The Kingdom Of God - The New Creation

“Now this I am averring, brethren, that flesh and blood is not able to enjoy an allotment in the kingdom of God, neither is corruption enjoying the allotment of incorruption…Now apparent are the works of the flesh, which are...enmities, strife, jealousies, furies, factions, dissensions, sects, envies... and the like of these, which, I am predicting to you, according as I predicted also, that those committing such things shall not be enjoying the allotment of the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:50; Galatians 5:19-21)

I left out the obvious works of the flesh in order to focus on the words “factions, dissensions, sects, envies”. These are rampant in Christianity and other Religions. I read somewhere that there are over 2000 different "factions" or “sects” in Christianity alone, each believing their particular group has the correct doctrine.

NONE OF THOSE "FACTIONS" OR "SECTS" WILL HAVE “AN ALLOTMENT IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD” any more than those committing the other things on the list of "works of the flesh".

BUT PLEASE, PLEASE don’t think that means that any of those involved in those things are going to a fictitious hell because they do so. They will all simply die which is the penalty for any sin...and they all will be resurrected...

"...thus am I offering divine service to the hereditary God, believing all that is written, according to the law and in the prophets, having an expectation in God, which these themselves also are anticipating, that there shall be a resurrection which is impending for both the just and the unjust..." (Acts 24:14-15)

After their resurrection they will all eventually be made into a “new creation” which will no longer be a "flesh and blood" body but a “spiritual” body, and then ALL will produce the "fruit" of that “spiritual” new creation. We will all be “righteous” like God…

“…yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ's faith, FOR ALL, and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction (between unbelievers and believers), for ALL SINNED and are wanting of the glory of God…the ration of Sin is death, yet the gracious gift of God is life eonian, in Christ Jesus, our Lord…For since, in fact, through a man came death, through a Man, also, comes the resurrection of the dead. For even as, in Adam, ALL ARE DYING, thus also, in Christ, shall ALL BE VIVIFIED (made alive)….For He must be reigning until He should be placing all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy is being abolished: death…that God may be ALL IN ALL...Now with what body…is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption…it is ROUSED A SPIRITUAL BODY… Lo! a secret to you am I telling…WE ALL shall be changed, in an instant, in the twinkle of an eye, at the last trump…For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality…then shall come to pass the word which is written, Swallowed up was Death by Victory… Now thanks be to God, Who is giving us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 3:21-23; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:21-58)

Salvation from death is FREE, given solely by the grace of a merciful God.  And the New Creation is free also.  God knew that it would be impossible for mankind to keep His law while composed of flesh and blood, and planned from the beginning a new spiritual creation for us sinners after death…

“…even if we have known Christ according to flesh, nevertheless now we know Him so no longer…if anyone is in Christ, there is a NEW CREATION: the primitive passed by. Lo! there has come new…For what was impossible to the law, in which it was infirm through the flesh, did God, sending His own Son in the likeness of sin's flesh and concerning sin, He condemns sin in the flesh, that the just requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who are not walking in accord with flesh, but in accord with spirit. For those who are in accord with flesh are disposed to that which is of the flesh, yet those who are in accord with spirit to that which is of the spirit. For the disposition of the flesh is death, yet the disposition of the spirit is life and peace..." (2 Corinthians 5:16-17; Romans 8:3-4)

When we believe this glorious good news from God, we should do the best we can now to produce in our lives the fruit of that "new creation". But it is only after our resurrection that we become a "spiritual" body and produce the "fruit of the Spirit" all of the time in the "Kingdom of God"...

“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:22)

Grace Has No Limits

“...where sin increased, grace increased all the more…"

I ran across the term “HyperGrace” the other day.  It was being used in a Facebook comment to criticize Christians who place too much emphasis on the grace of God, and not enough emphasis on God being Just.  I had never heard it before but it accurately describes the unlimited Grace of God.  The apostle Paul was talking about unlimited Grace when he taught that "where sin increased, grace increased all the more" and that Jesus’s "one act of righteousness" brought "justification of life to all" mankind just as Adam's one act of disobedience has brought death to all mankind.  HyperGrace is a good term to describe the Grace of God.

It is this HyperGrace that now REIGNS over death...

