Back To The Basics: Sin

Sometimes it is necessary to revisit basic principles.  We get so involved in being deep thinkers and speakers that we leave out some basic things.  When I coach sports I always hammer basic fundamentals.  Today, we are trying to avoid the basics of sin by changing the name of it.  We avoid calling it sin, so we call it "freedom of choice" or "alternate lifestyle" or "convenience" and in doing that we change the word grace to fit our new look at sin.  We change the word grace to "free pass."  That leaves us with a free pass to a freedom of choice or an alternate lifestyle or to live conveniently.  Today, I want to point out that we can change the names of many terms but we are doing that because we do not understand the basics of sin, like where sin started, what it is, etc..  I read a quote and I thought it was very relevant to this subject and it goes like this, "I covet no phraseology that lends respectability to sin.  The sorest injury we can do a man is to lighten his conception of the enormity of sin."~J.H. Howet  I must add here that we can't sugar coat sin, but we can and should expose it as loving as possible!  Remember, a liar is as evil as a raping murderer in the eyes of God.  You don't have to burn down the place the congregation gathers to be a sinner.

Sin started in the Garden of Eden.  Mankind became a sinner because they heard, believed, and obeyed a lie that was preached to them by Satan through the serpent. Gen 3:1-8  Eve was deceived because the lies that were preached to her was mixed with some truth.  That is happening today as well.  Except Satan is using well dressed, articulate, and intelligent men and women to preach his lies mixed with truth.  Adam and Eve were given a simple and plain command that they chose to disobey.  That disobedience brought sin into the world.  Which brought death, or separation from God, into the world. Gen 2:17   

Let's look at a few words that are translated sin to understand what sin is.  First, sin is lawlessness.  One word translated lawlessness means to break, violate, or reject God's law. Sin is to be in opposition of and disregard God's law. 1Jn 3:4  This is exactly what we see in the actions of Adam and Eve.  Remember there was only one tree forbidden tree in that entire garden.  The command was simple and clear "you shall not eat."  You have to hire someone to help you misunderstand that!  God provided a way for them to be saved forever in the tree of life, but He also allowed Adam and Eve to have the freedom of choice: loyalty or disloyalty, obedience or disobedience, life or death.  He is doing the same today.  He has provided a way for us to be saved forever through Jesus Christ, but He is allowing us to choose from the same choices.  This test of loyalty definitely didn't cause the disloyalty.  This test of obedience didn't cause the disobedience.  The disloyalty and disobedience came from a rebellion of Adam and Eve that started in their hearts!  The eating of that fruit, or disloyalty and disobedience, was just a display  of what is their hearts.  

Second, sin is a transgression of God's law.  This word that is translated transgression means to go over or beyond God's law. It is disregarding the boundaries between right and wrong.  This is the word that the elder brother of the prodigal son uses when he is voicing his complaint to his father. Lk 15:29  This is what we do when we try to change the meaning of the grace.  

Third, sin is missing the mark.  The word translated sin literally means a missing of the mark.  Vine's says this word sin is an inward element producing acts.  That is why I say Adam and Eve's sin started in their hearts.  The mark that is missed is God's mark.  All mankind has missed the mark and fallen short of the glory of God. Rom 3:23  

I read one time, I believe it was Barclay, and he was discussing the difference between sins of commission and sins of omission.  I want you to know that sin is not just avoiding the wrong, but it is also not doing the right!  We can avoid all the bad and never do any good!  That is just as sinful as doing the bad and wrong in God's eyes!  James says as much in Jas 4:17  

Sin is selfish and that is its essential principle.  The chief characteristic of love is giving.  No matter what it cost ourselves.  The chief characteristic of sin is the exact opposite.  It is getting, no matter what it costs others.  Sin is very alluring.  It has an appealing characteristic to it.  It is very charming and fascinating because it is filled with pleasure.  Often times sin can feel great.  That pleasure may be short lived but is still alluring.  It makes me think of a bug zapper.  I can never figure out how so many bugs fly into that light to their death.  That light is so alluring to bugs that just can't resist.  I would look around see all my dead buddies and say, "Forget this.  I'm outta here!"  Really...   I look around and see my buddies now filled with sin and far too often I fail to say, "Forget this.  I'm outta here."  The biggest reason is because sin is also deceitful.  Sin shows off all its pleasure but disguises its pain, shame, and consequences.  That is exactly what Satan did to Eve!  He listed all the advantages but disguised the consequences and pain of sin.  Satan is a barter, who bargains with things he doesn't have!  That is what he tried with Jesus. Mt 4:1-11  Satan wants us to think of sin as something beautiful and pleasureful.  The beer commercials do the same thing today.  Their product will cause you to do dumb and costly things.  It will make you extremely sick.  It will cause to loose memories of what you did.  It could even kill you.  Yet, their commercials never communicate that.  All we see is fun, pleasure, and beautiful people. If we are not careful sin will make us its slave.  Rom 6:16  

