The problem and solution

Welcome,

Let’s get started.

Man is a great creation of God, but we have a big problem.
Sin.
Along with that we have the problem of being, from the time we are born, on a trajectory toward a place in which we will be eternally separated from God. This place has many names, but is universally referred to (in Christendom), as the “Lake of Fire”.
Why are we headed there?
Because we sin?
That’s what we are taught relentlessly from an early age, but that isn’t exactly right.
If the fact that we commit sins would cause us to end up in hell, then if we do righteous acts the same would cause us to end up with God in heaven right? Ask anyone on the street, Christian or non-Christian and that is pretty much what they will tell you. Neither is true as the scriptures show us time and time again.
So what is the answer?

Imagine you are hiking in the woods, and going happily on your way, enjoying yourself and enjoying the scenery when seemingly out of no where you say to yourself, “Hey… I think I’m lost.” One of two things will happen. Either you will get your baring, or else you realize uncomfortably that… oh my goodness… I am lost. That’s when the enjoyment stops and a strategy for getting out of the lost situation begins to develop. Either you will lull yourself into a false sense of security by telling yourself that you aren't really lost and if you just keep moving you will find your way back or, you will get scared and start searching for a way to positively resolve your situation.

The same thing happens in life as it pertains to spirituality.

At some point each one of us realizes, "hey… I think I’m lost", and then as we try to get some kind of baring so that we can know for sure if we are indeed lost.

Before a person can be saved, they must first understand they are lost. Before a man can come to Christ, he (or she) must understand their need for Christ. We must know and understand our need for a savior and that He can be found and known.

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. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

How do we get faith?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (KJV)

We must actively seek God because it is us who is lost, not God… just as the scripture says… we must seek Him. Going back to the lost in the woods analogy… if you realized you are lost you will take your walkie talkie, or cell phone and try to reach someone. Why? Because you know that whoever you reach will most likely be in a stationary location and that they are not lost and can guide you to safty. But here is where we must be careful. What if the person you reach on the communication device is just as lost as you are and trying to find direction? Or what if you reach someone who for some reason wants you to continue to be lost and wandering aimlessly? Or you reach someone who is at a safe position but has no idea how to give directions? You must know you are reaching a reliable party! God through His Word is that reliable party. Jesus Christ is the only one on whom we can rely!

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 (KJV)

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

I digress. What causes us to know we are lost? God in His infinite wisdom, love and mercy gave us several ways to know He exists and that we are lost and need to be brought back into right relationship with Him. Not the least of which is the LAW. Not just the Ten Commandments, but all the law of God. Sin is the transgression of Gods law. The law leads us to salvation through a knowledge that we are in sin… but the law can not, will not and never has saved anyone… as a matter of fact the law has the power ONLY to condemn. The Word of God says:

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. I Corinthians 15:56 (KJV)

THE POINT OF THE LAW IS TO PROVE TO US THE UTTER IMPOSSIBILITY OF KEEPING THE LAW!

We are destined for hell because of the sin of Adam. When Adam sinned against God, and abdicated his authority to the devil, sin became part of the human experience.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12 (KJV)

That is why we are bound for hell unless we repent and come to faith in Jesus Christ!
It is NOT our individual acts of sin which will cause us to be lost. So does that mean we can just do what we want to do and still be saved? Does that mean it’s alright to sin? Just as Paul said…

GOD FORBID!!!

Knowing the law has no effect on our salvation isn’t license to live lawlessly.
I often tell people that if someone told me TODAY that crack cocaine was no longer illegal that wouldn’t make me go out and start using it just because now I know there is no law against it! I’m 46 years old… well above drinking and smoking age… both of which are legal. I don’t do either one… why? Because I have a conviction about it NOT because there is some law telling me I can't. There are many things in the lives of Christians that God wants to work out in us, and as the time comes… if we truly love and seek God and desire to live upright before Him we will allow the pruning process as God does it. What tree or bush has anyone ever completely pruned with one clip of a pruning shear? There is a constant pruning and shaping. Let God be God and teach Christians they are loved by God, and how to love Him and desire more of Him and these other matters will take care of themselves. Overall however, (I got away from my main premise a little bit). It is NOT our individual sin which has made us destined for eternal separation from God. It is the sin of Adam.

Alright, here’s the breakdown:

Because of the sin of Adam we are ALL sinners.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12 (KJV)

Therefore according to that scripture, (if we don’t receive salvation through Jesus Christ), no matter how many individual acts of sin we commit, we are bound for hell (because we are bound for hell anyway). AND No matter how many acts of righteousness, we are still bound for hell.

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Romans 5:14 (KJV)

Those passages show that our trajectory toward hell is based upon the sin of Adam and NOT our individual (personal) acts of sin or righteousness!

