"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds" (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)

OK, I am mad now so I better hurry up and write this post because my mad only lasts about 20 minutes. I really try to hold back my anger....but when I read one of these "angels of light" lecture on how God must eternally torment people in hell because God is "absolute moral perfection"... well my blood boils because I know they are deceiving people I love and care about. 

Joe Blow from down under is one of those (name changed so not to offend some friends). He says that Hell is the just result of God's "absolute moral perfection"... REALLY? To be "Just" and absolutely “morally perfect" is to torture your enemies forever with unquenchable fire. Something far worse than Hitler ever did, and he was one of the worst mass murderer of all time. 

Sending anyone to such a place would be the equivalent of "absolute moral evil". Joe Blow, or Satan, whatever your name is, God "loves His enemies"... you included...and everyone else in the world...because God IS love.

These folks claim to be "called" to ministry and are assumed to be the messengers of God when they actually work for Satan posing themselves as messengers of God. They demand the keeping of the 10 Commandments while themselves violating the first 2 commandments by creating a god of their own making.

Think people....Joe Blow's "absolutely moral god" would eternally separate from himself a 12 year old who died in a car wreck before "being saved" if he had reached the unbiblical so called "age of accountability". And then this god would supernaturally keep that 12 year old kid alive to torture him or her for all eternity, just as they say he will do to Hitler. 

Come on man...that is sick! And few seem to call them out on it and expose them as Satan's "angels of light".

The true God, as revealed in the bible, says clearly what happens to sinners - we die.  You, me, the 12 year old, Hitler, and those messengers of Satan all will DIE as the result of sin. And God tells us what happens next..."the free gift of eternal life".

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

NO, NO, NO they say, "that makes salvation cheap". Excuse me, did you think I said "cheap"? NO, NO, NO, it is FREE!

That is MERCY....that is GRACE...that is LOVE...that is the Devine character of the one and only true GOD of the Bible!

God loves the world...and He does graciously chastens and eventually puts sinners to death for their sin...but He also sent Jesus to die for sinners, even those who teach the perverted doctrinal sin of Hell - which proves He loves even self-righteous Pharisees.

Jesus, "who knew no sin became sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." ..."and Jesus prayed "Father forgive them"...which He has!

Millions are led away from the very God they gather to profess and worship by those who run the churches, synagogues and mosques of the world, many of whom are Satan's "angels of light".  All of those places of worship have those who teach the eternal conscious torment for infidels/unbelievers. They are ALL "deceitful workers".

It is truly AMAZING GRACE for God to love them anyway..and He wants me to love them too. 

I really try because Jesus loves them and died for them but it is difficult. It is not hard, however, for me to love the people who go to church, synagogue or mosque for worship and are the ones deceived. They need truth and deliverance which the Bible has provided for me....so I keep posting my random thoughts.

Jesus asked...

"...whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God...And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona.... 

But a few minutes later Jesus said to Peter...

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me." (Matthew 16:15-23)

What happened? In just a few minutes Peter went from the blessed Saint to the offensive Satan, the enemy of the cross. Why? 

He stopped believing Jesus. He knew who Jesus "was", but did not believe what he "SAID".

Christians are not immune from what happened to Peter. Even faithful Christians can have a personal relationship with Jesus and yet deny the truth he gives in the Scripture...especially the truth given to Paul.

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Timothy 1:15)

"God was n Christ reconciling the world to Himself, and is not counting their sins against them" (2 Corinthians 5:19)

"...trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach..." (1 Timothy 4:7-16)

Here is something I have noticed about Christians over the years. We grow spiritually only as far as we are willing to believe the truth that God shows us along the way. When we are unwilling to believe the truth Christians stop growing spiritually. Eventually the living waters that gave us so much joy flow into the dead sea of bondage to manmade religious ritual from which Christ came to set us free.

"You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you? ...it was for freedom that Christ set us free." (Galatians 3:1; 5:1:)

"Sue Ann, if you were a Christian you would pour me another glass of tea," I said as I shook my empty glass of ice as usual. Without batting an eye she said, “I'm not a Christian.  Are your legs broken?"  And after I stopped laughing, she poured me another glass of tea.  As usual.