Sin separates us from God. Isa 59:2  It brings suffering.  Eve suffered in childbearing, Adam suffered in labor, the earth suffered in what it produced, and Satan suffered with his head being crushed.  Everything and anything suffers when sin enters the picture!  Sin also brings death, both physical and spiritual.  It may have took over 900 years for Adam's resulting death from sin to catch him, but it did.  Cemeteries all over the place are a reminder that sin resulted in a physical death.  Paul reminds us of the spiritual death that sin produces.  2Th 1:7-9  

Thank you Lord for providing a cure from this sin in Jesus Christ! Rom 5:8-12

He died for our sins, by His wounds we are healed, and He destroyed death and brought life! 1Co 15:3; 1Pe 2:24; 2Ti 1:10  Thank you Jesus!  His blood provides our redemption and forgiveness in accordance with God's grace. Eph 1:7

The cure is provided all we must do is partake.  Antibiotics can't help you if you do not take them.  Christ can't help if you do not obey Him.  Obedience to the Gospel is a must.  God did His part and now we must do ours.  Those at Pentecost understood this and asked, "What should we do?"  Saul understood this and said, "What will you have me do?"  Today, are you ready to let go of sin in your life that is separating you from God and ask the same question as Saul and those at Pentecost?  Sin is not an alternate lifestyle or permissible due to convenience.  It is separating you from God and eternity with Him.

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22   

What do you think of the Christ?

Mt 22:41-46

This is the most important questions ever asked.  No man can ever be saved if he fails this test.  To recognize and hail Christ as God come in the flesh is the beginning of the salvation process that leads to eternal life.  Christ is the "cornerstone." Eph 2:20  Honestly, without that perception, man will remain guilt ridden, roam as a lost sheep without a shepherd, and condemned forever.  What a person thinks of Christ determines the destiny of their soul. Jn 8:24  Every person must think something about the Christ.  No one can be indifferent, or sitting on the fence.  Mt 12:30  A person who denies Christ is often stimulated by the mention of His name.  The mention of Buddha or Muhammad doesn't upset them, but the very sound of Christ gets them up in arms and brings forth fierce opposition, why?  It is my opinion, that people have no fear of Muhammad or Buddha.  Now Christ, on the other hand, is a different story because the thought that Christ just may be all that He said He is can be very alarming and disturbing.  They can not let the thought of Christ alone because the thought of Christ can not let them alone!   So, what do you think of the Christ, whose son is He?

The Pharisees said He was "the son of David."  Jesus was the son of David according to the flesh. Rom 1:3  His mother was human, which made Him the son of man. With a portion of His nature as human as His mother, Christ "became flesh and dwelt among us." Jn 1:14  His dual nature of human and divine made Him qualified to be the only redeemer and mediator of mankind. 1Ti 2:5,6  Christ was tempted, He felt hunger and thirst, He suffered agony, and he felt the need for prayer like any other person on this earth.

 The only problem with the Pharisees response is that is only half true!  Remember this, "A half truth is a whole lie."  Christ formed an argument (Mt 22:43-46) from Ps 110:1 saying since He existed before David, He is more than the son of David. Christ has always existed! Jn 1:1-3  Christ is the only begotten Son of God, born of a virgin, begotten of the Holy Spirit. Lk 1:26-35; Jn 1:14  He is called Immanuel Mt 1:23 

Jesus' teachings testified to His divinity.  Mt 7:29  His authoritative teachings distinguished Him from other men.  He spoke of the future so positively that you would have thought it had already happened!  Have you ever realized that Jesus said He would return in the day and night? Lk 17:31,34 Today, we understand the possibility of that because we know the earth is round.  It is day on one part of the earth and night on another.  How can you account for this teaching hundreds of years before mankind ever even dreamed of the earth being round?  Because Christ was divine and more than the son of man!

His works testified to His divinity.  His miracles were evidence to support His claim of divinity. Jn 3:2  He had power over nature.  He walked on water.  He had authority over diseases.  People who had long term diseases that couldn't be cured by doctors were healed just by touching Christ's garments.  Even death submitted to Jesus.  A man, Lazarus, was dead for four days and Jesus raised him from the grave!  Why do we read of these miracles in the Bible?  So Jesus can be lifted up as one cool cat and a powerful cat at that!  NO!  These are recorded so we can have believe in Jesus today (Jn 20:30,31) and understand He is more than the son of David, He is deity!    Because that belief is the start of a salvation process that leads to eternal life.  The question that arises is this, are the Biblical accounts trustworthy?  Yes, because I said so and that's good enough.  Just playin'! don't ever take a man's word on Scripture.  Let the Bible commentate on its self!  

