A Promised Eternity - Joshua 15:13-19

Based on Joshua 15:13-19 (New King James Version)

“Now to Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a share among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua, namely, Kirjath Arba, which is Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak). Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak from there: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. Then he went up from there to the inhabitants of Debir (formerly the name of Debir was Kirjath Sepher). And Caleb said, ‘He who attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.’ So Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it; and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife. Now it was so, when she came to him, that she persuaded him to ask her father for a field. So she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, ‘What do you wish?’ She answered, ‘Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.’ So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.”

Who was Caleb? If we see the beginning of his story (which can be found in Numbers 13 and 14), we see that Caleb was one of the twelve spies that Moses sent (at God’s command) to spy the promised land. The mission that was given to Caleb (and the twelve) had to do with observing the following: “‘…Go up this way into the South, and go up to the mountains, and see what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many; whether the land they dwell in is good or bad; whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds; whether the land is rich or poor; and whether there are forests there or not. Be of good courage. And bring some of the fruit of the land.’ Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.” Numbers 13:17b-20. The twelve returned from their mission, but ten of them spoke more about the giants and the problems they could face, and that incited people to be fearful, and for them to not only turn against Moses, but more importantly, to turn against God. But Caleb and Joshua made their report with faith, and they spoke about the great things of the land, and that if the people found favor before God, that He would give it to them. Caleb and Joshua tried to persuade the people to not rebel against God, and to not fear the giants nor anything else they would have to face. And well, if we follow the story, even up to what we read today, because of God’s mercy (because God was going to reject the people after so much complaining against Him), the people did get to the promised land, and Caleb received his rewards because of having faith in God, by justifying the Almighty and defending His cause.

Now then, was it easy for Caleb to receive the reward for his faith? No. Nothing in this life that is worth fighting for is easy. Everything takes sacrifice and work. It can be read very easily, for example, that: “Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak from there: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai”, but it was not a lie that there were powerful giants in the land. The giants of which the ten spies spoke of were like what was described of Goliath, for example, a man that was of very great stature (Goliath was about 9.5 feet, 2,9 meters), and very strong. So then, even though God worked in everything, there was much effort employed by Caleb and the people who fought to obtain the promised land. It wasn’t like in the movies, that in approximately two hours, you can see the beginning and the victorious end, where everyone winds up happy and content. Life is not a movie. Caleb had to endure days, months, and years of effort, of fighting, of physical wear and tear, and sacrifice.

So, what makes Caleb so special, and what can we learn from all of this? There were three fundamental things in the life of Caleb that we need to take into account, if we really want a successful and triumphant end. First, Caleb believed in God, not by words, but with all of his being, because he even confronted an entire rebellious group of people because of God, without thinking about the consequences, that he could have even lost his life. He took on the entire world (per se) without any reservation, for His God. Second, he believed His God. God spoke of a promised land. God sent them to see the promised land. Caleb believed God, that if he would find favor before God, that He would give it to him. And third, he did the work and was diligent and hardworking in fulfilling his part, in obeying God. He did not fight for his ideas or because of what came to him on his own, but rather, for what God commanded him to do. And he strove for it, and his faith and effort encouraged others to do the same. If we apply the same things, but with even greater things (because the promised land for which Caleb fought for was a good land, but it was a physical and temporary one, and one that now is, and tomorrow, it’s something else, like everything in this world). Nothing in this world lasts forever. But Christ is forever, and if we put our faith in Him, we can live forever. Death will have no power over us, if we simply do the three things Caleb did. We read this in the Word: “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. Is it hard to follow Christ? Yes, because we are fighting against the entire world, against Satan and his kingdom, and against sin and death; all of which are hard and great adversaries—giants really. But, our faith in Christ can conquer all of that.

Now then, let us spy (per se) for a moment the eternity that the Lord promises us: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.’” Revelation 21:1-7. But, in order to receive this reward, the Bible teaches us what we cannot be, as it is written: “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8. The eternal triumph is not for the cowardly nor the unbelieving, because it is necessary to face giants and to work hard, with our eyes placed on Christ and on His goal. But, is it not worth facing whatever we need to face, whether we are alone or with others, for a “promised eternity”? Lord bless! John

Who is Jesus? - Luke 5:17-26

Based on Luke 5:17-26 (New King James Version)

“Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. When He saw their faith, He said to him, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’ And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, ‘Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, ‘Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, ‘I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’ Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, ‘We have seen strange things today!’”

It is hard for many people to understand who Jesus is. Unfortunately for them, they see the Lord as a man only, and not for who He was and is: He was and is God. The problem that many simply have is pride and arrogance, and because of that pride and arrogance, instead of acknowledging His incredible sacrifice, that He lowered Himself to that condition so that He could go through what was necessary for us, for our sin, people actually penalize Him and count that against Him. There is no greater injustice in the universe, and as such, that’s why it is fairly punishable as the Scriptures say: “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36. This is the grave problem that many of the religious had, and it’s the same problem that many have today, that they see the Lord as an equal or even as someone lower than themselves, and that they are not going to lower themselves to accept someone like that as their God. This was the same problem that Satan had. The enemy did not want (nor does he now) accept that God is God and that it is necessary to submit to Him. In the end, if there is something that has no limit neither in Satan nor in people that refuse to believe and submit themselves to God is stupidity (there is no other word to better describe it). Acknowledging Christ as who He is, as God, is simply acknowledging a fact, and nothing more than that. There are certain things in life that we just need to simply accept and acknowledge, and this is the most important one.

Now then, maybe some people might defend themselves, the people that maybe don’t believe not out of stupidity, but rather, because of ignorance. And God does not have a problem with ignorance. Ignorance is totally justifiable, because if you don’t know something, then you don’t believe not because you don’t want to believe, but rather, because you lack the information. That’s the big difference. Now, for the person that lacks the information, but desires to understand, it is necessary to see the things He did. The Lord, although He took on a humble form, even as a man, He did things that no one else before Him were able to do, nor can anyone do ever. It is necessary to see the facts and accept them as facts. That’s why these things were left written. We see in today’s main passage that He demonstrated that He could both forgive sin and heal. He was and is able to do both things without any problem because He is God. And He did these things countless times, even on the sabbath (for what the religious criticized Him also). So then, He demonstrated countless times that He was God.

