I have posted it before, but I wanted to post a detailed account of my testimony/salvation story.
After growing up Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic and going to a Baptist church on and off during my teens, in 2008, when I was 24, God put a desire in my heart to seek Him. I knew God existed (see Romans 1:20-22 for proof) and that Heaven and Hell were real places and I was headed for one of them. I wanted to make sure I was going to Heaven and not the latter so I decided to start reading the Bible on my own to find out the truth (going into it with the premise that whatever the Bible says is true and there are no exceptions).
If you start out with the belief that God's Word is complete truth and there are no exceptions, I believe anyone can read the Bible and find salvation. On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Jesus Himself said that if you are pure in heart, you shall see God. He also says in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." If you hunger and thirst for the righteousness that only Jesus can provide, you will be satisfied.
Again, this assumes that you are willing to submit to God's Word without exception (not pick and choose what you like and don't). When I sat down with the Bible with this attitude for first time, God immediately gripped my heart with the Sermon on the Mount (which I was quoting from). I always thought murder was the one commandment I hadn't committed until I read this famous sermon. In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire."
Shortly after reading this, I read Matthew 5:27-28: "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." I had no idea that even my lustful thoughts could damn me.
A little bit later, I read Luke 13:3 where Jesus said, "Unless you repent, you will perish." This was another surprise to me. The definition of repentance is to turn away from your sin and towards God. Not that I knew if it was right or wrong before I was saved, I would blatantly and willfully sin and just ask for forgiveness at night with no intention of ever stopping my sinful action. It was starting to become clear to me that I may not be going to Heaven.
Then I read Jesus' words in John 3:3, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Up until this point, I thought "born again" was a term that was coined fairly recently by Evangelicals and didn't give any weight to it. It was at this point that I realized I was not saved. I felt like Nicodemus in John 3:4 when he asked Jesus, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" I reached out to my pastor and asked him what Jesus meant by this.
God had shown me that hate was murder, lust was adultery and without repentance I would perish. If I was truly sorry for my sins and would turn away from them (repent), God would give me a new heart with new desires (being "born again"). This is a life changing event and if it isn't for you, I would ask you to re-examine your salvation. Everyone will have different sins they need to turn away from, but nevertheless, Jesus demands repentance.
As I continued to read the Bible, it became clear to me how sinful I am and how there is nothing I can do to save myself. Lest I think I wasn't as "bad" as other people, Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." James 2:10 says, "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it." My only hope to be saved was in Jesus Christ. Not even just mere "belief" in Jesus was enough- James 2:19 says "Even the demons believe—and shudder!"
The belief that I had to have was like believing in a parachute that could save me. If I were on a plane about to crash, merely "believing" a parachute exists will not save me. If I were to jump from a plane, I would need to put on the parachute and trust it with my life. The same is true with Jesus- to be saved, one needs to put on the Lord Jesus (Romans 13:14) and trust Him with your life.
Everyone knows John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life," but they don't understand how that applies to their life. It is a historical fact that Jesus died on a cross 2,000 years, but how and why does that apply to you and me?
Imagine yourself in a court room, guilty of a crime and the sentence is life in prison or a one million dollar fine (if you happen to have one million dollars, substitute an amount that you would never be able to obtain). You don't have one million dollars and you are facing life imprisonment. The presiding judge asks if you have anything to say for yourself. You mention all the good deeds you have done in your life and that the judge should have leniency. The judge tells you that while you may have done some good deeds, you still committed a crime and a punishment is due. You are left speechless and at the mercy of judge when at the last second, someone comes in and puts down one million dollars in front of the judge.
The judge looks at you and says, "You are free to go. Not because you are innocent or deserve it, but because your fine has been paid." This is what Jesus did for you by dying on the cross. He lived a sinless, perfect life and bore your sins on Calvary's cross. When you die, instead of God looking at your life (which will be sin stained and only damn you to hell), He will instead look to the perfect life and righteousness of Jesus.
So, what kind of attitude would you have towards this person who just paid your debt? You would want to do good deeds on their behalf since they saved you, but you realize that none of these good works could ever amount to what they did for you. This is the response we are to have towards Jesus- we perform good works not to save us, but as a result of our salvation. "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).