I just love my wife.  She puts me in my place, states her mind, and then proceeds to actually live her life in a way that mirrors Christ. She would not agree with that last part.  She thinks of herself as “unspiritual” because she does not get all glazy-eyed over the latest inspirational book or the next women's retreat. Her favorite verse is...

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

And for some unknown reason, she loves me.  Go figure.  And not only that, she agrees with my views on the Scripture and encourages me to post them.

"Robert," says the theologian, "if you were a Christian you would do more witnessing to the lost," as the theologian shakes the empty creed of manmade doctrine in my face. "Well then," I say, "I am not a Christian".  And after complete silence, I prepare another post.

But I do love God and His Word, and I no longer fear Him.  I used to.  But love has cast out that fear. I am sincerely and eternally grateful for the Lord Jesus Christ, and those like Sue Ann, who trust God.  Not so much the theologians.

“In the beginning was the word, and the word was toward God, and God was the word...And the word became flesh and tabernacles among us, and we gaze at his glory, a glory as of an only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth...” (John 1:1, 14 Concordant Version)

There is only one God, and He is the Word.  He always has been. Out of God came the Son of His love...the first born of all creation. The Son became flesh in order to express God to the world.  No man has ever seen God. Jesus was the Word in that sense - God's image to mankind. He was the first fruit of what we are all to become when the ages have run their course and all mankind is saved and reconciled to God.  Forever a new creation made in the image of God.

“So that we, from now on, are acquainted with no one according to flesh. Yet even if we have known Christ according to flesh, nevertheless now we know Him so no longer. So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by. Lo! There has come new! Yet all is of God, Who conciliates us to Himself through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:15-18)

”Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” (1 John 4:8-12)

Some powerful truth here that we should consider.

1. If you do not love...you do not know God.

2. God IS Love.

3. God loved us and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

4. Therefore we ought to love one another

5. No one has ever seen God

6. God lives in us IF we love one another

7. When we love like God we are complete

I want to focus on just one of these truths - God is love. It does not say "God loves",  but that "God IS love."

Most fundamental and evangelical Christian organizations that I am aware of do not believe that God IS love. Their doctrine of the love of God can be summed up as follows:

God loves the world right up until the time they die without inviting Jesus into their heart.  At that time, His "just" nature trumps His love and requires Him to cast all unbelievers into hell to be supernaturally kept alive and tortured in the lake of fire for eternity.  This is their definition of a "just" God. THEY ARE WRONG! They do not know God. "God IS love" and He acts accordingly.  LOVE WINS!  Now that, is JUST.

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13)

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs...Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:1-8)

Have you ever been in love?  Think about that person.  Okay, now let's assume that that person just did something that really hurt you - left you, ignored you, cursed you, whatever.

Do you still love them? If not, well, did you really love them in the way the Bible portrays love? The Greek word for love is agape in 1 Corinthians 13. The King James Version translates the word, charity. Think about charity.  What is it?  

I can tell you what it is not. It is NOT giving to someone expecting something in return. You may hope you get a thank you or a response of some sort, but that is not why you gave. You were charitable toward them because you cared about them.  They had a need that you wanted to fill, and you gave without any thought for getting something in return. You just met that need.  You made them happy! 

If that is how you felt, then congratulations!  You were "in the Spirit" - at least for that moment. You have experienced how God feels toward ALL of mankind ALL OF THE TIME.

"For God so loved the world that he gave...." (John 3:16)

"...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

When people experience tough times, the best remedy is a strong dose of faith in the TRUTH of God relating to life after death. When we get a glimpse at what comes next, for all mankind, the battles we have to endure in this life become bearable.

For you who are struggling with tough times now and are uncertain why or what will happen next, take comfort in this.  Christ Jesus suffered also, even death on a cruel Roman cross.  He was rejected and abandoned even by the very disciples who had been following him for three and a half years.  But he forgave them.

Later, in the midst of the suffering of his fellow Jews, Peter said to them...

"Rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy." (1 Peter 4:13)

And Paul could say to all men in the midst of his terrible suffering... 

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

Life after death.  That is our hope, and it is the promise of God for ALL. But many people can't grasp onto this hope in times of trouble because they do not trust the very institution that should be a source of comfort in times of trouble - the church.  Why? It is simple.  The doctrinal error of eternal conscious torment, or Hell, that permeates these institutions.

