Freedom In Christ - What Is It? How Can I Experience True Freedom in Christ?

Freedom In Christ - What Is It? How Can I Experience True Freedom In Christ?

Freedom is a basic human desire, so we would expect to read about it in the Bible. While the Bible speaks often of freedom, its focus is most frequently related to the spiritual freedom a person can experience in Christ.

First, freedom in Christ is seen in contrast to the bondage of sin. Romans 6:20-23 says, "For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slave of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." In other words, sin enslaves people for spiritual death and eternity apart from God. Knowing Christ provides freedom from the control of sin and eternal life with Him.

Second, freedom in Christ is seen as the only true form of freedom, because it provides lasting freedom beyond this life. John 8:36 notes, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." We now know the truth that sets us free as believers. (John 8:32).

Third, a person who has experienced true freedom in Christ is called to live as His servant. The apostle Paul was an example of this, as many of his letters begin with the introduction of himself as a "servant of Christ Jesus" (Romans 1:1). We are set free to serve Christ. This seems like a paradox to the non-believer, yet the freedom found in Christ gives the believer a desire to live for Christ as a servant. This attitude reflects the attitude displayed by Jesus Himself during His time on earth (John 13:1-20; Philippians 1:5-11).

Fourth, those who find freedom in Christ also become His children. John 1:12 teaches, "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." As Galatians 4 also notes, we are now children and heirs of the inheritance of eternal life with Christ for eternity.

Yet this freedom does not mean sin is completely removed. Paul spoke of his ongoing struggle with sin (Romans 7:15-20, yet also noted that sin no longer controlled him (Romans 6:1-2). He was now a person who sought to live a transformed life because of his new life in Christ (Romans 12:1-2). This included putting off old habits and developing new patterns that honored God (Ephesians 4:22-32).

In short, we experience true freedom in Christ by knowing Him, walking in His ways, and engaging with the changes He makes in and through our lives as we focus on service to Him and to others. This freedom transcends the human freedoms desired in this world, providing peace in this life and freedom with Christ forevermore.

~Compelling Truth~

God vs. satan? If He Is Really All-powerful, Why Doen't God Just Kill satan?

God vs. satan? If He is Really All-powerful, Why Doesn't God Just Kill satan?

If God is all-powerful, why hasn't He killed satan? This question deserves careful attention, since removing satan before he tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden may have kept sin from entering the world.

First, we must acknowledge God is all-powerful and

Second, the possibility of sin must exist to allow humanity to have free will. Free will is required for the existence of genuine choices, including the choice to love God. Even if satan had not existed, we would still have had free will and the opportunity to commit sin. As it turns out, sin entered though Adam and Eve, aided by the actions of satan. But this doesn't mean sin could never have entered some other way.

Third, satan's existence also serves as part of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. When Jesus came to earth, He was tempted by satan (Matthew 4:1-11). satan worked in the life of Judas Iscariot so he would betray Jesus, leading to His sacrificial death on the Cross. Even though satan's intentions are evil, God is able to use them in order to further His will.

This is a great example of Romans 8:28, which teaches, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." In addition, other works of God have shown this to be true as well. When Joseph's brothers sought forgiveness for selling him into slavery, Joseph replied, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Genesis 50:20. Jonah was swallowed by a great fish, yet God used this event to help save a city from judgment.

Fourth, God has already revealed His plan to ultimately defeat satan. Revelation 20:10 states, "the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." satan will be removed from God's people, and  punished forever.

This is a key point, often missed when looking at the "God vs. satan" conflict. In a sense, satan is already defeated. Deer that are shot by hunters often run hundreds of yards before they die, even though the bullet wound is fatal. Like an animal that's been shot, but hasn't actually died yet, evil has been fatally injured by God. We're just waiting for everything to settle into place. When that happens, all wrongs will be made right, and all evil will be punished.

We rightfully wish satan no longer worked his evil in this world. However, God has a plan that will ultimately end satan's work. For now, we can view satan's operations in this world as an opportunity to depend on the power of God's Spirit to resist temptation, fight injustice and evil, and to stand strong in sharing Christ's love with those who have yet to believe.

God will determine the timing of satan's judgment as He wills; we are called to follow God's plans while resisting the evil efforts of the devil.

~Compelling Truth~ 

How Important Is Spiritual Growth In Christian Life?

How Important Is Spiritual Growth In Christian Life?

Spiritual growth is the process of becoming more mature in one's relationship with Jesus Christ. Someone who is growing spiritually will become more and more like Christ. The spiritually mature will be able to "distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:14). Spiritual growth begins the moment a person comes to faith in Christ and should continue until a person enters Christ's presence after this life.

Spiritual growth is expected of the believer. The author of Hebrews reprimands his readers for "no longer trying to understand" (5:11) and "being still an infant" (5:13). The criticism leads to exhortation: "Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity" (6:1). The apostle Peter says, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." As we rely on His powere and follow His teachings, we can develop greater maturity.

Peter provides a peek at the process: "make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8).

Involvement in a local church and the exercise of our spiritual gifts are invaluable to the development of maturity (Ephesians 4:11-16). Rather than be swayed by every errant doctrine that comes along, we can speak "the truth in love," with the result that "we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ" (Ephesians 4:15).

To evaluate spiritual growth, we can measure our improvement in the "fruit of the Spirit." The Spirit desires to produce these qualities in us: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Are we increasing in love? In joy? In patience? If so, we are growing spiritually.

We should be aware that growth often comes through trials. Just as physical strength is built through exertion and straining against resistance, spiritual strength is developed in the hard times of life. "No pain, no gain," as they say. James gives encouragement: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).

Because growth comes through trials, Scripture also teaches we are not to grow weary in the process. Much spiritual development is the result of persistence. "As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good" (2 Thessalonians 3:13). "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).

It is God's will that we grow to be more like Jesus. We also have the promise that the Lord Himself will oversee our growth and bring us to maturity. "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you" (2 Corinthians 13:11).

~Compelling Truth~

How Can I Trust That God Really Is In Control? Is God in Control?

How Can I Trust That God Really Is In Control? Is God In Control?

