Dusty Idea today is being a God fearing Christian and having the knowledge and wisdom it takes to be that, is the most important kind of wisdom or knowledge we can attain. Also that it should be attained ahead of knowledge for any earthly gains, whether it be money, power or prestige.
If you ask almost any minister or leader in the church if power, money and prestige are things to seek after I dare say any of them would say those are the qualities that a Christian should be seeking after.
Lets ask ourselves what knowledge is going to take us through this world and the next. The only knowledge that is important is the word that God left us. I'm open to anyone that knows another kind of knowledge that is important to eternal life, and why anything else is important especially in the light of God's promises to his children as far as taking care of them. (Matt. 6:25-34) First argument to this position that I have heard lately is that we have an obligation to God to be all we can be and max out our brains potential in universities and colleges. I don't know what bible verses this idea is based on. I would be open for anyone to send me information on this particular point. I think this idea is based in the theory that being smarter or educated in the secular world is a benefit that God appreciates. Eph. 4:13 says that the knowledge of the Son of God brings about a perfect man.
Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Psalms 111:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Knowing what we know about the creation and the surety of the judgement, the fear and knowledge of a living God should be the highest thing on our list of things to be concerned with. If we haven't obeyed God or if we have spent more time studying earthly knowledge, considering it more important than spiritual knowledge, the proper fear of God probably isn't in place. Getting wisdom is more important than getting knowledge. If you spend all your time acquiring knowledge, you may never attain any wisdom.
Only knowledge we're required to gain is recorded in 2 Pet 3:18, to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
WWsD
Dusty Idea for this blog is people use to think about WWJD, of course What Would Jesus Do? Now I think its very much the opposite. Whether people are aware or not, the world has always asked itself, WWsD or What Would satan Do? It is often a sobering thought to think of the lengths that satan will go to see that your soul winds up with him in Hell.
What would I do if I wanted to turn the people that God's only Son died for away from Him. First thing we have to realize is that worldly people don't have to be targeted. People that have never obeyed Christ or God aren't on satan's list of humans to manipulate. He doesn't need to and there's no point, they're already lost and thats the whole goal. If you are in this group of people that never darken the door where a Church meets, satan isn't after you he already has you. He has already defeated you without having to fire a shot, because you wouldn't enter the battle with the Lord. Lucifer no doubt spends his time working on Christians, individually and in groups.
So the question remains, "What Would satan Do?", or from this point on WWsD.
Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of life. All sins fall in these categories. If I were him I would start in on the young right away and as soon as possible on not just one but all three of these tempations. I would make pleasurable ways for children to see the kinds of things I would want them to be learning. I would help tv programs get into homes and attack the children first. I would make sure that programs which promote witchcraft, astrology, New Age Philosophies and Gaia worship (mother earth) were seen in the home as comedies and cartoons.
What would I do if I wanted to turn the people that God's only Son died for away from Him. First thing we have to realize is that worldly people don't have to be targeted. People that have never obeyed Christ or God aren't on satan's list of humans to manipulate. He doesn't need to and there's no point, they're already lost and thats the whole goal. If you are in this group of people that never darken the door where a Church meets, satan isn't after you he already has you. He has already defeated you without having to fire a shot, because you wouldn't enter the battle with the Lord. Lucifer no doubt spends his time working on Christians, individually and in groups.
So the question remains, "What Would satan Do?", or from this point on WWsD.
Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of life. All sins fall in these categories. If I were him I would start in on the young right away and as soon as possible on not just one but all three of these tempations. I would make pleasurable ways for children to see the kinds of things I would want them to be learning. I would help tv programs get into homes and attack the children first. I would make sure that programs which promote witchcraft, astrology, New Age Philosophies and Gaia worship (mother earth) were seen in the home as comedies and cartoons.
