“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (Jeremiah 29:11; 1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Today is my 64th birthday and I asked myself what I have learned after 64 years of life, 40 of which was spent reading and studying the Bible? I am not talking about going to Sunday school and church but actually making a conscious effort to read and study the bible, every word of it, over and over for 40 years...here is part of what I have learned:

God has spoken to mankind in various ways, but especially through His only Son, Christ Jesus. Mankind responds to God in only one of two ways...they either believe Him or they do not believe Him.

God through Christ Jesus is the Creator and Savior of the world which includes all mankind. So both believers and unbelievers are saved. The only question is the “means” that God uses to bring people to the KNOWLEDGE of their salvation.

Some come to the knowledge of their salvation by the GRACE of God through the gift of FAITH in his present age. For most people, however, the means God uses to give them the knowledge of their salvation is the indisputable visible EVIDENCE which will be presented them after their resurrection. Both of these “means” or “channels” by which people come to the KNOWLEDGE of Salvation are GIFTS from God....this knowledge does not come from works or decisions men make.

Believers and unbelievers alike come into JUDGMENT with regard to their motives, decisions and words. Those motives, decisions and works will be shown to be either good or bad at that time. Good deeds are rewarded in a subsequent age...bad deeds will be the source of shame in subsequent ages.

But there is to be an END to the ages...the consummation of God's purpose for those ages. At that point in time both friends and enemies, believers and unbelievers will have been reconciled to God and glorified in the completed image of God who will then be ALL in ALL. God will have won the voluntary love and acclamation of all of His creation...then follows the really good stuff of immortal, eternal life....

“...as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Israel was in comfortable exile in Babylon when Jeremiah reminded them of God’s plan for them….

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

About 14 years ago I found myself a captive, but comfortable member of a church, exiled there by God it seems to me, much like the children of Israel were exiled to Babylon. In the grace of God I realized that it was not an ideal place for me to grow in the grace and knowledge of God and Christ Jesus, but a temporary sanctuary from life in a world without hope.

It is difficult and costly to escape once entangled in its comfortable atmosphere…similar to a hospital, or an opium den…no offence intended. Those sanctuaries often demonstrate prejudices and judgmental attitudes that you will not find outside in the world. The fanatics of Islam want to kill all the infidels now, in the name of Allah. The fanatics of Christianity simply reason that God will assign everyone who does not choose him in this life to eternal damnation and torture in hell. They both provide sanctuary for their followers.

When one comes to know the one true God and His Son, the Savior of the World, he must grow, if at all, outside the various sanctuaries erected by men. He must seek God among the world He sent Jesus His Son to save. Seek and worship God with a sincere heart and an open mind, with the best translation of the bible one can find as the only resource.

What I found is really good news for mankind…and the one true God who is worthy of the Name!

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

Sue Ann came in the house the other day and announced “I just saved two frogs”.

“What?” I said.

“Two frogs were trapped in the pool strainer and I saved them.” She told me.

“Did they thank you?” I jokingly asked.

“No, they don’t even know they had been saved” she laughed.

LIGHT BULB GOES ON…out of the mouth of babes and wives!

That is what God has done for sinners…saved them. But they don’t know it because the Church has made salvation a thing man chooses rather than a finished work God has done through Christ Jesus.

Those frogs should be glad Sue Ann did not ask if they wanted to be saved…she just saved them…and that is what God has done and it is called - GRACE!

"For the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." (Titus 2:11-14)

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8)

It is unfortunate that most bible teachers seem to interpret and teach the above in a context of “heaven and hell”. Paul knows of no such mythological “hell”, nor does any other author in the Bible.

Paul is making a simple observation about life in this present evil age. Those who labor and strive in the “flesh” for what material possessions they can get should remember that it is all temporary. All material things will be left behind when we die…we leave it all behind. 

On the other hand, those who live their lives “sowing” spiritual things…good things that are the fruit of the spirit such as “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) will be rewarded for such when resurrected to eternal life where the above spiritual virtues will be the norm. So….

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” (Galatians 6:9)

“…to worship God in spirit, to rejoice in Christ Jesus and to have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3)

I spent a lot of time in Christian church buildings during the first 55 years of my life. I observed over that time that most of my service and worship in those buildings were of the “flesh” as Paul puts it. I found that one is labeled a good Christian depending on how much time and money he or she spends being involved in the various programs sponsored by the various churches and their cooperative associations.

