The Futility of it all! Preaching.

Preacher's should be "called to preach". What I mean is that just as the apostles were called by Jesus to be "fishers of men", preachers are called by Jesus as well!

Matthew 4:19 (ESV) "And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' "

 

Jesus called those whose occupation were fisherman to fish a different pond. They were to "net" sinners instead of fish. Rather than the catch that which would perish, but fishing for men saves those "caught".  Those "called" went from willing workers to willing preachers. It wasn't for money that they became fishers of men, but for obedience to and zeal for the Lord.

 

Some preachers are merely working a vocation. They get paid, and some quite well, and rather than having a burden for souls, they have a burden for income. You can tell a preacher who's not called. Their enthusiasm for the Lord is just not there. Few sermons are preached which would convict sinners to seek redemption. Another gospel is preached; a social gospel:

 

Galatians 1:6 ( ESV) "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."

 

The gospel is not concerned with "sharing the wealth", the environment, tolerance, social justice nor the pursuit of leizure and pleasure, but with saving souls! Few churches are concerned with that now! If a church fails to preach personal salvation and obedience to God, that church is preaching another gospel! If preachers at those churches are doing that, their work is futile. They're spreading poison on green pastures, so to speak!

 

Some take delight in teaching other things. Some have adapted psychology into the church. People are seeking something more in their lives and if sound doctrine isn't there, they'll take whatever they can get. Hence, many churchgoers never hear of salvation, but membership. It's like an exclusive club! If you go to church, attend regularly, sing, teach, act and greet; then you're accepted into that club. When I was young and attended a liberal church.  I was told that I was "saved" because I received and "A" in catechism class. Even as a child I realized the error in that type of "salvation". Such preaching is an effort in futility! Those people were perishing in spite of membership. If salvation was taught according to scripture these "social clubs" would be part of the "Christian fanatics" as true Christians are called!

 

Mere churchgoers and those born-again in Christ see things differently:

 

1 Corinthians 1:18 ( ESV) "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. "

You can see the dichotomy  in this verse!  To one the word is "folly"(foolishness) to another it's "God's power".  Teaching to please fools is foolishness. Preaching salvation is power!

If a preacher preaches God's power, it leads to repentance:

Mark 1:15 (ESV) "And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

How are sinners to know God's word, when preachers fail to preach! Why is that?

1) They are not called of God. Their preaching is futile.
2) They are called by God, but they fear failure. If truth is preached, the congregation may repent and rejoice, or if the congregation is calloused and hard-hearted they will reject truth. When truth is rejected attendance drops and the preacher is perceived a failure. To avoid failing, many preachers smooth talk. They fail to bring a message which would convict a sinner to repent.
3) A preacher may be called, but get caught up in his own leadership skills and self-adoration.
4) Others pervert the gospel because they just don't believe what they should be preaching.
5) Some even distort truth because they are evil. They teach pleasure and tolerance rather than joy and obedience. Many liberal churches are this extreme!

Should preachers quit preaching. Since sinners want their ears tickled and little more, should preachers just give it up?

Mark 6:11 "And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” and Luke 10:11b adds "Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near' "

As we approach the end of days, sinners are getting a last chance. Just as the Jews, most believe in one God, but have other idols themselves. The God of pleasure is the "other Gods" of the First Commandment! (Or is it now the First Suggestion?)  (sic).

I have seen many Christians get angry with the preacher when the preacher merely preaches what the Bible says; Truth!  Others don't mind if the preacher rebukes someone else, just don't get on their turf. Given the obstinance of mankind, is preaching futile? It appears that the obedient continue to obey and the stiff-necked disobey. I have seen preachers have a sermon on taking the Lord's name in vain and before I'm out the church door, I hear that precious name taken in vain repeatedly!

Jeremish preached a good sermon! He warned people that destruction was at hand. They failed to listen:

Jeremiah 5:21 (ESV) “ Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not."

Like Jeremiah, contemporary preachers warn; people have eyes and ears, but they don't see nor hear. They have a built-in filtering system. Rebuke is filtered by pride and selfishness. Sinners hear, but don't apply. That's why angels sing in heaven when even one sinner enters that narrow gate!

Should preachers, then, just quit preaching?

1 Timothy 4:13 ( ESV) "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching."

No way are preachers to give up! It's discouraging for them, but that's their call. They know the odds, but they are devoted to God!

When the angels sing when one Christian is saved, it would never happened unless that sinner had heard:

Romans 10:14    ( ESV) "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? "

Yes, it's worth it! Preaching leads to hearing and hearing to believing and believing to salvation. Encourage the preacher. If the preacher is on fire for the Lord, the congregation will be also!

