A few months ago, a young man walked up to me with my cross and asked, "Would it be a bad thing if I'm gay?" This had been the first time I had been asked about this subject on the street and I needed to handle it with extreme care.
I told this young man that I could only tell him what the Bible said about homosexuality. He asked if it said it was bad and he would burn in hell. I told him that it was true that if he looked in 1 Corinthians 6:9 that it does say no homosexual will inherit the kingdom of heaven (The ESV says kingdom of God, but they are interchangeable).
At this point, I was quick to point out the Bible also says that no fornicators, murders, or even liars would enter, either. The young man rightly pointed out that is everyone in the world. Paul points that out in Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The command to repent is just as universal: "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).
The fact is we are all born with a sin nature- the types of sin just differs based on the person. While some may have the sin of homosexuality to repent of, others may have the sin of sexual immorality (sex before marriage, adultery) or looking with lust (Matthews 5:27-28). The homosexual and the sexually immoral will find their selves in the same hell (as will liars, thieves and other unrepentant sinners).
All this said, I do not believe being homosexuality is in your genes. While one may have feelings toward the same sex, that does not make them natural. Recently, in Cleveland, there was the story about Anthony Sowell, who alleged murdered several women and buried their bodies on his property. No one would say this is natural. Neither are homosexual thoughts.
You may say to me these are two completely different things- murder and homosexuality, but the Apostle Paul talks about them in the same sentence in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. If this is the way Paul, who Jesus Himself commission to carry His name among the gentiles (Acts 9:15), it is the same way I will deal with it.
Just like any other sin, you must acknowledge your guilt before, apologize for it, and repent (turn from your sin and toward God) before God will take away your sinful nature. It is at this point that God will give you a new heart with new desires (Ezekiel 36:26). This is what God requires of you for salvation (John 3:3).
You may be saying that your feelings are too strong and they have to be natural. That isn't so. Salvation is a supernatural act of God and He will give you a new heart with new desires. I have experienced this myself- things I used to love I now have come to despise.
It will be the same for you- but God wants you to take the first step. I know it will be difficult at first and those desires will still be there, but each time you turn away from them, those desires decrease.
Someone asked me what I would do if I had a son that was gay. I tell him exactly what I said in this article and to the young man I met on the street- that he must repent of his homosexuality. I would also make it clear that God views us all as sinners, not just the homosexual, and we are all in danger of his wrath unless we repent. Anyone who tells you otherwise isn't telling you the truth.
In closing, I believe remaining homosexual is a choice one makes. It is a choice one makes not to repent of that sin (or any other sin). You may say you aren't strong enough to overcome the feelings- you aren't. You need the supernatural power of God- that way He gets all the credit. Just take the first step.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thanksgiving at My Place
Trying not to have a repeat of Thanksgiving 2009 and Easter 2009, I pretty much kept my mouth closed at Thanksgiving this year in regards to religion. My relatives know my position and they've heard the Gospel from me before.
The Gospel, the Bible, and Jesus are my favorite things to talk about, so when my uncle started talking about my aunt being "church lady" by my uncle because of her involvement in her (Catholic) church, it was hard for me to bite my tongue, but I did.
It was mentioned that my aunt was still teaching CCD. If you read the two blog posts linked above (Thanksgiving 2009 and Easter 2009), you can find out what my aunt believes. Sitting here a few days later, I want to ask her if she is teaching what she believes or what the church believes. Either way, it is still heretical.
In defense of the Catholic Church, I have had it said to me in the past, "Everyone doesn't believe everything the Catholic Church teaches." Guess what? They aren't Catholic- just like I can't cherry pick in the Bible what I want to believe and be Christian. If you have read the posts above, you will see what I mean about my aunt's "doctrine."
One thing that I did notice is that through all this religion and church talk, not once did anyone bring up Jesus or what He did on the cross. Funny how "religion" does that. Your religion won't save you- only Jesus Christ.
The Gospel, the Bible, and Jesus are my favorite things to talk about, so when my uncle started talking about my aunt being "church lady" by my uncle because of her involvement in her (Catholic) church, it was hard for me to bite my tongue, but I did.
It was mentioned that my aunt was still teaching CCD. If you read the two blog posts linked above (Thanksgiving 2009 and Easter 2009), you can find out what my aunt believes. Sitting here a few days later, I want to ask her if she is teaching what she believes or what the church believes. Either way, it is still heretical.
In defense of the Catholic Church, I have had it said to me in the past, "Everyone doesn't believe everything the Catholic Church teaches." Guess what? They aren't Catholic- just like I can't cherry pick in the Bible what I want to believe and be Christian. If you have read the posts above, you will see what I mean about my aunt's "doctrine."
One thing that I did notice is that through all this religion and church talk, not once did anyone bring up Jesus or what He did on the cross. Funny how "religion" does that. Your religion won't save you- only Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Does God Accept Me?
Someone recently posted a response to a status I had posted on Facebook that, "If Jesus is not love and accepting and if what you assert is true...then basking in His presence for all of eternity doesn't sound much more appealing then being sent to Hell." Let me unpack that statement.
First of all, while God is God of love, He also a God of wrath. How can this be? Simple. God displays His wrath toward unrepentant sinners by sending them to Hell as a penalty for their sins and God displays His love through sending His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. Through our repentance (turning from sin) and placing our trust in Him (like a parachute), we can have eternal life- even though we deserve Hell for our sins.
To the second point- God as accepting. I am not going to even look at this from a Biblical standpoint initially, but a human perspective. The above comment was posted in response to me saying this: "I will be loving and accepting toward a homosexual in this lifetime- but when that person dies, they go to Hell. That isn't love- that's hate."
This society has been taught to accept homosexuals. Coming from that view, I can see how it is hard to understand why a homosexual deserves Hell. Let me make this abundantly clear, though. It is not just homosexuals who deserve Hell.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." The list extends to a lot more than just homosexuals.
The question is, who should be accepted? Should homosexuals? Some would say yes. What about the sexually immoral- those who have sex outside of marriage? These are both sins, but a lot of people want to write these off as not severe enough to send one to Hell. In fact, as I will later show, we are all guilty.
What about Hitler? Should God accept Hitler? I have asked this to people on the street and it is at this point that a clear line is drawn in the sand. Obviously, not Hitler. He killed millions of people! This, by the way, is breaking the 2nd commandment- creating a false idol. Your "god" would never send a homosexual to Hell, but He would definitely send Hitler to Hell.
The problem is we measure people according to our standards. If someone is worse than our standards, they deserve Hell. If our standards allow for sexual immorality, then that is no longer a damnable sin.
Here is the problem: God is not grading you on a scale, as you are with the rest of society. If you want someone to compare yourself with- compare yourself to Jesus. He sinned not ONCE in thought, word, or deed. How do you look now? God made this very easy for us: He told us that "None is righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10,3:23). There aren't a certain amount of good deeds that need to be done or a sin "limit" that can be reached- we are all guilty.
To sum this up, God doesn't accept ANYONE except through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. By repenting of our sins (not just admitting you are wrong, but turning from them) and placing our trust in Him, you can have eternal life. Not because you are a good person, not because you deserve it, but because you are a sinner justified in the eyes of God through the blood of Jesus Christ.
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). By repenting and placing our trust in Jesus, God will take all of your sins and place them on Jesus on the cross. He paid the penalty for your sins. His righteousness, perfect and sinless, will then be imputed to you. This is the good news of Jesus Christ.
First of all, while God is God of love, He also a God of wrath. How can this be? Simple. God displays His wrath toward unrepentant sinners by sending them to Hell as a penalty for their sins and God displays His love through sending His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. Through our repentance (turning from sin) and placing our trust in Him (like a parachute), we can have eternal life- even though we deserve Hell for our sins.
To the second point- God as accepting. I am not going to even look at this from a Biblical standpoint initially, but a human perspective. The above comment was posted in response to me saying this: "I will be loving and accepting toward a homosexual in this lifetime- but when that person dies, they go to Hell. That isn't love- that's hate."
This society has been taught to accept homosexuals. Coming from that view, I can see how it is hard to understand why a homosexual deserves Hell. Let me make this abundantly clear, though. It is not just homosexuals who deserve Hell.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." The list extends to a lot more than just homosexuals.
The question is, who should be accepted? Should homosexuals? Some would say yes. What about the sexually immoral- those who have sex outside of marriage? These are both sins, but a lot of people want to write these off as not severe enough to send one to Hell. In fact, as I will later show, we are all guilty.
What about Hitler? Should God accept Hitler? I have asked this to people on the street and it is at this point that a clear line is drawn in the sand. Obviously, not Hitler. He killed millions of people! This, by the way, is breaking the 2nd commandment- creating a false idol. Your "god" would never send a homosexual to Hell, but He would definitely send Hitler to Hell.
The problem is we measure people according to our standards. If someone is worse than our standards, they deserve Hell. If our standards allow for sexual immorality, then that is no longer a damnable sin.
Here is the problem: God is not grading you on a scale, as you are with the rest of society. If you want someone to compare yourself with- compare yourself to Jesus. He sinned not ONCE in thought, word, or deed. How do you look now? God made this very easy for us: He told us that "None is righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10,3:23). There aren't a certain amount of good deeds that need to be done or a sin "limit" that can be reached- we are all guilty.
To sum this up, God doesn't accept ANYONE except through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. By repenting of our sins (not just admitting you are wrong, but turning from them) and placing our trust in Him, you can have eternal life. Not because you are a good person, not because you deserve it, but because you are a sinner justified in the eyes of God through the blood of Jesus Christ.
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). By repenting and placing our trust in Jesus, God will take all of your sins and place them on Jesus on the cross. He paid the penalty for your sins. His righteousness, perfect and sinless, will then be imputed to you. This is the good news of Jesus Christ.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sanctification
I have been reading the first 8 chapters of First Corinthians lately in my effort to memorize Scripture and instead of reading all 8 chapters today, I read at a bit of a slower pace and only made it through the first chapter. I normally like to read 8 chapters or a block at a time because it really allows me to see Scripture in the context it belongs and not pick a verse and run with it as so many people like to do.
What has been sticking out to me lately is the issue of sanctification and how it plays a roll in our lives. I fully understand that sanctification is separate from justification. Our justification comes through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Similarly, people are not striving to hit a certain mark with their sanctification and then have earned salvation- this is not all what I am about to talk about.
The Apostle Paul addresses the Christians in Corinth in his first letter by saying, "to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints." Once we are saved, we will be sanctified in Christ Jesus. I take issue with those who say they are saved but continue to live life as they did before. We are called to be set apart, holy. Now, I'm not saying that a certain level of sanctification will save you- simply that it will be there as a result of being saved.
Verse 30 of chapter one goes on to say, "And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption." Christ became sanctification for us. How can we have the imputed righteousness of Christ applied to us, but not the sanctification?
I write this post in the same manner Paul wrote First Corinthians- as a rebuke. So many people who call themselves saved don't live changed lives. Again, I understand that our sanctification doesn't save us, but one can't go to the other of extreme, either. Just because one can't quantify the amount of sanctification doesn't give you the right to write it off.
I often times feel as the Apostle Paul does in the opening verse of Chapter 3: "But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ." Paul couldn't address people inside the church as "spiritual people." That still holds true today- many inside the church can't be addressed that way.
These would be your "fanatics" today. We are called such because there are so many people who profess the name of Christ but are lukewarm. We are the exception, not the norm.
Different things stick out to me at different times in Scripture, often in the same chapters of the same book. I'm not sure who I'm writing these for, but I wanted to pen my thoughts and publish them.
What has been sticking out to me lately is the issue of sanctification and how it plays a roll in our lives. I fully understand that sanctification is separate from justification. Our justification comes through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Similarly, people are not striving to hit a certain mark with their sanctification and then have earned salvation- this is not all what I am about to talk about.
The Apostle Paul addresses the Christians in Corinth in his first letter by saying, "to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints." Once we are saved, we will be sanctified in Christ Jesus. I take issue with those who say they are saved but continue to live life as they did before. We are called to be set apart, holy. Now, I'm not saying that a certain level of sanctification will save you- simply that it will be there as a result of being saved.
Verse 30 of chapter one goes on to say, "And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption." Christ became sanctification for us. How can we have the imputed righteousness of Christ applied to us, but not the sanctification?
I write this post in the same manner Paul wrote First Corinthians- as a rebuke. So many people who call themselves saved don't live changed lives. Again, I understand that our sanctification doesn't save us, but one can't go to the other of extreme, either. Just because one can't quantify the amount of sanctification doesn't give you the right to write it off.
I often times feel as the Apostle Paul does in the opening verse of Chapter 3: "But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ." Paul couldn't address people inside the church as "spiritual people." That still holds true today- many inside the church can't be addressed that way.
These would be your "fanatics" today. We are called such because there are so many people who profess the name of Christ but are lukewarm. We are the exception, not the norm.
Different things stick out to me at different times in Scripture, often in the same chapters of the same book. I'm not sure who I'm writing these for, but I wanted to pen my thoughts and publish them.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
What I Used to Believe
I wanted to post the difference between what I used to believe and what I now know to be true. I believe a lot of people hold the same beliefs that I used to.
As many who read this blog know, I grew up Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic. Up until my teen years, this is what I believed. I'm not sure if this is the perception most people in the Catholic Church have, but I believed that as long as I went to confession before I died, I was going to heaven. It didn't matter what sins I committed or my attitude- as long as I made it to confession before I died, I would be going to heaven.
I was also taught that I didn't have to go to confession for venial sins- only mortal sins. The Eucharist also had the ability to abolish venial sins. I thought I could live anyway I wanted and as long as I made it to confession, I was given a clean slate.
Here is what the Bible teaches: While we are called to confess our sins (1 John 1:9), you must be born again (John 3:3) to inherit the kingdom of God. It isn't about living your life as you want to and then "checking in" to get a clean slate. God requires repentance (Luke 13:3) and complete surrender of your life to Him (Matthew 16:25-26, John 12:25-26).
Playing this confession game, I also was never sure of my salvation. The Bible tells us the exact opposite- that we can be sure of our salvation (1 John 5:13, Romans 8:16).
I fear I also believed in "easy believism"- that by only believing I would be saved. I know there are many out there who also fall into this camp. I want to leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul:
"We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20b).
2 Corinthians 5:21 describes the greatest thing that has ever happened for us: "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." Repent and trust Jesus today for your salvation!
