Tag Archives: mercy

Christian, Inspirational

Mercy Me

Why are some people deaf to the truth? Romans 10:17 KJV says, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. This is a clear answer, but it raises additional questions. In fact, it makes me think about predestination and the mercy of God.

Because of the mercy of God I was raised in a Church that understood baptism. Baptism is a matter of salvation, it’s not just for show. It cleanses our past sins and brings us into the family of God.

The Lord was merciful to me. I was baptized at age 12. But nearly that very same week I fell back into sin. I continued being addicted to porn for over thirty years. Around 18, I acquired an additional addiction in the form of smoking cigarettes. During much of this period I still attended Church on a regular to sporadic basis. In a long process that began with a healthy fear of the Lord, I started reading the Holy Bible. With Jesus help I broke free of my addictions. I have finally became a born again Christian.

Am I saying I’m predestined for Heaven. I hope so. What I can say is that the Lord has been merciful and long suffering for me. He watched over me all those years of living in sin and not even attending Church at all. He led me to him through opening my understanding while reading his Holy Bible KJV. He gave me the strength to confess my sins. I confessed to the Church, to the police, and even to family and friends. He has been true to his word in 1 John 1:9, which offers forgiveness after water baptism. There is hope if we trust in the Lord. He will help us overcome our sin. As Jesus said in John 8:32 KJV, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Is there anything we can do to open the ears of the deaf? I don’t know. I think it is up to the Lord. Is predestination the answer then? Maybe. Some are predestined for eternal salvation in Heaven while others are predestined for eternal damnation in Hell.

However, I wouldn’t us this as an excuse to give up, an excuse to continue in your sin. He has given us freewill and until the day I die I will follow the Lord striving against sin and attempting to walk in the light.

Besides, predestination is largely a POV, point of view. God already knows where we are going and what we will do. He is omniscient or all knowing, but we live in time. Redeem the time. Pray to the Lord to open your ears and your understanding. And that he will grant you the mercy and strength to walk in the light.

Standard
Christian

Never Give Up

How many chances does God give?

I don’t know the answer to that.

What I do know is that only 3 individuals have their final judgment written in the Holy Bible. The beast, the False Prophet, and the devil will be thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:10.

Therefore if you are man, angel, or beast don’t give up. Strive against sin and muster your strength and heart to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

I’ve been told baptism isn’t available to angels and that the gospel was only given to men. I don’t think that’s true. The Bible tells us to preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

I believe in God’s mercy. I believe that angels have the opportunity to ask the Lord about baptism and for forgiveness. I believe he will answer the plea of all that call upon him, Acts 2:21.

1 Peter 4:8 KJV says, And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Even Demons Dare to Dream

Have you ever wondered, can I make it to Heaven? Even fallen angels wonder the same thing.

The truth is only three beings have their final judgment now. They are going to be damned to Hell forever. One is the Devil. The other two may not know their final judgment yet, they may not even be alive. They are two individuals found in the book of Revelation, the Anti-Christ and the false prophet. Revelation 20:10

Because of God’s great mercy even demons might make it back to Heaven. 2 Peter 2:4 tells us that demons haven’t received their final judgment yet.

A continuing hope in Christ is key for both them and us. If they have opportunity then like us they should be baptized (Mark 16:16) and confess their sins (1 John 1:9). It might be easy to lose hope in chains and darkness, but to both demons and men I say remember. Remember only three in the Holy Bible have already been judged, therefore to the rest of us – hope remains.

Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

The Law of Jesus

You can sit through a year’s worth of sermons and not be taught any law. Perhaps longer, as the law, if taught at all, is not taught correctly where I’ve attended for many years. It is also not taught correctly in many, many other congregations from what I’ve witnessed on television and trips to other churches.

We are told where I attend that we are under the law of Jesus and the New Testament. This is true, but their understanding of the law is flawed and their discernment limited.

What is the law of Jesus?

Jesus said it repeatedly. Keep my Father’s will. To get an understanding of the Father’s will, which includes the law, we must not exclude the Old Testament. When asked by one man which commandments we should keep, Jesus listed off 5 or 6. Matthew 19:17-19. It would have been nice if he had listed all ten in these oft cited verses, but all ten are covered in the New Testament. Not 6. Not 7. Not 8. Not 9, but 10. The Ten Commandments can be found in Exodus 20 and through doctrine taught in the New Testament.

There is an argument as to when the Church began. We are told that a Testament takes effect when the Testator dies. However, we cannot throw out the body of work – the Testament – at Acts. The Testament includes the four gospels where Jesus taught we should keep the commandments.

Can we then say that the Mosaic law is dead or the Old Testament shouldn’t be followed?

It’s alive in those that keep it.

One significant change in the New Testament was in dietary law. Peter’s dream opening salvation to the Gentiles made the unclean or common clean. Paul affirms this when saying all things eaten with thanksgiving to the Lord are clean – keep in mind this yet excludes food sacrificed to idols.

If God asked them to do something then – it’s wise for us to also do it now. Jesus brought us mercy and truth. What mercy and truth did he bring us? It is better to be merciful than to demand an eye for an eye. It is better to turn the other cheek than to strike back. It is okay to do good on the Sabbath. These among many things. He brought us a better understanding of the law and the Father’s will, he did not abolish it.

Matthew 5:17 KJV Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Standard