True Tolerance

What has happened to the world we live in? We used to talk about things as a society. We would debate and we would argue and we would disagree and we would still respect each other. That is what true tolerance is. Somewhere along the line, however, doing so became "rude." We used to be able to tell people when they were wrong and to correct people, even if they did not accept our correction. But then it became "rude" to tell someone they were wrong, and/or to correct them. Since when has correction been a harmful thing? When did we as a society lose our moral fibre and become thin-skinned wussified babies who find offence in the least offensive things? Our countries are the way they are today because of nonsense like this, headed up by stupid people voicing their ignorant unlearned opinions about stuff they know absolutely nothing about.

Foolishness is now applauded, while having brains and a level head is looked down upon. Bad is called good and quickly defended, while good is called bad and shunned. Try telling society today that you are a virgin and watch the disgusted looks they give you. Try telling society how you have never drank or gotten drunk, smoked, or done any drugs, and watch the looks they give you. Show society that you have a mind of your own and think for yourself rather than being a blind follower and watch how they ridicule you. Society's moral compass has gotten flipped upside down and turned around backwards. The fact is, there is no moral compass, there is no morality, apart from the Word of God.

Society continues to reject God and spit in His face, yet it never has the intelligence to observe the past and compare it to the present and ask the question "Why?", making objective conclusions of the evidence and facts. With the continued rejection of God and His Word, society continues to slip down the mud slide and subject itself to worse and worse wickedness. Society responds with "Different strokes for different folks, let's not judge." Yet they continue to judge rapists and murders and such because, at least for now, they are not among the accepted forms of wickedness that rot our society from the inside, such as homosexuality and transgenderism. How long before we are exactly like Greece and Rome at the end of their empires? How long before our time is up and God's patience runs out and the final judgment arrives? 

I love and respect those lost and unbelieving individuals whom I encounter that I can still talk with like in the days of old when we could debate and argue and disagree with each other and yet still respect each other. Most people today cannot do such. They turn on you immediately and direct their hatred of God against you. True tolerance means I have the right to tell someone when they are wrong, but to let them go on believing whatever they want to believe in the face of the overwhelming evidence stacked against them. It is not my place to change their mind. It is only my place to give them honest and truthful answers, whether they like or agree with those answer or not. It is God's place to change people's hearts and minds. I have no such power to do so, no matter how much I might know or how well I might speak.

Society no longer wishes us to be able to discourse together. The exchange of ideas is now considered a bad thing. Universities have created "safe spaces" for such people. It is a heinous act to have friendly debates, arguments, and disagreements, and yet to still respect one another and still be willing to be friends despite our differences. It is even sadder when this attitude is held by so-called professing Christians. I will readily tell my non-believing co-workers, acquaintances, and friends that they are wrong, but will accept them for who they are and respect them despite the things they choose to believe. One co-worker of mine is the complete opposite of me in every way imaginable, yet we get along great. We discuss religion, we disagree, we respect each other's position, regardless of how wrong each of us believes the other to be.

It angers me to see society's lack of grip on reality, willingly and willfully telling themselves lies and trying to convince themselves of such lies despite their conscience informing them otherwise. They will argue that abortion is fine and that homosexuality is fine, and they will even argue that religion is fine, as long as that religion is not Christianity: the only religion that is not based on scales; the only religion that offers salvation as a free gift; the only religion with any true power in it to change lives. With the rampant wickedness that I see around us, all I can say is, "Come, Lord Jesus, come."

False Biblical Quote: Life Or Light?

"I am the way, the light, and the truth."

I cannot begin to tell you the number of times I have seen this over the years. Most of the time they have the correct order, but still the wrong word: "I am the way, the truth, and the light." I have even heard it in lyrics to Christian songs; one of which appears in a children's cartoon (VeggieTales: An Easter Carol - Hope's Song by Rebecca St. James [see below]).

 

This quote is evidence that these people do not know, if they even read, their Bibles. If they did, they would know that what Jesus said was, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Life! Not light! It is akin to this verse: "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25).

The only time Jesus said He was the light is when He said, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12), followed by, "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:5). What Jesus said was that He is the "light of the world."

Life, eternal life, is only found in Christ Jesus. While He was on this Earth, He was the light of the world. Now that He is gone, we, God's adopted sons and daughters, are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14). Whether here or in Heaven, Jesus remains the only way, the only truth, and the only life. He is the only way to eternal life, and He is the only truth of eternal life. He gives eternal life to His own, those who trust and believe in Him with their whole heart and being.