The idea that an otherwise loving God would condemn even one person to endless and conscious torment PREVENTS people from trusting both Christ and the institutions that bear his name. Some may give Him lip service out of fear, but they do not love Him.  They fear Him. Many attend, sing, pray, confess, and profess out of the fear of what might happen if they do not - rather than out of love for the One who loves and saves sinners.

 Well, God WON'T eternally torment anyone.  It is a lie, and those who promote such are destined to be "ashamed" when they appear before Him to give an account for their life and beliefs. Personally, I would rather be a pigmy from the deepest and darkest part of Central Africa on that day than to be one of those who promoted such a heretical and God dishonoring doctrine.  The doctrine that robs sinful people of the hope and truth of the Gospel which would enable them to bear the burdens of this life.

“But the God of all grace, Who has called us to His age-lasting glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you” (I Peter 5:10).

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love." (Galatians 5:1-6)

All of us are addicted to something. And those who have overcome an addiction to medication, drugs, or alcohol are some of my heroes. They would not realize or know, but what I saw in their struggle and victory has helped me with my own addiction.  Are you ready for this?  My addiction to church. I guess you could call me a recovering "churchaholic".  I am not making light of addiction or trying to be funny.

Sometime after moving back to Sayre in 1977 I became addicted to church. I am not talking about my relationship with God or Jesus, my place in the Body of Christ, or my love for the Bible.  I am talking about organized, programmed involvement in a local church. It was some 20 or 25 years later that I realized what had happened to me. By that time I was a deacon and a Sunday school teacher and a lay preacher.  I taught Sunday night and Monday morning Bible studies, sang in the choir, and did part time preaching. And for five years I had served on the national board of trustees of the largest evangelical mission organization in the world.

I worked my normal job five days a week and then spent Saturday preparing for Sunday.  On Sunday (at the height of my addiction), I would teach Sunday School, rush to a local church in the area to preach in their Sunday morning service, conduct a nursing home service Sunday afternoon, return to teach my church evening bible study group, and then rush again to a nearby church to preach their evening service.  I would get up on Monday morning and lead another bible study, and I would return to church on Wednesday night for choir practice or whatever my church wanted me to do. Many times I used my vacation time at work to go to some church camp, retreat, or mission trip somewhere in the US or abroad.  I will NOT be rewarded for that time - just forgiven.

I was high on this ritual.  I felt good and fulfilled only when I was participating in these church related activities.  I was hopelessly addicted!

And then my Father God intervened - lovingly, graciously, and mercifully. I was preparing for some activity at my computer. In the search engine, I typed the word "hell," and from that time forward God began the five year process of delivering me from my addiction to church and the false doctrine I had assumed was the truth.

He eventually set me free from religious ritual.  Free to live life every day producing genuine fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, etc.  And free to have a new and real appreciation for my loving and gracious heavenly Father, and for His Son Jesus, and their Word.

Most importantly, I now have time for my wife, my kids, and my grandkids.  And golf.  For the first time, I am sharing the true Gospel - the really good news of the GRACE of God! Not in temples made by hands.  But on Facebook and a blog on the world wide web of all places. Manmade doctrines had kept me addicted to church programs and rituals. God knew that for me, the GOOD NEWS could only be found by first becoming addicted to the ritual found in the “law."  It was necessary in order to find the JOY of "grace and truth."  This good news is simple. It is really all you need to know and share.

God loves you.

He is not mad at you.

You are and will be saved.

Thank Jesus.

Tell people about it!

When God gave me the faith to believe that simple good news, He opened up the floodgates of the water of abundant life.  And along the way I have discovered His wonderful and detailed plan, found only in the Bible.  It details how God eventually wins the love and adoration of all His creation.  And He becomes ALL in ALL, not just the few addicted to church.

We Christians sometimes think more highly of ourselves than we should, just because we have come to the knowledge of our salvation as the firstfruits of the harvest. It should humble us, not make us see ourselves as more favorable to God than others who have not been given this knowledge yet. God is the Father of ALL, and His Son Jesus is Lord of ALL.  Together they will Save ALL, and ALL men will eventually have this knowledge.