This post has transitioned from my testimony into an evangelist post and so was the intent. I hope if you are not saved that you will repent of your sins and trust your life in Jesus and Him alone. Jesus said in Mark 8:37-38, "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?" Nothing is more valuable than your eternal salvation.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Back on the Street - 83 and Chester in Avon - 4/1/12
Today marks my return to the streets after a long absence. This is the first time I have been in Lorain County with the cross. Most of my evangelism was centered in the western suburbs of Cleveland and I had made an appearance or two in Summit county and downtown Cleveland. Having just moved to Avon Lake a few months ago, I plan to make Avon and Avon Lake my new evangelism stomping ground.
To those who don't know me, let me introduce myself. I am a Bible-believing, born again Christian saved by God's grace in 2008. In September 2011, my wife and I moved to Avon Lake from Westlake. My mission is to spread the Gospel. My inspiration for this form of evangelism is Tony Miano of Living Waters and I employ Way of the Master techniques when sharing the Gospel. Avon and Avon Lake have been described to me as "sleeper communities"- I am going to do my part to wake them up to Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross.
I have to admit that today was nerve wracking for me at first. It's been about a year and a half since I was on the street on a daily basis (around 4 to 5 times a week). This is exactly what I needed, though, because it forces me to draw closer to God and rely on Him.
I arrived at the corner of Route 83 and Chester in Avon at 5 minutes past 11:00 AM. This is a busy area in Avon- there is an interchange with Interstate 90/Ohio 2 and there is a Walmart within walking distance of here. There is also a church nearby with services during this time. I only stayed until 12:20, but some people were starting to leave church. As I drove by their parking lot exit at 12:30, there was a steady stream of cars. Next time, I will be sure to stay until at least 12:45.
About half an hour into being on the street, an Avon police officer in an SUV drove by, turned around at city hall and pulled up to me with his lights on. He approached me and asked how I was doing and referenced the Scripture on my cross- Mark 1:15- to which he said, "Repent and believe the good news." He told me I was doing nothing wrong and that he just wanted to beat the first person the punch who would call and report me to the police. He said as long as I wasn't impeding traffic, I was doing nothing wrong.
After he left, I thought about the pastor in Iran who was sentenced to death for sharing his faith. I am so thankful I live in a country that lets me have religion of freedom and the religion of expression. Not only that- to have a police officer in the community where I want to base a lot of my evangelism at be interested in protecting my rights. I didn't get the officer's name and wasn't able to share Christ with him, but I hope to talk to him again. The fact that he was so supportive and knew Mark 1:15 leads me to believe he is a Christian himself.
One man in a car stopped at the light on Chester rolled down his window and told me that he was ready. I gave him a thumbs up as he sat waiting for the light to turn green. I also had two teenagers drive by and yell what sounded to be "Hail Satan!" They have the same rights that I do, it's just unfortunate how they choose to use theirs. Other than that, it was pretty quiet. I'm hoping to find more areas around where I can actually interact with people.
To those who don't know me, let me introduce myself. I am a Bible-believing, born again Christian saved by God's grace in 2008. In September 2011, my wife and I moved to Avon Lake from Westlake. My mission is to spread the Gospel. My inspiration for this form of evangelism is Tony Miano of Living Waters and I employ Way of the Master techniques when sharing the Gospel. Avon and Avon Lake have been described to me as "sleeper communities"- I am going to do my part to wake them up to Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross.
I have to admit that today was nerve wracking for me at first. It's been about a year and a half since I was on the street on a daily basis (around 4 to 5 times a week). This is exactly what I needed, though, because it forces me to draw closer to God and rely on Him.
I arrived at the corner of Route 83 and Chester in Avon at 5 minutes past 11:00 AM. This is a busy area in Avon- there is an interchange with Interstate 90/Ohio 2 and there is a Walmart within walking distance of here. There is also a church nearby with services during this time. I only stayed until 12:20, but some people were starting to leave church. As I drove by their parking lot exit at 12:30, there was a steady stream of cars. Next time, I will be sure to stay until at least 12:45.
