What Is The Greatest Commandment?

 (Matthew 22:36-40)"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?  And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (ESV) 

A lawyer or scribe asked Jesus what is the great or most important commandment?  Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.  This passage is also found in Mark 12:28-33.  

We are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.  This means we are to love God with our entire being and be totally devoted to him.  We are also to love our neighbor.  This means we are to care for other people and to want what is best for them.  

Love God, Love people.   

Christians Need Not Fear

 Even though this world sometimes seems scary and out of control, Christians need not fear.  We should trust in God because he is in control of all things.  

(Hebrews 13:6)"So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"  

(Matthew 10:28)"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." 

(Romans 8:28)"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." 

(Romans 8:31)"What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?"  

(Joshua 1:9)"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  

(Scripture quotations from the ESV)

The First Gospel

 What is known as the protoevangelium or the first gospel is found in Genesis 3:15.  This is the first promise of salvation.  

(Genesis 3:15)"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (ESV) 

This verse in found in the context of God pronouncing the curse on the serpent.  The serpent is of course the devil or Satan (See Revelation 20:2).  The serpent received this curse because he deceived Eve and led Adam and Eve to sin against God, bringing all humanity and creation under the sin curse.  This is known as the Fall.  

The offspring of Satan includes all unbelievers while the offspring of the woman (Eve) includes Christ and all believers.  He in the last part of the verse refers to Christ.  Jesus will bruise the devil's head, that is crush or destroy him.  Satan will only bruise the heel of Christ, that is cause suffering.  

Jesus through his life, death, and resurrection has defeated the devil, sin, and death.  The victory will be consummated at the Second Coming of Christ. 

Who Wrote Hebrews?

 The author of the book of Hebrews is not named in the epistle, so there is a mystery as to who actually wrote it.  Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians somewhere around A.D. 67.  

The earliest tradition from the late second century has Hebrews associated with the Apostle Paul.  Many have pointed out that the style of Hebrews differs from Paul's other epistles.  In Hebrews 2:3 the author says the message of salvation was attested to us by those who heard.  This would seem to rule out Paul.  The Muratorian fragment which may date back to the second century lists thirteen epistles written by the Apostle Paul and it does not include Hebrews among them.  

Other possible candidates for authorship of Hebrews include:  Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, and Clement of Rome.  The Greek in Hebrews 11:32 suggests that the author was male.  One plausible theory is that Luke wrote down the teaching of Paul.  This could account for the early church tradition that associated Hebrews with the Apostle Paul.  It also could explain the difference in style from the other Pauline epistles and the reference in Hebrews 2:3.  If it was written by Luke this theory could explain why Hebrews was associated with Paul even if he was not the author.  But as Origen said, only God knows who wrote Hebrews. 

Did Jacob Actually Wrestle With God?

In Genesis 32 we encounter an unusual passage where Jacob is said to have wrestled with God.  What are we to make of this passage?  Did Jacob actually wrestle with God himself?  

(Genesis 32:24)"And Jacob was left alone.  And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day." (ESV) 

(Genesis 32:28)"Then he said, Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." (ESV) 

(Genesis 32:30)"So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered." (ESV) 

An important principle in Biblical interpretation is that Scripture interprets Scripture.  So we will also look at a passage in Hosea.  

(Hosea 12:3-4a)"In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God.  He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor." (ESV) 

From the Hosea passage we see that Jacob strove with the angel.  But it also says that he strove with God, as does the passage from Genesis 32.  Jacob even named the place Peniel which means the face of God, because he had seen God face to face.  We might say that Jacob wrestled with God through the angel.  In a sense Jacob did wrestle with God, but it seems that the actual figure he wrestled with was the angel.  

Jacob was transformed by this encounter.  The God of Abraham and Isaac had now become the God of Jacob as well.  His name was changed from Jacob to Israel.  Jacob means he cheats or he deceives, while Israel means he strives with God.  

God Of Salvation

(Psalm 68:19-20) "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.  Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death." (ESV)

In their immediate context these verses refer to God's preservation and protection of Israel.  He daily bears Israel up.  He saves them from their adversaries and gives them victory over their enemies.  At the same time these verses also point to an even greater salvation accomplished by the Lord.  God will save his people from their sins.  