The first question we need to ask ourselves is, "Is God really in control?" In order to trust Him, we need to know whether or not that trust is warranted. The Bible is clear that God's will happens exactly as He purposes: "The Lord of hosts has sworn: 'As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand." (Isaiah 14:24). This should give us strength and confidence, knowing that He is omnipotent, and that when He promises a thing, He also has the power to make it happen. God is sovereign over creation - He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15). What He says is going to happen, happens. Through the prophet Isaiah, God says; "I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purposes' " (Isaiah 46:9-10).

What about free will? If God is in complete control, but man's choices are free and outside His control, how can He really be in control? The philosophy of open theism says that God is constantly reacting and changing to the decisions and choices of man - and that He doesn't know what will happen in the future any more than we do. This cannot be true, because of Christ, the Messiah. If God was reacting to the decisions of men, prophecy would not make sense. Why would God say "I'm going to do this" if He wasn't sure it would happen? That would make God Himself a false prophet! He knew what would happen, which is how He could promise it. And the only way He could know what would happen is if He was in complete control! If the outcome of the future depends on the free will of man, we, not He, would be God! And that idea is eerily familiar; it is satan's lie - you shall be like God (Genesis 3:5). God allows us choice and freedom only within the boundaries of His sovereignty. "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?' " (Daniel 4:35).

Once we understand that God is in control, we must look to His goodness. That is where true trust comes from. Just knowing that God is all-powerful is not enough. We need to know that when difficult or inexplicable things occur, He is good and these things have purpose, even if we can't see that purpose. The key lies in trusting His goodness, His love, His mercy, His compassion, His faithfulness, and His holiness.

We come to trust God's character the same way we come to trust a person's character; by exposure. Paul exhorted the Romans to "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2). When we conform our minds to the Scripture, we become sure of God. This is not just a process of assimilating information about God, but it is a communion with His His Spirit. Jesus said that the Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13) and that the word of God is truth (John 7:17). The more that we expose ourselves to the Word, allowing that truth to be interpreted to our hearts by the Spirit of Christ, the more we will trust Him (Luke 24:27; Romans 8:9).

~Compelling Truth~

Why Would God Allow Deception?

Why Would God Allow Deception?

Deception is the act of misleading someone through intentionally false statements or actions. It is the devil, not God, who is the originator of deception.

In John 8:44, Jesus says the following of the devil, "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a lier and the father of lies." Not only does the devil deceive, he is the father of deception.

The first deception recorded in Scripture proceeds from the devil's forked tongue when he tells Eve that eating from the tree that God forbade will not result in death (Genesis 3:4). This act fits the definition of deception perfectly as the devil is making intentionally false statements in order to mislead Eve into disobeying God's commandment. However, the fact that Eve was deceived does not exempt her or Adam, who took the fruit also, from responsibility for their disobedience as they sinned against the truth that God had already revealed to them (Genesis 2:16-17). They chose to doubt and disobey God's truth and exchanged it for the devil's lie. Their sin had the exact effect which God promised as they experienced fear, shame, guilt, and ultimately physical death (1 Corinthians 15:21). Instead of becoming like God, they became spiritually dead. They began to shift the blame for their knowing and willful disobedience, attempting to deceive God. Adam blamed Eve and indirectly blamed God Himself for giving Eve to him; Eve blamed the devil (Genesis 3:12-13).

The sin of Adam and Eve was passed on to us, and we are therefore born with a sin nature (Romans 5:12). This is clearly seen both in Scripture and in life. If you observe early childhood development, you will see that no one has to teach a child to lie. It is natural to them. As we grow up our lies become more hidden and sophisticated, but we still lie. We may soften the blow by calling them "white lies," but who among us always speaks the complete truth one hundred percent of the time? Only God speaks perfect truth every time He speaks. God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19). God is the complete opposite of the devil. God speaks the truth because when He speaks, He speaks out of His character. God is truth and He is the father of truth.

Fortunately for us, God is not only truth, He is also love. Because God is love, He sent His only Son into the world to speak the truth and to die for sinners like us (Romans 5:8). In fact, Jesus claimed that He Himself is the way, the TRUTH, and the life, and that no one can come to the Father but through Him (John 14:6). It is only by believing the truth that Jesus is the Son of God who lived a perfect life, sacrificed Himself for our sins, and rose again from the dead, that we can be saved from the eternal death which we deserve based on our sinfulness (Romans 6:23).

Sin itself is described in Scripture as deceitful (Hebrews 3:13; Mark 4:19). Why? Because it promises what it cannot deliver. Sin promises life, but ends in death; promises joy, but ends in despair; promises pleasure, but ends in punishment. Often we choose to be deceived by sin, wanting to trust its false promises and acting out of our fleshly nature rather than trusting and standing in the truth of God. God (who cannot lie) promises eternal life to all who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour (John 3:15). God promises love and joy and peace to those who walk in and are filled by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Those who forsake the fleeting pleasures of sin and place their faith in Christ can look forward to a heavenly city where they will reside with He who is true.

There are a few points to ponder. God created the angels (which the devil was at one time) and human beings with free will. It is the devil and human beings who are the direct cause of sin. At the same time, God is sovereign over all creation and He has put a chain on evil. It may only go so far and will only last so long (Job 2:6; 2 Peter 2:4). He has a plan and is working that plan out perfectly. Part of God's plan is to display who He is. The existence of sin (including deception) allows for the manifestation of His attributes, which brings Him glory. This can be seen most clearly in Romans 9:22-23, "What if God, desiring to show His wrath and to make known His power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory." The existence of sin allows for the display of God's justice in punishing sin and for the display of His mercy in forgiving sin. God's justice and mercy meet at the Cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus pain the just penalty for sin on our behalf in order that we might experience God's mercy and grace. There will be justice for those who refuse to believe in Jesus' substitutionary atoning death, and there is mercy for those who believe. (John 3:18).

I appeal to you now, do not be deceived, believe in Jesus Christ today, and begin to live in the light and in the truth (2 Corinthians 5:20-21; John 8:12; Ephesians 1:13).

Compelling Truth~

Does Humanity Truly Have Free Will?

Does Humanity Truly Have Free Will?

This answer depends on the definition of the word "free." Human beings unquestionably have a will, as we make decisions all the time. When the word "free" is added, however, it carries the idea of making a decision/taking an action with no outside influence or control. The Bible presents God as absolutely sovereign, in complete control of everything. Nothing can happen if God does not allow it. So, no, the human will is not technically free.

