Are you serious?

In America, we are very fortunate to have the freedom to do what we wish with our time. For example, you could stay home and watch television all day if you wanted. You could also spend your whole day on your computer. You could even spend your whole day playing sports, or focusing on your hobbies. All of these things seem very innocent until you stop to think: “Is there a better way to spend my time?” Well if you’re reading this blog, I’m positive you know the answer already, but I challenge you to actually think about it. Are we taking our time seriously? 

According to BLS American Time Use Survey, A.C. Nielsen Co., the average American spends about five hours per day watching television, which equates to about 9 years of their entire life. How many of us can honestly say that we spend five hours every day reading our Bible? Certainly I cannot make that claim. It is, to me, almost scary to consider just how we spend our time. Every second we have is a gift from God, but do we always treat them that way? Do we dedicate the time that God has given us to Him? We can do so many profitable (not materially but spiritually) things with our time. Look at the amazing things that Jesus did while he was on this earth. John 21:25 “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”  It is all too easy, I know, to get distracted by all of the entertainment, “priorities”, and laziness of this world.

Laziness is probably Satan’s best tool. The saying “Idle hands are the devils workshop” is not found in the Bible. However, 2 Thessalonians gets the same point across. An example of this would be waking up Sunday morning and thinking to yourself “I’ve only gotten a few hours’ sleep last night, I think I’ll sleep through Bible study and just make it to Worship.” Or saying to yourself “I’ve had a long day, I don’t want to read my Bible. I just want to relax.” If you’ll notice, most statements that begin with “I” don’t put God first. When we put our own desires before the desires of God, our salvation is at stake.

To anyone who has ever read any of the New Testament, it is obvious that the Apostles, and Jesus’ disciples did not put being a Christian on the backburner. They went into it whole heartedly, not when they felt it was convenient (at that time, it was never continent). We should always have our priorities as Christ had His, not how the world puts them. Luke 2:49 “And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Take a look around- everything you see is only temporary. Nothing that you can see, feel, hear, or touch will last forever (with the exception of people… kind of). Let’s do everything we can in this life to make sure we will have a better afterlife.

 

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How can one “live in the light”?

In 1 John 1:7, John informs us that “…if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin”. Very simply, if we live righteously avoiding darkness (sin), the blood of Christ will continually make us clean (acceptable to God).

         I would like to firstly make known what “living in the light” is not. It is not going to services on Sunday morning, it is not simply praying one time a day before you go to sleep, and it isn’t even occasionally reading your Bible. Only attending Sunday morning worship and not evening services or mid-week Bible study (without reason) is a direct violation of Hebrews 10:25 “…not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…”. When one consciously decides that they do not want to fellowship with the Saints, they are sinning and therefore they are not walking in the light. Next, prayer is our greatest tool! It is foolish to take it for granted! In all honestly, sometimes when I pray I feel disconnected. We, me included, need to make sure that our prayer lives are of upmost importance, and not just a routine. The Bible teaches that we need to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This does not literally mean that we need to pray every single second of our existence, but that we need to continually pray, and not take the powerful tool of prayer for granted. Lastly, we have two points to make with this topic. You might ask “How can reading your Bible ever be unbeneficial?” Well, I cannot tell you how many times I have sat down to read my Bible, and then stood up 30 minutes later not having learned anything. When we “study the scriptures” (2 Timothy 2:15), we ought to really study them! Again, it comes down to not taking Gods gifts, or Gods tools that He’s given us for granted! The Bible was given to us to learn from, not to casually read at our leisure. The second point I would like to make is this: One can study the Bible all day long, but if the knowledge gained is not applied, what use is it? The Bible is like Gods medicine; we can buy all the medicine we want in order to cure our physical ailments, but if we don’t use the medicine we’re never going to get well. The same is true with Gods medicine; the Bible. We can read our Bible all we want, but unless we take it in and apply it, it’s like we’re sick but we refuse to take the medicine necessary to fix ourselves. 

          Finally, I would like to explain (using the Bible) what it means to “live in the light”, and how one can do it. According to the Bible and the principles it establishes, living in the light is living in Christ. In John 8:12, Jesus affirms that He is “the Light”. In the light there is knowledge and truth, which would lead one to logically conclude that in order to be in the light (Christ), you must possess some knowledge of the truth. Since Jesus is the light, and we know that there is no sin in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21), those who are in Him must be sinless. How can that be? Well coincidentally, those who are in him cannot sin! 1 John 3:6 “Whoever abides in Him does not sin”! This is only possible because we are continually cleansed from all sin (1 John 1:7) if we take the appropriate steps to achieve this purification (confession of sins, repenting, and striving to live a better life). As we have established, those who are “in Him” are sinless, and righteous in His sight (see Psalm 34:15). In order to become one of His and be “in Him” one must be baptized. One must then repent, and keep His commandments till the end of their life. As we’ve mentioned, studying His word makes this possible, along with continual prayer. One cannot keep commandments he does not know!