"Whoever believes in [Jesus] should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:15

"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." John 10:27-28

"Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." John 17:1-3

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

"And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:11

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." —Jesus

Eternity

"Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, 'Return to dust, O sons of men.' For a thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning—though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. The length of our days is seventy years--or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away!" Psalm 90:1-6, 10

A thousand years! This is a long stretch of time. How much may be crowded into it—the rise and fall of empires, the glory and obliteration of dynasties, the beginning and the end of elaborate systems of human philosophy, and countless events—all important to individuals, which elude the pens of historians. Yet this period is to the Lord as nothing, even as time already gone. If a thousand years are to God as a single night-watch, then what must be the life-time of the Eternal God! —Charles Spurgeon

Before the Eternal God, all the age of frail man is less than one ticking of a clock! —Charles Spurgeon

O think a little, how inconsiderable a thing is the longest life of man on earth compared with an everlasting duration! The psalmist tells us, "You have made my days as an handbreadth, and my age—my life, my time on earth—is as nothing to You"—nothing, as compared with God's duration, which is without beginning or end!  —John Shower

This life, upon which everything depends, is very brief.

How solemn this is! In Scripture, time is compared to . . .

     a flower of the field;

     a watch in the night;

     a dream;

     a vapor.

—William Jay

How little a while we are to abide here on earth. After death we must abide forever in eternal bliss, or in eternal torments. We will either be with God in endless glory, or in everlasting fire with the devil and his demons! —John Shower

Eternity to the godly, is a day that has no sunset.

Eternity to the godless, is a night that has no sunrise. —Thomas Watson

O God, stamp eternity on my eyeballs! —Jonathan Edwards

ETERNITY! O that the sinner would study this word; methinks it would startle him out of his dead sleep!

O that the gracious soul would study it; methinks it would revive him in his deepest agony! —Richard Baxter

The crosses and comforts of this present time would not make such an impression upon us as they do if we did but believe the things of eternity as we ought. —Matthew Henry

We must not forget that the issues of eternity, are settled in time. —Arthur Pink

The great weight of eternity, hangs upon the small wire of time! —Thomas Brooks

A mistake about your soul, is a mistake for eternity! —J. C. Ryle

"So teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

Woe To Those Who Find Truth

"Cherish those who seek the truth but beware of those who find it." —Voltaire

The world loves people who profess to be "Truth Seekers," but, oh, how they hate those who profess to have found it. As long as you are searching for the truth, the world cheers you on. But as soon as you claim to have found it, they chide and ridicule you. It is okay if you search for the truth, but it is never okay for you to find the truth. In this world where truth is usually in the minority, the world wants you to be a perpetual searcher finding nothing.

Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). Jesus is the Truth. His Word is truth. Unless a man or a woman comes through Christ Jesus, they will never obtain salvation! Every single man and woman who does not believe in and on the Lord Jesus will die in their sins and perish in Hell for all eternity, separated from God the Father and His love. The only truth in this world is Jesus. If you believe anything else, you believe the lie. When you have found the Lord Jesus and He has become your precious Saviour, you have found the truth. "If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:31-32).

"Truth Seekers" are slaves. They are slaves to the unknown. They are slaves to the imagination. They are slaves to the lie. They are slaves to their sin. But those who know the truth have been set free. They have been set free from the unknown. They have been set free from the imagination. They have been set free from the lie. They have been set free from their sins. They are free in Christ Jesus. They are free in life. While the rest of the world runs amuck like a chicken with its head cut off, the believer in Christ Jesus knows that God the Father is in complete control and that nothing happens outside of His will. The believer in Jesus rests in the fact that Jesus is in control. All things have been subjected to His authority. The believer in Jesus understands this world in a way the slave to his/her own unrighteousness will never understand it.

"Let us rejoice in the truth, wherever we find its lamp burning." —Albert Schweitzer

The Pearl of Great Price

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Matthew 13:44

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it." Matthew 13:45-46

These two parables seem to give Christians the most difficulty in understanding. However, this need not be the case. There are two ways with which to understand these parables. The first way with which we might understand these parables concerns itself with counting the cost of entering the kingdom. In other words, all who would enter the kingdom ought to consider what it will cost them (Luke 14:27-33; 2 Tim. 3:12).

While there is truth to that understanding, is it the best way with which we might understand these parables? No, because it falls drastically short. First, we do not seek after God (Rom. 3:11). Our nature and our natural inclination is to hate God. Second, Jesus is not hidden. The parable does not say that Jesus is a treasure hidden in a field, it says the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. The parable is using a simile for comparison. Third, we have not even remotely come close to giving up all we have for the sake of Christ.

It is generally accepted that, like with prophecy, parables use the same imagery to represent the same things. In other words, in order to understand these parables, all we have to do is look to the other parables that Jesus has already explained. We need to pay attention to the context, to the surrounding passages. You see, in the parable of the sower and the parable of the wheat and tares, Jesus already gives us all the information we need. So what interpretations did Jesus give his parables? The field always represents the world. The man always represents Jesus. The birds always represent the evil ones.

