May 5th - The Truth

The truth is the truth whether we believe it or not. God will save humanity to of death and all will ne reconciled to God. Then all will know the Truth, and it will set them free from the bondage of religious doctrine. At that time...

"No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:11)

We will "know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free.” (John 8:32)

That is GOOD NEWS!

May 4th - Paul's Peaching and Teaching

 "Him we preach, warning every human and teaching every human in all wisdom, that we may present every human perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:28)

What was Paul "warning every human" about? And what was he teaching "every human in all wisdom"?

In verses 19-21 Paul had said this about Jesus:

"For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation" (Colossians 1:19-21)

Paul was teaching that God has reconciled "all things" to Himself through Christ Jesus. Paul was warning his listeners that it is immature (less than perfect) to teach or believe that Jesus would FAIL to do so.

May 3rd - Man's Dominion Will End

In the beginning...

"...God created humanity in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”  (Genesis 1:27-28)

“Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet. All sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas.” (Psalm 8:4-8)

Almost 6,000 years later, how is dominion in the hands of humanity working out?

Fortunately, God reserved for Himself dominion AFTER humanity’s dominion comes to an end. At that future time God will make humanity into a new creature, and they will live in a new heaven and a new earth.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with humanity. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:1-4)

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, the new has come into being." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

After humans have our shot at dominion we must give an account of the part we played, and there will be chastening associated with that accounting, BUT NO CONDEMNATION!

“So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)

"...when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may NOT be condemned with the world (cosmos)." (1 Corinthians 11:32)

We human beings should live in such a way that we will not be ashamed of our actions when the accounting comes.

"And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." (1 John 2:28)

Human governments and religions have failed miserably in having dominion over this earth, and DEATH is the merciful and just result of that failure. However, God has told us that He will save humanity out of death in spite of its failure. He will not condemn any of us forever,  nor will He chasten any forever. He will make all of us into a new creation, the former failures will have passed away.

"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive...The last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:22,27)

“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior wills ALL humanity to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth… 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. Prescribe and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 1:15, 2:3-7; 4:9-11)

Again, the governments and religions of humanity have and will continue to fail to save us - but God cannot fail so He will save us and make all things new when the age of mortal human dominion ends. 

It cannot come soon enough for me!

"He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” 

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20-21)

May 2nd - God is love

After fifty years of reading commentaries of the Bible and Sunday school literature provided by the denomination I attended, it finally dawned on me...

“Yet furthermore, my son, beyond these, be warned; of the making of many books is no end; and much study is a weariness to the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12)

I stopped reading commentaries on the Bible to discover the truth and started focusing solely on reading it for myself. I noticed that the Bible defines its author as "love"...

"God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him...There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4:16-19)

Jesus did not "fear" punishment because the love of God was in Him to continually cast out fear. You and I do not yet abide in love - so we fear God and other things from time to time. But the things we fear in this world will pass...

"The world is passing away, and also its desire; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17)

The "one" who does the will of God is Jesus, and He is the only human who currently "lives forever". Yet all humanity is destined to become like Him when they are "made alive" after death, for God so loved the world that He sent His Son to save the world from condemnation.

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

"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? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for US ALL, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:29-32)

"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." (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

Religion separates humanity into those who go to heaven and those who go to hell - and gives a detailed vision of the hell they fear hoping to scare people into a free will decision to be saved and join the their churches. Yet, the LOVE found in the inspired Word of God "casts out fear", replacing it with assurance that God will indeed save humanity out of death, change them into the image of His Son, and give them eternal life - because God is love.

May 1st - Don't Worry

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

Prayer is the prescribed medication that people can apply to those circumstances which seem impossible from time to time...enabling them to have some peace in the midst of the storms of life. And when we pray it seems wise to do so in the manner Jesus instructed…

“…when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”  (Matthew 6:5-8)

I bring my worries to Him, and alone with God is the only place I find inner peace when the wars of living this life seem to much for me.