What we can also observe here is that sickness has something to do with sin, and we need to try to explain this well because it can be easily misunderstood, especially since there are certain bad doctrines out there. What we need to understand is that sin is in the world and that sin is what causes all of the bad things to be present, both the sin that is outside of us as well as the sin that lives within us. What we see in this passage is that there was sin in the person that was healed. The Word shows us the relationship between sin and sickness through the following passage: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:13-16. So then, sin is always linked with sickness, in one way or another. They go hand in hand. So, what was this man’s sin? We don’t know, but he was sick because of it. That we can see clearly. The other thing we need to understand is that the Lord, as the God He is, knows everything that is inside of us, even what others don’t see, and what is deep inside, intimately within us. For it is written: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9-10. We cannot deceive the Lord, no matter how much we try. He knows everything.

Now, is sickness a punishment. Not necessarily. The Apostle Paul is one of our main examples in the Bible, especially so we are able to understand what can happen to even the most faithful people to the Lord. Paul had to deal with a thorn, with a sickness. He explained this: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. The thorn that Paul was allowed to have was there so his pride could be dealt with, because that is the only thing that can make a person feel like exalting themselves. And of course, pride does not allow for a person to submit to God, nor to God’s purposes, and that they feel they are better than the rest. What is the purpose for sickness? God allows for certain things to happen in our lives because He is more interested in our formation and preparation for eternity than our temporary comfort in this world. Eternity is much more important than the temporal world. So, if God allows for certain things to happen in your life, whether it be sickness or some other circumstance, it’s simply because He desires to accomplish greater things in your life. The most important thing out of all of this is for you to be always able to see more clearly who is Jesus and what He desires to do in your life. What glorifies God the most is the process of human transformation, because that is the main reason for why He died for us all; not just to save us, but also, to prepare us for what is coming. So then, do you understand exactly who Jesus is and what He really did for you? Lord bless! John

God’s Faithfulness - Matthew 1

Based on Matthew 1 (New King James Version)

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’ Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”

We should realize quite clearly that we need some sort of refuge or security superior to us by seeing that we are in a world where lies are the rule, and where we cannot trust in very much, where there is so much deceit and taking advantage of. Every person, by virtue of being human (a limited being with many vulnerabilities), needs to put their trust on something or on someone so they can literally be able to survive.

It is hard for many people to trust in things or in people outside of themselves because important things and people in the past failed them at some point. And to explain better, we are not talking about a failure from a parent that involved saying something inappropriate or painful, because it would be illogical or unfair to punish them, per se, because a person said something wrong or committed a mistake in a given moment, and to dismiss all of their sacrifice over something like that. Some sons and daughters try to punish their mother or father when something does not come out right, or a mistake is committed. The duty of a father or mother with their child, before God (which goes beyond what society teaches) is to give them what is necessary like: love, shelter, food, clothes, care, advice, and protection, while they become adults (and Biblically, a person is an adult when they are 20, because they were able to go to war, although many were kings of Israel and Judah much sooner than that; so, it really varies). But, nonetheless, after becoming an adult, a parent does not owe their children absolutely nothing else. They don’t owe them at any point of their life designer clothes, or cars, or entertainment, or trips, or college careers, or help after they get married, or anything else. And if a parent has given you what is necessary, within their limits, and they commit a mistake, and you despise them, it is punishable before the eyes of God, and the only thing that you are doing is shortening your lifespan, as it is written: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12. So then, what we are talking about has to do with real faults and failures, with deep and harsh wounds, not superficial stuff. And that’s why it is very difficult for many people to trust, and they turn their faith towards themselves, or to other people, or to things that they cling on to along the way that can also fail just as much or even more than their parents.

Now then, if we are wise and logical, we should realize that we need to trust in something or someone that is immovable, in something or someone firm, stable, and lasting. If we observe everything that surrounds us, and even ourselves for a moment, we should realize that it would not be very wise to put our trust on something temporary, because everything here is temporal and fallible. Money can leave quite easily. Power is an illusion. Fame can last but an instant. Our health can change in a moment. Our loved ones can fail us even by accident, without any ill intention, because they are just as fallible and imperfect as we are. So then, where can we put our trust? What or Who has demonstrated qualities of faithfulness and security? And here is where our God comes in.

God is faithful. How do we know this? Do you have anything to do with the world’s rotation? Is it man that causes the sun to rise and to set every day? Do you have any control over your lungs and the beating of your heart? Who allows for you to live at this very moment? These are only a few examples of things that you or others have no control over. God is in all of them. In today’s passage, we saw God’s faithfulness throughout the generations, by fulfilling His promise. For starters, God does not lie, as it is written: “And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that He should repent.” 1 Samuel 15:29. And He has the power to do impossible things, as it is also written: “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.” Psalm 33:11. And He promised this centuries before it happened: “So the Lord God said to the serpent: ‘Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.’” Genesis 3:14-15. “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14. And finally, God does not change, as it is written: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.

If God does things for us that no one else can, at every moment, things that are out of the control of man, and He has even made a way for salvation by fulfilling His promise, through Jesus Christ, then, you can trust Him. He is unlike everyone else, even us; He is faithful. So, have you been able to understand and appreciate God’s faithfulness which transcends time, and that it lasts for all eternity? Lord bless! John

When We Align Ourselves with the Lord - Joshua 10:1-15

Based on Joshua 10:1-15 (New King James Version)

“Now it came to pass when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai and had utterly destroyed it—as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king—and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, ‘Come up to me and help me, that we may attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.’ Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered together and went up, they and all their armies, and camped before Gibeon and made war against it. And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, ‘Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us.’ So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.’ Joshua therefore came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal. So the Lord routed them before Israel, killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the Lord cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword. Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: ‘Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel. Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.”

