“And Jesus cried out and said, ‘He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.’” (Joh 12:44-46)

Journal,

The questions go somewhat like this -

“If God is real why does He allow so much evil, and war, and destruction, and heartache, and murder, and famines, and disease, and rape, and plunder, and all else in the world that destroys life? Why does life have to be so empty of meaning? Is this all there is? Why does my heart seem so empty?”

Here is another question. Answer this second question and you have your answer to the first question –

“Why is there so much darkness in my heart?” (Relatively speaking. Not for those who know the answer.)

It is all about the heart. Until the human heart can discover its true connection with life, all else about life will be dismay and darkness and self-deception.

When I was a young preacher [1969] I recall a song by Peggy Lee, titled, ‘Is That All There Is?’ I will never forget the melodrama of that song. I often used it as a backdrop for my evangelist ministry.

What made the song so sad is how well I remembered a point in my life when Peggy’s lyrics were pretty much my lyrics. Before I met Jesus Christ, I had become disheartened of life to the point of saying I was an atheist. Of course being an atheist is merely a charade for the aching heart. But that was before the Lord sought me out.

See if this song speaks of anything in your life -

The Curse of Darkness

There is none more deceived that those who will not see.

The atheist in his philosophical high-mindedness, the college professor in his anti-God, anti-morality, and the free-spirited libertarian, each are hiding themselves behind charades of self-justifying about life. When they talk about our guarantee to the ‘pursuit of happiness’, whose happiness are they talking about? They speak of their own self-serving happiness regardless of who else may get trampled in the interim.

The millionaire and the billionaire soon find that their massive abundant wealth has no answer to the deepest need of the empty heart. The movie star, the sports idols, and all the famous people in this world are left with emptiness of life, that is, until they find the true answer to life.

Even the religious world can live in a deception about life. Jesus addressed this with regard to those who rejected His fulfillment as the Messiah of God.

“In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’” (Mat 13:14-15)

Here is the strange one. Did you know that the most honest description of the lostness of man in the corruption and decay in this world can often be found with the hard-rock musician.

"A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice." Isaiah 42:3

Listen to these lyrics and you will see an honest tribute to the dark life -

Welcome to My Life

[MTV Hard Rock Version].

Do you ever feel like breaking down?
Do you ever feel out of place?
Like somehow you just don’t belong
And no one understands you

Do you ever wanna run away?
Do you lock yourself in your room?
With the radio on turned up so loud
And no one hears you screaming

"The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, and those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned." Matthew 4:16

No you don’t know what it’s like

When nothing feels all right
You don’t know what it’s like to be like me

To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked
When you’re down
To feel like you’ve been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
When no one’s there to save you
No you don’t know what it’s like

Welcome to my life

Finding Your Home With Christ

Jesus came into our world to be the Savior of all who will call on Him. Heaven’s message to the earth is the message of God’s love. Yes, there are those who reject Jesus because they love the darkness. These will continue on the path of darkness. It only goes one direction.

But for all who will look to Jesus, the message is simple. Jesus said,

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (Joh 14:1-3)

If you think it is hard to find Jesus, it isn’t. All you need to do is accept heaven’s message that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, that He came into our world for salvation to all

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6

who call upon Him. Jesus died on the cross, was buried, resurrected from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will return to the earth at the Father’s appointed time.

Here is salvation -

“But what does it say?

“THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”–that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

“… for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

“For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” (Rom 10:8-13)

And here is the question that needs an answer -

What will happen to me when I receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior.

What will happen is that the darkness and emptiness in your heart will disappear. In the place of darkness there will be the light and life of Jesus. He has promised to give you a new heart. You will find new thinking and a new life of discovery in Christ.

The presence of the Lord will be with you, always. He will always be as close as your heart. Just a simple prayer is all you need, at any time.

Listen to this song just for you -

“In Christ Alone”

In Christ Always,

Buddy

Other

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Mat 24:14)

Journal,

I am very pleased with the direction my blog is taking. Since I began my blog in 2010, I’ve had 73,263 page views. This year alone my blog is projected to reach almost 100,000 views. How can that be? How can an old-timey preacher man reach the world with the message of Jesus Christ and do it all from an office in his home. It simply astounds me. (Just think – My blog is only one of thousands of blogs and web sites that are sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the whole world.)