As many who read this blog know, I grew up Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic. Up until my teen years, this is what I believed. I'm not sure if this is the perception most people in the Catholic Church have, but I believed that as long as I went to confession before I died, I was going to heaven. It didn't matter what sins I committed or my attitude- as long as I made it to confession before I died, I would be going to heaven.
I was also taught that I didn't have to go to confession for venial sins- only mortal sins. The Eucharist also had the ability to abolish venial sins. I thought I could live anyway I wanted and as long as I made it to confession, I was given a clean slate.
Here is what the Bible teaches: While we are called to confess our sins (1 John 1:9), you must be born again (John 3:3) to inherit the kingdom of God. It isn't about living your life as you want to and then "checking in" to get a clean slate. God requires repentance (Luke 13:3) and complete surrender of your life to Him (Matthew 16:25-26, John 12:25-26).
Playing this confession game, I also was never sure of my salvation. The Bible tells us the exact opposite- that we can be sure of our salvation (1 John 5:13, Romans 8:16).
I fear I also believed in "easy believism"- that by only believing I would be saved. I know there are many out there who also fall into this camp. I want to leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul:
"We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20b).
2 Corinthians 5:21 describes the greatest thing that has ever happened for us: "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." Repent and trust Jesus today for your salvation!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
On the Street Before Church - 10/24/10
Last Sunday, I had decided I was going to go out again before church. I ended up having a really hard time sleeping the night before and I was so tired and I didn't go out. I decided again that I would go out before church today and I had mentioned to my wife that something would probably happen to keep me up through the night again. It's amazing how many obstacles the devil will through your way when you try to share the Gospel.
My neighbor below me had turned on his exhaust fan in his bathroom around 2:00 AM and it was on for a solid hour before I finally went down to ask him to turn it off. I went outside to see if the lights were on in his apartment and they were, so I knocked on his door and asked him to turn it off. He apologized for leaving it on and then I went back upstairs and back to bed. At this point, though, I was awake.
I started listening to a sermon, hoping I would get tired and fall asleep. I ended up being up for another hour before finally falling asleep. I had trouble sleeping later in the morning again and I was again debating on whether or not to skip witnessing, but I knew it would be the same story next week if I didn't go out.
I ended up going to Rocky River High School, which is at the intersection of Wagar and Detroit. I stood on the north side of Detroit Road across from the track at the high school. Shortly after I arrived, someone who was jogging around the track said something to me, but I wasn't able to make out what he said. After he was done jogging, he came across the street and told me that no one respects extremists and that my sign sucked.
A little while later, Stephen pulled up to encourage me. He told me had he seen me about a year ago in Westlake and wanted to stop. He gave me some of his tracts and I gave him one of my Way of the Master tracts. He gave me his contact information and told me that he would stand with me if I wanted.
At the corner of Wagar and Detroit across from the high school is a Christian Science church, and there is also a church that meets inside the high school. I made sure to stand far enough away from the Christian Science church so as not to be associated with it. I think this was a good location because there are at least two churches on Detroit Road (including the one I previously stood near a few weeks ago).
My intention is not to compete with the churches, just to get people who are in those churches to think about their salvation. I know I used to be one of those who went to church but was not saved and I am sure there are some in those churches in the same situation.
My neighbor below me had turned on his exhaust fan in his bathroom around 2:00 AM and it was on for a solid hour before I finally went down to ask him to turn it off. I went outside to see if the lights were on in his apartment and they were, so I knocked on his door and asked him to turn it off. He apologized for leaving it on and then I went back upstairs and back to bed. At this point, though, I was awake.
I started listening to a sermon, hoping I would get tired and fall asleep. I ended up being up for another hour before finally falling asleep. I had trouble sleeping later in the morning again and I was again debating on whether or not to skip witnessing, but I knew it would be the same story next week if I didn't go out.
I ended up going to Rocky River High School, which is at the intersection of Wagar and Detroit. I stood on the north side of Detroit Road across from the track at the high school. Shortly after I arrived, someone who was jogging around the track said something to me, but I wasn't able to make out what he said. After he was done jogging, he came across the street and told me that no one respects extremists and that my sign sucked.
A little while later, Stephen pulled up to encourage me. He told me had he seen me about a year ago in Westlake and wanted to stop. He gave me some of his tracts and I gave him one of my Way of the Master tracts. He gave me his contact information and told me that he would stand with me if I wanted.
At the corner of Wagar and Detroit across from the high school is a Christian Science church, and there is also a church that meets inside the high school. I made sure to stand far enough away from the Christian Science church so as not to be associated with it. I think this was a good location because there are at least two churches on Detroit Road (including the one I previously stood near a few weeks ago).
My intention is not to compete with the churches, just to get people who are in those churches to think about their salvation. I know I used to be one of those who went to church but was not saved and I am sure there are some in those churches in the same situation.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
The Existence of God, Heaven and Hell
I have never doubted the existence of God. I remember going to church for as long as I can remember, even if it was in Ukrainian and I couldn't understand it. When I entered my teen years, I started asking some questions about God and found myself drifting away from the Catholic church. Toward the end of my teen years, I had completely severed from the Catholic church and frequented a Baptist church, but I still wasn't saved.
In my early twenties, I didn't even go to church. It wasn't until I was 24 that the Lord saved me. Through all this, I never doubted the existence of God, but I never really seemed concerned about my eternal fate. Looking back, I know I should have been terrified had anything happened to me, but through this, I never doubted the existence of God. I wonder today how many people in the world are in this same situation. I know it is the entire population that isn't saved.
I have heard countless atheists deny the existence of God, but Romans 1:19-20a clearly tells us: "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made."
Take the human eye, for example- it has 137 million light sensitive cells and that just happened to "evolve" as so many would tell you. God has clearly proven his existence to all human beings- some just "suppress the truth" as Romans 1:18 says.
Romans 1:20b-22: "So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things."
This leads me to the existence of Heaven and Hell. As well as I know that God exists, I know that both Heaven and Hell exist. At some point in 2008 this reality became amazingly clear to me for some reason. I knew I was headed for one or the other, and if you don't know you are going to heaven, then your eternity is going to spent in the only other option there is- Hell.
You may say this is an arrogant thing to say, but it is the truth. The Apostle John writes in his first letter, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).
I have also started to look at this life differently. James said in James 4:14, "You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." I know it may seem like your life is long, but compare that to eternity and see how long it really is. It indeed is just a vapor. Not only that, think about an eternity in Hell.
God, Heaven and Hell are all real. If you don't know that you will spend eternity in Heaven, please read "The Message of the Cross." Also, please remember that people aren't going to Hell because of their disbelief in Jesus. Romans 10:5 says "For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them." The problem is none of us have been able to keep the law perfectly.
God demands a payment for your sins. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." If you have never repented (turn from) of your sins and by faith have placed your trust in Jesus, please do so today.
In my early twenties, I didn't even go to church. It wasn't until I was 24 that the Lord saved me. Through all this, I never doubted the existence of God, but I never really seemed concerned about my eternal fate. Looking back, I know I should have been terrified had anything happened to me, but through this, I never doubted the existence of God. I wonder today how many people in the world are in this same situation. I know it is the entire population that isn't saved.
I have heard countless atheists deny the existence of God, but Romans 1:19-20a clearly tells us: "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made."
Take the human eye, for example- it has 137 million light sensitive cells and that just happened to "evolve" as so many would tell you. God has clearly proven his existence to all human beings- some just "suppress the truth" as Romans 1:18 says.
Romans 1:20b-22: "So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things."
This leads me to the existence of Heaven and Hell. As well as I know that God exists, I know that both Heaven and Hell exist. At some point in 2008 this reality became amazingly clear to me for some reason. I knew I was headed for one or the other, and if you don't know you are going to heaven, then your eternity is going to spent in the only other option there is- Hell.
You may say this is an arrogant thing to say, but it is the truth. The Apostle John writes in his first letter, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).
I have also started to look at this life differently. James said in James 4:14, "You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." I know it may seem like your life is long, but compare that to eternity and see how long it really is. It indeed is just a vapor. Not only that, think about an eternity in Hell.
God, Heaven and Hell are all real. If you don't know that you will spend eternity in Heaven, please read "The Message of the Cross." Also, please remember that people aren't going to Hell because of their disbelief in Jesus. Romans 10:5 says "For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them." The problem is none of us have been able to keep the law perfectly.
God demands a payment for your sins. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." If you have never repented (turn from) of your sins and by faith have placed your trust in Jesus, please do so today.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A Mistake in Evangelism
About a week and a half ago, I went out on a Sunday morning and stood near a church in Rocky River. I didn't stand on the sidewalk that was on their property, but I stood on the other side of a street facing the church to have all the people coming to church see my cross. This was the second Sunday morning I had gone out on the street.
The first time I stood at this corner, I was engaged in conversation by some young men and one who seemed to know parts well, but knowledge doesn't always save. I'm glad I had the chance to have this conversation, but I wonder at what cost. The second time I stood at this location, someone came out of the church and asked if I was affiliated with their church. I said I was not, and she told me it was interesting that I picked this location and that I should go somewhere else.
I reverted back to my rights as a U.S. citizen and said I stand in various place and I was standing on a side walk. Just because I have the right to do something doesn't always make it the right thing to do. While I won't be standing at this location again, I am grateful for the people's paths God brought me into. I had the conversation with the young men the first time and someone driving by on the second time asked about my cross. He said he was curious about it, and I directed him to my blog. I'm not sure whether or not he ever looked it up.
I know there are going to be a lot of people in the church who think they are saved and aren't. Jesus said in Matthew 7 21-23, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' "
My intention was to hopefully reach some of these people. Then I thought about how I would feel if someone stood outside my church holding a cross. The words of the Apostle Paul also stood out to me in my reading: "I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation" (Romans 15:20). I had never been inside this church and wasn't sure of what was being preached inside its walls.
I had picked my spot because of its strategic location- it was at the top of a dead end street which had the church's parking lot in it. The spot was the most appealing because I would hit traffic traveling from both east and west of the church instead of just one direction. Looking back, there was also the sidewalk across the street a block or so away. If I go back to this location, I will stand far enough away so as not to be associated with the church.
Whatever the outcome from being there, it is in God's hands. I hope He will use it to His glory.
The first time I stood at this corner, I was engaged in conversation by some young men and one who seemed to know parts well, but knowledge doesn't always save. I'm glad I had the chance to have this conversation, but I wonder at what cost. The second time I stood at this location, someone came out of the church and asked if I was affiliated with their church. I said I was not, and she told me it was interesting that I picked this location and that I should go somewhere else.
I reverted back to my rights as a U.S. citizen and said I stand in various place and I was standing on a side walk. Just because I have the right to do something doesn't always make it the right thing to do. While I won't be standing at this location again, I am grateful for the people's paths God brought me into. I had the conversation with the young men the first time and someone driving by on the second time asked about my cross. He said he was curious about it, and I directed him to my blog. I'm not sure whether or not he ever looked it up.
I know there are going to be a lot of people in the church who think they are saved and aren't. Jesus said in Matthew 7 21-23, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' "
My intention was to hopefully reach some of these people. Then I thought about how I would feel if someone stood outside my church holding a cross. The words of the Apostle Paul also stood out to me in my reading: "I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation" (Romans 15:20). I had never been inside this church and wasn't sure of what was being preached inside its walls.
I had picked my spot because of its strategic location- it was at the top of a dead end street which had the church's parking lot in it. The spot was the most appealing because I would hit traffic traveling from both east and west of the church instead of just one direction. Looking back, there was also the sidewalk across the street a block or so away. If I go back to this location, I will stand far enough away so as not to be associated with the church.
Whatever the outcome from being there, it is in God's hands. I hope He will use it to His glory.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
A Key Point for Witnessing
I was sharing the Gospel with someone at my work place today and I have a key point I wanted to share that I think is essential in witnessing. One thing that I feel is essential is telling people why they need Jesus. I think so many people are told to believe in Jesus but have no idea why they should.
First, imagine you are in a court of law with a million dollar fine in front of you. There is nothing you can do to pay the fine and the judge is about to send you to jail for the rest of your life. You plead with the judge that you are a good person, that you have done many good deeds.
"That may be so," says the judge, "but you have broken the law, and there must be payment for your actions." The judge is about to pass sentence on you when at the last second, someone comes in and places a million dollars in front of the judge.
The judge looks at you and says, "You are free to go. Not because you are a good person, not because you deserve it, but because your fine has been paid." That is what Jesus did for us on the cross. He lived a perfect, sinless life and died in our place. At His death on the cross, our sins were placed on Him and He paid the fine in our place.
After explaining substitutionary atonement, explain that people are not going to hell for their disbelief of Jesus. People are going to hell because they have sinned against God and God demands payment for their sins. There are two options for that payment- your soul in hell for eternity or the blood of Jesus on the cross.
At this point, you can also explain why all other religions do not provide for salvation. There is no payment for their sins- only Christianity provides a complete removal of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ.
I believe a big stumbling block preventing people from accepting the gospel is all the other "options" world religions offer to them. If you eliminate disbelief in Jesus, you have leveled the playing field. Once people understand Jesus is the payment for their sins, the gospel makes complete sense. This is the reason they need to repent and trust in Jesus.
First, imagine you are in a court of law with a million dollar fine in front of you. There is nothing you can do to pay the fine and the judge is about to send you to jail for the rest of your life. You plead with the judge that you are a good person, that you have done many good deeds.
"That may be so," says the judge, "but you have broken the law, and there must be payment for your actions." The judge is about to pass sentence on you when at the last second, someone comes in and places a million dollars in front of the judge.
The judge looks at you and says, "You are free to go. Not because you are a good person, not because you deserve it, but because your fine has been paid." That is what Jesus did for us on the cross. He lived a perfect, sinless life and died in our place. At His death on the cross, our sins were placed on Him and He paid the fine in our place.
After explaining substitutionary atonement, explain that people are not going to hell for their disbelief of Jesus. People are going to hell because they have sinned against God and God demands payment for their sins. There are two options for that payment- your soul in hell for eternity or the blood of Jesus on the cross.
At this point, you can also explain why all other religions do not provide for salvation. There is no payment for their sins- only Christianity provides a complete removal of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ.