"So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to ALL MEN, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to ALL MEN. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous...where sin increased, GRACE abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so GRACE would REIGN through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:18-21)

Hyper-Grace only bothers those who have a faulty idea of what it means for God to be Just. The word "JUST" in both Hebrew and Greek simply means to do what is “right”.  God is JUST because He always does what is right.  God thinks it right to save sinners by his Grace.  Apparently the folks who dislike the term HyperGrace have limited the Grace of God to those who have joined their churches. And they have been taught that it is JUST for God to eternally separate himself from everyone else that He created and cast them into eternal conscious torment.  That denies the Bible which clearly says that the penalty for sin is Death "but the free gift of God is Eternal Life" (Romans 6:23).

So what about the following verses written by Paul?

"God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9)

I believe the above is true just as a believe all of the Scripture. Paul and his followers were being persecuted by the religious folks of his day for preaching the salvation of both Jew and Gentile by the Grace of God apart from the works of the Law of Moses.  So to me the above is a warning to those who trouble others with threats (like eternal conscious torment). 

It is the false teaching of religious leaders that will be punished with "everlasting destruction". I say Amen to that.  The false teachers themselves will be saved, but through the fire that will burn up the false doctrines made up by men and are the wood, hay and stubble which will fuel the fire when we all give account to God. Such false teaching will no longer have a place in the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might. For the Grace of God will have saved sinners from death!

"For by Grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the approach present of God...the grace of God which is being granted to me. As a wise foreman I lay a foundation, yet another is building on it. Yet let each one beware how he is building on it...each one's work will become apparent, for the day will make it evident, for it is being revealed by fire. And the fire, it will be testing each one's work -- what kind it is. If anyone's work will be remaining which he builds on it, he will get wages. If anyone's work shall be burned up, he will forfeit it, yet he shall be saved, yet thus, as through fire." (Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

Messengers of Light - Or Maybe Not

“For such are false apostles, fraudulent workers, being transfigured into apostles of Christ. And no marvel, for Satan himself is being transfigured into a messenger of light. It is no great thing, then, if his servants also are being transfigured as dispensers of righteousness...” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Paul says some “dispensers of righteousness” are Satan’s servants who are appearing to the world as “apostles of Christ”. They are at work in the midst of Christianity. They are not bad people per se, just preachers and teachers preaching and teaching false doctrine, for the most part unaware it is false.

How are we to distinguish them from the true believers and followers of Christ Jesus if they all look the same and may not even realize who they are?  

We can only identify them by what they are teaching. If it is not what Paul was teaching, then they are Satan’s servants, not Christ’s, regardless of how sincere they are or righteous they may appear...

"...there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" (Galatians 1:7-8)

How do we know if they are teaching false doctrine? 

By comparing what they teach to the best and most accurate version of the Scripture we have which for me is the Concordant Version which I have made available on the right side of my blog.  I sometimes quote other translations because they are more familiar to others, but in this post all quotes are from the Concordant Version...

"Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11)

From whom did Paul receive the good news he taught?  Not from other men but directly from Jesus Christ...

“But I certify you brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)

It is interesting to me what he did not teach.  He said nothing about the trinity, free will, or eternal separation from God in hell.  Yet he stated clearly that he was innocent of the blood of all men for he had taught “the whole counsel of God”…

“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:26-27)

So exactly what did Jesus reveal to Paul and send him to preach and teach?  

He taught the Jews that Jesus is their Messiah (Christ) and the Messiah had to suffer death and rise again:

“…that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead.” (Acts 17:2-3,10; 18:4).

He taught both Jews and Gentiles that they were UNITED before God in Christ and all would be resurrected from the dead by the grace of God:

1. “…one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of ALL Who is over all and through all and IN ALL…to each one of us was given GRACE in accord with the measure of the gratuity of Christ.” (Ephesians 4: 5-6)

2. “…Christ was roused from among the dead…if we have become planted together in the likeness of his death, nevertheless we shall be of the resurrection also.” (Romans 6:5-6)

3. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive…so that God may be All in ALL” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

Specifically about law, grace, faith, sin, and the gift of salvation he taught the following, among other things:

1. “…by works of law, no flesh at all shall be justified in His sight, for through the law is the recognition of sin…for ALL have sinned and are wanting of the glory of God” (Romans 3:20, 23)

2. “…God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes…being enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son…being reconciled we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:8-10)