My blog has received viewers from every state in the Union. Internationally I’ve reached 107 different nations. The top fifteen countries that my viewers come from are:

(1) United Kingdom. (2) Canada. (3) Philippines. (4) Australia. (5) India. (6) Nigeria. (7) Netherlands. (8) Indonesia. (9) South Africa. (10) Italy. (11) Brazil. (12) France. (13) Pakistan. (14) Singapore. (15) Malaysia. (Plus 92 other nations.)

My most popular journal entry by far has to do with salvation.

http://buddymartin.net/blog/salvation/

Other Notable Entries About Salvation

In addition to the above salvation entry, here are some recent entries that I recommend. Each of them explains something about salvation and the kingdom of God’s beloved Son.

Lord Jesus, remember me - http://buddymartin.net/blog/2011/06/lord-jesus-remember-me/

A Case for the Christian - http://buddymartin.net/blog/2011/06/a-case-for-the-christian/

To Die Without Christ - http://buddymartin.net/blog/2011/06/to-die-without-christ/

I’ve made two additions  to my blog…

Forum Dialog

Notice at the top menu section of my blog there are several buttons. The ‘Forum‘ button is new. This is where ‘registered’ members can take part in dialog exchanges. So far I have three categories that will be opened for dialog: ‘Biblical dialog’, ‘The First Christians’, and ‘Current events.’

The only dialog in place for now is under ‘The First Christians.’ The subject is: ‘What did early Christianity look like.’

Here is my introduction to this dialog:

Acts 1:6 – “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

This one small Scripture speaks to the history of the Church age. The new covenant begins with Israel, it then reaches into all the world, and in the final states of church history, it returns to Israel. The first Christians were Hebrew men and women. Their whole world centralized on Moses and the prophets. Their New Testament was the Old Testament. Their hearts and minds had been opened to the glory of Christ in all the former writings.

My prayer today is, ‘Lord, help us to keep a heart on fire for Jesus like the first Christians, in that we wonderfully find Jesus from Genesis 1:1 to Malachi 4:6.”

Feel free to share your thoughts.

Categories and subject will likely change over time. Please feel free to register. I would love to see lively dialog taking place with the varied subjects.

Another addition to my journal has to do with …

Donations – For the Kingdom

On the right side of my blog near the bottom is a new feature called, ‘For the Kingdom’. It has to do with making donations.

Christian Challenge is a faith-based ministry. We do not go into debt and we do not badger people for money. In fact, in our church services, we don’t even pass an offering plate. We learned a long time ago that God has to be our source.

But we have also learned that God’s people needed to be given an opportunity to give.

And so my admonition is always the same - Do whatever the Lord puts on your heart to do.

If you have been blessed by the ministries of Christian Challenge and would like to take part in helping us to minister to others, you can send contributions by way of PalPal.

Here is a song that will minister to your heart – ‘Father of Creation.’

Your Servant in Christ,

Buddy

Other

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

Titus Flavius Josephus was a Jewish historian who lived from 37 A.D. to about 100 A.D. He lived during the time of the apostles. Josephus was a member of the priestly aristocracy of the Jews, and was taken hostage by the Roman Empire in the great Jewish revolt of 66-70 A.D. His Hebrew name was Yoseph Ben Mattithyahu. Josephus recorded some of the earliest history of Jesus Christ.

While there are those who like to besmirch Josephus and attempt to discount whatever he had to say about Jesus Christ, the fact remains that he is one of the early historians that calls attention not only to Jesus, but also to James the brother of Jesus, and to John the Baptist. Many of the earliest Christians held his writings in high esteem. They saw Josephus writings as ‘a kind of fifth gospel’ because of his regard to Jesus Christ.

While the Jews totally disregarded the writings of Josephus since they saw him as a traitor, the church’s love for him has kept his writings forthcoming for the later generations of believers. There is no question that Josephus was acquainted with the Christian movement. He had to have been aware of Jesus since so many of the people including a great many priests had become obedient to the Christian faith.