I think satan would be constantly trying to change the truth of the gospel into a lie. He would constantly be wanting us to debate amongst ourselves. This lends itself to constantly overthinking a subject. The Bible isn't real complicated. You won't need letters in front of or behind your name to understand the scriptures. Check out our institutions of "Higher" learning these days. For the most part satan reigns through humanism in these places.
WWsD? He'd try to turn the family of God on this earth against each other, cause strife and split up the Church whenever possible. We know that satan has a foothold in Jesus' Church because we see it happening from time to time.
If we can ever get the dusty idea back that we're insignificant, created beings with a life that started from the breathe of life that God breathed into Adam. There's nothing that exists without God's will, his life force or his creative powers. If that sounds like I'm giving him all the glory and praise for doing everything for us, I am. You should be too.
WWsD? He would urge people to loose that wimpy humbleness that God asks for. Be a man or woman, stand up for what you want to do, its your life anyway. Ever heard that before? Satan's doing a pretty bangup job right now.
WWsD? In general he would try to get Christians to be more worldly and tell us we need to conform to worldly views to be able to convert people to Jesus. We don't need to compromise on Jesus. Christians are becoming too worldly.
WWsD? If I were satan I would constantly remind all Christians of their past failures and faults and let them know that they're flawed and why bother.
Why bother? Because eternity is too long to just quit when you're already on the winning side.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Unexpected Statements
Luke 4:21 - And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (ESV)
Our Lord Jesus Christ was in his home town at the local religious gathering. An occurrance is about to happen that so very few will ever be able to know. Jesus is announcing that he is here and that with their ears they are hearing the fulfillment of a prophecy that Isaiah wrote down around ca. 740 b.c. Since Jesus was reading about 30 a.d. it had to be around 770 years the Jewish people had been reading over this and wondering about its fulfillment. An analogy would be if someone we had known in our small town came up and said I have just fulfilled a prophecy made by a famous man in 1279 a.d. Surely this was an unexpected statement from Jesus.
Luke 10:23-24 - And he turned unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (ESV)
Unexpected statement from Jesus to his disciples. They live in a special time and in a special place, and many people from both sides of history would love to have been in their shoes.
John 8:58 - Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am." (ESV)
Shock and awe statement from Jesus right here to the Jews, in answer of a rather one sided debate he was having with them.
Matt. 25:10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. (ESV)
Powerful warning here about the coming of Jesus. Those ready will get to enter in and those not ready, even if they know him as in vs. 11, will not be able to enter in. When Jesus shuts a door its closed forever.
James 1:26 - If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. (ESV)
Impact statement about one of the smallest members of our body. Unexpected statement to me because of the amount of weight placed on this smallest member.
John 11:43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out."(ESV)
I can see the scene now. Jesus standing in front of the tomb with a group of people around, looking up to heaven and thanking God for hearing him and then raising his voice, which whether meaning to or not draws emphasis to the act. He commands Lazarus to come out. The act of being loud and then the dead rising from the grave made for a scene we'll not get to see until the judgement. Definitely an "awe" moment.
I guess the point of pointing out a few of these type of scriptures in the Bible helps us to realize just what things Jesus did, and its not just a fable or fairy tale.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was in his home town at the local religious gathering. An occurrance is about to happen that so very few will ever be able to know. Jesus is announcing that he is here and that with their ears they are hearing the fulfillment of a prophecy that Isaiah wrote down around ca. 740 b.c. Since Jesus was reading about 30 a.d. it had to be around 770 years the Jewish people had been reading over this and wondering about its fulfillment. An analogy would be if someone we had known in our small town came up and said I have just fulfilled a prophecy made by a famous man in 1279 a.d. Surely this was an unexpected statement from Jesus.
Luke 10:23-24 - And he turned unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (ESV)
Unexpected statement from Jesus to his disciples. They live in a special time and in a special place, and many people from both sides of history would love to have been in their shoes.
John 8:58 - Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am." (ESV)
Shock and awe statement from Jesus right here to the Jews, in answer of a rather one sided debate he was having with them.