Even outside the sovereignty of God, there are other factors that restrict the will of humanity. The Bible teaches that we are all infected with sin, we all possess a sinful nature (Romans 3:23; 5:12). Sin prevents us from making truly free decisions. Sin plagues us to the very depth of our beings. Further, our wills are restricted by our own limitations. There are simply many things we are not capable of doing. We cannot choose to flap our arms and fly, for example. So, there are clearly multiple factors which prevent our wills from being completely free.

However, the lack of a truly free will does not lessen our responsibility for our own actions. We have the responsibility to choose rightly and wisely. In regards to our relationship with God and the salvation He offers, the Bible calls us to believe and change our minds (Matt. 3:2; Acts 3:19; 1 John 3:23). Every invitation to believe is a call to choose. An invitation to believe assumes the ability to choose to believers. We are without excuse (Romans 1:20-21) if we choose not to believe. We face consequences if we choose to take wrong actions (Galatians 6:7).

Do human beings have a will? Yes. Are human beings truly and fully responsible for their actions? Yes. Do human beings have the ability to make decisions completely free from all outside influences? No. How can we be fully responsible but not truly free? That is the mystery of existing in a universe with an absolutely sovereign God.

~Compelling Truth~

Applying the Bible - How Can I Do It In My Life?

Applying the Bible - How Can I Do It In My Life?

Properly applying the teachings of the Bible to your life is one of the most important things you can do as a Christian. James 1:22-25 explains why: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like the man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

But how do we apply the Bible to our lives? First, we must know it. This can involve listening to it, reading it, meditating on Scripture, memorizing God's Word, attending Bible study groups, and listening to Bible-focused preaching. It's hard to apply something you do not know, so it is important to actually read and study Scripture for yourself.

Next, to apply it properly involves connecting biblical principles to your life issues. A helpful process is to first identify the issue. Second, identify connecting biblical principles. Third, pray and seek wisdom for how to connect the biblical principles to your life issue.

For example, perhaps you are in a situation in which you are trying to decide how to respond to a personal problem with controlling your anger. The issue is learning to control anger. The connecting biblical principle could include many passages. However, two important ones include James 1:19 and Ephesians 4:22-24. James 1:19 teaches, "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger." One way to become angry less often or less easily is to listen better and wait to speak in response. This may not solve every issue, but will help to avoid many situations in which an angry outburst could increase problems.

Ephesians 4:22-24 adds another concept: "put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." Changing a negative habit is not only about stopping, but also about replacing the negative habit with a positive one. How could this relate to controlling your anger? Perhaps it is pausing ten seconds before responding. Another new habit could be to instead stop to pray for the person or about the situation that is making you angry.l These and other positive replacements can help reduce situations where angry outbursts take place.

Apply the Bible is an ongoing challenge every Christian must face. However, it is essential for all Christians to constantly grow in understanding of biblical principles that apply to life issues. This knowledge will help provide the information needed to respond to challenges and temptations you will face. Even Jesus used this method. When tempted three times in the desert, He responded each time by referring to Scripture that provided the needed answer. The ongoing process of study and application can serve as the key to improved spiritual growth, changing your life and the lives of others.

~Compelling Truth~

Why Is Context So Important In Studying The Bible? What Is Wrong With Looking At Verses Out Of Context?

Why Is Context So Important In Studying The Bible? What Is Wrong With Looking At Verses Out Of Context?

The main reason it is important to study the Bible in context is in order to obtain a correct understanding of the passage. Misunderstanding a portion of the Bible can lead to misapplying it in our lives as well as teaching something wrong to others. These are quite the opposite of God's desire for our lives, which includes knowing His Word accurately, applying it in our own lives, and teaching it to others, following the example of Ezra, "For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel." (Ezra 7:10).

Another concern with taking the Bible out of context is the temptation to make the Bible say what we want rather than what it originally meant. Those who have taken this misguided approach have used Scripture to "prove" a wide variety of practices as "biblical." However, a practice is only biblical if it is based on an accurate understanding of Scripture that includes studying the context surrounding a passage.

For example, some have taught that slavery was biblical since this practice can be found in the Bible. However, while it is true slavery is found in the Bible, the New Testament did not teach Christians to enslave one another. On the contrary, in Paul's most personal letter regarding this issue, he wrote to Philemon with the intention that Philemon should free his runaway slave Onesimus (Philemon 1).

In addition, Genesis 1:27 speaks of men and women being created in God's image. Christians are called to love neighbor as self (Mark 12:31), a practice that would certainly contradict the practice of modern slavery. Further, a close examination of slavery and servanthood in first century times shows that it often differed  widely in application from modern slavery. A doulos (Greek word for servant) could have a servant of his or her own and held much responsibility. While there were certainly masters who treated their servants poorly in that time, slavery then was not practiced exactly as slavery has been in modern times. Without studying the context of biblical passages on this topic, however, past generations have used Scripture to support the most tragic of interpretations regarding the enslavement and mistreatment of people.

Scripture encourages readers to study the full counsel of God. In Acts 20:27, the apostle Paul told the elders, in his presence, "I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." Our lives are to follow this same practice of studying all of God's Word to accurately understand its teachings and apply them to our lives. Second Timothy 2:15 is clear, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of Truth."

~Compelling Truth~

What Is The Role of the Holy Spirit? How Is the Holy Spirit Active In Our Lives Today?

What Is The Role of the Holy Spirit? How is the Holy Spirit Active In Our Lives Today?

The Bible notes several roles the Holy Spirit plays in the lives of people today. First, the Holy Spirit provides conviction of sin to all people. John 16:8 notes, "And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment."

For believers in Christ, the Holy Spirit works in additional ways. One of these roles is to serve as a helper or comforter. John 14:16-17 records Jesus saying, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him." The Greek word translated as "Helper" or "Comforter" refers to one who is called alongside another, providing the idea of a guide or encourager during times of need. This takes place as God's Spirit indwells the believer from the point of salvation (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

An additional role of the Holy Spirit is to guide the believer into truth. John 16:13 reads, "When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth." Rather than depending on our human reasoning, we have a supernatural guide in the form of God's indwelling Holy Spirit.

