How Can We Know God’s Will?
By L. R. R.
We all lost our intimate relationship with our God Almighty sometimes if not often times when we try to do our own will rather than His will for us. We get side tract when we try to conform our minds to this world and try to be autonomous in everything we do aside from our Creator. And when this happens the “why” questions starts to pop-out in the midst of our minds. When this happens its time for us stop and take a pause. Let’s set our minds back to our Redeemer and rethink our situation for a moment and remember what Jesus Christ told us, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33)
It is quite clear what we ought to seek first is to “seek the kingdom of God,” and that “seek his righteousness.” What Jesus is trying to tell us is that we ought to let God rule not only on earth but within our minds, souls, and hearts. When we start to let God rule our entire being, we must abandon concern for the approval of men, and learn to care only for the approval of God.
Let us go back to our subject matter which is knowing God’s will in our lives. Knowing God’s will is to surrender ourselves to Him both mind and soul. Total surrender is the key for discerning God’s will for our lives. In 2 Corinthians 8:5 we read, “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. What this verse is telling us is to simply do God’s will not our own. I think the very question of this subject matter is not only knowing God’s will but are we willing to do God’s will. Bargain with God is not an option to Him. We cannot say that we are willing to do His will until we know what that will is, then shrinks back when we find out that the will of God wasn’t suitable for us after all! We cannot say to God, “God I want to know your will but not this particular will!”
As to the will of God for us two things comes to mind. First, we are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. “”Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:1-2). By giving ourselves fully to Him, is sacrificing ourselves for Him. There is no better sacrifice than for us to offer ourselves to God. This includes surrendering our lives, both spiritual and physical, to Almighty God, who is Creator over us all.
Second, “we are not to conform to the pattern of this world (v.2).” The word conformed here means “to form” or “mold.” This is to say that Christians, instead of being “formed” or “molded” by the morals of this world, he or she should be transformed, that is, by the renewing of the mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. When we have done all of this, the Scripture says we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is. To reiterate, the steps to know God’s will for your life from the Romans 12:1-2 are: surrendering our lives, not conforming to what the world offers; and renewal of our minds so we will be transformed.surrendering is not easily attained because surrender means to give up control. Many of us feel we have lost ourselves if we give up control. Yet, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10:39, “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”
To renew our minds, we study God’s Word to know Him better, to learn His laws and command. We are then transformed into being more Christ-like. So, how do we know what God So, how do you know what God’s will is for us? If we are walking closely with the Lord and truly desiring His will for our lives, God will place His desires on our hearts. The key is wanting God’s will, not our own and total surrender to His will for us. I know, s
Other ways To Know God’s Will
If we really desire to know what God’s will for us is to approach the Scripture Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). Also, God promises to give us wisdom if we just ask Him in prayer, believing that He will give it. Sometimes we need to just ask God to give us wisdom to discern His will.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5) God has given us the Holy Spirit for guidance. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13).
And finally, we should trust God in faith that He will accomplish His will in our lives. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6).
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6).
Why Live A Holy Life?
By L. R. R.
God’s Holiness
Too much pressures upon our teens today in our televesion commercials, and popular teen magazines, that teaches them what to wear, what to think, and how to become popular among their peers is quite daunting to say the least. No wonder that living a holy, righteous life is not so popular among teenagers today.
They superficially believes that life of righteousness of today’s generations is outmoded, and even out of touched with “reality.” Sadly, Christians are not exempted, and have been deceived from the popular motto of being in touched with the modern world, and live and let live kind of philosophy. But what does the Scripture tells us about living a life of holiness?
Christians are unaware of the fact that God calls His children to sanctifiy themselves and live a holy life. Before we embark with out Bible study, we should first and foremost understand God as a holy being quite briefly. The idea of holy (kadosh) implies differentiation: entirely set apart from the common, habitual, or the profane. The holy, is awe-inspiring even terrible or dreadful (Neh. 1:5; Psa. 68:35).
The psalmist wrote, “The LORD our God is holy,” Similarly, Joshua said to the people, “Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.” (Josh. 24:19) And prophet Isaiah wrote, “But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.” (Isa.5:16) God is utterly holy, and this is what the biblical writers tells us about Him.
God Hates Sin!