(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." (ESV) 

The words "For God so loved the world" would have been a shocking statement at this time. God chose to save a people for himself composed not only of Jews but also of Gentiles.  God's people is no longer just Israel but his people are from all nations now. God sent his only, unique Son (Jesus) to save his people from their sins.  Whoever believes in him (trusts in him alone) for salvation will have eternal life, that is eternal blessing.  Whoever rejects Jesus will perish, that is suffer eternal judgement.  

All humans have sinned against a holy God and have therefore incurred the wrath of God.  God sent Jesus to save us from the wrath to come.  Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of his people and provided them with his perfect righteousness.  Christ was raised from the dead victorious over sin, death, and the devil.  

This salvation is completely the work of God. We contribute nothing to the accomplishment of our salvation.  It is totally by grace, our works cannot merit salvation.  One must realize he is a sinner, he must repent of his sins and trust in Christ alone.  Jesus is the only way to heaven, all other paths lead to hell.       

Did The Apostle Peter Use Profanity?

Based on Mark 14:71 (and Matthew 26:74) it is common to hear Christian preachers and teachers claim that the Apostle Peter used profanity.  This is the passage of Scripture where Peter denies Christ three times.  This particular verse deals with Peter's third denial.  In some translations it appears at first glance that Peter did indeed use profanity.  

(Mark 14:71) "Then he started to curse and swear, I don't know this man you're talking about!" (CSB) 

The NASB and NKJV translate this verse in a similar way.  It is interesting to note what the HCSB (the original edition of the CSB) has in it's footnote on this verse, "To call down curses on himself if what he said weren't true."  Also the NASB footnote on this verse states, "Or put himself under a curse."  For further clarification we will look at another translation of this verse.  

(Mark 14:71) "But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, I do not know this man of whom you speak." (ESV) 

The NIV also translates this verse in a similar way.  The ESV translation makes clear the correct meaning of this verse.  Peter was not using four letter words.  He was actually saying, if what I say is not true let me be cursed.  He was taking an oath basically saying let God strike me down if I am lying.  Of course Peter repented and was restored by Christ.  He went on to become a bold witness for the Lord. 
 

Christians Are Always Righteous And Always Sinful

Saying that Christians are always righteous and always sinful may seem like a contradiction, but it is not.  Positionally Christians are always righteous but practically they are always sinful.  

Christians are always righteous because they have the righteousness of Christ credited to them.  This righteousness is received by faith alone in Christ alone.  Jesus takes the sins of believers on himself and gives them his perfect righteousness.  The Christian is able to stand before God justified because of the righteousness of Christ.  

But at the same time Christians are still sinful in this life.  They still struggle with sin.  A Christian is bothered by his sin and lives a life of repentance.  They still do things they should not do and do not do things they should.  Christians do become less sinful but they also become more aware of their sin.  

We must point out that Christians do not continue on the same old way.  A true Christian has been born again or regenerated. The Christian is a new creation, old things have pasted away (2 Corinthians 5:17).  If there is no difference in one claiming to be a Christian, then that person is most likely not a true Christian.  A Christian is characterized by a desire to honor and obey God.  

But all the practical righteousness of the Christian does not measure up to God's perfect standard.  Even when doing right things often the motivation is not truly righteous.  No one truly keeps the law of God.  Only in heaven will Christians be without sin.  But no one deserves to go to heaven.  We are only saved by God's grace alone, by faith alone, because of Christ alone.    

Always Righteous
Philippians 3:9
2 Corinthians 5:21
Romans 1:17
Romans 3:22

Always Sinful
Romans 7:14-25
1 John 1:8-10
1 John 2:1-2 

The Highway To Hell

So, how many people are on the highway to hell?  Most think that the majority of people will go to heaven and only a few will go to hell.  For the truth we turn to the Bible, the Word of God.  

(Matthew 7:13-14) "Enter by the narrow gate.  For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (ESV) 

Once again the wisdom of the world is turned upside down.  In the passage Jesus tells us that many people are going to hell and few people are going to heaven.  So who are the people that are going to heaven and who are the people that are going to hell?  The narrow gate is the way of Christ alone and the wide gate is all other ways besides Christ.  The narrow road is God glorifying while the wide road is man glorifying.  