About half an hour into being on the street, an Avon police officer in an SUV drove by, turned around at city hall and pulled up to me with his lights on. He approached me and asked how I was doing and referenced the Scripture on my cross- Mark 1:15- to which he said, "Repent and believe the good news." He told me I was doing nothing wrong and that he just wanted to beat the first person the punch who would call and report me to the police. He said as long as I wasn't impeding traffic, I was doing nothing wrong.
After he left, I thought about the pastor in Iran who was sentenced to death for sharing his faith. I am so thankful I live in a country that lets me have religion of freedom and the religion of expression. Not only that- to have a police officer in the community where I want to base a lot of my evangelism at be interested in protecting my rights. I didn't get the officer's name and wasn't able to share Christ with him, but I hope to talk to him again. The fact that he was so supportive and knew Mark 1:15 leads me to believe he is a Christian himself.
One man in a car stopped at the light on Chester rolled down his window and told me that he was ready. I gave him a thumbs up as he sat waiting for the light to turn green. I also had two teenagers drive by and yell what sounded to be "Hail Satan!" They have the same rights that I do, it's just unfortunate how they choose to use theirs. Other than that, it was pretty quiet. I'm hoping to find more areas around where I can actually interact with people.
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Message of the Cross
The message of the cross is simple.
Hebrews 9:27 says, "Just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment." Do you know how you are going to be judged by God, come Judgment Day?
We've all broken the Ten Commandments. We've all lied, stolen (regardless of value), taken the Lord's name in vain (said "oh my ___"), looked with lust (which Jesus says is adultery in the heart, and hated (which Jesus said is murder in the heart).
Based on that, we are all lying thieves, blasphemers, and adulterers and murders at heart. We will all stand guilty before God on Judgment Day. He should sentence us to Hell for all of eternity.
But God loved you so much that He sent His One and only Son to die in place of your sins on the cross. He rose again on the third day forever defeating death. The Bible tells us if we repent of our sins and place out trust in Him, we will have everlasting life in heaven.
Repentance is more than just confession, though. Although confession is a part of it, repentance involves a turning away from your sin and abandonment of your sins.
Mark 1:15 says this: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Please repent of your sins today and place your trust in Jesus Christ alone to save you. Trust Him like a parachute if you were on a plane that was about to crash. Merely "believing" in the parachute will save you isn't going to. You must trust the parachute, strap it on and jump from the plane to be saved. In the same sense, you must trust Jesus Christ, put on the Lord Jesus and abandon your sinful lifestyle to be saved.
For a more detailed article on this topic, please read this post.
Friday, April 22, 2011
On the Street Before Good Friday- 4/21/11
Yesterday, I went out to my spot at Dover Center and Center Ridge in Westlake from about 6:50 to 8:00. I have been wanting to get back out on the streets- I have only been out a few days on the weekends. I saw a story on the news about a man who came up to Cleveland from Louisville, Ohio, dressed as Jesus and carried a cross around downtown for about two hours.
Seeing that really put a spark back in me and motivated me to get back out there. I didn't have any conversations last night, but these are probably people who have never seen my cross. I used to go out during the week for about two hour increments between 11 AM and 5 PM, but I now work (praise God for that!) and am not free during the day. I look forward to the warmer weather and being back out on the streets!
Seeing that really put a spark back in me and motivated me to get back out there. I didn't have any conversations last night, but these are probably people who have never seen my cross. I used to go out during the week for about two hour increments between 11 AM and 5 PM, but I now work (praise God for that!) and am not free during the day. I look forward to the warmer weather and being back out on the streets!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Sinagara Park in Lakewood - 3/20/2011
Sunday, I went out to Sinagara Park in Lakewood with a brother from church, Ryan. For anyone following my blog, I'm sure you've noticed this is one of my favorite spots. We were out there from about 3 to 5. There was quite a bit of foot traffic even though it was a bit chilly.
Ryan was handing out tracts and as I've come to know in Lakewood, he was being met with some opposition. At one point during our fishing, a woman named Victoria walked by and Ryan engaged her in conversation. Victoria had a lot of time on her hands and she was very open to listen to the Gospel.
