“The First Step”

I attended a birthday party recently for one of my stepdaughter’s school friends.  A man told a Bible story at the start of the party.  At the end of the story (which didn’t include the gospel), he made everyone close their eyes and say the “sinner’s prayer.”  Afterward, he asked for how many of us was that the first time we “asked Jesus into their hearts.”

I have a big problem with that.

Salvation is NOT a prayer.  Salvation is nothing we do.  The only reason we have salvation is because Christ shed His blood and died on the cross, was buried, and was resurrected on the third day.  Nothing else on this earth can give us salvation.

For one to be saved, the very first thing that must happen is that they must be called by God (Jn. 6:44, 65; 1 Cor. 1:9; 2 Pt. 1:3; Jude 1).  This is the absolute first step.  Salvation can not be obtained without first being called by God.

When God calls someone, He sends the Holy Spirit to work in a person to convict them of their sins; to bring them to the realization that they need Jesus Christ and that He is the only one who can save them and give them hope (Jn. 16:8-11; Acts 4:12).

The person then has a decision to make: they can either accept the calling of Almighty God by giving their lives to Jesus, by accepting Him as their Savior and Lord through faith [faith is both a mind and heart condition—faith includes believing the truth and all the facts about Christ, plus trusting Christ and obeying His word] (Jn. 14:21), or they can foolishly say, “NO!” to the calling of God thereby accepting their destiny in hell—knowing they may never get another chance.  For, although God is a loving and gracious God, He may not call a person twice.

Salvation is free, yes.  Salvation is easy, yes.  But one cannot be saved by words or deeds or emotions—one can be saved only by having a repentant heart, through faith by grace alone (Eph. 2:8-9).  I hate to think how many people are in this world believing or proclaiming to be followers of Christ because they simply said a prayer, when in fact they never experienced a change; the Holy Spirit never entered them and transformed their hearts and minds; they were never born of God (Jn. 1:12-13, 3:3).  I hate to think how many professors of Christ are out there who live lives consistent with the Devil—whatever it may be (whether it be drugs, alcohol, lying, homosexuality, swearing, adultery), any life lived in sin is a life inconsistent with the Christian life (Jn. 3:20, 8:12; 1 Jn. 2:4, 3:4-10).  A false Christian can live a life seemingly consistent with Christ, but they will always eventually turn back to sin because they don’t have the Holy Spirit and they never had true faith—think of Judas Iscariot (none of the disciples knew he was the betrayer [Mk. 14:18-19]).  I know there are many of these people. I’ve seen them.  I’ve heard about them.  These are the people who at judgment will be told by Christ, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Mt. 7:21-23).

Do not be fooled by false messages of salvation.  And do not teach false messages of salvation.  Know the Word, know the Truth.  Teach the Word, teach the Truth.  It’s only by Christ’s blood and God’s grace that we are saved.

Niki

The TRUTH about Homosexuality

What’s wrong with homosexuality?  Many people these days will say that the only thing wrong with it is that some people are against it.  What happened between the time when homosexuality was so incredibly taboo that people were ashamed even to mention it, to the time today where it is seemingly accepted by the vast majority in the United States that people parade down streets half naked while engaging in homosexual behavior? 

A friend of mine asked her friends for assistance in determining the timeline of homosexuality for a college psychology class she was taking.  I and a couple others responded with websites outlining the main events in the homosexual movement.  The thing was, none of those outlines identified any reasons for the  increased prevalence/acceptance of homosexuality.  What are those reasons? 

To answer these questions, we must first convey the authoritative view on homosexuality.  This view comes from the inerrant Word of God, the Bible.  It is clear that homosexuality is wrong.  The most obvious explanation for this is the fact that God made man as male and female, to marry and procreate (Gen. 1:27-28, 2:18-24).  Jesus confirms this definition of marriage (Mk. 10:6-9; Mt. 19:4-6), as does Paul (Eph. 5:31).  By accepting homosexuality, you reject, not only the created order of God, but God Himself, for He is the Creator.

There are numerous references to homosexuality being immoral, unnatural (Jude 7; Rom. 1:26-27), an abomination (Lev. 18:22, 20:13), a great and grave sin (Gen. 13:13, 18:20), and that those who practice it are wicked (Gen. 13:13, 18:23, 25, Gen. 19:4-7).  Both partakers in a homosexual act were to be put to death in the Israelite community (Lev. 20:13).  The sin of homosexuality was so great that Sodom and Gomorra were severely punished with unmitigated destruction (Gen. 18:20-19:29), making the offenders a great example to the ungodly (2 Pet. 2:6-7; Jude 7).  Homosexuals are no different from, or worse than, murderers, adulterers, liars, or all others who possess a sinful lifestyle.  Their overall end is the same: hell-eternal separation from God.  The Bible states that none who live a sinful lifestyle will make it into the kingdom of God (1 Tim. 1:8-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-10). 

So why is homosexuality wrong?  Because God said so, even if you don’t believe in Him (He still loves you).  It is pretty clear to me that homosexuality is not simply a normal “alternate lifestyle,” but instead is a blatant sinful lifestyle characteristic of the unsaved.  So why does the world not see this clear description of it?  After all, murder and child abuse aren’t tolerated or looked upon as “just another way to live.”  And you don’t have to believe in God to see that homosexual relations are simply not normal…you cannot procreate.  Well, let’s now answer our first two questions (in the 1st and 2nd paragraphs).

