Saturday, December 28, 2024

Is God Fair?

There are several ways I could answer this question. If you ask the average person Is God fair, they would say no. Now what do I mean by average? In this PC culture someone may think that I am belittling someone's intelligence by calling someone average but I am not. I am using the word average as a rule or barometer on how most likely people think about God - the God of the Bible; the One and Only True God by the way. Declaring God is not fair is a statement of ignorance on those who know Him very little or not at all. Being ignorant of something does not mean a person is unintelligent, rather it means they lack knowledge about a matter.

But, of all of things to be ignorant about, the absolute worst person to be ignorant about is the nature of God. If one does not understand God's nature, you will NEVER fully understand your own nature; its absolutely impossible. Can we know God's nature? Yes. How? Only through His self revelation, the scriptures.

Now at this point there will be many that will disagree with me and say Jesus appeared to them in a dream or vision and revealed Himself to them. How would they or anyone else know for certain it was Jesus? What did Jesus say to them?  Does this encounter comport with scripture? You see experiences are subjective. No one else can validate what the person claimed they saw and heard is true. Can God communicate to us in a dream? Yes because He is sovereign. We find instances of that in the Bible, but is was never random; it was always for a purpose.  We have the more sure word of prophecy in our laps (2 Peter 1:19). The Canon is closed. Any heavenly or divine experiences we have should be subordinate or bow the knee to objective scripture. I do not see why God would need to reveal Himself in a dream when we have all we need about Him in His word.

I also will not sit and have a debate on whether someone claimed they had a prophetic dream and or vision from the Lord. 

Will a man judge God?

In Malachi 3:8 the question is asked will a man rob God? The answer is that the children of Israel were robbing God of tithes and offerings (italics mine). My point being is that if a man will rob God,  certainly he has no problem judging Him un-righteously.

When a person declares that God is not fair, what they are actually saying is God is not just, or He is not executing justice towards me; He is treating me far less that what I deserve. We have all heard the phrase, "Be careful what you ask for you just might get it!"  The last thing any person should want is for God to be fair or just. Why? Because we being the wretches that we are would be instantly incinerated into hell by the Lord. That is divine justice which most of the world will receive at the end of time. Unregenerate mankind's "goodness" is deplorable to God. Remember what I said earlier, man does not know his own nature - that it's depraved.

The wisdom of Solomon regarding the nature of man

Proverbs 14:12; 16:25 - There is a way that seems right to a man but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 15:8 - The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord but the prayer of the upright is His delight

Proverbs 21:27 - The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, how much more when he brings it with wicked intent

Proverbs 20:6 - Every man will declare his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?

Solomon's report card on the nature of man is bad, but true.

What do we need from the Lord?

In a word, pity. That involves humbling ourselves which prideful humans do not want to do. They figure it makes them look weak. Guess what? Man's strength is weak compared to Almighty God. He just refuses to accept it. What we need is the Lord's compassion, His everlasting mercy and grace. Without these virtues no one will see the Lord favorably. 

In Micah 7:18-20 we read, Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us. You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in the days long ago.

So the prophet Micah reveals to us that God delights to show mercy. It gives Him joy to take away our sins. This is the dominate truth of the scriptures; that God is merciful and is ready to forgive and save sinners. So no God is not fair according to man's definition of fairness. In today's society that is nothing more than DEI and social justice. God is not a socialist - He is the Ultimate Evangelist.

All men are guilty before the Lord and those who are not saved currently have the wrath of God abiding on them (John 3:36). By God not being fair and delivering us from our sins instead, we have eternally avoided His justice- praise God! 

Those who desire justice/fairness from God will ultimately get what they deserve. Those of us who are saved are not getting what we deserve; rather we are receiving mercy and grace and that is because of God's love.

Those who are unsaved are also experiencing God's mercy and grace everyday they live, but because they are ungrateful, they do not thank the Lord for it. Sadly the moment things go wrong in their lives, they are quick to blame God; stating that he is not fair. Remember, everyone in life receives either mercy and grace or fairness/justice. No one EVER receives injustice from God.

           For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways says the Lord                                                              As the heavens are higher than the earth,                                                         

so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts

 Isaiah 55:8-9

                        


Monday, December 9, 2024

Are We Supposed To Fight For Biblical Truth?