I believe a big stumbling block preventing people from accepting the gospel is all the other "options" world religions offer to them. If you eliminate disbelief in Jesus, you have leveled the playing field. Once people understand Jesus is the payment for their sins, the gospel makes complete sense. This is the reason they need to repent and trust in Jesus.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
God's Hand in My Job Situation
The past few months have been pretty trying on me. In August, I took a position at a call center. There was a 3 week introductory training period and there was one other person training with me. On the first or second day, my new co-worker asked me what kind of movies or TV shows I like, and I said I really don't watch either. He asked what I do like to do, and I said I like to read- the Bible.
This was my swing from the natural realm to the spiritual realm. My co-worker had told me that he grew up with a Christian background but didn't currently go to church. He told me he was looking for something in between Christianity and either Buddhism or Hinduism (I can't remember exactly).
I'm not sure exactly what I shared with him about (it was over 2 months ago), but I do remember giving him a gospel tract and telling him to check out this blog and read the message of the cross on this blog (which has a gospel presentation). He told me he would, and no more than a day or two later, he was terminated because he showed up late twice.
Later on that week or early the next week, I gave my supervisor a gospel tract. She told me she knew God existed and that He loved her. After reading the tract, she told me what it said was scary. At this point, I clearly explained the gospel to her, including substitutionary atonement. She then told me she would like to talk about God daily.
On my third week at this job, I had to quit this job because they wanted me to violate my ethics. I don't want to go into detail about this, but I wasn't going to say what they wanted me to say. I decided on Wednesday, in my third week at this job, that I was going to quit. I called the attendance line on Thursday to report I was coming in and I sent my supervisor an email explaining why. I told her I hoped she would take to heart what I had explained to her about the gospel.
I quit this job without having anything else lined up, but I just knew I couldn't stay at this job and violate my ethics and conscience. My wife said she understood why I made the decision I made, but she was also frustrated. She told me if I didn't have a new job by the end of the week (and it was already Thursday) that I had to go to a temp agency. I was hoping to find a permanent, full time job, but if I had to, as a last resort, I told my wife I would go to a temp agency. Well, I was at my last resort.
I prayed a lot about the situation Thursday and I hadn't a clue what was going to happen next. Then on Friday, I saw a job posting for a marketing/sales job. I was offered an interview and went in that day. The president of the company asked me if I was working, and I told him that I had been, but I had to quit and why.
I knew this interview was my last chance and wasn't sure what was going to happen. The president of the company had me take a typing test, and after talking a bit more, offered me the job on the spot. After leaving, I called my wife, told her I got a job and I knew it was God that orchestrated it.
I started the following Monday, and after talking to the person I was taking over for, found out he was a Christian. I told him that I briefly had thoughts about going into ministry, and he told me he had had the same thoughts. More than that, he was leaving in a week to start a job at a call center. I couldn't believe the coincidences. He was taking this job as an entry point into a company and hopes to move up quickly.
He told me that he had tried sharing his faith with his co-workers previously. I didn't get into specifics about his method of sharing, but I did tell him I really liked Way of the Master. I felt a real urgency to share at my previous job and as it turns out for a good reason- my stay there was short.
I haven't been as up-front about my faith at this job and I'm not sure why. Perhaps this is the reason: I seem to have sparked someone if not multiple people's curiosity where I work about my evangelism. I know at least one person, if not multiple people where I work have viewed my blog, read the message of the cross, and have even read the extended version at my church's website (or at least clicked the link to go there).
Not only that, but there are a lot of return visits. My hope is that they will continue to visit this blog and one day ask me about it. I also have the foundation laid before me. For here the saying holds true, "One sows and another reaps" (John 4:37).
I also hope I am not written off as fanatical- for, "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes" (James 4:14). It may seem like we have a long time to live here on earth, but it will only be vapor compared to eternity. I hope those reading this will be spending eternity with our Lord. Eternity is a long time to spend in hell.
A co-worker asked me last week what I like to do (since I don't watch much TV) and I again said read the Bible. I'm not sure whether the fact that I am the "cross guy" is the 800 pound gorilla in the room that no one talks about or not. I do know this, though, I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).
I am entering my fourth week at this job, and God-willing, I will be able to stay at this job. I had a temporary job in July at a marketing company that I hoped would turn into full time employment. No matter how hard I seemed to try at that job, I just could not seem to do what they expected of me. I prayed constantly about it and asked God to help me achieve success, but I ended up being released from the temporary job shortly after I started.
It was difficult for me at the time when I was let go, but looking back, I know had I stayed there I wouldn't have been able to share the gospel with the others that I have. The gospel is more important than any job I will ever have. At each job I have had, I try to do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
I felt like my last job was a test to see if I was going to be obedient to God. Things seem to be clicking for me at this job. I only had a week to learn from my fore-runner what he learned in about 3 months. I've had to ask for some help along the way until I fully get a hold of things, but things look bright.
You most likely won't see me on the street during the week anymore, but I hope to set aside time on the weekends- if nothing else, Sunday mornings before service. Perhaps next year when it stays light until 9 I will be out on weeknights. It was pouring rain this morning and I wasn't out there, but hopefully next Sunday I will be.
This was my swing from the natural realm to the spiritual realm. My co-worker had told me that he grew up with a Christian background but didn't currently go to church. He told me he was looking for something in between Christianity and either Buddhism or Hinduism (I can't remember exactly).
I'm not sure exactly what I shared with him about (it was over 2 months ago), but I do remember giving him a gospel tract and telling him to check out this blog and read the message of the cross on this blog (which has a gospel presentation). He told me he would, and no more than a day or two later, he was terminated because he showed up late twice.
Later on that week or early the next week, I gave my supervisor a gospel tract. She told me she knew God existed and that He loved her. After reading the tract, she told me what it said was scary. At this point, I clearly explained the gospel to her, including substitutionary atonement. She then told me she would like to talk about God daily.
On my third week at this job, I had to quit this job because they wanted me to violate my ethics. I don't want to go into detail about this, but I wasn't going to say what they wanted me to say. I decided on Wednesday, in my third week at this job, that I was going to quit. I called the attendance line on Thursday to report I was coming in and I sent my supervisor an email explaining why. I told her I hoped she would take to heart what I had explained to her about the gospel.
I quit this job without having anything else lined up, but I just knew I couldn't stay at this job and violate my ethics and conscience. My wife said she understood why I made the decision I made, but she was also frustrated. She told me if I didn't have a new job by the end of the week (and it was already Thursday) that I had to go to a temp agency. I was hoping to find a permanent, full time job, but if I had to, as a last resort, I told my wife I would go to a temp agency. Well, I was at my last resort.
I prayed a lot about the situation Thursday and I hadn't a clue what was going to happen next. Then on Friday, I saw a job posting for a marketing/sales job. I was offered an interview and went in that day. The president of the company asked me if I was working, and I told him that I had been, but I had to quit and why.
I knew this interview was my last chance and wasn't sure what was going to happen. The president of the company had me take a typing test, and after talking a bit more, offered me the job on the spot. After leaving, I called my wife, told her I got a job and I knew it was God that orchestrated it.
I started the following Monday, and after talking to the person I was taking over for, found out he was a Christian. I told him that I briefly had thoughts about going into ministry, and he told me he had had the same thoughts. More than that, he was leaving in a week to start a job at a call center. I couldn't believe the coincidences. He was taking this job as an entry point into a company and hopes to move up quickly.
He told me that he had tried sharing his faith with his co-workers previously. I didn't get into specifics about his method of sharing, but I did tell him I really liked Way of the Master. I felt a real urgency to share at my previous job and as it turns out for a good reason- my stay there was short.
I haven't been as up-front about my faith at this job and I'm not sure why. Perhaps this is the reason: I seem to have sparked someone if not multiple people's curiosity where I work about my evangelism. I know at least one person, if not multiple people where I work have viewed my blog, read the message of the cross, and have even read the extended version at my church's website (or at least clicked the link to go there).
Not only that, but there are a lot of return visits. My hope is that they will continue to visit this blog and one day ask me about it. I also have the foundation laid before me. For here the saying holds true, "One sows and another reaps" (John 4:37).
I also hope I am not written off as fanatical- for, "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes" (James 4:14). It may seem like we have a long time to live here on earth, but it will only be vapor compared to eternity. I hope those reading this will be spending eternity with our Lord. Eternity is a long time to spend in hell.
A co-worker asked me last week what I like to do (since I don't watch much TV) and I again said read the Bible. I'm not sure whether the fact that I am the "cross guy" is the 800 pound gorilla in the room that no one talks about or not. I do know this, though, I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).
I am entering my fourth week at this job, and God-willing, I will be able to stay at this job. I had a temporary job in July at a marketing company that I hoped would turn into full time employment. No matter how hard I seemed to try at that job, I just could not seem to do what they expected of me. I prayed constantly about it and asked God to help me achieve success, but I ended up being released from the temporary job shortly after I started.
It was difficult for me at the time when I was let go, but looking back, I know had I stayed there I wouldn't have been able to share the gospel with the others that I have. The gospel is more important than any job I will ever have. At each job I have had, I try to do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
I felt like my last job was a test to see if I was going to be obedient to God. Things seem to be clicking for me at this job. I only had a week to learn from my fore-runner what he learned in about 3 months. I've had to ask for some help along the way until I fully get a hold of things, but things look bright.
You most likely won't see me on the street during the week anymore, but I hope to set aside time on the weekends- if nothing else, Sunday mornings before service. Perhaps next year when it stays light until 9 I will be out on weeknights. It was pouring rain this morning and I wasn't out there, but hopefully next Sunday I will be.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
On the Street Sunday Morning Before Church - A Conversation with Brian
My time on the streets has been very limited recently, and I want to change that moving forward. This morning, I left my apartment around 8:45 and headed to Detroit Road in Rocky River. I started out at Wright and Detroit in Rocky River at 9:00.
I stood nearby a coffee shop which had a steady flow of customers coming and go. After about 20 minutes, I walked east down to Detroit across from Rocky River United Methodist Church. A man in a large truck pulled up a minute later and completely blocked my cross, so I went across the street to face traffic pulling into the parking lot of the church.
The church parking lot is located down a dead-end street, so anyone headed to the parking lot saw my cross. I had one woman ask what my sign said, and she said she was ready. I wasn't sure if this was something I wanted to do or if I would be associated with the church, but I got to thinking of Matthew 7: 21-23: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' "
I know there are some who may criticize me for standing outside a church, but Jesus Himself said there will be many false converts. I, myself, used to be one of them. Around 10:00, as service inside the Rocky River United Methodist Church was starting, three young men passed by me and one stopped to ask me some questions. One of their names' was Brian.
One question Brian had was about how we can have free will, yet God knows ahead of time what will happen. This is one area I really haven't given too much thought to- it is something I just more accept, although I don't understand it. I explained to them that it wasn't something I understood, just like when a creationist will say, "God created the world," and the return question will be, "Well, who created God?" I will say that we live in the dimension of time and God exists outside that dimension.
Either Brian or one of his friends replied that no one created God- he always existed, which is something to take into consideration- am I talking to a believer or an unbeliever? I didn't talk to Brian long, but from the short time I talked to him, he seemed to know parts of the Bible well. He asked if Jesus knew ahead of time what would happen to Him on the cross. I said He did. He asked why Jesus would pray to the Father to let this cup pass if He knew that it wasn't possible.
I responded that I believed it was an example of prayer for us because I have prayed it myself. I was talking to someone in church about this and they told me that it shows the humanness of Jesus. Although he was fully God, he will also fully human. Brian's friend asked about original sin and whether or not it was absolved at baptism. I didn't get the chance to answer that question because Brian asked something else.
Into our brief conversation, Brian asked if any sin he committed was already forgiven. I didn't get the chance to really elaborate, but I did explain that the Bible does says that "unless you repent, you will perish" (Luke 13:3) and that one must repent (turn from their sins) and place their trust in Jesus. I also very quickly explained substitutionary atonement to them.
I did make sure I mentioned that I can't recall all the questions Brian asked, but he left with a gospel tract. It was now about 10:10 and I headed off to my church's services that started at 10:30. Please be in prayer for Brian and his friends. I hope to make Sunday morning a regular time to be on the street with the cross.
I stood nearby a coffee shop which had a steady flow of customers coming and go. After about 20 minutes, I walked east down to Detroit across from Rocky River United Methodist Church. A man in a large truck pulled up a minute later and completely blocked my cross, so I went across the street to face traffic pulling into the parking lot of the church.
The church parking lot is located down a dead-end street, so anyone headed to the parking lot saw my cross. I had one woman ask what my sign said, and she said she was ready. I wasn't sure if this was something I wanted to do or if I would be associated with the church, but I got to thinking of Matthew 7: 21-23: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' "
I know there are some who may criticize me for standing outside a church, but Jesus Himself said there will be many false converts. I, myself, used to be one of them. Around 10:00, as service inside the Rocky River United Methodist Church was starting, three young men passed by me and one stopped to ask me some questions. One of their names' was Brian.
One question Brian had was about how we can have free will, yet God knows ahead of time what will happen. This is one area I really haven't given too much thought to- it is something I just more accept, although I don't understand it. I explained to them that it wasn't something I understood, just like when a creationist will say, "God created the world," and the return question will be, "Well, who created God?" I will say that we live in the dimension of time and God exists outside that dimension.
Either Brian or one of his friends replied that no one created God- he always existed, which is something to take into consideration- am I talking to a believer or an unbeliever? I didn't talk to Brian long, but from the short time I talked to him, he seemed to know parts of the Bible well. He asked if Jesus knew ahead of time what would happen to Him on the cross. I said He did. He asked why Jesus would pray to the Father to let this cup pass if He knew that it wasn't possible.
I responded that I believed it was an example of prayer for us because I have prayed it myself. I was talking to someone in church about this and they told me that it shows the humanness of Jesus. Although he was fully God, he will also fully human. Brian's friend asked about original sin and whether or not it was absolved at baptism. I didn't get the chance to answer that question because Brian asked something else.
Into our brief conversation, Brian asked if any sin he committed was already forgiven. I didn't get the chance to really elaborate, but I did explain that the Bible does says that "unless you repent, you will perish" (Luke 13:3) and that one must repent (turn from their sins) and place their trust in Jesus. I also very quickly explained substitutionary atonement to them.