"...yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. However not all men have this knowledge ..." (1 Corinthians 8:6-7)

God is no respecter of persons. All sinners will be saved at the proper time because that is what Christ Jesus came to do. And apparently the worst sinners are saved first.

"It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all... God our Savior...desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth... Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.…" (1 Timothy 1:15-2:6)

Again, the Scripture is clear that God is the Father of ALL and ALL will come to be in unity of the faith when, "at the proper time" they come to "the knowledge of the Son of God." In the meantime, be kind to people, if they let you.

"...One God and Father of ALL, who is above all, and through all, and in you ALL... Till we ALL come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God... be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4)

I heard the following verse quoted one Sunday while in college at Baylor.  I think it was in a sermon (yes I went to chapel every day for two years and also to church a couple of times).

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us..." (Hebrews 12:1)

It was right after the annual NoZe Brotherhood "unsocial," as the noble brotherhood called it. I had had a great time although it was not what you would call a gathering of the saints. Anyway, when I heard this verse and the speaker say that all of our departed loved ones are witnessing our every move and "looking over the balcony of heaven - watching and cheering for us," I thought, Oh shoot (or a similar word)!  Was Grandma Lakey really watching me this weekend?  If so, she is NOT cheering.  Dang!

It wasn't until nearly 25 years later that I learned that this esteemed speaker was full of it (the similar word), and I could rest assured that Grandma had not been witnessing all my indiscretions while in college.

So what was the writer of Hebrews saying?

Well, if you read the verse in the context of chapters 11 and 12, you will find that the writer had been naming all those FAITHFUL men of the Old Testament who TRUSTED the promises of God but had died before they came to pass. Yet they died assured that God would eventually DO just as promised. Their FAITH in what God had promised is a WITNESS to us that we should not get discouraged when life sucks and it seems the whole world is going to hell in a hand basket (so to speak). JESUS IS COMING AGAIN to this earth.  And when he does, he will take care of everything in perfect righteousness and mercy!

"And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things...the fullness of the One completing the All in All...For even as in Adam all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be made alive"... "that God may be All in All" (Ephesians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

Repent (change your mind).

No one is saved by "personal" faith. If you think so, then you are making your faith your savior and thus, denying the truth. The truth is that you are saved by God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. That salvation is complete. All that faith can do for us is show that we agree with what God and Jesus have done for us.  Faith (believing God) makes us righteous (justified) and gives us peace.  We are not saved by that faith, but "justified by faith" (Romans 5:1). 

“…solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21 NASB)

The word repentance is the Greek word metanoian meaning, a change of mind. Paul used it in a similar way in Acts 17:30-31 while in Athens. What Paul was encouraging both the educated orthodox Jew and Greeks (Hellenized Jews and Gentiles) to do was to CHANGE THEIR MIND about God. The false Jewish teaching was that God would only save Jews and those Gentiles who obey the Law of Moses. The Greeks believed in all sorts of false Gods whom they must appease to be saved. Both taught that if they did not appease their God with various rituals they would suffer the eternal wrath of their god.  Paul said they needed to repent (change their mind) about the true God and have faith in his Son Christ Jesus.  God, in His GRACE, had demonstrated his LOVE for ALL by sending Jesus to show how sinners would be saved. Remember that LOVE is the Greek word agape which means to be charitable without expecting anything in return. And the word grace means unmerited favor.

Paraphrases of the bible (The Message and the New Living Translation, for example) alter and add words to the Scripture, which often hide the truth of the passage. Read the above verse in one of these paraphrases and see how they differ from the above NASB direct translation. These paraphrases actually add and change the Greek words found in the oldest Greek manuscripts. The only way people find out about this deception is to look at a good Greek Lexicon - which few seem to do preferring to trust and quote these easy reading paraphrases of men. Nevertheless, the truth is the truth whether one believes it or not.

"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall All be made alive....that God may be All in All" (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

I suppose people think they are saved by their personal faith because of what Paul told the Philippian jailer when the jailer asked, "What shall I DO to be saved?" Paul's response implies he and his family did not have to DO anything. They can have faith (belief) in the finished work of their Savior, the "Lord Jesus Christ."  Paul was not telling him that his personal faith would save he and his family, but to believe that the Savior, Christ Jesus, HAS AND WILL save he and his family.