          In conclusion, all who are “in the light” will inherit the kingdom of God following His appearing (see 1 Corinthians 15:24). These are the ones who are not of the world, but of Christ; ones who keep His commandments, and ones who are sinless due to the purification of Jesus’ blood. In order to come to the light you must hear the truth, believe it, repent of the things you’ve done in the darkness, confess that Jesus is the Christ, and be baptized! Upon baptism, Christ will pull you from the darkness and you will be with Him in the light. Lastly, you must remain in the light until His coming (revelation 22:14)!


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I believe, therefore I’m saved

           Some denominations teach that in order to be saved, all one must do is believe. Verses like Acts 16:31“So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” and Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” can certainly be convincing until you examine these verses, and take into consideration the Bible as a whole.

            Firstly, to “believe” means so much more than to just have faith in Jesus. If I told you that your house was going to burn up, and unless you believed me got out in the next minute you would burn up with it too, and you believed me, would you not act on those beliefs? Would you simply say “Okay, I believe you so I’m safe”?  No– of course you wouldn’t! If you believed me, and accepted what I said (Which according to some doctrine is all you have to do; believe and accept Jesus into your heart and you will be saved) then you would have listened to me when I gave you the command to leave! There is more to the word “belief” than some think.
          Now, that being said, let’s take a look at what the Bible says about becoming saved:

 

1.     Before you can believe something, you’ve got to know what it is you’re claiming to believe; you’ve first got to hear it (Romans 10:13-17, John 6:45, Revelation 1:3)!

2.     Once you’ve heard, you then have to believe or else “hearing” means nothing! You cannot believe something you do not even know exists. (John 2:30-31, Acts 16:31, Hebrews 11:6)

3.     This is where you act on your belief that you’ve gained after hearing. Once you’ve heard and then believed, you must repent (which really is getting your mind ready to become a Christian. There is a reason this comes before baptism, and that is because you’ve got to think like a Christian). If you truly do believe what you’ve heard, you would repent (or change your way of thinking) willingly. You would feel exactly like they Jews did in Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart…”

4.     After you believe and repent you must confess your belief. (Matthew 10:32-33, Romans 10:9-10)

5.      After you’ve confessed that Christ is the Savior, you are then ready to become a Christian being “…born of water…” (John 3:5) and therefore baptized (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16)

6.     Contrary to popular belief, once you are baptized and have become a Christian being added to The Lords church through baptism (Acts 2:41), you must continue to live a Godly life. You know, the parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32) talks about how the church will encounter rapid growth and will be spread throughout the world, but I believe the same principal should be applied to your spiritual growth. The reason I say that is this: We, as members, are the church. In order for “the church” to grow, we must grow ourselves. (Titus 2:11-14, 2 Peter 1:5-11, Romans 12:1-2)

As we can see from very clear Bible passages, there are more steps to ultimately becoming saved than just believing. Believing alone is merely the basis of becoming a Christian, or being saved. The Bible clearly and repetitively teaches that you must build upon your belief, fulfilling the required “steps of salvation” (which I have listed) found throughout the New Testament.

 

 

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(*Note: There could be more refute to this false teaching than I have covered. However, there are masses of sound articles concerning this topic all over the internet)

What’s wrong with cursing?

          The phrase “they’re just words” is commonly used when trying to defend cursing. That statement may be true, but what do those words say about the person who uses them? Would it not suggest that that person doesn’t care? Cursing suggest inappropriate and demeaning things that would most definitely not promote Christian ethics.
          Cursing, according to the world, is okay! Cursing is becoming more and more prominent in movies and television, even in films that are intended for children! The movie industry makes cursing seem more than acceptable, or even like it’s uncool not to! Cursing is unacceptable  to God, and to Christ’s Church.

           The New King James Version of the Bible mentions “cursing” only twice. James 3:10 “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”, and Romans 3:4 “’ Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness’”. In these verses, it could be suggested that “cursing” here means to condemn, especially in James 3:10. Even if that were the case, does the principal still not apply? How could one speak blessings, and then negative things, and think that’s okay? James 3:11-12 “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh”! One can’t speak bad things, and then claim to be good! God knows the heart (Acts 15:8)! Just because one does not speak “cursing”, thinking it is just as sinful. Even though it can seem harmless to whisper that curse word under your breath when you stub your toe, remember what you’re saying. What that “harmless little word” means, and what it says about yourself. 

