June 30th - Elementary Teaching About Christ

 “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.” (Hebrews 6:1-3)

Of all of the mistranslations of Scripture into English, Satan’s crown jewel in my opinion is the translation of the Greek words "krimatos aioniou" as “eternal judgment”. Fortunately, there are a few Bible translations that Satan has not been able to influence. Here are two of the three I am familiar with…

“…of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on also of hands, of rising again also of the dead, and of judgment age-during” (Young’s Literal Translation), and

“…of the teaching of baptizings, besides the imposition of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and of judgment eonian.” (Concordant Literal Translation)

What the writer of Hebrews is talking about is moving on from basic teaching that all Christians should be aware of to the maturity of knowing all of what God has planned for humanity. The elementary teachings I find are…

1. Jesus is the Savior of the world
2. The grace of God saves humanity, not good works

3. All creation will be reconciled to God

4. God the Father will be All in all

4. Our faith is to be in that plan of God the Father, and His Son, Christ Jesus

Paul summarizes this for me as follows:

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be ALL in ALL.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

"...the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may be giving you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the realization of Him, the eyes of your heart having been enlightened, for you to perceive what is the expectation of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of the enjoyment of His allotment among the saints, and what the transcendent greatness of His power for us who are believing, in accord with the operation of the might of His strength, which is operative in the Christ, rousing Him from among the dead and seating Him at His right hand among the celestials, up over every sovereignty and authority and power and lordship, and every name that is named, not only in this eon, but also in that which is impending: and subjects all under His feet, and gives Him, as Head over all, to the ecclesia which is His body, the complement of the One completing the ALL in ALL." (Ephesians 1:17-23)

June 29th - Did Christ Die in Vain?

"I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." (Galatians 2:21).

The Bible teaches me that salvation is a free gift to humanity from God.

“…for the free gift of God is eternal life…For by grace are you saved…for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all humanity….” (Romans 6:23b; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11-13)

My conclusion after reading the Bible from cover to cover is that God is going to save everyone as Paul says...

“...we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

"...there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all..." (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Christ did not die in vain!

June 28th - God Loves Sinners

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44)

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.” (Colossians 3:16)

How does your religious doctrine measure up to these words of Jesus and Paul?

What about God the Father, how is His attitude toward His enemies?

“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:8-11)

The governments and religions of humanity are not in love with you - but God proved that He is by making His Son the ransom for our sin!

 "I exhort, then, first of all, there be made supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, for all men: for kings, and all who are in authority, that a quiet and peaceable life we may lead in all piety and gravity, for this [is] right and acceptable before God our Saviour, who doth will all men to be saved, and to come to the full knowledge of the truth; for one [is] God, one also [is] mediator of God and of men, the man Christ Jesus, who did give himself a ransom for all." (1 Timothy 2:1-6 YLT) 

June 27th - What Does God See When He Looks at Humanity

“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for humanity appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy…” (Titus 3:4-5)

God does not try to save us or offer to save us….He SAVED us!

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them...He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:19-21)

What does God see when He looks at humanity?

I think He sees humanity when He is finished with us. He sees us as the result of "Christ reconciling the world”. He sees "every knee" bowing and "every tongue" confessing "Jesus Christ is Lord".

"And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will 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." (Philippians 2:8-11)

June 26th - Delivered from this Present Evil Age

"Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age" (Galatians 1:3-4).

God's plan is pretty simple and it is good news for everyone.There are two things that had to be done to deliver humanity from the evil of this present age - 

1. Christ Jesus gave Himself for the sins of humanity.

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

2. Christ Jesus will raise humanity from.

"Behold, I tell you a mystery… we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable…the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory." (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

June 25th - What Does God Think Humanity Needs?

“…when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)

The simple prayers of those who pray “in secret” are rewarded in accordance with what God the Father knows we need. One thing that all of us need is to be reconciled with God, and He is in the process of doing so.

“…God is reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation…God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:19-21)

So, what does this reconciliation accomplish for humanity?