New Years Resolutions

Normally New Year's Resolutions are written down. Why waste the time? Few follow through!

It seems as if that's ironic: Resolved to "follow through" and then failure!

A resolution is a "firm determination". To do what? Follow through with whatever plan of action a person proposes. From a psychological standpoint one may do better if they say "I'm determined to..." instead of "My Resolution is...". It means the same thing, but "determined" seems to be more concrete in one's minds.

Typical New Years Resolutions:

1) I'm going to quit _____________ (smoking, cursing, laying around, etc.)
2) I'm going to __________ (diet, lose weight, eat more healthy, etc.)
3) I'm going _________  (to attend church more regularly, be more serious about God, read my Bible daily, pray twice a day, etc.)

You get the picture! Just fill in your own blank. Most of us have resolved to so many things!  How successful are we? Not very!

It has been reported that only 8% of people follow through with New Year's Resolutions! Are you one of the 8 out of 100? I followed through one time in about ten times I've made a resolution at New Year's. However, resolutions can be made any time of year and I've been more successful with those. I suppose it has to do with situations which arise which make a person more serious. I quit smoking in February of 1984. I didn't say "I'm resolved to quit." I said "I quit." period! Do you see the difference? The former leaves an opening for failure and the latter is a determined statement.

In 2012 around September I saw my "Buddha gut" reflection in the full-length window while I was working shirtless outside. I was determined to do something about that and I did. I lost my Buddha gut in about three months and went on to lose 41 pounds, well beyound my first goal of 23 pounds! How was I able to do this? Determination!  "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." Newton was smart. He put God's Law into his own words and got famous with Newtons' First Law of Physics. However, this can be applied to about anything!

My "action" was seeing myself through an unflattering prism. My "reaction" was disgust. In order to be determined I must want to change. "Disgust" is unpleasant and that was my motivator. 

So  then I was disgusted with what I saw and was determined to make a change! There are two ways of accomplishing change: 1) Irrationally seek a miracle drug/cure/program/food/etc. or 2) Get real! "Getting real" means that someone must do something drastic. Since no one else could lose weight for me, I had to do it myself! Work is required for change.

"Yourself doing" is "self-control". We have now moved from a resolution to a firm action. Determination brought us to that point. Most people aren't determined enough to have self-control. They had rather play games with the imaginary activity of "trying". It's imaginary because "trying " is non-existent. A person doesn't "try to eat right". Either a person does or does not.  "Trying" is defined as "failure". "Doing" is success!

I "tried" to quit smoking for 20 years. In my mind I said "After I quit I can on occasion smoke a cigarette." What was lacking? Determination! I allowed a loop-hole. Sometime later I was going to smoke another cigarette. In actuality I never quit. I only played games with quitting. Playing games with serious behaviors is self-destructive and masochistic. Why subject one to the punishment of quitting unless one is truly serious about quitting? That's insane!

I quit smoking when I quit "trying". I made a "resolution" that "never again will I smoke"! I was determined and committed. I then quit smoking in an instant. I skipped the defeat of "trying" and went right on to "doing". Quitting something requires little "doing" actually! It requires "not doing". I quit smoking by not buying, unpacking, getting, placing, lighting and inhaling cigarettes. You see, quitting bad behaviors is actually "not doing"!

People who can't quit doing things have little determination and self-control. When we resolve to quit bad behaviors or actions and we fail, we fail ourselves and maybe our family, However, those who have little self-control in temporal matters may have the same lack of self-control in spiritual matters!

We get "saved" by sorrow, repentance, belief and faith. All these must be enduring. We can't be sorrowful, believe, and faithful for ten minutes and be "saved". We must initially feel sorrow and never forget that we're saved because we're sinners and rebelled against God. Belief and faith is likened to a race by Paul:

1 Corinthians 9:24 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

Running to obtain is determination. Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile. Those who looked back lost the race. Determination is looking ahead. Looking to finish the race.  Looking back causes uncertainity and doubt. Just as the Olympians of Paul's time, we look forward! Who comes to mind when one thinks of "looking back"? Lot's wife. She made one last look at what she was leaving. The "race" for her ended right there. She just didn't have the commitment to move forward and put that sinful city behind her!

