children of Israel will not give ear to you; for they have no mind to give ear to me: for all the children of Israel have a hard brow and a stiff heart."

I'll touch on the hardness of people's hearts in my book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? Most of them won't listen to us because they refuse to hear the heavenly Father. What a shame!

On Thursday, I'll be posting about why learning patience doesn't come immediately.

How Did Saints React to Persecution?

As I said on Monday, the first-century believers reacted to persecution differently than the world's people would have. In this way, they proved that God's supernatural power helped them.

We read in the fourth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles that the members of the Sanhedrin told the disciples not to preach that Christ was risen and sent them out. Those disciples told their friends what had happened and then they prayed.

Acts 4:31 (BBE) shows how God answered them. "And when their prayer was ended, the place where they were was violently moved, and they all became full of the Holy Spirit, preaching the word of God without fear."

In the next chapter, the disciples ran afoul of the Sanhedrin again. After some discussion, Sanhedrin members  beat the disciples and sent them away. Acts 5:41 (BBE) says, "So they went away from the Sanhedrin, happy to undergo shame for the Name."

But is there no occasion where Christians can claim our lawful rights? Paul and Silas did that in Acts 16:35-37 (BBE) after being unlawfully imprisoned. "But when it was day, the authorities sent the police, saying, 'Let these men go.' And the keeper said to Paul, 'The authorities have given orders to let you go: come out now, and go in peace.' But Paul said to them, 'They have given us who are Romans a public whipping without judging us, and have put us in prison. Will they now send us out secretly? no, truly, let them come themselves and take us out.'"

So, when can we claim our rights? Only when the law of the land allows it. Many times in the New Testament, believers suffered punishment without having any legal remedy. We read about that in 1 Peter 3:17 (BBE) which says, "Because if it is God's purpose for you to undergo pain, it is better to do so for well-doing than for evil-doing."

And as we read in Hebrews 11:37 and 38 (BBE), many faithful followers refused to escape persecution in favour of gaining a better reward. "They were stoned, they were cut up with knives, they were tested, they were put to death with the sword, they went about in sheepskins and in goatskins; being poor and in pain and cruelly attacked, Wandering in waste places and in mountains and in holes in the rocks; for whom the world was not good enough."

Because we faithful Christians are attacked, even by those who call themselves faithful to God, I'm writing a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? As Jesus warned his disciples in John 16:2 (BBE), "They will put you out of the Synagogues: yes, the time is coming when whoever puts you to death will have the belief that he is doing God's pleasure." How sad that earnest folks still end up doing Satan's work.

On Saturday, I hope to publish a post about people's contentious attitudes.

Why Love Those Who Hate Us?

Christianity is unique in many ways. One of those is that we're called to love our Enemies. In other belief systems, notably Islam, adherents are told to hate their enemies.

Christ made this perfectly clear regarding our persecutors in Matthew 5:44 and 45 (BBE) when he said, "But I say to you, Have love for those who are against you, and make prayer for those who are cruel to you; So that you may be the sons of your Father in heaven; for his sun gives light to the evil and to the good, and he sends rain on the upright man and on the sinner." Verse 45 also is the reason for loving our enemies.

The Apostle Paul also admonishes us to let God deal with the wicked people's castigation but to show them kindness. Romans 12:19 and 20 (BBE) explains, "Do not give punishment for wrongs done to you, dear brothers, but give way to the wrath of God; for it is said in the holy Writings, 'Punishment is mine, I will give reward, says the Lord.' But if one who has hate for you is in need of food or of drink, give it to him, for in so doing you will put coals of fire on his head."

Christ expects us to obey his commandments. As he said in John 15:14 (BBE), "You are my friends, if you do what I give you orders to do."

Jesus also addressed would-be disciples in Luke 6:46 (BBE) when he asked of them, "Why do you say to me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

We Christians tend to forget that most of the world's people are unsaved. Most of those folks are also unable to respond to the gospel. As Paul points out in Colossians 2:13 and 14 (BBE), Christ is the one who makes spiritually-dead people come to life. "And you, being dead through your sins and the evil condition of your flesh, to you, I say, he gave life together with him, and forgiveness of all our sins; Having put an end to the handwriting of the law which was against us, taking it out of the way by nailing it to his cross;"

Now I understand that there are those stubborn people who won't respond to our kindness with appreciation. Paul understood that too so he wrote in Romans 12:18 (BBE) that, "As far as it is possible for you be at peace with all men." That includes women too.