3. “For the ration of sin in death, yet the gracious gift of God is life eonian, in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

4. “God was in Christ, conciliating the WORLD to Himself, not reckoning THEIR offenses to them, and placing in us the word of the conciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

5. “For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is God's approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

6. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, foremost of whom am I. But therefore was I shown mercy, that in me, the foremost, Jesus Christ should be displaying all His patience, for a pattern of those who are about to be believing on Him for life eonian.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

7. “…be leading a mild and quiet life in all devoutness and gravity, for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Savior God, Who wills that ALL mankind be saved and come into a realization of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and mankind, a Man, Christ Jesus, who is giving Himself a correspondent Ransom for ALL.” (1 Timothy 2:2-6)

8. “…we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of ALL mankind, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:10-11)

For the bible to be the very Word of God, one must be able to harmonize all of it with the revelation Jesus gave to Paul and quoted above.  If a doctrine is taught that  cannot be harmonized with the above, then it is FALSE and those teaching such...

“...are false apostles, fraudulent workers, being transfigured into apostles of Christ. And no marvel, for Satan himself is being transfigured into a messenger of light. It is no great thing, then, if his servants also are being transfigured as dispensers of righteousness...”

Comfort For Troubled Hearts

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also...Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you..." (John 14:1-3, 27)

Jesus knew that after his death, burial, resurrection and ascension into heaven his followers would still be troubled.  So he left them, and us, with the peace that comes from the promise of his return.  His words were given to comfort them as they testified to the world of his resurrection and awaited his return.

After many years had passed and Jesus had not yet returned, some of those followers had fallen "asleep".  Jesus and Paul both referred to death as sleep.  So Paul was confronted with a question about what would happen to those who had fallen asleep when Jesus returned. His answer to them is one of the most comforting passages of Scripture in the Bible...

"...we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Many have died over the past 2000 years, but the promise of his return and our rising together to meet him in the air still comforts and gives us peace.

Why Did Jesus Come?

This question was in a Facebook post I read the other day. I was glad that I knew the answer. The post went on to quote the following words of Jesus to Zaccheus…

“Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:9-10)

The Hebrew word for “salvation” is “yeshua” which means "the LORD's salvation"  or "God delivers", and is translated JESUS when used as a noun that designates a person.  That is really cool - Jesus is Salvation.

Jesus is salvation, and as such he came to do what his name represented - “to seek and to save that which was lost”.  Zaccheus, the sinner and publican, was included...and so are all other sinners.  It seems to me that anyone who reasons otherwise is saying Jesus has failed to do what he was sent to do.

In my opinion it is not the role of the church to seek and to save the lost. JESUS came to do that and he will succeed when the last enemy – death – has been abolished, and God is All in all. (1 Corinthians 15:22-28).  The Church’s job is to tell people what JESUS has DONE and will DO to save the world, not what people must do to be saved.

Long ago the organized churches took over the role of seeking and saving, and in the process has denied mankind the Gospel, making salvation a choice of men rather than the finished work of Jesus our Savior...

“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world…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.” (John 1:29; 1 John 4:14; 1 Timothy 4:9-11)

He did not ask your permission.  He doesn't care whether you like it or not.  He cares not whether you join the group.  He does want you to know and share the truth that HE WILL SAVE MANKIND.

You can believe it now and give him the glory and enjoy the peace it brings - or you can wait until your resurrection to give him glory. That is the only choice we have in the matter..

"For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so 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...and no one can say Jesus is Lord except by he Holy Spirit...the Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God..." (Philippians 2:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 8:16)

Those in Heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth...exactly who is not included in those three places?

The Better Hope

“…the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God." (Hebrews 7:18-19)

The "better hope" that we have for becoming perfect is the Gospel of God. The Gospel is the good news that in Christ Jesus all will be “made alive”, all will be “changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye” and all will become a “new creation in Christ Jesus” where God is “All in all”.

“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive…we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet…that God may be All in all…a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come…” (1 Corinthians 15:22, 51-52, 28; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Perfection is a promise from God which occurs for us when in His GRACE our salvation is complete. And that salvation does not occur as a result of any works or good decisions we make, but is the result of a decision God has made to save sinners. And it does not occur in this life, but in the next. 