“...the free gift of God is eternal life…" (Romans 6:23b)

June 24th - Vanishing Away - Then What?

“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)

The older I get the more this hits home. Good thing I also have read the following...

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep (vanished away) so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope…For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead (those who vanished away) in Christ will rise…comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

June 23rd - Grace and Judgment

Before the great worldwide flood described in Genesis, God made this statement concerning humanity…

"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5)

He then made a decision...

"So the LORD said, I will destroy humanity whom I have created from the face of the earth." (Genesis 6:7)

God had told Adam and Eve what the judgment for their sin would be…

“…you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." (Genesis 2:17)

Prior to sending the flood, God introduced humanity to His grace in the way He dealt with Noah...

"But Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8)

Humanity has not changed and evil is still a part of our nature. The judgment of God on sin is still death yet His GRACE will save all humanity.

“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life…for the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all humanity.” (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Titus 2:11)

Jesus came to save humanity and show us how it will be done. Just as Jesus died and was raised to life, He will return and save the rest of us from death. That is the promise of the Bible.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly…it is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior…desires ALL humanity to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL…we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL humanity, especially of believers.” (John 10:10; 1 Timothy 1:15, 2:3-6; 4:9-10)

June 22nd - Better To Be Drowned In The Depths Of The Sea

The disciples of Jesus asked who would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. He told them that "unless they change" they would not enter.

"The disciples came to Jesus and asked who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me..." (Matthew 18:1-5)

Have you ever noticed how a little child reacts to being told about God loving them and Jesus dying for them? It makes them happy and they believe without question - UNTIL - they get into some church that tells them God will eternally punish them in hell unless they are really saved. It is the disciples in these churches that will need to be changed before they enter the Kingdom.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:10)

The church who scares "little ones", or anyone, and causes them "to stumble" from their love for God and Jesus into a phobia of fear will not be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven until its members become like little children themselves. In fact, it would be better for those leaders "to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea"...

"If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!" (Matthew 18:6-7)

On another occasion the people of a Samaritan village did not welcome Jesus. The "disciples" asked Jesus if he wanted them to call down fire from heaven to burn them up. Jesus "rebuked" them...

"But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?" (Luke 9:54-55)

I cannot think of anything worse than scaring a child with the heresy of eternal conscious torment in hell. I would rather be "drowned in the depths of the sea". Unfortunately such teaching continues in some form in most churches. Thankfully, Jesus will burn up such false teaching in "the day" humans give account to God.

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

All humans, including those who now cause people to stumble, are destined to "become like little children" when God conforms them into the image of His Son Jesus.

"...behold I make all things new..." (Revelation 21:5)

...I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow" (Jeremiah 31:13)

"For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son..." (Romans 8:29)

June 21st - All in All.

"God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19).

The secret to worthwhile faith is figuring out what God has actually said. That is not always easy. Who among us today has actually had a two way conversation with God? What I do is assume that God spoke to men of old and they wrote down what God told them into a book we call the Bible - the Scripture.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness…for everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.” (2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 15:4)

I hope for humanity is found in the Bible. Paul sums up this “hope” as follows...

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive… so that God may be All in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

God “All in all”.  That is the hope for humanity that is a treasure worth guarding!

"I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day...with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:12-14)

June 20th - Better Promises

Concerning the history of the unfaithfulness of Israel Paul writes...

“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11)

The promises to ISRAEL that were dependent on their faithfulness needed to be exchanged for a covenant based on the faithfulness of sinless Jesus, rather than sinful humans.

"Now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6)

The basic promises of the old covenant Law of Moses can be summarized as "do this, and you will live." The promises under the law were not realized because humanity does not obey the Law of God.

"Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against me; they did not walk in my statutes, and were not careful to observe my judgments, which, if a human does, he shall live by them" (Ezekiel 20:21).

God has promised a new covenant which is immeasurably better than the old one, because it DOES NOT depend upon human performance, but on the GRACE of God. 