What if some do not hear the Gospel? Good question. According to most religions, those people are damned for eternity if they do not hear and adhere to its particular gospel. They are wrong.

“…Being justified gratuitously in His grace, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24)

God’s GRACE, channeled through the FAITH of Christ Jesus, is the source of blessing for all mankind.

“…a righteousness of God is manifest…yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ’s faith, for all…” (Romans 3:22)

Any religion limiting the grace of God and the faithfulness of Christ Jesus to less than all - is wrong!

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men…” (Titus 2:11)

No Regrets

I recently read the following post on Facebook and of course I had to think about it way too much - my wife tells me.

"In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take, relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make."

Sounded wise at first, but then it became sad to me. By "In the end," I suppose the author is referring to the end of this life. And I guess he is assuming that most people actually reflect on their lives before they actually die. I doubt it. However, it is true that at the end of this life all of us will have had chances we did not take, relationships that we did not pursue, and decisions that we put off too long. But since we find no comfort in reflecting upon those regrets, most people comfort themselves by reflecting on the chances they did take, the relationships they did have, and the good decisions they did make. Regret of any kind is too depressing. When the time comes, I will choose not to go there because at that time all failure is history and I will not be able to do anything about it. I will know that my history and my future is in the hands of a loving, merciful, and gracious Father who sent His son Jesus to deal with my failures.

 So, no regrets. I trust Him to change me and to plant me as a beautiful tree of righteousness. I trust that I will be full of joy, and clothed with the garment of praise - all to the glory of His GRACE.

"... to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3)

“And now apart from law hath the righteousness of God been manifested, testified to by the law and the prophets, and the righteousness of God is through THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST to all and upon all those believing, -- for there is no difference, for all did sin, and are come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:21-23 Young's Literal Translation)

It is a wonder anyone comes to know the truth with the poor translations of the Bible we have today.  They result in poor teaching.  Above is one of the few correct translations of these verses.  Note the phrase in all caps, and then check out your version.  If it says anything else it is the fabrication of men - not what the oldest Greek manuscripts read.

The righteousness of God is freely given “to all” as a result of THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST.  Not OUR faith in Christ Jesus.  Big, BIG difference.  In fact, it is the good news. Paul in the first three chapters of Romans has clearly shown that there is “none righteous” - neither Jew, Gentile, Christian, nor heathen.  Neither Adam, Abraham, Peter, Paul, Billy Graham, nor the Pope. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. They have NO righteousness on their own merit or free will choice.

But because of the faith of Jesus Christ in his Father…the righteousness of God is graciously and freely given "TO ALL" and it is applied “UPON ALL” when they actually have faith in God like Jesus did.

“…being declared righteous FREELY BY HIS GRACE through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God did set forth a mercy seat, through the faith in his blood, for the showing forth of His righteousness, because of the passing over of the bygone sins in the forbearance of God -- for the showing forth of His righteousness in the present time, for His being righteous, and declaring him righteous who is of the faith OF Jesus.” (Romans 3:24-26 YLT)

We get faith like Jesus had only when God gives it to us.  A few folks in this life, and ALL in the next. People become AWARE of their salvation and righteousness when God, by His GRACE, gives them the faith to believe. For most, this faith will not occur until after the resurrection.  At that time the righteousness of God will be “upon ALL” because ALL will then believe....and ALL will then be reconciled to God…. and God will be "All in All".

“For by grace ye are having been saved, through faith, and this not of you -- of God the gift, not of works, that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 YLT)

What Have You Learned Lately?

"...always learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth...for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires." (2 Timothy 3:7; 4:3-4)

 What have you learned lately? And who from?

Learning from the Bible is a great thing, and if we haven't learned anything new lately, it is most likely because we have refused "the truth" when presented to us by one who has "come to a knowledge of the truth".  Our study of the Bible may be continuous, "line upon line, hear a little, there a little" but in all our meticulous study we may never learn antything new, but in fact fall "backward, and be broken, and snared"...

"And the word of the LORD will be to them precept upon precept...line upon line, here a little, there a little that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken." (Isaiah 28:13)

There was a progression in God's revelation to mankind. Paul received the final hidden truth, or "mystery" as the Greek word is usually translated. Peter says we should "grow" in that "grace and knowledge".

