Hat tip for graphic: pinterest.com
Our earthly lives are being twisted – by and through the influence being done to people from the enemy of our souls. Those who do not know Jesus Christ and haven’t read or studied the Bible will not be able to discern the truth vs. the lies. That’s a fact!
Jesus told us that “in this world you will have trouble (tribulation).” Fortunately, Christ didn’t stop there. He also said for us to “take heart, for I have overcome the world.”
| Jhn 16:33 | “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” |
I often think about that verse when uncertainty abounds and the world appears to be in chaos. Jesus warned us of such things happening, but we can STILL have peace because of the fact that His sacrificial death on the Cross of Calvary, and His resurrection to life three days later is proof that He has overcome the world.
Another verse that gives me hope and peace is:
| 1Jo 5:4 | For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. |
Being born again in Christ is THE most important goal in life! And, if you think about what these Islamic terrorists REALLY want – it is to rule the world with their “sharia law” and worship a false moon-god named “allah.” Trouble is, Christ’s victory and our faith in Him has overcome the world! So, no matter what happens to us or against us on this earth pales in comparison to the ultimate victory of belonging to Christ in eternity.
Islamists think they can kill their way to make others submit to their barbaric ways. Unfortunately, some who are ignorant, ungodly, and easily persuaded to succumb to evil are joining up with the terrorists. But we know that the one they worship – namely satan – is a defeated foe. Therefore, all that they say and do, and all that they are (physically) on this earth will fall to dust and blow away.
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All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.
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Will they go down to the gates of Sheol?
Shall we have rest together in the dust?” |
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For our soul is bowed down to the dust;
Our body clings to the ground. |
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“What profit is there in my blood,
When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? |
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DALETH
My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. |
Think about it! All that Islamic terrorists strive for here on this earth will be for naught in eternity!
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Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit will return to God who gave it. |
In the prophetic words of Daniel, which is a foreshadowing of the Rapture of the saints and the destruction of the wicked, we read:
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And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. |
Jesus Himself had strong words for those who have been presented with the Gospel, but have chosen to reject the truth:
I love this verse:
| 1Jo 4:4 | You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. |
The Holy Spirit, Who indwells believers at the moment of salvation, will ALWAYS be greater than satan whose ultimate goal is to influence people towards evil in the world. Knowing that no matter what happens to us on this earth, satan can’t touch the souls of believers because Christ overcame satan and his demons at the Cross! This is the greatest comfort known to man!!
That portion of Scripture also tells us:
1 Jo 4:5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
1 Jo 4:6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
The fact is that so many who hold to liberal/progressive/socialist/communist/Islamic/totalitarian etc. ideologies (which most often battle against God, Jesus Christ, and His Word – the Bible) all “speak as of the world” because they ARE “of the world” (and subsequently, are all following “the spirit of error”). So many who are not redeemed are duped into hearing them (“and the world hears them”). The following verse reiterates this fact:
| Mat 7:14 | “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. |
Quite sobering…isn’t it?
In a poem written by my friend D. N., she writes:
“Those who know I AM will see – others never will.”
Here is the entire poem:
Up is down and down is up .
I’m feeling twisted.
Lord have mercy.
There is good.
We are searching.
So many lies on every side things are twisted out of control.
Those who know I AM will see… others never will.
[Written by D. N.]
That’s exactly why we need to share the Gospel. Some will accept, others won’t. It is sorrowful when we put forth our best efforts, but the person ends up rejecting the Gospel message. However, it is extremely joyful when they do accept it!!! We can only plant the seed in their minds and ask them to take the truth of the Gospel to heart. The Holy Spirit of God takes over from there.
Jesus informs us in the following verse that He is not of this world. He is God the Son – in the flesh – so that He could redeem us from sin, evil, and death; and thus reconcile us back unto the Father.
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And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
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This post started with a graphic that cited John 15:13:
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“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
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Jesus Christ is the Messiah that the Old Testament writers and prophets wrote about.
Evil is about sin, hate, indifference and shows itself not only through the physical death of men, but also the spiritual death of men.
Christ took the sins of the world upon Himself in the greatest act of love ever given through this act of grace, mercy, and forgiveness. The contrast between good and evil could not be more obvious. The enemy of our souls comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Christ, following the will of the Father in heaven, came to redeem us from our sins and to give us life. What’s more, He gives us life more abundantly; both now and in eternity.
There is no greater love!