The increased acceptance of homosexuality, and, in truth, acceptance/tolerance of evil in general, is a direct result of the denial of God and, therefore, His Word.  People have forever tried to remove God from everything, even this country’s God-centered history.  This country has managed to remove public prayer [1] and Bible reading [2] from schools, make posting of the Ten Commandments unconstitutional [3], make student-led, student-initiated prayer at football games illegal [4]; prayers are not allowed to be in Jesus’ name; the US Capitol Visitors Center has removed all inferences to God and religious history [5]; and numerous others.  They know that without God, there is no morality, except that which man creates.  To remove God is to suppress the truth while exchanging the truth for a lie (Romans 1:18-32).  They do this because they do not want to have to gaze upon the face of God, thereby being exposed, and exposing our culture, and being held accountable for what they do.

This world has changed to make homosexuality much more tolerated and accepted.  But God has not changed—and certainly neither has His view on sin—and He never will.  The truth is clear, it’s just not accepted by this world, and it will never be until they acknowledge God.  This world in general may deny the truth about homosexuality, but they will not be able to deny the judgment of it.  Fortunately, by the grace and love of God, they who practice homosexuality are forgivable and changeable, just as any other sinner is (1 Cor.6:9-11).  God sent Christ as an atonement for sin for anyone willing to accept Him as Savior and Lord.  The gift of salvation is freely offered; it is up to us to accept it through faith.

God Bless,

Niki (^ͼᴥ^ͽ)

It wasn’t me. Well, it was, but…

But, but, but.  Buts are overused and misused.  It should be ‘and’ rather than ‘but.’  It was me and I’m sorry.  But, no.  It seems that people these days are not responsible for themselves.  No matter what they do or say, it’s someone else’s fault (this actually started about 6,000 years ago! [Gen. 3:12-13]).  That guy killed that girl, but it was because his parents abused him as a child.  I started smoking at 18, but it was because my dad spanked me when I was 16.  She beat that dog, but it was because she had a bad childhood.  Those two kids shot up a whole classroom, but it was because they were teased and bullied. 

WHAT?!  Since when are others responsible for the things that we choose to do ourselves?  Everything we do is a choice we make prior to doing it.  Logical, right?  Then why is avoiding the consequences of our actions (still) so prevalent today?  So maybe you grew up with horrible influences, thinking it was OK to hit people or things, or to take out your anger on the defenseless (or even the inanimate!).  Maybe you were bullied, abused, mistreated, and that is wrong.  BUT, your actions are absolutely not justified by others’ poor or evil choices.  We are all accountable for something.

Children are accountable to parents; workers are accountable to bosses; government officials are accountable tot he public; adults are accountable to the law; and ultimately, we all are accountable to God.

Just about everything you do affects someone other than yourself.  When one of our kids chooses to disobey, they get grounded (much to the chagrin of the offender, because they illegitimately feel their misdeed should go unpunished), and it affects the whole family…we have to plan around the punishment.  It’s not right to everyone else, but that person must face the consequences of the poor choice they made.  Why shouldn’t they?  After all, they knew the rules and chose to break them. 

It’s not just about doing things we shouldn’t do.  It’s also about not doing things that we should do.  What are your responsibilities at home and work, are you living up to them, and why not?  Did you choose to not finish something at work?  Were you supposed to meet someone somewhere and didn’t?  Did you tell someone you would do something and didn’t?  What were your excuses?  I had a guitar lesson last Tuesday at 1:45.  At 2:10 I realized I forgot.  I called my instructor, apologized for forgetting (thankfully, I offered him no excuses, for I had none).  He told me “it happens.”  I said, “Yeah, but it shouldn’t.”  It wasn’t just about ME.  I didn’t just miss my lesson, I totally inconvenienced my instructor by wasting his time.  My phone is now set to remind me.  If you know things you should do and choose not to do them, you are wrong (Jms. 4:17).

Every choice you make has consequences of some kind, whether that choice is a good one, or a bad one.  You no doubt gladly accept the consequences of a good choice—taking credit for them I’m sure.  So why think that you shouldn’t have to accept the consequences of a bad choice and take credit for them as well?  Just take it!  It is much more commendable to acknowledge your failures than it is to try to pawn them off on someone else or lie about them. 

Parents, teach your children responsibility.  Teach them that it is not all about them.  Teach them that they must be held accountable for their attitudes, actions, and words…and then HOLD THEM TO IT!  

Shirking responsibility, even for small things, will not work at judgment, both for the Christian and non-Christian.  You had better believe that every little and big thing you do or say here on this earth in this world will one day be judged by the Creator, Sustainer, Ruler, and Judge (Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:6-11; Mt. 25:31-35; Rev. 22:12).  Even if you may (think you) get away with things in this life, you will not be permitted to lay blame on someone else at judgment. You are responsible for you, regardless of what others do or say to you or against you.

The greatest choice, with the greatest consequence, that you must make is whether or not to accept Christ as your Savior, to let Him into your life to guide you, to obey and trust Him through faith.  If you are not saved, if you choose to not give your life to Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Savior and Lord, then you will endure the wrath of God for eternity in hell, because of your foolish choice to deny Christ (Rom. 2:5).  And you will be able to blame no one but yourself, for it is an individual responsibility.  It’s the same for absolutely every other choice you make, except here the choice is absolute and the consequence much greater.  What will you choose?

Have a wonderfully blessed day,

Niki (^ͼᴥ^ͽ)