        How important are words, to God? When we pray, do we not use words? When we sing praises to God, do we not use words? What about the Bible, Gods Word? These are just a few examples of how important words are! As Christians, we should ALWAYS be mindful of what we’re saying, and the impact that our words have on those around us, and on ourselves.

Is Bible study really that important?

The very simple answer is yes! Of course, I have to go to 2 Timothy 3:16, “Study to show thyself approved unto God…” There are a number of reasons why it is so important to know the Bible.

 

1.    How can one be saved if he doesn’t “complete” the steps of salvation?

 

In order to know the steps of salvation (Hear (Romans 10:17), Believe (Hebrews 11:6), Repent (Acts 17:30), Confess (Matthew 10:32), be Baptized (Acts 2:38), and “remain faithful unto death” (Revelation 22:10)), we must read our bible! Sure, one can listen to a preacher tell him what the Bible says he must do in order to be saved, and he can be baptized into Christ because of what he has heard, but unless he reads his Bible, he will not remain “faithful”. It is easy to think that baptism is the last thing you must do in order to be saved, but that simply is not true!

 

 

 

2.    America is heading down the wrong path because not nearly enough Americans read their Bibles.

All you have to do is turn on the news and listen for five minutes, and it would be overwhelmingly obvious that America in not headed in the right direction. From “gay rights”, to local crimes, it’s obvious that people (citizens and government officials) are not making the right choices. “One nation under God” is living like a nation who could care less about God. Taking Bibles out of school, allowing homosexuals to get married… These are just two examples of the neglect shown towards God. If America would just study their Bibles, this great nation would receive the blessings and grace that God has to offer. The Bible contains all of the answers! There would be no question of right and wrong; No daft debates over issues that the Bible gives a clear answer to. Could you imagine what the 11 o’clock news would be like if we truly lived in a Christian nation? Instead of countless stories of robbery, murder, and anything else you can imagine, we would hear about good works and kindness. Could you imagine? David Miller, of Apologetics Press, has some very good material on this topic.

 

3.    Logically, all Christian divisions could be avoided if everyone knew the Scriptures.

 

Like I previously mentioned, 2 Timothy 3:16 makes it clear that we all need to study the Scriptures. All divisions are a result of ignorance, interpretational error. “…God is not the author of confusion…” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Man is responsible for divisions and confusion, not God.  It’s funny to think that there are so many denominations who have divided themselves from the original Church (The Church of Christ), who believe whole heartedly that they are doing the right thing, when the Bible clearly condemns division! Philippians 2:2, Ephesians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Romans 16:17-18, and Matthew 12:25 all speak against division.

 

If everyone read, and truly studied their Bibles, all of these problems and a lot more, could be avoided. The most important Book of all time has been overlooked, downplayed, misinterpreted, and ultimately mistreated.


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The Music we chose

The music that we chose to listen to can say a lot about us. If we chose music with provocative, suggestive themes, or curse words in the lyrics, it shows that we don’t care, that we approve of that sort of thing, and that it is ultimately accepted by us.  As Christians, we should really try to separate ourselves from all sinful things, including music that could lower morals and introduce negative influences. Even though music can be something that we really enjoy, is it worth exposing yourself to something that would displease God? By no means am I saying that music is sinful, I’m saying that inappropriate music is something that we, as people trying to live like Christ, should avoid. Christian music is something that we should try to taper into our lives. Songs that promote Jesus, Christianity, and ultimately glorify God.

 Sometimes we can feel embarrassed to say that we don’t listen to the same music as the rest of the world, because that makes us feel like we don’t fit in, but isn’t that we are commanded to do? Separate ourselves from the world? Music is a great thing! I mean, there’s two whole books of the bible dedicated to it. Singing is an act of worship (though it does not include “music”) Psalm 100:1 “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!” we decide whether or not music is a good thing by the songs that we choose.

Evidence of Jesus, and early Christians

Almost 2,000 years after Christ’s alleged crucifixion, it is hard to know for certain (other than what the Bible tells us), that a Jesus of Nazareth even existed. Statements like this can make us question our faith, unless we’ve got a strong, evidence-based foundation. Fortunately, there are evidences that clearly support the claims that the Bible makes, that can help tremendously in building a stronger faith. For example:

 

 Flavius Josephus – In his writings (Antiquities, Book 18, ch. 5, par. 2gs, Antiquities, Book 18, ch. 3, par. 3, Antiquities, Book 20, ch. 9.) he mentions John the baptizer, Jesus, and Jesus’ brother, James.

 

The first reference is:

 "Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness."