These signs and miracles we read about are not hearsay.  The writers had seen, heard, and touched Christ. 1Jn 1:1  The writers definitely believed what they wrote and testified to as they died for what they taught.  Not many people will die for what they know to be false!  The letters they wrote passed the "acid test."  The acid test is basically a time proven thing.  I heard Ed Wharton use this illustration one time.  "If I wrote a book today about a man named Ed Wharton that did all these miracles, signs, and wonders in Lubbock, TX people would read it and call me a phony.  They would say I live in Lubbock, TX and I have never seen hide nor hair of this fella.  This book is garbage and it is not true.  They would be correct in that assumption.  This never happened to the letters that are in our Bible because they were written and circulated in a time that everyone knew Jesus did these things."  That is the acid test.  

History testifies to His divinity.  Today is A.D. 2012.  That means in the year of our Lord two thousand and twelve.  Our calendar is based on the advent of Christ!   That calender is recognized by the most powerful nations in the world today.  That is a true testimony of Christ's divinity.  Beware my friends there are attempts to change our calendar.  Satan will never stop attacking.  

Think about the vast amounts of people that gathered yesterday, the Lord's Day, or Sunday, or the first day of the week to worship.  What great event happened to make this day special?  The resurrection of Christ!  For this reason it is called the Lord's Day. Rev 1:10  Did these two things happen accidentally?   NO!  They are powerful testimonies that Jesus is more than the son of man.  He is the Son of God!

Today, tell someone about the Son of God and the love He had for mankind.  That agape love that sent Him to the cross so that we can have eternal life with our Father in heaven.  He has provided a way for us to be saved, but will we choose, or partake of, the path he lays out in His teachings?  Will you partake of what Jesus provided?

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22    

     

  

The Reality Check

1Pe 1:13

Leading up to this verse, Peter has been talking about the greatness and the glory that Christians can look forward to.  The problem is when someone get so lost in their dreams of the future glory they forget they are in a battle in the present.  Many are so focused on the Christian's coming glory they forget of the Christian's current struggles.  Eph 6:11,12  So to keep Christians focused on our current battles and still looking forward to the coming glory Peter gives a three point reality check to his readers.

The first reality check is to "prepare your minds for action."  This is a very vivid phrase.  It actually means something like "pull up your sleeves" or how a person will "take off their jacket" when it is time to work.  Peter is telling us that we must be ready to put in mental work.  We must be ready for a very strenuous mental endeavor.  A person who rolls up there sleeves of takes off their jacket to prepare for work does so because they want to work without any type of interference.   Do we prepare our minds like that for our faith?   This is a reality check, how often do you clear your mind just for spiritual things?  Too many of us never clear our minds and fix our eyes on Jesus.  We must "lay aside every encumbrance" to do this!  Heb 12:1-3  How many people can't prepare their minds and focus on the Lord's Supper for a weekly observance?  We must never be content with an unexamined faith.  Do you believe what you believe from your own personal study or because the preacher said so?  If you are of the latter, you are not preparing your mind for work!  You may be drifting away (Heb 2:1) because you are not heeding the Word, paying attention to the Word, or preparing your mind for work.  Reality check, are you preparing your mind for work?  Are you doing all you can to keep your mind free from interference?  Are you taking off the mental jacket?  Are you rolling up the mental sleeves?

The second reality check is to be sober in spirit.  The word sober means to refrain from drunkenness or to be free of the influence of intoxicants.   It metaphorically carries the association of watchfulness.  Peter is giving the reality check of being steadfast and knowing what we believe.  As mentioned earlier, how many people when asked, "Why do you believe this or that" can only reply, "I don't know.  It's what the preacher always says."    To be free of intoxicants is to not be carried away by a new enthusiasm and then be completely under the influence of the latest craze.  Paul tells Timothy the same thing.  2Ti 4:5   This being "sober" is to be in spiritually sound judgment.  It is having a spiritual self restraint that will not allow you to be entangled by the allurements of the world.  Reality check, are you making sound spiritual judgments from a mind that is prepared to work for Jesus Christ?  Many people are so focused on earthly things that all they can think about is getting to the weekend.  Why, Monday is just around the corner?  I am not ignorant to the fact that we have tough and difficult weeks, but there will be many more.  May we focus on Christ from a sober and prepared mind!