 Lately I wondered if Christians have been too harsh and critical of other Christians regarding their doctrine. Let me explain what I mean. I follow several YouTube Christian Content Creators that are solid Biblical Expositors. They have no problem pointing out doctrinal error in the pulpit of Pastors when they come across it. I agree them with more than I disagree because I share a kindred spirit with them. They are Biblically astute. Those that filter what they see and hear through a Biblical lens are being led by the Holy Spirit and do not habitually fall into error. Those that are emotive more than doctrinal often fall into serious error. Performance based “Pastors” are only interested in arousing the emotions of their congregations; it’s the blind leading the blind. Seeker sensitive “Pastors” love to “Decree and Declare” things to their congregations; God is going to bless you with a new house this year! There’s a healing with your name on it! I prophesy that you’re not going to be broke anymore, etc. While all this positive confession tickles and tantalizes the senses, they’re lying to their gullible audiences. Those of us who have a reverence and fidelity for Biblical truth find this egregious and heart breaking. God has placed ministry gifts into the Body of Christ for equipping and maturing of the Saints, not for us to be merely entertained and to be ineffective in the kingdom (Ephesians 4:11-15).

Should we just pray for Pastors and parishioners who are in error and not test their doctrine? It is unloving to correct false teaching?

Those that do not want us to question the Pastor always say to just “pray for them!” One of the most famous retorts regarding the Pastor is, “Touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm!” That verse is almost always taken out of context. For an explanation regarding this verse, read my article here: https://gospelofrepentance.blogspot.com/2024/01/touch-not-my-anointed.html

The Bible does not say we are to just pray for those who teach error. Rather we are to lovingly correct them who contradict the truth (Titus 1:11-14). This is what Paul instructed Titus to do. Those who are able to teach are supposed teach others so that we mature and grow in truth. The apostle John in his second letter wrote to the elect lady and declared that he was happy that some of her children were walking in the Truth (2 John 1:4).              

The Apostle Paul wherever he traveled would enter into the synagogues of that city and preach Christ.

From the Amplified Bible Version

Acts 17:1b-2 – …they came to Thessalonica, and there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul entered as he usually did, and for three Sabbaths he reasoned and argued with them from the scriptures.

Acts 17:17 – So he reasoned and argued in the synagogue (in Athens) with the Jews and those who worshiped there, and in the marketplace (where the assemblies are held) day after day with any who chanced to be there

Acts 19:8 – And he went into the synagogue (i.e. Ephesus), and for three months spoke boldly persuading and arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God

 

Why should we be so passionate about God’s word? Simple, it is the Truth! The world has no problem championing their lies. We have to counter their lies with the Truth. If we keep silent, we are in sin and the following will be the result. This is what Paul commanded Timothy to do:

2 Timothy 4:2-5 - preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound (or healthy) doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears from hearing the truth and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

If you’re a Pastor and you’re not up to the task of doing what Paul commands above, do yourself and your congregation a favor and step down from the pulpit.

Teaching and preaching God’s word is a labor of love and patience. It is also every Christian’s responsibility. This is NOT an option! Paul gave Timothy the command, and by extension us as well. Remember, Paul told Timothy that God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

Jude 3 commands that we are to contend (or fight) for the Faith once for all delivered to the saints.

1 Peter 3:15 says this: Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

1 John 4:1 COMMANDS us to test the spirits to see if they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  That means we are to evaluate what we hear and make a judgment to determine if what we are hearing is true or false.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 commands us to test all things. Cling to that which is good.

Acts 17:11 commends the Berean Christians stating they were more noble than the Thessalonians because they received the Word of God with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so. The Bereans had the sense to examine what they heard from Paul and Silas and compared what they heard against the scripture to verify if they were hearing the truth.

 2 Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is breathed out buy God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished for every good work.

If we say Amen to everything we hear because its coming from the pulpit, we might as well say the Pastor is infallible which of course is not true.