What Christians do not realise is that God is more than just a “God of Love,” but also holy. Yes, God is love, and this is true, but it is equally true that God is pure and holy, and therefore hates sin! God’s purity and holiness are not confined behind his love. To think of God nothing else, but love is a false view about God. God is love, God is just, God is holy, these are His attributes (that ascribes His being as a whole) that neither confines the rest of His attributes.
When God is love, He is also just. When God is just, He is also mercy. When God is mercy, He is Also holy. Thus, God is love, just, mercy, perfect, and holy with all His being. In addition, God’s love does not over ride his holiness nor his mercy over ride his perfection so on and so fort. Christians who has been chosen by God according to His will should know that God is holy and hates sin. We cannot ignore the fact that God cannot stand against sin and tolerate any kind of sin,
| Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?” (Habakkuk 1:12-13) |
Judah was chosen by God, but because of their wickedness, because God cannot look at sin, He punished them severely by handing the ruthless Babylonian armies into them. What we can learn through out the Bible, is that God will still punish justly those who violates His holy precepts and commandments even those who He has chosen. No doubt, Israel was God’s chosen nation yet God punished His disobedient people several times. I do not think that God Has change since the Fall. He is still pretty the same as He was towards Adam and Eve. Speaking of Adam and Eve, God did not spared them after they committed sin, but was banished from the wonderful world of the Garden of Eden for all time. Never to return again. This was so because Adam violated God’s holiness, and obviously underestimated His Creator.
I can sometimes be under the deception that God favors me, and if I do commit sin here and there, He would not punish me. This is nothing but sophistry! The fact is God cannot stand sin. God’s judgment follows after committing sin, and it does not really matter who commits sin, He will righteously judge believer or not. By sin, God punished, beside Noah and his family, the entire earth inhabitants by sending Flood.
By sin, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah by sending fire and burning the whole city. By sin, God send plague upon the great Egypt, By sin, Moses was restricted to enter the Promise Land. By sin, Samson with all his strength died with those he sought to kill, by sin, David’s favorite son, Absalom died under pursuit by Davids own emperial army, by sin, God gave His life and died on the cross. These and many other examples that demonstrates God’s hate towards sin. God’s judgment against sin fell upon men who He himself has chosen to serve Him, yet because of their disobedience, God did not spare them from His righteous judgment.
Are we to think God would just somehow close His eyes while defiling ourselves with the things the God hates? God did not close His eyes when David committed adultery with Bathsheba the wife of his loyal general, Uriah. Nor did God told David___ by gone be by gone! No, God judge king David through prophet Nathan by telling him that the consequences of his sin will never depart from his house. David, did asked forgiveness unto his Lord Jehovah, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” (Psa. 51:1)
Be Ye Holy!
There are two basic aspects to God’s holiness. One aspect is related to the eminence, exaltedness, and splendor of God as seen in Isaiah 6:1-4, where Isaiah saw God “high and lifted up,” and the seraphim cried “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.” The second feature of God’s holiness is the absolute purity of His goodness. God is untouched and unstained by the evil of the world. God’s holiness is the standard for our moral character, and the motivation for the way we are to live our lives.
Moses wrote, Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? (Ex.15:11). God is absolutely perfect in all His ways. There is not a single blemish or flaw in God’s character. God is never partial; He is never unfair; He never plays favorites. God’s perfection and holiness is emphasized by the kings, prophets and apostles. God told us that He is holy, but He also exhorted us to be sanctified, and holy. In the Old Testament, book of Leviticus 11:44 reads,
| For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy…” |
The Lord God of Israel commanded the Jews to sanctify themselves, (which means to “Consecrate,”) and live holy (to be holy means “to be separated”) lives because He Himself, their Creator, is holy. God is holy, this means God is completely separated from anyone and from all not just from evil, and is therefore completely other. It is of significance to read correctly the commands of the holy God in being holy.
The Scripture does not command us to “merely look holy,” or “try to be holy” but emphatically commands to, “Ye Be Holy.” Being holy includes everything in mind, heart, spirit, body and action. Thus, he or she cannot be holy only some part of his or her being, but the whole being must be sanctified and holy. “Ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves…and ye shall be holy,” edicted God of Israel to His chosen people of Israel.