Further, the Holy Spirit helps believers to glorify the Lord. John 16:14 reveals, "He will glorify Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare it to you." We have a desire to worship the Lord because God's Spirit lives within us as believers.

For believers, the Holy Spirit also gives special gifts. 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:3-8, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 reveal the names of many gifts God's Spirit provides to believers. Each believer has at least one (1 Corinthians 12:7), and each person is specifically gifted for the acts of service God has prepared for him or her (Ephesians 2:10. The gifts are given to allow the church to work together to meet needs, make principles, and glorify God.

God's Spirit also enables believers to produce the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 shares, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Without God's Spirit, people are unable to produce fruitful lives that reflect the desires of God.

The Holy Spirit indwells us as believers. In addition to the many roles He plays in our lives, He seals us as belonging to God (see Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit is the person of God who lives with us in our time on earth and teaches us to truly know and follow God.

~Compelling Truth~

What Does the Bible Say About False Prophets?

What Does The Bible Say About False Prophets?

Prophets in the Bible were people who heard the voice of the Lord and were responsible for relaying His words to others. False prophets are either prophets of a false god (an idol) or those who claim to speak for the true God but do so falsely.

We see examples of examples of false prophets throughout the Bible. True prophets of God spoke against those who gave messages to the people that they claimed were from God, but were really of their own making (Jeremiah 14:14; 23:21-33; Zechariah 10:2). These false prophets told the people smooth words and vain hope, reassuring them that everything was fine when God was pronouncing judgment on Israel because they were living in sin: "They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11; Jeremiah 23:16). Because of the false prophets the Israelites wandered like sheep and were afflicted without the leading of the Lord (Zachariah 10:2).

While today we do not have prophets in the same function, there are many people who claim to speak on God's behalf yet do so falsely! There are even false prophets who come into the church, bringing destructive heresies and leading people astray from the truth with their enticing doctrine. Peter warned, "But falsew prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Peter 2:1). False prophets do not teach the truth of the Bible. Sometimes they teach that which is blatantly  contrary to the Word of God. Other times they twist the truth or add to it their own opinion, doctrine, and lifestyle. While some false prophets are themselves deceived and unaware that they are peddling lies, many others are driven by greed and pride (2 Peter 2:3). Their goal is not to make disciples of Jesus but disciples of their own teaching.

Jesus warned about false prophets, saying, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?" And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness" (Matthew 7:15-21).

Thankfully, the gates of hell cannot prevail against the Church, and false prophets are no different. God condemns false prophets with some of the most intense description of judgment in the Bible. God promises that their destruction will be swift, and "for them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved" (2 Peter 2:12).

John gives us a good test for false prophets: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God; every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God" (1 John 4:1-2). Anyone who is truly speaking the words of the Lord will proclaim Christ's death and resurrection first. What they prophecy will come to pass, their teachings will be in accordance with Scripture, and their ministry will result in changed lives and the spreading of righteous living.

~Compelling Truth~

When Will the Resurrection Occur?

When Will the Resurrection Occur?

The Bible speaks about the topic of resurrection many times throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In general, the Bible speaks of two types of resurrection:

1. The resurrection of the just.

2. The resurrection of the unjust.

Of these, the Old Testament says, "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt" (Daniel 12:2).

Jesus also referred to two types of resurrection when He said, "Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tomb will hear His voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28-29).

Paul also speaks about both types of resurrection when he said: "But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they  call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the law and written in the prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust" (Acts 24:14-15).

In regard to the question of when these resurrections will occur, the Bible states that the resurrection of the just will occur first, followed by the resurrection of the unjust.

As to the resurrection of the just, scripture indicates that it will occur in three stages and mirror how harvests were conducted in Old Testament times. During those days, there would be a harvest of the first fruits, followed by the general harvest, and then a last harvest of what was called the "gleanings."

The first fruits harvest was one that served as a "proving" harvest. If the first fruits were good, it was a reflection that all the harvest would be good. But if the first fruits were poor, it was an indicator that the entire crop would be bad.

Jesus' resurrection was the first fruits resurrection and serves to showcase the fact that all believers who follow after Him are guaranteed to have a glorified, sinless body and life just like His. Of this fact, Paul says, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20. Regarding the order of resurrection, Paul also says: "But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:23).

The second resurrection - the general harvest or resurrection - occurs, as Paul said, when Christ comes for His Church at the time of what is called the rapture (the catching away): For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Paul also refers to this resurrection a second time in his first letter to the Corinthians where he states, "I tell you this, brothers; flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:50-53).

The last resurrection of the just (the "gleanings") happens at the start of Christ's one thousand year reign on the earth and is spoken about in the book of Revelation: "Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years" (Revelation 20:4-6). Notice how the writer of Revelation refers to the resurrection of the just as the "first resurrection."

Finally, the resurrection of the unjust will occur at the end of Christ's thousand year reign and will only concern unbelievers: "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. From His presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and hades gave up the dead who in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:11-15).

There will be two types of resurrection - one for believers and one for unbelivers - with the resurrection of the just involving three separate resurrections. The resurrection of the just comes first followed by the resurrection of the unjust.

~Compelling Truth~

How Can I Tell If I'm Really Hearing God or If It's Just My Own Thoughts, or Even satan?

How Can I Tell I'm Really Hearing God Or If It's Just My Own Thoughts, or Even satan?

God communicates directly with us through His Word, the Bible. The Holy Spirit also communicates with us. Additionally, God can also use a godly friend or mentor to provide counsel full of wisdom (Proverbs 12:15).

Though the Bible is full of God's will, we face decisions, big and small, nearly constantly that are not spelled out in Scripture. Where should we live? Where should we work? Should we marry? If so, whom? How much should we volunteer and where? How can I best show Christ's love to my friends? What is the correct parenting decision?  How do I best steward the time and financial resources God has given me? How do I know what will please God today?

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we are told to "...destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." How do we do this when we aren't sure where the thoughts come from?

First, we must understand what God has already communicated with us - through His Word, the Bible. This is the best way to weigh our decisions.  There are scores of instructions for us in the Bible, and as we read and pray, we may find the answers to our dilemmas. When the answer isn't spelled out, we can pray.