"I will make a new covenant… I will put my law in their minds…I will be their God…I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

What God has promised to forgive the iniquity of humanity and remember our sins no more! Paul was given this good news to tell everyone.

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have ALL humanity to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one MEDIATOR between God and humans, the man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not ; a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” (1 Timothy 2:3-7)

June 19th - Myths and Strange Doctrines

“To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord...instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths… It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.” (1 Timothy 1:1-20)

You can search all you want but you will not find a single verse in the Bible that says the penalty for sin is Christianity’s morbid concept of eternal conscious torment. It is a myth. the Bible clearly says that the result of sin is DEATH.

"...but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)

"The wages of sin is death..."  (Romans 6:23)

Salvation is what happens AFTER death. The Bible tells us that Jesus will resurrect sinners OUT OF DEATH - not save them from it. But for more than 1900 years there have been leaders in the church like “Hymenaeus and Alexander”, who have been shipwrecked in regard to their faith by the strange doctrine and myth of eternal conscious torment for those who do not join a Christian church.

All of God’s dealings with humanity is with a view to the eventual reconciliation of ALL humans, even Hymenaeus, Alexander, and their modern day counterparts.

“…through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...” (Colossians 1:20; 2 Corinthians 5)

There is absolutely no thought in the minds of the writers of Scripture with regard to eternal conscious torment. Such punitive retribution was introduced centuries ago by corrupt theology and is being passed on as truth today in most churches. How incredibly sad! Paul addressed the source of the myths and strange doctrines.

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness..." (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)

June 18th - Religious, Political and Journalistic Fabricators

“For us, who love God, who are the called according to His purpose, there is an awareness that He is working all together for good.” (Romans 8:28).

God is working everything for the good of humanity. This truth is refreshing to me in a world of religious, political and journalistic fabricators. Truth has become what these institutions perceive it to be, or would like it to be. 

All who have lived on this planet - even the religious, political and journalistic fabricators among us - will discover that humanity will be saved out of death by the grace of God.

“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all humans to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and humans, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all…we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all humans, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 1:15, 18-19; 2:3-8; 4:9-11)

This truth continues to brighten even my most difficult days in this present evil age. It gives me peace and enhances my love for God. Not a fabricated love, but a genuine love flowing from the knowledge of God's grace, love, and goodness.

Religious, political, and journalistic fabricators are obsessed with the idea that those who agree with them are the only ones who will have things work out for good - however, I am confident that they are wrong!

June 17th - Don't Be Judged By Religious Ritual

“For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect…” (Hebrews 10:1)

The above was written to Jews who had believed and followed Jesus as their Messiah. They were considering returning to the Law and its rituals as the way to righteousness. The writer was reminding them that the Law nor the rituals surrounding the obedience to it could make them perfect.

Gentiles who had believed in Jesus were being told by some of the Jewish followers of Jesus that they too had to observe the rituals of the Law of Moses. Paul tells them that they should not allow these Jews to judge them by religious rituals...

“Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17)

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that we will not be judged, nor rewarded, concerning our attendance at Church nor its associated rituals. We will be judged by whether we believe "the word" of Christ Jesus that He is the SAVIOR of the world. Jesus said…

“If anyone hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings, has one who judges him; THE WORD I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.…” (John 12:47-48)

And what is “the word” which Jesus spoke which will “judge him” who rejects it? His word that He came “to save the world”. 

Jesus will SAVE the world and all those who have been part of it because that is what he came to do. He did not come to condemn the world.

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:17)

Those who do not believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world will be “judged” WRONG and be ashamed when in fact Jesus returns and saves everyone from death. At that time all will give account of their life to God including what they believed about God our Savior. ALL humanity will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord bringing "glory to God"…

“God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

"For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” (Romans 14:8-12)

June 16th - Try to Keep Calm in the Storms of this Life

There is a saying that a person can be so heavenly minded that he is of no earthly good. But that is not what the Bible says.