No man or woman that is continually teaching false doctrine is being led by the Spirit of God. God is never the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

Living the Christian life the right way is a Truth War. It’s a good fight (2 Timothy 4:7). Why do we have to fight? Because we have enemies of the truth – the arch enemy being the devil himself. Jesus said that whoever is not for Me is against Me (Matthew 12:30). Whoever is an enemy of Christ is an enemy of mine. Despite that truth, we have to love our enemies and persuade them to come to the knowledge of the truth.

So the solution for those in chronic doctrinal error is not prayer alone, its loving correction with the truth of scripture. Sadly, pragmatism in lieu of the Bible is what pervades many churches. If it’s working, then do it is what these false teachers are promoting. The Bible is an afterthought; meaning they will sprinkle eisegetically Bible verses to convince their unsuspecting parishioners that what they are doing is a move of the Holy Spirit.

Once again, to rebuke these false teachers is good and commanded of scripture when its done with love and truth with meekness and fear. We realize those who warn others of false teachers aren’t better than them but fear the Lord enough to challenge their falsehood and lovingly appeal to them to repent of their heresy because if they don’t, they are going to drag countless souls to hell with them.

 

Friday, December 6, 2024

Are We Supposed to Fight for Biblical Truth? A preview

 Why should we be so passionate about God’s word? Simple, it is the Truth! The world has no problem championing their lies. We have to counter their lies with the Truth. If we keep silent, we are in sin and the following will be the result. This is what Paul commanded Timothy to do:

2 Timothy 4:2-5 - preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound (or healthy) doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears from hearing the truth and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

If you’re a Pastor and you’re not up to the task of doing what Paul commands above, do yourself and your congregation a favor and step down from the pulpit.

Teaching and preaching God’s word is a labor of love and patience. It is also every Christian’s responsibility. This is NOT an option! Paul gave Timothy the command, and by extension us as well. Remember, Paul told Timothy that God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

Jude 3 commands that we are to contend (or fight) for the Faith once for all delivered to the saints.

1 Peter 3:15 says this: Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

Monday, November 4, 2024

The Writer's Extreme Burden: Jesus, Blackness or Molech? An Appeal To The Black Christian

I just heard from a YouTuber that I follow two and a half months ago said CNN reported that 69% of black people are casting their votes for Kamala Harris. Twenty three percent are for Trump, and 8% are undecided. The vice president has picked up the torch of Joe Biden in that she is for womb assassination, or as they call it reproductive freedom, and ongoing support for the LGBQTIA+ community; i.e. the homosexual revolution amongst a myriad of other destructive policies. I do not care if you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian, etc. What policies as a Christian do you promote? What I find most egregious is that Black people continue to spew rhetoric about coming together and being unified. Why are so many willing to kill their babies and call it health care, pro-choice, my body my choice? No. The life growing inside of the mother is not her body. The baby is a separate life with its own heart, lungs, limbs, eyes, mouth, ears etc. Why are so many willing to allow their children to be groomed to become the opposite sex when that is impossible? How can you continue the legacy of black people if you’re destroying said legacy in utero simultaneously? Exodus 20:6 commands that we are not to murder. God knows us before we are even conceived! In Jeremiah 1:5 we read, “Before you were formed in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Psalm 139:13-14 says that you formed my inward parts and covered me in my mother’s womb. Verse fourteen says I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Many Christians are what I call C.I.N.O. (Christian in name only).

All of this has made me realize a terrible truth about our society…

Shame has died and many have seared their conscience.

Jesus told Nicodemus, “Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil” (John 3:19).[1]

It’s time for a heart check. Yes, it’s time for tough love. True love always tells the truth. If you fall into the above categories, you need to repent today! Your hypocrisy is butt naked, and you can no longer conceal your shame.

Here’s a question for you Black Christian. It’s time to be honest. Who or what do you worship, Jesus,  Blackness or Molech? No one can serve two masters Jesus said. Here is my definition of Blackness.

Blackness is the cult whereby the Afrostocrasy[2] determines what the present goals, policies and future “should” be for black people in America. The unspoken rule is all black people are “hard-wired” ethnically together due to melanin count and MUST stay on code.  To defect from the cult is to be labeled a race traitor a sell out and a coon.

I’ll get to who the real sell outs are in a moment.