Prayer is communicating with God. When we pray, we talk to God, and we listen for His leading. James 1:5 tells us that when we ask for wisdom, God will grant it. So, we should ask Him for help and listen and watch for His answer. James 1:6 follows this instruction with how to ask and listen: "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." We ask in faith, or we should not expect to hear from God. He will answer. Often, God answers prayer with "yes", "no", or "wait."

When Christians listen for the Holy Spirit, we should have faith that He is with always (Psalm 130:7-8). The Holy Spirit is our advocate and desires to benefit the church.

God tells us how to test the spirits (1 John 4:1) and we should strive for wisdom. Our modern world is full of noise, distractions, and diversions to distract us from God's will. We should not trust our feelings, but discern what is from God. To do so, we can ask a short series of questions that may help us discern.

First, is what we are "hearing" confusing or vague? God does not cause confusion. He brings peace.

Do our promptings go against God's Word? God does not contradict Himself.

Will your decisions lead to sin? "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)

So, if the answer isn't apparent in the Bible and by prayer you have trouble discerning an answer from God, or even just to confirm the answer you think is apparent, seek wisdom and direction from a pastor, Christian friend or family member, or someone else who shows wisdom from God.

Believe this: God wants to help you make decisions that honor Him. Jesus said, about Himself, "When He has brought out all His own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice" (John 10:4). The better we know our Good Shepherd, thee better we'll be able to discern His voice. Learn to listen! Practice your discernment. Pray for wisdom. Study the Bible. Seek confirmation from others you trust. Believe He wants you to honor and glorify Him.

~Compelling Truth~

When Do We Receive the Holy Spirit?

When Do We Receive the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is that part of the Trinity that lives inside all true believers. When and how He enters our hearts is debated for a couple of reasons. The first is the confusion over the terms "indwelled with the Holy Spirit," "filled with the Holy Spirit," and "baptized by the Holy Spirit." The second reason is the tendency of some to see the receiving the Holy Spirit in the early church as recorded in the book of Acts as the model for us today.

Scripture clearly indicates that believers are indwelled with the Holy Spirit - that is, the Holy Spirit moves into their hearts - at the moment of conversion. "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:13). All believers have the same Spirit - the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 is more specific about the exact moment we receive the Holy Spirit "In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit." Romans 8:9 explains simply that "Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him."

If the Scriptures so plainly state that all believers have the Holy Spirit, why the controversy? There is a distinct difference between the Holy Spirit indwelling us and the Spirit filling us. The filling of the Holy Spirit was a tool used by God since the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 34:9, Joshua is filled with the Holy Spirit to take on Moses' responsibilities. In 1 Samuel 19:18-24, King Saul and his servants are filled with the Spirit and prophesy. And in Luke 1:15, the angel explains to Zacharias that his son, John the Baptist, will be filled with the Spirit. After Jesus' death and resurrection the Holy Spirit continued to fill people, including Peter (Acts 4:8), Paul (Acts 13:9), and the other disciples (Acts 13:52). This is different from the simple indwelling of the Spirit experienced by all believers. Some also confuse the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We believe it is the same as the indwelling of the Spirit, although others think it is more similar to the filling of the Spirit.

The book of Acts is a fascinating look into the change from the age of Judaism to the age of the Church. Jesus was a Jew. The disciples were Jews. But the Church is distinctly Christian. The disciples didn't become Christians until John 20:22 when Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into them. In Acts 2:4 they were filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 8:14-17,  however, God waited to give the Samaritans the Holy Spirit until Peter and John could see. We aren't told why, although perhaps it was to these devout Jews could witness the coming of the Spirit upon a group of people so despised by them. Acts 10:45 seems to corroborate this as the "circumcised believers" (Jews) "were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles."

Today and always, we receive the Holy Spirit the moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. In John 3:5, Jesus says, "...unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." When we accept Christ, God immediately seals us with His Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22).

~Compelling Truth~

What Is The Judgment Seat of Christ?

What Is The Judgment Seat of Christ?

There is a good deal of confusion regarding the judgments that follow death. Many people believe that Christians are not subject to any kind of judgment because all their sins have been covered by the blood of Christ, which is true. However, certain Bible verses declare that Christians will indeed be judged at what is called the Judgment Seat or Bema Seat of Christ. One such verse is Romans 14:10-12: "For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God...So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." Paul is speaking here to the Roman believers. He has a similar message to the believers in Corinth: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Corinthians 5:10). In the context, it is clear that in both incidents, Paul is addressing Christians, not unbelievers.

Unlike the Great White Throne judgment of unbelievers, the Judgment Seat of Christ is not for the purpose of condemnation. We know that believers cannot be punished for sin because Christ bore that punishment on the Cross and "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Rather than a judgment of condemnation or a determiner of salvation, there are two purposes for the Judgment Seat. First, according to Romans 14:10-12, believers are to "give an account" of ourselves to God. What kind of account will we have to give? According to 1 Corinthians 3:10-13, we will be judged based on what we have built upon the foundation which is Christ. We make choices throughout our lives as to the kind of things we add to the foundation of our salvation. Have we built upon the Rock with gold, silver, and precious stones - those things that last for eternity - or with wood, hay, and stubble which will be burned up. Have we rejoiced in trials so that our faith is proved genuine to the glory of God (1 Peter 1:6-7)? Have we escaped the "corruption that is in the world" (2 Peter 1:4) or have we succumbed to "the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life" that characterizes the love for this world which is passing away (1 John 2:16-17)? Have we controlle4d our tongues (James 3:1-9)? These are the kind of things that will be exposed at the Judgment Seat.

A second function of the Judgment Seat of Christ is that of God rewarding us for our service and good deeds. Believers will receive "crowns" for different things based on how faithfully we have served Christ. Among the crowns we will receive are an "imperishable crown" for faithful endurance through trials (1 Corinthians 9:24-25); a "crown of rejoicing" which Paul speaks of as the presence in heaven of others in whom we have invested ourselves as He did (1 Thessalonians 2:19; a "crown of righteousness" for our faith in Him as our only source of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8); a "crown of glory" with which we will participate in the glory of God (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17); and the "crown of life" which is the promise of eternal life through Christ (1 John 2:25; James 1:12).