By that same model:
Once we have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, no matter how many individual acts of righteousness we do, we are bound for heaven, (because we are bound for heaven anyway after repenting and accepting Christ). (No one will disagree with that… but HERE is the part on which the majority of the modern church has gotten stuck and needs to address), if ALL of what was just stated is true then the following statement MUST be TRUE… I can’t emphasize this strongly enough… IF ALL THAT WAS SAID BEFORE WAS TRUE THEN THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT MUST BE TRUE…

Once we have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, no matter what individual (personal) acts of unrighteousness we do… we are STILL bound for heaven.
Why?
The scriptures show that our trajectory toward heaven is based upon the righteousness of Christ and NOT our individual acts of sin or righteousness!

That is a hard pill to swallow, and even to this day I feel a twinge of resistance within my own flesh just to state it, (I pray for and look forward to the day when I am totally delivered from that). There is something in the nature of man which makes us resist that truth but:

Please don’t take my word for it… NEVER just take my or anyone elses word for anything! Read the scriptures (and then get your OWN Bible and read it to make sure it hasn’t been misquoted, added to, taken from, or taken out of context! Again… it is SO important to study that way!:

Romans 5:15-21
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:15-21 (KJV)
(Bold letters highlighted by me).

The next verse brings it home:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:1-2 (KJV)

Why was Paul compelled to make the statement of Romans 6 after all he had just said? Because when teaching salvation and the Grace of God… if taught correctly… IT WILL BEG THAT QUESTION! If no one ever says to you… “...then what are you trying to say? It’s alright to just live any way I want to and still be saved?” Then you are not properly teaching or preaching the gospel. Set aside the answer for a moment… I repeat. If you are teaching the gospel properly, then it will BEG that question! If that question doesn’t arise, then you are NOT hearing the full gospel.
(By the way... the answer to the question, just as Paul said is, "Of course not! Knowing you are not under the law doesn't mean it's alright with God if we sin, OR that we are at liberty to sin in any way!")

I am closing the lesson for today. In my next lesson I will go deeper into scripture to continue to show the true nature of the salvation plan as God created it and set it forth… I will of course use much more scripture to show it. (If I can not show truth using scripture, then it is in effect, only my own perception or opinion, which is ultimately worthless). What I say or write only has strength and authority if it is FIRMLY rooted in the Word of God... that's it. NOTHING else. If something is my personal opinion, I will state it as such and you can take it or leave it... but when it comes to scripture, then, "Thus saith the Lord" and therein lies the power and the difference. All I care about is the Bible and what it says. Not “proof text”, but teaching line upon line:

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: Isaiah 28:10 (KJV)

Peace be with you and may God bless and keep you.

Resources

Two posts in one day… that’s a new record for me.

Throughout my blog I’ll constantly be emphasizing the absolute necessity of studying scripture. Therefore I am going to give you the links to some very good resources for studying the Word.

Some of the best online Bibles and resources are the ones I have listed below, with links to each site. You will find them very valuable and helpful as you study the Word of God, and best of all… they are all FREE.

Blue Letter Bible:

http://www.blueletterbible.org

The Blue Letter Bible now has over 4,000,000 links onsite to over 165,000 pages of concordances, lexicons, dictionaries, commentaries, images, and Bible versions! Our prayer is that you will enjoy the site, in Jesus' name! (Taken from Blue Letter Bible Site)

Theophilos:

http://www.theophilos.sk/

Theophilos is a fast and effective way to explore God's word. It comes packed with powerful features that you wouldn’t expect to find in a free program. In fact, you are receiving a package of great value that can grow with your desire to study God's Word.

(Taken from Theophilos site)

Interlinear Scripture Analyzer (ISA):

http://www.scripture4all.org/

Interlinear Bible and concordance search software – free, fast, powerful and easy-to-use -
overcome the language barrier and get in touch with the original. (Taken from ISA site)

Bible Explorer:

http://www.bible-explorer.com/

Bible Explorer libraries puts the world's best study resources right at your fingertips but they are organized with such logic and simplicity, you'll never by overwhelmed by information provided - just the discoveries they offer. Bible Explorer's intuitive design makes it highly unlikely you'll ever need the video tutorial and thorough documentation provided. (Taken from the Bible Explorer site)

May God Bless and Keep you.

Direction

Okay, I’m back.

My apologies. I won’t let such a long gap develope like this again. There has been much study, meditation and prayer done before I felt it was time to go back to writing.

I was conversing with a friend some days ago and I likened myself to an ex-smoker. You know the type. He or she may have smoked most of their life but once they finally get free of it you will never find a more zealous crusader against smoking. I am the same way when it comes to legalism and “churchianity”.