Galatians 5:22  (ESV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Look at that! Again we're flabberghasted because "self-control" is working by ourselves, but it's a "fruit of the spirit". We become able to control ourselves because the Holy Spirit is there to check us! He's the comforter. Jesus didn't expect us to be like him on our own:

John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Isn't that just like God? He wants us to practice "self-control" then he helps us to do that!  Our salvation is maintaining our faith to the end and the Holy Spirit is right there to keep us believing!  That's for the spiritual things of life, but God will help us in all things:

Philippians 4:13 (ESV) "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

"All things" includes our New Year's Resolutions; what we're committed to do at any time of the year. How are we able to keep our resolutions?

1) Desire to change. (Listen to what God wants).
2) Determination to change.(Self-satisfaction and to please God)
3) Plan of how to make the change, (Ask God's guidance)
4) Self-control. (Listen to the Spirit).
5) Look at the change as accomplished, not in process.
6) Prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
7) Look to the finish line (The change accomplished. Don't consider failure).
8) Motivation to "finish the race" (Tryers are quiters and quitters lose).
9) Watch yourself finish the race.
10) Accept that the race as over. Don't run it again!  Success.

This formula works for "all things". Bad habits and over-eating are included. Exercising and toning the temple of God is in his will. Cursing can be defeated. Lying can be extinquished! Just be determined. Resolve yourself right now to change something or many things!

The Gifts of Christmas: What Jesus got!

Why do we give presents as Christmastime?  Some say it was because St. Nicholas was a giver of gifts, but it's origin as pertains to the Bible is from the following passage:

 

Matthew 2:11 "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

 

The gifts given to the baby Jesus were gifts of hope! They honored his birth, but represented his death and resurrection! Jesus was born to die. The gifts made to the newborn were gifts of wisdom and prophecy. Not only did they represent the hope of Jesus's mission, but acknowledged the hope of Christ to come from the early days of tabernacle and temple worship. Our antecedents knew Jesus and used gold, frankincense and myrrh in their worship hundreds of years before Jesus was born. Why? Because Jesus was already with them. They knew Jesus!

 

Let's take the gift of gold first. It's the easy one! The word "gold" is Latin for "glow of sunrise". Jesus's tomb was empty at sunrise. His resurrection was the "glow" for mankind. That glow is "hope"! Coincidence? I think not!  Gold nuggets are the "rocks" found in stream beds of running water. Jesus is the "rock of our salvation"! (Psalm 18:2). Jesus's was buried in a tomb hewn from rock!  Jesus was the "stone" of Christianity!

 

Ephesians 2:20 "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;"

 

Gold represents Jesus and his royalty!  Jesus was royalty because he is God. Heaven is his throne and the earth is his footstool. God's abode was on the "mercy seat" atop the arc of the covenant. It was a seat of gold!

 

Hebrews 9:4 "Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly."

 

Gold, being found in running water, which represents the living water which Jesus is (John 4:10).

 

Since recorded history gold has been the standard of value due to its beauty, purity and utility. Gold represents love, hope, wealth, power, strength, warmth, happiness, hope, justice, knowledge, and perfection among many others. All these attributes of qualities possessed by Jesus! Again, I ask "A coincidence that Jesus was honored by gold?" I think not!

 

Gold represents Immanuel, "God with Us", the life of Jesus. The royalty of Jesus was displayed on the sign at the top of the cross. He was even declared king by his assassins! Yes, Jesus was a nugget of gold!

 

Myrrh was another gift. It's not common to the western world, but Asia and Asia Minor have known of it's qualities throughout history. In ancient times it was worth its weight in gold. It indeed was a gift for royalty and was befitting the birth of the new born King!

 

Myrrh is from the Aramaic language. This was the common man's language at the time of Jesus and Jesus spoke Aramaic. Myrrh means "was bitter".  Bitters were offered to Jesus on Calvary.

 

Mark 15:22 "And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

 

Myrrh points toward the sacrifice Jesus was to make for mankind! 

 

When people harvest myrrh, they "wound" the trees repeatedly to "bleed" them of the gum. As the trees were "wounded" to save the sap to make the myrrh, so was Jesus "wounded" to save our souls!

 

1 Peter 2:24 (ESV) "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. "

 

Just as Jesus, by being wounded, healed mankind, myrrh was taken from a wounded tree to that we may be healed. Here's why: Myrrh is excellent for skin conditions, is helpful in toning and soothing  aged skin. Myrrh oil is also used as medicine for various skin conditions, bronchitis, diseases of the lungs and even hemorrhoids. Myrrh was even used by the ancient Egyptians for the embalming of mummies.  Jesus in his death was preserved by myrrh:

 

John 19:38 "And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury."

 

Myrrh was given to Jesus at his birth as a picture of his healing for us, his own wounds, and even his death! Those wise men were surely divinely inspired!