Unlike the Great White Throne judgment, the Judgment Seat of Christ will be a time of great rejoicing for believers, those who have waited patiently for the day when we will hear those precious words from our Saviour, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

~Compelling Truth~

What Are The Signs of The End Times?

What Are The Signs of The End Times?

One of the most intriguing aspects about God is His choice to occasionally reveal to His followers what will happen in the future. He has very specific reasons for doing so; one is to give encouragement to those who are going through the trials (Daniel 12:12), and another is to exhort us to continue in His work (Matthew 25:29-30). The prophecies of the end times give us an account of what will happen at the end of history on earth. They include the rapture of the church, wherein all believers are removed from the earth, the tribulation, a seven-year period of anguish as God judges the sin of humanity, and the millennial kingdom, where Christ will reign as King. The millennial kingdom begins shortly after the end of the tribulation. But the Bible also gives guidance as to the timing of the rapture and the tribulation.

The prophecies regarding the rapture do not tell us when it will happen, nor do they give us any sign to watch for. In fact, in Matthew 24:36, Jesus says, "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." Although signs of the coming tribulation may occur before the rapture (like the re-establishment of Israel), there is nothing that must occur before the rapture. All applicable references show the early church eagerly awaiting Christ's return (Matthew 24:33; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Philippians 3:20-21). Still the promise of the rapture does fill God's purposes. It first exhorts believers to do the work before them (1 Peter 4:7). James said to be patient and strengthen our hearts because "the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:8). The prophecies also encourage us because they say believers will not suffer through the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

The prophecies regarding the tribulation are designed to both exhort and encourage, but they also give specific signs to look for. Matthew 24:5-7 records a few: "For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ," and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places." But the section concludes with the warning that these signs are merely the "beginning of the birth pains" (Matthew 24:8). Although these are signs, we do not know exactly when the tribulation will occur. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 explains that the day of the Lord will come "like a thief in the night."

"Wars and rumors of wars" have occured for millennia. Earthquakes, volcanoes, and hurricanes have repeatedly struck our world since long before we had the technology to record them. It is not possible to say if any particular natural disaster is a specific sign of the coming end times. There are political indications we can look for, however. The re-establishment of Israel is a powerful sign and one that few before the 1940's would not have imagined. It is a major first step in fulfilling God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 17:8) and the prophecy that in the end times, the temple will be rebuilt (Daniel 12:11).
 If a national leader from the West were to rise to power and take over three other countries, it could possibly be the "little horn" of Daniel 7:8 which is believed to be the antichrist. The Bible also gives spiritual signs to look for. Paul explains in 2 Timothy 3:1-9 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3 that the last days will be difficult because of the evil that people will cling to. And 1 Timothy 4:1 says, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons."

The signs of the end times are to encourage us that God has a plan and His plan is ultimately to glorify Himself. The signs will be fulfilled, and His plan will come to pass exactly as He has foreordained it for His perfect purpose and according to His good pleasure. "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please'" (Isaiah 46:10).

~Compelling Truth~

How Should We Understand the Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets, and Seven Bowls in The Book of Revelation?

How Should We Understand the Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets, and Seven Bowls in The Book of Revelation?

The seven seals, trumpets, and bowls depicted in the book of Revelation represent the final judgments of God that are poured out on an unbelieving world in the end times. Some have tried to argue that the judgments spoken of in the book are things that either took place during the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 or have been taking place throughout all of human history.

These arguments, however, do not hold up under biblical and historical evidence, which points to a future fulfillment. Irenacus, who lived in the second century, writes in his work "Against Heresies", that "John (the author of Revelation) received the Revelation in our own time, toward the end of the reign of Domitian." Domitian's reign ended in !D 96, so most Biblical scholars date Revelation to the mid 90s AD, several decades after Jerusalem's fall at the hands of the Romans in AD 70.

Also, in the beginning of John's vision, he is specifically told that the things that he will see will be in the future: "Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this" (Revelation 1:19). These things being true, the case for what is called the "futurist"  interpretation of the book of Revelation rests on solid ground.

The seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments are introduced in chapters 6, 8, and 15 of Revelation. Each judgment is broken up into seven distinct acts that bring destruction to the earth and those who are alive at that time. The number seven in the Bible often refers to perfection and/or completeness, and the fact that there are three categories of judgments - perhaps corresponding to the Trinity - may indicate that these are judgments from the triune God and represent His full and complete wrath upon a rebellious world.

The judgments begin with the seal judgments, first introduced in chapter 5 of Revelation: "Then I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, [Jesus] has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals" (Rev. 5:1-5).

God the Father holds in His right hand (the right hand symbolizing authority) a book, which in the first century would have actually been a scroll made of some sort of papyrus rolled from both sides and held shut with seven seals. The scroll has writing on both the inside and outside, which was typical of contracts in the Middle East. The inside of these scrolls contained the details of the contract, and on the outside was written a summary of the contract. Only the owner of the property or valuables was legally authorized to break the seals affixed to the scroll.

This is what is being communicated in Revelation 5. Jesus Christ, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, is presented with His inheritance, which is the earth and all it contains: "Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your heritage, and the ends of the earth Your possession" (Psalm 2:8). His property has been usurped and stolen by satan, and the contents of the document contain not what the inheritance is, but how Christ will regain what is rightfully His.

The first six seal judgments are unleashed in chapter 6 and are comprised of the following:

First seal - the Antichrist is let loose upon the world.
Second seal - wars begin and peace is lost.
Third seal - famine breaks out.
Fourth seal - the ultimate result of war and famine, which is death.

Fifth seal - persecution of God's people, which brings more of God's vengeance on the world, but not until their evil has been filled up with the last martyr's death.

Sixth seal - a great earthquake along with other celestial upheavals.

The seal judgments are also described in Jesus' Olivet discourse, found in Matthew 24. The first four are mentioned in vv. 1-7; the fifth in vs. 9; and the sixth in vv. 7 and 29.

The breaking of the seventh seal occurs in Revelation 8 and marks the second wave of judgments, the trumpet judgments: "When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them...Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them" (Revelation 8:1-2, 6).

The first six trumpets are comprised of the following judgments:

First trumpet - one third of earth, trees, grass is burned up.

