The Gospel Of Repentance

Perhaps you’ve wondered like I have about these two verses of scripture; if they contradict one another. Let’s look at both of them and see if we can determine what each one means. James 1:13-14 says this: “Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God can not be tempted by evil, neither does he tempt any man. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed.” The word tempted in the Greek is the word peirázō which means to test or prove. In this text it’s negative, because notice the temptation is from within the person. That’s why (vs. 14) says that a person is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. That’s also why James says that let no one say that when they’re tempted (to sin), they’re tempted of God. God never tempts anyone to sin; for that’s against God’s nature. God through Jesus Christ delivered us from the power of sin, so why would he tempt us to do that which he delivered us from (Romans 6)? He doesn’t. The temptation...

This is one of those verses that if the reader  isn’t careful and fails to read it in it’s context, you can come up with an incorrect meaning. So, let’s read it. It reads, “The Lord is not slack as concerning His promise, as some count slackness,  but  is longsuffering toward us not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). The apostle Peter is writing and talking specifically to believers. The reason we know this is two key texts; II Peter 2:1, “Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Only believers have true faith so Peter is talking to believers. II Peter 3:1 says, “this is the second epistle or letter ( in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and the commandment of us, the apost...

Those verses read:   Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.  Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not high minded, but fear:  for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee.  Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off (Romans 11:19-22). On the surface these verses appear to speak of loss of salvation, but they do not. What is being explained here is that the apostle Paul is talking about is through the Hebrews unbelief, the way of salvation has been opened to the Gentiles (i.e. heathen, pagan, non-Jew, the nations). Those that believe have been grafted into the olive tree which is a symbol of God’s covenant blessings with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21;17:1-27).  Those that did not continue in belief were c...

That’s a very provocative question. The shocking answer to the question is yes! You may be saying, “now wait a minute! Why in the world would God do something like that? We belong to the Lord! God and Satan are eternal enemies right?” That indeed is true. I know it’s a disturbing question, but one we need to explore. As always we must search the scriptures to see what God has to say regarding this controversial matter. Let’s examine the beginnings of Job chapters one and two: 6  Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them. 7  And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8  And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil. 9  ...

                                               A lot of people do not care about the question because many people do not believe in a actual personage named the devil. For many, he's just a symbol or personification describing evil. If you ask others  the question, they will tell you the devil or Satan lives in hell with his demons tormenting dead wicked sinners. But is this reasoning true? Some may be shocked to discover that is not true at all; the devil believe it or not resides in the heavenly places. Don’t believe me? Well, let’s see what the bible has to say about it. In the book of Job chapters one and two it says this, “now there was a day when the sons of God (Angels) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. In Job 2:1 it says that Satan also presented himself before the Lord. The Lord said to Satan, “...

The writer posed the question because we need to answer the question of who’s in charge in the Church, Men or Women? In I Timothy 2:11-13 it reads, “ Let a woman learn in silence with all submission, and I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man , but to be in silence. For Adam was created first, then Eve.” The scripture continues in I Timothy 3:1-7, “ If a man desires the office of bishop (or overseer), he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous. One who rules his house well (if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how can he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the snare and condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he f...

The name Malachi means “my messenger” or “ messenger of God” Chapter 1 -  The prophet starts off by declaring his love for Israel and his contempt for the nation of Edom (i.e. descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau). Apparently the Hebrews were questioning God’s affection from them hence the opening response by the prophet, vs. 2 God is displeased because of the lack of reverence in their worship toward him. The priests are vowing to God the best of their possessions, but actually offering the worst; showing contempt for God and their office. God said that he will not accept their sacrifices , vs. 6-10. God said, “when you offer the lame and sick is it not evil?” God said your governor wouldn’t accept such a profane offering. The prophet told the people God would rather shut the doors of the temple than for them to offer unholy, worthless sacrifices on his altar – don’t offer anything at all. The prophet closes  by saying in the end times, his name will be hono...