Those entering by the narrow gate are those who are true Christians.  They believe Jesus is the Christ and the only Son of God.  True Christians are characterized by a desire to obey God and a life of repentance.  Only true Christians will go to heaven.  

Those entering by the wide gate and going to hell include all unbelievers.  This group includes atheists and occultists but also many religious people.  All Muslims, adherents of Judaism, Hindus, Buddhists, New Agers, Scientologists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and members of many other religious groups will go to hell.  

We should also point out that many professing Christians will end up in hell.  There are many who are not the real deal.  There are many professing Christians who have not been born again.  They have no desire to obey God and do not submit to Christ as Lord.  Other professing Christians do not believe the Bible is the Word of God and they distort its teaching.  

It should be sad and horrifying to realize that all these people are on the highway to hell.  All people need to hear the truth. It is not loving to let people believe falsehood.  They need to accept the fact that the Bible is the Word of God and that it alone is the ultimate authority.  

Jesus is the only way to heaven, all other roads lead to hell.  People must face the reality of their sinfulness and see their need for salvation.  Our sins incur the wrath of a Holy God.  Christ paid for the sins of all who believe in him and provides us with his perfect righteousness.  People must repent of their sins and trust in Christ alone for salvation.  

 

Love And The Ten Commandments

In modern America love is often defined by emotionalism and tolerance.  It involves tolerating whatever anyone does including sinful acts.  Of course love is most certainly never negative.  It is love with no content, we do not know what love really is.  The place to find the content for love is the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20).  We may not think of the Ten Commandments in this way but they do actually show us real love.  

If we love God we will have no other gods before him.  We will have no other gods in his presence, of course all other gods are false.  God is basically telling us to get those false gods out of my face.  We must worship the one, true God.  If we love God we will not make a carved image or false idol.  God is spirit, he has no physical form.  We must worship God in the proper way.  

If we love God we will not take his name in vain.  Taking his name in vain shows hatred of God.  Taking his name in vain includes using his name for a false oath, in an empty or casual way, or as a curse word.  What about observing the Sabbath Day?  It is no longer the same under the New Covenant.  Under the Old Covenant it was on Saturday.  Christians observe the Lords' Day which is on Sunday because the resurrection was on Sunday.  If we love God we will worship him on the Lord's Day.  

A person with true love will honor his parents.  He will obey them and show them the proper respect.  He will also take care of them when they are in need.  If you love your neighbor you will not murder him.  This would include things like abortion and euthanasia. These things are hateful acts.  In fact just hating someone violates the commandment prohibiting murder.  

If you love your neighbor you will not commit adultery with his wife.  Looking with lustful intent is also considered adultery.  If you love your neighbor you will not steal from him.  You will respect his property and possessions.  

If you love your neighbor you will not bear false witness against him.  Love is associated with the truth, lying shows hatred.  If you love your neighbor you will not covet his things.  In fact coveting often leads to murder, adultery, stealing, lying, and worshiping a false idol.  

The Ten Commandments show us the true content of love.  Sinful acts are never loving.  True love worships and obeys the one, true God and desires what is right for ones neighbor.  The ultimate goal of true love is always to glorify God.   

To Die Is Gain

To die is gain?  This sounds like a strange statement.  But for the Christian to die actually is gain because he will go to heaven where there is no more sorrow or pain.  To die is not gain for everyone though.  Those apart from Christ will face God's wrath for eternity in hell.  

(Philippians 1:21) "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."  (ESV)

The Apostle Paul wrote these words in his letter to the Philippians.  He probably wrote the letter from Rome while in prison around A.D. 62.  Paul constantly faced persecution and death was always a possibility.  Paul's ultimate concern was to honor Christ in life or death.  He desired to depart and be with Christ but remaining here was more necessary to accomplish fruitful labor.  For Paul to live is to serve Christ and death is gain because he will leave his sufferings and troubles to be with Christ.  Paul lived several more years after writing this letter, dying around A.D. 67.  