One of their main tenets is reparations / Black Descendants of slavery suing the government is what the writer calls it.  The Reparations Committee demand (emphasis added) the government provide some type of payments to eligible descendants (it seems to me in order for one to be eligible, the government will have to really get very deep into your personal life. Do you really want that?) of those enslaved in the past– i.e. stick it the racist white man government. I guess the point of these payments are to be retro-active compensatory damages for all the years black slaves were chattel labor to their slave masters free of charge. In other words, white people today have to atone for the sins of their forefathers and foremothers whether they were slave owners or not - i.e. sins by proxy.  I’m sure it is assumed that all white people living in America today are descendants of slave owners, so they are guilty by association right? Should Christians be on board with this? Do you think this “financial apology” from the “White Supremacist” government will improve ethnic relations between blacks and whites or deteriorate them further?  Will this monetary olive branch cure white people of their “systemic” racism? Does this mean that black people will finally forgive white people for their ancestor’s racism and their current “systemic” racism?

NAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

Unforgiveness has always been thicker than money, and no amount of money will cure the hatred between many blacks and whites. You see hatred and unforgiveness is a matter of the heart not money. With the Afrostocrasy and black people in general, forgiving white people is considered weak, spineless and race treachery – a type of Stockholm Syndrome. Don’t believe me? I dare you to listen to this episode from Darrell Harrison and Virgil Walker from the Just Thinking Podcast: https://justthinking.me/ep-084-when-forgiveness-isnt-woke-enough/

As soon as a white police officer kills a black person, we’ll be right back where we started – burning cities to the ground and looting screaming DEFUND THE POLICE!!

George Floyd 2.0!

The Bible command that we forgive all, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, even as God in Christ FORGAVE YOU (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Jesus also said, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). The opposite is obvious; if you’re not merciful do not expect to receive mercy.

It is not natural for us to forgive those that hurt us. It is natural for us to retaliate. Forgiveness comes from the power of God. When He empowers us to forgive others, we are free.

The government paying billions or trillions of dollars to descendants of slaves due to some collective white guilt will come at a tremendous ungodly cost to the taxpayer.  I have never known the government to give money away for free. This would be the most expensive bond measure in U.S. history! The payback on this will cost our descendants well into the twenty-second century!! I do not believe this provides freedom to us as black people. Rather, I think it is a way for either the state or federal government to enslave many. What do I mean? Do not think for a moment that “big brother” will not surveil you even more now that you may hit the “federal black reparations lottery.” If you think you were hated before, I believe the disdain from the government and the deep state will grow against reparationists exponentially. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but that is the way I see it. Hyperinflation here we come!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 But then again, this writer does not believe black people will receive a single reparations penny from the government.

OOOPS! I forgot; I live in California so…[3]

Womb Assassination, Molech Reborn!



The Ammonites were a pagan nation in Biblical Antiquity who were infamously known for child sacrifice. The god they paid homage to was named Molech, the fire god. When sacrificing children to this false god, the adherents would play drums to drown out the cries of the child being offered in the fire. A righteous king by the name of Josiah (ca 640-609 B.C.)[4] destroyed this wicked idolatrous practice in his day, tore down the pagan altar and made the area a perpetual garbage dump where trash burned twenty-four hours a day. The area is called the valley of Hinnom (2 Kings 23:10).

Those that sacrifice babies in the womb are the new Ammonites, and Planned Parenthood is the new Molech. Those that murder their babies on demand are sacrificing their children’s blood to demons. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood was a eugenicist who hated black people and called us and others who she deemed unfit to pro-create as “human weeds and useless eaters that need to be exterminated.”[5] That is why she created the Negro Project back in 1939 and employed black activists and ministers to spread her death cult.  Just as Molech was a false deity that was destroyed about 2500 years ago, Sanger is a dead woman in hell awaiting final judgment. The selective outrage of some black people is mind boggling to me. On the one hand, many want reparations although they were never enslaved by anyone. On the other hand, they are willing and happy to butcher their babies to Satan.  It’s a sin for the white man to marginalize, harm and kill us, but it’s okay for black people to assassinate their babies in the womb and call it healthcare and reproductive freedom? You hypocrite! If this sin is not repented of, how do you escape the damnation of hell (Matthew 23:33)?  Black Christian, are you down for this? Have you shackled yourself to the Afrostocrasy plantation or are you a free thinker? This is what the current democratic nominee stands for.