“If, then, you were roused together with Christ, be seeking that which is above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Be disposed to that which is above, not to that on the earth, for you died, and your life is hid together with Christ in God. Whenever Christ, our Life, should be manifested, then you also shall be manifested together with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4)

Christ is “that which is above”. While He was down here He did what was necessary to save sinners who are condemned to death. One day He will return to resurrect us, change us, and share His glory with us. The older I get the more I find myself “seeking that which is above” and looking forward to my arrival. It gives me peace to know what awaits me and my family in the next life. For now, I try to enjoy this life the best I can trying to keep clam in the storms.

“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 8:15)

June 15th - The Faith of Jesus Christ

"Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who is of the faith of Jesus.” (Romans 3:24-26)

Our righteousness is not based on OUR faith, but the faith OF Jesus. And the only way to be “justified” (declared righteous) is to be a recipient of the “faith OF Jesus”.

“...the righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all. and on all who believe." (Romans 3:22)

If your version of the Bible says "faith IN Jesus", it is wrong. Any honest translator with a Greek Interlinear will clearly see the proper translation is "faith OF Jesus". Nothing wrong with having faith IN Jesus, but that is not the context in the above verses which are talking about the faith that Jesus had, not our faith.

For it is by Grace you have been saved, through FAITH - and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT OF GOD...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity...Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of FAITH, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Ephesians 2:8; 1 Timothy 4:10; Hebrews 12:2-3)

Jesus had faith that His suffering and death on the Cross was the RIGHT thing for God to do in order to save humanity. The sacrifice of His body was necessary to do so, and therefore Jesus "endured the cross" because He knew that...

"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll - I have come to do your will, my God....and by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once FOR ALL...when this priest had offered FOR ALL TIME one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool. For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy..." and God says that "their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." (Hebrews 10:5-17)

What is the will of God for humanity that Jesus was sent to do?

"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who WILLS all humanity to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and humans, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom FOR ALL..." (1 Timothy 2:3-7)

"Therefore when Christ came into the world He said 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do YOUR WILL, O God.’ ” (Hebrews 10:5-7)

June 14th - The Savior of the World

The Apostle Paul wrote...

"Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit ... This mystery is that through the gospel the nations (gentiles) are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 3:2-6)

And Paul told humanity what Jesus came into the world to do.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—" (1 Timothy 1:15)

Did Jesus, the Son of God, get the job done?

"Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ...And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent His Son as the world's Savior." (John 1:29; 1 John 4:14)

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

"...we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10)

I am confident Jesus was successful!

From the cross Jesus said...

"It is finished!" Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." (John 19:30)

June 13th - Stop Bragging

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

After studying the Greek I think the Aramaic Bible in Plain English captures the truth better than some of the other English translations…

“For it is by His grace that we have been saved through faith, and this faith was not from you, but it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8 Aramaic Bible in Plain English)

So from where does this saving faith come if this faith “was not from you”?

“Because we know that a man is not justified by works of The Written Law, but by the faith of Yeshua The Messiah, we also believe in Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah, that we should be made right by the faith of The Messiah, and not by the works of The Written Law, because no one is made right by the works of The Written Law.” (Galatians 2:16 Aramaic Bible in Plain English)

Did you catch that – it is not YOUR faith, but the faith “of Yeshua The Messiah”. 

We are not saved by our faith IN Christ, but we are both saved and justified by the Grace of God as a result of “the faith of Yeshua the Messiah”.

Claiming to be saved as a result of a decision we make, or our baptism, or our repentance of sin, or our profession of faith, or our good works, or our membership in a church, yada yada yada….is to “boast”. We had nothing to do with our salvation.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God...the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 3:23;6:23)

One of the reasons that Salvation is by the Grace of God bestowed freely on sinners is to prevent us from bragging about it...or working for it.  We should rejoice and brag on God for His free gift.