Hat tip for graphic: av1611.org
Tags: Bible, Christian apologetics, faith, faith in Jesus, Jesus Christ, redemption, salvation, truth
Talk Wisdom 
October 4, 2014 at 2:17 am |
Sounds as if you’ve been getting your salvation booster shots:
”Those who do not know Jesus Christ and haven’t read or studied the Bible will not be able to discern the truth vs. the lies. That’s a fact!”
There are people who have read and studied the Bible and reached have not only discerned the truth from the lies, there are also others who have and come up with some mutant form of Christianity that differs from everyone else’s. This is also a fact.
”…if you think about what these Islamic terrorists REALLY want – it is to rule the world with their “sharia law” and worship a false moon-god named “allah.”
A great many Christians also want to rule the world and worship a god some of them call “yahweh”, even though that is a god they stole from some other religion that they don’t follow. I agree with you that Allah is a false god—but then, I think all gods are false.
”Trouble is, Christ’s victory and our faith in Him has overcome the world!”
Trouble is, it hasn’t. If it had overcome the world, there would be no other gods to believe in—and you know that’s not so.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
How about laying down one’s life for someone who is not a friend? Police and firefighters—and sometimes medical workers—do that all the time. Some of them probably never even heard those words of John, nor do they need to. Laying down your life for a friend is no big deal if even pagans can do it.
But risking your life for someone who’d spit in your eye in ordinary circumstances—now that’s love.
Some Muslims have murdered people in the name of their god. Some Christians have too, and I’m not talking about the Inquisition. I know of no religion with clean hands. Any religious text that endorses the extermination of people is hate speech.
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October 4, 2014 at 2:51 pm |
GM wrote:
The reason for the “mutant” forms of Christianity is because people do not apply the proper exegesis from Scripture, they stray away through heretical ideas and manmade religious beliefs, and they do not adhere to biblical hermeneutics.
Jesus told us about (and explained) the parable of the sower, which is another reason why individuals who may claim to be Christians, really aren’t truly born again in Christ. Therefore, such individuals are vulnerable to lies and errors.
GM also wrote:
Yahweh is God’s name in the Old Testament. Christians believe all that is written in the OT, so they didn’t “steal” the name of Yahweh from the Jews. Remember, Jesus was born a Jew and taught in the Temple during his 3 year ministry on earth. Where Judaism and Christianity split is in recognition of who the Messiah is. But that is a topic for another day.
There is the other issue of falling away from the faith. You have previously told me that you were a Christian once. Now you are not. If we look at the parable of the sower, we may recognize what type of “ground” you were when the seed of the Gospel was shared with you.
Only you and God know, for sure.
GM wrote:
Because of free will, each individual makes the choice to believe in Jesus or not to believe in Him. Many are caught up in idolatry – worshipping a “god” of their own making that suits their particular lifestyle. Others choose to reject the Gospel of Christ.
Within your answer, you have revealed to me a complete misunderstanding of what it means when Jesus says that “I [He] have [has] overcome the world.”
David Guzik writes:
The Bible says:
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
GM wrote:
Jesus laid down his life for all of mankind; even those who once “spit in his eye.” For example, recall the one thief on the cross who mocked Christ just like the other thief, but then relented, repented, and recognized Jesus as Savior – asking Jesus to remember me [him] when You come into your kingdom.”
Even hours before one’s death, a person can repent, accept Christ as Lord and Savior, and be a friend of Jesus – eternally – in heaven. One must KNOW and believe in Jesus – and believe that He is who He said He is in order to be saved. This is why Jesus called believers His friends.
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October 4, 2014 at 3:18 pm |
Oops…neglected to address this portion of GM’s comment:
God has given us all a conscience. Therefore, we all have the ability to discern right from wrong. Trouble is, there are some who have their conscience twisted (i.e. believing that abortion is not murder or that Muslim terrorists beheading people is not murder). The fact is, each of these crimes breaks one of the Ten Commandments.
Neither group in my example will admit that what they are doing is wrong in the eyes of God. Therefore, their consciences have been seared, or their hearts have been hardened by evil.
No one is good according to God’s Word! only God is good. Therefore, we need to repent of our sins, ask Christ to forgive us and enter into our hearts in the form of the Holy Spirit. Jesus died on the cross because He is holy, sinless, and blameless; thus, He alone can be the atonement for sin and the resurrection to life.
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October 4, 2014 at 6:25 pm |
CJW: ”Jesus laid down his life for all of mankind; even those who once “spit in his eye.” For example, recall the one thief on the cross who mocked Christ just like the other thief, but then relented, repented, and recognized Jesus as Savior – asking Jesus to remember me [him] when You come into your kingdom.”