One of the many great values of the Word of God is that it gives us examples of what happens when a person obeys the Lord, and also, when a person does not obey the Lord. The only way that faith can grow in a person is by seeing the Word and the experience that is written in it. For it is written: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. When a person reads believing what they are reading, then faith starts to grow and become stronger. And a person also needs to believe this, as it is written: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. God does not change. So, He was able to do great things before. He is able to do great things today. And also, He will be able to do them tomorrow.

Now then, when is God able to work miraculously in our lives? For this to happen, we need to get into the compliment of things that need to be present in a person so that God’s miracles can be seen, because this does not just happen. Can God heed the voice of a man, as it is written, like He did for Joshua? Yes, but not in the manner that many people think erroneously.

For starters, if a prayer is answered (as a person desires), but outside of God’s order, it is not God that is answering that prayer. So, we need to be very careful because the enemy is also listening to what we are asking for, and he could give us the illusion of an answer, or give us what we are looking for that goes against the will of the Lord. If we understand just who Satan is, that he is all evil, then we can understand that he is capable of many things, everything that is within his reach to help us deviate, especially if we are walking down an erroneous path. The enemy will always try to encourage deviation, that we feel confident in our sin. And if he can keep us under the illusion that God is the One that is fulfilling our desires (to make us think that we are ok), he is very happy to do so. Satan will do everything that is possible for him that can help get us off the path, to go against God’s will, to support disobedience, and finally, to help bring about our destruction.

How can we avoid having our prayers answered by the wrong person? By understanding and making God the Lord of our lives in a very practical and literal way is how we do it. Christ needs to become the center of our lives, just like Joshua did. Joshua was completely submitted to God, and he sustained an unconditional faithfulness towards the Almighty, not really caring about what others were doing, as it is written: “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15. This is the foundation that should be in every Christ follower; belonging to God.

The second thing that should be in a person is what Joshua precisely did which was to serve the Lord, not looking for his own will. Joshua didn’t do things because they seemed right to him, or because it was his idea to go to the promised land. Joshua submitted to God’s will, and he looked to do what God wanted him to do. He was a man that was obedient to God. God will prosper what we intend to do when it is what He wants, not our will, and even far less, when we are doing things wrong or walking in sin. God will not do any miracles if you are going down the path of error by practicing sin. Now, this does not mean or imply that you have to do things to get God to work, but rather, you have to be aligned with God so that God can manifest his greatness. These are two very different things.

So then, here is the recipe (if you will) that can help us see God’s miracles in our lives: belonging to the Lord, putting our faith on Him, looking for His Word daily so that our faith can continue growing, submitting to Him as the Lord He needs to be in our lives, putting His Word into works, obeying and serving Him, and aligning ourselves with His will. Do these things imply perfection? Absolutely not. Joshua wasn’t perfect. There is only one that is good and that is God. But, if we try to obey Him with fear and trembling, just as the Scriptures tell us how we need to take care of our salvation (because we need to take our salvation seriously and not for granted), and we look to fulfill His purposes, we will then see great things. Our prayers will arrive before the Throne of Grace. But the question is: “Is your life aligned with the Lord, by looking to fulfill His purposes?” Lord bless! John

God's Constraints for Man - Luke 13:1-9

Based on Luke 13:1-9 (New King James Version)

“There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.’ He also spoke this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”

Many people decide to either ignore the issue that there is a limit on how long we are on this earth, or to think that they have all of the time in the world. When people are young and in good health, they think they are invincible and that nothing can touch them at the moment. And meanwhile, they think whatever they want and do according to their arrogance and pride. The Bible teaches us that there is a time for everything, as it is written: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-3. Reality teaches us that no one knows that limit of time (if we pay some attention to what happens around us). We don’t have any idea of when it is our turn. In today’s passage, we saw two stories that taught us that we have a time limit, and for two things specifically: for repentance and to produce fruit.

In the first instance, the Lord explains to us that things that may be seen as bad do not necessarily happen to people that are worse than others. And this goes against what many people think, because many think that if they are good or if they do good things, that nothing bad will happen to them. In the grand scheme of humanity, and because of carnality reasons, we are all sinners, and that includes even those of us that have been redeemed and forgiven by the Lord. The only difference between a person that has converted to the Lord and an unbeliever is that the converted have been forgiven by the Lord. But, just because there is forgiveness does not imply total freedom from the effects of sin that is in our flesh and in the world.

The Bible teaches us this principle: “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a. Sin is what makes things here and even our own lives temporary. This is the effect of sin. And whether we sin voluntarily or even if we don’t sin voluntarily, sin is in our flesh and all around us. The reality is that we live in a world of sin. So then, if the whole world is full of sin and the wages of sin implies death, then everything that is here is under death and has a time limit (it’s finite). So, no matter how much we struggle, sooner or later, we will all perish physically either because of a sickness, or because of what another person did, or because of circumstances we explain as accidents, etc., etc. One way or another, no matter what we do, whether we are good (per se) or bad, everyone’s time will come. And the lesson is: we need to be ready for that moment, and the wise person understands, by the simple fact that all things are uncertain in this world, that they need to be ready always.

Now then, the second instance, the issue regarding producing fruit. We have a time limit on this planet, but also, there is a limit on the time that God gives us to produce fruit. The issue is that we are saved and redeemed in Christ for good works. God is a God of production, of life. So then, God gave life and awaits to see the fruit of His labor also, that He expects to see a result worthy of His investment. That is part of the likeness we have with God, the aspect that every person desires to receive something for their work and dedication. A person works so they can receive payment for their labor. A person studies because they think that it will give them more tools so they can earn a better living. A person loves someone else with the hope that the other person will value them and return that love. A couple has children and raises them with the desire that one day those children love them back, and value them the same way they did. I don’t think anyone does things so they can receive something contrary, right? No one loves so they can be despised. No one works to receive nothing. No one invests with the goal to lose everything they invested. Do you understand?   