"I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, the MYSTERY that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints, to whom God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this MYSTERY, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom...grow in the grace and knoledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  (Colossians 1:25-28; 2 Peter 3:18)

When this "mystery" is presented and rejected, there is no more "growing in grace", but one falls "backward" into some mixture of law and grace. Paul said of those who rejected the truth of salvation by grace alone...

"...I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really no gospel at all." (Galatians 1:6-7)

This is the status of Christianity today - both Protestant and Catholic - they have fallen "backward" and have ceased to "grow in grace".  Talking about it is not growing in it. 

Here is Paul's progression in his understanding of the grace of God.

First, Paul says that the gospel of Christ is the power of God that brings salvation to both Jew and Gentile (Romans 1:16).

Second, in 2 Corinthians 4:4, Paul tells us that the God of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers in order to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ's salvation.

Third, in Ephesians 3:8-10, Paul tells us that grace opens the eyes of the blind and brings to light the mystery of the eternal purpose of God in saving both Jews and Gentiles through the finished work of Christ Jesus.

Fourth, in 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 4:9-11, Paul tells us he and other believers were called to teach that God is the savior of all mankind.

Any finally, in 1 Corinthians 15:22-29, Paul summarizes all that God had revealed to him about His plan to make all alive and become all in all....

"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death...so that God may be all in all." (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

Believing that Christ Jesus is your personal Savior is great, and a measure of peace can be found therein, however, believing that Christ Jesus is the Savior of the whole world is growing "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ".

The Sign

"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately.  Tell us, they said, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of thy coming?" (Matthew 24:3)

Jesus then told them what to look for...

"Jesus answered: Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming I am the Messiah, and will deceive many...and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people" (Matthew 24:4, 11)

In an era when many call themselves followers of Jesus, but are deceiving themselves and others, that is the sign of the era in which Jesus will return. 

The Apostle Paul also speaks of this era.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

In an era such as this there will be another sign in heaven.

"Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30)

This sign is the actual return of Jesus, and no one knows the day or  the hour.

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36)

You can know the signs by simply studying the bible.  Few do.

It is admirable to keep watching for His return, for it is "our blessed hope" and we should live our lives as if it may occur today.

"For the grace of God has appeared that brings salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach." (Titus 2:11-15)

I am excited about the return of Jesus all the time. It will happen - and soon I hope. But I pay little attention to those who write books about it.  I prefer reading the THE BOOK of BOOKS and not in some famous religious leader's best seller.

Cannibalism

"unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood..." (John 6:26-71)

That is gross. I know there are some pious types who have come up with reasons for it not to be gross, but it's Cannibalism, pure and simple. And Jesus said it, not to draw religious people to him, but to drive them away. He does not need you to defend his statement. He said it in the synagogue in Capernaum, and as a result many stopped following him around. They were only following him in the first place because they were being entertained by his miracles, getting free food, and being healed from their sicknesses. With this bold statement, Jesus got rid of everyone except those whom HE HAD CHOSEN, and even they said, "this is a difficult statement, who can listen to it?"

Jesus is the bread of God who came down to give life to the world of sinners, not to rustle up a bunch of followers to bless as a result of being faithful to the local synagogues. Sometimes he needs us to be cast out of the synagogue so that we listen to Him alone....not some Rabbi.

"it is my Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven...and gives life to the world...everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I myself will raise him up on the last day" (John 6:33, 40)

From my study it seems that "the last day" is a reference to the final age of the New Heaven and New Earth. That age begins with everyone standing at the Great White Throne, bending the knee, and confessing Jesus as Lord. It ends with death being abolished and all raised to life. At that point, God becomes ALL in ALL. At that time shall be brought to pass the saying... "Death has been swallowed up in Victory."

For many, church is just a place to go to get stuff from God. Prayer, pats on the back, entertainment, fellowship with others, etc. You know, feel good stuff. But God is interested in saving all sinners and has not left that up to people who go to church to get stuff from God. He has FREELY GIVEN salvation to all men because he loves them, as demonstrated by the cross. That is what we are supposed to be telling people. You know, the Good News!

Rescued!