Jesus said “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matt 15:24). No Romans. No Syrians. No Ethiopians. No Greeks. No Persians or Chinese or Malaysians or Inuit. He even compared Gentiles to dogs. Even today, Jews are barely 2% of the world’s population, so I have to wonder if he really cared about the other 98%. That “savior of all mankind” talk came later–and not from him.
You also know as well as I that according to Matthew, both of the thieves mocked Jesus up there with them; the ‘nice’ version of that story is told in Luke, and nowhere else. We know which version Christians prefer, but which one is true?
”Trouble is, there are some who have their conscience twisted (i.e. believing that abortion is not murder or that Muslim terrorists beheading people is not murder). The fact is, each of these crimes breaks one of the Ten Commandments.”
Has someone claimed that terrorists beheading people isn’t murder?! I know that some people have claimed that what Paul Hill did wasn’t murder.
Neither of your examples will admit that what they did is wrong in the eyes of god, especially if they believe that their god endorsed the action (as both have done). ‘Therefore, their consciences have been seared, or their hearts have been hardened by evil.’
”Jesus died on the cross because He is holy, sinless, and blameless; thus, He alone can be the atonement for sin and the resurrection to life.”
Hindus (and some others) believe that one must pay for one’s own sins. YOU committed them, so you have to answer for them; no one can stand-in for you. It may take an incredibly long time, but there is eventually an end to it. OTOH, your holy, sinless and blameless Christ got nailed to a cross. If he had to suffer such a fate, what chance is there for the unholy, sinful and shameful ones he supposedly came to save? What sort of mercy can one expect from a god who kills his own son?
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October 4, 2014 at 8:36 pm |
GM asks:
I will have Jesus – the Living Word of God answer:
Jhn 10:15
“As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
Jhn 10:17
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
Jhn 13:37
Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”
Jhn 13:38
Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.
Jhn 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
1Jo 3:16
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
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October 4, 2014 at 8:52 pm |
[Note: Need to listen on You Tube site: http://youtu.be/QYCJ8EvkGCs ]
What is the hope that I have? Perhaps this song will explain.
~ Christine
Kristian Stanfill – One Thing Remains – Passion 2012
Lyrics:
Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
(x3)
Your love
Never gives up on me
And it’s higher than the mountains that I face
And it’s stronger than the power of the grave
And it’s constant in the trial and the change
This one thing remains
And it’s higher than the mountains that I face
And it’s stronger than the power of the grave
And it’s constant in the trial and the change
This one thing remains
This one thing remains
Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
(x3)
Your love
And on and on and on and on it goes
Yes, it overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
This one thing remains
This one thing remains
Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
(x3)
Your love
In death, in life
I’m confident and covered by
The power of Your great love
My debt is paid
There’s nothing that can separate
My heart from Your great love
Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
(x3)
Your love
And on and on and on and on it goes
Yes, it overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
This one thing remains
You’re love
It’s your love, Your love
It’s Your love, Your love
Music
“One Thing Remains (feat. Kristian Stanfill) [Live]” by Passion
Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
(x3)
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October 4, 2014 at 9:08 pm |
So Jesus laid down his life for a friend who denied him?
Again, there are those—Christians and non-Christians alike–who show love and loyalty by dying for the sake of people they don’t even know. I just don’t see the nobility in dying for a crime one isn’t even guilty of.
I’m not sure what John meant by “brethren”, but Jesus himself made it very clear, and it had nothing whatever to do with all mankind.
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October 4, 2014 at 9:35 pm |
GM, you wrote, “I just don’t see the nobility in dying for a crime one isn’t even guilty of.”
Within the definition of the term “nobility,” we find:
Jesus is all three, and more!
It’s for the purpose of atonement and reconciliation of sinful man back to Holy God. I could share many Scripture verses about humanity’s need for repentance and how the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world – Christ’s sacrificial death and shed blood – covers our iniquities. Without the shedding of blood (in the Old Testament, it was of unblemished lambs and goats – which was a temporary atonement for sin) there is no remission of sin. Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection to life was final – and satisfies the judgment of God against us. No one else was worthy.
In our glimpse into heaven (via the book of Revelation) we find lamenting that no one was worthy to open the scrolls. But then, we see that Jesus is worthy!
You must allow Scripture to interpret Scripture in order to know that Jesus died for all.