Matt. 25:10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. (ESV)
Powerful warning here about the coming of Jesus. Those ready will get to enter in and those not ready, even if they know him as in vs. 11, will not be able to enter in. When Jesus shuts a door its closed forever.
James 1:26 - If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. (ESV)
Impact statement about one of the smallest members of our body. Unexpected statement to me because of the amount of weight placed on this smallest member.
John 11:43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out."(ESV)
I can see the scene now. Jesus standing in front of the tomb with a group of people around, looking up to heaven and thanking God for hearing him and then raising his voice, which whether meaning to or not draws emphasis to the act. He commands Lazarus to come out. The act of being loud and then the dead rising from the grave made for a scene we'll not get to see until the judgement. Definitely an "awe" moment.
I guess the point of pointing out a few of these type of scriptures in the Bible helps us to realize just what things Jesus did, and its not just a fable or fairy tale.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Human reasoning, the reason denominations flourish pt.1
Dusty idea today is God doesn't need any help from mankind with figuring out if His wisdom will suffice for our salvation, or the mode of how that salvation comes about.
Concerning the obediance of man to God, man's reasoning has no business or place in that process. God's will is perfect and the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the writings of the authors in the New Testament is without question. If you think the Bible is flawed in some places why do you read any of it? Human reasoning is being applied to the author's writings by well meaning individuals, it still doesn't by any means excuse it. Anything that is deemed out of date or not relevant to our span of time can only be deduced by human reasoning, it is certainly not out of the scriptures.
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (ESV)
I'd like to discuss a question I have heard on many occasions with regards to baptism and if it is essential, or is it just something we do because Jesus did it. The question is, "What if a person gets in their vehicle to go be baptized and they have a wreck and die on the way?" The answer to this question is,"God is God." God is THE God and he can do what he wills. God is omnipresent, meaning he knows the future as well as the past and everthing in between. I pose the question, "What if a person accidently fell and died 5 min. before God knew that someone was coming to talk to this person to persuade them to believe?" Would this not also fit the style of scenario posed by the first question? Also judgement is going to take place on a heavenly level. Jesus can do what he wants to do, he has all power in heaven and earth, and under this senario he can save who he likes. God doesn't need us to decide for him if he's being fair or not. God is God. This universe is his as well as everyone of us. God will be just at the judgement, we just need to do his will to the best of our ability. One may decide on baptism and die in a car wreck on the way to being baptized, but we need to make that effort because that is what the scriptures say. All conversions after the day of Pentecost in Acts include immediate baptism. We, the creation, just need to read the Bible without adding human reasoning biases that God, the creator, has had his prophets and apostles write through inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
The sins remain until the act of obedience of baptism is exercised. It's not the water its the act. Just as Naaman in 2 Kings chapter 5 used human reasoning when Elisha told him to wash in the river Jordan 7 times and his leprosy would be healed. His reaction was, thats not grand enough, its too simple and he was angry. But his obedience to God through his prophet Elisha healed him. There wasn't any magic in the water it was the obedience. This same type of obedience is expected of us in the New Testament. Human reasoning about salvation should never be engaged. We should just obey from the heart and not decide for God if this plan he has is gonna work for mankind. Likewise when Paul was struck blind on the road to Damascus, Jesus spoke to him and said, "It is Jesus who you are persecuting." Do you think he believed on Jesus after that? The next three days he was blind and didn't eat or drink. Do you think he believed on Jesus as the Messiah those three days? Then Ananias came to him and said this as recorded in Acts 22:16, Why do you wait? Arise and baptized and wash away they sins, calling on the name of the Lord. If believing in Jesus and accepting him as your savior gets it done why does Ananias say to wash away his sins after all these other events? I'm not ignoring other scriptures, when you put them all together Baptism is the cleansing moment, the moment we touch Jesus' blood.
Acts 22:16 is the definition for Calling on the name of the Lord, and no one is the judge of that.