Ryan shared the Gospel with her and at one point she asked something along the lines of what she must do in response to the Gospel. I wasn't sure what Ryan was saying was answering her question, so I offered my past experience. I told Victoria that after reading the New Testament myself for the first time in 2008, I knew I wanted to be saved. I knew God existed, I knew there was a heaven and hell and I wanted to do what I must do to be saved.
I knew Jesus died for my sins, but how did I get the substitutionary atonement apply to me? It was my sin that stood in my way. The hardest thing was repenting (turning away from my sin) and the changes that it would mean to my life. I told Victoria that it would be a radical change in her life, but "what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36).
Please be in prayer with me that Victoria makes the right decision, repents of her sins, and places her trust in the only One who can save her- Jesus Christ.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Back on the Street in Lakewood - 2/19/2011
It's been a while since I've been on the street, but Saturday I went back out to Sinagra Park in Lakewood. A friend from church, Chris, joined up with me. I displayed my cross while Chris handed out tracts and engaged a few people in conversation as they passed by. As much as I like talking to people about Christ, I usually wait for them to come up to me- not the other way around- that is something I need to work on. I was glad to have someone alongside of me who took that initiative.
We arrived in Lakewood around 4:00 PM. Chris engaged a young man walking by who considered himself to be a good person, but Chris quickly took him through some of the commandments to show him how God viewed him.
Another young man who was 20 walked by and we engaged in conversation. He told he was on his way to his church for a youth activity. He told us his church was an Assembly of God church and there were about 30 youths in this group. Chris gave him about 30 tracts to distribute to the youth, which he said he would.
We got to talking a bit and he asked a few questions Chris and I really couldn't definitively answer. He asked about people having supernatural experiences where they were taken to heaven or hell. I told him I didn't really have an opinion on this because Scripture doesn't describe experiences like this. I told him I believed God has already revealed everything that is necessary for us in the Bible.
I offered one piece of advice when regarding revelation from God: Revelations 22:18-19: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."
I made sure to ask the young man about repentance and his response concerned me a bit. Chris also asked this young man to go on YouTube and find Paul Washer's Shocking Message (to 5,000 youth). If you have never watched or listened to this message, please do. I also asked him to listen to Hell's Best Kept Secret. Chris wrote down this information on a tract and gave it to him.
Chris also engaged a man named Brendan in conversation while he was waiting for the bus. Brendan told us he attends mass regularly at a Catholic Church. Chris started off taking Brendan through the law and I remember at one point Brendan said, "But I haven't murdered anyone...' Chris asked him if he had ever hated anyone, and it was difficult to get him to admit to it. I'm sure Chris told him God views hate as murder in the heart. The conversation started going off on a tangent a little bit and Brendan had to leave to catch the bus.
Before Branden had come up, a group of youths passing by inquired about the cross and asked "ready for what?" I told them that it was appointed for man once to die and then comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27), and asked if they were ready to face God for judgment. One of them had some choice words for God that I will not repeat.
One analogy I made sure to always use in our conversations was the parachute analogy: if you were on a crashing plane and there was a parachute that could save you, just "believing" in the parachute doesn't save you. You have to strap on the parachute, trust the parachute with your life, and jump from the plane. In the same sense, you have to put on the Lord Jesus (Romans 13:14), trust Him with your life, and repent of your sins (turn away from them).
I'm not sure how often I will be able to go out on the streets- I'm hoping at least once a weekend now that it is getting warmer. I'm also thankful for some new faces in church who also have a heart for evangelism who will now join me.
We arrived in Lakewood around 4:00 PM. Chris engaged a young man walking by who considered himself to be a good person, but Chris quickly took him through some of the commandments to show him how God viewed him.
Another young man who was 20 walked by and we engaged in conversation. He told he was on his way to his church for a youth activity. He told us his church was an Assembly of God church and there were about 30 youths in this group. Chris gave him about 30 tracts to distribute to the youth, which he said he would.