I did make sure I mentioned that I can't recall all the questions Brian asked, but he left with a gospel tract. It was now about 10:10 and I headed off to my church's services that started at 10:30. Please be in prayer for Brian and his friends. I hope to make Sunday morning a regular time to be on the street with the cross.
Monday, September 20, 2010
A Quote From John MacArthur
"It is not faith plus obedience [that] equals salvation. No, it is an obedient faith [that] equals salvation." -John MacArthur, from his sermon on Romans 1:4-7 on March 29, 1981, "The Provision, Proclamation, Privilege, and Purpose of the Good News."
Sunday, September 12, 2010
I Haven't Forgotten You, North Olmsted - 9/12/2010
Today, I went back to a spot I haven't been to in a while- Dover Center and Lorain Road in North Olmsted. I was out from 2:40 to 3:45 and a lot of people in their cars got to see the cross, but I didn't have any conversations. I am have a full time job now and won't be able to go out as much as I used to, but I hope to still go out on the weekends a bit. I need to hit up all the old spots I used to go to- I've been in Lakewood a lot recently.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
I Wish I Could Start Today Over
The weather today was beautiful- wall to wall sunshine with not a cloud in the sky and in the upper 70's to low 80's. My wife and I had breakfast this morning and after wards went to Wal-Mart as we always do on Saturdays. After that, we headed over to church to help out with the 2nd annual 2010 Evangelism Boot Camp my pastor was presenting.
I took some pictures and my wife and I assisted cleaning up after the teams headed out for the streets. We then came home and I headed back out to Lakewood with my cross from about 3:30 to 4:45. For dinner, we grilled out at a park on Lake Erie and watched the sun set. We went to Dairy Queen after that and then came home. It was the first weekend I wasn't stressed out about not having a job, as I just started one last Monday. Although it was a busy day, it was a nice day.
Then, around 10:00 PM, the phone rang. It was one of my wife's coworkers. Another coworker's husband had suddenly died today. He was at the prime of his life, about 35 years old. Had I known what was to take place today, I would have gone through this day completely different. My wife and I were even invited to a party that this coworker and her husband attended today but we did not.
While I was out with my cross today, I had a conversation with a man named John. He was happy to see me out on the streets spreading the Gospel. I shared some of the Way of the Master analogies with him and mentioned that 150,000 people die every day, most without knowing Christ. He said that was a good statistic to use- little did I know that my wife's coworker's husband would become a part of that statistic.
I wish I could start today over and go to that party. I would have pleaded with this man to repent of his sins and to place his trust in Jesus Christ for his salvation and would not left until he had. This also makes me reanalyze the way I interact with everyone else in life. Why don't I have this urgency all the time?
God demanded payment to be made for this man's sins today. It is either his soul in hell for eternity or the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. If it is the latter, he will spend eternity with his Savior in heaven. None of us really know for sure of another person's salvation, but I hope the penalty for his sins was already paid for by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus' life's blood.
If you do not know where you are going when you die or you aren't saved, please read "The Message of the Cross" blog post and get right with God today. You may not have tomorrow.
I took some pictures and my wife and I assisted cleaning up after the teams headed out for the streets. We then came home and I headed back out to Lakewood with my cross from about 3:30 to 4:45. For dinner, we grilled out at a park on Lake Erie and watched the sun set. We went to Dairy Queen after that and then came home. It was the first weekend I wasn't stressed out about not having a job, as I just started one last Monday. Although it was a busy day, it was a nice day.
Then, around 10:00 PM, the phone rang. It was one of my wife's coworkers. Another coworker's husband had suddenly died today. He was at the prime of his life, about 35 years old. Had I known what was to take place today, I would have gone through this day completely different. My wife and I were even invited to a party that this coworker and her husband attended today but we did not.
While I was out with my cross today, I had a conversation with a man named John. He was happy to see me out on the streets spreading the Gospel. I shared some of the Way of the Master analogies with him and mentioned that 150,000 people die every day, most without knowing Christ. He said that was a good statistic to use- little did I know that my wife's coworker's husband would become a part of that statistic.
I wish I could start today over and go to that party. I would have pleaded with this man to repent of his sins and to place his trust in Jesus Christ for his salvation and would not left until he had. This also makes me reanalyze the way I interact with everyone else in life. Why don't I have this urgency all the time?
God demanded payment to be made for this man's sins today. It is either his soul in hell for eternity or the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. If it is the latter, he will spend eternity with his Savior in heaven. None of us really know for sure of another person's salvation, but I hope the penalty for his sins was already paid for by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus' life's blood.
If you do not know where you are going when you die or you aren't saved, please read "The Message of the Cross" blog post and get right with God today. You may not have tomorrow.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Going Back to Work - 8/20/2010
On Monday, I start a new job at a call center taking inbound customer service calls. This is not what I went to school, but if this is what God wants me to do right now, I will be obedient. Aside from working for the U.S. Census, some very limited side work, and a temporary job that last less than two weeks, this is the only real door that has opened up for me.
I would still like to go out with my cross, but my street evangelism will most likely be limited to the weekends, now. I'm not quite sure where I am headed right now, but I am trying to follow what the Apostle Paul said in Colossians 3:1-2: "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
I would still like to go out with my cross, but my street evangelism will most likely be limited to the weekends, now. I'm not quite sure where I am headed right now, but I am trying to follow what the Apostle Paul said in Colossians 3:1-2: "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Dover Center and Detroit in Westlake - 8/16/2010
Yesterday, I returned to a spot I used to frequent a lot but have neglected for the past months as I have hit Lakewood hard: Dover Center and Detroit in Westlake. I have neglected the spots I used to frequent in favor of Lakewood for the past months, but I need to come back to those spots. I didn't hand out any tracts (although I had the opportunity to hand out a few, fear came over me- which it does at times) and was out from 3:45 to 4:45.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Professing "Christians"
I have been carrying the cross in some shape or form for just over a year now. Countless thousands have seen the cross, my largest viewing probably at the Komen Race for the Cure in 2009 in Downtown Cleveland.
I've had quite a few conversations over the past year, including the Catholic Church, the Church of Christ, Baptismal Regeneration, and the list goes on. I've also had a lot of witnessing encounters and passed out many tracts. Shortly after I started going out with the cross, I successfully branded myself as the "Cleveland Cross Guy." I wanted people who saw my cross, with a reference to doing a search on Google for "Cleveland Cross Guy" to be able to find this blog and find out what the message behind it was.
A year after I started going out with the cross, I realize I have effectively done the branding, but at times I feel it has been to my detriment. During or after several job interviews I have had, prospective employers have found this blog by searching for my name.
I have often times considered taking down this blog for that very reason, but Jesus' words echo in my ears: "For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38).
I know I am viewed as one of the "fanatics." I see the odd stares and hear the blasphemies and curses riddled toward me. One person thought my cross was in reference to the shutting down of some local Catholic churches as he walked by me one day. I know I am the "fanatic," but I want to turn the tables.
It is the rest of America that has it wrong. A recent survey (from 2008) has 76% of Americans professing to be Christians. That is 3 out of every 4 people in the U.S. With those kind of numbers, our highways and byways should be flooded with traffic on Sunday mornings, but that is when traffic flows the easiest. What creates traffic jams in Downtown Cleveland? Four things come to mind: rush hour traffic, Indians games, Cavs games and Browns games.
Jesus told His disciples in Mark 16:15 to "go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." Considering 76% of Americans claim to be Christians and that is our command from our Lord and Savior, every 3 out of 4 people should be telling you about how Jesus died on the cross for your sins. I am guilty of not doing it myself- why should I be afraid to talk about Jesus in public when 3 out of 4 people are Christian? Perhaps because they aren't.
“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness'" (Matthew 7:21-23).
If you read that previous paragraph and are one of those who "think" you are a Christian because you merely profess it, please scroll up above and click on "I have seen the cross. What does it mean?" It is the most important message you will ever read.
I've had quite a few conversations over the past year, including the Catholic Church, the Church of Christ, Baptismal Regeneration, and the list goes on. I've also had a lot of witnessing encounters and passed out many tracts. Shortly after I started going out with the cross, I successfully branded myself as the "Cleveland Cross Guy." I wanted people who saw my cross, with a reference to doing a search on Google for "Cleveland Cross Guy" to be able to find this blog and find out what the message behind it was.
A year after I started going out with the cross, I realize I have effectively done the branding, but at times I feel it has been to my detriment. During or after several job interviews I have had, prospective employers have found this blog by searching for my name.
I have often times considered taking down this blog for that very reason, but Jesus' words echo in my ears: "For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38).
I know I am viewed as one of the "fanatics." I see the odd stares and hear the blasphemies and curses riddled toward me. One person thought my cross was in reference to the shutting down of some local Catholic churches as he walked by me one day. I know I am the "fanatic," but I want to turn the tables.
It is the rest of America that has it wrong. A recent survey (from 2008) has 76% of Americans professing to be Christians. That is 3 out of every 4 people in the U.S. With those kind of numbers, our highways and byways should be flooded with traffic on Sunday mornings, but that is when traffic flows the easiest. What creates traffic jams in Downtown Cleveland? Four things come to mind: rush hour traffic, Indians games, Cavs games and Browns games.
Jesus told His disciples in Mark 16:15 to "go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." Considering 76% of Americans claim to be Christians and that is our command from our Lord and Savior, every 3 out of 4 people should be telling you about how Jesus died on the cross for your sins. I am guilty of not doing it myself- why should I be afraid to talk about Jesus in public when 3 out of 4 people are Christian? Perhaps because they aren't.
“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness'" (Matthew 7:21-23).
If you read that previous paragraph and are one of those who "think" you are a Christian because you merely profess it, please scroll up above and click on "I have seen the cross. What does it mean?" It is the most important message you will ever read.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
In Lakewood - 7/27/10
Today, around 11:30 I went to Lakewood to meet up with Rob and we stood at Sinagra Park in Downtown Lakewood. I had met Rob a while ago and he adheres to the King James Only philosophy, but we decided today was for witnessing. Rob and I both passed out tracts- I handed out million dollar bills from Way of the Master while Rob had his own tracts.
I was telling Rob about a conversation I had had with a man named Ron who is Catholic. Shortly thereafter, Ron walked by. I had decided that I wasn't going to get into any doctrinal conversations and just do what Jesus said- "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15). While there is a place for honest questions and doctrinal debates, that is not what I am out on the streets for.
Ron was criticizing me for not handing out the abortion tracts he had previously given me. I told him that I was doing what Jesus told us to do in His Word- to spread the Gospel. Ron is very passionate against abortion and accused me of not caring about it. I tried to tell him I was against abortion, also, but that it is not the Gospel. He responded with Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you."
At this point, Ron got Rob going in a dialogue about the Bible and the Catholic church. Being down this road before with Ron, I just stayed out of the way. Their conversation lasted for a while- what seemed like 30 minutes or more to me. Ron left telling Rob he would be back with his Bible verses and his questions for Rob.
At one point during the day, Jim from the Lakewood Observer came by and asked to take our picture. I had my cross and Rob also had a cross with a serpent behind it and John 3:14-15 on it.
Jim didn't believe the Bible was written by God. I tried reasoning with him by asking him if he wrote something with a pen, who is it that is the author? It is the pen that is actually doing the writing. In the same sense, God used men on earth to pen His Word.
I was hoping I could point out that we did have God in human form on earth (Jesus) and have His recorded words. Jim had trouble believing the Bible was God's Word, but I wanted to point out that Jesus was God in human form. If I could get Jim to read the four gospels, which record Jesus' (God the Son) words, he could find out to be saved. I asked Jim if he believed that Jesus was God. He replied he did not.
Later on in the afternoon, Lamar came by. Lamar is a Youth Minister at a church on the east side of town. Rob asked Lamar what he must do to be saved, and Lamar responded confessing your sins and praying the sinners prayer. I wasn't hearing the word "repentance" coming from him, so Rob and I grilled him a little bit.
I told Lamar that Jesus said in Luke 13 that "unless you repent, you will perish" (Luke 13:3). He said that repentance was necessary- so we asked him what repentance was, and he said it was feeling sorry. We had to make it clear that repentance includes a turning from sin.
Lamar was interested in doing evangelism with Rob and I and gave us his contact information. Lamar was saying the right things about salvation and using the correct terminology and quoting Scripture, but Rob and I were both concerned that his message didn't include the repentance part. I would be interested in doing evangelism with him, but I need to know his message includes repentance.
Rob and I stayed until about 4:15 today. It was a very productive day, handing out tracts and even having a few conversations. My temporary position at the previous company I was at ended about a week and a half ago, but I am waiting to hear back from another company for a job I interviewed for on Friday. Please pray that it be in God's will that I get this job and that His will be done!
I was telling Rob about a conversation I had had with a man named Ron who is Catholic. Shortly thereafter, Ron walked by. I had decided that I wasn't going to get into any doctrinal conversations and just do what Jesus said- "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15). While there is a place for honest questions and doctrinal debates, that is not what I am out on the streets for.
Ron was criticizing me for not handing out the abortion tracts he had previously given me. I told him that I was doing what Jesus told us to do in His Word- to spread the Gospel. Ron is very passionate against abortion and accused me of not caring about it. I tried to tell him I was against abortion, also, but that it is not the Gospel. He responded with Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you."
At this point, Ron got Rob going in a dialogue about the Bible and the Catholic church. Being down this road before with Ron, I just stayed out of the way. Their conversation lasted for a while- what seemed like 30 minutes or more to me. Ron left telling Rob he would be back with his Bible verses and his questions for Rob.
At one point during the day, Jim from the Lakewood Observer came by and asked to take our picture. I had my cross and Rob also had a cross with a serpent behind it and John 3:14-15 on it.
Jim didn't believe the Bible was written by God. I tried reasoning with him by asking him if he wrote something with a pen, who is it that is the author? It is the pen that is actually doing the writing. In the same sense, God used men on earth to pen His Word.
I was hoping I could point out that we did have God in human form on earth (Jesus) and have His recorded words. Jim had trouble believing the Bible was God's Word, but I wanted to point out that Jesus was God in human form. If I could get Jim to read the four gospels, which record Jesus' (God the Son) words, he could find out to be saved. I asked Jim if he believed that Jesus was God. He replied he did not.
Later on in the afternoon, Lamar came by. Lamar is a Youth Minister at a church on the east side of town. Rob asked Lamar what he must do to be saved, and Lamar responded confessing your sins and praying the sinners prayer. I wasn't hearing the word "repentance" coming from him, so Rob and I grilled him a little bit.