If we expect to receive good results for our efforts and affection, how much more should God expect? God created us, and gives us the ability to exist, allowing us to live; things that are said very easily and quickly, but everything that is involved with that cannot even be explained nor detailed because it is impossible. And if we think about what He did through His only begotten Son, through Jesus, and how He gave Him as the Perfect Sacrifice for all of us that don’t even look for nor appreciate Him as we should, so that we could have forgiveness and eternal life. The Righteous and the Holy died for the unrighteous and sinners. And frankly speaking, we neither deserve His sacrifice, nor does He have any kind of debt with humanity. He did it out of love. But even love looks for some sort of result, and we know this all too well because we live this daily.

This is what the Word teaches us also: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:1-2. And It also tells us this: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:19-25.

So then, God not only gives us a time limit so can we repent and convert to Him, but also, so that we produce things that His Spirit helps us produce, things that finally show that we are alive in Him, and also, that we should use wisely the time He gives us to live while here on earth. So then, do you understand the time constraints that God gives you for your own life? Lord bless! John

God Has Priorities - 1 Samuel 21

Based on 1 Samuel 21 (New King James Version)

“Now David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech was afraid when he met David, and said to him, ‘Why are you alone, and no one is with you?’ So David said to Ahimelech the priest, ‘The king has ordered me on some business, and said to me, ‘Do not let anyone know anything about the business on which I send you, or what I have commanded you.’ And I have directed my young men to such and such a place. Now therefore, what have you on hand? Give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever can be found.’ And the priest answered David and said, ‘There is no common bread on hand; but there is holy bread, if the young men have at least kept themselves from women.’ Then David answered the priest, and said to him, ‘Truly, women have been kept from us about three days since I came out. And the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in effect common, even though it was consecrated in the vessel this day.’ So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread which had been taken from before the Lord, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day when it was taken away. Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord. And his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chief of the herdsmen who belonged to Saul. And David said to Ahimelech, ‘Is there not here on hand a spear or a sword? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.’ So the priest said, ‘The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, there it is, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it. For there is no other except that one here.’ And David said, ‘There is none like it; give it to me.’ Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said to him, ‘Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?’ Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, ‘Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?’”

Can we as human beings fulfill all of the Word of God, what God commands us to do while here on earth? Do we have the capacity of being perfect here on earth (we are talking in practical terms, not spiritual)? The answer is no, and that includes taking into account having the Holy Spirit in our lives and being redeemed and transformed through the grace of God. We will practically never come to be perfect while here on earth. And this is because the believer is still in the flesh. While we are still in this body of death (as Paul described it), sin will still be in our lives.

So, what then? Do we just give up and let sin reign in our lives? Or, will it be like some say, that because we are in grace, that it does not matter what we do, because God forgives everything, and so, we shouldn’t worry? Absolutely not on both accounts, because the Word teaches us exactly that we will not be able to see the Lord without holiness, and again, this is something practical that God teaches us, not just spiritual, because there are many out there that teach that since we have been forgiven through grace, and that we cannot remain saved by our works, and so, everything is by grace. My brethren and friends, God teaches us that after grace comes, there must be this process of obedience and sanctification in the believer, and this implies that there must be changes and transformation so that we can be made more similar to the God that called us. Both the spiritual and the practical process must be present, because if God would have just thought about sacrificing His Son on the cross, and that this would have not been fulfilled practically, then none of us would have salvation. God’s things need to be taken to action and fulfilled. So, what should we do?

The Bible explains to us that there are things that are more important to God than others in the scheme of obedience. God knows that we cannot be perfect while here on earth. We see the following story that the Lord Himself taught us which relates to the Scripture we read at the beginning, as it is written: “At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, ‘Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!’ But He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Matthew 12:1-8. The priest that gave David the showbread to eat didn’t do it without reason, but rather, because David and those that were with him had a great need, because David was fleeing for his life, unjustly persecuted by Saul because Saul wanted to kill him out of envy. So, the priest did sin by giving him the bread, but he did a greater justice before God. He practiced mercy. This teaches us that there are priorities in obeying God, even in grace (because the Lord Himself clears it up here).

The Word also teaches us the following: “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’ So Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’’ And he answered and said to Him, ‘Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.’ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’ But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Mark 10:17-22. God will always take you practically through these priorities: “Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘Which is the first commandment of all?’ Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31. If you allow yourself to be guided by these greatest commandments, and in their order of priority, even though you may commit mistakes, not only will you find forgiveness in God’s grace through Jesus Christ, but you will also be able to obey Him practically in a way more in tune to God’s heart. So then, are you living in God’s priorities? Lord bless! John

The Time for Salvation is Now - 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Based on 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (New King James Version)

“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Many times, I have heard some believers say that: “A person is saved in the Lord’s time.” If we understood what we read today and many other passages in the Bible, we understand that a person decides to come to Christ not only when God wants them to, but rather, when they have understood after diverse experiences (the majority of times) that there is no other good option (which is unfortunate). What we understand is that God is willing and desires the salvation of the entire world, as it says in the Gospel of John: “For God so loved the world…”, which implies that He desires for all to come to the knowledge of the Truth, and that He calls many times. The issue is that many either don’t realize that He is calling, or that they take things for granted.

The first problem is our own sense of security in ourselves, or our pride, that we cling on to the illusion that we are in complete control of our lives (as we have seen before). We believe that we have complete control over our time here on this earth which is far away from reality. The Word teaches us the following: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” James 4:13-14. The truth is that our lives are very uncertain, and we neither have an idea nor control over anything in all reality. The only thing we do have control over is our own free will which we use many times to just do the desires of our pride or our ignorance, like ignore the fact that we are excessively small in a world that is completely not under human control. This may sound a little harsh, but it is only the truth.

The Bible teaches us that God gives us opportunities, and they may be many throughout the course of our lives. This is known as the “Grace of God”. If we see for a moment this short phrase, and its key word “grace”, we should understand that through God’s good pleasure is that He gives us these different opportunities of which the Scriptures counsel us as follows: “Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, ‘Today,’ after such a long time, as it has been said: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.’” Hebrews 4:6-7. In other words, if the Lord is giving you the opportunity, and He again highlights “today”, that you should not harden your heart (which clearly illustrates free will, that it is not necessarily God the One who determines who gets saved or not, or that He determines when a person is saved).