The third reality check is fixing your hope on grace.  This hope is in something we haven't seen, but we are eagerly waiting for.  Rom 8:24,25  Grace is often under valued and misunderstood.  Many think grace is ticket to sin and lack repentance.  Jesus said we all must repent in Lk 13:3.  People say, "That was told to the Jews.  There is no call of repentance today because we are covered by grace."  Well, the book of Acts tells us how the early church grew and how the Lord added people to the church.  You do not "join" the church.  In this book you can read where God has called all men to repentance. Acts 17:30,31    You can stand in the corner like the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz saying, "I do believe, I do believe, I do, I do, I do, I do believe" and be immersed in every pool, pond, and waterway in the United States, but without repentance you will perish.  The greatest characteristic of Christianity is that we live in the hope of grace.  It is that hope that gets us through trials of this present time.  It is that hope that carries us through our toil and struggles.  It it because the Christian knows these struggles leads somewhere great and incomparable.  Rom 8:18  The glory that awaits is why athletes train so hard. For Christians, the best is yet to come.  I often say when the struggles feel like they are to much to bear, think about how great the glory will be later!  Reality check, are you living with the gratitude of mercies for all that was in the past, with the fortitude to meet the struggles of the present, and with the hope of grace that for those in Christ, the best is yet to come?   Is that how a friend would describe you?  Do you friends and coworkers even know you are a Christian?  I always say that if those around you do not you are a Christian, God probably don't either!

This is a reality check to make sure our minds are prepared for working for Christ, our judgments are wanting for Christ, and our hopefulbelieve.  He is coming for those who are obedient!  2Th 1:7,8

Today, is a reality check.  If Christ would return today would you be found obedient or disobedient.  You see God loves us so much He sent his son to be a final and perfect sacrifice for our sins.  That is done from His mercy.  He gives us His gift of grace that saves us through faith.  That faith is determined by our obedience to God's Word not by what we claim to believe!  Mt 7:20  In the winter time when you look at mountain it is hard to differentiate between the trees.  Yet, in the summer when you look at the same mountain, it easy to differentiate between the trees because you can see the fruit they are producing.    Reality check, are you producing Christian fruit because that is what differentiates Christians from other people.  Sanctification and holiness are the desire and duties of every Christian!

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22     

 

Are You Ready To Escape?

Heb 2:1-3

I find this text as a very sobering one.  It is a strong reminder that we far too often overlook.  Two key words in these few verses, specifically verse one, in the Greek are prosecho (pay much closer attention) and pararheo (drift away).  Vine's defines these words as relating to a nautical sense.  These words literally illustrate a ship "drifting away" or passing by its port because the captain didn't "pay close enough attention" to his course.  How many Christians let the Word drift away due to a lack of diligence?  They will miss their port when it comes time to dock their ship!!  Christians should not allow their lives to drift away from the Word in any situation.  Our first duty is to seek His kingdom and His righteousness. Mt 6:33  How many people drift away from that on Sunday afternoon, let alone all week long?  Do we daily fear God and strive to keep His commandments? Ecc 12:13   Are we really counting all things loss to gain Christ?   Phi 3:7,8  Brethren, I fear too many are drifting away from the port and don't even realize it.  

Think of a Christian as a ship.  Many are drifting away because they are not properly anchored.  Christ is our anchor!  Therefore, the strong tides of this world (temptations) are pulling them away.  We lack the care and diligence of strengthening the chain that attaches us to that anchor.  The chain is the study and practice of the Word of God.  We are becoming very negligent in this matter.  The tide pulls, the weak chain breaks, and the ship is now pulled away from the anchor.  The world pulls and the Christian who is NOT diligently studying and putting into practice the Word of God WILL BE SEPARATED FROM CHRIST!  

Have you ever floated on a tube, raft, or boat on a body of water, other than a moving stream?  If you have, did you notice you was drifting?  Probably not!  That is how the author of Hebrews is describing apostasy here.  Often times people do not boldly turn from Christianity, though some do.  Most people slowly drift away. Similar to drifting away on a body of water, the Christian is far away from the starting point.  They have slowly drifted away and when they realize they have drifted, they have no clue where they are.  That is a lost soul my friends.  Many invisible, underwater currents (false teachers) pull away the drifting object (Christians).  

Verse two is as equally sobering as verse one.  Two truths are mentioned concerning the peril of drifting away.  First, is the steadfastness of the Word of God.  The Word is not able to be altered.  What is being said here is the Word of God is sacred and binding.  The Word is not to be despised or neglected.  Many people in the past have paid a hefty consequence for doing these things.  Which takes us to the second truth.   

The second truth is "every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty."  The Sabbath breaker was stoned, a generation of people died in the wilderness from disbelief and lack of trust, and even Moses was not allowed to enter the promise land for disobedience.  WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS TODAY BE ANY DIFFERENT?  Oh yea, we try to abuse God's grace!  You see, transgression is sinning when we know it is a sin, or practicing sin. 1Jn 3:4   Disobedience is refusal to comply with a command.  Jas 4:17  I can't remember where I learned it but I heard it taught like this: transgression is sin of commission and disobedience is sin of omission.  Nevertheless, both classes of sin will receive a just penalty or consequence.  The only way to have that penalty removed or be pardoned is to be anchored to Christ by submission and commission to his Word, Will, and Way!  Consider how Peter mentions the penalty received by those who sinned and how God rescues His submissive and obedient godly people in 2Pe 2:4-9.  