Many modern Christians foolishly cling to this world and life when we should long for heaven.  We think we will lose something or lack something when go to heaven.  Heaven will not lack anything and it will not be loss but gain.  There will be no more troubles, suffering or pain.  We will finally live life to the full.  To be with Christ is far better.  Christians should not fear death.  

We must point out that death is not a good thing.  We should not long to die, but we should long to go to heaven.  Death is not normal but abnormal, it is not natural but unnatural.  Death was not part of the original creation but entered the world because of sin.  We are now under the sin curse.  But Christ through his life, death, and resurrection has defeated sin and death.  

Because of sin we all face the wrath of a holy God and are on the road to hell.  Salvation is found in Christ alone, there is nothing we can do to earn it.  You must believe that Jesus is the Christ or Messiah and the Son of the living God.  You must repent of your sins and place your faith in Christ alone.  Jesus is the only way to heaven.  

(Psalm 46) A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Martin Luther's famous hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was based on Psalm 46.  Psalm 46 teaches us to trust in God for protection and security in the face of instability from nature and the nations.  The Psalm was written to the nation of Israel and now applies to the church.  

(Psalm 46:1) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (ESV) 

God's people are secure in times of upheaval because God is our refuge and strength no matter what the situation.

(Psalm 46:2-3) Even with the instability of nature in things such as earthquakes and floods we should not fear because God is our refuge and strength.  

(Psalm 46:4-5) God provides security and stability to his people no matter what the threat.  

(Psalm 46:6-7) Even when nations rage and kingdoms totter, God is sovereign over all things, so we should not fear.  

(Psalm 46:8-11) God will ultimately bring peace to all the nations.  It will be fully realized in the new heavens and new earth.  

(Psalm 46:10a) "Be still and know that I am God." (ESV) 

We should step back and realize that God is God.

(Psalm 46:11) "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." (ESV) 

Whether we encounter earthquakes or floods, war or terrorism, we should realize God is sovereign (in total control) and omnipotent (all powerful) and trust in him.  

The Virgin Birth Of Jesus

(Matthew 1:23) "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)."  (ESV)

The virgin birth or conception is a very important doctrine, it is one of the fundamentals of the faith.  Secularists and liberal theologians deny the doctrine saying it could not happen.  So can we believe in the virgin birth of Christ?  

(Matthew 1:23) is a quote of the Old Testament passage (Isaiah 7:14).  A question arises as to whether "virgin" is the correct translation of the Hebrew or if it should be translated as "young maiden".  Most scholars say the Hebrew used in (Isaiah 7:14) almost always refers to a virgin woman.  Also the translators of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, used the word that means virgin nearly all the time.  So the evidence supports "virgin" as the correct translation and not "young maiden".  Most of all Matthew inspired by the Holy Spirit used the word "virgin" when he quoted (Isaiah 7:14).  The birth of Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah.  

Why is the virgin birth only mentioned in Matthew and Luke and not in the rest of the New Testament?  It is likely that oral traditions about the birth of Jesus were widely circulated during this time.  The rest of the New Testament actually gives little detail about the early years of Jesus before his ministry.  The Gospel of Mark simply starts with the ministry of Jesus.  While the Gospel of John focuses on Jesus as the Word, his preexistence.  

What about Alexander the Great and Ceasar Augustus who were said to have been born of the gods?  Some have suggested that the Biblical account was influenced by these stories.  These stories actually bear little resemblance to the Biblical account of the virgin birth of Jesus.  They are very different and there is no basis for this argument.  Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy of the miraculous birth or conception promised by God.  

The virgin birth is an essential doctrine.  The divinity and sinlessness of Jesus depend on it.  Belief in Jesus as God's Son would be impossible without the virgin birth.  He would have been conceived by mere humans and would have been a mere human himself.  Also without the virgin birth Jesus would have inherited a sinful nature from Adam and would not have been without sin.  If Jesus was not God and was not without sin he could not have saved his people from their sins.  The doctrine of the virgin birth is essential indeed.  

Belief in the virgin birth actually comes down to the presuppositions a person holds, that is the basic assumptions one holds.  If you start by assuming that miracles cannot happen, you will conclude that miracles do not happen and deny the virgin birth of Christ.  But if you are open to the possibility of a miracle you will conclude otherwise.  If God is God he can certainly perform miracles, nothing is impossible with him.  It is totally reasonable and rational to believe in the virgin birth of Christ.  Most of all we should believe it because God has revealed it to us in his Word, the Bible.  