 How amazing! Josephus records that John the Baptizer actually lived, baptized, was killed by Herod, Just like the bible claims (Matthew 14:10, Mark 6:27, Luke 9:9)!

 

The second record make by Josephus is:

“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles.  He was [the] Christ.  And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him.  And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.”

This is exactly what the bible tells us! Jesus was not just a mere man, but God in the form of man (John 1:1). He performed miracles, or “a doer of wonderful works” (Matthew 15:30) He taught Jews and Gentiles (Galatians 3:28, Acts 26:23). Pilate condemned Him to the cross (Mark 15:15).

 

Lastly:

"Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done."

Again, it is astonishing to see how everything we know to be truth, was truth to Josephus, who lived 2,000 years ago! In order for Jesus to have a brother, Jesus would have had to exist.

 

There are more historians who have written about Jesus (Tacitus, Thallus, and Pliny the Younger), but we won’t discuss them in this article.

What’s The Point?

Baptism

What’s the point of baptism? Baptism is essential to salvation! Simply believing is not sufficient! Acts 2:38 makes it very clear that baptism is how one receives remission of sins. www.dictionary.com defines “remission” as “Pardon; forgiveness, as of sins or offences”.  Without baptism, how can one receive forgiveness of sins? We know that sin is separation from God, and that if one died without being baptized, he would die in his sins, thus being separated from God upon his death. Before baptism, “…He does not hear” you, because of your sins (Isaiah 59:1)!  Baptism is the washing away of sins (Acts 22:16)! Without it, one would still be dirty with sin. When one is baptized, he walks in new life (Romans 6:4), new life being the beginning of his Christian life. In order to be added to the Church, baptism is required (Acts 2:47). When one is baptized, he is ultimately saved (1 Peter 3:21)! Only those who are of age of accountability should be baptized (Ezekiel 18:20).  

 

 

 

 

Worship

What’s the point of worship? Worship is key to growing as a Christian (along with personal study), and is ultimately pleasing to God. When we decide that we’re not going to go to worship because we’re too tired, or because we just don’t feel like it, we’re disappointing God (Hebrews 10:25). When we decide that coming together to worship isn’t too big of a deal, it sets a very bad example to others in the church. It could lead one to think “Well so and so doesn’t come to worship on Sunday night, and they seem to be okay. I think I’ll stay home as well”. We should be excited to be able to come together to worship! We should be “…exhorting one another as we see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25)!

Back to the question “What’s the point of worship?” it can be answered simply. “…the Father is seeking such to worship Him” (John 4:23).  We worship God because it pleases Him. When we worship God, we’re commanded to worship Him in spirit (correct mind-set) and in truth (correct doctrine) (John 4:24). There are five actions which must take place during worship. They are:

The Lords Supper (Acts 20:7)

Singing (Ephesians 5:19)

Praying (Acts 2:42)

Teaching (Acts 2:42)

Giving (I Corinthians 16:1-2)

 

 

 

 

Forgiveness

What’s the point of forgiveness? Without forgiving men, one cannot be forgiven by God (Matthew 6:12-15). Without forgiveness from God, we will die in our sins.  Without forgiveness, there would be tension and strife amongst the Church! We cannot make peace by holding a grudge, thus disregarding James 3:18. Even if one does not come to you and apologize, it is still important to forgive them. Forgiveness is key to peace.

 

 

 

 

Love

What’s the point of love? The two greatest commandments are centered on love. “Love God and keep His commandments” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). If we love God, we will live to please Him, thus doing all that He would have us to do. If we love our neighbors, the love of Christ will shine through us, making it easier to bring them to Christ. 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” We should live our lives based on the commandments that He gives us, because after all, He is the one who gave us life. We should be happy to keep His commandments. Can we not use what He gave us (life) for Him?

 

 

 

 

 

          What’s the point to it all?

This question can be answered in one verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is mans all”

"...bread of life..."

The word "bread' occurs 320 times in the New King James Version of the Bible, according to www.biblegateway.com. In almost all of its occurrences, it simply represents food. But, in John 6:35;48, we see the phrase "bread of life". We obviously need food (bread) to keep our bodies alive, but it is obvious that Jesus is not speaking of literal bread in these verses. The full verses read: "And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." John 6:35, and " I am the bread of life." John 6:48. Jesus used this metaphor to explain that He can fill your spiritual hunger. With Him, you will never be without, you will never be empty.

Sharing the "bread" is essential! We live in a world full of spiritually empty people! People who have that "hunger" that those in the church have filled through Jesus. Before we could be filled up with the "bread", we must have first had a "hunger", or an emptiness. Someone must have first told you about Jesus, and in turn, it is now your responsibility to do the same (Mark 16:15)! We can't expect people to be led to the truth on their own!