"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say, rejoice!" (Philipians 4:4)

June 12th - The Ransom of All Humanity

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Ransom is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone from captivity”. A ransom is not a debt that is paid, it is a payment required for release of a captive. So what was “demanded” of Christ Jesus? Not money or any material thing. The demand for the release of "all people" was His LIFE.  

But who did He pay? Who or what was holding humanity captive?

The ransom was paid to the greatest enemy of humanity - DEATH. God had declared to Adam and Eve that the penalty for sin was DEATH. DEATH holds all humanity captive.  

God gave His Son to "ransom" humanity from its captor, death so that it can be abolished...

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades [the grave] will not overcome it...As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...the last enemy that will be abolished is death.” (Matthew 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:22-26)

Again, the LIFE of Jesus was the ransom paid to DEATH to free its “captives”.  God assures us that death’s “prisoners” will have “freedom” from death when they are "made alive". 

Jesus began His public ministry by reading from the prophet Isaiah to proclaim freedom for the captives with the following words…

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1)

Paul was probably thinking of "freedom" from the "captivity" of death when he wrote…

“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…there is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of ALL who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, when he ascended on high he led captivity (death) captive and He gave gifts to humanity (eternal life).” (Ephesians 4:1-8)

June 11th - The Reconciliation, Justification and Salvation of All - Have Faith in God!

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them" (2 Corinthians 5:19)

"...and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:20)

“Abraham believed God (had Faith), and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6;Romans 4:3;Galatians 3:6)

"...having been justified by faith, we have peace with God" (Romans 5:1)

"This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and especially believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

"This is good and pleases God our Savior, whose will is that everyone be saved and understand the truth. For, there is one God and one Mediator who has reconciled God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world..." (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

Either we believe God or we make up some argument that He does not really mean what He says. And what does God say in the verses quoted above? ALL humanity will be RECONCILED to God, SAVED from staying dead, and are JUSTIFIED (righteous) when they believe what God says.

Humans will be rewarded (or not) based on whether we believe God, i.e. have faith in what He says.

"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ...and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12)

June 10th - Our Image of God

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-4)

I changed when my image of God changed. It is my opinion that some who have placed their faith in Jesus  need to change their image of God the Father.  If that image of God is one of a vengeful, wrathful, mad God who is going to get even with all sinners who do not accept His Son Jesus as their Savior, it needs to change.

Once our image of God changes to the biblical image of a loving Father, we have a way to attract ohers to the Savior rather than frighten them away.

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love… There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love..." (1 John 4:8, 18)

God is love and the following Bible verses tell us how perfect love acts toward others...

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails….”  (1 Corinthians 13:5-8)

June 9th - What Manner Of Spirit Are You?

"And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him...And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save." (Luke 9:54-56)

It seems to me that this "manner of spirit" that Jesus rebuked in James and John may be the same "spirit" which teaches that God will eternally punish in hell those who do not join a Christian church. The Bible tells us who is behind that teaching...

"...Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness...." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

God is our Savior and Jesus is the Savior of the world. When we believe this God adds us to the body of Christ and eventually all will come to this knowledge and be placed in the body of Christ.

"God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired...this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Corinthians 12:18; 1 Timothy 2:3-4)

"Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14)

God is not keeping track of the sins of the world thank goodness. His Son Jesus atoned for all of them. This is the good news we should tell people.

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world....God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation… God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God.” (1 John 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21)

"But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness...godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come. This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance. To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things." (1 Timothy 4:7-11)

June 8th - So, Go Ahead

“...So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this! Wear fine clothes, with a splash of cologne! Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil. Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.”  (Ecclesiastes 9:5-10)

Do you get it? Let's review...

1. “Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this!” 
2. “Wear fine clothes, with a splash of cologne!”  
3.  “Live happily with the woman you love...” 
4.  “The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil.”  
5. “Whatever you do, do well.” 

I got it! ...so I am going to follow this advice!