This is how the spread of the gospel is recorded in Acts —

“The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.” (Act 6:7)

Journal,

As a young minister I began my meager minister’s library with a handful of books. (Hard to realize its been forty-six years since I took up my call to the Lord’s ministry; 1964.) My ‘meager’ library consisted of four books, a Holman’s King James Bible, a Halley’s Bible Hand Book, a Matthew Henry’s Commentary, and one other book. The one other book was titled, ‘The Life and Works of Flavius Josephus.’

Three of my original four books have long since been replaced. Can you believe that I still have my original copy of, ‘The Life and Works of Flavius Josephus’. That old tattered book sits on my library shelf like an old friend. Every time I think about ‘Josephus‘ I have this nudge to take it up and begin reading it again. Somewhere I became distracted with other studies and never finished reading the entire book. (OK, I get the message. Josephus is at the top of my list.)

One of the things that has always lingered in my mind about Josephus was a statement he made about Christians. He wrote, “And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.”

I’ve often wondered why Josephus spoke of the early Christians as a tribe? Keep in mind that the earliest believers where Jewish and the language of ‘tribes’ was deeply instilled in them. For example when the apostle Paul compared his former Hebrew lineage to his new life as a Christian, he said…

“… for we [Christians] are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee…” (Php 3:3-5)

Paul spoke of his former life as being of the tribe of Benjamin and how he set about to persecute Christians. Now he directs attention to the ‘true circumcision,’ which is a circumcision of the heart and not of the flesh. Those who have this heart circumcision can be known. They glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. (Even before the time of Jesus, the Jewish nation had become ‘flesh’ centered. They treated other people groups as worthless. Place your cursor over these Scriptures: Matt3:5-9; 23:31-35; Luke 11:52,53; Acts 10:27,28; 1Th2:14,15)

God’s Heavenly Tribe

When Josephus spoke of Christians as a tribe he saw something in Christians that related to kinship. The term ‘tribe’ generally speaks to a group of people related to one another by blood or marriage. From this kinship comes a social distinction. The early Christians were very much related by blood. Their hearts had been sprinkled by the blood of Jesus. They had become a distinct and separate people among the nations. All true Christians remain that way to this very day.

Peter describes Christians as a distinct spiritual people:

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but not you have received mercy.” (1Pe 2:9-10)

“… to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.“ (1Pe 4:13-16)

Paul says that Christians are the true circumcision of God and that our citizenship is in heaven. Thus we are heavenly citizens in earthly bodies. We are a distinct people group. Peter goes on to call Christians a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation; that we glorify God in the name Christian.

A Kingdom of the Heart

The kingdom of God’s beloved Son is not of this world. It is a kingdom of the heart. This is why there is no ‘Lo, the kingdom is here.’ Or, ‘Lo, the kingdom is there.’ There are no special anointed places in the earth that contain the kingdom of God. No religious group can lay claim to being God’s true church in the earth.

When Pilate asked Jesus about His kingdom, this is how the conversation went:

“Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?’ Pilate answered, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?’

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.’ Therefore Pilate said to Him, ‘So You are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’

“Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’ And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, ‘I find no guilt in Him.’” (Joh 18:33-38)

Notice carefully that Jesus did not say He was king of the Jews. What He said was that His kingdom was not of this world or of this realm. The earthly kingdom of the Jews was soon to be destroyed. In 70 a.d., it would disappear from the face of the earth.

The kingdom of God’s Son is wholly spiritual, wholly heavenly, wholly eternal, and wholly of the heart. The Lord also said that everyone who is of the truth, that is, everyone who calls upon Him as their Lord and Savior, will have a personal relationship with Him and will always be able to hear His voice.

Jesus is a King. Have you asked Jesus to be Lord over your life? It isn’t hard to enter into God’s kingdom. It all begins with the cross. In the cross of the Lord Jesus is the God’s plan of salvation for all the earth.

I could share a great many Scriptures that set forth God’s plan of salvation. The truth of the matter is simple enough. Both Paul and Peter said, “And it shall come to pass that whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

David was the one who said that God puts a song of salvation in his mouth. (Psa118:14) Here is God’s salvation plan in a song. Listen with your heart as Robert Parson sings ‘God’s Plan of Salvation.’