When approaching the Word of God… the Bible… I have come to realize and see in a very clear way that the Bible doesn’t read the same way for everyone… and what I mean is directed toward believers. If a believer approaches the scriptures from a position of works the Bible reads one way… if approached from a position of grace the Bible reads another way, and in many cases, the exact opposite. Which is right?

Grace, Grace, Grace, Grace, Grace!

For we are saved by GRACE through FAITH in JESUS CHRIST.

THAT’S IT!

In the coming days, weeks, months, and possibly years, I am going to explain why the Gospel needs to be taught correctly and why it is not. I am going to explain why in may cases, the way the Bible is taught today is not only wrong, but in most cases detrimental to Christians today and actually causes believers to be defeated, as well as usurping the inherent power of it (the Gospel), to convert the unsaved.

One of the things I find myself doing now it taking scriptures that I learned all my life, (I’ve been saved for almost 30 years now), and approaching them from the standpoint of grace, and it is almost mind boggling to me the degree to which all these standard or “proof text” scriptures mean something totally different based upon a true knowledge of grace. When speaking with an average “Church person”, what you will get is platitudes, and phrases which are parroted by people whom if you were to press or challenge them by asking, “What exactly does that mean?” the person who just gave you the little gem of “Christianize”, will be hard pressed to tell you, if they can at all.

I started understanding the Bible when I started STUDYING the Bible and stopped taking the word of someone who, because of their position was “supposed” to know what they were talking about, but didn’t. This isn’t to say those who teach the Bible from a position of works aren’t sincere, or that they aren’t saved… far from it, what I’m saying is that these people have fallen into the same trap they are leading others into. A salvation void of joy, hope, peace and power. These individuals believe they are preaching and teaching a pure gospel which empowers believers but what they are preaching and teaching actually cuts the believer off from the very source of their victory.

In the coming days I will explain further and ONLY based upon accurately interpreted scripture, coming from a position of grace. As per the rules… NEVER just read what I have written and take my word for it… STUDY IT FOR YOURSELF! I could be making something up or for some reason trying to deceive you, or at the very least… just be TOTALLY off base! (Of course I wouldn’t do those things, but I’m making a point). How will you know what is true if you don’t search the scriptures for yourself and have them confirmed by the Holy Ghost, the spirit of God whom abides within you? Study your Bible and get these truths for yourself, and once you do… you will never lose them.

Until then, (and it won’t be long), May the blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ abide with and overtake you.

Peace be with you.

Getting Started

I suppose before I being moving forward in earnest I need to define some terms and explain my belief system and the foundation of it. (I will be spending a few days on this)

I believe we are “Saved by Grace, through Faith in Jesus Christ.” As outlined in Ephesians 2

For one to be saved, one must understand that we are born in sin, having a sin nature and that we remain sinners until we are born again by coming to faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.John 14:6

The only way to salvation is through the person of Jesus Christ… we must:
Repent of our sin (feel Godly sorrow, ask for and accept forgiveness for our sin with the commitment to turn away from and forsake sin), and believe on Jesus Christ.

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:30-31

I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that it, (the Bible) is complete and exists in the form God intended. I believe the Bible is without contradiction and that the Bible interprets itself. (Much of what people consider to be contradictions in the Bible come from either a misunderstanding, misinterpretation, a misuse of context, or at times a failure to do diligent study to understand what is meant in the original language or the context of the time, place and environment in which the scripture spoke). Furthermore, the Bible is the final word for me when it comes to my conclusion about any matter. After I have examined what God has to say about a thing and get an answer which lines up with His Word… (if one feels God has told them something and it is contrary to what His Word says, that individual had best rethink their position) then it is settled.

One of the cliché’s people hear time and time again from church folk is:
God said it,
I believe it,
And that settles it.

Wrong.

God said it.
That settles it.
PERIOD.

Who cares what I think?!
If what I write doesn’t line up with what God says then all it is, is my opinion… and my opinion and a dollar won’t even get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

On this blog when I am giving my opinion, or personal perceptions I will do my best to make it readily known at the time I make the statement that what I am giving is ONLY my personal opinion or perception.

Most important is what the BIBLE says.
If at ANY time I make statements that I deem to be FACTS… if I neglect to give foundations and / or proof for those facts then you are welcome, and even encouraged to ignore them. If I profess a doctrine that contradicts scripture… you are equally welcome and encouraged to not only ignore, but to utterly reject them.

SOME OF MY RULES:

Rule no. 1 - Do NOT take my word for ANYTHING! Find the scriptures I reference and study the Bible for YOURSELF. People can tell you ANYTHING. That is how so many individuals are being led astray right now SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES FOR YOURSELF!

Rule no. 2 - This blog is a Pharisees FREE ZONE!

Rule no. 3 – God’s Word is the FINAL word.

More to follow...

Be blessed in Jesus Christ.

A Poem For Today

While I'm preparing to start teaching on my blog I hope you enjoy this poem as my post for today. 