June 7th - Killing the Soul and Body in Hell

"And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna (hell).” (Matthew 10:28)

Your translation of the Bible probably renders the word "Gehenna" as “hell”. That is unfortunate and an example of how the Bible was translated into English according to the bias of the translators. This bias promotes the vain "directions of men" rather than the Word of God. 

"Yet in vain are they revering Me, Teaching for teachings the directions of men." (Matthew 15:9)

"Gehenna" refers to the garbage dump outside of Jerusalem where trash and dead bodies of animals and criminals were burned. Among that garbage, the worms did not die and the fire was not quenched until it had accomplished the job of destroying the body.

"And if your hand should ever be snaring you, strike it off. It is ideal for you to be entering into life maimed, rather than, having two hands, to come away into Gehenna (hell), into the unextinguished fire where their worm is not deceasing and the fire is not going out." (Mark 9:43-44)

Following is what I think Jesus was saying about "fear" and "Gehenna"?

Jesus warned the Jewish people that embracing Him as the Messiah could result in death, with the dead body being cast into "Gehenna" as a criminal - the garbage dump outside of Jerusalem where many bodies of criminals were placed after execution. Yet, Jesus told them they need not fear men who could do this because that is all they could do. Jesus said only God had the power to destroy both body and soul in the fire of "Gehenna" - therefore there should "fear" Him only.

"For whosoever may be wanting to save his soul will be destroying it, yet whoever shall be destroying his soul on account of Me and of the evangel will be saving it...For whosoever may be ashamed of Me and My words in this generation...the Son of Mankind also will be ashamed of him whenever He may be coming in the glory of His Father." (Mark 8:35-38)

When Jesus returns, the"souls" of the Jews who follow Jesus as Messiah will be raised to reign in the restored Kingdom of Israel for 1000 years.

"And the souls of those executed because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who do not worship the wild beast or its image, and did not get the emblem on their forehead and on their hand - they also live and reign with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead do not live until the thousand years should be finished." (Revelation 20:4-5)

June 6th - Freeing Fools

"It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere." - Voltaire

Paul knew this first hand. He would say to the Galatians...

"O foolish Galatians! Who bewitches you?...for freedom Christ frees us!" (Galatians 3:1; 5:1)

From what does Christ free us?

Christ freed humanity from the impossible task of saving ourselves. Christ Jesus covered our sin with His blood, redeemed us, reconciled us to God, and gives us His own righteousness before God.

"Christ Jesus gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed" ... "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them...He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (Corinthians 5:16-21)

"There is none righteous, not even one." (Romans 3:10)

All the good works of humanity will not make one person righteous before God.

"...a man is not being justified by works of law, except alone through the faith of Christ Jesus, we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith OF Christ, and not by works of law, seeing that by works of law shall NO flesh at all be justified." (Galatians 2:16 CLNT)

It is the faith "of Christ Jesus" that justifies humanity (makes them righteous before God).

Our personal faith in him simply allows us to rejoice that we do not have to save ourselves. Humanity has been reconciled to God by the "BLOOD" of Christ, Justified by the "FAITH" of Christ, and will be Saved from death at the "RETURN" of Christ to free us from the wages of sin - death.

"For freedom Christ frees us".

June 5th - Do Lives Matter?

“For, just like the fool, there is no lasting remembrance of the wise man, since in the days to come both will be forgotten.” (Ecclesiastes 2:16) 

All humanity matters to God. That is our hope and this hope was beautifully penned by hymn writer Edward Mote…

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean of Jesus’ name. When darkness seems to hide his face, I rest on his unchanging GRACE. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand” – Edward Mote

"For the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all." (Titus 2:11)

That is my expectation!

June 4th - Prayer Instructions

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

"...bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:28)

Jesus instructed humanity to pray for those who mistreat us. And He also instructed us where to pray.

“...when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6)

The first thing we are to do in prayer is forgive those we are holding a grudge against.

"...when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too." (Mark 11:25)

Below is the model prayer that Jesus gave us - we used to pray this even at school when I was a kid.

"Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.” (Luke 11:2-4)

It is not easy for me to follow instructions, but I finally learned that prayer gives me peace when I follow the above instructions, and now I pray about everything!

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable." (Philippians 4:6-8)

June 3rd - Predestined According to His Purpose

“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will…In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-14)

Humanity has been "predestined" to hear and believe the good news of their salvation, and, upon believing they become sealed with the power of that promise.

I have heard much teaching about the Holy Spirit over the years. The various teachings on the Holy Spirit by religious institutions is confusing. I understand “Holy Spirit” as the POWER of God at work.

Humanity's “mortal” condition is terminal and so we all die. Afterward, however,  we are "predestined" to be made alive and immortal by the Holy Spirit (power) of God. Then we will be "changed" at our resurrection into a new “spiritual body". It is a promise from God and it is the predestined hope of humanity.

“So also is the resurrection of the dead…it is sown a natural body, it is raised a SPIRITUAL body. If there is a natural body, there is also a SPIRITUAL body. So also it is written, the first man, Adam, became a living SOUL, the last Adam became a life-giving SPIRIT. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven…Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery…we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the DEAD will be raised imperishable… when this…mortal has put on IMMORTALITY, then will come about the saying that is written, DEATH is swallowed up in VICTORY.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-57)

That is the "message of truth, the gospel of your salvation".

June 2nd - We Have Received Christ

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him” (Colossians 2:6).

So how had the Colossians "received" Christ Jesus the Lord?

When we get a good rain we often say "we received a good rain from the Lord last week". We had nothing to do with the rain coming, we just received it. That is how I understand Paul when he uses the word "received" above. Humanity has received salvation from the Lord because Jesus brought "salvation it to all humanity".

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all humanity...The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord."(Titus 2:11; Romans 6:23)

Humanity should walk and rejoice in the free gift it has "received"  from GOD.

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him….The Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world…and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."(John 3:17; 4:14; John 4:42)

Humanity will be saved because God thinks it is the right thing to do. It is clear to me that when God is finished with humanity, every human will be saved. 

Humans should "walk in Him" knowing the glorious good news that the "grace of God" appeared. Jesus Christ our Lord was and is the grace of God in action, saving humans from our sin.

“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith,  just as you were instructed, overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, ACCORDING TO THE TRADITION OF MEN, according to the elementary principles of the world, RATHER THAN ACCORDING TO CHRIST. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and IN HIM you have been made complete…you were dead in your transgressions...He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us ALL OUR transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:6-15)

Again, what did Paul mean when he said “as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him”? Sinners experience JOY and PEACE when they BELIEVE this good news. Then they walk in that knowledge every day knowing that the best is yet to come.  They are not made "captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men".

Not many seem to care about the salvation of all humanity. Nevertheless, “joy will come in the morning” of the resurrection of humanity, when, at the name of Jesus...

"...every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God." (Philippians 2:10)

June 1st - The Evil Eye

Jesus said…

"...is it not lawful for me to do what I want with what is mine...is your eye evil because I am good..." (Matthew 20:15)

Muslims believe they are the only ones destined for heaven. Christians think the same thing. The reason is that both want their good deeds or faith to determine their salvation. Nevertheless, the world has only one Savior, and His salvation is a free gift to all humanity, according to the Bible…

“For by Grace are you saved...For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life...For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive...The last enemy that will be abolished is death… so that God may be All in all.” (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

Christians and Muslims alike have leaders whom they believe are men of God. They follow their teaching and trust and put faith in those men. They may think their faith is in Allah or God, but it is really in what their leaders have told them about Allah or God.

Nevertheless all are destined to hear directly from Jesus, a few in this life and all in the next. And then they will finally understand what God has done for humanity through Jesus His Son, and all will declare...

"It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)

God saves sinners by His "Grace" because He is "good". 

The evil eye of religion rejects the goodness of God in saving all humanity.