Best of all, we will be rewarded for taking the blows meant for Christ. Our Lord said in Luke 6:22 and 23 (BBE), "Happy are you, when men have hate for you, and put you away from among them and say angry words to you, turning away in disgust at your name, because of the Son of man. Be glad in that day, and be lifted up for joy, for your reward in heaven will be great: for their fathers did these same things to the prophets."

I also think that our suffering without retaliating shows us to be noble. Any fool can become angry but it takes great strength of character to shrug off insults, torture, or even martyrdom.

The unique nature of Christianity will be one topic covered in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? All other belief systems are centred on human effort and philosophy. Only Christianity is based on God's wisdom.

Why Consider Suffering Joyous?

To the natural person, this sounds like pure lunacy. Nobody in their right mind wants to suffer. In fact, we do all we can to relieve pain.

Yet we Christians are exhorted to consider all trials and persecution to be a joyous occasion. We find this explanation of being joyful in the midst of suffering in James 1:2 and 3 (BBE) which reads, "Let it be all joy to you, my brothers, when you undergo tests of every sort; Because you have the knowledge that the testing of your faith gives you the power of going on in hope;"

Likewise Peter, no stranger to persecution, wrote in 1 Peter 1:6 and 7 (BBE), "You have cause for great joy in this, though it may have been necessary for you to be troubled for a little time, being tested in all sorts of ways, So that the true metal of your faith, being of much greater value than gold (which, though it comes to an end, is tested by fire), may come to light in praise and glory and honour, at the revelation of Jesus Christ:"

Certainly the first-century Christians understood the honour of being afflicted for the sake of Christ and the gospel. After the disciples were whipped by the temple rulers and warned never to preach about Christ, we read what they did  in Acts 5:41 (BBE). "So they went away from the Sanhedrin, happy to undergo shame for the Name."

The Apostle Paul also recognized the joy which exists in suffering for the sake of our Lord and Master, Jesus. We read in 2 Thessalonians 1:4 and 5 (BBE), "So that we ourselves take pride in you in the churches of God for your untroubled mind and your faith in all the troubles and sorrows which you are going through; Which is a clear sign of the decision which God in his righteousness has made; to give you a part in his kingdom, for which you have undergone this pain;"

So we realize that suffering persecution is a joyous privilege. It tests our faith in Christ. It also gives us hope of recompense for our righteous suffering at the hands of wicked people. We will also be given a glorious reward when Christ returns for standing firm for him. Understood in light of these verses alone, we rejoice to be counted worthy to suffer the blows meant for Christ.

I'm working on a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People need to understand that only God's criteria matters regarding whom he lets into his holy habitation.

On Saturday, I hope to post about the value of recognizing one's faults. I also feature a great Canadian band's hit from 1971.

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 Religions Which Teach Good Deeds?

To those folks who don't know the gospel, this sounds like a wise question. I can't think of a single world religion which forbids doing good deeds. But doing good works just to better one's chances for a higher place in the next life isn't what gets people into heaven.

Jesus himself gave the answer of how we may receive eternal life. Nicodemus, a ruler of the temple, came by night to ask Jesus this question. John 3:3 (BBE) is his answer to him and all humanity. "Jesus said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, Without a new birth no man is able to see the kingdom of God.'"

And as with our physical birth, we contributed nothing to it. That's why Ephesians 2:8 and 9 (BBE) states without equivocation, "Because by grace you have salvation through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is given by God: Not by works, so that no man may take glory to himself."

This is what makes Christianity radically different from all other belief systems. We can't improve ourselves enough to even begin to reach God's sinlessness. Isaiah 64:6 (BBE) shows us this in no uncertain terms. "For we have all become like an unclean person, and all our good acts are like a dirty robe: and we have all become old like a dead leaf, and our sins, like the wind, take us away."

What people find hard to accept is that we are all sinful. Our basic tendency is to ward wickedness and selfishness. But Christ is lord, meaning the boss, and he must be obeyed. As John 13:13 and 14 (BBE) says, "You give me the name of Master and Lord: and you are right; that is what I am. If then I, the Lord and the Master, have made your feet clean, it is right for you to make one another's feet clean."

Christ couldn't have said it plainer in John 14:6 (BBE) when he told Thomas, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the true and living way: no one comes to the Father but by me."

This is one doctrine which worldly people find offensive. Even so, I'll keep proclaiming it in my book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? Just because we don't like it, doesn't mean it isn't true.

On Saturday, I'll post about what the meaning of love is and I'll feature one of my favourite techno bands' tunes.