POPE FRANCIS IS RIGHT AND WRONG

There has been much criticism of Pope Francis for his recent proclamation, in which he said:  "The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all!”  He is both right and wrong!

The Pope is correct, in that, Jesus Christ did die for the sins of the whole world, or in other words, He redeemed us all from the penalty of our sins.  Here is what the Apostle John had to say about the scope of Christ's payment for the sins of mankind:  "My little children, these things write I unto you, that...Jesus Christ the righteous...is the propitiation for our sins:  and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world" (1 Jn. 2:1-2).  The Apostle Paul compared the number of souls condemned due to Adam's sin, to the number of souls redeemed by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:19).

However, when the Pope states that the redemptive work of Christ makes everyone, including atheists, children of God, he is one hundred percent wrong!  Here is what the Word says on becoming a child of God:

*  "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (Jn. 1:12).
*  "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).
*  "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30).
* "For we are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:26).
*  "In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).

Only those who believe, accept, trust in the risen Jesus, are the children of God!

THE BIBLE IS GOD'S TRUTH FOR US

Have you ever played the game where several of you sat around in a circle and whispered a message into your neighbor's ear, only to find out when the message returned to you, that the message at the end barely resembled the original?  We would laugh and laugh.  It was so funny.  But then, years later, when you are trying to share God's Word with someone, they remind you of how that game "butchered" the original message; then, it is no laughing matter. 

Atheists, members of cults, and members of most denominations, are quick to point out that the Bible was written by fallible men, all the while ignoring that those men were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21).  Not only do they doubt the authenticity of the oldest copies, they are quick to point out that they were also translated into our language by imperfect human beings (there are over 5000 copies of the original Greek manuscripts from all over Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa, that have been found to be nearly identical to one another; and the Dead Sea Scrolls have confirmed the authenticity the Old Testament).

There are several "proofs" that the Scriptures are "God-breathed" (the definition of inspiration):

1)  The Bible has been protected throughout the centuries, from those who would destroy it.  Diocletian (245-313) tried to do so, but his successor, Constantine, defended it.  Voltaire (1694-1778) declared it doomed, but twenty years after his death, his house was turned into a print shop, where the Geneva Bible Society printed Bibles!  The ACLU has fought to keep the Gideons from distributing Bibles, but last year, over 84,000,000 Bibles were handed out! 
 
2)  There are scientific revelations in the Bible which were not discovered by man until centuries after they were written, such as "the water cycle" (Eccl. 1:7); the Earth is a sphere (Isa. 40:22); the Earth rotates on its axis (six times in Gen. 1:5-31); the Earth is suspended in space (Job 26:7); the atmosphere has weight (Job 28:25); the stars make sound (Job 38:7); life is in the blood (Lev. 17:11); and the Universe is "running down" (Ps. 102:25-26); to name just a few.

3)  The Bible is historically accurate.  For years, historians have challenged the existence of the Hittite Kingdom, but in 1906, Hugo Winkler discovered the ancient Hittite capital city.  Another example is Belshazzar, king of Babylon, was not listed in ancient records, and yet, the Bible says he ruled; come to find out, he ruled in his father's place.  Nabonidus, son of Nebuchadnezzer, did not want to rule after his father died, for whatever reason, and so, Nebuchadnezzer's grandson, Belshazzar ruled.  That is why he was only able to appoint Daniel to be "third ruler in the kingdom" (Dan. 5:16, 29).

4)  Perhaps the most solid evidence that the Bible is God-inspired, is the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.  Daniel prophesied that the Medes would conquer Babylon, the Greeks would conquer the Medes, and the empire which would kill Israel's Messiah would defeat the Greeks.  Of course, that would be Rome!  Speaking of Israel's Messiah, His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection literally fulfilled hundreds of prophecies!

If the Bible is not true, then no one can be saved from their sin (Rom. 10:9-17)! 

  

   

NOAH, LOT, AND THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH

"They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man" (Lk. 17:27-29).

Before God decides to pour out His wrath upon mankind, He does two things:
1).  By His grace, He declares some to be righteous.
2).  He lifts the righteous up above those upon whom the wrath is intended.

Noah:  A Gentile
*  Noah was a man, so his every thought was evil continually (Gen. 6:5).
*  Noah received his righteousness by the grace of God (Gen. 6:9).
*  After God changed Noah, he walked with God (Gen. 6:9). 
*  Noah was removed, taken up in the ark, before God destroyed the earth below (Gen. 7:17).