Second trumpet - one third of the sea creatures die and ships are destroyed.

Third trumpet - one third of the waters polluted and many die.

Fourth trumpet - one third of the sun, moon, and stars darkened.

Fifth trumpet - locusts/demons are released to kill one third of humankind with an army.

The sounding of the seventh trumpet proclaims Christ's soon coming and ushers in the last and final series of judgments, the bowl judgments. "Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished...And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever" (Revelation 15:1, 7).

Whereas many of the trumpet judgments affect one third of their target, the bowl judgments are more comprehensive in their effect:

First bowl - horrible sores on those with the mark of the beast.

Second bowl - everything in the sea dies.

Third bowl - all the waters are polluted.

Fourth bowl - the sun burns and scorches people.

Fifth bowl - brings complete darkness over Antichrist's kingdom.

Sixth bowl - the Euphrates dries up; the kings of the East come, and the scene is set for the battle of Armageddon.

Seventh bowl - produces a great earthquake;  cities of nations fall; a huge hailstorm occurs.

The seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments of Revelation teach a couple of important truths. First, God's end times and eternal wrath are inevitable. The end times cannot be stopped by anyone or anything: "Also henceforth I am He; there is none who can deliver from My hand; I work, and who can turn it back?" (Isaiah 43:13).

Second, there is a way to escape God's wrath before it comes. Paul writes in Romans: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Believers will not face judgment, because their sins were judged when Jesus died in their place on the Cross. (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24).

This being the case, everyone today would do well to listen and act upon what John says to his readers as he begins to write the book of Revelation: "Blessed is he one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near" (Revelation 1:3).

~Compelling Truth~

[this is rather long for this daily blog but I felt that it shouldn't be separated into two articles and posted on two separate days.]

A Bottomless, Boundless, Endless Ocean!

A Bottomless, Boundless, Endless Ocean!

God's love is everlasting, free, sovereign, inseparable, great, and unchangeable!

The happy objects of His love can never, never be separated from it! Neither death nor life, heights nor depths, things present nor things to come, shall ever be able to separate those upon whom it is fixed!

The love of God to His people is a bottomless, boundless, endless ocean, which swallows up their innumerable and mountainous sins in its infinite depths!

The love of God to His people overflows all their great provocations, all their vilest ingratitude, all their utmost unworthiness, and ever flows in its triumphant strength, and according to its infinite riches, to the full supply of all their necessities - until it has loved its beloved objects into its own image; loved all sin out of them; loved all grace into them; freed them from all death and misery; raised them into itself as the element of their life!

And then the love of God will be to those vessels of mercy an infinite ocean of joy and glory, where they shall live, and bathe, and dive to the praise of the glory of infinite love, to the endless ages of a blessed eternity!

But oh, neither the tongues of men nor angels can express, much less the lispings of a babe set forth - the thousandth part of the infinite glories, and the ineffable and endless bliss, of God's everlasting love!

~Anne Dutton~

Oh, Free, Rich, Glorious Grace!

Oh, Free, Rich, Glorious Grace!

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (John 3:1).

What! Did the Lord of all love us, and give Himself for us?" For us creatures, for us sinners, for rebels against His crown, for His enemies, and for haters of His ways, who deserved to be companions with devils, and were fit fuel for everlasting burnings!

Oh, free, rich, glorious grace!

What could the King of glory see in us to attract His love? Were we not the most loathsome, abominable objects in His sight? And yet, we, even we, found grace in His sight!

O! He loved us freely from the infinite grace of His own heart, and the sovereign good pleasure of His will. And He so loved us, that rather than we should die - He Himself would die for us; that rather than we should perish in our guilt and pollution - He Himself, His righteous, holy Self, would bear our sins, be made a curse for us, and endure all that flaming wrath that we had deserved!

Oh, never was there such a lover as our dear Lord Jesus!

Oh, glorious Lover! He ever lives, He ever loves, and from His love and life He will raise us from all sin and misery - unto all grace and glory, and crown us with Him to reign in life eternal. And in all, He will rejoice over us to do good, with His whole heart and His whole soul. Yes, He will delight to honor us, to lift us beggars from the ash-heap, to set us among princes, and to make us inherit the throne of glory!

"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will - to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One he loves. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace!" (Ephesians 1:4-7).

Oh, free, rich, glorious grace!

~Anne Dutton~

Two More Myths About Hell

Two More Myths About Hell

Myth # 4: Hell is merely separation from God. Hell is a place of punishment by God; sinners who have committed treason against an infinite God will remain in the place of torment where they shall only be able to continually hate the God they hated in their previous life. The idea that hell is mere "separation from God" is misleading and wrong, though it certainly includes the idea of separation from Christ (Matt. 25:41). Rather, it is the opposite; a God-hating sinner, who does not have a mediator, remains in the presence of a holy, righteous, and powerful God.

Hell is a place, not a metaphor to describe some inner thought process. The rich man in hell calls it a "place of torment" (Luke 16:28). Judas went to "his own place" (Acts 1:25). Just as there is a "place" for the righteous after death, so there is a "place" for the wicked after death. Gehenna refers to the Valley of Hinnom, outside of Jerusalem. This place has a horrible history, with Israelites and kings of Israel, at one time, burning their children as sacrifices to false gods (that is, Molech; (2 Chron. 33:6); Ahaz did much of the same (2 Chron. 28:3) Gehanna may not be a reference to a burning trash dump, but it is actually far worse; a place where the most horrible things take place, such as the willful sacrifice of children. Evil at its worst is associated with Gehanna. Hell is a plce of pure evil, a place as scary as it is destitute of all hope.

Rather than being mere "separation from God," hell is, as the Puritan Thomas Goodwin said, a place where God Himself, by His own hands, that is, the power of His wrath, is the immediate inflictor of that punishment of men's souls in hell." God's power will be exercised as His wrath towards those who cast away from the presence of God's blessedness. In other words, those in hell will receive the opposite of those in glory, but they will still be in God's presence. For those in Heaven, they have a Mediator; for those in hell, they have nothing between them and an avenging God.