For now what we have is “faith, hope and love”. We believe that God will do what Jesus says ("faith") and we expect with assurance that he will do so ("hope") because of His "love" for us.

One day our faith will become sight, and our hope will become our reality for the love that Jesus Christ has for us is perfect - it is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We are "strengthened" by this "Grace"...

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love…Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by GRACE” (1 Corinthians 13:12-13; Hebrews 13:7-9)

Be Perfect?

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48)

“What is the great commandment of the law?...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37)

The Greek word translated "commandment" is "entole" which focuses on the end result.  See below from Strong's concordance...

1785 entolḗ (a feminine noun derived from 1722 /en, "in," which intensifies 5056 /télos, "reach the end, consummation") – properly, "in the end," focusing on the end-result (objective) of a command.

So to me, Jesus is telling us that one day, when God is finished with us, we “shall be perfect”, and “shall love” God and our neighbors.

The doctrines of religious men reign in this present evil world. And these doctrines insist that God has made certain commandments with eternal consequences when we disobey. God, however, says no such thing.  God simply tells us what sinners are and what they WILL BE when He is finished with us - loving and perfect like He and Jesus.

So when will that be?

Not while we remain in this present evil age.  Here we sinners sin from time to time and are destined to die for our sin.  But after we have died for that sin (some once and others twice), in due time we are to be resurrected into a "new creation".  THEN we will be perfect and will Love God and our neighbor. God CHANGES us in that final resurrection to be like Jesus, all of us completed in the "spiritual" image of God. 

"The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body...The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual...And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man." (1 Corinthians 15:42-49)

Jesus died, was buried, and was resurrected as the first "spiritual" and "heavenly" man. He was the FIRST, but all mankind are destined to follow. THAT IS THE GOSPEL we are to share.

“Now I am making known to you, brethren, the GOSPEL which I preached to you….that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Jesus died.  He paid the penalty for sin just like we sinners do when we die. In doing so he identified himself completely with us, "he became sin on our behalf".  He was not our  substitute, but joined the team to die with mankind in order to show us that God is at peace with us and plans to resurrect us to eternal life.

“…God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them…He made him who knew no sin became sin on our behalf, so that we might become (when we are resurrected) the righteousness of God...” (2 Corinthians 5:19-21)

It is a done deal, we cannot screw up the Gospel of God because it is not up to us!  

And so I hope you can see the problem with any religion which is works oriented.  All are based to some degree on works to get to heaven and find favor with God.  No matter how much one talks about God, Jesus, love, grace and mercy - if mankind's eternal destiny is based on people DOING something by their own free will rather than relying on what GOD HAS FREELY DONE AND WILL FREELY DO do for sinners, it is not the Gospel of God.

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

For many years I have been saying this over and over, in different ways, but quite frankly I do not think anyone gives a hoot about the Gospel of God. They prefer the teaching and traditions of men handed down to them which condemns them, puts them in bondage, and sends most of them to hell to be tormented forever.  This is nothing new for Jesus encountered these hard headed and hearted traditions 2000 years ago which denied the Gospel of God…remember the Greek word for "gospel" means GOOD NEWS...

“Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the Gospel of God…Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going (his death) "  (Mark 1:14; John 14:1-4)

But the Jewish religion leaders would not believe him, preferring their own traditional teaching.  So he said they needed to repent because of their vanity…

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel...in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men...making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down…” (Mark 1:15; 7:7, 13)

After Jesus was resurrected and ascended into heaven, he appeared to the Apostle Paul and sent him to both Jews and Gentiles to proclaim the "Gospel of God"…

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God…” (Romans 1:1)

He abandoned traditions of men but lamented to his friend Titus that those who continued to teach them among the body of Christ…

“...must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach…devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth…they profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works…“ (Titus 1:11, 14, 16)

And to the Galatians who had been turned away from the Gospel of God back to these "commandments of men" Paul said...

"You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith (believing the Gospel of God)? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" Galatians 3:1-3)

Saddle Up

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40)

Let me make an observation. You, I nor anyone else who has ever lived, with the exception of Jesus Christ, love like this. Ergo, you, I and everyone else, with the exception of Jesus Christ, have broken the “Law and the Prophets” which makes us all SINNERS.