Likewise, we read several passages in the New Testament of the holy Bible commanding the saints to sanctify and be holy. Apostle Peter wrote,
| As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter. 1:15-16) |
What Peter is trying to tell us is this, since God has called us to Him and who is holy, we ought to be holy in all manner. Christians are holy unto God by consecration (declare sacred). And since we are consecrated by God, we must also be in outward walk and behavior.
Those who are in Christ Jesus are declared sacred by God and therefore holy. So, if Christians are holy (by the very meaning of it), they ought to separated themselves from any sort of uncleanness. The world is fill with uncleaness that defiles both mind and action such as, pornography, adultery, promiscuity, thief, cussing, homosexuality, drunkenness, disobedient to parents, and so fort.
These uncleanness of both mind and action ought not to be practiced by Christians who are consecrated and separated from it. In Ephesians 1:4 states, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” This verse is quite interesting. It says that “God chosen us out for Himself (in Christ) i.e. out of this world. Why would God chose us out of this world if there is nothing wrong with it?
If the world weren’t defiled, He would not have “pick” us out of it. Nay, Christians are not of this world, nor belongs to the world’s sinfulness. “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” (Jn. 15:19)
The saints in Christ was once a slave, and in bondage of sin, but has been transferred into the kingdom of God’s Son freed from the shackles and bondage of Satan and sin, has different joy, purpose, hope and love. This is so because God have chosen Christians out of the world system by Christ and now belongs to Him who is holy. Christians no longer belongs to this world, and because not only that Christians belongs to Christ’s kingdom, they no longer think, and conform to this world’s sinful system and therefore, due to their apparent diferrences between the set of mind of the world (carnal) and the set of mind of Christians, the world hates them.
Separation from the sinful system of the dying world is not enough. Christians who are chosen by God should separate themselves from the rest and live a holy lives and should no longer conform after the thinking pattern of this world. Apostle in his letter to the Romans wrote,
| “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (12:1-2) |
Paul exhorts believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice which means to say that believers should use their bodies whole heartedly to serve and obey God unconditionally since they have the newness of life, and set apart for the Lord’s use and pleasing to Him. In addition, Paul told his fellow believers not to conform or mold after this world’s (usually undertood as “age” or “era”) worldly, lustful and sinful values of this age. Christians, since they no longer belong to this world and is been set apart by God, they should also transform or better yet change by the renewing of the mind. Spiritual transformation starts in the mind and heart.
A Christian mind who continually conforms after the ideas or philosophy of the ungodly world and its concern can easily fall prey back to his former miserable self. A self of ungodliness and lawlessness, and probably no hope for spiritual recovery. Christians who live a life of compromise usually end up worse than they were before. But the worst part is that they are not aware of their backsliding nature. They believe in their own deception that they are actually more holier than anybody else. However, if a Christian truly transform his mind and dedicate all his mind by focusing only to Christ, will produce a life that can stand the test of time. Mind conformed after Christ stands stronger against the attack of the devil and will powerfully resist the temptations of this ungodly culture.
God commanded Israelites to be holy because He himself is holy. If Christians worships the same God as worship by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, and David who is separated from all, then it is only adviseable that those who worship Him should live a life of holiness. Not only God is holy, He demanded those who believe in Him to be holy.
God requires perfection, the new mind, the new heart, the new man, righteousness, purity, and holiness; and then you will start searching for how to arrive at what He requires from you: repentance, your bodies as a living sacrifice, crucified on the inward cross of self-denial, your sinful nature dead, and Christ’ spirit completely replacing the sinful nature in your bodies, to live in union with He and God in the Kingdom within, while on the earth, and then forever as a son of God. God sternly warns that, “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” (Ephesians 5:5-7)
The of message Ephesians qouted above is a solemn warning, and shows that purity and a sinless state are required. Christians should strive in aiming to live sinless, and unblemish regenerated of God through Christ Jesus and establish Him in His rightful place which is in our heart and mind. An obedient, holy life in God, should make Him be our Ruler and King within our lives. He should be our foremost Comforter, Teacher, Guide, Government, Chancellor, Counselour, Judge, so on and so fort. As long as we live in our sinful nature, we are unruly and incapable of being ruled, governed, or led by a Lord or King. So, if you want Jesus to be your Lord and King, you must put to death the sinful nature by repentance to holiness. It is only by grace that we can become sinless and holy, but we have to go to Christ to receive his grace. ___ Amen
How To Live A Christian Life
Written By L. R. R.