 

Myrrh, as well as frankincense, was an ingredient used in the consecrated incense used in the Temples at Jerusalem. God loved the pleasing aroma of the incense even back in the tabernacle! As he rested on the mercy seat, incense was offered with the meat offering, as it was the atonement of the sins of the people. Incense represents mercy which God has given for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus was most merciful, sacrificing himself!

 

Myrrh represents the death and resurrection of Jesus!

 

Frankincense, like myrrh,  was one of the ingredients in the perfume of the sanctuary (Exodus 30:34), and was used as an accompaniment of the meat-offering (Leviticus 2:1).

That third gift to the baby Jesus was frankincense, the word coming  from Old French, meaning "high quality incense" which is a tree resin having a spicy and fruity fragrance and is soothing to the lungs. It helps to rejuvenate and tone mature skin. It's used for anxiety, problems of the lungs, scars, and stress.

 

Frankincense is tapped from the small Boswellia trees by slashing the bark,  and allowing the resin to bleed out and harden, which are called "tears".

 

"Slashing" is the application of stripes on the bark of the tree. Just as frankincense (and  myrrh) is bled from a tree, Jesus blood flowed freely from a "tree", the cross (Acts 5:30).  Jesus wounds were from being slashed with a whip:

 

1 Peter 2:24 "Who his (Jesus) own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

 

Just as the Boswellia tree is slashed and bled to bleed a healing liquid Jesus was slashed and bled to heal or sins; to save us. Frankincense represents the crucifixion of Jesus!

 

The hardened Frankincense is called "tears" It's the result of slashing and bleeding of the resin.  Jesus had tears. He cried for us!

 

Mark 15:37 "And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost."

 

The "tears" of frankincense are a picture of the tears of Jesus. Yes, Jesus cried real tears. Those tears were for you!

 

Leviticus 2:1 above spoke of frankincense used to accompany the "meat offering". That too is a picture of Jesus on the Cross. Jesus was the "meat offering" which was then used as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people, Jesus's "meat offering" was to atone for the sins of all! He was the meat. He was the offering. He offered himself for us!

 

Frankincense is a representation of the his grace and death!

Those were three thoughtful gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Each had significance. They honored the King. They told the story of why he was born. He was born to die and those magi knew that! God inspired them.  They had discernment! While they came to honor the birth of Jesus, they came also to celebrate his life and death. Their gifts reflected that!

The gifts of the magi had significance. They weren't meant for pleasure and enjoyment. They were tokens of worship. Jesus and his family would care little for the material gifts, but much for the picture of Jesus; his purpose in this world!

When we give gifts to celebrate Christ's birth, is what we give and how we give it reverent and honorable? Are our gifts for pleasure and enjoyment, or is there some signficance to what we give? Giving a video game in remembrance of Jesus isn't likely as meaningful as a gift to represent our own commitment in honor of Jesus, the reason for the season. Giving love is the gift that keeps on giving! What can you give which "loves"?

Personally, I cherish a card or note with a loving message written. One serious and applicable. It means something. A photo of the giver is great, maybe even framed. A photo of the giver and me together is even more appreciative. It signifies unity.  Love is the message of Christmas!   Kick the "giving just to give" habit and "give meaningfully" just as the magi did! Now you know.

Best Christmas Gifts

I'm not much for Christmastime. I don't like to shop and hate to see those I love disappointed when what I buy is really horrible! I also miss some of my family at this time of year; those living and those gone. I'm pretty much into giving money because it seems that most people like getting money. However, trading money is silly! I'm not a scrooge by any means, but I just miss the Christmas's of my childhood. We seldom got presents, but when we did it was clothing. Not outside wear clothing, but underwear and socks. Few people seldom saw what we got for Christmas!

What I remember most about Christmas was the fruit and candy that we didn't get at other times of the year. Most memorable was sitting around the kitchen table and laughing and having a good time with family in spite of their being little to give nor receive. There was no tension or stress because there was no jealousy because someone got better than another, or because someone was forgotten. No one had hurt feelings for not getting because none of us "got".

We got what we expected and were happy since we didn't deserve anything. Gifts are not payment for doing something, but outward expressions of love. Instead of gifts which represented love, we got the real thing. We got love in action!

Some believe that they must buy a person much to show how much they love them. I submit that buying quantities of gifts conceals the love that should be easily seen. I knew Mom and Dad loved me more than anything although they didn't shower me with gifts. I thank them for not doing that!

The best gifts Dad gave me were tears and a lump in his throat when I went off to college. I was totally on my own after that and he foresaw it. What a great gift! What a great memory! If you don't have a memories of wanting, but not getting, you missed the best gift of all. You missed maturity!

