October 16th - The Measure of Faith

“Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the just one by faith shall be living…Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 12:2)

“God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them…through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.” (2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:20)

I have faith that the "blood of His cross" has reconciled the world to God and that Jesus is the “author and finisher” of my faith. God gave me a measuring stick to determine if my faith was in Him, or in the doctrines of religion…

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure (measuring stick) of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

The Greek word for “measure” above refers to the measuring rod, like a tape measure. I think that pride is the measuring stick God gives to determine whether our faith is in ourselves, or in the our Savior Jesus.  One who thinks their own faith saves them is thinking “more highly” of themselves that they should.

“The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:11-14)

Humanity has no hope of salvation apart from the grace and mercy of God - and  "Jesus Chris's faith"…

“Yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifest (being attested by the law and the prophets), yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ’s faith, for all, and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:21-23) 

All humanity will be saved out of death one day, the result of the faith of Jesus - His “indescribable gift”.

“As in Adam all die, even so, in Christ, all shall be made alive...Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 9:15)

Don’t be discouraged if you have little faith, or are considered to have none by those who think they do. And if you come to have it in this present evil age, make an effort to enrich those around you with the good news - Jesus is the Savior of the world, and He will save it!

October 15th - Prayer Does Not Change God's Will for Us

I have said this before but it is on my mind again this morning. Biblical FAITH is not a commodity that we trade to God for stuff we ask for in prayer. Biblical faith is a lifestyle of confident dependence on the promises of God as directly expressed in His Word. The writer of Hebrews defined it as follows…

“Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Our effort should be to determine what God has clearly promised, and have FAITH in those promises. 

Some of the promises of God are negative such as…

"It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)

But beyond those troubles rests the promise of Jesus himself…

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me...I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:1-3)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 14:22)

My prayers and faith are of utmost importance to me, and I pray about everything, mostly for the health and welfare of my family. I have learned from God's Word to give the cares and worries of life TO GOD in prayer so I can find peace and get some sleep…

“Don't worry about anything Robert; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you think you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your heart and mind so just keep trying to live the best you can.” (Robert’s Own Paraphrase of Philippians 4:6-7)

As we near the time of God to fulfill His promise to send Jesus back to earth, troubles in the world will increase, so be prepared as best you can and cast those troubles ON HIM - He cares about you!

"Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

As we watch the events transpiring in Israel we can have FAITH in the LORD's promise to them...

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

October 14th - Flawed Religion

The gospel (good news) is for every person and it is really simple. Intellectual religious types stumble over its simplicity and twist it to try to control behavior by bringing guilt and shame. Take the following verses in Hebrews…

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

SIMPLE EXPLANATION: The book of Hebrews presents Jesus as the Savior of the world and the Great High Priest of Israel. He is the AUTHOR of our faith that God will save humanity from its sin. God will FINISH what He promised! We have a great cloud of witnesses that died without having experienced what they had been promised. All those promises will be fulfilled when Jesus returns to resurrect the dead.

RELIGIOUS EXPLANATION: We have a great cloud of witnesses who are looking over the balcony of heaven and watching our every move and cheering us on when we do good and shaking their head in horror when we sin. So we better go to church, quit drinking, smoking, chewing, cursing and having too much fun in the world because Grandma is watching our every move. We are in a race for our eternal destiny and how we live and the choices we make will determine whether we are saved to sit with Jesus at the right hand of God in heaven or burn in hell for all eternity.

One explanation gives peace and hope and is the promise of God - the other is an attempt to scare the hell out of us and is a promise of a flawed religion formed in the mind of men. Paul, however, opted for peace and hope…

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us” (Romans 5:6-11; Romans 8:30-21)

October 13th - All in all

“Thou shalt not steal…” (Exodus 20:15)

When I was very little I would go to the grocery store with Mom and when I saw the candy I would take some of it. Mom would tell me “no” and would explain why it was not a good thing to do. I would grab some more and she would get “irritated” and sternly try to shame me into being sorry for not obeying her. Of course I did it again, and then, in her “wrath”, she would spank me. The result is that I would no longer steal candy - at least in her presence.

Humans are children of God according to the bible….

“He made from one man every nation of humanity to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God… and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist…for we also are His children…” (Acts 17:26-29)

We children do all sorts of bad stuff which God says we should not do in the course of a lifetime. Some people much worse than others. The Bible calls it sin and our Father God deals with us as follows:

God tells us in the Bible what is bad and wicked, and advises us not to do those things. Unfortunately, what we want is too often more attractive so we do it anyway. This displeases God because we did not trust that His advice was for our own good. Our sin brings consequence, eventually death.