Jhn 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
2Pe 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, [fn] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
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October 4, 2014 at 9:41 pm |
Mat 12:50
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
What is the Will of the Father in heaven?
Answer: He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
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October 4, 2014 at 11:24 pm |
”He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
If god is not willing that any should perish, then they shall not perish. After all, who can stop him from doing so?
Is God willing to prevent evil, but able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?
–Epicurus
What is the will of the Father in heaven? That most should perish. Maybe that’s why he built hell.
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October 14, 2014 at 3:46 pm |
GM,
You are forgetting about man’s free will. There are people in this world who outwardly worship many different false gods – even satan. That is their free will choice to do so.
However, one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses from Yahweh instructs us not to worship other gods. History is filled with people making their own gods in their own image, or the image of animals, statues, even a golden calf.
In the Old Testament, free will is discussed in regard to making sacrifices for the remission of sins.
These are all a foreshadowing of the sacrifice that Christ would make on the cross that would permanently remove sin from those who repent and accept Him as Lord and Savior. Again, free will is involved here.
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October 14, 2014 at 8:24 pm |
I hadn’t realized you’d come back here.
Jesus was sacrificed on the cross, offered by the Sanhedrin (and through them, the Jewish community) willingly. Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross, willingly (although at least one passage hints that he wasn’t entirely willing).
In any case, Jesus wasn’t cattle to be burned, or a dove to be slain. He was a man, unjustly put to death by priestly maneuvering and Roman arms. Since he believed it was necessary for him to die, free will was irrelevant. Since Christians believe this also, free will was nonexistent.
If “It’s all in God’s hands” applies now, then it applied back then too. And since it’s said that God’s will cannot be thwarted, free will is a myth.
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October 18, 2014 at 4:38 am |
I wrote a long comment but a computer glitch just made me lose it. Oh well. I will make this one shorter.
A person either is willing – or is not willing. There is no in-between or half-way point. It is all or nothing. The proof of Christ’s willingness is that HE FOLLOWED THROUGH. Asking for “this cup to be taken away (if it’s possible)” and then saying, “not my will, but Yours be done” proved Christ’s willingness to go to the cross.
Those who think that they need to find another savior should heed these verses:
Those that don’t believe that Christ is the Risen Savior and Lord of the world need to heed these verses:
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October 22, 2014 at 10:22 pm |
CJW: ”I wrote a long comment but a computer glitch just made me lose it. Oh well. I will make this one shorter.”
Very well, I’ll make this shorter too.
”A person either is willing – or is not willing. There is no in-between or half-way point. It is all or nothing. The proof of Christ’s willingness is that HE FOLLOWED THROUGH. Asking for “this cup to be taken away (if it’s possible)” and then saying, “not my will, but Yours be done” proved Christ’s willingness to go to the cross.”
He ‘followed through’ because HE BELIEVED IT WAS HIS DESTINY to go. Willingness doesn’t enter into it.
I hear from Christians every week about the supposed ‘prophecies’ of the OT that foretold his coming, his life, and his fate. Jesus, having been born a Jew, must have heard them too. What was to stop him from taking on the mantle of Savior, if he believed he was the one?
”Those who think that they need to find another savior should heed these verses:…”
I’m not shopping for any saviors, thank you. Not convinced of the need for any.
”Those that don’t believe that Christ is the Risen Savior and Lord of the world need to heed these verses:…”
If that claim is true, then this one is false. You decide.
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October 23, 2014 at 12:15 am |
Oh gosh GM – Christ KNEW it was his destiny, but he asked God the Father if “this cup could be removed from him.” However he finished the prayer, “not my will but yours be done.”
Such words were spoken by Christ for a reason. From what I know of other Scriptures, it was for the purpose of showing all the generations of believers that Christ’s sacrificial death was the only way for sins to be forgiven and mankind reconciled back unto God. He is God and I am not…therefore, I believe what is written in the Bible.
Some of the prophesies that were fulfilled couldn’t have been arranged by Christ because they occurred at the time he was nailed to the cross. Examples: The dividing of his garments through casting lots, that his leg bones would not be broken (which was commonly done to those crucified and was done to the two thieves on either side of him), to name a few. These were prophesied by Isaiah in the suffering Messiah passages and were fulfilled by Christ at the cross.
The 1 John passage was written to believers – therefore the writer referred to them as such. The last verse tells us this when the writer says, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”
Unlike you, I don’t see anything that makes my statement false, or the 1 John verse false.
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