Paul tells the Philippians above not to put any confidence in those fleshly efforts to please God, but that true worship is “in spirit”. And he is not talking about speaking in tongues. I have concluded over the past 10 years that simply trusting God to always do the right thing, and to rejoice in what Christ Jesus has done for me can be “spiritual” worship anywhere…at home, at work, with my kid and grandkids, or on the golf course with friends. And I find it easier to worship in these places than in a church building where a mixture of grace, works and guilt is regularly handed out as service and worship of God. 

But hey, that’s just me...

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery…circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.” (Galatians 5:1; Romans 2:29)

“…we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance and perseverance character; and character, hope…” (Romans 5:2-4)

When I was very young I had regular migraine headaches. I remember them to be so awful that at times I would tell Mom that I wanted to die as she would lovingly rub my temples with my head in her lap. The doctor prescribed a medication for me at the time that would gradually put me to sleep. And when I woke up the headache would be gone and I was glad I did not die.

Over time I learned to focus, not AT the pain, but THROUGH it to the time when it would be gone. Faith that it would subside in time gave me hope and allowed me to endure the pain. I think that is what Paul is talking about above when he says we can boast in our “sufferings” which produces hope of a better life to come when we are glorified in our resurrection.

“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54)

“For if the dead are not raised…your faith is worthless…Then those also who have fallen asleep…have perished…. If we have hope in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:16-19)

People are born and live with various problems…ALL have problems. You’re particular problem does not dictate you are more to be pitied than someone else. Many Christians deal with their mental and physical state by seeking and hoping for some miracle from God to cure them….and some get temporary relief and attribute it to prayer …but we all will eventually check out of this present evil age!

Some can’t deal with their problems…so they check out early. Don’t feel sorry for them, and don’t condemn them. They just play the hand that was dealt to them. I have found that there is only one thing that gives HOPE…the biblical promise of life after death, where there is no more tears, pain, sorrow... or pity.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away…and God Himself will be among them…and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away…these words are faithful and true." (Revelation 21:1-5)

The above says God “will be” with them. So in a sense He is not with us now. For now we can only….

“…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…now faith, hope, love, abide these three…” (1 Corinthians 13:12-13)

Evil abides in this present age, but also “faith, hope and love”. I can’t prove the Bible is true and I can’t prove that there is a God. I have never heard from Him or seen Him in person…unlike some folks claim. 

But I do know what the Bible teaches because I read it, and if it is God’s Word, and I have chosen to believe that it is, then the present evil is temporary and the really good stuff is eternal and yet to come...therefore I have HOPE.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3).

Above is a clear statement of the good news from Peter. As a result of God’s MERCY, mankind will be “begotten again”. This living hope is instilled in us when we both hear and believe…

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24).

Those of us who have heard and believed in this life have the joy of the HOPE of everlasting life. However, most of mankind die before they hear and believe, so they die without the HOPE of everlasting life. But just as all mankind die as a result of Adam’s sin, so shall all mankind be freely given everlasting life as the result of the one righteous act of Christ Jesus, the second Adam.

"Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life" (Romans 5:18).

So tell someone the good news, and leave out the “ifs”, “buts” and “unlesses” added to the good news by religious theologians. Even they will eventually see that…

“…at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

Just thinking about some prayer requests I have seen lately. Sounded like they think God is waiting around for someone to pray before he decides to get involved, like a genie in a magic lamp, or like He does not know what is going on until someone wakes Him up with a prayer request.

Somehow, I think the sovereign God knows what is going on...good and bad. And he intervenes when it serves His purpose...which purpose is always good, in my opinion.

"I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me...I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." (Isaiah 45:5-7)

Think about your worst enemy, or the most evil person you can think of. If it was in your power to torture them without their dying for as long as you want, how long would that be?

Truth is I am for killing all the low life, rotten excuses for men who prey upon others, especially children. I am for Capital Punishment.  And if there was a hell, I would cast my vote for throwing them into it to be tortured for a while....but maybe not forever.

But enough about me, what about God...He actually has the power to do what He wants with wicked, sinful mankind....

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:6-11)

Well, in case there was any doubt, I am obviously not God! He actually loves and saves His enemies.

In a nutshell, here is what our Apostle Paul shared from house to house…

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of ALL MEN… This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who WILLS ALL MEN to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom FOR ALL, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle, I am telling the truth, I am not lying, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth….It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL MEN, especially of believers. PRESCRIBE AND TEACH THESE THINGS.” (1 Timothy 2:1-; 4:9-11)

I do not claim to be smart and I am sure not a theologian. But I have lived a few years and have studied the Bible and observed institutional Christianity most of that time. I am now almost 64 years old and here is a summary of my observations:

God raised up the Apostle Paul to proclaim the truth, the good news that in His Grace and Love God will save the whole world through His son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This “gospel” was received with joy by a few religious men, and many ordinary men who heard the truth…and they rejoiced as Paul shared it in homes, from house to house.