The most sobering of all is verse three.  It ties in the drifting Christian and the sinners consequences.  We can't escape the coming consequences where disobedience of the Word of God is involved.  The most awful consequences awaits the souls that through disbelief (Mk 16:16), neglect (Mt 7:26), and disobedience (2Th 1:8; Rom 2:8) fails to heed God's message through His son.  

A book can be a great teaching tool, but it is useless if it's not opened.  The sun drives out darkness, but we can't see unless we open our eyes.  Medicine can heal you, but only if you take it out of the bottle and apply it!  So it is with Christianity.  Christ did his part and now it is up to us to obey.  Heb 5:8-9    I have blogged on this before.      

How many people reading this will neglect to heed its message.  Neglect will condemn many people at judgment day.  Peter asks about those who neglect to obey in 1Pe 4:17 The answer to that question is found in 2Th 1:7-9  Consider the one talent person.  It was neglect that brought forth his condemnation. Mt 25:24-30  Neglecting to obey the command of loving one another by neglecting to meet their needs will have many "go away into eternal punishment." Mt 25:41-46

I know many of you may be thinking this is the type of teaching that drives people away.  Chad needs to just share how much God loves us.  I believe you already know how much God loves you because he sent His son.  Many people need to hear the warning of not heeding what His son said!  There are too many people in the world that are like Felix!  People are waiting for a better time to respond to the Gospel or will not finish reading this because they are frightened by the possible outcome, but this is the type of message that needs to shared.  See what Felix said in Acts 24:24,25  

Today, are you heeding and obeying the Word of God?  The author of Hebrews said, "...how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?"  Are you ready to escape?  Don't neglect the call of God through His son!  Listen and obey the Word of God.  Let right now be the acceptable time.  Let today be a day of salvation! 2Co 6:2

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22        

A Case For The Resurrection Pt 1

Saul's Conversion

We will pick up the story at Acts 26:1-29.  Luke is recording Paul's defense while he is before Agrippa.  He is about to provide some historical and verifiable evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Paul is about to witness to Agrippa.  Remember, there is a difference between confessing and witnessing.  See a previous blog on this subject for reference.  He begins his apologetic account with his manner of his life from his youth.  He then tells them he lived as a Pharisee.  Finally, he says he stands before Agrippa on trial for "the hope of the promise made by God."  He even says this hope is what the "twelve tribes hope to obtain."  This hope is the resurrection!  Far too many people today think our inheritance is heaven, but that is not true.  Our inheritance is the resurrection which is reserved for us in heaven. 1Pe 1:3,4   We know Paul is referring to the resurrection, not because of our knowledge of it being our hope, but because he challenges Agrippa with the credibility of God raising the dead in vs 8!  You see, the force of Paul's argument for the resurrection lies in the manner of Paul's life before he had become a Christian.  His sincere and furious zeal against Christianity was so severe that a man's attempt to convert him would be near impossible.

Consider what Paul says in Gal 1:11-14.  Paul first says the gospel he had been preaching came not from a man, but from the Lord Jesus himself.  How did he receive this from Jesus if Jesus was crucified and buried while Saul was not a follower?  He didn't learn the gospel he preached from a man, so the apostles didn't teach him.  The only conclusion we can come to is either Jesus resurrected from the grave or Paul is a liar.  Now, Paul died for preaching Christ.  Do you know a man that will die for teaching a lie?  I don't!  After claiming having a personal revelation from Jesus, after he was dead and buried, Paul lays out a short three part argument of Jesus' resurrection from his past manner of life.  

First, he says how he used to "persecute the church of God beyond measure" in Gal 1:13.  It is obvious that the Galatians were familiar with this persecution as he doesn't go into detail.  Thank the Lord, we have enough information from Dr. Luke to piece together a good understanding of Paul's past life.  Dr. Luke introduces Saul of Tarsus as one of those who consented to the death of Stephen. Acts 7:58  It is said that Saul entered the homes of Christians and dragged them to prison. Acts 8:1-3  His hatred of Christianity went as far as Saul obtaining letters from Jewish authorities empowering him to arrest and imprison Christians in Damascus. Acts 9:1,2  He was known as the one who persecuted those "who called on this name" after his conversion and he was preaching in the name of Jesus! Acts 9:21  In Acts 26:9-12 Paul says he locked up "many of the saints in prison", he "voted for their death", he would "force them to blaspheme", and he even pursued them "to foreign cities."   Reading all this of Paul's past manner of life you would have to label him as a fanatic.  A fanatic has extreme enthusiasm or zeal in religion.  A fanatic thinks they are absolutely and positively doing the right thing. Acts 26:9  Remember, Paul said he persecuted the church "beyond measure."  How do you deal with a fanatic like Saul?  YOU CAN'T!  This is the point Paul is making.  There is no way a man could have converted a fanatic like Saul.  Christians never could have done it,  Jews wouldn't want to do it.  Who could have possibly converted this fanatic Saul of Tarsus?  Paul affirmed it was the resurrected Jesus Christ.  If Jesus appeared to Saul, Jesus must have risen from the dead.