“…there is none righteous, no not one…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10, 23)

Furthermore, you, I nor anyone else who has ever lived, will ever love as set forth above in this life, even after we become believers of the “gospel of God” (the gospel which few seem to comprehend), even though some come much closer than others.

But we have HOPE. One day, after our resurrection, ALL of us sinners will be changed and will love God and our neighbors, for we will ALL be like Jesus…worth loving.

“…I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 36:26)

And when will this happen? At our resurrection

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.…just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive….Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust (Adam), we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven (Jesus)” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 49)

A final personal observation on living in this present evil age. It is OK to reject the philosophy of pious, self-righteous, politically correct liberal hypocrites who claim we must love and be tolerant of all people and cultures (you know who they are). And it is OK to reject any radical form of religion whose aim is to make others slaves or tolerant to their particular dogma in this life. These are folks who should NOT be loved in this life, but rejected just as Jesus rejected them...

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces...You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are...Woe to you, blind guides!...You blind fools! " (Matthew 23:13-23)

Jesus was addressing the radical Jewish leaders of his day, but the same could be said to the radical clerics of Islam today, or radical Christians for that matter.  

So for the rest of us, and to quote Data in Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), “Saddle up, lock and load”…try to love folks, but when it becomes necessary to protect our families and freedom..."aim and fire."  

The purpose of evil in this world is to humble us, and it does.  But becoming humble does not mean we should become weak and do nothing to defend ourselves. On the contrary, it should make us resolved to protect the weak and fight to set them free.

The Purpose of Evil

Is it possible for God to create without purpose? I cannot imagine such a thing. So l wanted to know what purpose God had in mind when he created evil.

“I make peace, and create evil.” (Isaiah 45:7)

At first I wanted to use another word for evil like “calamity”, or “disaster”, or “bad times” as do the corrupted English versions of the Bible. But I found that it is the same Hebrew word used in the phrase “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. But whether I called it evil, calamity, disaster or bad times…the Bible says God created it. So I continued to ask myself “Why?” and started to search the Scripture for the answer.

In my initial quest it did not help to find verses about God like the following…

“…the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will”, and “all is of God” (Ephesians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 5:18)

Not only did God create evil, it was the “purpose of His will”, for “all is of God”. It is no wonder most of Christendom and Flip Wilson flippantly shrug evil off on the devil with the quip…“the devil made me do it”. But of course God created the devil also…and must have known how he would turn out, in fact he must have created him to do the evil he does.

I knew down deep in my heart that evil must have a necessary purpose since God loves the world and sent his Son to save the world from the very evil He created.

I began to see that evil was temporary when I ran across the following verses in Jeremiah…

“Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them…” (Jeremiah 32:42)

A glimmer of light on this dark subject. God brings great evil upon people, but he also promised to bring them good. Evil in God’s plan must be temporary, so I reasoned that evil will last only until its purpose is finished.

BUT, WHAT IS THAT PURPOSE? Could not God have planned for eternal good without creating evil? It seemed to me I was no closer to that purpose than when I had begun my study. Surely God would have written down somewhere in His Word the purpose for evil. 

I eventually ended up in the book of Ecclesiastes, written by one whom God had given great wisdom, one who had searched out by that wisdom all of the ways of the world…at first what I found lead to more discouragement as I read from the NASB version of the Bible…

“13 And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. 14 I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted. 16 I said to myself, “Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind. 18 Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.” (Ecclesiastes 1:13-18 NASB)

And with that I was prepared to quit searching assuming God had not chosen to reveal his purpose, and He doesn’t have too I reasoned, after all He is God. 

But I did one last thing, I looked up the above passage in a Hebrew interlinear. And there in verse 1:13 and 3:10 was the Hebrew word “laanowt” which I found is only used these 2 times in Scripture. But I could have missed its meaning because the above English version of the bible (NASB) and most other versions had mistranslated the word. Then I read the verses in Young’s Literal Translation and the Concordant Version of the Old Testament and there it was…the purpose for all the evil that comes upon men - “TO HUMBLE THEM”….

“I applied by heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: It is an experience of EVIL Elohim has given to the sons of humanity TO HUMBLE THEM by it…I see the experience that Elohim gives to the sons of humanity TO HUMBLE THEM by it” (Ecclesiastes 1:13; 3:10 CVOT)

God created evil because he knew mankind must be humbled before they can be exalted. Experiencing evil is the means to that end. There was no other way or God would not have created evil. All people are finally and fully humbled by the greatest enemies of mankind – suffering and death…BUT by that experience, they will be able to appreciate the ultimate good to come after their  RESURRECTION TO IMMORTALITY!

“Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep…As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive…But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY…. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” (1 Corinthians 15:20, 22, 54; Colossians 1:21-22)”

Adam and Eve had known only good before they ate of the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  But the good they had could not be appreciated without the perspective of evil to contrast it with.  And without the contrast they could not love and appreciate God for their blissful state. So God created evil...thank you Lord!

New Years Resolution

"I will approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that I may receive mercy and find grace to help me at the proper time." (Hebrews 4:16)

And that is my New Years Resolution this year, and for each year of the remainder of my life.

All Things Are Lawful

“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24)

“Abstain from every form of evil” (I Thessalonians 5:22)

“…to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 8:21)

Sin no longer condemns us, Christ has overcome the penalty for sin by his resurrection to perfection...and he will do that for all in God's timing. The above Scripture is not warning of the penalty for sin. All sin has been atoned for at the cross and Christ has set us free from the law and we are FREE...

"It was for freedom Christ set us free....He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (Galatians 5:1; 1 John 2:2)

HOWEVER, we still have to live out our appointed time in this “present evil age”, as Paul calls it, before our own gracious resurrection to perfection.

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." (Galatians 1:3-4)

So the Scriptures first quoted above tell us that we should "abstain from every form of evil" as the best way to make this age more enjoyable for us and those we come in contact with, even though doing them no longer condemns us.

 I have learned that some things are just not worth doing. But I do not allow assemblies of men to prepare the list of  these "worthless" things...in my freedom I decide knowing I will give account to God.

"For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of the Messiah, so that each of us may receive what he deserves for what he has done in his body, whether good or worthless." (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Worthless things won't be rewarded, the good we do will.  The best thing I know to do is to treat people right and with respect, if possible, and hope they appreciate it enough to treat me the same way...as Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount...

"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you,” (Matthew 7:12)

MERRY CHRISTMAS - The Whole Story!

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which translated means, God with us...and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:23; 21)

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son...good news of great joy...for all the people; ...in the city of David there has been born...a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:7-12)

"...the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

"...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)

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

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." (John 3:16-17)

"It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Timothy 1:15)

"...they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, but on the third day He will be raised up." (Matthew 20-18-19)

"...they crucified Him...He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." (John 19:18-30)

"...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." (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

"I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also...this same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven" (John 14:3; Acts 1:11)

"...we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ...He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." (1John 2:1-2)

"...I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will 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 will be changed...Death is swallowed up in victory..." (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)

"...the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

"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 4:9-11)

“Yes, I am coming soon. Come quickly Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen." (Revelation 22:21-22)

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

“He’s making a list and checking it twice, he’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice...you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why, Santa Claus is comin’ to town.” (John Haven Coots and Haven Gillespie)

I love the songs and the whole story of Santa Claus, and I love watching kids relate to him and write letters assuring him they have been good. I have no problem with that fairy tale and do my best to keep my Grandkids from finding out who he really is, or isn’t, for as long as possible.

However, sometimes I wonder if our ideas about God come more from fairy tales than the Bible. If you’re good you will be blessed and go to heaven, but if you’re bad…look out because Jesus is coming back to town. At least with good old Saint Nick, bad children only get a lump of coal and a Ho Ho Ho, while the angry God of old Saint Religion sends bad children to be coal for an eternal fire - Ho Ho Horrible!

Anyway, enjoy the fun of Santa Claus this Christmas with the kids, but take some time to think about the real God, the God revealed to us by his one good Son, the baby Jesus who grew up to become the Savior of the world. God is a loving Father, and although He chastens and corrects his children in this life (all but one of whom are bad), His gracious gift to them after death will be salvation and the unmerited “free gift of eternal life”…

"…He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men...your Father is merciful...for God has shut up ALL in disobedience so that He may show mercy to ALL...for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord… who will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that he has even to subject all things to himself” (John 6:35-36; Romans 11:32; 3:23; 6:23; Isaiah 9:6: Philippians 3:21)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE - God our Father loves us all

There Is Born To You A Savior

"Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for ALL THE PEOPLE; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 210-11)

We may best say that if the divine interference is absolutely necessary to the salvation of any creature, it must also be necessary for every creature. The fact that He does save one of his creatures is conclusive proof that He in time will save all of them because if He saves some and not others, a few and not all, the Scriptures which HE inspired would be nothing more than a lying mockery and deceit. God is no respecter of persons.