I told Lamar that Jesus said in Luke 13 that "unless you repent, you will perish" (Luke 13:3). He said that repentance was necessary- so we asked him what repentance was, and he said it was feeling sorry. We had to make it clear that repentance includes a turning from sin.
Lamar was interested in doing evangelism with Rob and I and gave us his contact information. Lamar was saying the right things about salvation and using the correct terminology and quoting Scripture, but Rob and I were both concerned that his message didn't include the repentance part. I would be interested in doing evangelism with him, but I need to know his message includes repentance.
Rob and I stayed until about 4:15 today. It was a very productive day, handing out tracts and even having a few conversations. My temporary position at the previous company I was at ended about a week and a half ago, but I am waiting to hear back from another company for a job I interviewed for on Friday. Please pray that it be in God's will that I get this job and that His will be done!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The Last Week or So - 7/11/10
I recently started a new job last week, which hopefully turns into permanent full time employment for myself. My schedule will become a lot tighter and I still hope to go out on the weekends and maybe even possibly a few weeknights. My church has an evangelism booth at a local festival next weekend that I will be attending- your prayers for that and that I be hired permanently at this company would be appreciated! Thanks to my visitors!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
A Question About Homosexuality - 6/21/10
Monday, I went to Sinagra Park in Lakewood around 1:30. Shortly after arriving, a young man approached me and asked me, "Would it be a bad thing if I'm gay?"
This is the first time I have been asked about this subject on the street and I need to handle it with extreme care.
I told this young man that I could only tell him what the Bible said about homosexuality. He asked if it said it was bad and he would burn in hell. I told him that it was true that if he looked in 1 Corinthians 6:9 that it does say no homosexual will inherit the kingdom of heaven (The ESV says kingdom of God, but they are interchangeable).
At this point, I was quick to point out the Bible also says that no fornicators, murders, or even liars would enter, either. The young man rightly pointed out that is everyone in the world.
I told him the message wasn't geared for a specific group of people- we all need Jesus. I asked him if he was familiar with the Ten Commandments and he said, "I believe so." I told the young man this law was given to show us that none of us can keep it.
I asked him if he was familiar with Jesus at all and he brought up the issue of forgiveness.
I asked him if would consider himself to be a Christian, to which he replied, "Yea."
I asked him, "If I were to come up to you and ask you, 'How do I become a Christian?' What would you say to me?"
He replied, "Probably say, 'By being a good person.' "
At this point I asked him, "Would you consider yourself to be a good person?"
He said he would. I asked him if he had ever told a lie or stolen anything. He responded he had. I also told him that Jesus considers calling someone a "fool" the same as murder in the heart. I told the young man, "So, by your own admission, I'm not judging you- you're a lying thief, and a murderer at heart."
To which he replied, "OK, well, so are you!"
To which I said, "Absolutely! Absolutely! And we all need to face God on Judgment Day. So based on those three commandments, would he find you guilty or innocent of breaking His law?"
He responded guilty, and I immediately pointed out that I am guilty, also. I asked him if God found him guilty, should He send him to heaven or hell? He responded hell. I asked him if that concerned him. He replied, "Not at the present moment." I asked him if he knew what hell was described as. I told him it was a lake of fire, where the worm never dies- eternal torment.
The young man asked me how we could know how bad it is if none of us have been there. I responded that we have Jesus' words in the Bible.
I asked him if he knew what Jesus did for us on the cross so we don't have to go to hell. I explained that Jesus died in place of us- for our sins. I explained that a legal transaction took place- we broke God's law, but He died and took the penalty for our sins.
I told him it was like being in a court of law with a fine of $1 million in front of you or life in prison. You can't pay the fine and the judge is about to pass sentence and at the last second, someone comes in and puts down $1 million on the judge's desk and says, "Here, I'm paying the fine." The judge looks over at you and says, "You're free to go. Not because you are innocent, not because you deserve it, but because your fine has been paid." That's what Jesus has done on the cross.
I told the young man that what Jesus commands us to do is repent of our sins- turn away from them, and trust in Him like a parachute. I explained how merely believing in a parachute on a crashing plane won't save anyone- you must strap the parachute on, trust the parachute, and jump from the plane. In the same sense, we need to strap on the Lord Jesus, trust Him, and abandon our sins- repent.
I confessed to the young man that my big thing before I came to Christ was dealing with lust. I told him that Jesus said, "Whoever looks with lust is guilty of adultery in the heart." I said to him that I didn't need to tell him how bad it was out in public with all the temptation.
I quickly explain imputed righteousness again to him and told him to look at the back side of the gospel tract I had given him- that it talked about the things we talked about. I asked him if he had a Bible at home, and he said, "I think, somewhere." I encouraged him to look at the Gospel of John and don't take my word for it- read the Bible yourself and see if what I am telling you is the truth.
I told him I know it's a hard message because it was hard for me. I let him know that I really struggled with turning away from my sin and that I still struggle with lust at times.
I asked him if he had a home church and he replied with the name of it and I asked if it was a Catholic Church. He replied it was and I said I wouldn't get into about the Catholic Church, but to remember this: Jesus said, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." I told him God cares about our hearts, not just externalizations.
If you doubt that standing on the street with a cross isn't effective, I hope this post shows you that it can and does draw people in. This young man knew what the Bible says about homosexuality, yet he wanted someone to talk to about it. He may have been afraid to talk to someone at church or someone he knew about homosexuality, but he was able to talk to me about it. I may never see this young man again, but he will be on my heart and I pray that God grants him repentance and salvation.
This is the first time I have been asked about this subject on the street and I need to handle it with extreme care.
I told this young man that I could only tell him what the Bible said about homosexuality. He asked if it said it was bad and he would burn in hell. I told him that it was true that if he looked in 1 Corinthians 6:9 that it does say no homosexual will inherit the kingdom of heaven (The ESV says kingdom of God, but they are interchangeable).
At this point, I was quick to point out the Bible also says that no fornicators, murders, or even liars would enter, either. The young man rightly pointed out that is everyone in the world.
I told him the message wasn't geared for a specific group of people- we all need Jesus. I asked him if he was familiar with the Ten Commandments and he said, "I believe so." I told the young man this law was given to show us that none of us can keep it.
I asked him if he was familiar with Jesus at all and he brought up the issue of forgiveness.
I asked him if would consider himself to be a Christian, to which he replied, "Yea."
I asked him, "If I were to come up to you and ask you, 'How do I become a Christian?' What would you say to me?"
He replied, "Probably say, 'By being a good person.' "
At this point I asked him, "Would you consider yourself to be a good person?"
He said he would. I asked him if he had ever told a lie or stolen anything. He responded he had. I also told him that Jesus considers calling someone a "fool" the same as murder in the heart. I told the young man, "So, by your own admission, I'm not judging you- you're a lying thief, and a murderer at heart."
To which he replied, "OK, well, so are you!"
To which I said, "Absolutely! Absolutely! And we all need to face God on Judgment Day. So based on those three commandments, would he find you guilty or innocent of breaking His law?"
He responded guilty, and I immediately pointed out that I am guilty, also. I asked him if God found him guilty, should He send him to heaven or hell? He responded hell. I asked him if that concerned him. He replied, "Not at the present moment." I asked him if he knew what hell was described as. I told him it was a lake of fire, where the worm never dies- eternal torment.
The young man asked me how we could know how bad it is if none of us have been there. I responded that we have Jesus' words in the Bible.
I asked him if he knew what Jesus did for us on the cross so we don't have to go to hell. I explained that Jesus died in place of us- for our sins. I explained that a legal transaction took place- we broke God's law, but He died and took the penalty for our sins.
I told him it was like being in a court of law with a fine of $1 million in front of you or life in prison. You can't pay the fine and the judge is about to pass sentence and at the last second, someone comes in and puts down $1 million on the judge's desk and says, "Here, I'm paying the fine." The judge looks over at you and says, "You're free to go. Not because you are innocent, not because you deserve it, but because your fine has been paid." That's what Jesus has done on the cross.
I told the young man that what Jesus commands us to do is repent of our sins- turn away from them, and trust in Him like a parachute. I explained how merely believing in a parachute on a crashing plane won't save anyone- you must strap the parachute on, trust the parachute, and jump from the plane. In the same sense, we need to strap on the Lord Jesus, trust Him, and abandon our sins- repent.
I confessed to the young man that my big thing before I came to Christ was dealing with lust. I told him that Jesus said, "Whoever looks with lust is guilty of adultery in the heart." I said to him that I didn't need to tell him how bad it was out in public with all the temptation.
I quickly explain imputed righteousness again to him and told him to look at the back side of the gospel tract I had given him- that it talked about the things we talked about. I asked him if he had a Bible at home, and he said, "I think, somewhere." I encouraged him to look at the Gospel of John and don't take my word for it- read the Bible yourself and see if what I am telling you is the truth.
I told him I know it's a hard message because it was hard for me. I let him know that I really struggled with turning away from my sin and that I still struggle with lust at times.
I asked him if he had a home church and he replied with the name of it and I asked if it was a Catholic Church. He replied it was and I said I wouldn't get into about the Catholic Church, but to remember this: Jesus said, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." I told him God cares about our hearts, not just externalizations.
If you doubt that standing on the street with a cross isn't effective, I hope this post shows you that it can and does draw people in. This young man knew what the Bible says about homosexuality, yet he wanted someone to talk to about it. He may have been afraid to talk to someone at church or someone he knew about homosexuality, but he was able to talk to me about it. I may never see this young man again, but he will be on my heart and I pray that God grants him repentance and salvation.
A Conversation with Jason and John - 6/17/10
Last Thursday, I went to my spot in Lakewood- Sinagra Park in front of the City Center. I stood near the traffic light next to Chipotle. I was handing out tracts and Jason approached me. Jason told me he wanted to offer me encouragement and pray for me. Our conversation lasted for quite a while and Jason did end up praying for me.
Towards the end of our conversation, two young men approached us and one of them, John, asked about the cross. Shortly after getting into the law and John realizing his sinfulness, Jason took over. The two young men were involved in some activities that Jason had been involved in previously. I am glad Jason was there to take over the conversation I had started, because he was able to relate to these young men a way I could not. Jason ended up giving the one young man his number and invited him to an outreach.
I ended up seeing John again the following Monday and he recalled his conversation with Jason. I think I ended up giving John a gospel tract and told him it went over the things Jason had spoken to him about. Please be in prayer for John.
Towards the end of our conversation, two young men approached us and one of them, John, asked about the cross. Shortly after getting into the law and John realizing his sinfulness, Jason took over. The two young men were involved in some activities that Jason had been involved in previously. I am glad Jason was there to take over the conversation I had started, because he was able to relate to these young men a way I could not. Jason ended up giving the one young man his number and invited him to an outreach.
I ended up seeing John again the following Monday and he recalled his conversation with Jason. I think I ended up giving John a gospel tract and told him it went over the things Jason had spoken to him about. Please be in prayer for John.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
A Conversation With Ron - 6/10/10
Thursday, I went out to Lakewood with my cross around 1:00. Shortly after I arrived, a woman asked me what the cross was about. She told me she was a very religious person and spoke of what her "god" would and would not do. She was very self righteous- only admitting to a white lie, never stealing anything, although she did admit to and did blaspheme in front of me. I told her she was guilty of idolatry at which point she told me our conversation wasn't going to go anywhere and she walked away.
Shortly thereafter, a man named Ron came up to me and started asking me questions about my beliefs. After a while, Ron admitted he was Catholic and wanted to prove to me that the Catholic Church was the ultimate authority here on earth. While he was talking to me, another man got into a verbal argument with Ron, which got very heated at some points- to the point of physical violence being threatened. The situation eventually diffused itself and I am thankful for that.
I went to leave at 3:30 and after putting my cross away and as I was about to shut the door to my car, Rob pulled up. I had met Rob exactly a week prior to this (see this post). Rob is a King James Only Bible believer. Rob asked if I was leaving already and if I wanted to go pass out some tracts with him. We started talking and he asked me if I wanted to go get a coffee and talk. I ended up agreeing and we went to a local fast food restaurant, got something to drink and began to talk.
Rob spent about an hour trying to convince me the King James Bible is the infallible Word of God and other translations do not honor God. Specifically, he has been going after the ESV, which I very much like. I had already told myself I wasn't going to get involved in discussions like this, but yet again, I did.
Shortly thereafter, a man named Ron came up to me and started asking me questions about my beliefs. After a while, Ron admitted he was Catholic and wanted to prove to me that the Catholic Church was the ultimate authority here on earth. While he was talking to me, another man got into a verbal argument with Ron, which got very heated at some points- to the point of physical violence being threatened. The situation eventually diffused itself and I am thankful for that.
I went to leave at 3:30 and after putting my cross away and as I was about to shut the door to my car, Rob pulled up. I had met Rob exactly a week prior to this (see this post). Rob is a King James Only Bible believer. Rob asked if I was leaving already and if I wanted to go pass out some tracts with him. We started talking and he asked me if I wanted to go get a coffee and talk. I ended up agreeing and we went to a local fast food restaurant, got something to drink and began to talk.
Rob spent about an hour trying to convince me the King James Bible is the infallible Word of God and other translations do not honor God. Specifically, he has been going after the ESV, which I very much like. I had already told myself I wasn't going to get involved in discussions like this, but yet again, I did.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Repentance - Change of Heart Only or Also Turning From Sin?
Yesterday, I went out to Sinagra Park in Downtown Lakewood. Shortly after I arrived, Rob came up to me and engaged me in a discussion. Rob is King James only and was trying to convert me to be the same.
I told Rob that one must repent and trust Jesus to be saved and he asked me what "repent" meant. I told him it is a turning away from sin. Our conversation went on from here about errors in current translations of the Bible and he ended up getting me a few books- one of them a book about errors in modern translations and another a King James Bible. Just for the record, I have nothing against the King James Bible.
I was told from another King James only friend that the meaning of the word "repent" simply means a "change of heart" and does not involve a turning away from sin. I do not know if this is the majority stance of King James Only or just this particular person. The reason for this comes from the first use of the word in the Bible in Genesis 6:6 (KJV): "And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at his heart." Using the second phrase of the sentence to define "repent," the definition here is that it "grieved" Him. I support using Scripture to define Scripture, and I will use this method.
