Category Archives: religion

It is Enough

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You think:
..It is enough to pay your bills on time.
..It is enough to abstain from drunkenness.
..It is enough to abstain from lewd behavior in public.
..It is enough to give to charity as often as you can.
..It is enough to know what the Bible has to say.
..It is enough to raise your children in the same behaviors as these.
..These things, being enough, you pursue what pleasure you desire.
.. It is enough to apply what laws of God provide you the prosperity of your perception.
.. It is enough to come alongside a select few and teach them the things you know.

My friend, if these things describe your life, you have a religion that has no power.  While all these things are perfectly sufficient in the world of men, they are but as filthy rags before the righteousness of the Holy Most High God in Christ Jesus.

What I have described are what men refer to as “good behaviours”.  But they do not begin to touch the things of a man born of God.

Every one of those things relies on “self” to accomplish.  Let the slightest complication come upon you, and there is no strength for defense.  If this is so in the things of the world, how much more so on the Great Day of Judgement?

The power of prayer, to such people, is left as if an emergency switch.  “If I run into trouble I will pray to God.  Perhaps he will help me in my day of distress.”  My friend, your day of distress is upon you even now, and you do not perceive it.  It has been well said, “Life is not a dress rehearsal”.

If those things are the way you run your life, how are you any different then the Israelites who fell dead in the desert?  What hope do you have that is more than theirs?

It is written, “They will have a form of religion, but deny the power of it”.  For, those who fell in the desert did not combine their belief with a holy faith.  They willingly desired the good things of men, while they willingly ignored the good and Holy things of God

Test yourself to see if this is true of you.  How often do you pray?  Do you crave the Living Word of the Bible?  Do you yearn for the sermon you missed, because you were too busy to attend?  Does your soul have confidence that your words are heard by the Most High God when you pray?  Are you absolutely sure, that when you die, you will be with Jesus the Christ forever?

May the living God, in Christ Jesus, open your eyes to understand what I have written.

The Search

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I am not an accomplished professor of all things.  There are vastly more things I do not know than what I do possess.  I am not a smart man, as men would call one smart.  I am vastly more a fool, than wise and elderly.

The time I have left, to be among the things of this world, is far less than the years I have already seen.  And my time to become what men speak of a “special” is passing quickly.  If it has not passed already.

But I will impart what I have learned.  Perhaps there is benefit to some.

I have examined the world from the perspective of sin, and found it utterly lacking.  In the way of sin, I have walked more vigorously than most.  And so I can testify with surety.  Life is not there.

I have examined other religions from a distance, as I sought release from my pathetic state.  I did not have time, nor inclination to immerse myself in their teachings.  To do so would have required pledging myself.  I did not possess such earnest intent.  Nor would time allow.

But every religion established by man is full of fault and worthless tripe.  None of them held sufficient truth to remedy my plight.  They said “do”, but I could not.  Therefore life is not found among them.

I examined the law of God and found it true.  I speak of the law of God as found in the Holy Bible, not as men say is the law of God.

I found the law of God in the Holy Scriptures to be founded on eternity.  But one does not need read far, to realize the Holy Law of the Living God is more than man can accomplish.

In the law of God I found life.  But by the law I found I was put to death.  At last my struggle is over.  But what should I do, am I to die?  Is that the summation of this struggle?  I still had desire to live.  So though law of God is life, I found myself dead in its reading.

Now I will testify of what I have found. 

There is one who has fulfilled the law of God on behalf of all men.  He is willing to enter a man’s sin and drive it out.

Now this is life!  All he asks is that I am willing.  Having searched what is, of course I am willing.

I have proof in my soul that he has come and made drastic change.  I have proof in this testimony that he is true and able to save.  I find that I believe.  So I proudly wear that name.  I find myself doing the things I thought were too hard for a man.

If I had last words, these would be it.  Search for all you will, you will not find anything greater than Christ Jesus.  He is Life!

Human robots

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To have our activities repressed is not a sign of righteousness.  Just because your sinful nature obeys your command in the Lord, it does not mean your sinful nature will be saved.

The same may well be true of the soul.  Just because you do what you are told, though you would constantly rather do otherwise, does not necessarily mean you will be saved.  That kind of obedience to the Lord’s desire borders on false religion.

The Lord desires fellowship.  He is not keenly interested in creating human robots.  We not only learn to do what is right, it is also good to learn to love and desire righteousness.

In such a man, the Lord easily finds fellowship.  For he himself was praised for hating wickedness and loving. righteousness.