Since I'm not into cheap gifts of Christmas figurines, tupperwear or faux  diamond jewelry... or even toys, electronic or otherwise, I have here the gifts that I have:

For my rebellious son I give you UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and GOOD ADVICE.
For my daughter I give FATHERLY LOVE and WISDOM TO DISCERN
For my middle son I give GENUINE LOVE and ENCOURAGEMENT.
For my step-daughter I give DEVOTED LOVE and PEACE.
For my step-son-in-law I give THANKFUL LOVE and a THANK YOU.
For my grandaughters I give HAPPY LOVE and a LEGACY
For my grandson I give SIMPLE LOVE and a FUTURE.
For my wife I give ALL MY LOVE and DEVOTION.
To my siblings I give BROTHERLY LOVE and GOOD MEMORIES.
For my friends I also give BROTHERLY LOVE and MANY THANKS.
For my preacher I give GODLY LOVE and GRATITUDE.
For God I give ALL MY LOVE and ME! (That's all I have.)

Now here's a list of what I want:

I want LOVE and HUGS from my grandchildren, children, friends and preacher. I want FORGIVENESS from the Lord and from my wife I want ATTENTION, FIDELITY, UNITY and TWO KINDS OF LOVE: PHILIO and EROS. All the gifts that I have asked for cost nothing. They shouldn't be too hard to give.

Now that's a cheap Christmas for any others to give and a valuable Christmas to me!

Rendition of the Eve before Chrismas

On the eve before Christmas, when all through the church.

The Bibles were laying upon the pews of birch,

Not a sinner was fearing, not even a drunk.

That Jesus was there; I had a hunch!

The sinners were comfortable all on cushioned pews,

And family were by them, oh, yes quite a few!

While thoughts of a fine dinner tempted their tummy.

Had just opened the eyes of one atheist dummy.

When up on the pulpit the preacher chattered.

He sprang from the seat to see what it mattered.

Away to the altar he flew like a flash,

For he was the sinner the Lord was to bash!

In the word of the Lord some saints glow.

While sinners thought of eternity so hot below!

When, what to my wondering mind should appear,

Jesus, on the cross, crying caring tears!

My wife poked me hard as I began to wink.

I knew at that moment I could die in a blink.

More quickly than an eagle the Spirit came,

And he knocked and whispered my own name!

"Now Cusser! now, Liar! now, Prancer and Vixens!

On, Gossiper! On, Stupid! on Dreamer and Sick Ones!

To the front to the altar! to the top of the cross!

Don't dash away! Dash away! Cold as frost!"

As dry eyes become tears responding by and by,

Then they met with an obstacle, the devil's ally.

So up to the steeple the principalities they flew,

With the promise of joys, and sinful pleasures too.

And then, with an eye twinkling, I saw upon the roof

The praising and singing of the angels aloof!

As I was confused in the head, but was turning around,

Down on my shoulder, came the devil's hound.

He was attired all in fur, from vile head to foot,

And his coat was all blemished with sulfur and soot.

A bunch of wolves all in a a pack,

And he looked like a meddler, carrying evil on his back.

Then appeared Jesus-I went from mourning to merry!

His love shown like roses, his grace for even the leery!

His angels singing songs all with a glowing halo,

And the souls of real men were made white as the snow.

A chunk of wood he held in his arm,

The wood from a cross still makes men mourn.

He had broad shoulders to carry all men,

The church shook when he carried away my sin!

He was serene and calm, and ready to help,

I smiled when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A blink of his eye and a nod of his head,

Soon assured me that I had little to dread.

He said not a word, but went on with his work,

And filled my soul, me who'd been such a jerk!

After laying his hand on so many he chose,

He gave nod, and upward toward heaven he arose!

He sang and smiled and sweetly made a whistle,

I saw that his crown was no longer of thorns and thistle!

And I heard him claim, as he disappeared from sight,

Thank you for a Merry Christmas, and to all who love me “do right!"

My Last Will and Testament

We were all born! What other date with destiny will we all have? We will die, all except a blessed few who are alive when Jesus comes in the sky! From the moment we're conceived we commence our journey to death. Due to apoptosis 70 billion of our cells die each day.  "Apoptosis" is the technical term for "programmed cell death". God programmed the rate to give mankind a limited lifespan:

Genesis 6:3 "And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years."

 

We're all dying at 70 billion cells a minute.  If we're "blessed" (which is arguable) the maximum life span is 120 years. However, many will die before their time. King Hezekiah asked God for an additional 15 years. He got misery! (Isaiah 38:5). Extended life does not equal joy!