Paul is just getting started.  Secondly, Paul says he was advanced in the Jews' religion in Gal 1:14. Paul was advanced as a scholar under Gamaliel. Acts 22:3  I read somewhere that it was thought that Saul was going to be the greatest Rabbi of that time.  He was also advanced socially among the Jews.  Remember he was a part of the great group called the Pharisees. Phi 3:5  He was advanced in his power.  Look at the power that he exemplified as he persecuted the church beyond measure.  He had a power that was feared by those in opposition of him!  Acts 9:13,14  You could say Paul was somewhat of  Jewish celebrity.  He would definitely be considered a success.  He was so prominent that Festus said Paul's "great learning has made him mad."  Acts 26:24  Saul's prominence was outstanding!  What would make a person who is advanced as a scholar, a member of a revered group, advanced in power, and looked upon as a great success want to give all that up and become a Christian?  Only Jesus could have provided the dynamics to convert a man like that.  But how, he was crucified and put into a sealed tomb?  The only way Jesus could have converted Saul is if Jesus had risen from the dead. 

Finally, Paul was "extremely zealous of his ancestral traditions" in Gal 1:14.  His ancestors were the Pharisees. There traditions were of the Law of Moses.  The Pharisees were famous for their conflicts with Jesus1Ti 1:13  Sincerity, like prejudice, is often misunderstood.  Sincerity is not a sign of truth.  A person can be sincere in their beliefs even if they believe a lie.  Saul was prejudiced from ignorance and sincerely WRONG about his beliefs!  Remember, he truly thought he had to do harm to Christians in Acts 26:9.  He was sincerely prejudiced.  Saul was wrong and ignorant.  

How do you convert a sincerely prejudiced, extremely prominent, and zealous fanatic?  HOW DO YOU DO IT?  It sounds impossible when it is communicated that way doesn't it?  If human beings can't do it, that only leaves God.  The impossible has happened.  Saul was converted and became the apostle Paul.  This is a matter of history, not fantasy.  A Pharisee named Saul did exist.  That man became the apostle Paul, and he did exist.  This is historically true my friends.  The question is who converted Saul?  If it was Jesus, then he had to have been resurrected from the dead.  This is what Paul is affirming to Agrippa.  

It is obvious that Saul of Tarsus met the resurrected Jesus on that road to Damascus, Saul was instructed to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street, and it was there the gospel of salvation was revealed to him.  He no doubt had a belief, that was now true, in Jesus.  He no doubt had repented of his sins.  We already said he confessed and witnessed Jesus before others.  Now it was time for his sins to be washed away and he could receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  What did Ananias say to Saul?  Acts 22:16  "...get up and be baptized and wash away your sins..."  

Today, I encourage you to follow Jesus Christ who resurrected from the dead.  Only Jesus can convert a person.  It is his words that will do the work and by those very words we will be judged!  Jn 12:48  Will you share the wondrous story of the risen Savior we have in Jesus Christ?  Will share with the lost how Jesus Christ converted a sincerely prejudiced, extremely prominent, and zealous fanatic in Saul of Tarsus and how he, Jesus, is wanting to convert them as well?

Remember, Jesus told us to do three things.  Deny our self, take up our cross, and follow him. Lk 9:23.  You can't do the last until you have done the first two! 

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22        

God Is A Jealous God

Ex 34:14; Dt 4:24

Wow, what a week!  I have been so blessed to serve God this week.  I had a great meeting with someone about the PA Preaching In The Mountains Family Camp this week.  I got to spend time with a great Evangelist this week that is in a revival near me for a couple of days.  To top it all off, I sat in a hospital for a very long time waiting on the Lord's timing so a dear sister in Christ could deliver her first child.  That wait was very long and tedious but well worth it.  Wow, to stand there (outside the room) and listen to that baby boy take his first breath and let out a cry!  GOD IS GOOD!  While I was waiting in that hospital I had the opportunity to get plenty of study time in and was thinking about the above verses.