Myth # 5: Hell is simply giving people what they want. This is only partly true and open to possible misunderstanding. In one sense, hell is an endless (suffering) existence whereby the wicked do not commune with God. In this sense, their life in hell mirrors their life on earth. They did not want Christ on earth and they will, therefore, be without Him in hell. However, nobody desires to suffer at the hands of God, especially forever. Nobody wants their despair to increase as well. As the creature in hell realizes more and more that they are suffering forever, the despair of eternal judgment can only increase. Those in hell have no promises, and thus no hope, but only increasing despair.

According to Goodwin, the "wretched soul in hell... finds that it shall not outlive that misery, nor yet can it find one space or moment of time of freedom and intermission, having forever todo with Him who is the living God." The wicked will despair becasue there is no end to the wrath of the living God. Therefore, the concept of ever-increasing despair for all eternity, whereby the creature damned to hell can do nothing else but blaspheme a living, eternal God, gives us all the reason in the world to persuade sinners to put their faith in the One who experienced hellish despair on the Cross.

True, many do not want to worship the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we need to convince people that hell is not people ultimately getting "what they wanted" as if there were some victory for the wicked, or possibly in an attempt to "sanitize" the doctrine to somehow make it palatable to unbelievers. In one sense, the wicked are going to get the opposite of what they wished for (and often experienced) on earth. We all want happiness, and as such we should all come to the fountain of blessedness, the Lord Jesus Christ, so that He can give to us all that we really desire: joy unspeakable.

~Mark Jones~

(The End)

Three Myths About Hell

Three Myths About Hell

Myth # 1: Jesus wasn't concerned with hell. Christ spoke a great deal more about judgment and hell than many might care to admit. Not only that, but He speaks of hell in a number of different ways to illustrate its endless, horrifying torment. For example, He uses a parable in Luke 16 to describe the place called "Hades" (Luke 16:23), which has a "great chasm" (Luke 16:26) fixed by God to prevent crossing from hell to Heaven. He speaks of "hell of fire"; the danger of the whole body being thrown into hell" (Matt.5:29); it is the unquenchable fire the unpenitants are thrown there; "where the worm does not die and the fire is unquenhced" (Mark 9:48).

Jesus, the Son of man, with His angels, will send all law-breakers into the firey furnace" where there will be "weeping and gnashing to teeth" (Matt. 13:41-42. Jesus called it a place of "outer darkness" (Matt. 25:30). In the end, there is little doubt that our Lord did not shy away from discussing a place of endless torment, often using evocative language to make his point in order to warn sinners of the coming judgment.

Myth # 2: The Old Testament wasn't concerned with hell. Like most doctrines, the doctrine of hell is nut fully developed in the Old Testament, but there does not mean it is not present. For example, in Isaiah, the godless should tremble since they are threatened with "the consuming fire" and the "everlasting burnings" (Isaiah 33:14). Isaiah frequently speaks of God's wrath (Isaiah 10:16-18; 29:5-6; 30:27; Isaiah 33:14). This culminates in the final chapter where he speaks of the Lord coming in fire "to render in fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire". For by fire will the Lord enter into judgment, and by His sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the Lord shall be many" (Isaiah 66:15-16). Finally, at the very end, the righteous "shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against God. For their worm shall never die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh" (66:24); see Christ's use of these words in Mark 9:49).

Myth # 3: Hell is not an endless place of judgment. The New Testament is clear that hell is a place of "everlasting punishment" (Matt. 25:46); it is an "everlasting fire"; that it can never be quenched; where their worm never dies" (Mark 9:49). Sodom and Gomorrah were punished for their sins by "undergoing a punishment of eternal fire" (Jude 7). False teachers have a place reserved in hell where the "gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever" (Jude 13). In Revelation 14:11 the suffering of the wicked is described: "And the smoke of their torment goes on forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night..." As William Shedd says, "Had Christ intended to teach that future punishment is remedial and temporary, he would have compared it to a dying worm, and not to an undying worm; to a fire that is quenched, and not to an unquenchable fire." If hell is not endless, the New testament writers "were morally bound to have avoided conveying the impression they actually have conveyed by the kind of figures they have selected. In the New Testament, the same word used to describe "everlasting life" is also used to describe "everlasting punishment." Thus in Revelation 22:14-15 we see that the existence of the righteous in Heaven is coterminous with the existence of the wicked "outside" Heaven (that is, in hell.

~Mark Jones~

(Two More Myths tomorrow)

Man - That Puny Worm of The Dust!

Man - That Puny Worm of The Dust!

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your hands, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place - what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?" (Psalm 8:3-4).

A survey of the solar system has a tendency to moderate the pride of man, and to produce humility.

Pride is one of the distinguishing characteristics of puny man, and has been one the chief causes of all the contentions, wars, devastations, systems of slavery, and sinful projects which have desolated and demoralized our sinful world. Yet there is  no disposition more incongruous to the character and circumstances of man!

Perhaps there are no rational beings throughout the universe, among whom pride would appear more unfitting or incompatible, than in man, considering the situation in which he is placed. He is exposed to numerous degradations, and calamities: the rage of  storms and tempests, the devastations of earthquakes and volcanoes, the fury of whirlwinds, the tempestuous billows of the ocean, the ravages of the sword, famine, pestilence, and numerous diseases; and at length he must sink into the grave, and his body must become the companion of worms!

The most dignified and haughty of men are liable to these and similar degradations - as well as the lowest of the human family. Yet, in such circumstances, man - that puny worm of the dust, whose knowledge is so limited, and whose follies are so numerous and glaring - has the efrontery to strut in all the haughtiness of pride, and to glory in his shame! A"For dust you are - and to dust you will return!" (Genesis 3:19).

When other arguments and motives produce little effect on certain minds, no considerations seem likely to have a more powerful tendency to counteract this deplorable propensity to pride in human beings, than those which are borrowed from the objects connected with astronomy. They show us what an insignificant being - what a mere atom, indeed, man appears amidst the immensity of creation!

What is the whole of this globe on which we dwell - compared with the solar system, which contains a mass of matter millions times greater? What is this earth - in comparison of the millions of suns and worlds which have been scattered throughout the starry regions?

Could we take our station on the lofty pinnacles of Heaven, and look down on this scarcely distinguishable speck of earth - we would be ready to exclaim with Seneca, "Is it to this little spot, that the great designs and vast desires of men are confined?"

~Thomas Dick~