There you have. Why not right now ask the Lord to be Lord of all your life.

May the Lord richly bless you in your obedience to Him,

Buddy

Other

“He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquianted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” Isaiah 53:3 nasb

x

How does a person truly know that they are saved?

There are several answers to that question, but the decisive point centers upon a love for Jesus Christ. To know Jesus personally is to love Him personally. This abiding love for Jesus carries its own testimony in the hearts of all true believers. It is this love for Jesus that becomes our guideposts to our journey of life. For believers a love for Jesus and faith in Jesus cannot be separated.

Peter clears this issue up:

…so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable … though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” 1Pe 1:7,8;

Did you catch it. The proof of your faith is that you love Jesus and you believe in Jesus. Believing in Jesus is what distinguishes Biblical Christianity from every other religion on planet earth, and especially in regard to Judaism and Islam. However, we need to understand what believing in Jesus really means and what loving Jesus and living for Jesus really means.

x

Let me explain what believing in and loving Jesus means to a believer:

x

‘True believers have come to know Jesus Christ personally as their Lord and Savior, as the Son of God, as the only One who can save humankind, as the One who died for our sins, was crucified, buried, resurrected the third day, and ascended into heaven, as the One of whose blood has been sprinkled on our hearts, the One who is the center of our joy and rejoicing, the One of whom we anxiously await His second coming, and the One in whom we love with a love that is beyond words, a love that speaks of joy, that is inexpressible and is full of glory.’

x

Now…

x

How does a love for Jesus fit into the religions of Islam and of Judaism.

x

I will only address the basic elements of Islam and Judaism, as are found in their holy writings, for Islam, the Qur’an, and for Judaism, the Talmuds.x

xx

Jesus in Islam…

The teachings about Jesus in Islam are far less pervasive that what you find in Judaism. In Islam, Jesus is given special respect as one of the five great messengers (prophets) of God.

Islam regards Adam as the first prophet and Muhammad as the last prophet. Muhammad’s title is called, ‘Seal of the Prophets.’ The five great prophets (messengers of God), are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. None of these are divine.

In Islam, with respect to Jesus, He is called the son of the Virgin, however, He is not divine, nor is Jesus the Son of God; He was not crucified, nor does He have anything to do with the salvation of humanity. The strange one is that Jesus is considered as the Messiah, but not in the same sense as is found in the gospels. Actually Jesus comes in second to Muhammad.

The point at hand is that Islam would never defame Jesus in any way, but their true knowledge of Jesus is limited. The good news is that many millions of Muslim are having their eyes opened and are turning to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Their greatest need is to hear the true gospel of Jesus Christ. On the temple mount in Jerusalem there is written inside their mosque, ‘God has no son.’

Many Muslims are finding that God does indeed has a Son. They are turning to Jesus by the multiplied thousands largely because a New Testament has been placed in their hands.

x

Jesus in Judaism …

Jesus told Pilate that the Jewish leadership would be charged with the greater sin. What was their greater sin? It was not only the sin of their total rejection of Jesus Christ as Messiah, but it would include their continual rejection of Him.

Keep in mind that there are various movements and trends in Judaism, just as their are movements of Islam, as well as movements of Christianity. But here I need to draw on the writings of Talmudic Judaism. These writings remain the holiest books of Orthodox Judaism. Orthodox Jews consider themselves as the only true Jewish faith. But they do not speak for Conservative or Reform Jews.

Most people are not aware of how Jesus is treated in the Talmud. Here is a sample:

He [Onqelos] sent and brought up Jesus the Nazarene (Yeshu ha-notzri) out of his grave by necreomancy and asked him: ‘Who is important in that world?’

Jesus answered, ‘Israel.’

Onqelos: ‘What then about joining them?’

Jesus: ‘Seek their welface, seek not their harm. Whoever touches them is as though he touches the apple of God’s eye!’

Onqelos: ‘What is your punishment?’

Jesus: ‘With boiling excrement.’