After Paul, Timothy, Titus, etc. died men started organizing these believing families into groups, built buildings to meet in, and hired employees to administer programs designed by these organizations. They started writing down their individual creeds, statements of faith and doctrine. The organization’s doctrine soon became the proclamation of “what the organization must do to save the world”, rather than ANNOUNCING THE GOOD NEWS OF WHAT GOD had done in Christ to save the world. The only portions of the Bible taught thereafter were those which could be interpreted to authenticate the organization’s dogma and doctrines.

By the fourth century, the truth that Paul was given to share was no longer being taught in organizational churches and it is still not taught there today. The organizations today are simply tax exempt entities doing some good things for people but no longer present the whole gospel that God gave Paul to proclaim to the world.

”These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40)

Who were these “all”? The list is the hall of fame of the Bible…Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel.

They were commended for their faith but did NOT receive immortal life that God has promised.

God has promised to make us perfect… but not in this age…for now we all die. Now we can only believe the promise of God that….

“…as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” for “just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man” and these earthly bodies will be “buried in weakness and raised in power; buried a natural body but raised a spiritual body…The perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality”. (1 Corinthians 15:22-53)

Only the joy of having faith in God’s promise will make a sinful man good, and a religious man humble.

“I have come as Light into the world...I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world..." (John 12:47)

From the mouth of Christ Jesus himself comes the truth that he did not come to judge but to save the world. He also told the world that it is God's commandment to give eternal life.

“...the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life...” (vs 49-50)

God will send Jesus back again to save the world from death and give them eternal life. When? The context of John Chapter 12 is about death and resurrection to eternal life. Jesus showed the world his power to raise the dead with the resurrection of Lazarus. But the final proof would be his own death and resurrection! So Jesus declares...

“Now judgment is upon this world (death); now the ruler of this world (death) will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth (resurrected), will draw ALL MEN to Myself.” (vs 31-32)

Praise God, the enemy (death) will be cast out because Jesus was lifted up (resurrected)…and Jesus will return to resurrect the dead and give us eternal life!

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God…the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable…DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory” (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52,55).

This is the gospel...and it is for ALL MANKIND...not just for a few who join the local club.

“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest.” (Hebrews 4:1-3)

There is great peace and “rest” in this present evil age only to those who believe the gospel. And I am talking about the good news gospel of life AFTER the death of sinners.

“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God...the wages or sin is death, but the free gift or God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 3:23; 6:23)

Preaching the gospel is of no value in giving “rest” in this present world unless it is mixed with faith that God will actually resurrect us, and those we care about...not because we make the decision to be saved, but because God made the decision to save sinners.

He raised Christ Jesus, “who became sin on our behalf”, and Jesus promised to return and raise us. Eventually all will find this rest after the resurrection, but NOW, in this life, only those who BELIEVE God find peace, rest and hope.

Faith that there is a God is my foundation for hope. I find in the Bible that He loves me and all others...and that because of this love, and His Grace, mankind cannot miss His goal of perfecting us, regardless of how much we fail in this age. I would not trade this faith I now have in God for anything...it sustains me in the midst of an...

"...unbelieving and perverse generation..." (Matthew 17:17)

All Blessed and Saved

"In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice...Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed...that is, Christ..."(Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16)

Because Abraham and Christ Jesus believed God He has promised them that “all nations of the earth shall be blessed”. It is because of Abraham's obedience,  not ours, that blessing comes to ALL! Further, it is because of "Jesus Christ's faith" that the blessing is "given".  Again, blessing is a done deal because of Abraham's obedience and Jesus Christ's faith.

However, we do not become aware that they we are "blessed" until, in the GRACE of God, we “believe”.

“For by Grace are you saved through FAITH and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God...the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be GIVEN to them that believe. But now that faith has come...you are all sons of God (as opposed to children) through faith in Christ Jesus...heirs according to promise...to all who received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God,even to them who believed on his name” (Ephesians 2:8; Galatians 3:23-29)

There is coming a time when ALL will be given this faith to believe God for...

“Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God...As in Adam all die, even so in Christ, ALL shall be made alive, but each in their own order...that God may be ALL in ALL” (Philippians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

ALL will be made alive in Christ Jesus just as ALL die in Adam. For a few this truth is given and understood in this life when we hear and believe the gospel of our salvation. Most people will not bow and confess until their resurrection and appearing before Christ Jesus at the great white throne. Then all will believe and "shall be saved".

"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31)