If the field is the world, as would be consistent in all of Jesus' parables, what Christian has ever sold all he/she possesses in order to purchase the world so that he/she might have Christ? None! Few Christians have ever given up everything for the sake of Jesus. The only one who ever purchased the world through redemption was the Lord Jesus. The only One who gave up everything He had was Jesus. He gave up everything He was and had in heaven when He took on human flesh and lived among us. He gave up His own life on a cross for His people, those given to Him from the Father from before the foundations of the world, which were His inheritance.

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28

"Who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." Galatians 1:4

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20

"Walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." Ephesians 5:2 

Remember, these two parables are telling us what the kingdom of heaven is like. Yes, Jesus and His grace are of infinite value, but that is not the truth that these two parables are conveying. These parables are giving us information about the kingdom of heaven. You know, the kingdom that consists of both genuine and false converts growing up together until the end of the age?

The first of these parables says that "from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Remember, the field is the world. Luke 15:7 says, "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." Luke 15:10 says, "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Jesus gave everything He had, even His own life, for the joy of one repentant sinner. If only one person ever came to Christ, Jesus considered it worth the cost to give up His own life in order to procure the salvation of that individual.

Is Jesus of such value to us that we would be willing to surrender everything we have in order to gain Him (Phil. 3:7-8)?

Santa's Moral Judgments

"Santa says he's gonna find out who's naughty or nice.
I like the Easter Bunny better . . .

. . . He doesn't make any moral judgments."

That was the message that appeared on one particular Christmas card. Sadly, the sentiment of this card is the ditch that the majority of modern society has fallen into. Most, if not all, immorality is now acceptable, and woe to you who should dare to speak out against any immorality.

This Christmas card illustrates the ignorance of modern society, as well as the poor means with which society is attempting to raise its children these days. There is absolutely nothing wrong with judging another person, or judging them morally. The ignorance of those who think there is, is demonstrated by the fact they have no clue what the English word "judge" actually means. It has multiple definitions. If we judge by discernment, it is perfectly fine and perfectly acceptable. Right and wrong still exist, regardless of how the world attempts to blur the line between the two. If we judge by condemnation, this is wrong. Every sinner already stands condemned, both by their rejection of Christ Jesus and in His sight because of their sin and unwillingness to repent. When He returns to judge the world, their condemnation will become evident and they will spend eternity in Hell separated from God, which is their just and acceptable punishment for sinning against a thrice holy God. Because they are already condemned, we do not need to condemn them further. However, we do need to be discerning and expose their darkness.

"Tell me what the world is saying today, and I'll tell you what the church will be saying in seven years from now." —Francis Schaeffer

Like we read in the Book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament, and church history, the church is supposed to be turning the world upside down. However, a good thorough look across North America will reveal a "church" that is being turned upside down by the world and absorbed by the world. When the church is accepting, propagating, and encouraging the immoral "values" of the world, there is something wrong. The church is not becoming "enlightened"; it is becoming darkened! It has spit in the face of God, is rejecting His holy Word, and conforming itself to the immorality of the world. And worldlings^* looking at these changes taking place think the church is changing for the better?!? When the church is siding with the world and being absorbed by the world, it is not a good thing. It is a change for the worse and reveals just how great a number of professing "Christians" are actually false converts. As persecution starts to come upon North American churches, the true believers will be revealed as they refuse to bow down to the world's golden idol and are imprisoned or lose their lives for taking a stand against immorality and sin.

"You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James 4:4

"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

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^*worldling: 1.) a person absorbed by the concerns, interests, and pleasures of this present world. 2.) an inhabitant of the Earth.

Accountability

Every once in a while in a Christian's life, you are going to need somebody to walk right up in your face and point their finger.

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Galatians 6:7-9

"He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians 9:6

Sow what you want to reap.

Grow what you want to keep.

We all miss the mark from time to time. None of us is perfect. If we are truly Christians, we need to speak into other believers' lives, as well as receive when other believers speak into our lives. Instead of trying to justify ourselves, we need to listen, thank them, and examine ourselves honestly. If I am doing something sinful, I would hope that a brother or sister in the faith would call me on it and keep me accountable. If we refuse accountability, perhaps we should question whether we are Christian to begin with. When we examine everything Jesus and the Apostle Paul said, there is no room for debate on this. We are not islands unto ourselves. Everything each one of us does affects the others some how, some way. It is the ripple effect. You cannot escape it.

"Sow a thought, reap an act; so an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny." —Warren Wiersbe

If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus, what kind of Christian do you want to be? Do you want to be the kind of "Christian" that Jesus spits out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16)? Or do you want to be the kind of Christian who will hear Jesus speak the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt. 25:21, 23)? Remember that actions speak louder than words. You may talk a good game, but what do others see in your walk? What you truly and honestly believe will be seen in the way you conduct yourself throughout your daily life and activities. If you know you are a fraud and a hypocrite, then repent and beg God for His forgiveness, and start living the way the Bible teaches and Jesus would want. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15).

