The Gospel Of Repentance

This is an interesting issue and a tough one I’m sure for many people when they read the account in the book of Exodus. Without careful study, it can be a very confusing narrative, and raise questions about the actions of God in dealing with Pharaoh. I will try to make some sense of it. God speaking to Moses we read In Exodus 7:3-4, “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart and multiply signs, and my wonders in the land of Egypt, but Pharaoh will not heed you so that I may bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt with great judgments.” However in Exodus 7:13, 23; 8:15,32; 9:6,34,35 it says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart and refused to heed the warnings of the Lord and let Israel go free. So here’s the apparent dilemma if these passages are not handled properly. On the surface it appears that God is hardening Pharaoh’s heart and subsequently punishing him for his obstinacy in refusing to let the people go. If that was the only reason...

The writer list several things that we are to do: A. Continue in brotherly love (vs. 1) B. Be kind to strangers (vs. 2) C. Be married, don't fornicate (vs. 4) D. Follow the faithful that have spoken the word to you (vs. 7, 17, 24).

The writer declares for us to run this race with patience as a result of the litany of heroes mentioned in the previous chapter. The writer declares that non of us will suffer to the degree that Jesus suffered (vs. 1-4). Writer also exhorts us not to despise the chastening of the Lord for it's for our good and continued holiness (vs 5-11). Verses 13-17 commands us  to walk uprightly and holy. The believer's righteous lifestyle aids in bringing the unregenerate to Christ. No one is brought to faith by osmosis. God uses men to deliver his word to convict all of sin. Finally, the writer recounts what happened in Exodus 19 and 20 when the children of Israel were at Mt. Sinai and were forbidden to go near the mountain when God through Moses gave the decalogue (i.e. ten commandments). Writer contrasts that account with the reality that we have been brought to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, where an innumerable company of angels dwell. This is our final glorious desti...

This chapter deals with the heroes of the  Faith. These individuals are regarded as godly examples of those who exhibited great faith in God in all types of circumstances. True faith in God is what declares one righteous in the sight of God. Key verse - Hebrews 11:6, "but without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a re-warder of those that diligently seek Him." Those described in this chapter: - Abel vs. 4 - Enoch vs. 5 - Abraham vs. 8-9 - Sarah vs. 10 - Isaac  vs. 20 - Jacob vs. 21 - Joseph vs. 22 - Moses vs. 22-29 All these people and more believed God, looking forward to the promise(s) of God having never obtained them fully in their lifetime. Enduring faith believes God unto death, not just a little while. This type of faith is patient, bold and fearless. This type of faith walks in full persuasion, trust and confidence in the word of God without wavering (2 Cor 4:18). This faith is motiva...

Once again the writer reminds his readers that the sacrifice of bulls and goats could never remove sins; rather the ongoing sacrifices were a constant reminder of their sins. Their consciences were tainted because of sins (vs. 1-4). In fact, the Lord never desired burnt sacrifices; they were merely types and shadows of the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ himself on the cross [(God the Father's altar) (vs. 5-10 from Psalm 40:6-8)]. Jesus sacrifice on the cross ratified the new/everlasting covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-32, (vs. 11-18). Vs. 18 is the same as Hebrews 9:22. Verse 22 fulfills the O.T. ritual of the High Priest on the Day of Atonement when he washed in the basin outside the tabernacle after which he would put on the holy garments to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies to atone for his sins, his family and the entire nation (vs 19-22). We're to keep believing in what Christ did for us without any doubt. God is faithful vs. 23. Verse...

And you who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him having forgiven us all our trespasses.                                                                                                                                       - Colossians 2:13 The phrase "born dead" is an oxymoron. How can one be alive and dead at the same time? Well, that is the way all mankind is born due to Adam and Eve's original sin in the Garden of Eden. Man is physically alive, but spiritually dead. He has no life inside of him - a zombie, a corpse - seriously living on borrowed time. Jesus said to the religious leaders...

A very popular phrase we use in today’s contemporary culture. However, I’m asking the question in a biblical context. Everyone who’s been born has or had a natural father. It’s also true that everyone has a spiritual father. And guess what? Everyone that’s ever lived and living now will spend eternity with your spiritual father. You need to determine from the Bible who your father is for this will determine your eternal destiny. Jesus told the religious leaders in John 8:44 that, “you are of your father the devil, and the lusts/desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” So we see here that the Pharisees and scribes did not recognize who Jesus was; that he was the Messiah come from heaven for they asked Him, “who is your Father?” (John 8:19a). Jesus replied to them saying,  “You know ...

Double predestination is the idea or belief that God predetermines some people to go heaven and others to hell. Is this true? As usual, we must go to the source of all truth the Bible. In Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” The word all in this context is exclusive. Mean all human beings have sinned. This is what scholars call a universal negative. In the Old Testament we read in Proverbs 20:9, “Who can say I have made my heart clean? Who can say I am clean my from sin?” The obvious answer is no one can or is willing to clean their own heart or cleanse themselves from sin. Ephesians 2:1 says we were dead in trespasses and sins. Colossians 2:13 says you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh. Point being is that God only predestines the elect, the chosen. He does not predetermine the non elect go to hell. They go to hell because of their rejection of the finished work of Jesus Christ through wi...

Karma is a far eastern religious practice in Buddhism (Buddhism was started by Siddhartha Gautama in the sixth century B.C. It’s an offshoot of Hinduism), and Hinduism. Karma’s main ingredients are the laws of cause and effect and reincarnation. By the adherent performing good deeds (good Karma) in this life, it will guarantee a better life when one is reincarnated (brought back to life in a nobler form if one was good in the prior life). An action good or bad, will result in a subsequent reaction. Bad Karma is obviously negative and keeps one in a endless circle of reincarnation and suffering. Reincarnation is the process where the disciple of the religion has to continue to suffer and divest themselves of bad Karma, the world, and it’s evil attachments through multiple life cycles and counter that with good Karma. So in essence the initiate gets countless “ do-overs” until they get it right. This would seem to be their equivalent of eradication of sin since Buddhists do not believ...

“ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.” -Exodus 20:11 I know there are those that will read this article and declare, “who cares how old the earth is. Me knowing this doesn’t determine my eternal salvation does it?” Not if you’re truly born again, but we have an obligation to seek out the truth if it’s available, and regarding this matter it is available (Proverbs 4:7). How much more should we seek and fight for the truth when this matter has been under vicious attack for over 200 years? It’s time to set the record straight. There are a wide variety of views on the age of the earth. If one is an evolutionist, then the earth is at least hundreds of millions of years old, and the universe is around 4.5 billions of years old or older. [i] Man is a result of some evolutionary “primordial soup”, and not the design of an intelligent creator. Basically the earth and everything in it ...