Are You A Real Christian?

Knowing if you are a true Christian is of the utmost importance because it has eternal consequences.  The real Christian will go to heaven while those who are not true Christians will go to hell.  A person is not a true Christian just because he has said a prayer, raised his hand, or walked an aisle.  A person's own thoughts and feelings are not a sure guide.  The only sure standard to determine whether one is a true Christian is the Bible, the Word of God.  We will look to the Book of 1 John which deals specifically with this issue.  


1 John
(1:6-7) Walks in the light, not in darkness
(1:8-9) Faces reality of sin, confesses sin, receives forgiveness
(2:3) Knows God, keeps his commandments
(2:5) Keeps God's word, love of God
(2:6) Walks in same way as Jesus
(2:10) Loves his brother, abides in light
(2:15) Does not love the world or the things of the world
(2:17) Does the will of God
(2:21) Knows the truth
(3:6) Does not keep on sinning
(3:7) Practices righteousness
(3:9) Born of God, does not make a practice of sinning
(3:13) Is hated by the world
(3:14) Loves the brothers
(3:23) Believes in Jesus Christ, love one another
(3:24) Given the Holy Spirit
(4:2) Confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh
(4:7) Loves, born of God, knows God
(4:13) Has the Spirit
(4:15) Confesses Jesus is the Son of God
(4:21) Loves God, loves brother
(5:1) Believes Jesus is the Christ
(5:2) Loves God, obeys his commandments
(5:4) Overcomes the world
(5:20) The Son of God has given understanding


Marks Of The True Christian
Sound doctrine
Obedience
Love 

A Look At The Gospels

So when were the gospels written?  Who wrote them, aren't they anonymous?  Do we need to look elsewhere for the historical Jesus?  Questions are being raised about the trustworthiness of the four gospels in the Bible from The History Channel to CNN to Comedy Central. 

The genre of the gospels is known as bios.  This was ancient biography which focused on the key events and teachings of a person.  It is actually not surprising that the four gospels are anonymous (the names of the authors are not included in them) because they were probably originally written to their own churches where the people already knew them.  

Matthew
-Early church tradition is unanimous for the Apostle Matthew as the author.

-Both Papias (A.D. 135) and Irenaeus (A.D. 175) testify that it was written by Matthew. 

-Irenaeus says that this gospel was written while Peter and Paul were still living.  

-It was probably written around A.D. 60.

-Matthew was a tax collector who became an Apostle.  

Mark
-Papias (A.D. 120) states that Mark wrote down the words of Peter.  

-Papias received this tradition from the Apostle John.  

-Church tradition says that Peter was in Rome in the early to mid 50's.

-This gospel was probably written from Rome around A.D. 55.  

-The shortest gospel, it was also probably the first gospel written.  

Luke
-Church tradition is unanimous for Luke as the author.

-Luke was a companion of Paul.

-Eusebius (A.D. 325) says Paul quoted from Luke saying "According to my gospel".  

-It was probably written around A.D. 61.

-It is the longest gospel containing the most parables.

-Luke was a physician, an excellent historian, and also wrote Acts.  

John
-Church tradition supports John as the author.  

-Irenaeus (A.D. 175) states that Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John testified that John was the author of this gospel. 

-Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 200) said that John wrote last of all the canonical gospels when he was old in age.

-John probably wrote from Ephesus.

-Probably written around A.D. 85.  

All four of the gospels included in the New Testament canon were written in the first century.  They were written by an Apostle or by an associate of an Apostle.  The Apostles were given special authority from Jesus.  Other so called gospels were written after the first century, not by the Apostles or an associate of the Apostles, were Gnostic (an ancient Christian heresy), and were often just plain strange.  

The Biblical gospels are trustworthy
and reliable.  They along with the rest of the Bible are the Word of God.  Do not listen to Bart Ehrman, Elaine Pagels, or Marcus Borg.  Anyone wishing to find the historical Jesus needs only to look to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.   