There is much more to be said, but this gives the idea of how Talmudic Judaism sees Jesus. Mary is treated as a whore, and Jesus as the son of a Roman soldier. There are a number of code words for Jesus in the Talmudic writings. None of them are pleasant.

x

What is the plus side in all this? The plus side is similar to what is happening in Islam. Many Jews are discovering Jesus for who He really is. Many people of Judaism and Islam are realizing that they’ve been lied to about Jesus Christ. However, there is a final stage to be reached in Judaism. It began in Jerusalem, it has to end in Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s warfare is not ended. Her sorrow is yet to come.

x

We’ve been to Jerusalem – We’ve been to the Eastern Gate.

x

I went to the section of the wailing wall where only men are allowed. Betty and I have walked the streets of the old city of Jerusalem. We’ve been to Masada. We’ve been on a boat in the Sea of Galilee when a storm came upon us. We’ve seen the land of Israel and Bethlehem, and Nazareth, and many other places. It is a land that has been reclaimed and rediscovered. But it is a land still in anguish.

The Orthodox Jews believe that the Shekinah (divine presence) is in the wailing wall. This is why they weep there.  When I stood before the wailing wall there was only deadness there. But I do remember one thing that stirred my heart deeply. It spoke to me of the Jewish plight. As I talked with our Jewish tour guide about Jesus, he said to me, ‘I don’t have to be saved. I am a Jew.’

How sad. And to know that their day of weeping is not over. Yet it is written in God’s book that these children of Israel will one day reach out to Jesus. It will be in a moment of deep crisis. Today many are finding Jesus in the quietness of their own heart. But the day will come when the Jewish leadership will call upon the Lord Jesus Himself.  Howx

Jesus said:

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’” (Mat 23:37-39)

Other

Journal,

Follow this entry closely and you find some answers to true Biblical salvation that you are seeking. So listen with your heart.

“Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”Genesis 5:24 NASB

“WHEN THE JAILER AWOKE AND SAW THE PRISON DOORS OPENED, HE DREW HIS SWORD AND WAS ABOUT TO KILL HIMSELF, SUPPOSING THAT THE PRISONERS HAD ESCAPED. BUT PAUL CRIED OUT WITH A LOUD VOICE, SAYING, ‘DO NOT HARM YOURSELF, FOR WE ARE ALL HERE!’ AND HE CALLED FOR LIGHTS AND RUSHED IN, AND TREMBLING WITH FEAR HE FELL DOWN BEFORE PAUL AND SILAS, AND AFTER HE BROUGHT THEM OUT, HE SAID, ‘SIRS, WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?’ THEY SAID, ‘BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS, AND YOU WILL BE SAVED, YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD.’” (ACTS 16:27-31 NASB)

In this study we will take a closer look at what the term salvation means in the Bible. Salvation is more than being born again. It includes citizenship in God’s kingdom. Paul said, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” (Phil3:20,21)

1. The great kingdom promise remains unchanged. Salvation is based on a call from God, and on a response by which we call on the Lord Jesus. No person can get good enough to be saved. Salvation is based on faith in Jesus Christ alone. This is the gospel that the apostles preached. Cf.Acts 2:21;Gal. 1:8,9;Rom.10:8-10;Eph2:8,9

2. Paul said, “…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col1:12-14)

3. The domain of darkness speaks of the authority and power of Satan. It also speaks of the confusion and disorder of Satan’s kingdom. Satan’s rule involves killing, stealing, and destroying. (John 10:10) The moment a person calls upon Jesus as Lord, the Father instantly rescues that person from the rule and disorder of Satan, and brings that person into the kingdom of life of His Son. Jurisdictional means that Satan no longer has any rights over anyone who calls on the name of the Lord. Cf.Luke 22:48-53; Act 26:16-18.

4. Being born again is our entrance into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. Not only are we transferred jurisdictionally into the kingdom of the beloved Son, but we are actually given a kingdom birth. The Holy Spirit creates in believers a new heart, and then indwells the new heart. Cf.Eze36:26,27;Jer32:38-41;1 Co 12:13;Eph1:13,14

1. In Bible interpretation there is what is called ‘the law of first mention.’ This means simply that when a term appears in the Scriptures for the first time, it will carry the same basic meaning throughout the Scriptures. A good case for this is the word ‘righteousness.’ It says Abraham believed in the Lord, it was ‘reckoned’ to him as ‘righteousness.’ (Gen 15:6)

The word ‘reckoned’ is the Hebrew chashab (khaw-shab’). This word means to esteem, count, impute or charge. Abraham’s believing was imputed as righteousness with God. Abraham was highly esteemed by heaven. Cf.Rom. 4:21-25.