Alan Burns (-1929)
Faith Fellowship Magazine
Volume 58, Number 1

The Purpose of Evil

“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create EVIL: I the LORD do all these” (Isaiah 45:7)

The great barrier to belief in God, and especially to a loving God, is the presence of evil in the world. Quite frankly, I do not blame people for rejecting God or at least rejecting the idea of a God who really cares about people. And I am confident God does not blame them either.

The Bible, read in its entirety, can help us understand evil, but few have read or even had opportunity to read it. After all, the printed Bible was not made available to the public at large until recent times.

So why, if there is a God, did He create evil and why does He continue to allow it to prosper?

                                וְנָתַ֣תִּי אֶת־לִבִּ֗י לִדְרֹ֤ושׁ וְלָתוּר֙ בַּֽחָכְמָ֔ה עַ֛ל כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר נַעֲשָׂ֖ה תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם ה֣וּא׀ עִנְין

The above Hebrew is translated in the Concordant Version of the Bible as follows:

“I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: It is an experience of EVIL Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it” (Ecclesiastes 1:13 CV)

God created evil in order that mankind could experience it and be humbled as a result. And when God is through with it, I am confident He will remove it…

“He will swallow up death for all time, and the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken. And it will be said in that day, Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” (Isaiah 25:8-9)

In this present evil age we will be humbled, but we live in faith that although evil is necessary, it is also temporary...the best is yet to come.

Resurrection To Glory

“...set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things....When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4).

Glory is mankind's final destiny. And we do not have it now except in the form of the promise of God.  It is our hope...

“…We... rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2).

And Glory comes with our resurrection...

“…Sown in dishonor… raised in glory…” (I Corinthians 15:42-43a).

In this life we experience suffering from time to time but we can cope with the suffering when we "set our minds on the things above, not on earthly things" - "in hope of the glory of God" to follow...

“…The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be…” (Romans 8:18).

As we celebrate Jesus we should not focus simply on a baby in a manger but set our minds on things above, where our risen Lord sits at the right hand of God waiting to return and complete our resurrection to Glory.

The Throne of Grace

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). 

Many among Christianity have made God’s thrown one of fierce judgment rather than Grace. And by judgment they mean an angry God pouring out His wrath on the sinner…and by wrath they mean casting them forever away from Him into a fiery furnace to be tortured forever. 

But God says His throne is where we come and find Grace and Mercy, not condemnation and everlasting punishment.  It is not that God does not get angry, and that He never pours out his wrath on men. But His wrath ends in death which is the "wages of sin". (Romans 6:23)

The Scripture tells us that "God is love" (1 John 4:8) so even His wrath flows from Love and therefore must be remedial in purpose… and short lived. Surely He does such as he instructs us to do…

“Be angry, yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger…” (Ephesians 4:26)

But I hear you say "God is Just".  True, and the word means that God always does what is right.  It is right to put the sinner to death.  It is also right for God to raise the sinner to life as the just result of His Grace and Mercy for...

“The LORD’S loving-kindness’ indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning…Love never fails” (Lamentations 3:21-23; 1 Corinthians 13:8)

It is best to remember that God is not like us, then we would not create such horrible and fierce judgment and call it "just" as is common among the religious dogma of the Church.

The Grace and Salvation of God are FREE

"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:4)

Let’s be perfectly clear, the Grace we receive from God is FREE. We do not earn, accept, or reject it. The GRACE of God is ours as a FREE gift. We only learn of it “by Jesus Christ”.

And we are SAVED by the grace of God, it is also FREE. And we only learn it is ours “through Jesus Christ”.

“…the FREE GIFT of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23b NASB)

I notice some translations leave out the word “free” but look at it in the original Greek and the idea of being free is there. These translators have a problem with "eternal life" being free. They also have a problem with salvation being free as a result of the "grace of God which is freely given you". They prefer their own version which requires joining their group by accepting their offer of salvation with heaven the reward. They add words like “offer” to their translations but reading the original Greek we see it is THEIR offer, God has no such requirement - Salvation is a "free gift" to “all men” by the "grace of God"…

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

But notice the NIV translation...