 

Proverbs 6:16-19

These six things the Lord hates, yes seven are an abomination to Him:

A proud look

A lying tongue

Hands that shed innocent blood (that would include murdering the pre-born)

 Heart that devises wicked plans

Feet that are swift in running to evil

A false witness that speaks lies

And one who sows discord among brethren

WOW! If the above rebukes do not describe today’s politicians I don’t know what does.

 Final Remarks



I have been hearing this phrase frequently in the YouTube streets, “All skin folk ain’t kinfolk!” Translation, just because we are the same ethnicity, does not mean we are together and share the same ideals and worldviews. I do not worship my melanin, nor do I sacrifice to the new Molech. In Matthew 12:46-50 Jesus is teaching the crowds, and someone tells Jesus that His Mother and Brothers wanted to speak with Him. Jesus gives a provocative reply. He said, “Who is My mother and who are my brothers?” And stretching out His hand toward His disciples He said, “Here are My mother and brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Jesus was not disowning His natural family. He was speaking from a kingdom perspective. Those that were doing the will of His Father superseded His blood relatives. So what that means is as a black man or woman who is a professing Christian, the White, Mexican, Arab, Indian who is a Christian are your brothers and sisters in the Lord. The Black man or woman who does not profess Christ is NOT your brother or sister – OUCH! I know that hurts. Remember skin don’t mean kin! Paul said in Romans 8:9b if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they are not His. What this means is that just because someone shares a similar hue with you does not mean you’re in the same family. That’s Bible. It does not mean you do not love them and cannot be friends; it just means that you’re unequally yoked with them when it comes to the faith you profess.

So, black Christian, be very careful who you lock arms with. Don’t be so quick to go along to get along. Being black is not a monolithic religious cult, but many blacks including many so-called black Christians have made their blackness into a golden calf that they worship. It’s a false social gospel.  So who’s the sellout now? While some may call me a race traitor (by the way there is no such thing), those that worship their melanin are Jesus traitors and apostates! Well you be damned! It is time for you to repent today for you have lost your way my friend! Real Christians serve one Master – Jesus Christ.  

We must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29)!

In the immortal words of the Apostle Paul, “Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth” (Galatians 4:16)? Are you offended by what I’m saying? Are you clutching your pearls?                                                                                                            

No candidate who makes it to the White House can save black people or anyone else. Can they make things better? Determines what that better is. Will they lower taxes, gas prices, food, get rid of the homeless pandemic, protect our borders from illegals who drain our resources, deal with the smash and grabs, provide affordable housing and healthcare, stop grooming children to artificially change their biological sex thus preparing them for hell? Will they promote school choice? An administration that can accomplish these things is good for all Americans. I’m not optimistic with any candidate honestly. Humans are wicked and they are getting worse (2 Timothy 3:13). My only solace is I pray to God to move on their hearts to do what is right (Proverbs 21:1). Especially for leaders because they tend to be the most corrupt.

Here is a Biblical text that I use to vet leaders by. If this is violated too much, I reject them, “It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness since the throne is established by righteousness” (Proverbs 16:12).

The President is not a king, but they have high authority. They should also have a high moral character and the right convictions.

Black Christian return to your first love – the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t get caught up in identity politics, blackness ideology or the sin of melanin idolatry. They’re all demon doctrines. You need to study the scriptures and be very discriminate who you listen to and follow – that includes these so called black social gospel preachers who are more concerned about colorism than Christ.  If you’re young in your faith you definitely would benefit from a mentor(s) who can guide you skillfully into Biblical truth. I had a mature brother in Christ encourage and challenge me in the Word of God nearly 37 years ago. Since I was young and starving to know the truth, I accepted the challenge, and I have never looked back. Others of you could use a dose of humility and get back to the basics. You may be seasoned in the Word, but now you’re bored and you’ve become mechanic. You’re just going through the motions.  Admittedly I have been there. It’s so very easy to allow life to distract us and get us off our true reason why we have been saved – that is to glorify God and be a light in a world of hopelessness and darkness. Get excited again and again about opening the text and letting the Father speak from His heart to yours. You CANNOT have ongoing communion with the Lord and your worldviews do not morph into His.