We got to talking a bit and he asked a few questions Chris and I really couldn't definitively answer. He asked about people having supernatural experiences where they were taken to heaven or hell. I told him I didn't really have an opinion on this because Scripture doesn't describe experiences like this. I told him I believed God has already revealed everything that is necessary for us in the Bible.
I offered one piece of advice when regarding revelation from God: Revelations 22:18-19: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."
I made sure to ask the young man about repentance and his response concerned me a bit. Chris also asked this young man to go on YouTube and find Paul Washer's Shocking Message (to 5,000 youth). If you have never watched or listened to this message, please do. I also asked him to listen to Hell's Best Kept Secret. Chris wrote down this information on a tract and gave it to him.
Chris also engaged a man named Brendan in conversation while he was waiting for the bus. Brendan told us he attends mass regularly at a Catholic Church. Chris started off taking Brendan through the law and I remember at one point Brendan said, "But I haven't murdered anyone...' Chris asked him if he had ever hated anyone, and it was difficult to get him to admit to it. I'm sure Chris told him God views hate as murder in the heart. The conversation started going off on a tangent a little bit and Brendan had to leave to catch the bus.
Before Branden had come up, a group of youths passing by inquired about the cross and asked "ready for what?" I told them that it was appointed for man once to die and then comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27), and asked if they were ready to face God for judgment. One of them had some choice words for God that I will not repeat.
One analogy I made sure to always use in our conversations was the parachute analogy: if you were on a crashing plane and there was a parachute that could save you, just "believing" in the parachute doesn't save you. You have to strap on the parachute, trust the parachute with your life, and jump from the plane. In the same sense, you have to put on the Lord Jesus (Romans 13:14), trust Him with your life, and repent of your sins (turn away from them).
I'm not sure how often I will be able to go out on the streets- I'm hoping at least once a weekend now that it is getting warmer. I'm also thankful for some new faces in church who also have a heart for evangelism who will now join me.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Nudity in Art
I have read a discussion on Facebook and even had one myself with a Christian about nudity in art. I have heard both sides of the discussion- that nudity is OK and not OK in art. I haven't really thought about this much until I heard Todd Friel talking about this week.
I am not going to go in depth with this, but I do believe nudity is not necessary nor should be permitted in art from a Christian perspective. I can't tell the world what to do or change its views, and I don't expect to.
In the beginning, before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve "were both naked and were not ashamed," (Genesis 2:25). What happened next in chapter 3? Eve is tempted by the serpent, ate the forbidden fruit and gave some to her husband to eat. Genesis 3:7 says, "Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths."
Clearly, they both knew they sinned and they knew being naked was something to be ashamed of. If you don't think so, just read the rest of chapter 3 and see God's response to their action.
Outside of marriage (1 Corinthians 7:2-7), Scripture clearly shows nudity is something to be ashamed of. There is no "exception rule" for art- and anyone saying there is, is shaking a fist at God.
I'm not saying the human body is something to be ashamed of- hardly- "But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband," (1 Corinthians 7:2). That's where God draws the line.
Actually, this is just like the Garden of Eden all over. God has given us an entire world to use as inspiration as art, and we want the one thing God has told us to stay away from.
I am not going to go in depth with this, but I do believe nudity is not necessary nor should be permitted in art from a Christian perspective. I can't tell the world what to do or change its views, and I don't expect to.
In the beginning, before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve "were both naked and were not ashamed," (Genesis 2:25). What happened next in chapter 3? Eve is tempted by the serpent, ate the forbidden fruit and gave some to her husband to eat. Genesis 3:7 says, "Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths."
Clearly, they both knew they sinned and they knew being naked was something to be ashamed of. If you don't think so, just read the rest of chapter 3 and see God's response to their action.
Outside of marriage (1 Corinthians 7:2-7), Scripture clearly shows nudity is something to be ashamed of. There is no "exception rule" for art- and anyone saying there is, is shaking a fist at God.
I'm not saying the human body is something to be ashamed of- hardly- "But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband," (1 Corinthians 7:2). That's where God draws the line.
Actually, this is just like the Garden of Eden all over. God has given us an entire world to use as inspiration as art, and we want the one thing God has told us to stay away from.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Being Gay: Choice or Genetics?
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.
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.
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.
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