There are various ways of worldviews and various ways of living life out there. In my opinion nothing can compete the Christian way of life. Christianity is not just about going to church, singing hymns, attending Bible studies with your friends, saying a prayers, reading couple of chapters in the Bible, listening gospel music. No. Christianity is life. The way of life that is. There were a day when Christians once called “the way.” I’m not sure why. So, Christianity is “the way,” not just “a way” or “one of the ways.” Jesus our Lord once said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”If Jesus Christ is the way, what then? Then we should not follow other ways, such as the way of Islam, Buddhism, Hare Krishna, Hinduism etc. To be honest with you, I’ am quite comfortable with the idea of Jesus being the only way.
Since, Christian means, “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teaching of Jesus,” and Jesus did teach to be the only way, therefore, Christianity is the way. Now, it is not only important to know and acknowledge why Christianity is the only way, it is also vital to know what includes within the aspects of the Christians life. Living a fulfilled mature Christian life doesn’t generally means having wealth, fame, and recognition. Living a fulfilled Christian life is having a mature colse relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ, and loving Him with all our mind, soul, heart, and strength. Living a Christian life is:
To Believe In Christ
Jesus is the Son of God, and that he is able to forgive you all your sin (Matt. 9:6) past, present, and future. Also believe the record of the Bible, which is God’s Word, that through Christ you have received eternal life (1 John 5:10-13). Then by faith in Christ, walk as a new man in life (2 Cor. 5:17). After that we have receive the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ, we become a new creature holy, and unblameless before God, and it is therefore important not to forget that we also have become the living testimony of the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ and that the new, resurrection life of Christ is being manifested in you forever, the believer.
Read passages: Matthew 9:6; 1 John 5:10-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17
New Life In Christ Jesus
The ver moment we have acknowledge and accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior we became a “new creatures,” and the Apostle Paul Said, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Cor. 5:17).” The now believer in Christ is a new person, because he/she has been transformed into the likeness of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18). Instead of living for oneself, a believer now lives for the cause of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. His/her former worldview which was after the values of this sinful world, look at this world in the eyes of faith. The transformation of the “new creature,” is in progress– it never cease–through the indwelling Holy Spirit, to make us more and more like Jesus. The Apostle John wrote that the believer are to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6).
Read Passages: Matthew 22:37-39; John 10:10; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 2:6
To Read The Bible
I know a couple of Christians who does not even bother lifting their Bible out of the shelves, and actually read it. I’m guilty of this too sometimes. If we only listen to Our Savior, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4) Bread alone does not sustain life, it is God’s word that sustains all life. It is therefore cumulative to trust the word of God and remain in His sovereign will. David wrote, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unot my path.” (Psa. 119:105) So, Read and study your Bible, memorizing portions that are helpful and blessed to you. We so heed, and keep in our hearts the promises of God to the Believers. If their is some sort of a nutrition of the soul, it is the Bible, and by meditation of the Word of God will help us grow more stronger in our faith. 1 Peter 2:2 reads, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” The Bible which is the Word of God is the light of our path (Psa. 119:105), and the weapon of our warfare (Eph. 6:17). In addition, by constant studying, and reading the Bible, God’s Word will thoroughly equips us for life (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Finally, we ought to not just read the Bible and listen; we are to obey it.” James 1:22, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
Read passages: Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalm 1:2-3; Psalm 119:9; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:22; 2 Peter 1:21
To Pray Always
Perhaps the principle of prayer is not emphasized as often. Jesus wasn’t lazy when it comes to prayer. In fact Jesus made prayer his priority (Luke 5:15-16). Prayer is important within the Christian life, and do as Jesus did. In fact the Scripture commands us to keep praying, “Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17).”
Prayer is a discipline and a must within the Christian life. First what is a prayer? For me prayer as simply chatting with God, and He desires a relationship with us, then perhaps we can compare prayer with talking with our best friend or spouse. How important is daily communication with our spouse or our best friend? Do we grow closer when we do not engage in daily conversation? Having a daily communication with God is imporatnt if we want to draw more closer to Him. As Christians we should pray as often as we possibly can. We should be praying right now and thanking him for all things, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:20) praise Him for His blessings:
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Phil. 4:6).” We should also pray that God will search our hearts and leads us (Ps. 139:23-24).