Be Blessed

THE DISK

The devil found a floppy disk,
He said, “Now this is fine!”
I’ll put this in my computer,
And find out whose soul will be mine,

So he took the floppy disk with him,
Put it in his computer with ease,
Looked at the screen, and said something obscene,
As it read, ‘What’s the password please.’

“I have no time for these stupid games!”
Said the devil as he popped the disk out,
“I’ll ask God to use His computer,
And I’ll see what this disk is about.”

So he made a bee line to God’s office,
And walked up to God at His desk,
The devil said, “On this disk are all sins,
And your laws that someone transgressed.”

God took the disk from the devil,
And in His computer it slid,
Then old slue foot smiled and patted his hands,
“Now let’s see all the evil he did!”

They both sat and looked at the monitor,
And the devil laughed evil and sly,
When he saw a list of all of the sins,
On the screen light like stars in the sky,

God then shook His head in sorrow,
At the loss of another dear soul,
Then the blood red phone on his desk rang,
God picked it up whispering, “Hello.”,

He sat and just listened a moment,
Then suddenly “YES I WILL!” He out cried,
He placed the phone back in its cradle,
And smiled as tears shined in His eyes,

“That call was the owner of this disk,
What he said is between he and I,
But I will tell you that he repented,
And decided from sin he would die.”

The devil in turn then said nothing,
And went his own way in defeat,
As God pressed a key on His keyboard,
The one that said simply…

Delete.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

It is my humble opinion, for what it’s worth, that one of the single biggest stumbling block which keep people from coming to Christ is “Christians”. Whether due to hypocrisy, legalism, self-righteousness, or flat out misrepresentation of God, people are staying away from God and the Church in droves. I have heard it said by some that this is happening because people don’t want to “live right”. I have heard it said, in church, and by “church folk”, that people don’t want to give up their – fill in the blank-.

Well…

I will say this many times because this is the way I believe… either people are right, or the BIBLE is right… so guess what?

Okay then.

If people are not coming to Jesus Christ it isn’t because there isn’t a hunger within human beings to find their way to God… this is easily demonstrated by how easily people fall into different cults, and the following of strange religious doctrines and such.

Also the Bible says:

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly [is] plenteous, but the labourers [are] few;

Matthew 9:37 (KJV)

This scripture clearly implies that people are willing to come, but the problem is that those who labor are few in number, (or possibly inept laborers).

If I own a huge apple orchard and hire 200 people to harvest it, instructing them that the apples are ripe and ready to be picked so go out and harvest. I give them baskets, and ladders, water and food to work out in the heat of the day. I equip them with everything they need to get the job done; then at the end of the day the laborers come back with baskets which are nearly empty whose fault is it that there are no apples?

Mine?

The laborers?

Well... according to the reasoning of "church folk", it's the APPLES fault.

Of course that would be non-sense... but the point is, if it isn't the owner's fault, or the apples fault, then whose fault is it?

Hmmmmmmmm.

The laborers.

If I have planted the orchard and done all I could to bring the fruit to the point of harvest, and then equip people to go out and retrieve that harvest which is just waiting to be picked... but the laborers are having trouble getting the harvest, then it is not my nor the fruit's fault. (I know I'm repeating myself).

"Well I reached at several apples and they seemed stuck to the limb."

"There are a lot of apples out there but some are just too high!"

"There were apples on the ground but I didn't want to bend over to pick them up... and besides, what can you do with apples from off the ground?"

Etc... etc... etc...

Tug harder.

Forget your fear of heights and climb higher.

Just because an apple is on the ground doesn't mean it is useless. Ever heard of applesauce, or apple bread... or apple seeds to plant more trees? You gather the apples and let ME decide what apples are appropriate and which ones aren't. Your job is just to get the apples... and the apples aren't going to just jump into the basket.

Pick em,

Pluck em,

Bend down and reach for them,

Climb a ladder and reach for them,

Shake the limb,

Shake the branch,

shake the TREE,

But just get the apples!

Okay, enough of the apple analogy. I think you get the point. If people aren't coming to Christ, instead of immediately "blaming the victim", rather let's start to examine whether there is something WE are missing. There is no denying that there are many people who are hostile toward God... some who no matter what you say or do will harden their hearts... but if God says the harvest if pleantious, then it can mean nothing else but the fact that people are hungry for the truth... they are hungry for God.

Before we can witness effectively... we must understand the Gospel effectively ourselves.

From what I have experienced and seen, far too many Christians don't even understand the foundations of their own faith, and if that is the case, whenever we do lead someone to Jesus it is inspite of what we understand about salvation and not because of it. That issue is what this Blog shall address.

Understanding the foundations of our faith.

Christianity 101 as it were.

May God bless and keep you.