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Grace! Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24 CLNT)

Humanity has a sin problem that only the GRACE of God can fix!

The wrath of God toward His sinful children is finished when death comes. There are no ETERNAL consequences. And, humans do not perish in death. God our Father will fix us after our repetitive disobedience has served its purpose, because of His GRACE. He will resurrect all humans into a new creation…

“The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, GRACE abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so GRACE would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)

"So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body...And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man." (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 49)

The plan of God to make humanity into His image will come to pass. God has predestined Himself to be ALL in all His children, not in our present mortal bodies which die, but when we are "made alive".

"Let us make humanity in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule… as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive… The last enemy to be destroyed is death…so that God may be All in all.” (Genesis 1:26; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

October 12th - My Thoughts or Anothers

Sometimes I wish that all I knowabout the bible could be deleted from my mind. Then I could start over with...

"In a beginning Elohim created..." (Genesis 1:1)

and end my study with...

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints! Amen!" (Revelation 22:21)

When I decided that I wanted to know what the Bible says I had to accept the possibility that what I had been taught growing up by others might be wrong. I have now read and studied the Bible for over 45 years and my opinion changed from time to time over those years as I...

"Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy  2:15)

"Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

One thing is for sure in my mind and that is my views are mine, not anothers.

October 11th - Religion Formed by the Art and Thought of Man.

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21)

"Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19)

Before His incarnation, Jesus the Son of God was in a position to see and know what our Father God wills and does, and what He saw his Father do Jesus "does in like manner". 

And what was that?

“He will SAVE His people from their sins”.

Christian and Muslim apologists would contend that only those who join their particular group are “His people”, thus creating division among humanity. 

However, God intends to "save His people from their sins"…and humans are "His people" as Paul tells the Athenians….

“He made from one man every nation of humanity to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said  for we also are His children. Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of humanity. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to humanity that all people everywhere should repent…” (Acts 17:26-29)

So what is God calling every man to "repent" from? 

Humanity needs to repent from thinking that the god "formed by the art and thought of humanity" is the true God. The gods of religion have one thing in common, they warn that those who refuse to worship them will be eternally lost and/or punished for all eternity. 

Paul told the Athenians to "REPENT" of that characterization because the true GOD is not like that, only the made up gods of humanity.  The real God is the FATHER of humanity and does what any good Father does - occasionally disciplines them…

“…have you forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, My son, do not regard lightly the DISCIPLINE of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives…God deals with you as with sons and what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Hebrews 12:5-7)

The final discipline will be applied to humanity at the judgment seat of Christ before the Great White Throne where we must all appear...

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

It seems clear to me that the real God will not reward anyone for believing in and worshiping a false god that was "formed by the art and  THOUGHT of man", even if those people call themselves the people of God.

October 10th - Who are they?

“Are THEY Hebrews? So am I. Are THEY Israelites? So am I. Are THEY Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are THEY servants of Christ? ...I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again...” (2 Corinthians 11:22-27)

Who are the “THEY” that Paul is talking about? 

It was the Jewish followers of Jesus who kept insisting that Gentiles cannot be saved without joining their group and obeying the Law of Moses. They were still clinging to some of the teaching of the "scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites"...who had rejected Jesus as the Christ/Messiah.

“…woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” (Matthew 23:12-13)

This is still happening. Some teach that humanity must join the church or be eternally excluded from the Kingdom of God. But the good news/gospel message that comes from Jesus through the Apostle Paul says….

"So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for ALL HUMANITY, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for ALL HUMANITY. For just as through the disobedience of the one man (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous. The law came in so that sins would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:18-21)

“…as in Adam ALL die, so also in Christ ALL will be made alive...” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

"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 Thessalonians 4:10-11)

Again, the salvation of sinners is not an offer to be accepted or an organization to be joined - it is good news to be believed and shared! Only a few humans seem to believe the good news in this life, yet ALL will believe after the resurrection and in joyful appreciation of their salvation…

“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 2:8-11)

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He PREDESTINED us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of HIS WILL, to the praise of the glory of HIS GRACE, which He FREELY BESTOWED ON US in the Beloved (Jesus). In Him we have redemption through HIS BLOOD, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the secreet of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. 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, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 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, who 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 1:3-14)

"...God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." (1 Corinthians 12:18)

Humanity does not join the church (the body of Christ), but each human will be placed into it by God when it is their predestined time to believe the "message of truth, the gospel of your salvation" - the good news that Jesus is the Savior of the world! For most people that time will be after they have been resurrected to life and appear before God at the Great White Throne.