This adjective jealous occurs in the Old Testament six times.  It refers directly to the attributes of God's justice and holiness, as He is the sole object of human worship, according to Mr. Vine.  It means an ardent zeal, jealous.  This shows, in a most expressive manner, what love God has for His people.  He is jealous for our fidelity because He desires us to have an incomparable happiness that can only be obtained if we have a relationship with Him through His son.  God feels for us like we do when we first fall in love in High School.   You remember that feeling, don't you?  You can't do anything but think about that person.  You call them and when you're done you spend thirty minutes saying, "You hang up first."   That feeling is how God loves us!  I thought, what are some things that makes a person in that kind of relationship mad?  Here are some things I came up with...

We do not like to be "cheated" on!  God does not like to be cheated on, or two timed, either!  We do things that show others we are "taken" or we are "set apart" from those that are single and not in a relationship.  In High School, we often give someone a class ring, a necklace, or a letterman jacket.  As we grow older we give engagement rings.  Finally, we give a wedding ring.  I always say there are four rings in a relationship.  First is the class ring, then the engagement ring,  then the wedding, and the final ring is suffering!  Haha, my wife doesn't like that joke! These rings are sign that we are taken.  Unfortunately, sometimes people will wear several other people's rings!    

There are signs that we are in a relationship with God too.  Obedience is a sign of a relationship with God.  We are to obey God's Word as it sanctifies us, or sets us apart, from the world.  Jn 17:17  Baptism is another sign we are in a relationship with God.  I know this kind of falls under the obedience category, but I read somewhere that a Muslim is not considered an infidel when they read a tract or even the Bible for that matter.  They are not considered an infidel until they are immersed into Christ.  The problem is the church is sneaking out at night with the world.  The church is two timing in their relationship with God!  Jas 4:4  We aren't sanctified by the Word because we do not obey it.  We treat the Word of God like a buffet.  We want to pick and choose which parts we want to submit to and disregard the rest.  That is cheating on God with the world!   Sure we will wear the ring of baptism but forget that ring of obedience.  We say, "Well, I'm not that bad.  Tommy is bad.  That guy is a hypocrite!"  Remember, we are to imitate God. Eph 5:1  We should compare our lives to Jesus and not Tommy!

In a relationship we don't like to be stood up.  I remember one time I had a friend that was all excited that he finally got this girl to go on a date with him.  He was all pumped up.  He left to go meet her and she didn't show up.  He called her and never got an answer.  She decided to go out with her friends instead of him! He went from pumped up to stood up and then to let down!  She later told him she thought she would have more fun with her friends and could always reschedule with him.  How many times have we stood up God for our friends?  We say, "I never miss, this one time will be OK.  I can reschedule with God for next week!"   We fall victim for the things of this world.  1Jn 2:16  We lust after the things of this world and stand God up when He wants us to meet with Him around His table and commune with Him. We often find out the grass is greener on the other side of the fence because it is filled with manure! We often stand up God because we was sneaking out with the world the night before.  We often stand up God on the Lord's Day because we are too busy sneaking out with the world!  

     

Apostasy is possible.  God desires us to fellowship with Him through his son. 1Jn 1:3  Many people, unfortunately, have moved away from God.  It will be worse for those who do not repent of apostasy than those who never submitted to God. 2Pe 2:20-21  Far too often when a person dumps another person they may realize it was a mistake but never returns to that person out of fear of rejection.  People who move away from God feel the same.  They feel they never can return to God or He will not forgive them, but that is nonsense!  Look at what Simon was told by Peter in Acts 8:18-23   We must repent if we moved away from God.  We must confess to Him in prayer and He is faithful to forgive. 1Jn 1:9  God is still driving and has His arm across the back of the seat.  The question is, will get in, let Him drive, and slide over next to Him?

Today, understand that God is a jealous God.  Not because He is insecure, but because he has a love for us that is expressed with an ardent zeal for us to have a relationship with Him.  We must be obedient in that relationship and make sure we don't cheat on Him with the world.  We must not stand Him up and meet with Him around His table.  We sneak out with the world and eventually dump Him and get out of His truck.  When we realize that we made a mistake dumping God and want back in His truck to snuggle next to Him all we need to is repent and confess to Him in prayer.  I am honored to serve a God that is jealous and desires nothing but the best for me.  I am proud to in a relationship with Him. I hope you are too!

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22      

     

Three P's in Salvation

Eph 2:4-10

I always seem to be using the letter "P" in illustrations, catch phrases, and things of that nature.  Some of my favorites are "If you want a promise you must meet the perquisite"  and "We must practice our Bible not just profess it."   I posted something similar to the latter phrase yesterday on Facebook and this comment was posted "Possess, Practice, Then profess it" and I loved it and it got me thinking of today's blog. 