2. Righteousness is a ‘status’ relationship with God. David said, “For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:12)  - Righteousness and faith are companion terms. The blessings of righteousness are manifold. The key note is that the Lord is always with the righteous man and woman. He guides them through life with favor.  Cf.Psa34:17-19.

3. People who are righteous by faith in Jesus Christ  are given God’s very own righteousness. They are considered holy. Peter said, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession…” (1Pet2:9)

Holy is a kindred term to righteousness. When a person is born again this means they have a holy birth, which, in turn, means they now belong to God. Righteous people are God’s treasures in the earth. God says, “You shall be holy for I am holy.” We are to live as holy people. (1Pet1:15,16)

The Holy Spirit helps us to live out a separated life to God. God’s people are not to be conformed to the world but to live transformed lives. We are to live with what the Scriptures call ‘a sanctified heart.’ Cf.Rom12:1,2;2Co6:16-18;7:1;1Pe3:15.

1. Jesus explained it this way: “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)

This means that the new birth is a thing of the Spirit. It results in new life in the Spirit. We become new creatures who now enjoy new life, new awareness, with new spiritual expressions. Cf.2Co5:17-19.

2. Paul said, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph5:18)

Paul is not saying that the Spirit filled life will make us act like drunkards. Actually it will do just the opposite. One of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Paul is simply saying that as we learn to live under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the result will be grace and peace, where we are enabled by the Spirit to carry forth the testimony of Jesus Christ. We become Christ like. Cf.John 4:13,13;  Rom 8:5,6;14:17,18.

3. What Peter says to Christian women has something to be had by all Christians. He wrote, “Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses, but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” (1Pe3:3,4. The statement in bold belongs to men and women.)

Isaiah also speaks to this in saying, “And the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.” (Isa32:17)

The angel spoke to Joseph, saying, “[Mary] will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Mat1:21) The name Jesus literally means ‘Yahweh is our Savior.’

The message of the cross is simple. It has always been simple. Yet it can become distorted and complicated beyond measure.

The gospel in its simplest form is found in the incident of the jailer who thought his prisoners had escaped.

Here is what happens:

“When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!’

“And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out, he said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?‘ They said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” (Acts 26:27-31 NASB)

Paul reduced the message of salvation to a simple equation. He said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.‘ That’s it? Can it really be that simple? Yes it can and I want to tell you why. In this entry we will look at what the term salvation really means in the Bible. Included will be Scripture references for additional study.

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Salvation does not merely mean to be born again

Salvation includes a citizenship process. Paul said,

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” (Phil3:20,21)

Personal goodness can never save us. We have no righteousness of our own. (Rom3:9-22) We are lost sinners with no hope outside of Jesus Christ. Salvation is based on faith in Jesus Christ alone. This is the gospel that the apostles preached. Cf. Acts 2:21; Gal. 1:8,9; Rom.10:8-10; Eph2:8,9

The New Testament word ‘salvation’ is the Greek soteria. (so-tay-ree’ah). Soteria means deliverance, preservation, safety, or salvation. It speaks of the total sum of benefits and blessings that true believers receive by their faith in Jesus. It also includes the future estate believers will enjoy in fullest measure at the return of Christ.

All the afore things relate to the believer’s heavenly citizenship. But there is more to be understood.

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Salvation is Jurisdictional

The domain of darkness speaks of the authority and power of Satan. It also speaks of the confusion and disorder of Satan’s kingdom. Satan’s rule involves killing, stealing, and destroying. (John 10:10) The moment a person calls upon Jesus as Lord, the Father instantly rescues that person from the rule and disorder of Satan, and brings that person into the kingdom life of His Son. Jurisdictional means that Satan no longer has any rights over anyone who calls on the name of the Lord. Cf. Luke 22:48-53; Act 26:16-18.