"The Lord will rescue me from EVERY evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18)

We will be rescued from every evil deed when the Lord has brought us "safely to His heavenly Kingdom."  But for now we live in what Paul calls "this present EVIL age," (Galatians 1:4) and it is His will for us to suffer at least some while we are here.
And why not? Just think about it for a minute. If you have never been ill, could you truly appreciate your health and give genuine thanks for it?  If you had never been hated and rejected, could you truly appreciate being loved and accepted?

EVIL serves as the contrast to GOOD. Adam and Eve would have never known how good they had it, except for experiencing the evil that came when they disobeyed. What we learn from experiencing evil is simple.  Good is better than evil.   God and Jesus are good.  Hitler, Idi Amin, Nero, Satan, and many others are not.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst." (1 Timothy 1:15)

Paul says that Jesus came into the world to "save sinners" and that he has already saved the "worst."  Tell me, who has a greater need to be saved - the Mother Teresas of the world or the Hitlers of the world?  If he saves the "worst" then it seems logical to me he will save us all.  And he will! 

Subjected to Vanity

"For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope," (Romans 8:20)

Note that creation (this includes mankind) was "not willingly" subjected to vanity.  There was no free will of man involved, as I read it.  God subjected His creatures to vanity.  And God will deliver them from it!

The free will of men has nothing to do with salvation either. What does God "will" in regard to salvation?

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:3-4).

All other Scripture should harmonize with this - and it does!

Listen!

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ ALL will be made alive…" (1 Corinthians 15:22)

Yesterday I read a humorous Facebook post about the difference between men and women. It reminded me of the following low point in my otherwise wonderful 40 years of marriage.

Sue Ann and I were driving back home from Oklahoma City, which is about a two hour drive.   Weatherford is about half way, so when we got to Weatherford I heard Sue Ann say, “Earth to Robert…Earth to Robert…come in Robert.”  I looked over at her and said, “What?”  She said, “Robert, you haven’t heard a word I’ve been saying, have you?  I’ve been telling you about this for an hour."  All I could say in response was, “Sorry sweetheart but I’m paying attention now."  Needless to say, I still do not know what she said but I did notice the utter silence for the next several days.

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: …we will ALL be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable…Death (the wages for sin) has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-54)

It is amazing what we can learn from God if we will just listen and pay attention.

Does the bible give a summary of God's Plan for His creation? It was given to Paul it seems to me and he shares it in at least two places as follows:

"For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it." (Romans 8:19-25)

NOTE:  

 1. All Creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the "sons" of God. Children of God will become mature sons. We will be complete in the "image" of God.

2. All creation is now subjected to "futility" and "corruption" by God Himself. But it will be "set free" when the "children" become “sons" at the resurrection.

3. For now, all creation groans and suffers. But we have the "hope" (assurance) of salvation.

4. We are not saved yet. We must patiently wait for it.

"But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.  But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is accepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all." (1 Corinthians 15:20-28 NASB)

NOTE:

1. The risen Christ is the first fruit of all who die and are resurrected.

2. All will be made alive like Christ just as all will die like Adam.

3. Not all are made alive at the same time. There is an order.  Christ first.  Next, believers at Christ's coming  Then, everyone else at the "end" of the plan being carried out in the ages.

4. Christ rules until all enemies are under his feet, then he abolishes death, and returns the Kingdom to God.

5. Christ is subject to God and God is then "ALL in ALL"....everything to everyone.

The Mystery of God’s Wisdom

"...we declare God’s wisdom, a MYSTERY that has been HIDDEN... these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit... so that we may understand what God has FREELY GIVEN US.... if any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." (1 Corinthians 2-3)

Paul was speaking to those in Corinth about God’s grace and His free gift of salvation. They believed the gospel but still had all kinds of sin going on among them. Much of this letter is to advise them on how to correct those problems. However, as carnal as they were, they were still called saints and were recipients of the free gift of salvation by the grace of God. This was part of the MYSTERY that had been hidden until revealed to Paul, by Jesus after his ascension to heaven.

Although we may lose rewards and be shamed for bad living and false doctrine at the return of Jesus, we are still saved.  For Christ "came into the world to save sinners" - and he succeeded!

"...and the GRACE of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Timothy 1:14-15) S