Random Thoughts on the Really Good News

The phrase “dead man walking” refers to an inmate sentenced to death on his way to be capitally punished. The Scripture speaks of mankind in the same way... “...even as through one man sin entered into the world, and through sin death, and thus death passed through into all mankind.” (Romans 5:12) Mankind has been sentenced to death and so we are all “dead men walking”…but there is good news! “For since, in fact, through a man came death, through a man also, comes the resurrection of the dead...you died, and your life is hid together with Christ in God.” (1 Corinthians 15:21; Colossians 3:3) Senator John James Ingalls of Kansas once said... “In the democracy of the dead all men at last are equal. There is neither rank nor station nor prerogative in the republic of the grave". I am convinced by the study of Scripture that all dead men walking will again walk in newness of life – all equal in the eternal Republic of God. “...we rely on the living God,Who is the Savior of all manki...

"....yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifest (being attested by the law and the prophets), yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ’s faith, for all and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God. Being justified gratuitously in His GRACE, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus.” ... "For Christ, while we were still infirm, still in accord with the era, for the sake of the irreverent, died...God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for our sakes. Much rather, then, being now justified in His blood, we SHALL BE SAVED from indignation, through Him." (Romans 3:22-25; 5:6-9) The GOSPEL OF GRACE can be summarized as follows: Sin condemned mankind to the wrath of God which is DEATH. However, the LOVE and GRACE of God overcomes His wrath so He sent his Son to save sinners. "Jesus Christ’s faith" , death and resurre...

The Apostle Paul wrote in his last letter to Timothy… “Of this you are aware, that all those in the province of Asia were turned from me…now you fully follow me in my teaching…for the era will be when they will not tolerate sound teaching…they will be turning their hearing away from the truth, yet will be turned aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 1:15; 3:10; 4:3-4 CLNT) That “era” began in Paul's lifetime when “all” those in Asia had been "turned from" his teaching. This “era” has now lasted over 1900 years and not only has the vast majority turned "their hearing away from the truth" , most have never even heard the truth that Paul was teaching.  It is indeed miraculous that anyone is left today who has not been “turned aside to myths” . Paul told Timothy that "all Scripture" is beneficial to teach.  But the teacher should be “correctly cutting the word of truth” into what belongs to Israel and what belongs to the Body of Christ.  Recognizing the dif...

Satan is the "Adversary" of truth.  God created him to fill that role, and he is really good at his job, having earned a Masters Degree in Deception. Jesus and Paul both warned people about his deception... " You are of your father, the Adversary, and the desires of your father you are wanting to do. He was a man-killer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, for truth is not in him. Whenever he may be speaking a lie, he is speaking of his own, for he is a liar, and the father of it. Yet I -- seeing that I am speaking the truth, you are not believing Me... " ..." Satan himself is being transfigured into a messenger of light. "    John 8:44-45; 2 Corinthians 11:18 CLNT) The "Adversary" , or Satan, has disguised himself as a "messenger of light" , not among the wicked, but among the religious folks.  One of his favorite tools is the mistranslation of Scripture.  For example: Mistranslation of Greek words into English ...

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the FIRST to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:11-12 NIV) The use of the word "first" implies that there is more to follow. In every harvest there is a small portion of the crop that matures early. In the Law of Moses those first fruits belonged to God and were Holy. In every generation, and in every place, God has had a chosen remnant, those "first" few who trusted Him. There is a remnant today who are among the "first" to put their hope in Christ. Yet we are  "first"  only because we were  "predestined" to come to a knowledge of our salvation in this Age.   Faith is a  "gift" from God and has nothing to do with works of righteousness.  To the remnant of Israel God said... "...