I hope you are asking yourselves this, “when is this moment of God’s grace?” To be able to understand this, we need to understand something that is quite essential: The Word of God. The Word itself teaches us this: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4. The Word is Christ, which explains to us that the Word of God is a Person expressed in a language. When the Word of God appears in the scene of your life (per se), that is in fact when God is trying to speak to you in some way. God speaks through His Word. When you see verses of the Bible somewhere, or you hear them somewhere, that is God that is trying to reach out to you somehow. He is trying to share that life that can only be found and is Jesus, because again, He is the Word. As we just read, “In Him was life…”

As part of this call, when He calls you even more clearly, He sends a message that has to do with repentance and conversion. This is the complimentary foundation of the Gospel. It is not just about believing in Jesus as Lord only. This is what sound doctrine teaches us: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’” Mark 1:14-15. And also, this: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19. This is also what the Lord taught us: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’’” John 3:3-7.  

The Bible also warns us in the following manner: “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6. God calls, and He many times insists, but there is a limit, a moment when that time can stop, and it may be much before you leave this place. Because we are also warned very clearly that sound doctrine will cease to be heard, that this message will end, and therefore, the opportunities may end, either individually, or as a group. Because the Word says this: “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4. Today, we hear many fables, things that sound like the Truth, but they are not truth. They are undercover lies, even though people many times use Bible passages to substantiate them.

In the end, the time of salvation is today, not tomorrow or later, because now is when you are listening (or reading) something sound, and because you do not know what tomorrow may bring. If you don’t know the Lord yet personally, do it today. If you have strayed away from Him, the moment of repentance and conversion is today. God is speaking to you today! Do not leave for tomorrow what you should do today, and immediately. Will you take advantage of this opportunity the Lord’s grace gives, while He can still be found? Lord bless! John

Why Did the Lord Come? - John 10:1-21

Based on John 10:1-21 (New King James Version)

“‘Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.’ Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. And many of them said, ‘He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?’ Others said, ‘These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’”

Why did the Lord come? What was the purpose for Him coming to this earth to endure everything He endured? Many of us should either understand the answer to this question more clearly, or we should always have present this answer within us, because either the purpose is misunderstood or forgotten. Unfortunately, within everything that is taught, this issue is not cleared up well for many reasons. Other things are taught which make us lose focus of the true point of His mission. And the reason for why we need to understand well the why of His mission is because everything on this earth will put to the test what we believe, until the day our existence ends here. If we don’t understand clearly the why, sooner or later, we will abandon the faith in the Lord. Or even more so, when the true reason for His coming is understood, it may produce a decision within some people that will take them off course, where it is ultimately defined whether they are a sheep (or person) that belongs to Him or not. Everything will be seen in time.

To be able to explain the issue more clearly, I remember when my sister opened my eyes to the reality that there was no Santa Claus. I was a boy. I remember that the new revelation was unpleasant to me. I did not want to accept the fact that this being that would come at Christmas to bring toys didn’t exist. I don’t think that the idea that someone told me a lie bothered me at first (maybe that came after), but rather, the first phase of my anger was accepting that he did not exist. I insisted to my sister that he in fact did exist, and that it was impossible what she was telling me, and that she was lying to me. The way she would try to help me reason that my father was this Santa Claus was by explaining that, if this Santa Claus really existed, then why would poor kids not get toys at Christmas? That was what helped me accept something so difficult for me back then. I finally understood that reality, that if this really special being of Christmas existed, that all children would have gotten toys in Christmas, without exceptions.

Now then, how does this story of my childhood ignorance relate to the explanation I’m going to give? Does the Lord answer all prayers? Does everyone that ask for healing get healed? Does everyone that ask the Lord for financial help come out of poverty? Does everyone that pray for a spouse find that person they are waiting for? Can all couples stay married? And finally, do all of our problems get resolved when we come to or follow Christ? And the answer is, “No”. As an example, I have met many people that had been healed from cancer, but I have also know so many more that were not able to survive that and they are no longer with us, and this is something that affects me personally. Not all are healed. Not all of us will be financially stable. Not everyone will have their problems resolved.

Why do some get solutions and others don’t? Is it a faith problem like some suppose? Does God work in different ways, or have limited powers between the United States and Venezuela, or Ethiopia, or Haiti (for example)? My friends and brethren, God is the Almighty, and He can do anything, but He did not come necessarily to solve all of our worldly problems, because if that were the case, no follower of Christ would have any problems in any part of the world (like if there was a Santa Claus, all the children of the world would have toys). God can change things, but it all depends on things and purposes that are greater than our personal circumstances; there are greater things at stake. The greatest example that we have that not everything will go well here, even when doing as best as possible the things for the Lord, is the Apostle Paul. Paul many times could not have worse moments. Aside from having a very difficult and solitary life (because Paul was single and had no physical children) after coming to Christ, he even died for the Gospel. He himself taught us this: “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. Life here will never be perfect, and the person who truly follows the Lord will also have problems here and now, and not because of reasons that have to do with making mistakes (because many of us are suffering the consequences of our sins).

So, what is the answer? Christ came with the goal to give us eternal life, something that no one or anything else can do or resolve in this world. This is the foundation of the Gospel and of our faith, and this is within the reach of every person that looks for Him. This works anywhere on the planet, without exception, and even the most vile and lost person can attain God’s mercy. So then, have you understood your most important and true need, and do you desire to be one of His sheep, those that live forever? Lord bless! John

Understanding the “Why” is Power - James 1:1-17

Based on James 1:1-17 (New King James Version)

“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

Everything in this life has an answer. Nothing is just because. And since everything has an answer, then everything has a purpose. Everything has its function, a reason to exist. All of the events on this earth and in our lives are like words in a sentence. Maybe words such as articles, conjugations, and even symbols like punctuation may not seem like great things on their own, but without them, our sentences would be incomplete, and the meaning of what is being communicated would be lost. And if you understand anything about the law, many times, those small words or symbols can mean the difference between a person spending the rest of their life in prison, or that a fine or penalty be worth millions of dollars, or a number of other things.