Read passages: Psalm 119:18; 139:23-24; Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 5:15-16; Ephesians 3:12; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 John 5:14-15
To Avoid Temptations
It is said that temptations is just around the corner so it is wise to avoid places or environments that will lead you into temptations and eventually sin, such as, internet site, chat room, You Tube, parks, magazine, picture, movies, etc,. Unhealthy habits such as going out with your non-Christian friends, and dating will eventually lead you into temptation and sin. The Bible tells us that they will regularly come, but we must be careful not to walk in their path, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” (Ps. 1:1) As Christians, a living witness for Christ, we should avoid things or behavior (cussing, gossip, lying, boasting, wearing in appropiate clothes) that will cause others to question your reliability as a follower of Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:22) But if temptation do come, remember that God promised a way of escape for those who faithfully serve and obey Him:
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Cor. 10:13).”
Read passages: Psalm 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 10:13
Witness To Other
We should be inhabit in witnessing to others about what has Jesus done for us and what he could do for them, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…” (Acts 1:8) There are hundreds if not millions who are on their way to everlasting hell because none of them have heard the real Christ. So if we will not tell them about Jesus and the cross who will? “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Rom. 10:13-14) Christians should rejoice and be joyful because they are in Christ, and should also rejoice in witnessing to other by telling them the good news (gospel). Preaching unto them the gospel is the least we could offer to them who are without Jesus who have the power to save the lost! Make the Gospel known to those who are lost. Paul wrote,
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16).”
Read passages: Matthew 4:19; 5:16; Romans 10:13-14; Acts 1:8; 4:20; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Colossians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:8; 2 Timothy 2:2; Philemon 6; 1 Peter 3:15
To Serve Our Savior and King
Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16), and we should serve him with joy and gladness! (Ps. 100:2) There is nothing more exacting than to serve our Lord. The Scripture tells us that God has a ministry for every believer, ” (1 Cor. 12:12-21). Join a Bible-believing, separated, independent, church. We all need a pastoral care, worship, instruction and fellowship with other biblical-minded and mature Christans. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Heb. 10:25) We should invest our time and money wisely for eternity,
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:1-3).”
Read passages: Psalm 100:2; 122:1; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; John 13:34-35; Acts 2:24; Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 12:12-26; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:12; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 John 1:3.
To Stand Firm In Jesus Christ
The Scripture command us to stand firmly on the Word of our God (Eph. 6:10-18). We should beware false teachers and false doctrines, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction (2 Peter 2:1).” There are literally thousands of false doctrines out there. There are also false churches and false teachers such as the so-called emergent churches and some of the fellas of Willow Creek foundations. We should test everthing by the Word of God, and not by experience, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (Isa. 8:20).” Remember that God has promised the victory to those who honor Him and His Holy Word,
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).”
Read passages: Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Peter 2:1; Isaiah 8:20; 1 Corinthians 15:58
Dealing With Doubts
“doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.” – Paul Tillich
By L. R. R.
The statement that “a true Christian never doubt or have doubts” We are supposed to take it all on faith. Isn’t that what Christianity is about? Not only the statements of “Christians do not doubt,” very destructive it is also a false assumption and a lie! If your local pastor tells you that having doubt is an un-Christian then leave that pastor or why not leave the whole congregation because if you buy the lie that true Christians never doubt then you have just fall into the devil’s lie. Either that pastor is a bad liar or he is an omniscience human being. But the former should fit his personality better. Of course, true Christian doubt or have doubts.
But let us say, for the sake of our conversation, that it is un-Christian to doubt (which it is not), then most of the prophets of the Old Testament, not to mention the disciples, apostles etc., where really not true God’s people and were really not true Christians! Because, if you read the documents about God’s follower and His appointed prophets both in OT and NT have doubts or even doubted. Does this make them less Christians? Of course not! Other well intended statement such as, “you doubt because you don’t have enough faith.” Is also misleading and can hurt your spiritual growth and will damage your personal relationship with God. Of course, not all of us have faith that can move mountains but this does not mean your an anti-Christ or a false follower of Christ. As a matter of fact one can put this mildly, one is not really a true Christian if one did not doubt. Now, don’t get me wrong, what I’m saying here is that doubt doesn’t make a being more or less Christian.