Paul said,

“…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col1:12-14)

It is in our calling upon Jesus Christ that we are given a kingdom birth. It is this heavenly birth that becomes our entrance into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. The Holy Spirit creates in the believer a new heart, and then eternally indwells the new heart. Cf. Eze36:26,27; Jer32:38-41; 1 Co 12:13; Eph1:13,14

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Salvation is Relational

In Bible interpretation there is what is called ‘the law of first mention.’ This means simply that when a term appears in the Scriptures for the first time, it will carry the same general meaning throughout the Scriptures. A case for this is the word ‘righteousness.’ The first time righteousness is found in Scripture has to do with Abraham. Listen:

“And He took him outside and said, ‘Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them. And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” (Gen 15:5-6)

The word ‘reckoned’ is the Hebrew chashab (khaw-shab’). This word means to esteem, count, impute or charge. Abraham’s believing was imputed as righteousness with God. Cf. Rom. 4:21-25.

Righteousness is a ‘status’ of relationship with God. True believers are highly esteemed by heaven.  David said, “For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:12)

People who are righteous by faith in Jesus Christ are actually given God’s very own righteousness. They are considered holy. Peter said, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession…” (1Pet2:9)

Righteousness and faith and holiness are all companion terms. Holiness simply means that you have been set apart for God, that is, you are God’s possession. The blessings of righteousness are manifold. The Lord is always with the righteous man and woman. He guides them through life with favor.  Cf. Psa34:17-19.

Experiential righteousness links to our life of faith and separation from the world. God is continually at work in our lives so that we can experience a true walk of righteousness. Believers who have the greatest struggles in life are always those who do not take their separation from the world seriously. But even in our struggles, our failures, our down-slides, and up-slides, the Lord never leaves us. He alone saves us.

The Holy Spirit helps us to live out a separated life to God. God’s people are not to be conformed to the world but to live transformed lives. We are to live with what the Scriptures call ‘a sanctified heart.’ Cf. Rom12:1,2; 2Co6:16-18; 7:1; 1Pe3:15.

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Salvation is Spiritual

Jesus explained it this way:

“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)

This means that the new birth is a thing of the Spirit. It results in new life in the Spirit. We become new creatures who now enjoy new life, new awareness, with new spiritual expressions. Cf. 2Co5:17-19.

Paul said,

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph5:18)

Paul is not saying that the Spirit filled life will make us act like drunkards. Actually it will do just the opposite. One of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Paul is simply saying that as we learn to live under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the result will be grace and peace, where we are enabled by the Spirit to carry forth the testimony of Jesus Christ. We become Christ like. Cf. John 4:13,13;  Rom 8:5,6; 14:17,18.

Isaiah also speaks to this in saying,

“And the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.” (Isa32:17)

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A dialog on Salvation

Let me put the issue of salvation to rest by way of comment and response.

Comment: Does the Bible truly teach eternal salvation for the believer?

Response: Some say that a person can walk out of God’s hand on their own. If so, then we are greater than God. Jesus said ‘no one could snatch them out of His hand.’ Everyone is a someone. Jesus also said that none of His sheep would ever perish.

Jesus: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and *they will never perish; and *no one will snatch them out of My hand. (Joh 10:27-28)

Comment: Some teach that a person has to do certain things to be saved, such as keep the Sabbath, or dress a certain way, or keep certain laws of Moses, or do fasting and pay tithes, or speak in another language (tongues), or, so on and so on.

Response: The greatest thing a believer can ever do is learn to study the Bible for themselves, without preconceived notions, with a willing and honest heart, and with an earnest desire to know truth for themselves.x

 

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should PREACH to you a gospel contrary to what we have PREACHED to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is PREACHING to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!“ (Gal 1:8-9)

 

 

“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’–that is, the word of faith which we are PREACHING, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Rom 10:8-10)

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Think about it. It’s getting late.

If you are a preacher, what gospel are you preaching?

If you are a church member, what kind of gospel are you hearing?

It’s up to you now. I have had my say.

In Christ always,

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Buddy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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