The Righteousness Of God

(Romans 1:16-17) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, The righteous shall live by faith."  (ESV)


Paul emphatically states that he is not ashamed of the gospel.  Unfortunately many Christians today seem to be ashamed of the gospel.  They are intimidated by the secular culture often being called intolerant or narrow minded.  But the gospel is the truth even in our postmodern culture that says there is no truth.  

The gospel is the power of God for salvation. People are saved when they hear and believe the gospel.  Salvation does not come through hearing someone's testimony or by persuasive speech or by any other means.  It is through the gospel, the Word of God that people receive salvation.  

In this gospel the righteousness of God is revealed.  The primary meaning of the phrase is in the sense of the righteousness from God.  It is the basis for our justification. Christians are declared righteous and not guilty.  The perfect righteousness of Christ is imputed or credited to believers.  We must have the righteousness of Christ because none of us are truly righteous.  When God looks upon the believer he sees Christ and his perfect righteousness.  The righteousness of God also refers to his holiness and justice. But it primarily refers to the righteousness of Christ (Philippians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21).  

The righteous shall live by faith.  The righteous are those who have the righteousness of Christ.  Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.  Those who place their faith in Jesus receive eternal life.     

Peace With God

(Romans 5:1) "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (ESV)

Because of sin people are not at peace with God.  Sin breaks our relationship with God and makes us enemies of him.  Because of sin we face the wrath of God.  God's holiness and justice requires that he punish sin.  All people are sinners, in fact we are all born sinners.  We have all fallen short of God's perfect standard of righteousness.   No person is righteous, not even one.  We have all rebelled against God and turned away from him.  The result of sin is death, both physical and spiritual.  We all deserve to face God's punishment and spend eternity in hell. 

So how can we be made right with God?  Our good works and religious rituals will not accomplish it.  God requires perfect righteousness and none of us are capable of that.  We are justified (that means to be declared righteous, not guilty) by faith alone in Christ alone.  Jesus lived a perfect life without sin allowing him to be our perfect substitute.  Jesus died on the cross to pay for the sins of his people.  On the cross God's wrath was poured out on Jesus instead of on us who deserved it.  Jesus was then raised from the dead bodily victorious over sin, death, and the devil.   The resurrection proves that Jesus is God and that his sacrifice for sin was accepted by God the Father.  

Because of God's love and grace we can be saved from our sins and have peace with God. All people must repent of their sins and place their trust in Christ alone for salvation.  Repent means to have a change of mind.  After true repentance a person desires to live for God and no longer live against God.  The person's desire is to obey God.  True Christians still commit sins but they agree with God that their sin is sin and confess it to him.  

Our salvation is because of Christ alone.  He takes our sins on himself and his righteousness is credited to us.  This is true for all who truly believe in him.  If we could be saved by our own works or efforts then Christ died for no purpose.  Because we could not save our selves, Christ accomplished salvation for us.  Because of Jesus and his work on the cross we no longer face the wrath and judgment of God.  Believers have peace with God.  This is both and internal and external peace.  This is all because of God's grace (that is his undeserved favor toward us).   Even though we deserved to go to hell we can now go to heaven if we repent and believe in Jesus.  To God alone be the glory.   

Justified By Faith Alone

(Galatians 2:16) "yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." (ESV)

The average person believes he is good enough to go to heaven.  He thinks he can earn favor with God.  It seems that all false religions also teach that you can earn your salvation.  But this is not the case as a look at Galatians 2:16 will show us.  

This verse is a good summary of the entire book of Galatians so lets take a look at it. The word justified means to be declared righteous by God.  In order for someone to be justified by works of the law he would have to be sinless, having perfect righteousness (See Romans 3:10,23).  Works of the law includes any human effort to be justified by God by keeping the law.  But no one is righteous and no one is capable of living up to God's perfect standard of holiness.  Justification comes through faith alone in Christ alone.  No one will be justified by works of the law. Christ and his work on the cross is totally sufficient for salvation.  Jesus takes our sin and gives us his perfect righteousness (See 2 Corinthians 5:21).  This is the only way we can be justified, declared righteous by God.  