Rise up and consider

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He stands enthroned beautiful and lifted up.  Holy and true, the singular word of God.  Tested, he is approved.  He has loved righteousness and hated wickedness therefore God the Father has made him first of all.

Meek and humble, he works, diligently and without ceasing, for the sake of those who call on his name; that they may learn to love him and do the will of his Father. Trustworthy is one of his names.  Anointed with the oil of joy he rules with righteousness, wisdom, compassion, truth and justice.

He is forever standing ready to do the will of the Father.  In the twinkling of an eye his obedience is absolute.  Perfect!  And at the appointed time he will receive the command of his Father to put an end to this place.  He will not delay.

He alone has walked this place in which we live and succeeded in obeying every command of the Sovereign God.  He is, therefore, to be called Faithful.  In every way he is the perfect representation of the Most High God.

What then is to be said of how the world treats this magnificent Lord?  They give him no praise or Glory.  Instead they use his name in jokes, wicked exclamations and derision of one another.  They create their own religions for the exclusive purpose of blotting out His Majesty.  Though many adore the celebrations of his name they give him no honor, for their lives are a reflection of his enemy.

He will judge his people.  He will purify and teach.  No one will come to the Father but by him.  His people are taught to obey his every command. While the world treats him as the worst of possible men.

What has he done that you hate him so deeply?  Have you even asked that question?  Why do you use his name as an expression of disbelief?  Why do you dishonor God by dishonoring the Son?  All the while you think you are a good man.

Where is holiness?  You say you love him.  Where is the proof in your heart that you have had communion with this Son of Heavenly Royalty?  You will think that I judge you simply because I asked.  But examine yourself and give answer to He who lives forever.

Where is the deep and abiding  desire to do what is right and holy and pure and true?  Examine yourself.  For you will surely be examined.   And the examiner will examine you with absolute truth.

Do you retain the right to be a minister of your life?  Are you your own judge?  Are you satisfied with the perfection you have attained?  Will the Most High God be satisfied with your compromise?  Is your temple of holy service constructed of rotten cardboard?  Will such a structure stand the torrent of Holy Fire on that fearful and terrible day?

Cease your heckling.  Clamp shut your lips lest you are called before God.  Put your pride to death by the power of Jesus the Son of God.  Submit to his rule and learn what is true.

Consider the majesty of Christ Jesus.  This day, and what days you may have left in this place of testing, are the only moments you will be given to come to terms with God’s chosen salvation.  Before you accept the Lord Jesus you are already condemned to death.  The choice belongs to you. 

Rise up and consider.

Through or Into the Flames We Go.

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fire

Image by matthewvenn via Flickr

Making a choice regarding religion is not like buying a new car.  Though there are a myriad of religions and a gaggle of new cars to choose from, there is only one God.  So how can we decide what’s right?  There are a few items for thought regarding religions.  And we will prove ourselves wise if we consider them.

1. God is the creator.  So what is made is not the creator Himself.  We can expect then that any religion which holds creation as greater than God is false.

2. Man is sinful and wicked to the core.  Look at how many times you’ve lied in the last 24 hours.  Either you lied because you wanted something and thought it would be the best way around, or you lied because you weren’t completely up to speed with reality.  But you lied.  Consider how many times you looked at your speedometer and found you were going to fast for the speed zone.  Isn’t this breaking the law?  And don’t all people know that breaking the law is to be imperfect?  Bottom line, you’re not potentially perfect.  You’re full to over flowing with sin.  God does not lie.  So any religion which brings man to the place of potential perfection is false.

3. If God is true and every man a liar.  And if He says that all men will die eternally because of their wickedness.  And if Christianity provides a sacrifice for our sins in Jesus (which it does).  Then the choices get very limited very quickly.

 

You’re not going to find a religion, regardless what they say, which offers the hope of the Lord Jesus.  Cults abound.  False hope is as plentiful as corn dogs at the state fair.  But there is One who is true.  And He has marked out the way in the Bible.  Spurn the Lord Jesus and you will reap a whirlwind of horror.  Embrace Him and you will find the power to hope and live.  We have been given one life.  It’s this one you’re using right now to read this.  There is no other chance to get it right.  The Bible holds the Gospel (good news).  Don’t listen to all the trash in this world.  Go straight to the source.

When you read the Bible you’ll become afraid.  I promise that.  And you’ll be tempted to put it down in a hurry.  But that fear is a recognition that the Holy Fire of God is present in those words.  You have to walk through that fire to find the Lord Jesus.  Live or die.  It’s your choice.

By His Grace.