“…toss your entire worry on Him, for He is caring for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

April 30th - Teach these Things

While teaching in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul said this about his ministry to Asia…

“…all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:10)

Years later, at the end of his life, Paul wrote his final letter to his friend Timothy and says this about those same Asians…

“This thou know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me.” (II Timothy 1:15).

What had they turned away from, and to what? 

Paul tells us in his letter to the Galatians…

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7)

The message they turned away from and were distorting was the "gospel of Christ" - the good news that the salvation of humanity is by the "grace" of God, "not as a result of works".

In that final letter to Timothy Paul warned him about the deception coming from "evil men"…

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (II Timothy 3:13).

Here is a summary of what Paul taught that the Asians turned away from….

“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord." (Romans 6:2)

"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, for we are His workmanship..." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all welcome, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, foremost of whom am I. But therefore was I shown mercy, that in me, the foremost, Jesus Christ should be displaying all His patience, for a pattern of those who are about to be believing on Him...having faith and a good conscience, which some, thrusting away, have made shipwreck as to the faith..." (1 Timothy 1:15-19)

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching."  (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Today, after 2,000 years, many continue to turn away from Paul's gospel to a "different gospel" - the gospel of religious institutions.

April 29th - My Gospel

"..in the day when God will be judging the hidden things of humanity according to MY EVANGEL through Jesus Christ." (Romans 2:16)

What the Apostle Paul said to the Romans above is part of the inspired Word of God. In referring to those who taught a different evangel/gospel Paul said this...

“For such are false apostles, fraudulent workers, being transfigured into apostles of Christ. And no marvel, for Satan himself is being transfigured into a messenger of light. It is no great thing, then, if his servants also are being transfigured as dispensers of righteousness...” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Paul is saying there are those who appear to be followers of Christ, yet are in fact servants of Satan.  Yikes! So, how are we to distinguish them from the true believers and followers of Christ Jesus if they look the same and may not even realize who they are? 

Only by comparing what they teach about God and Christ Jesus with the Bible...if what is taught differs from what Paul taught they are "accursed" - again, Yikes! 

"...there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" (Galatians 1:7-8)

Paul received his "evangel" (gospel/good news) directly from Jesus Christ, not from men.

“But I certify you brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)

And, Paul stated that he had taught “the whole counsel of God”… 

“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all humanity. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:26-27)

In this "whole counsel" that Paul taught we find nothing about eternal conscious torment (the hell of institutional Christianity and Islam). 

Jesus instructed Paul to tell humanity the good news of what has been done to save humanity...

“…that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead.” (Acts 17:2-3,10; 18:4).

He taught that humanity will be UNITED before God in Christ at the resurrection as a free gift of God's grace:

“…one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of ALL Who is over all and through all and IN ALL…to each one of us was given GRACE in accord with the measure of the gratuity of Christ.” (Ephesians 4: 5-6)

“…Christ was roused from among the dead…if we have become planted together in the likeness of His death, nevertheless we shall be of the resurrection also.” (Romans 6:5-6)

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive…so that God may be All in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

And Paul told us how the free gift of salvation comes about.

“…by works of law, no flesh at all shall be justified in His sight, for through the law is the recognition of sin…for ALL have sinned and are wanting of the glory of God” (Romans 3:20, 23)

“…God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes…being enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son…being reconciled we shall be saved by His life.” (Romans 5:8-10)

“For the ration of sin in death, yet the gracious gift of God is life eonian, in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them...” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

“For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is God's approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, foremost of whom am I. But therefore was I shown mercy, that in me, the foremost, Jesus Christ should be displaying all His patience, for a pattern of those who are about to be believing on Him for life eonian.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

Paul also instructs humanity how to live in expectation of our salvation after we die.

“…be leading a mild and quiet life in all devoutness and gravity, for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Savior God, Who wills that ALL humanity be saved and come into a realization of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and humanity, a Man, Christ Jesus, who is giving Himself a correspondent Ransom for ALL.” (1 Timothy 2:2-6)

“…we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of ALL humanity, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:10-11)

What Paul taught must be harmonized with all other Scripture.