Had He Known Me Better!

by Frederick Marsh

Humility is the queen of the Christian graces. The excellence of humility is illustrated in the following Scriptures.

1. Humility is the Flower of Grace—Ephesians 4:2. Humility walks consistently, loves generously, serves willingly, acts meekly, forgives heartily, forbears thoughtfully, and responds obediently.
    
2. Humility is the Soul of Contentment—Philippians 4:12. It feels that it does not deserve anything, therefore takes whatever comes with gratitude. It ever sings, "O to grace how great a debtor!"
    
3. Humility is the Secret of Service—Acts 20:19. To serve the Lord with all humility of mind, is to have the bloom of consecration, the aroma of grace, the unction of love, the warmth of zeal, the ardor of faith, the walk of obedience, and the beauty of holiness.
    
4. Humility is the Badge of Obedience. The Lord's command is, "Humble yourselves" (1 Peter 5:6), and it is not without meaning that it is to be "under the mighty hand of God." We only know the mightiness of God's hand--when we lie low beneath it.
    
5. Humility is the Lesson of Grace. When we are yoked with Christ in God's will, we are in the position to learn of Christ, who is "meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). To talk about humility, is to show we do not possess it; but to keep step with Christ, is to have it without knowing it.
    
6. The Mind of Humility. "In humility of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves" (Philippians 2:3). To see the best in others is to find the worst in ourselves. Self-contemplation leads to self-congratulation, and that always fosters pride.
    
7. The Example of Christ. The mind of Christ is illustrated in that He "humbled Himself" (Philippians 2:8). He went down, before He was raised up. We need to pray: "Help us, O Lord, to deeper sink, that we may the higher rise." The downward path is the upward one.
    
8. Humility is the Attire of Heaven. "Be clothed with humility" (1 Peter 5:5). This is a suit that is always in fashion; it never wears out, and it is always befitting. Humility is recognized by men, admired by angels, and loved by God.
    
9. Humility is the Securer of Blessing. "He gives more grace to the humble" (James 4:6), or as the margin, "A greater grace." Whether an excelling grace, or "more" of the grace that excels, humility is its own reward, and is rewarded by the Lord's commendation.
    
10. Humility is the Harbinger of Reward. "He who humbles himself shall be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). The heavier the cargo, the more the vessel is sunk into the water, and the greater its worth. When the fruit of humility causes the branch of the soul to bend in lowliness, the Heavenly Gardener plucks the fruit for the garner of His love!

"There is nothing more characteristic of a true Christian, than humility. It is the first lesson that he learns in the school of Christ, and is the source of contentment and solid peace of mind.

If he hears that anyone has reviled him, he is ready to say, "Had he known me better, he would have said worse things of me than that!"

The fiercest storms of adversity blow over him. Humility gives a pliancy to his mind, which saves it by yielding to the force it cannot resist; like the weak and bending reed that weathers out the tempest which fells the tall and sturdy oak."

No Way!

There are many ways to get into Hell.
"For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." Matthew 7:13

There is only one way to escape Hell.
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

There is no way to get out of Hell.
"They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever!" Revelation 20:10
"They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power!" 2 Thessalonians 1:9

Planned Parenthood

from the 1992 album We Are Not Ashamed by Lust Control

Thank God for godly parents, Thank God for godly teachers
Who don't wimp out when it comes to the truth, Thank God for godly preachers
Planned parenthood, you make me sick to my stomach, And sometimes I just wanna cry
Your answers for kids lead to their destruction, I got one question -- WHY???

Planned parenthood, you ain't no good
Your only plan: To brainwash the nation
Planned parenthood, you ain't no good
You justify murder and fornication

Well, you taught my boy to wear a condom, 12 years old, had to take your course
Mandatory Sex Ed in the school, You're coming in like a Trojan horse
I'm not afraid to tell my kid about sex, But you wanna teach her to play
You give her pills and pay to kill her baby, Well, you're gonna pay yourself someday

Planned parenthood, you ain't no good
Your only plan: To brainwash the nation
Planned parenthood, you ain't no good
You justify murder and fornication

You are pro-abortion, You are pro-gay rights
I know one thing that you're against: You are anti-Christ!!!

Planned parenthood, you ain't no good
Your only plan: To brainwash the nation
Planned parenthood, you ain't no good
You justify murder and fornication
Planned parenthood, you ain't no good
Your only plan: To brainwash the nation
Planned parenthood, you ain't no good
You justify murder and fornication

(Romans 1:24-25; James 3:1; Luke 17:1-2; Proverbs 6:16-19; Luke 18:6-8; Matthew 18:6)