The Gospel Of Repentance

  The noun form of the word elect comes the Greek eklogē which means a picking out, a selection. A synonym for the elect are the chosen. We read throughout scripture God choosing individuals for a certain purpose. For instance, the Bible says in Acts 9:15 that Paul (then Saul) is a chosen vessel of mine. In Paul writing to the Ephesians said the Saints were chosen before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:11, 14). Determining if you are elect or chosen of God may be to many an intimidating task, but it does not have to be. This should be a joyous exercise. Why? Because it causes all of us to take a genuine and hard look at our lives. We are compelled to carefully and soberly examine our lives to see if we are truly in the faith  (2 Cor 13:5).  Let’s run a litmus test. 1.        Do you believe Jesus is God in the flesh? In I John 4:2-3 we read, “Hereby you know the Spirit of God, every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God, and every spiri

Contradiction by definition: a statement or phrase whose parts are incongruent with one another; i.e. “ that car is pretty ugly !” Well it cannot be both, it is either pretty or ugly. Paradox by definition: Two ideas that on the surface oppose each other but with closer examination and some background of the matter being discussed discover the ideas deliver a congruent truth; i.e. “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live yet not I, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).  This verse on the surface is full of contradictions but it is not. First, Paul Is saying when Christ died we died; not literally, but spiritually. Paul is saying the old man he used to be prior to his conversion with Christ died. Remember the scripture says if any man is in Christ he is a new creation (italics added for emphasis). Old things are passed away, all things have been made new (2 Cor

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever. Because He delights in mercy. He will have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of sea . You give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which you have sworn to our fathers from days of old -               Micah 7:18-20 In the beginning of this chapter the prophet Micah is bemoaning the nation Israel’s sins (vs 1-7). He also goes on to declare to Israel’s enemies not to rejoice over her demise for she (Israel) will rise again ( vs 8-13). And finally God will forgive Israel for her iniquities because of His compassion and love toward His people, and also He will remember his covenant He made with their forefathers – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (vs 15-20). The opening three verses describe the loving kindness of our God. This is God’s disposition toward everyone. God’s overarching att

There are two words for hate in the Bible. The Hebrew word is sane. The Greek is miseo. The word has a variety of meanings. It can mean hostility, intense unjustifiable malice toward someone or something, or simple disregard. A similar word would be to abhor or despise. A milder meaning would mean to prefer one thing or person over another. [i] The idea that God would hate anyone will spark intense debates in any conversation since we know that God is love (I John 4:7-8). John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. The question would have to be asked, “Where in the Bible does it declare God hates anyone?” Leviticus 20:23 – Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nations which I shall drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them. In Psalm 5:5-6 David says, “The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all the workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood. The L

Postmodernism means after Modernism. Modernism is the period of time from approximately 1890-1945. This period covered from before World War I to the end of World War II. Modernism is the ideology that human philosophy is king.  In other words, we can understand humanity and life apart from divine revelation through human reason and the sciences - the rejection of Biblical truth. Postmodernism the spawn of modernism says that truth is relative and subjective. In other words, a common phrase postmodernists use is, “that may be true for you, but not for me!” The reason for this mindest is they say data is ever-changing, so no absolute conclusions can be drawn. As a result, the postmodernist concludes there are no absolute conclusions because absolute truth and knowledge are unknowable. What is the tragic result of this mindset? Everyone decides for themselves what is true. In non-essential areas such as food, fashion, movies, music, etc relativity is fine. Each can have his or her own

I'll ask the question a second time. Will things in this life ever get better? That depends upon your position in Christ. Many are trying their best to improve our environment and our world. Let me explain. For instance, we have environmentalists and others who want us to recycle, drive eco-friendly cars, ride on fuel efficient buses so that we do not pollute more our already contaminated environment; do not cut down any more trees so that we do not lose our supply of oxygen, pay our bills electronically so that we do not have to be sent a paper bill in the mail and the list goes on. All of these things are good gestures and should be applauded. We should do whatever it takes to preserve and use of our natural resources wisely. It is good stewardship however, in the end all these efforts will come to naught.                                                 While I am not trying to sound cynical, we as human beings will never be able to save the planet. No matter how many “smar

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned.                                                                                                                                                                                 -Romans 5:12 If one understands what Paul the apostle is teaching here, we would conclude God is not being fair. Let me explain. Paul is saying because of the original sin of Adam back in the Garden of Eden, all of his descendants sinned as well. But how someone may ask. Because we were all in the loins of Adam when he committed the sin. God imputed or transferred our original father’s sin nature to all of us. We are guilty by association. David in Psalm 51:5 hit this reality on the head when he said, “I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me”.                                         `Even a newborn child no matter how beautiful, cuddly and p