Concerning the obediance of man to God, man's reasoning has no business or place in that process. God's will is perfect and the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the writings of the authors in the New Testament is without question. If you think the Bible is flawed in some places why do you read any of it? Human reasoning is being applied to the author's writings by well meaning individuals, it still doesn't by any means excuse it. Anything that is deemed out of date or not relevant to our span of time can only be deduced by human reasoning, it is certainly not out of the scriptures.
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (ESV)
I'd like to discuss a question I have heard on many occasions with regards to baptism and if it is essential, or is it just something we do because Jesus did it. The question is, "What if a person gets in their vehicle to go be baptized and they have a wreck and die on the way?" The answer to this question is,"God is God." God is THE God and he can do what he wills. God is omnipresent, meaning he knows the future as well as the past and everthing in between. I pose the question, "What if a person accidently fell and died 5 min. before God knew that someone was coming to talk to this person to persuade them to believe?" Would this not also fit the style of scenario posed by the first question? Also judgement is going to take place on a heavenly level. Jesus can do what he wants to do, he has all power in heaven and earth, and under this senario he can save who he likes. God doesn't need us to decide for him if he's being fair or not. God is God. This universe is his as well as everyone of us. God will be just at the judgement, we just need to do his will to the best of our ability. One may decide on baptism and die in a car wreck on the way to being baptized, but we need to make that effort because that is what the scriptures say. All conversions after the day of Pentecost in Acts include immediate baptism. We, the creation, just need to read the Bible without adding human reasoning biases that God, the creator, has had his prophets and apostles write through inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
The sins remain until the act of obedience of baptism is exercised. It's not the water its the act. Just as Naaman in 2 Kings chapter 5 used human reasoning when Elisha told him to wash in the river Jordan 7 times and his leprosy would be healed. His reaction was, thats not grand enough, its too simple and he was angry. But his obedience to God through his prophet Elisha healed him. There wasn't any magic in the water it was the obedience. This same type of obedience is expected of us in the New Testament. Human reasoning about salvation should never be engaged. We should just obey from the heart and not decide for God if this plan he has is gonna work for mankind. Likewise when Paul was struck blind on the road to Damascus, Jesus spoke to him and said, "It is Jesus who you are persecuting." Do you think he believed on Jesus after that? The next three days he was blind and didn't eat or drink. Do you think he believed on Jesus as the Messiah those three days? Then Ananias came to him and said this as recorded in Acts 22:16, Why do you wait? Arise and baptized and wash away they sins, calling on the name of the Lord. If believing in Jesus and accepting him as your savior gets it done why does Ananias say to wash away his sins after all these other events? I'm not ignoring other scriptures, when you put them all together Baptism is the cleansing moment, the moment we touch Jesus' blood.
Acts 22:16 is the definition for Calling on the name of the Lord, and no one is the judge of that.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Words no one can ignore
Dusty idea today is the Bible isn't antiquated and its as vital today as ever. It contains statements and questions that can't be ignored by anyone. No matter if you ever think of God by choice of if you've just never heard of Him. Doesn't matter if you're a Muslim, Hindu, Hare Krishna, Buddhist, Unification Church (Moonie), Bahai or Judaist and especially Christian, you will have to face God on His terms. If you're an atheist or an agnostic you're still gonna have to answer to God on His terms.
Matt. 22:42 - saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David."
Here's one question Christ asked of the Pharisees, what do you think about the Christ? I don't know if there's any more important words that can be put together. The way we answer this question, or the importance we place on this answer can't be over emphasized. The way you answer this question and what it drives you to do will determine your eternal fate.
Christ is our sacrifice: Eph. 5:2 Christ is our Lord and God: John 20:28
More words from the NT that no one will be able to ignore, everyone has to make a choice about Jesus, you just can't be neutral.
Christ's sacrifice will not be ignored: Hebrews 10:29-31 - How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (ESV)
You have to decide whether you believe Jesus was raised from the dead or not. Its crucial to your salvation. If you don't believe that Jesus died and was raised you can't believe he is the Christ. Another powerful verse that requires some attention by everyone.