You know that is what we all need right? Reclaim your peace by putting the Lord first.

Love who you are, but never worship who you are. Again, Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt 6:24). Or in our case, you cannot serve God, Blackness and Molech. You must choose. To involve all three together is Syncretism.[6]

I urge you Black Christian choose Jesus so that you may live. If you don’t I suspect that you may have believed God in vain. You MUST carefully examine your life to see if you’re truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). A true profession of Christ MUST be coupled with a transformed life.

 

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!...Who justify the wicked for a bribe and take away justice from the righteous man!

Isaiah 5:20-21; 23

 


[1] Darkness and light represent wickedness and righteousness in this passage

[2] Afrostocrasy are the black elitists, the civil rights activist, the politician, and the black social gospel (non-evangelical) preacher

[4] ca means approximately

[5] Learn about the life of Margaret Sanger in Bruce Fleury’s book “The Negro Project”

[6] Syncretism is when someone combines religious, political, and philosophical views. It’s a salvation

Based on human works that can never save the soul

As Christians we practice Monergism. Meaning we believe in Christ, alone for salvation. It’s never the result

Of human effort for Jesus did all the work when he died on the cross to take away our sins

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Can We Have Peace In a World Of Unrest?

 This is a thought provoking question for me and I’m sure for many others. How do we have peace in the middle of the ongoing storms of life? Is Peace even possible? And if it is, what does it look like? If you were to ask several people, you would get different answers. Some would say peace is good health, prosperity, solid relationships with family, friends and neighbors. Others may find their peace through meditation, yoga and exercise to relieve stress. And then there are others that find peace through entertainment like sporting events and parties. All these things are from the outside, but can we have inner peace? And if so, how long does it last?

Jesus told His disciples before His suffering and death in John 14:27 that My peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives give I to you. So, there are two kinds of peace, worldly peace and heavenly peace. The world’s peace I just described above. God’s peace is nothing like the world’s. We need to examine some of the wonders of God’s peace.

How does one obtain God’s Peace?

Answering this question will be the bulk of this article. It is important I point out that the unregenerate will never have abiding peace. Why? Because they are not saved. They have never repented of their sins and placed their faith in Jesus Christ for the remissions of their sins to receive the gift of eternal life. The unsaved are at war with God so there is no peace for them. There is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 57:21). The prophet Isaiah approximately seven hundred years before Christ called Jesus “The Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6). That is why Jesus could tell His disciples that I am giving you My peace, He is the Prince and / or Ruler of it (John 14:27).

God’s peace is one of His perfect attributes. Peace means quietness, wholeness, tranquility. My favorite ones are assurance and fearlessness. It is only given to those who place their trust in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the washing away of their sins for their justification. What that means is the prideful arrogant heart of mankind must be made low. Once man realizes his depravity is an affront to God’s holiness and that he deserves hell NOW, because of his rebellion against his creator, his heart is ready to receive the Father’s love that is in Christ who is willing and ready to save anyone who comes to Him, the right way; His way (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)! Without humility, man will never experience peace, only unrest. Even worse God’s wrath abides on the wicked and He is angry with them every day (John 3:36; Psalm 7:11). So those of you who read this paper and are stressed two things are happening; 1) You’re saved but you’re in sin so the peace you were given by God has been interrupted. Repent today and confess your sin so that you can get back in right relationship with Father and the Son to enjoy that peace and rest. God always forgives (1 John 1:9). 2) You’re not saved at all because you have never experienced the peace of God. You are being deceived because your worldly success and creature comforts have produced a mirage-peace, a false peace. But if one is honest, an external peace is not real peace at all. One author said unsaved people only experience God’s truce, but not His peace. God is forbearing with the wicked, but only for a while. God’s reckoning is coming! None will be able to stand against it (Revelation 6:12-17).

 

I still do not see how I can have peace in a world of turmoil

It is naturally a dichotomy when Christians declare we have peace, yet the world is on fire (literally and figuratively). After pondering on this I asked myself the question, “how would I describe God’s peace to someone who asked me?” My reply would be I liken God’s peace from the storms of the world like a mighty fortress with a forcefield that repels all invaders. Although every imaginable catastrophe is happening outside, it cannot penetrate and destroy my peace because God is protecting me from the evil. His peace is impenetrable. God’s peace is indwelt so the world cannot touch it. God’s peace does not mean everything is peaceful outside because clearly it is not. But for those who are in Christ and Christ is in them, peace is assured forever. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.” God’s peace is our hiding place. God’s peace is assurance that although the world is about to bust hell wide open, we don’t have to worry. I know how history is going to end. The Bible tells me so.

