Random Thoughts on the Really Good News

“For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:17) The above word “peddling” in the Greek is only used one time in the Bible. Here is Strong’s definition: 2585 kapēleúō – properly, to act as an unscrupulous merchant, i.e. "a huckster" who profits by "peddling the Word of God" for personal gain. 2585 /kapēleúō ("peddler") is only used in 2 Cor 2:17 – of people "marketing the ministry" (the Word of God) for fast gain. When I see or hear TV and Radio evangelists asking for money this is what always comes to mind. They are “peddling the word of God” for personal gain. Avoid them like the plague. If you want to help someone just look around. I am sure you have neighbors who need help from time to time. But don’t be coned by the Hucksters who “subvert whole households for the sake of dishonest gain” . "There are many insubordinate, bot...

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ…that I may know Him." (Philippians 3:8, 10) Sometimes we have to lose our religion and be willing to suffer the loss of the esteem of others in order to have the true excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus and what he has done for mankind. Religious men teach that their particular thoughts and doctrines are the truth, and one is welcomed within that religion as long as he or she accepts that teaching. The few who are willing to abandon misleading religious doctrines will gain the knowledge of Christ Jesus. They will be...  "...set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God " (Romans 8:21) That is how Paul came to know Christ. The esteem he ha...

Question: Do you have Faith in God without fear, or is your Faith based on the fear of God? “God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world…We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us…There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear ” (1 John 4:9-10,14,16,18) I have been alive for 65 years on this planet, 50 of which has been partially spent struggling with the above question. As I watch my grandchildren grow up I realize that for the first 10 or so years there is no fear of God. Mom told me that God was good and loved me, and He loved the whole world.  That was true and good enough for me. Then something horrible happened. I begin to listen (occasionally) to the teaching and preaching in church about the ete...

“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-11) Paul wrote this 2000 years ago…..2000 years. Paul was chosen to lay the foundational message, not Peter, James or John.   Of course the word “foundation” is a metaphor for the message about “Jesus Christ” . A good news message regarding the salvation of the world. It was pretty simple then, before the religious institutions of men began to “build” on that foundation. 2000 years later it is almost impossible to see the foundation because of the wood, hay and staw built upon it by religious men.  Here is what I believe to be the foundation and the "trustworthy" message. “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save ...

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16) The “confession” above is not the confession of sin which Christianity likes to talk about. The Greek word means “to agree”, and in this context we are to agree with God that in spite of our sin, we have a great High Priest who loves us and is going to save us from our sin. God made us to be sinners, and we all fulfill our destiny to sin. Yet God has promised to justify and save sinners and give them eternal life. “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested…even the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ for all those who believe…for al...

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) How does one get “in Christ” ? And what happens when it happens? Let’s take the second question first.  What happens when one becomes “in Christ” ? 1. He is then a new creation. 2. Old things have then passed away. 3. All things have then become new. My problem with the teaching of mainstream Christianity is its failure to understand that even they, as now constituted, are sinners. And by sinners I am referring to the biblical definition of sin which is  “coming short of the glory of God” . None of us, no matter how many times we repent, walk the aisle, pray the sinner’s prayer, are baptized, or how much we tithe and bless others, are right now a “new creation” . “Old things” have NOT "passed away" . “All things” have NOT "become new" .  We have them now only by FAITH – believing that God will d...