 

When are we dead? Scientists even argue the point. Is it when the heart stops. Is it when oxygen is depleted? Is it when brain activity ceases? You get the point! It's debatable... when are you dead?

 

We do know that there is a time interval between "heart death" and "mind death" where the dying person realizes they're dead and have an anxiety attack. Doctors even prescribe a fast-acting sub-lingual anxiety drug to lesson the panic. "I was scared to death!" may be more common than we think.

 

From the time we're born we're dying because we're human, but "nature" is also trying to kill us! Anything from harmful sun rays to non-potable water to killer virus's are after our life. Mankind tries to survive nature and we all fail. Even if we escape natural forces our fellow-man steps in! Many are killed by wars and hate. Life is not "like a box of chocolates". It's a "jungle out there!" Death is the occupation of Satan, but he joy of the Lord!

 

When does God say we die? It's when our spirit leaves our body!

 

Luke 8:53 "And they laughed him (Jesus) to scorn, knowing that she (the 12 yr old girl) was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway"

 

Mankind consists of mind, body and spirit. All three must take absence to be dead. It would appear that the "last to go" is the spirit. Hence, death is at the expiration of the mind and body and the departure of the spirit. A dead body is no use to a living spirit, so the spirit makes its pilgrim way to where spirits reside... the spiritual world!

 

Yes, we're all destined to die. It's unavoidable and the older we get the more we consider death. At sixteen I was invulnerable and eternal. At forty I saw the light. At sixty I'm blessed each day that I arise!

Benjamin Franklin said in 1789 "'In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

Dr. Franklin said this. He didn't make it up. Another wrote similarly before Dr. Franklin, but the origin is from King Solomon:

Solomon said (Ecclesiastes 12:7) "Then (list of events) shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

You can see that Ecclesiastes 12:7 and Luke 8:53 are in harmony and scripture is internally consistent. It's the same truth for all ages because truth isn't time dependent. Truth isn't variable! Both, written 800 years or so apart, agree that the spirit leaves with death. Therefore, death is the departure of our living spirit. We never die. We live on! What's problematic is where our spirit is to reside. For me and my house, I choose God's Paradise!

Moses spoke of conception and death. We start this life with the elements (dust) and after experiencing the flow of life-blood we return to the elements. In between lies sorrow and joy, peace and tribulation, hunger and provision, doubt and faith,  uncertainty and hope, and solitude and communion! We shall return from whence we came as did all before us (excepting Enoch, Elijah and Jesus).

 

Genesis 3:19 "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

Christians celebrate death! It's not something relished, but it's inevitable. We "see the departed off" not for the dead, but for the living. We're to comfort others who have lost one they love!  We console the living for in their sorrow man thinks hard of his own destiny. Theologians have taken Genesis 3:19 and made it a funeral prayer:

 

From the Book of Common Prayer we have:

 

"Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself."

Yes, life is all about dying! If not dealing with death, it is our futile struggle to avoid death. Just as the Romans ate cake and partied as their civilization died, many eat, drink and are merry in the face of reality. That's how they cope with certainty. They are fooling no one, but themselves. Few think of death because it's not a pleasant subject and mankind lives for pleasure. We just sing a little louder!

We must all face death! I've prepared my heart long ago, but I have failed often. Here's my "Last Will and Testament":

1)  I ask God to honor my belief and faith as weak as it is.
2) I ask God to forgive my many sins, especially those I do continually.
3) I ask God's pardon that my eminent death is "all about me".
4) I ask God to comfort me in my demise. To heap hope on me in abundance!
5) I ask my children to forgive my imperfect role as father.
6) I ask my wife to forgive my short-comings as a husband.
7) I ask God to forget my blunderings in marriage.
8) I ask God to forgive me for not loving him enough.
9) I ask God to forgive me for not loving others enough.
10) I ask that Jesus mediate for me with his Father.
11) I thank God for his mercy.
12) I thank God for the joy I've had in this life.
13) I thank God for pulling me through the hard times.
14) I thank God for providing health, happiness and hospitality. All my comfort he has provided.
15) I leave my wealth here from whence it came.
16) I leave my problems and sickness behind.
17) I ask that the Lord provide in my absence for my wife.
18) I ask that there be no strife for what little wealth I leave.
19) I ask that friends and family forget bitterness and remember the good times.
20) I ask that my legacy be what I've written for generations to consider.
21) I thank God in advance for my heavenly home he's prepared for me.
22) I remit my soul to God and look forward to kneeling in his presence!
23) I await the time I can sing those praises which linger in my heart because my voice is lacking.
24) I thank the angels from God who protected me so many times when I flirted with death.
25) I thank the Holy Spirit for tugging at my heart and allowing my mind to acquiesce.
26) I ask that I not linger at death's door nor feel the pain of death.
27) I bequeath what remains to those I leave behind in the hope that they follow me later where we shall unite again!