Matt. 28:6 - He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where He lay.
Speaking of Jesus after being crucified and left in a tomb for three days. Everyone has to realize that he didn't stay in that tomb. It's another fact that places our eternal fate in jeopardy if we choose to ignore it.
You will also be held accountable for spurning the Son of God if you don't believe or accept the fact that he ascended to heaven and is sitting on the right hand of God with power. This brings me to another powerful verse.
Acts 1:9-11 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." (ESV)
We have the witness of his departure from this earth and the promise of his return and how he's going to return. Don't you know those men had to go out there on occasion and look to the skies straining their eyes for Jesus' return. We don't know when he's coming back, but when he does there's gonna be enough noise to wake the dead.
1 Thess. 4:16 - For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (ESV)
Boiled down it comes to this, you can recognize Jesus now as the Son of God and our Lord and our God. Worship him in spirit and in truth. You can ignore Jesus now, spurn the sacrifice he made for you and seal your eternity to be spent with the devil and his angels. Either way you're going to bow your knee to him and confess that Jesus is the Lord of all to the glory of God.
Philippians 2:10-11 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Matt. 22:42 - saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David."
Here's one question Christ asked of the Pharisees, what do you think about the Christ? I don't know if there's any more important words that can be put together. The way we answer this question, or the importance we place on this answer can't be over emphasized. The way you answer this question and what it drives you to do will determine your eternal fate.
Christ is our sacrifice: Eph. 5:2 Christ is our Lord and God: John 20:28
More words from the NT that no one will be able to ignore, everyone has to make a choice about Jesus, you just can't be neutral.
Christ's sacrifice will not be ignored: Hebrews 10:29-31 - How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (ESV)
You have to decide whether you believe Jesus was raised from the dead or not. Its crucial to your salvation. If you don't believe that Jesus died and was raised you can't believe he is the Christ. Another powerful verse that requires some attention by everyone.
Matt. 28:6 - He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where He lay.
Speaking of Jesus after being crucified and left in a tomb for three days. Everyone has to realize that he didn't stay in that tomb. It's another fact that places our eternal fate in jeopardy if we choose to ignore it.
You will also be held accountable for spurning the Son of God if you don't believe or accept the fact that he ascended to heaven and is sitting on the right hand of God with power. This brings me to another powerful verse.
Acts 1:9-11 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." (ESV)
We have the witness of his departure from this earth and the promise of his return and how he's going to return. Don't you know those men had to go out there on occasion and look to the skies straining their eyes for Jesus' return. We don't know when he's coming back, but when he does there's gonna be enough noise to wake the dead.
1 Thess. 4:16 - For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (ESV)
Boiled down it comes to this, you can recognize Jesus now as the Son of God and our Lord and our God. Worship him in spirit and in truth. You can ignore Jesus now, spurn the sacrifice he made for you and seal your eternity to be spent with the devil and his angels. Either way you're going to bow your knee to him and confess that Jesus is the Lord of all to the glory of God.
Philippians 2:10-11 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Monday, September 21, 2009
When we get bumped
Dusty idea is the idea that we will get bumped or knocked down in this world and its OK because God is still with us. There's a thought process that says if we are having bad things or normal things for this world happen to us, God must be against us or have forgotten us.
Job 23:10 -But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
How many things go by in a day that try our emotions? Happiness, Love, Hate, Anger, Sadness, Confusion. Satan flicks at that sore spot. He picks at that thing that he knows we have problems with. It's at that moment we can tell what is really in our hearts. When you get that bump from satan your hearts spills out something. Whatever is in there. Is your heart filled with love? Love will come out in all types of situations. Is your heart filled with anger, ill-content? When something happens to you, thats what will come pouring out. Never heard of anybody having to curb their love responses, because its becoming a problem. I have heard of people needing to curb their anger, envy, jealousy and pride. Some people's heart is even filled with doubt. If you are a child of God don't doubt, easy to say I know. God answers all his children's prayers, he just says no sometimes. Sometimes he even says not right now and even maybe later, also he says I think I have a better way.