In today’s passage, we see that the Apostle James writes to a group of people that are going through a tough time, to the 12 tribes that were scattered abroad. The scattering occurred when much of the people of Israel fled from their land, trying to escape tyranny and destruction. To start, it is very difficult to leave your nation without wanting to (reasons that go beyond economic benefit), because your life was in danger unjustly, because a foreign power wanted to impose their dominion over you, by demanding, and even abusing and killing with the goal to conquer. This scattering did not consist of things that many people would consider today intolerable. The comedy that exists today was not present back then, what human rights have become (because I cannot reason Biblically speaking, that a group of people can call persecution when authorities are trying to establish some sort of order, for the good of its own citizens). Because even the Apostle Paul wrote that we should pray for our authorities (and he lived during the church’s great persecution under Emperor Nero), and that rulers must be respected, and that we should do good, as it is written: “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.” Romans 13:3-5.

In the end, James was writing to people that were not doing well at all. And what he was trying to teach to those that were scattered (and also every one of us that may find ourselves under similar circumstances) was that, even though they were suffering injustice, that enduring diverse trials had a purpose. The trial, although difficult to endure, has a why, a reason, and therefore, a function in the life of a Christ follower. And here comes the most important part, that we need to understand why, the reason for why things are happening. He continues giving his counsel, that we should ask for wisdom, and for a very powerful reason: so that the circumstances can have their full effect within our lives. Divine wisdom has as an intent to give us the capacity to understand what we need to understand, so we can act as it is convenient here and now, so that we can have the greatest blessing possible in our eternal future. Wisdom is what teaches us the value of the eternal so we can act now how it is most convenient for us. That’s why, whether we are rich or poor, or whatever our situation may be, it is convenient to live wisely, just as God counsels us through His Word, because the here and now will pass quickly, but the eternal is forever (obviously). Wisdom teaches us how we can best live out our lives, and that’s why it is so necessary.

We are encouraged in this passage also to endure the temptation. Notice that it is not talking about temptations, but rather of a temptation. And the temptation (by what we can deduce when seeing the prize that is mentioned) consists of abandoning the faith. The crown of life is reserved only for those who do not abandon the faith, as it is written: “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10. It is impossible for this temptation to come from God. God will never tempt you to leave Him. The only one that wants for us to abandon our faith in God is Satan. That is why he even tried to tempt the Lord Himself, and in His weakest condition (humanly speaking). The devil will try to tempt you to leave the Lord, that it is not worth following Him, and that you will live a better life here if you leave Him. And this temptation will always be present. This is the most important reason for why we need wisdom, because God’s wisdom will always point to what has the greatest value, to the eternal; not to what is temporary and disposable. Divine wisdom will always take you to that which has the greatest value, that it is convenient for you to love the Lord above all things, for your own good. There is no better advice, because that advice alone will take you to greater things, to resist the temptation of leaving the faith, to avoid eternal death; in the end, to be able to remain faithful until death, so you are able to receive the greatest prize: the crown of life.

So then, do you look to understand the “why” of things, so you are able to understand God’s purpose for your life, so you are able to receive every good and perfect gift which can only come from above? Lord bless! John

The Lord Fulfills His Promises to the Faithful - Luke 2:25-35

Based on Luke 2:25-35 (New King James Version)

“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.’ And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’”

The Apostle Paul said this shortly before dying for the Lord, as it was written: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Paul spoke about his walk with Christ like a fight, like a race, things that not only can be long, but can be hard and tiring. On the one side, it is easy, per se, to come to Christ (although true conversion is not easy either, because it requires 100% total repentance, conversion, and surrender to Him). Salvation is free, it is God’s gift to humanity through the sacrifice and resurrection of His Only Begotten Son, through Jesus. But, being transformed daily, dealing with the continual challenge of leaving the ways of the Lord for the delights and pleasures of this world, persisting in sound doctrine, in the teaching of the Word, fighting against adversity and reproach; these things are what make it difficult to follow Christ. This is part of the fight, part of the race Paul mentioned. The Lord also said this: “‘…The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.’ Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.’” Luke 9:22-24. When we truly follow the Lord, we need to carry a cross, our cross, which has to do with the fight against ourselves, against the sin that still lives within us. Quite simply, the Truth is: that following Christ requires extremely difficult things, and whoever says different either does not know the Scriptures, or has simply not come to the Truth yet, or they are setting you up to fail in the very near future, which can only come from the enemy.

The Lord warned us about this: “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’ And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. ‘Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:3-13. So, it is not just about coming to the Lord, but a person must also persist and remain in Him (despite the circumstances), a person must endure to the end, until their last breath, until their heart stops beating, and until their spirit goes to the presence of the Most High and Sovereign God; then they shall be saved.

All of this sounds difficult, no? Yes, and no one that comes from the Lord said it would be easy, and that is the Truth. But, here comes what should be considered. Despite how hard and difficult things may get (humanly speaking), none of that can compare to what the Lord has for those of us that remain faithful in Him and to Him. A difficult life in this world cannot be compared to eternity in the presence of God. And those of us that truly understand the real value of what matters, we understand that an eternity in Christ does not compare to a few years here on this planet. A little bit of diversion or pleasure, that is here today and gone tomorrow, cannot be compare to what the Lord has in store for us. All of the great heroes of faith of the Old Testament understood this, starting with Abraham. And all of us that came to follow the Lord after, like Paul, John, Peter and all the others, including those of us that live in this era, also understand that what the Lord has for us is much better than the here and now. Those of us that legitimately strive to follow the Lord, by denying ourselves, we do it not because we are foolish or ignorant or stupid, like many people think, but rather, because we know that the Lord has greater things than what this world and Satan can offer. And because we understand this also: “I [God] love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.” Proverbs 8:17.

Now then, if you don’t know the Lord yet, come to Him and you will know what I am talking about, just how great God can be, even in your most difficult moments (humanly speaking). And if you have not been faithful to the Lord, but rather, you have given in to the stumbling in this life, the answer is very simple: return to the Lord. It is never too late to get into the fight or in the race but learn to be faithful to Him once and for all; do not play with God. And those of us that continue to remain in Him, let us continue fighting and running, because great things are waiting for us, if we remain faithful to the end.