We must be cautious here. People who thinks that doubt is not part of Christian life can easily fall prey to cults teaching. Perhaps it is no suprising that the apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 “examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” We are to test ourselves to be sure that Jesus is truly our Savior and the Holy Spirit is truly in us.
Different Kinds of Doubts
Note, doubt always begin in the mind. One among many problems that plague Christians is the problem of doubt. Doubt, can manifest in many ways from questioning one’s own salvation to serious doubt in the form of skepticism and when this happens then you have slipped into a more serious trouble than just having a simple doubt. But here is the rub. We have all doubts and have doubted one way or the other and this is actually quite normal if you ask me. For instance, how many times did you have any doubts about your life? How many times did you doubted whether your mathematical skills was enough to go through an A+ grade during that pain staking math tests? How many times did we doubted our friends, family, mother, father and our spouse in spite of their admonition to trust them? Furthermore, how many times did we doubted whether our feelings towards our spouse were legitimate or not? There are lots of reason why we doubt.
First, probably because we ain’t omniscience (all-knowing). Have we been all-knowing, then I doubt that we should ever doubt. Why doubt something when you fully know that things will happen? For example, as an all-knowing creature, you know that your spouse will never cheat you and so it is much easer to just trust her. Second, the other reason why we doubt is probably because we have been cheated and have been robbed from our intuition to trust so we tend to be cynical and skeptics when someone came along to put our trust in them which is really quite normal after you have been through as a victim of lies and deceit.
Thirdly, the reason why we doubt probably because we have too much pride in our own knowledge and we tend to think that our knowledge is far more superior than any one else’s. For instance, if I was an atheist and a Christian approached me by way of witnessing and tell me that I was wrong and that God do exist will only make me more defensive and even offended. Why? because, first I would think that this guy is a basketcase and how dare he question science? While there are indeed basketcase “Christians” out there, this is not true to biblical Christianity. Pondering whether or not God exist does not question science but on the contrary it enhances science. The question of God’s existence makes science more interesting.
Satan And Doubts
Our enemy the devil is one among many reasons why a person doubts. I do not say that all kind of doubts are prompted by Satan. The devil has been forgotten with the dealing of doubts. Sure, there are intellectual or psychological doubts, and sure there are emotional doubts, it is also quite sure that there are satanical doubts. Satan, whose mission in prompting doubts began early in the Garden of Eden “Yea, hath God said?”(Gen 3:1). Paul wrote to Corinthians, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Cor. 11:3) As I mentioned earlier doubt begins in the mind, and Satan knows this. The serpent knows that mind is where the “heart” is. Why would Satan attack the mind? you ask. Because, according to a theologian, “your mind is the part of the image of God where God communicates with you and reveals his will to you.” Satan hates Christians and there is nothing more that would delight him is the destruction of Christ’s follower. Apostle Peter once said, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
How Should We Deal Our Doubts?
There really are no medical or placebos that can ease our doubts but God. We have no quick fix comments or advice here. As I mentioned earlier, doubts in this fallen world is inevitable to Christian faith. Dealing with our doubts tells us that doubt or doubts is part of our human make-up otherwise we shouldn’t have “dealing” with it. Dealing with something or someone requires an action from our part. And this means responsability that we ought to keep in our hearts and mind. Note, doubting Christians should not abandone their faith. If it an intellectual doubts such as, “Why is there pain and suffering if God exist?” or “How can we know God for sure that He exist?” are intellectual doubts this is quite normal, but this kind of intellectual doubts or other doubts, ought not be the biggest stumbling block and excuse for not continuing in faith. We should search more answers if it is the case that one is in intellectual doubt.
There are answers with our intellectual doubts out there if with an earnest prayer over honest questions with a real desire to know the truth will result in the discovery of appropiate evidence. Jesus Christ said, “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10) If your doubt is an honest doubt then you have nothing to fear. We should bring our doubts to the Lord God in prayer. After ll, He already knows of the doubt, and because of His symphathetic nature, we can “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)
Salvation By Faith
By L.R.R
What separates Christianity from other faith? There are lots of significant traits that separates Christianity from other religion and one of these is the doctrine of salvation by faith. What is salvation by faith?
This doctrine teaches us that God alone saves us and not our personality, identity, peers, family, career, and job. The salvation of mankind is solely by God and through God that we are saved.
So our achievements, and efforts to win God’s love for us does not count. Does the Scripture tells us about salvation by faith? Of course it does!