I remember years ago I was working at a place when we had a major earthquake. It may have been the San Francisco quake in October of 1989. It damaged the Bay Bridge and temporarily stopped the World Series between the Oakland A’s and the San Francisco Giants. Several co-workers were in a panic thinking maybe the world was coming to an end. I remember my friend who is a brother in Christ said that several people came to him in fear asking for prayer. He asked them, “Why? What are you worried about?” You see, he possessed the peace of God, they did not. God’s inner peace calms the spirit of the otherwise restless soul that normally would be running around petrified by every problem. Who in the world wants to live like that every single day?! Sadly, the majority of the world does.

True peace can never come through government legislation, climate change, clean energy and elections. Mankind can and never will be the solution. Man’s wickedness is the reason why we need the Lord to cure our universal disease, our sin.

God’s peace is the gift that keeps on giving. It is a living and divine power. It is the healing of the soul. God’s peace makes one whole. It is granted when one is saved and abides with child of God throughout their life. It’s an attribute of God that we must cultivate and develop in our lives so that we become more Christ-like. Our peace is interrupted when our flesh causes us to doubt the promises of God and we get caught up in sin. God’s peace is still there, but we have abandoned it to do our own thing – focusing too much on our circumstances and worldly things. Once that happens, we lose assurance, and we begin to worry. At that time we are not experiencing the peace of God.

So yes, we can and do have peace in a world of evil because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33) Those of us who are in Christ are joint heirs with Him (Rom 8:14; Eph 3:6). What He possesses is ours for He gave it to us by divine right. Notice I said He gave it to us; we didn’t earn it neither do we deserve it.

So child of God you can enjoy rest. YES! Even now. I’m endeavoring to grow in it every day. Why? The mess we are dealing with now is Romper Room compared to what is about to come shortly thereafter. Things are about to get far worse before they get better. So let’s practice God’s peace in our lives everyday by studying His word, meditating on His promises for us and obeying His commands. That’s the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).

Only a fool wouldn’t want that.

 

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He causes me to walk in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me; Your rod and staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

Psalm 23:1-6

 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus

Philippians 4:6-7

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Contemplating The Matter Of Evil

 

Recently, I published a book entitled, “The Goodness of God and the Reality of Evil. Subtitled, “Why Do They Co-Exist?” In the book, I endeavor to answer that question. I just finished a book by Clay Jones dealing with the same subject. His book is entitled: “Why Does God Allow Evil?” Clay presents his treatise regarding evil as well. He takes the matter in a different way than me. If you really want to learn about this matter, click on the link above to purchase Clay’s book. You can purchase my book by visiting my website: www.delvinrarnold.com.

In studying this subject at length, and continuing to study it, I have discovered a couple of man’s fundamental problems: He focuses on why God allows evil instead of focusing on why men commit evil. The second problem in my opinion is worse than the first: Man does not understand that his sin is exceedingly sinful in the sight of God. Nor does he understand the beauty of God’s holiness. Summing up this equation, God understands man’s depraved nature completely. We, however, do not know (or really care) how wicked we really are.

We commit evil because we want to (John 3:19). It gives us pleasure. For some reason man thinks or hopes he can somehow avoid the consequences of his actions. You see, God does not punish us as soon as we commit sin. If He did we would walk on eggshells all day long looking over our shoulders in petrified fear. Praise God that He is merciful. He gives us space to repent of our sins so that His wrath does not come down on us. The problem with man is that once he gets a taste of evil and he stupidly thinks God is not looking, he takes it up a notch. And before he realizes it he’s piled up enough sins to reach heaven. Guess what? You’ve got God’s attention.