So then, in all of this, the big question is: “Are you ready to not only make a new year’s resolution, but rather, to make a life’s resolution, to follow the Lord faithfully now and forever, so you are able to receive the Lord’s promises here and those that will be fulfilled in eternity? Lord bless! John

What Does a Person Need to be Able to Truly Believe? - Acts 9:1-22

Based on Acts 9:1-22 (New King James Version)

“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’  So the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.’ Then Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.’ And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, ‘Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?’ But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.”

What is it that makes it so difficult for a person to come to truly believe in the Lord? Could it be that there is lack of information, that we think that what we know about God is limited? If someone desires to blame their lack of faith for reasons that involve limited information, I would have to say that they are someone that either leaves a lot unnoticed or voluntarily ignores much of the reality that surrounds them and even their own existence. For starters, everything that was created speaks to God’s greatness and His eternal power. And that fact alone, per se (because there is much to observe) is what condemns an unbelieving person, as it is written: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:18-21. If we just observe things just as they are, (and in this, true science does help us understand a bit more the magnitude of things) these should at minimum inspire a curiosity for God, for the Being that is behind all of this. That is what should happen in a human being, especially in a being that believes they have some sort of intelligence, or at least, an intelligence that is superior to that of the animals. Reason and intelligence, together with the ability of observation our senses give us, would give a person the capacity to believe in the Invisible. Let’s see things like our planet, our solar system, the stars, the galaxy, and the universe, all things that we know more of thanks to science and its advances. We can describe and even understand how many of these things work today, but being able to describe or understand does not give us the ability to create them or control them, and here is where we should start understanding our limitations and the unlimited nature of the Creator. If we observe well, it is impossible to conceive that everything that exists can be the product of an accident, because of its incredible and detailed design and unalterable order.

Now then, let’s look at things that are closer to our scale—ourselves. How incredible is human creation! We understand better how we function and why things are the way they are, but can we replicate them, are we be able to create something like a living being just as it is, and from nothing? It is impossible. Human beings cannot create something from nothing, and least of all, something as incredible as a human being with a body, a mind, and a soul, unless we follow the natural process we received from the Most High, or use the things that only He created. The issue that things do come from somewhere is completely true, because whether a person wants to believe it or not, everything comes from the Being of God. As it is written: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:1-3. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. So then, He made everything, and everything continues existing because He allows it, even your own existence; the beating of your heart, the breathing of your lungs, the universe, etc. Nothing cannot exist nor function without God. That is the Truth.

Now, does God desire for a person to come to know Him through extreme situations or through disasters? No. He is not the One that determines that, but rather, our hardness of heart, our pride or desire to do our will, our unbelief is what takes God to allow for extreme things to happen to help us recognize an irrefutable reality, that Jesus is God, and that He has to become the center of our lives because it is the only way that a human being can attain salvation. There is no other way. There is only one Truth, and when we come to that Truth, everything else gets shifted to a secondary place, because we have simply started understanding who God is. This is the true reason for Christmas, that God made Himself into flesh to save humanity (without any obligation), to break our own destiny, from a sure way to hell to eternal life. This is what Paul understood, and that’s why he did everything he did, and this is what we must understand also so we can do what we need to do as well. So then, do you truly believe in Jesus, and in such a way that He has changed your reason to live? Or, are you still in your voluntary and deliberate blindness? Lord bless! John

Suffering Injustices - 1 Samuel 29

Based on 1 Samuel 29 (New King James Version)

“Then the Philistines gathered together all their armies at Aphek, and the Israelites encamped by a fountain which is in Jezreel. And the lords of the Philistines passed in review by hundreds and by thousands, but David and his men passed in review at the rear with Achish. Then the princes of the Philistines said, ‘What are these Hebrews doing here?’ And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, ‘Is this not David, the servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or these years? And to this day I have found no fault in him since he defected to me.’ But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; so the princes of the Philistines said to him, ‘Make this fellow return, that he may go back to the place which you have appointed for him, and do not let him go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become our adversary. For with what could he reconcile himself to his master, if not with the heads of these men? Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?’ Then Achish called David and said to him, ‘Surely, as the Lord lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight. For to this day I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me. Nevertheless the lords do not favor you. Therefore return now, and go in peace, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.’  So David said to Achish, ‘But what have I done? And to this day what have you found in your servant as long as I have been with you, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?’ Then Achish answered and said to David, ‘I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the princes of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ Now therefore, rise early in the morning with your master’s servants who have come with you. And as soon as you are up early in the morning and have light, depart.’ So David and his men rose early to depart in the morning, to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.”

Last week, we saw that God allows for injustice so that there can be room for judgment for those that do evil, as a result of what each person does with their free will, both the unbeliever and the believer, because we will all give an account in the end. As a second part, we will now see those that suffer injustice, because in this world, it is possible that we may suffer injustice, even though we may do what God commands. As we read today, David had not done anything wrong in this instant, but he was treated unfairly. Let’s put forth this question: “If someone does what is right or good, does that mean that the result will be good? Absolutely not. Doing what is right does not guarantee that everything will come out right in this world, and least of all, that if we do good that it may be seen as good by others. There will be times that good will be detested by many, especially if it is something that agrees with the Word of God. Things may not turn out well, even when doing God’s will.

The first and clearest example we have that doing good never can guarantee a good outcome here and now is God Himself. The Lord Himself suffered incredibly harsh and unfair things on this earth. The Word teaches us this: “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” John 1:10-11. The Lord was perfect. He never sinned. Nonetheless, He was a poor man (without material wealth), and that He was even buried in a borrowed grave. And of course, He suffered the cross and all of the scorn and pain associated with the process of the crucifixion. And, what personal guilt was He paying for? Was His sin healing the sick, casting out demons, feeding the masses for free, preaching the kingdom of God, raising the dead, or being the only begotten Son of God? Was there something evil in anything He did? Impossible. So then, the Lord suffered the greatest injustices any being could ever suffer in the universe. There was no, nor will there be any greater injustice than what the King of Kings and Lord of Lords suffered for all of us, for our sins.