What Is The Meaning of Salvation
Before we continue let us know by what the Scripture means by salvation. Theologian R. C. Sproul explains succincly what salvation is,
“Salvation means to be rescued from some calamity. However, the Bible also uses the term salvation in a specific sense to refer to our ultimate redemption from sin and recociliation to God. In this sense, salvation is from the ultimate calamity-the judgment of God. The ultimate salvation is accomplished by Christ who “delivers us from wrath to come.” [R. C. Sproul, Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, Tyndale Publisher, p.159]
By Grace Are Ye Saved
Before we continue we must have a solid understanding by what it means to have faith in something or someone. Hebrew 11:6 says,
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
And Romans 10:17,
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
The verse above tells us that without faith we cannot please God. That is, we must be confidence in the Word of God also. Faith believes all that God says as being absolutely true, even though circumstances seem to be against its fullfilment.
Roman Catholicism teaches that faith is not enough to win God’s love, therefore we must also work to earn our salvation. But this is unbiblical. Nowhere in the Bible that says “work your salvation.” As a matter of theological fact the Scripture tells us that salvation is by faith. The saving power of our faith resides not in itself, but in the Almighty Savior Jesus Christ on whom it rests;
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2:8-10)
If we rightly understood text above it simply tells us that works do not contribute in any way to salvation, Paul continues in the same passage, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Thus “good works” i.e. a “walk” in obedience to God’s Word, will no doubt be a result of a faith which is truly authentic. Salvation is all of God 100 percent (cf. Jon 2:9). He saves us all by Himself. Salvation is of Our Lord Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:1-10; Rom. 9:15-16).
The Ultimate Trust
We must remember that indeed there is no merit in faith alone. It is not mere faith that saves, but faith in Christ. Faith in Buddha, Krishna or any other savior but Jesus Christ will not take you to heaven. Properly speaking,it is not so much faith, as it is faith in Christ that saves. So, in addition, Salvation is by grace alone as the foundation and basis of salvation, through faith alone as the means of salvation. And in Christ alone as the object of our faith.
The saving faith is personal trust in Jesus Christ as a living person for forgiveness of sins and for eternal life with God. You might ask; Is it important to have knowledge of the fact of the gospel and approval and hereby get save of those facts? My answer is no! It is not enough to have knowledge about the Gospel and Christ, it is more important to trust in Christ. In doing this I move from being interested observer of the facts of salvation and teachings of the Bible to being someone who enters into personal relationship with Jesus Christ as living person.
Ultimate trust in Christ is what saves a person. Not his abilities or positions. Consider the sobering words Jesus about the value of good works;
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (Matt. 7:21-22)
Faith vs. Works?
Not only do Roman Catholics and other Christian cults believes in salvation by faith plus works they also cite the passage of James (James 2:24) against Paul (Eph. 2:8-9) which is ’salvation by faith.’ And skeptics uses these verses to show that there are really contradictions in the Bible. Is it true then that James contradicts Paul when it comes to our faith of salvation? I don not think so,
In reality, Paul and James did not disagree at all. The only point of disagreement some people claim is over the relationship between faith and works. Paul dogmatically says that justification is by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) while James appears to be saying that justification is by faith plus works. This apparent problem is answered by examining what exactly James is talking about.
James is arguing against the belief that a person can have faith without producing any good works (James 2:17-18). James is emphasizing the point that genuine faith in Christ will produce a changed life and good works (James 2:20-26).
James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in his life If a person claims to be a believer, but has no good works in his life (prayerlessness, neglecting Bible reading, living a sinful life, churchless and no fear in God etc,)- then he likely does not have genuine faith in Christ (James 2:14, 17, 20, 26).
Paul says the same thing in his writings. The good fruit believers should have in their lives is listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Immediately after telling us that we are saved by faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), Paul informs us that we were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10).
Apostle Paul expects just as much of a changed life as James does,
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17)!
James and Paul do not disagree on their teaching on salvation. They approach the same subject from different perspectives. Paul simply emphasized that justification is by faith alone while James put emphasis on the fact that faith in Christ produces good works. In addition James goes on later that,
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17).