My home, my hobbies, my enjoyments along with the pecuniary are all temporal gifts. I'm grateful for their use this short time and leave them behind because I no longer have a need for them!

Repentance is the Key: Grace free to all

I am prompted to go where man often goes, but with that voyage, others often war within. We each have our own opinion. We have our own belief. However, is our opinion and belief consistent with the internal consistency of scripture? The latest news about  Phil Robertson's statement on homosexuality raises such ire.

There are many arguments minimizing homosexual behavior:

1) They are born that way.
2) Jesus never taught against homosexuality.
3) We are to love everyone. That includes homosexuals.
4) Scripture isn't the inspired word of God.
5) The destruction of Sodom and Gemorrah was because of homophobia.
6) Christianity is an intolerant hateful religion.
7) All sins are equal.

1) They are born that way:

Yes, they were! We are all born with the predisposition to sin.

Romans 5:12 (KJV)  "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"

 

One person's sin may be lasciviousness, anothers theft or anothers lying. Most people are actually prone to sin in many behaviors. The sin of homosexuality is a behavior, not a genetic trait, because a choice is made.

 

Matthew 7:13 (KJV) " Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:"

 

There are two gates. The gate to destruction and the one to preservation. Which gate a person takes is a choice. Mankind was given reason and a free will. We're not forced to obey. it must be done freely to please God. It's an act of love.

 

God doesn't destroy what he has created unless its vile. The cities of Sodom and Gemorrah were destroyed because of sin. That particular sin was homosexuality. Mankind had become perverse in their ways. If God had created them homosexual, he certainly would not have destroyed them. He never destroyed the blind, the inform nor the handicapped!

 

2) Jesus never taught against homosexuality:

 

Jesus is God. Jesus has no beginning and no end because he was there at the creation. This is found in John 1. What Jesus says and did is always internally consistent with God because Jesus is God manifested to mankind! "Internally consistent" means that God never contradicts himself. Sometimes our interpretation is such, but God doesn't.

 

Here's what God says about homosexual behavior:

 

Lev. 18:22 "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."1

Lev. 20:13 "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon them"

1 Cor. 6:9-10 "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

Rom. 1:26-28 "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."

Remembering that Jesus IS GOD, Jesus said that it's "an abomination" it's "detestable", it's damnable and it's "depraved". Is Jesus a liar, or those who would argue this point in denial? You know the answer!

3) We are to love everyone including homosexuals:

That's a very true statement! We are all sinners and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23 (KJV) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

 

We have all sinned. That doesn't mean that all sins are equal. It just means without saving grace that we're all damned!

 

The antidote for sin is Jesus:

 

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

 

Believing in Jesus is believing what is righteous. It's not rationalizing our particular sin. In order to get forgiveness we must feel contrition. If sorrow is felt by any sinner, including the homosexual, redemption is available to those who believe. Yes, we each have trouble giving up our sin of choice!

  

 The key to redemption is repentance!

Luke 3:3 "And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;"

Luke 13:5 "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

The key to salvation is repentance. If one sins it's necessary to have sorrow for the sins. If one's a thief, he must be sorrow that he stole. If one's a philanderer, he must be sorry for his infidelity and if one is a homosexual, he must be sorry for egregious behavior. One can't continue in their "sin of choice" and be truly remorseful! Most thieves quit stealing when they're saved. Oh, they may do some petty theft when tempted on rare occasions, but their lifestyle is not one of rebellious behavior. However, those who are homosexual not only practice that behavior in thought, if not deed, but try to justify the behavior by denigrating God-breathed scripture.

Homosexual leaders condemn Christianity instead of having remorse! They may be reprobate!

Romans 1:28 "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"

A reprobate is one damned to hell. God has given up on them! Reprobation is reserved for those who continually reject Christ and even mock his word. They are full of disobedience and live for self!  We're to quit trying to save the reprobate:

Mark 6:11 "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

This particular verse seems to be directed at homosexuals.  The people spoken of in this passage are reprobate. As Christians we are to "shake off the dust under your feet" in response to their deaf ears! Since Sodom and Gemorrha are mentioned and their sin was homosexuality, my interpretation is that practicing homosexuals are reprobate.  I don't mean that to be mean, but that's what I understand from the words of God, which I honor!