Using the Strong's Concordance, the definition of the word "repent" in the Hebrew is indeed "to be sorry, rue, suffer grief." The problem is that when Jesus told people they must repent, he spoke in Greek. The Strong's Concordance defines "repent" in Greek "to change one's mind."
It is more than just a change of one's mind, though.
When I tell people to "repent," I define it as a "turning from sin." Look at what Jesus said in Matthew 12:41: "The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here."
This is what Jesus was talking about in Jonah 3:8b- where the King said, "Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands." Verse 10 adds: "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that He had said he would do to them, and he did not do it."
What did the people do? They turned from their evil way. They repented.
Verse 9 does say, "Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish," but Jesus said in Matthew 12:41 that the men of Nineveh repented - not God.
Jesus said in Luke 13:3 that "Unless you repent, you will perish" and in Luke 24:47 "that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations."
When I started reading the Bible for the first time in 2008, I started out reading the Gospels. I want to say I read them in order, but I am not 100% sure. One passage that concerned me was reading the Sermon on the Mount- that Jesus viewed lust the same as adultery and that whoever is angry with his brother is liable to the hell of fire. Another passage that concerned me was reading Luke 13:3, that "unless you repent, you will perish." Then I read John 3:3, where Jesus said "unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
It was at this point that I asked my pastor what it meant to be born again. I did not want to be one of the people who would not see the kingdom of God.
I have been taken to task by a member in my family over the fact that I push repentance too hard. I find it ironic that I am now debating again this topic, the very one that saved me.
I told Rob that one must repent and trust Jesus to be saved and he asked me what "repent" meant. I told him it is a turning away from sin. Our conversation went on from here about errors in current translations of the Bible and he ended up getting me a few books- one of them a book about errors in modern translations and another a King James Bible. Just for the record, I have nothing against the King James Bible.
I was told from another King James only friend that the meaning of the word "repent" simply means a "change of heart" and does not involve a turning away from sin. I do not know if this is the majority stance of King James Only or just this particular person. The reason for this comes from the first use of the word in the Bible in Genesis 6:6 (KJV): "And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at his heart." Using the second phrase of the sentence to define "repent," the definition here is that it "grieved" Him. I support using Scripture to define Scripture, and I will use this method.
Using the Strong's Concordance, the definition of the word "repent" in the Hebrew is indeed "to be sorry, rue, suffer grief." The problem is that when Jesus told people they must repent, he spoke in Greek. The Strong's Concordance defines "repent" in Greek "to change one's mind."
It is more than just a change of one's mind, though.
When I tell people to "repent," I define it as a "turning from sin." Look at what Jesus said in Matthew 12:41: "The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here."
This is what Jesus was talking about in Jonah 3:8b- where the King said, "Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands." Verse 10 adds: "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that He had said he would do to them, and he did not do it."
What did the people do? They turned from their evil way. They repented.
Verse 9 does say, "Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish," but Jesus said in Matthew 12:41 that the men of Nineveh repented - not God.
Jesus said in Luke 13:3 that "Unless you repent, you will perish" and in Luke 24:47 "that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations."
When I started reading the Bible for the first time in 2008, I started out reading the Gospels. I want to say I read them in order, but I am not 100% sure. One passage that concerned me was reading the Sermon on the Mount- that Jesus viewed lust the same as adultery and that whoever is angry with his brother is liable to the hell of fire. Another passage that concerned me was reading Luke 13:3, that "unless you repent, you will perish." Then I read John 3:3, where Jesus said "unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
It was at this point that I asked my pastor what it meant to be born again. I did not want to be one of the people who would not see the kingdom of God.
I have been taken to task by a member in my family over the fact that I push repentance too hard. I find it ironic that I am now debating again this topic, the very one that saved me.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
In Lakewood (5/30/10) and the Importance of Reading God's Word Daily
Sunday, I went out to Lakewood with my cross from about 1:00 to 2:30- the first time in a little over a month. I feel the rust has started to form a bit and needs to be sanded off.
My wife bought me the John MacArthur Study Bible for my birthday (mid October) and I started reading it shortly thereafter. I started with the New Testament and when I finished that, I read the Old Testament. I finished the entire Study Bible about a month and a half ago. At that point, I wanted to follow MacArthur's reading plan to memorize the New Testament.
He suggests reading the same portions of the NT for about a month straight and if you divide it up correctly, you will have read through the entire NT in three years and really know it. He also recommends making note cards for each chapter of a book and writing down the main themes of it. I did that for my first portion of reading, but haven't done it for the second portion.
Five weeks ago, I read Matthew, chapters 1 through 7, almost every day for four weeks. In the beginning I made the note cards and I believe I initially read the accompanying notes in the Study Bible. I also have been listening to John MacArthur's sermons on the related text during that time (although I am now on to my section portion of Scripture and am still listening to sermons from the first portion).
Reading the same thing for four weeks can be tough, but I want to give this a real go. A week ago, I moved on to Matthew, chapters 8 to 14, but I wasn't reading through all 7 chapters every day. I was reading one to two chapters chronologically in John MacArthur's Study Bible and then when I read chapters 8 to 14 in MacArthur's Study Bible, I read those 7 in the ESV Study Bible.
I noticed last week that something was different about my reading and that I wasn't quite retaining it as I had the first 7 chapters. Then I went out on the street on Sunday with my cross and met an atheist and his friend. I found myself stumbling over a lot of the questions being presented to me.
Yesterday, I read straight through chapters 8 to 14 in Matthew and realized I would have been much better prepared had I been reading the entire 7 chapters every day, instead of one or two chapters a day. I am not saying that the accompanying notes and commentary do not have their place (indeed, I need to read them to understand the text), but there is something to be said about the continuity of the way the Gospels are organized. When I am going through reading the notes, I need to read the entire portion I have set aside, not just a chapter or two.
Back to the two young men I met on the street. Initially, they had walked past me earlier and one of them looked at my cross and said he was ready. On their way back, Steve and Jeff stopped and engaged me in conversation and inquired further about the cross. Turns out one of them was an atheist, and I was getting the same vibe from his friend.
To start off, the one young man did not believe in God. I told him he had all of creation to testify to the existence of God, and he rebutted with evolution. Paul said in Romans 1:20: "For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."
I told him evolution was just a theory, to which he countered it was fact. He also told me the human eye, which has 137 million light cells, just evolved by chance.
The young man denied the miracles of Jesus and eventually came to outright deny Jesus even existed- they were just stories passed down through the years- "the greatest story ever told." Another hanging point seemed to be that the Bible was written by man. I told him it was written by God, through man.
At some point, I asked him if he considered himself to be a good person. He responded he would, and I asked him if he thought he had kept the Ten Commandments. He responded he hadn't and that no one has. I skipped over the part of asking specific questions (Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever looked with lust [which is the same as adultery]? Have you ever hated [which is the same as murder]?), which I think was a mistake. I skipped to saying we would all be guilty before God on Judgment Day, to which he agreed. I asked what God should do to us if we are guilty (heaven or hell), and he asked, "Doesn't He forgive people?" He admitted hell and I was able to explain the cross- how Jesus bore the penalty for our sins and the necessity of repentance.
Our conversation spun off into a host of different things, among them about how much harm religion has done. I told him those aren't true Christians who are doing harm. We also talked about the existence of life outside of the earth, where heaven and hell physically were, and the age of the earth.
This young man also wanted a "sign" from God. This is where remembering Matthew 12 would have been useful. Jesus said in Matthew 12: 39-40, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." I told him he had the miracles of Jesus, but he doesn't believe Jesus existed, so we are back to square one.
One question I asked was if hell existed, was there something someone could do to deserve hell. The one young man responded he didn't believe in hell so I proposed it as a question that if hell exists (even though I know it does), is there anything one could do to deserve hell- for example, what about Hitler? Does Hitler deserve to be in hell? He responded yes. I like to ask this type of question to show people that they do draw a line in the sand- except whose line is it- theirs or God's?
Our conversation went in to some other things and looking back, I now wish I would have said certain things in rebuttal. I also wish I would have pressed the real reason he was not going to heaven and headed for hell- because he had sinned against a holy God and deserved His wrath. I feel I failed to make that abundantly clear by not going through the Law. It's been over a month since I had been out on the street and I can definitely tell by reviewing our conversation.
What should have been a witnessing encountered turned into a friendly discussion about my beliefs. I have noticed this before- people seem to be interested in probing me to find out what exactly I believe and that becomes the theme of the conversation. I have to really make sure the focus stays on Jesus Christ, the cross, and His death and resurrection. Apologetics have their place, but the number one focus has to be Jesus.
My wife bought me the John MacArthur Study Bible for my birthday (mid October) and I started reading it shortly thereafter. I started with the New Testament and when I finished that, I read the Old Testament. I finished the entire Study Bible about a month and a half ago. At that point, I wanted to follow MacArthur's reading plan to memorize the New Testament.
He suggests reading the same portions of the NT for about a month straight and if you divide it up correctly, you will have read through the entire NT in three years and really know it. He also recommends making note cards for each chapter of a book and writing down the main themes of it. I did that for my first portion of reading, but haven't done it for the second portion.
Five weeks ago, I read Matthew, chapters 1 through 7, almost every day for four weeks. In the beginning I made the note cards and I believe I initially read the accompanying notes in the Study Bible. I also have been listening to John MacArthur's sermons on the related text during that time (although I am now on to my section portion of Scripture and am still listening to sermons from the first portion).
Reading the same thing for four weeks can be tough, but I want to give this a real go. A week ago, I moved on to Matthew, chapters 8 to 14, but I wasn't reading through all 7 chapters every day. I was reading one to two chapters chronologically in John MacArthur's Study Bible and then when I read chapters 8 to 14 in MacArthur's Study Bible, I read those 7 in the ESV Study Bible.
I noticed last week that something was different about my reading and that I wasn't quite retaining it as I had the first 7 chapters. Then I went out on the street on Sunday with my cross and met an atheist and his friend. I found myself stumbling over a lot of the questions being presented to me.
Yesterday, I read straight through chapters 8 to 14 in Matthew and realized I would have been much better prepared had I been reading the entire 7 chapters every day, instead of one or two chapters a day. I am not saying that the accompanying notes and commentary do not have their place (indeed, I need to read them to understand the text), but there is something to be said about the continuity of the way the Gospels are organized. When I am going through reading the notes, I need to read the entire portion I have set aside, not just a chapter or two.
Back to the two young men I met on the street. Initially, they had walked past me earlier and one of them looked at my cross and said he was ready. On their way back, Steve and Jeff stopped and engaged me in conversation and inquired further about the cross. Turns out one of them was an atheist, and I was getting the same vibe from his friend.
To start off, the one young man did not believe in God. I told him he had all of creation to testify to the existence of God, and he rebutted with evolution. Paul said in Romans 1:20: "For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."
I told him evolution was just a theory, to which he countered it was fact. He also told me the human eye, which has 137 million light cells, just evolved by chance.
The young man denied the miracles of Jesus and eventually came to outright deny Jesus even existed- they were just stories passed down through the years- "the greatest story ever told." Another hanging point seemed to be that the Bible was written by man. I told him it was written by God, through man.
At some point, I asked him if he considered himself to be a good person. He responded he would, and I asked him if he thought he had kept the Ten Commandments. He responded he hadn't and that no one has. I skipped over the part of asking specific questions (Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever looked with lust [which is the same as adultery]? Have you ever hated [which is the same as murder]?), which I think was a mistake. I skipped to saying we would all be guilty before God on Judgment Day, to which he agreed. I asked what God should do to us if we are guilty (heaven or hell), and he asked, "Doesn't He forgive people?" He admitted hell and I was able to explain the cross- how Jesus bore the penalty for our sins and the necessity of repentance.
Our conversation spun off into a host of different things, among them about how much harm religion has done. I told him those aren't true Christians who are doing harm. We also talked about the existence of life outside of the earth, where heaven and hell physically were, and the age of the earth.
This young man also wanted a "sign" from God. This is where remembering Matthew 12 would have been useful. Jesus said in Matthew 12: 39-40, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." I told him he had the miracles of Jesus, but he doesn't believe Jesus existed, so we are back to square one.
One question I asked was if hell existed, was there something someone could do to deserve hell. The one young man responded he didn't believe in hell so I proposed it as a question that if hell exists (even though I know it does), is there anything one could do to deserve hell- for example, what about Hitler? Does Hitler deserve to be in hell? He responded yes. I like to ask this type of question to show people that they do draw a line in the sand- except whose line is it- theirs or God's?
Our conversation went in to some other things and looking back, I now wish I would have said certain things in rebuttal. I also wish I would have pressed the real reason he was not going to heaven and headed for hell- because he had sinned against a holy God and deserved His wrath. I feel I failed to make that abundantly clear by not going through the Law. It's been over a month since I had been out on the street and I can definitely tell by reviewing our conversation.
What should have been a witnessing encountered turned into a friendly discussion about my beliefs. I have noticed this before- people seem to be interested in probing me to find out what exactly I believe and that becomes the theme of the conversation. I have to really make sure the focus stays on Jesus Christ, the cross, and His death and resurrection. Apologetics have their place, but the number one focus has to be Jesus.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The Last Few Weeks - 5/16/2010
It's been a couple of weeks- actually, just a few days shy of a month - that I have been out with the cross. Towards the end of April, I started a temporary job with the U.S. Census as an enumerator. I have been working almost every day (including Saturday and Sunday) for the past three weeks. Things have taken a different turn the last few weeks.
Three weeks ago, I finished reading the John MacArthur Study Bible (NAS version). I started reading the New Testament (with commentary) towards the end of October or beginning of November and after finishing the New Testament, I moved on to the Old Testament.
Starting three weeks ago, I developed a plan (based on John MacArthur's advice in his study bible) to memorize the New Testament. I will be reading a portion of the Scripture every day for 4 weeks and then move on to the next portion. For the past three weeks, I have been reading Matthew, chapter 1 to 7, almost every night. I was also listening to John MacArthur's sermons on the corresponding texts.
I also wanted to start rereading the Old Testament alongside the portion of the New Testament I would be reading daily. I've been really occupied with my temporary job for the past three weeks and I haven't kept up with that. I've been working really sporadic hours- often a few hours at a time, but totaling up to 8 in a day. I've noticed my mind is very occupied with work and I haven't been nearly as devoted as I was just a few weeks prior. I definitely need to make an adjustment. I have found myself trying to rely on Scripture references but have been coming up blank.