Lot:  A Jew
*  Lot was respected by the men of Sodom; he sat at the gate (Gen. 19:1).
*  Lot called the men of Sodom his brethren (Gen. 19:7).
*  Lot found grace in God's sight (Gen. 19:19).
*  Lot was removed, taken up into a mountain, before God destroyed Sodom (Gen. 19:17-30).

Rapture of the Church:  Born again Gentiles and Jews
*  Born again believers are saved by the grace of God (Jn. 1:17; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; 5:1-2; Eph. 2:8-9; etc.).
* The Church will not experience the Tribulation (Rom. 5:9; 1 Thes. 1:10; 5:9; Rev. 3:10; etc.).
*  Jesus will come, and we will be taken up into heaven before God's wrath is poured out on the earth (Jn. 14:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:49-53; 1 Thes. 4:16-17; etc.).
* The time of God's wrath is appointed unto Daniel's people, the Jews (Dan. 9:24-27; Jer. 30:7; Mt. 24:3-29; Rev. 6 - 18; etc.).

Believe God:  if He says build a boat, if His messengers say run, or if His Word says your salvation has been paid-in-full by His Son; know this:  God can be trusted!

  

RELIGION: THE YOKE OF BONDAGE

I am constantly hearing of born again believers who are being enticed to "come away to the truth" of some cult, or some "more enlightened" group.  And inevitably, the "new truthers" have two major flaws:  for one, they believe only they have the "true light," and everyone else is deceived; and two, they seek to subjugate proselytes to either the Law of Moses, or to a Law unique to their own particular cult or denomination.  Mormonism immediately comes to mind, but there are also many churches that present the Gospel, only to add membership and works as conditions necessary to maintain one's salvation:  Roman Catholicism, Churches of Christ, and most of the Protestant churches that teach one can lose their salvation, fit into this group.

The fact is, salvation is based upon the finished work of Jesus Christ for our sin; and it is a free gift to all those who will believe (Jn. 3:3-18; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 2:8-9).  Salvation, itself, is the work of God from beginning to end (Rom. 8:28-29; Phil. 1:6), and born again believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of our redemption (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).  We who believe in Jesus Christ are not religious, but are in a relationship; we know we are God's children (1 Jn. 3:2; 5:13)! 

False teachers, cult leaders, and Satan himself, want nothing more than to get you to trust in your own works in order to become "worthy" of heaven.  They are quick to point out the hypocrisy of those who declare themselves free from the bondage of the Law, because we are not sinless  (ironic, since neither are they)!  Our answer to them should be what Paul wrote to the Galatians:  "Be led by the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh" (see also Rom. 7:14 - 8:14)!   

¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. ¹⁷ The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. ¹⁸ But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses" (Gal. 5:16-18 NLT).

The only yoke one should accept is the one with Jesus on the other side!

FULFILLED PROPHECY PRODUCES FAITH

The Bible, for the most part, has to do with the history of God's interaction with His creation, but approximately twenty-seven percent of the Bible is prophecy:  what God will do in the future.  It begins with His description of how He created the Universe (History - Gen. 1 - 2), and it ends with John's vision describing, what could be called, the beginning of eternity (Prophecy - Rev. 21 - 22).

Bible prophecy can be divided into two categories:  prophecies that have been literally fulfilled, most of which were fulfilled by Christ's First Advent; and those prophecies yet to be fulfilled.  I have no doubt that those prophecies which describe Christ's Second Advent will also be fulfilled literally.

There is a phrase in the Scriptures which appears only in the Book of Matthew:  "that it might be fulfilled."  Matthew's Gospel is a transitional book, connecting the Israel of the Old Testament, with the introduction of their long-awaited Messiah.  This connection is obvious in that it begins with the genealogy of Jesus, starting with Abraham (Mt. 1:1-21).  Below are the nine occurrences of the phrase:

*  "A virgin shall be with child, and...call His name Emmanuel..." (Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:22-23).
*  "Out of Egypt have I called My Son" (Hos. 11:1; Mt. 2:15).
*  "He shall be called a Nazarene" (Lk. 1:26; Mt. 2:23).
*  "The people which sat in darkness saw great light..." (Isa. 9:1-2; Mt. 4:14-16).
*  "(He) Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses" (Isa. 53:4; Mt. 8:17).
*  "He shall shew judgment to the Gentiles" (Isa. 49:5-6; Mt. 12:17-18).
*  "...I will open My mouth in parables..." (Ps. 78:2; Mt. 13:35).
*  "Thy King cometh...sitting upon...a colt the foal of an ass" (Zech. 9:11; Mt. 21:4-5).
*  "And they crucified Him, and parted His garments, casting lots..." (Ps. 22:18; Mt. 27:35).