God has given us a wonderful gift – the gift of free will. Just like everything else God has given us to enjoy, we have abused it. Man has decided he wants to be like God – free will with full autonomy – no restraint. How has that worked out for us? If we could ask the dead – Sanger, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin (btw, never ever try to contact the dead, I mean really, don’t!), I’m sure their reply would be, “I’m burning in hell! How do you think it worked out?!”

If we are to make sense of evil, we MUST look at it theologically. We have to view it through a Biblical lense. If we don’t, we will chalk it up to bad luck in our lives, randomness – no rhyme or reason. That type of thought process denies personal and moral responsibility for your evil.

Genesis 6:5 we read that, “Then the Lord saw that wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of the heart was only evil continually.”

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to doing evil” (Jeremiah 13:3)?

Man’s “answer” to evil is moralism – gun control, more prisons, deadly medications to control behavior, hypnotherapy, transgenderism – so many people are frustrated because they are convinced they were born the wrong gender. Changing their gender will make them happy. No! It turns someone into a Frankenstein monster!

Evil is a matter of the heart and soul. The problem is inward not outward. One can never solve evil with more evil. Man’s righteousness is filthy rags (Isa 64:6) so it requires what scholars call an alien righteousness to make us right in the eyes of God. The only way we can be cured of our evil is if someone took it judicially away.

That person is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Man’s sin condition is so severe, so grave that it required the Father to send the Son of God to be sacrifice and the sacrificer for our sins (Heb 9:26). No other way will do. Jesus said, “I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6).

Man is not desperate enough. He’s lived so long with his evil; he is immune to sin. He believes deep down there is some virtue within himself to solve mankind’s problems because he believes he is good. If he can somehow do that, then God is not needed. That is what evil man prefers – that God did not exist at all. It is hard to admit when we are in total despair, but we are. Evil has brought us here. Fortunately God is here, and He is willing and ready to pardon our sins if we repent of them and place them at the feet of the cross where Jesus was punished for them on our behalf. Sin has to be paid for – for the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23).

The statement I am about to make will be hard for many if not most of you to receive. God permits human evil because He loves us. He hates what we do, but He loves His creation. For now He has allowed evil. He desires that all men repent and not perish (2 Pet 3:9). If God decides to forgo His mercy and grace, and execute His justice now on evil, this world will be an empty place. You get it? If God got rid of evil now, we are all dead. The unsaved would be sent straight to hell. Newsflash! This is our fault not God’s. Remember, God has given us free will. We have abused that privilege and have lived in rebellion on purpose.  

It is time that evil people stop blaming God for the way things are in this world. But I know better than that; sinful mankind will never stop blaspheming the Almighty. Their evil is too deep seeded in their hearts for that to happen on their own. A transformed heart can only be changed by God. God has to perform spiritual heart surgery for man to change. Why? Because evil man is dead because of his sins (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13).

The prophet Ezekiel describes what God must do to compel the sinner to desire to do His will:

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take out the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statues, and you will keep My judgements and do them (Ezekiel 36;26-27)

 

God has the cure for our sin disease, a new heart; one that will give us the desire to serve God with joy and at the same time successfully battle our sin.

 

 

Friday, August 23, 2024

Contemplating The Matter of Evil - A Preview

 

In studying this subject at length, and continuing to study it, I have discovered a couple of man’s fundamental problems: He focuses on why God allows evil instead of focusing on why men commit evil. The second problem in my opinion is worse than the first: Man does not understand that his sin is exceedingly sinful in the sight of God. Nor does he understand the beauty of God’s holiness. Summing up this equation, God understands man’s depraved nature completely. We, however, do not know (or really care) how wicked we really are.

We commit evil because we want to (John 3:19). It gives us pleasure. For some reason man thinks or hopes he can somehow avoid the consequences of his actions. You see, God does not punish us as soon as we commit sin. If He did we would walk on eggshells all day long looking over our shoulders in petrified fear. Praise God that He is merciful. He gives us space to repent of our sins so that His wrath does not come down on us. The problem with man is that once he gets a taste of evil and he stupidly thinks God is not looking, he takes it up a notch. And before he realized it he’s piled up enough sins to reach heaven. Guess what? You’ve got God’s attention.

Full article to be published soon

Revelation 20 - Part 1

This chapter is the only place where the devil is bound (vs 2). Notice an angel from heaven does it, not us. Humans have never been able to ...