On another note, I had an interview last Thursday for a full time position that I am really hopeful about landing. When one of the interviewers searched for me on the Internet, they found this blog. The thought actually crossed my mind of taking this blog down, but Jesus' words soon reigned in my mind: "For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38).
I feel this blog says a lot about me, but I also feel like it has hurt my chances of employment. I know other prospective employers have found this blog upon searching for me on the Internet and have never contacted me. I think people looking at me from the outside, seeing a "religious zealot" is one thing, but standing on the street with a cross is another thing.
For the record, I do not consider myself to be a "legalist" or "religious." While I do call myself Christian, I do not have a set of external rules that I must abide by outside of biblical teachings. Granted, I follow and obey the Bible, but there is a difference between what Jesus and his disciples taught and the teachings of the likes of some modern religions. There is a big difference between going through ceremonies in an attempt to be right with God versus a right heart.
Regardless, I cannot and will not feel ashamed for what I believe and know to be true. I am hopeful that employers will see my skills and abilities. As Jesus said, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?"
I have to trust that God is in control of my job situation and He will place me where I belong.
It is appropriate that I have been reading the Sermon on the Mount for the past three weeks. Since becoming a Christian, I have been trying to follow Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." It hasn't always been that easy. The following verse is hard for me also: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
I do not know what is next after this temporary position, but I need to trust that God will provide. I'm not sure how that will manifest itself, but I need to stay faithful to Him and His Word.
Three weeks ago, I finished reading the John MacArthur Study Bible (NAS version). I started reading the New Testament (with commentary) towards the end of October or beginning of November and after finishing the New Testament, I moved on to the Old Testament.
Starting three weeks ago, I developed a plan (based on John MacArthur's advice in his study bible) to memorize the New Testament. I will be reading a portion of the Scripture every day for 4 weeks and then move on to the next portion. For the past three weeks, I have been reading Matthew, chapter 1 to 7, almost every night. I was also listening to John MacArthur's sermons on the corresponding texts.
I also wanted to start rereading the Old Testament alongside the portion of the New Testament I would be reading daily. I've been really occupied with my temporary job for the past three weeks and I haven't kept up with that. I've been working really sporadic hours- often a few hours at a time, but totaling up to 8 in a day. I've noticed my mind is very occupied with work and I haven't been nearly as devoted as I was just a few weeks prior. I definitely need to make an adjustment. I have found myself trying to rely on Scripture references but have been coming up blank.
On another note, I had an interview last Thursday for a full time position that I am really hopeful about landing. When one of the interviewers searched for me on the Internet, they found this blog. The thought actually crossed my mind of taking this blog down, but Jesus' words soon reigned in my mind: "For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38).
I feel this blog says a lot about me, but I also feel like it has hurt my chances of employment. I know other prospective employers have found this blog upon searching for me on the Internet and have never contacted me. I think people looking at me from the outside, seeing a "religious zealot" is one thing, but standing on the street with a cross is another thing.
For the record, I do not consider myself to be a "legalist" or "religious." While I do call myself Christian, I do not have a set of external rules that I must abide by outside of biblical teachings. Granted, I follow and obey the Bible, but there is a difference between what Jesus and his disciples taught and the teachings of the likes of some modern religions. There is a big difference between going through ceremonies in an attempt to be right with God versus a right heart.
Regardless, I cannot and will not feel ashamed for what I believe and know to be true. I am hopeful that employers will see my skills and abilities. As Jesus said, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?"
I have to trust that God is in control of my job situation and He will place me where I belong.
It is appropriate that I have been reading the Sermon on the Mount for the past three weeks. Since becoming a Christian, I have been trying to follow Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." It hasn't always been that easy. The following verse is hard for me also: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
I do not know what is next after this temporary position, but I need to trust that God will provide. I'm not sure how that will manifest itself, but I need to stay faithful to Him and His Word.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Status Update 5/01/10
I haven't been out with the cross for about a week and a half now. I landed a part time, temporary job that required me to be in training most of last week. I will go back to having late weekday mornings available and I hope to hit the streets at least a few times a week until I find permanent full time works. Please pray that I would find a permanent full time job before my current temporary job ends! Thanks to all my visitors!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
A Conversation With Jeff - 4/20/10
Last Thursday, I went to the intersection of Dover Center and Detroit in Westlake. A young man stopped and asked if he could pray for me, which was definitely appreciated.
Today, I went to the intersection of Dover Center and Lorain in North Olmsted from 3:15 to 4:45. Around 4:00, a young man named Jeff (not my new fishing buddy) approached me and asked about the cross. I said to him, "The Bible says, 'It is appointed for a man once to die, and then comes judgment.' So, if you were to die today, are you ready to face God?"
After a second, he replied he was. I asked him if he could say for certain if he was going to heaven. He said he couldn't say for certain.
After this, our conversation went into a lot of different areas. I made sure to tell Jeff about the necessity of repentance and the parachute analogy. I made sure to define the difference between repentance and confession- confession is merely admitting guilt and repentance is a turning away from sin.
At this point, I used the analogy of being in a court of law with a fine that you cannot pay. The judge is about to sentence you to life in prison when someone comes in and pays your fine. You are no longer under the demands of the law, not because you are innocent, but because your fine has been paid and justice has been served. This is what Jesus did on the cross- he bore our sins in our place and took upon our punishment on the cross.
Jeff asked about different Bible versions. I told him that modern versions like the ESV and NASB are very accurate to the original Greek and Hebrew and offered an example of a difference in translations. One translation may say "gird up your loins" while another may say "clothe yourself," but they both mean the same thing. He had mentioned he thought his Bible at home was King James, and I told him that this version would have "thou, thee, thine, etc." in it- just different language of a different time.
At one point, Jeff told me that his girlfriend was moving away from God and asked if I had any ideas on bringing her back to God. I directed Jeff to LivingWaters.com and encouraged him to listen to Hell's Best Kept Secret. I told him the reason we need Jesus is not to make our lives better, but because we have all fallen short of the glory of God. We are all sinners that need a Savior.
Unless we repent and place our trust in Him, we are going to go to hell. It's not about having your "best life now." I recommended that he take his girlfriend through the law to show her sinfulness and her need for a Savior.
I started going through the law and I must have hit a nerve with Jeff. He asked me about a specific sin and what the Bible said about it. I had read earlier from 1 Corinthians 6 and was brutally honest about what the Bible says. I think at this point Jeff realized that his salvation was in jeopardy. I had the same experience myself when I first started reading the Word of God. I read John 3 and the necessity of being born again and Luke 13 about the necessity of repentance.
I asked Jeff if he had a Bible and he said he did. I encouraged him to read the gospel of John. Jeff has some tough decisions ahead of him. Please pray that he makes the right decisions.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Dover Center and Lorain in North Olmsted - 4/10/10
Saturday, I went to the intersection of Dover Center and Lorain in North Olmsted for a little over an hour in the afternoon. One person that drove by yelled out that Satan was coming- I'm not sure people understand what they are doing when they say things like that. I also got a thumbs up or two. I didn't hand out any tracts or have any conversations, but there was a lot of vehicle traffic.
Friday, April 2, 2010
On Detroit in Lakewood - 4/01/10
Yesterday was not a dull day in Lakewood. I was out from 3:45 to 5:45- this is the first time I have been out anywhere past 5:00. I started out in Sinagra Park on Detroit Road and shortly after arriving moved to the corner of Warren and Detroit. This is a very busy intersection with both foot and vehicular traffic. Very soon after arriving at this intersection, a Lakewood Police officer stopped to talk to me (and this is the first time I got the privilege of having the lights on top of the car turned on for me).
"What are you doing?" he asked.
I responded, "Trying to spread the Gospel."
He told me I was a distraction and could cause an accident. I asked him where I could go, and he responded he didn't know, but I couldn't stand here. He offered the park in front of the city center (where I started out), so in the interest of peace, I went over to that area. I have two friends coming up to Lakewood Saturday to do open air preaching and after standing at this location, I was thinking about using this spot, but now I may run into some problems.
After moving back over to Sinagra Park, I stood in front of a group of youths sittings on the benches that were talking very loudly and using countless profanities. My pastor had open air preached at this spot one time before and didn't have any problems with the police and I am hoping for the same. If these youths can scream and use profanities, we should be allowed to preach.
A man named Glenn came up to me and wanted to encourage me. He told me he had previously been a pastor at a church in the area but had to leave because they started going into a different direction. That sounds all too familiar.
I also had 3 or 4 people make references to Satan yesterday, including one "Hail Satan." I also encountered some youth that were curious about my sign and when I tried giving one of them a Gospel tract, one said he wasn't Christian and another said God and Jesus didn't exist.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
A Conversation with Jeff - 3/31/10
Yesterday, I went to the intersection of Dover Center and Center Ridge in Westlake from 3:30 to 5:00. I remembered to stand in the shade this time to avoid the sunburn I got last week. The weather is absolutely beautiful this week (upper 60's and 70's) and there were a lot of middle school kids walking home. One asked me if I had any more of the money tracts, and I told him I did and gave him and his friends a tract. I handed out 11 tracts to students passing by.
Around 4:00, Jeff pulled up and told me he wanted to offer me encouragement for what I was doing. He wanted to show me his tattoo- along with a graphic, he had John 12:25 etched into his skin- just the reference, not the actual verse. John 12:25 is, "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."
I gave Jeff a tract and it turns out he already reads Ray Comfort's blog, but wasn't familiar with Hell's Best Kept Secret. He said he may have heard of it, but I encouraged him to listen to it. I made sure to share the parachute analogy with him and stress the importance of repentance, which he refreshingly already knew.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Message for Good Friday
Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” If you were to die today and God judged you, would you go to heaven or hell?
What is it that makes you a Christian and assures you of your salvation? Are you relying on your profession of faith? Did you pray a prayer to accept Jesus into your heart and then you were saved? Did you pray this prayer but continue to live the same way you did before you prayed this prayer? Was it your baptism?
Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” These are people who called their selves Christians. They were people who prophesied in Jesus’ name, cast out demons in His name, and did many mighty works in His name- yet they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Not everyone who calls their self a Christian is saved!
Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Does praying a prayer to accept Jesus into your heart and then continuing to live the way you did before sound narrow to you? Does that sound like a hard way? You may look to people who are “consumed” by Jesus and call them fanatics for Jesus. Jesus said those who enter are few. Let me ask you- who are there fewer of? People who made a profession of faith, “accepted Jesus into their hearts” and continue to live the same way they did before- or the fanatics? Remember- Jesus said few will enter- not a majority. Majority does not equate with validity here!
Jesus commands us to surrender our lives to Him. Luke 17:33 says: “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.” If you seek to hold on to your life and control it, you will lose it, but if you surrender your life to Jesus, you will gain eternal life. Once you give your life to Jesus, you won’t have any more decisions to make- they are all up to God.
From Luke 9:59-62: To another He (Jesus) said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
When you surrender your life to Jesus, you have to completely abandon your old ways and not look back. Jesus tells us that if we look back, we are not fit for the kingdom of God. In 2008, I thought I had surrendered my life to Jesus, but I realized I was far from it. I believed Jesus was my savior and I repented of some of my sins- the ones I was comfortable with. There were sins I thought I couldn’t overcome- and as long as I thought that- I never did.
When you surrender your life to Jesus, you need to repent of all your known sins- not just the ones you are comfortable with. It will be different for each of us- perhaps for you it is lust, dirty language, dirty TV shows and movies, gossiping, lying, coveting, and the list goes on.
So, what must one do to inherit eternal life? In John 3:3, Jesus tells us that we must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven. What does it mean to be born again? It is to completely surrender your life to Jesus, repent of your sins, and place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone. Jesus makes it clear in Luke 13:3 that unless you repent, you will perish. When you are born again, God will give you a new heart that will no longer desire your old ways and will desire to worship and praise Him. Your heart wants to serve Jesus. Not only do you read the Word of God, but you delight in it.
Jesus says in Matthew 7: 24-27, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” The foundation of rock here is repentance and surrendering one’s heart to Jesus. A profession of faith lacking repentance and surrendering one’s heart to Jesus is the sand. How many Christians, when they come under personal attack for their faith, back down and succumb back to the world? Instead of proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior and losing their friends, they put Jesus in a corner so they can keep their friendships.
The problem is all the church goers who proclaim to be Christians who do this. Another Christian looks at them and thinks this is the norm. It is ok to act this way because everyone else in church does- and since they profess to be Christians and are “saved,” I am perfectly fine to act the same way. I again ask you, who are there fewer of- people who act like this, or people who proclaim Jesus “in season and out of season” and have lost their friends and family? Jesus said in Mark 13:13, “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Look around you- are those people hated for proclaiming Jesus, or are they still friends with everyone in the world?
Jesus even said himself that division in your family would happen. Jesus says in Matthew 10:34-38, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” I have a relative in my family who would rather have family harmony than for me to talk about Jesus- even among people who all call their selves Christians!
One is either a Christian or they are not. Either they fully follow Jesus or they don’t. There is no grey area. We love the grey area- because that way we can be both part of the world and be a Christian. 1 John 2:15-17 makes it clear for us, though: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Jesus hates lukewarm Christians. Revelation 3:16 says, “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Do you want to be spit out on the Day of Judgment?
Let me ask you this- would you consider yourself to be a “good person?” Most people will say yes without hesitation, even to say they are a “very good person.” Are you familiar with the Ten Commandments? Would you say you’ve kept them? Let’s see how you stack up using God’s rules:
Have you ever told a lie, even a small, white lie? That makes you a liar.
Have you ever stolen something, no matter what value? Ever taken anything from work, downloaded an MP3, copied a CD? That makes you a thief.
Have you ever had hate or anger in your heart? Jesus says in Matthew 5:22 God views this the same as murder.
Have you ever lusted (sexual desire) after another? Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 God views this as committing adultery in your heart.
Based on those standards above, you are a lying thief, and a murderer and adulterer at heart, and you have to face God on judgment day. If God judges you based on those standards, would you be guilty or innocent? Everyone would be guilty. If you say innocent because you do more good than bad, consider James 2:10 which says if you have broken one commandment, you have broken them all. It’s like hanging on to a chain with 10 links and one breaks. It only took one break for you to fall.