Dead faith is described by James as a faith that does not grow and profit. Dead faith is futile and vain. It is safe to say that, the Apostles James and Paul never contradicted each other as Roman Catholics and skeptics want us to believe. Let me ask you a couple of questions, Is Jesus the object of your faith? do you have faith in Christ Jesus? Do you ultimately trust him for your salvation andnot of your own efforts and works? Please contemplate before you answer these questions.
Eternal Security
By L.R.R
Is It possible for a Christian who has accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord, thus “born again” and repented from his previous life can lose salvation?
Before attemting answering this delicate and important question we have to ask if a person is really saved. Did he have a genuine faith or a counterfeit based faith?
Certainly before we can be assured of our salvation, and have certainty for being eternally saved a person must be born again. Jesus Christ was is clear about this and said,
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3)
The above word “born again” simply means turning away from his sinful life. A born again person must live a new life, new thinking, and new aim or purposes in life and trust his salvation only in Christ.
The Bible clearly warns against spiritual pride. Christians risks the possibility to fall into corruption of sinning or even leave his faith and become apostate (2 Peter 2:20).
Why does this happen to a Christian in a first place? Can the cause of falling-away-from-faith from these professing Christian accepted the decision for following Christ superficially?
There are various reasons why those who profess their faith does not have eternal security such as follows:
1. Professes the Christian faith but does not repent (Luke. 3:7-14; Acts 26:2).
2. Having religious zeal apart from the gospel (Romans 10:1-4).
3. Knowing not, saving faith always produces works (Eph. 2:8-10; Heb. 11:4,7)
Or perhaps this believer (who lost his salvation) failed to understand that as a Christian we need to live a disciplined and holy life (Lev. 19:2) so that at the end of our “race” he would not be disqualified or even eliminated from the competition, and win the Crown of Life (1 Cor. 9:24-27)?
Henceforth, false Christians can never lose their salvation because they never had it in the first place! Genuine Christians on the other hand if they lived consistent biblically based, Chirst-like life can rest assured that they are indeed on their way to heaven and are eternally secured.
I am totally in disagreement with my fellow brethrens who argues from the negative side that true believers in Jesus Christ can lose their salvation.
Once Secured, Always Secured!
I would argue against the false notion that a Christian who have an intimate with Christ Jesus is in risk losing his eternal security.
First of, it is a contradiction in term to say that saved can be unsaved. Remember a born again Christian has been saved from the following:
a. Saved from the penalty of sin (Rom. 5:9)
b. Saved from condemnation (v. 8:1)
c. Saved from eternal punishment in hell (Jude 23)
Indeed, Jesus told us that, “He that believeth on the Son hath (right at this very moment!) everlasting life” (John 3:36).
Born again believer have everlasting life with God in heaven not “probably” or even “maybe” but today!
Our source of life which is none other but Jesus Christ give us the positive certainty,
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any one pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:27, 28).
How wonderful and encouraging to read this profound word from our Lord Jesus Christ. Not only that we are assured in him he also will hold on us!
There is no possible way that a Christian will lose, (who depends and believes in God) his salvation. Jesus says,
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).
This is very simple, the person who who hear and believe in Him shall not come into judgment. What a promise indeed! But what if a believer who had everlasting life with God lose his salvation? The Jesus Christ would not be true to his word. Yet it is impossible for God to lie (Titus 1:2).
Again Jesus tells us,
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25)
All we have to do is to believe in him who is “the resurrection and life” only then we have eternal life. Paul the Apostle responded to the jailer and said,
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31)
It is hard for me to reconcile between the genuine believer who is saved will ever be unsaved. On the top of this, it is important to remember that security is based on the grace of God and the fact that eternal life is a gift.
Of course, this is ONLY true for “born again” Christian.
Re-checking Christians Attitude Towards God
If you are a Christian and is saved by the grace of God then, you don’t have any reason doubting your eternal security.
However, if you as a believer still doutbs your salvation, then it is only advisable to re-check our personal relationship and attitude towards our Savior. If we reall want and willing with whole our mind and soul to get right in-tune with God we must check the following:
1. Do I have a present trust in Christ for salvation?
2. Is there evidence of a renewing work of the Holy Spirit in my heart?
3. Do I see a long-term relationship of growth in my Christian life?
Again, remember if you are already a believer then be certain and be assured of your eternal security. Make sure we’re not one of whom Jesus rebuked,
“Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kongdom of heaven…I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matt. 7:21,23).