John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (ESV)
Short blog today, self inspect, be truthful with yourself and see what is in your heart. Will you be like Job and come forth like gold?
Job 23:10 -But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
How many things go by in a day that try our emotions? Happiness, Love, Hate, Anger, Sadness, Confusion. Satan flicks at that sore spot. He picks at that thing that he knows we have problems with. It's at that moment we can tell what is really in our hearts. When you get that bump from satan your hearts spills out something. Whatever is in there. Is your heart filled with love? Love will come out in all types of situations. Is your heart filled with anger, ill-content? When something happens to you, thats what will come pouring out. Never heard of anybody having to curb their love responses, because its becoming a problem. I have heard of people needing to curb their anger, envy, jealousy and pride. Some people's heart is even filled with doubt. If you are a child of God don't doubt, easy to say I know. God answers all his children's prayers, he just says no sometimes. Sometimes he even says not right now and even maybe later, also he says I think I have a better way.
John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (ESV)
Short blog today, self inspect, be truthful with yourself and see what is in your heart. Will you be like Job and come forth like gold?
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Gonna have to serve somebody
Dusty idea today is knowing that we're either for God or against him. A lot of people today have decided that there's a gray area where people can be judged as "good enough to keep" by God. We can be good people, not be dishonest, be faithful to our spouse, always return the tools we borrowed from our neighbors and we got a chance at being saved. Never darkened the door of a church, except that time at the blood drive. That counts doesn't it? The only blood that's gonna matter is the blood that Christ lost on the cross. If you aren't actively living for Christ, doing his will, you don't have any sacrifice for your sins.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)
Man has somehow decided that we can be saved without ever coming to believe that Jesus is the son of God. We've decided that our personal plan of salvation doesn't have to include baptism. We've decided that we don't really know if God is up there somewhere, but just in case I'll try to keep my nose clean here on earth so he can find me a good person and save me one day.
Hebrews 9:27-28 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement, so Christ having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (ESV)
You can see in the writing above that Jesus isn't coming back to see what he can do about getting you to follow him, or some other thing to give you another chance. He's coming back to receive those that are waiting for him, eagerly wish to see him.
So we come to the eternal question. Who are you gonna serve?
Matthew 12:30 (Jesus speaking) Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. (ESV)
No gray area here for good old boys and girls. Good old boys and girls are going to be lost if they don't get to know Jesus. Jesus is the only thing that can save us.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
So again, who you gonna serve?
Reasons for not serving Jesus, are any of these your reasoning?
1. Ignorance of your need for Christ
2. Too many rules I want to live my life
3. People should accept me as I am, I know whats best for me so God just needs to give up and let me be me
4. You don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God and you're only hope.
5. You don't believe in God whether you want to claim atheism or that you're an agnostic, same difference as far as receiving God's Son as your sacrifice for sin.
6. You believe all this but you're not ready to give up your lifestyle yet, I'm young and I got plenty of time.
7. You think God should conform to your way of thinking instead of the other way around.
8. You just don't care about God or Jesus and if Hell is in your future so be it.
9. Snobby people down at the church aren't any better than me.
10. I won't fit in, Christian people just won't accept me.
If any of these reason above are yours then the next two verses are for you.
Matthew 25:41, 46 Then will he say to those on his left, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. (ESV)
The answer to the question at this point is really a no brainer. It only pays to serve God. You can have a few days of pleasure here ignoring God and getting all your pleasure from satan, or you can follow God and live forever in the heavenly realm. You can decide to just do nothing about Jesus and see what happens. Satan would like that, if you're not on Jesus' side you are automatically on his side.
This last verse always sobers me, and I'll end with this thought.
Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
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