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” (Titus 2:11 NIV)

I really like the NIV because of the way it reads, but when I check out what it says I find that the Greek manuscripts do not include the word "offers".

I know most of you will not take time to look it up in the Greek so here it is for the verses above in Romans and Titus…

“…τὸ δὲ χάρισμα (free gift) τοῦ θεοῦ ζωὴ αἰώνιος ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν."(Romans 6:23 Greek)

"Ἐπεφάνη γὰρ ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ σωτήριος (bringing salvation) πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις" 

(Titus 2:11 Greek)

It is deception to leave out the obvious idea of a “free gift”, or to add the word “offers” to the text. Translators know most people won’t look it up and they know most church leaders and teachers who do look it up won’t say anything because they prefer it NOT say “free gift” and they DO want it to say “offer”. They do so in order to back up what they are teaching. Think about it...it is the heart of the growth strategy of almost all institutional churches to require non members to accept their “offer” - which means it cannot be "FREE". 

 Again, it is THEIR offer, not GOD's - The bible says that Salvation is a “free gift” to “all men” by the “grace of God”.

Rejoice in that as we approach the celebration of the birth of "the Savior of the world"...

"Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord..we have heard for ourselves and know that this one is indeed the Savior of the world...the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world..." (Luke 2:10-11; John 4:42; 1 John 4:14)

Sanctified

"...Sanctify them in the truth, Your Word is truth." (John 17:17)

Truth is always truth whether people believe it or not.  I don't think it can be discovered and appreciated without thinking and reasoning about God and His Word.

“Come let us reason together says the LORD, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18)

I have reasoned that God is not just the creator, but the Father of mankind.  And He loves them in spite of their faults, and intends to make them into his image through death and resurrection. I reason that mankind must experience the death of the old mortal creation in order to appreciate the new creation to come, the abundant, immortal life which will be the  mirror image of God. Jesus was the first, all the rest of us will follow.

God is lhe originator of truth. And truth regarding mankind, in a nutshell, is the good news that God in His grace intends to give mankind eternal life after death. But this truth cannot be discovered by blindly believing and doing what others say, or joining a religious institution.  Truth is discovered by thinking and reasoning on your own, and being willing to discard the false notions about God along the way.  

Doing so over the past 65 year has given me peace and joy in this present evil age. Try it and you may find that the…

“…peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

Have You Fallen Away From Grace

“…continue in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43)

Whether you think that only those who believe the gospel in this life will be saved, or as I, believe that all will eventually be saved after their resurrection when they believe, one thing we should have in common. This salvation from death, this resurrection to immortal life….is purely and solely by the unmerited favor (grace) of God. We do not choose it, we cannot earn it, and we will not be rewarded with it because of any good works that we do.

We first came to a knowledge of this unmerited favor by hearing the gospel of our salvation. We believed the good news, if at all, as a result of the gift of “faith” granted to us by the "grace" of God …

“…it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through FAITH, and this is not from yourselves, it is the GIFT of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:5-9)

There are many good Christian people who sincerely believe that it is their commandment to go into to world and win people to Christ...in other words save people. That is not our commandment or role. Any commandment we have from God has to do with sharing the good news of unmerited salvation, not doing works that result in getting saved.

We will be rewarded for telling people the truth about salvation as a result of unmerited favor. And the truth is that God will save mankind when resurrected and “seated” with Christ Jesus in the “heavenly realms”, all by His unmerited favor - grace.  Our actions in this present life will only be acceptable to God and rewarded if we  believe and “continue in the grace of God”.

So do not let religious doctrines of men change what you first believed about your salvation. I have found that all of the doctrines of men add works in some form to that grace which saves. Those who teach such doctrines have “fallen from grace” to another gospel, which is "no gospel at all".

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel —which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ…You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace…” (Galatians 1:6-7; 5:4)

They were falling away in Paul's day, and people have been falling away from the gospel of grace for 2000 years.  It would be nice if the institutional churches would repent of its failed works, help those around them, and as far as salvation is concerned - “continue in the grace of God”…but don’t hold your breath until that happens.