First, we must understand that we were possessed by sin.  It must be understood that mankind is lost and unable to provide salvation for themselves.  While possessed by sin we were enemies of God, but through the death of Jesus we are reconciled and saved through his life. Rom 5:10    In verses 4,5 we read of mercy and grace.  I often say that mercy is the removal of an earned punishment and grace is an unearned gift.  "By grace you have been saved" says that salvation cannot be earned but it is a gift!  Ps 3:8  We have the earned punishment of death because we have sinned removed by God's mercy.  We have an unearned gift of salvation from that death by God's grace.  Remember, producing Christian fruit in our lives is not EARNING salvation or grace.  It is PROVING salvation!  Now on to the three P's.


We are saved from the PRESENCE of sin. (vv5,6)  Because of God's mercy we are made "alive together with Christ"  and by the grace of  God He has "raised us up with him."  Keep in mind that before we can be raised up, we first must go down.  By that, I mean down into the waters of baptism.  Col 2:13,13   If we want to be resurrected with Christ we must be buried with Christ. Rom 6:4  Through Christ God has "seated us with Him in the heavenly places."  A knowledge of that should bring Col 3:1,2 into perspective.  Far too many of us are focused on earthly value.  I am reminded of the story about the older preacher.  It goes something like this.  An older preacher had a surprise visit from some of the members of the congregation he preached at one afternoon.  One of the visitors said, "Hey preacher, where in the world is your furniture?"  The preacher replied, "Well, where is yours?"  The visitor chuckled and said, "Why would I have furniture here?  I am just a visitor."  The preacher boldly replied, "So am I!"  How do we look at the time we spend here?  Do we see ourselves as visitors.  Consider what Peter said in 1Pe 2:11  He says we are "aliens and strangers."  GOD SAVES US FROM THE PRESENCE OF SIN IN HEAVEN!


We are saved from the POWER of sin. (vv8,9)  We are only saved by the grace of God.  Acts 15:11  I believe we can get at least these four statements form from what Paul says when he said, "For by grace you have been saved" and they are:


1. Mankind is unworthy of the salvation of the grace God provides.


2. Mankind can not achieve this salvation and grace that God gives on his own merit. 


3. The salvation and grace bestowed on mankind originated in the heart of God and it flows from God to mankind.  It is from God and God alone.


4. This salvation and grace is for all mankind. Titus 2:11


The word "saved" used in these verses does not mean to be trouble free.  It means to deliver from danger; spiritual and eternal salvation granted by God; God's power to deliver from sin.  You can be saved and still have problems and struggles.  Sometimes we stumble into sin, what I call accidental sin, and many think that disqualifies of us God's grace.  We do not go in and out of God's grace several times a day.  Although we can fall from grace.  This happens with intentional and continuous sin.  The bible clearly teaches a person can return to sin and fall from grace.  Heb 10:26,27; 38,39; 2Pe 2:20,21


The words "through faith" are important.  It is no doubt that the grace is what saves and not the faith!  Although, the faith in the grace is what causes the proper actions!  Someone once said, " Faith is the channel not the cause."  Faith is a full acknowledgement of God's revelation or truth; a personal surrender to Him; a conduct inspired by such surrender, 2Co 5:7  This is referring to an active and living faith, not a mental decision we have made about our savior!  The explanation comes in the next part of the verse.  “Not of yourselves… not of works” We cannot earn this grace, but many people believe they can live as they want because they are “saved by grace”   Jas 2:26  If our faith is dead, inactive, or lacks personal work it is a DEAD FAITH THAT DOESN'T SAVE!!  We are to have good works Tit 3:1,2  In Heb 11 faith is always followed by a verb!  The only time faith is separated from deeds is when the faith is dead!  Does your faith have a verb?  Remember, producing Christian fruit PROVES salvation not EARNS salvation!  GOD SAVES US FROM THE POWER OF SIN IN OUR FAITHFULNESS


Lastly, we are saved from the PUNISHMENT of sin. (v10)  It is God who saves us! We are not saved by works, but are his workmanship!  Verse 10 says, “God prepared beforehand”  which says it is His ordination that all God’s children should practice good works. Jn 3:16), He wants all mankind to be saved (1Ti 2:3,4), We are made acceptable through His son (Rom 5:8); His blood washes away our sins and we are born again when immersed in the likeness of that death, burial, and resurrection(Jn 3:5; Rom 6:4; 1Pe 3:21), and after that we are to be remaining faithful and maintaining good works (Rev 2:10; Jas 2:26; Eph 2:10).  WE ARE SAVED FROM THE PUNISHMENT OF SIN THROUGH CHRIST BU THE GRACE OF GOD!


The Word of God is still changing people today.  God's Grace is still saving people today. All that is needed is your desire to become a follower of Jesus Christ.  When Jesus called his disciples he often said, "Follow me" and he is still saying that today.  I ask you, are you in Christ today and saved from presence, power, and punishment of sin by the grace of God.

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:  Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22