Still not convicted? Have you ever taken the Lord’s name in vain. God gave you life and you used His name as a cuss word- He calls that blasphemy. Have you always remember to keep the sabbath? Have you always honored your mother and father? Have you ever coveted (desired something that isn’t yours)? Have you always honored God with all your mind, soul, heart and strength?
If God judges you based on His standard you would be guilty. So would I.
So, would you go to Heaven or Hell? You should say Hell. I am just as guilty as everyone else and would have been destined for Hell. If you say Heaven because you think God won’t judge you because He is a god of love, you are breaking the second commandment- you shall not make a graven image- a god to suit yourself. A god not of wood or metal made with your hands, but in your mind. An example would be a god that is contrary to what the Bible teaches or worshiping money. You may say you do more good then bad. Consider how many people someone needs to kill to be convicted of murder. Just one.
You may say, “I go to confession.” We are called to confess our sins (1 John 1:9), but confession alone won’t save you. The Bible says in Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Consider this: a husband cheats on his wife and confesses to her he has committed adultery. The husband says he is sorry, but the next weekend he goes out and cheats again with a different woman. He again confesses to his wife what he has done. Unless the husband stops cheating and turns away from his cheating ways (repents), his confession is worthless and his wife will leave him. In the same sense, we have to do more than just confess our sins- we need to repent and stop our sinful habits.
There is a way for you to go to Heaven, though. God did something wonderful for you. In place of your being sent to Hell as punishment for your sins and suffering eternal judgment, He sent His one and only Son to die in our place for our sins. 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ died an excruciating death on the cross for your sins. Then He rose on the third day forever defeating death. If you repent of your sins (stop living in your sinful way and turn away from them) and place your trust in Jesus Christ as your savior, you, too, can have eternal salvation (Matthew 4:17, Luke 5:32, Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3; Luke 24:47).
Imagine you are in a court of law and you are facing sentencing for a crime you committed. The judge tells you that your sentence is either a one million dollar fine or life imprisonment. You tell the judge you do not have one million dollars. He is about to pass judgment on you and send you to jail for life when someone comes in the court and places one million dollars in front of him to pay your fine. The judge looks at you and says, “Your fine has been paid, you are free to go.” You may say you will never be in that situation. In this lifetime, you may be correct. What happens when you die, though?
Ten out of ten of us die- we are all part of the oldest statistic. When your judgment comes, where will you go? Don’t delay, place your trust in Jesus Christ today and repent of your sins! Confess to God your sins and ask for His divine forgiveness. Then, repent of your sins and place your trust in Jesus Christ, His one and only Son, as your savior. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” -1 John 1:9.
The crime you have committed is sin and your judgment is life in Hell. Someone paid your fine, though. His name is Jesus Christ and His suffering on the cross was the sentence for your sins. If you repent of your sins and place your trust in Jesus Christ, the fine and judgment for your sins will be met and you, too, can have eternal life. How would you feel towards someone who paid that fine for you?
Forgiveness is available, but it is not automatic. You have to ask for it. Surrender your heart and your life to Jesus. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Nicodemus asked Jesus in John 3 what one must do to be saved. Jesus replies in John 3:3: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jesus continues in John 3:5-6: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
What dwells among you and controls your life, thoughts, and actions? Desires of the flesh or the Holy Spirit?
Imagine you are on a plane 25,000 feet in the air that is about to crash. There is a parachute under your seat which can save you. Simple declaring “I believe the parachute will save me” will not save you. You have to put on the parachute and jump from the crashing plane to be saved. In the same sense, you have to leave your old self and “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14) like a parachute and jump from your sinful lifestyle that will leave you dead if you don’t abandon it (”to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” -Ephesians 4:22-24; “You were dead in the trespasses and sins” -Ephesians 2:1).
It is my prayer, if you are reading this and you are not saved, that you ask God into your life this moment. I pray that you place your trust in Jesus Christ as your savior and repent of your sins. Make sure you read your Bible daily and feed on the Word of God. Obey what you read. Start with the Gospel of John and see if what I have said is true. God will not let you down.
One final thought: please don’t confuse confession and repentance. Jesus told us we must repent to be saved (Luke 13:3). Confession merely means acknowledging guilt. Criminals only confess when they’ve been caught, and even then most of them won’t. We are all criminals against God. You may be offended by that statement. If you are, please reread this article and see how you have broken all of God’s commandments (moral laws). Repentance requires a turning from your sin and abandoning your old ways. To be saved, we must turn from our sin and dedicate ourselves to Jesus Christ. God will give you a new heart with new desires.
You can not earn your salvation. Nothing you do will ever save you- regardless of what a church or a certain religion may teach you. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). 1 John 5:13 tell us that we can have assurance of our eternal destiny: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” What a wonderful thing!
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:26-27). Who will be the payment for your sins? Yourself or Jesus Christ?
Again, Jesus first words preaching were, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” That's what you have to do to be saved- repent and believe that Jesus died for your sins. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Are you ready to be judged by God? Today is the day of salvation.
What is it that makes you a Christian and assures you of your salvation? Are you relying on your profession of faith? Did you pray a prayer to accept Jesus into your heart and then you were saved? Did you pray this prayer but continue to live the same way you did before you prayed this prayer? Was it your baptism?
Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” These are people who called their selves Christians. They were people who prophesied in Jesus’ name, cast out demons in His name, and did many mighty works in His name- yet they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Not everyone who calls their self a Christian is saved!
Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Does praying a prayer to accept Jesus into your heart and then continuing to live the way you did before sound narrow to you? Does that sound like a hard way? You may look to people who are “consumed” by Jesus and call them fanatics for Jesus. Jesus said those who enter are few. Let me ask you- who are there fewer of? People who made a profession of faith, “accepted Jesus into their hearts” and continue to live the same way they did before- or the fanatics? Remember- Jesus said few will enter- not a majority. Majority does not equate with validity here!
Jesus commands us to surrender our lives to Him. Luke 17:33 says: “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.” If you seek to hold on to your life and control it, you will lose it, but if you surrender your life to Jesus, you will gain eternal life. Once you give your life to Jesus, you won’t have any more decisions to make- they are all up to God.
From Luke 9:59-62: To another He (Jesus) said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
When you surrender your life to Jesus, you have to completely abandon your old ways and not look back. Jesus tells us that if we look back, we are not fit for the kingdom of God. In 2008, I thought I had surrendered my life to Jesus, but I realized I was far from it. I believed Jesus was my savior and I repented of some of my sins- the ones I was comfortable with. There were sins I thought I couldn’t overcome- and as long as I thought that- I never did.
When you surrender your life to Jesus, you need to repent of all your known sins- not just the ones you are comfortable with. It will be different for each of us- perhaps for you it is lust, dirty language, dirty TV shows and movies, gossiping, lying, coveting, and the list goes on.
So, what must one do to inherit eternal life? In John 3:3, Jesus tells us that we must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven. What does it mean to be born again? It is to completely surrender your life to Jesus, repent of your sins, and place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone. Jesus makes it clear in Luke 13:3 that unless you repent, you will perish. When you are born again, God will give you a new heart that will no longer desire your old ways and will desire to worship and praise Him. Your heart wants to serve Jesus. Not only do you read the Word of God, but you delight in it.
Jesus says in Matthew 7: 24-27, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” The foundation of rock here is repentance and surrendering one’s heart to Jesus. A profession of faith lacking repentance and surrendering one’s heart to Jesus is the sand. How many Christians, when they come under personal attack for their faith, back down and succumb back to the world? Instead of proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior and losing their friends, they put Jesus in a corner so they can keep their friendships.
The problem is all the church goers who proclaim to be Christians who do this. Another Christian looks at them and thinks this is the norm. It is ok to act this way because everyone else in church does- and since they profess to be Christians and are “saved,” I am perfectly fine to act the same way. I again ask you, who are there fewer of- people who act like this, or people who proclaim Jesus “in season and out of season” and have lost their friends and family? Jesus said in Mark 13:13, “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Look around you- are those people hated for proclaiming Jesus, or are they still friends with everyone in the world?
Jesus even said himself that division in your family would happen. Jesus says in Matthew 10:34-38, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” I have a relative in my family who would rather have family harmony than for me to talk about Jesus- even among people who all call their selves Christians!
One is either a Christian or they are not. Either they fully follow Jesus or they don’t. There is no grey area. We love the grey area- because that way we can be both part of the world and be a Christian. 1 John 2:15-17 makes it clear for us, though: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Jesus hates lukewarm Christians. Revelation 3:16 says, “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Do you want to be spit out on the Day of Judgment?
Let me ask you this- would you consider yourself to be a “good person?” Most people will say yes without hesitation, even to say they are a “very good person.” Are you familiar with the Ten Commandments? Would you say you’ve kept them? Let’s see how you stack up using God’s rules:
Have you ever told a lie, even a small, white lie? That makes you a liar.
Have you ever stolen something, no matter what value? Ever taken anything from work, downloaded an MP3, copied a CD? That makes you a thief.
Have you ever had hate or anger in your heart? Jesus says in Matthew 5:22 God views this the same as murder.
Have you ever lusted (sexual desire) after another? Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 God views this as committing adultery in your heart.
Based on those standards above, you are a lying thief, and a murderer and adulterer at heart, and you have to face God on judgment day. If God judges you based on those standards, would you be guilty or innocent? Everyone would be guilty. If you say innocent because you do more good than bad, consider James 2:10 which says if you have broken one commandment, you have broken them all. It’s like hanging on to a chain with 10 links and one breaks. It only took one break for you to fall.
Still not convicted? Have you ever taken the Lord’s name in vain. God gave you life and you used His name as a cuss word- He calls that blasphemy. Have you always remember to keep the sabbath? Have you always honored your mother and father? Have you ever coveted (desired something that isn’t yours)? Have you always honored God with all your mind, soul, heart and strength?
If God judges you based on His standard you would be guilty. So would I.
So, would you go to Heaven or Hell? You should say Hell. I am just as guilty as everyone else and would have been destined for Hell. If you say Heaven because you think God won’t judge you because He is a god of love, you are breaking the second commandment- you shall not make a graven image- a god to suit yourself. A god not of wood or metal made with your hands, but in your mind. An example would be a god that is contrary to what the Bible teaches or worshiping money. You may say you do more good then bad. Consider how many people someone needs to kill to be convicted of murder. Just one.
You may say, “I go to confession.” We are called to confess our sins (1 John 1:9), but confession alone won’t save you. The Bible says in Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Consider this: a husband cheats on his wife and confesses to her he has committed adultery. The husband says he is sorry, but the next weekend he goes out and cheats again with a different woman. He again confesses to his wife what he has done. Unless the husband stops cheating and turns away from his cheating ways (repents), his confession is worthless and his wife will leave him. In the same sense, we have to do more than just confess our sins- we need to repent and stop our sinful habits.
There is a way for you to go to Heaven, though. God did something wonderful for you. In place of your being sent to Hell as punishment for your sins and suffering eternal judgment, He sent His one and only Son to die in our place for our sins. 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ died an excruciating death on the cross for your sins. Then He rose on the third day forever defeating death. If you repent of your sins (stop living in your sinful way and turn away from them) and place your trust in Jesus Christ as your savior, you, too, can have eternal salvation (Matthew 4:17, Luke 5:32, Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3; Luke 24:47).
Imagine you are in a court of law and you are facing sentencing for a crime you committed. The judge tells you that your sentence is either a one million dollar fine or life imprisonment. You tell the judge you do not have one million dollars. He is about to pass judgment on you and send you to jail for life when someone comes in the court and places one million dollars in front of him to pay your fine. The judge looks at you and says, “Your fine has been paid, you are free to go.” You may say you will never be in that situation. In this lifetime, you may be correct. What happens when you die, though?
Ten out of ten of us die- we are all part of the oldest statistic. When your judgment comes, where will you go? Don’t delay, place your trust in Jesus Christ today and repent of your sins! Confess to God your sins and ask for His divine forgiveness. Then, repent of your sins and place your trust in Jesus Christ, His one and only Son, as your savior. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” -1 John 1:9.
The crime you have committed is sin and your judgment is life in Hell. Someone paid your fine, though. His name is Jesus Christ and His suffering on the cross was the sentence for your sins. If you repent of your sins and place your trust in Jesus Christ, the fine and judgment for your sins will be met and you, too, can have eternal life. How would you feel towards someone who paid that fine for you?
Forgiveness is available, but it is not automatic. You have to ask for it. Surrender your heart and your life to Jesus. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Nicodemus asked Jesus in John 3 what one must do to be saved. Jesus replies in John 3:3: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jesus continues in John 3:5-6: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
What dwells among you and controls your life, thoughts, and actions? Desires of the flesh or the Holy Spirit?
Imagine you are on a plane 25,000 feet in the air that is about to crash. There is a parachute under your seat which can save you. Simple declaring “I believe the parachute will save me” will not save you. You have to put on the parachute and jump from the crashing plane to be saved. In the same sense, you have to leave your old self and “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14) like a parachute and jump from your sinful lifestyle that will leave you dead if you don’t abandon it (”to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” -Ephesians 4:22-24; “You were dead in the trespasses and sins” -Ephesians 2:1).
It is my prayer, if you are reading this and you are not saved, that you ask God into your life this moment. I pray that you place your trust in Jesus Christ as your savior and repent of your sins. Make sure you read your Bible daily and feed on the Word of God. Obey what you read. Start with the Gospel of John and see if what I have said is true. God will not let you down.
One final thought: please don’t confuse confession and repentance. Jesus told us we must repent to be saved (Luke 13:3). Confession merely means acknowledging guilt. Criminals only confess when they’ve been caught, and even then most of them won’t. We are all criminals against God. You may be offended by that statement. If you are, please reread this article and see how you have broken all of God’s commandments (moral laws). Repentance requires a turning from your sin and abandoning your old ways. To be saved, we must turn from our sin and dedicate ourselves to Jesus Christ. God will give you a new heart with new desires.
You can not earn your salvation. Nothing you do will ever save you- regardless of what a church or a certain religion may teach you. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). 1 John 5:13 tell us that we can have assurance of our eternal destiny: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” What a wonderful thing!
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:26-27). Who will be the payment for your sins? Yourself or Jesus Christ?
Again, Jesus first words preaching were, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” That's what you have to do to be saved- repent and believe that Jesus died for your sins. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Are you ready to be judged by God? Today is the day of salvation.
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