As can clearly be seen by comparing the Old Testament prophecies, with the New Testament fulfillment of those prophecies, God was letting us know ahead of time, what would happen, so that when it occurred, we would trust Him.  What was true of those prophecies concerning Christ's First Advent, will also be true concerning His Second Advent:

God said it, I believe it, and that settles it for me; how about for you?      

THE DEFINITION MUST BE CORRECT

There are several words church members use to identify themselves, when they are asked what it means to be a Christian.  Words like "saved," "born again," "believer," and "child of God," are the most common answers, and if those answering have a correct understanding of the biblical definition for their answer, they would all be right.  For instance, "saved" means the person has been rescued from the penalty of his sin.  The Bible says all are guilty of sin and worthy of death (Rom. 3:23; 6:23a).  But Romans 5:8-9 says, "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."

The persons answering "born again," would be correct if they understand the process of being "born again" is 100% the work of the Holy Spirit.  John 3:6-8 says, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind bloweth where it listeth (the Greek θέλω (thelō), meaning "where it wants to"), and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."  Note that our physical birth has nothing to do with our actions or will; so it is with our Spiritual birth. 

For those who answer "believer," even the Scripture says that simply believing does not make one a Christian; the devils believe (Jam. 2:19)!  However, if their answer is based upon believing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17), which presents the Gospel message that Jesus died for our sins, that He was buried, and that God raised Him from the dead to be Lord of our lives (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 10:8-10), then they would be right.

As for those who answer a "child of God," here is what the Word says about that:
*  John 1:12  "But as many as received (Jesus), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."
*  Romans 8:14  "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
*  Philippians 2:13, 15  "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God...."
*  1 John 3:1-2  "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."

 

A genuine relationship with God is 100% grace, 100% His doing, and 100% faith in Christ!
      

THE MESSAGE OF GRACE IN TWO VERSES

Could the writer of the Book of Hebrews have crammed any more doctrine into just two verses?  Maybe, but if so, I don't know how!  In Hebrews 13:20-21, he wrote,  "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen."  What a prayer, and what a close to his marvelous epistle!

Foundational to our understanding of God is that He is a God of peace.  The Apostle Paul used that exact phrase to describe our Father four times in three of his epistles (Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thes. 5:23)! 

Foundational to our faith in His love for us, is the Resurrection of Jesus three days after He allowed His only begotten Son to die on a cross for our sins.  Without His Resurrection, salvation would not be possible, but thanks be to God, He is risen (1 Cor. 15:12-20)!

Foundational to our understanding of the relationship born again believers have with Christ, is that He is our Shepherd (Jn. 10:11-16); that is, He is our Leader (Ps. 23:2-3), Protector (Ps. 23:4), Provider (Ps. 23:1, 5); and we are His sheep.  In other words, He owns us!

Foundational to our being saved from "the slave-market of sin and death," is that we have been bought by an incomprehensible price, the blood of the Creator of the Universe (1 Cor. 6:19-20; 7:21-23; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2; etc.)!

Foundational to our being able to rest in our relationship to our Father is that He provided the sacrifice, the blood of the Lamb of God, to seal the everlasting covenant between the born again believer and Himself (Heb. 9:22; Jn. 1:29, 35; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Heb. 10:12-14).  Everlasting life has no end; the covenant is forever (Dan. 12:2; Jn. 3:16; 5:24; 6:40, 47; etc.)!

Foundational to our being made like Jesus, is for us to know it is HIS JOB to perfect us, and to use us, for His eternal glory (Rom. 8:28-29; Eph. 2:8-10; 4:11-13; Phil. 1:6; 2:13; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Pet. 5:10; etc.)!

We who believe can trust Him to complete what He has started in us (1 Jn. 3:2)!