This verse was used in the Protestant Reformation in the 1500's.  Martin Luther and other Reformers used it to defend the doctrine of justification by faith alone.  In fact Galatians was sometimes referred to as Luther's book.  The Roman Catholic Church held to justification by faith plus works as seen in their sacramental system which included things like the Mass and penance.  Galatians 2:16 clearly shows no one can be justified by works of the law.  Works cannot be added to faith in order to receive salvation.  Saving faith produces works but the works do not contribute to our salvation. The Roman Catholic Church even declared that if anyone holds to justification by faith alone let him be anathema (that is cursed or condemned).  Catholicism set itself up against the Word of God.  The Bible clearly teaches that we are justified by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone.        

Are You A Good Person?

Most people would consider themselves to be a good person.  They would say the good outweighs the bad and they are basically a good person.  Even many of those in prison would still consider themselves basically good.  Is this really the case?  Lets take a look at some of the Ten Commandments and see if we are actually good people.  

Have you ever lied in your entire life?  The answer will be yes for all of us except for those who are lying.  A person who tells lies is called a liar.  Have you ever stolen anything in your life, even the smallest of things?  Most, if not all of us would have to say yes to this one also.   A person who steals is called a thief.  Have you ever taken God's name in vain?  This includes using his name as a cuss word as well as using it in an empty or careless way.  Every time someone says "oh my god" they are guilty of breaking this one.  We have probably all broken this one at some time or another.  This is called blasphemy.  

Have you ever looked at a woman with lustful intent?  Jesus said that if you look at a woman with lust you have already committed adultery with her in your heart.  We would have to answer yes to this one.  Have you ever had unrighteous anger or hatred toward someone?  We probably have all done this.  Jesus said if we have done this then we are guilty of murder.   

So after looking at some of the Ten Commandments we have been found to be liars, thieves, blasphemers, adulterers, and murderers.  If God judges you by the Ten Commandments (his standard) will you be innocent or guilty?  The answer should be obviously guilty.  When we are judged by God's standard we are not found to be the good people we think we are.  We try to compare ourselves with other people and you can always find someone who is worse than you are.  There are none who are righteous and all have sinned against God.  We do not deserve to go to heaven but instead we deserve hell.  Because of our sinfulness we are under the wrath of God.  So what is the answer to our problem?

The solution is Jesus Christ.  God sent his Son to save sinners.  He died on the cross to pay for the sins of all who believe in him.  He was raised from the dead victorious over sin and death.  Jesus lived a perfect life without sin and his perfect righteousness is credited to all who believe in him.  People must repent of their sins and trust in Christ alone for salvation.  Jesus is the only way to heaven.  

Scripture References
Exodus 20
Matthew 5
Romans 3

Why Do You Call Jesus Lord?

(Luke 6:46) "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"  (ESV)

Jesus asked this question of those who were around him during the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49).  The Sermon on the Plain is similar to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).  Preceding Luke 6:46 Jesus had said that you will know people by their fruits.  True followers of his are characterized by obedience.  If you do not recognize Jesus as Lord he is not your savior.  

To be clear salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.  It is not achieved by our good deeds or religious rituals.  No one deserves to go to heaven because all have sinned and none are righteous (see Romans 3).  Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is never alone.  In other words true faith produces good works and obedience.  True Christians repent of their sins and turn to God.  

It also must be pointed out that Jesus is Lord of all of life, not just a religious compartment.  The home, workplace, social life, business, government, law, education, science, media, the arts, entertainment, and everything else belong under the Lordship of Christ.    

Unfortunately there is an epidemic of people claiming to be Christians who reject the Lordship of Christ.  Many reject the Bible as the literal Word of God, therefore not doing  what Jesus tells them.  They want to pick and choose what they will accept.  They end up rejecting much of the teaching of the Bible which is the teaching of Jesus.  Also there are many who live in disobedience while claiming to be Christians.  They have lives full of immorality, profanity, blasphemy, drunkenness, greed, love of money, and just about anything else you can imagine.  They are focused on the self and do not really care about others or God.  

In conclusion many professing Christians are not true Christians.  They are shown to be spiritually dead by their disobedience and rejection of the Lordship of Christ.  Much of the blame for this condition belongs on the modern church which is not very serious. The modern church has weak teaching and no church discipline.  It is almost as if the modern church itself is rejecting the Lordship of Christ.