Romans 1: 27 "And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"

4) Scripture isn't the inspired word of God:

If you believe that scripture is not divinely inspired you are part of the false Church and are among the anti-Christs.

2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God..."

Enough said! If one is making the claim that the Bible is just "teachings" they are just denying God! When the Bible says something it's truth because God is Truth!

Deuteronomy 32:4 "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he."

When even theologians take issue with the inspired word of God, they are dupes of Satan and not part of the universal church of Christ. When God says that homosexuality is an abomination, that's what it is! We haven't learned more about the behavior because God the Creator knew all about it from Day One!

The people who teach that scripture is not divinely inspired are the same who teach "social justice". I must point out that "social justice" is often at odds with "divine justice". Social justice is the toleration of any behavior! "Divine justice" is based on obedience to God's word:

2 Corinthians 2:9 "For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things."

"All things" should be obvious! A Christian quits sinning! He quits cursing, fornicating, murdering, and he quits lascivious and lewd behaviors, including homosexuality. The church which accepts sin as a normal Christian life style are called the "Great Whore Babylon" by St. John. End of time behaviors included a greater propensity of homosexual behavior!

5) The destruction of Sodom and Gemorrah was because of homophobia:

Genesis 19:4 "But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know (have sex with) them (two angels which are all males)."

The destruction was because of homosexuality! Those who dream up homophobia are liars! Fearing anything was never a sin!

6) Christianity is an intolerant hateful religion.

Those who espouse this view no nothing of the teachings of Christ... or just choose to fool themselves! Christ is all about love and forgiveness. He's merciful and gracious. However, he hates the behavior of sin and the thoughts of the sinner. Those who say that Christianity is hateful are full of hate themselves! Rather than submit to God they retain their rebellious hearts. Their destination is hell. We should never give them ear!

7) All sins are equal:

It's true that all are sinners! That doesn't mean that all sin is equal.

John 19:11 "Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."

Sin has degree! Pontius Pilate had Jesus killed, but those who delivered Jesus to Pilate had greater sin. Yes, sin does have degree! Anyone knows that if you're guilty of breaking one law you may have well broke them all because works do not save!  However, that doesn't imply that a Christian who sins will go to hell. Those who live a life of sin and are unrepentant will be in apostasy and damn themselves. One cannot be a practicing homosexual and expect to enter the kingdom of God any more than a murderer can kill every day and expect a heavenly reward.

However, many believe that smoking is a sin. Smoking is an outward activity taken by mouth. It's not desirable behavior, but scripture tells us that it's of no matter what goes into the mouth:

Matthew 15:11 "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."

 

Smoking is merely an addictive habit which interferes with communion with God. Because the body is God's temple, it's being disrespectful. The heart may be righteous, but what one takes into the body contaminated. I'm of the opinion that no one is in hell because they smoke, as much as I hate smoking. However, those who practice abominable acts are disgusting to God. What they need is a remission of sins which means a cessation of sin! If one lives their life in a manner as they did before salvation, were they truly saved, "faux saved" on their own terms, or have they changed.

 

Becoming a new person means putting off the old:

 

2 Corinthians 5:17  " Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

Being a Christian means being a changed person! The old sinning self is buried, the sin washed away and their spirit renewed.  What is left behind is a life of sin! Yes, we still sin, but we try not to! I do things wrong, myself, but repent. Does the homosexual repent when sodomizing or does he justify that behavior? It's obvious that those who practice this sin endeavor to justify it rather than obey God. That's rationalizing sinful behavior. They hope to get on the train, but don't have the ticket!

 

Those who accept the notion that all sins are equal are trivializing what God deems disgusting. He never said that smoking is disgusting. He did say that homosexuality is! Using this argument one who smokes or drinks adult bevereges are enablers for those who fornicate with people of the same sex. We need to be careful what we believe because it will damn others!

 

You say that you have friends and family who are nice people, but are homosexual? Who are the most kind loving people? It has been reported that pedophiles seem to be the most kind and loving. That's a trick of the devil! He mixes a little "good" into the pot of "evil" so we rationalize our sin of choice!

 

If we don't admonish and rebuke the sins of people we're damning them to everlasting punishment. If Christians don't reprove homosexuals, those who you claim that you love are going to hell because you enabled them!

 

Consider what I've written. Consider scripture. When one does what's right in their own heart, they're on a path to  destruction because an unsaved heart is depraved! A saved heart is tainted by the disobedience of Adam. Be careful what you believe!