Now then, some may say: “Well, He had to go through all of that, so that He could pay for our sins.” And I would have to leave very clear for anyone that would make that statement, that He did not have to suffer any of that, because He did not owe us anything. So then, yes, it was necessary, but be careful with thinking that there was some sort of obligation. Leaving the Lord aside for a moment, the Bible also explains in Hebrews 11 that many were able to do great things through faith, but also, that there were many where things didn’t go so well for them for defending their faith, as it is written: “Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” Hebrews 11:36-40. So, quite simply, just because someone does things right does not guarantee under any circumstances that things will come out right here on earth. If things turn out well, it may not necessarily be because you did things right. And in the same manner, if things turn out bad, it may not necessarily mean that you did things wrong. You can’t necessarily judge things as good or evil by their results.

I know it sounds a little depressing, because it takes away the hope in here and now, but unfortunately, that’s the way things are. Nonetheless, here is where true faith is exercised, because this is what the Word of God teaches us: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12. This is the true reward for those that do the will of God. It also tells us this: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23. And finally, we are encouraged in the following manner: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:7-9.

In the end, even though we may suffer injustices here for doing good, what really does not matter is here and now, but rather, that God is watching, and the only thing that should be of concern to us is God’s opinion because He is the One that will judge us according to our actions, whether good or evil. So then, are you suffering injustice with the hope that God is watching? Lord bless! John

Why Does a Just God Allow Injustice? - Matthew 23:27-39

Based on Matthew 23:27-39 (New King James Version)

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

I believe that one of the many things people use to not believe in God is when they dare to judge God, and they accuse him of being an unjust God, or a God that either has no control over this world and over the evil people do. I have commonly heard this: “If God is so good, so powerful, and just, then why does He allow for the world to be as evil as it is?” Many have dared to say this, or at the very least, thought it. And well, they have felt they have the right to accuse, judge, and even sentence none other than the God of the universe. And of course, within themselves, a sentence of death has been given to God; they have killed Him within themselves in an attempt to scorn Him for what He is, and because He has not done things the way they think He should have done them. Why does a just God allow injustice?

Many times, we turn elementary things into incomprehensible things, and like that, we are unable to see the answers. Nonetheless, the answer is quite simple. God allows for there to be injustice in this world for a very simple reason: judgment. And as an irrefutable link to judgment, there is such a thing as responsibility; something that Satan is trying to erase. No one likes to feel responsible for anything. If they did something wrong, it’s not their fault, but rather, the circumstances pushed them to do it, or it was inevitable, or someone did something wrong to them before, etc. Psychology is the primary weapon that is used to take away responsibility from a person. For example, if a person kills someone else, it was for reasons that overpowered them, and here comes the excuse. The same happens with so many other things, like when I have heard that, “The system failed a person, and so, they are product of the system.” The issue is that each one of us are responsible before God for what we do, and God has to allow people to do what they do so that the judgment that is coming can take place. Otherwise, how can you judge someone if they have not done anything wrong? It would be unjust, right? So then, each one of us have such a thing as free will, and the judgment that we will face has to do with what we did with our free will, for good or for bad; and most importantly, whether we chose to believe and do what He commands us to do.

The Bible explains to us that each person that has not chosen for the Lord will stand before the throne of God, as it is written: “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15. So then, for the unbeliever, the issue is quite simple, that if they chose not to believe in and accept Jesus as the Lord of their life, they have drawn their path to eternal death out of their own free will. It’s not what God wants to have happen, but He is not going to force anyone. If a person does not want to be with God, then how can He force them to be with Him forever?

And now then, the issue for the Christian is also very simple, but it has been confused a lot because Satan has infiltrated the church with the goal to erase judgment and responsibility. When we come to Christ, and we are born again in Christ, we are given a new beginning; we are redeemed. And we receive forgiveness of sins and redemption. But, what do we do with that new beginning, with that forgiveness of sins and redemption? And here is where we identify the evil. People are taught quite often that there is nothing left to worry about, and that you don’t have anything else to do; or if you sin, you have forgiveness for all past, present, and future sins. And the issue is yes and no. Yes, we do have forgiveness, but we have not received a license to practice sin, as well as, faith without works is dead. The Bible is very clear in that the people of God will also be judged and give an account for what they do right and wrong, as it is written: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. It also teaches this: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31. And finally: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23.

Each person is responsible for their actions. So then, what are you doing with your free will? Lord bless! John

Saved for a Godly Purpose - Ephesians 2:8-10

Based on Ephesians 2:8-10 (New King James Version)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

For a long time, and in different places, a gospel has been preached that teaches that when you receive God’s salvation, that you don’t have to worry about doing works because works neither save you nor are they necessary to keep your salvation. Basically, they use part of the passage that we just read to justify that everything is by grace, both obtaining salvation, as well as being able to maintain it. But, unfortunately, the enemy’s schemes do not consist of creating new things in trying to deceive, but rather, of taking parts of the truth and distorting them so that the lie sounds like the truth, and like that, be able to cause the deviation. Satan’s work is very easy because it only consists of just producing small deviations to carry out his plan of destruction for the soul of a person. The word “sin” is defined exactly that way, that it’s about “missing the mark”, and so, the deviation. That’s why we need to be very careful and take the Bible as a whole, not just certain passages here and there.

The issue is that yes, the truth is that we are saved only by the grace of God, through faith in God. No one can save themselves through the works they do, as it is written: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” Galatians 2:16. But, where the passage is usually cut off is at verse 10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” We are saved by grace and faith, but for something. We were created in Christ Jesus for good works. So, every Christian was made with a purpose, and that purpose is through Christ, not to live whatever way you want to live. And here is where the devil comes in with his lie; to try to paralyze the work of God, to take away the good purpose of God, and to try to destroy the very reason we were created for.

And here we need to see the first problem. To be able to get to God’s salvation, you need to believe and accept Jesus as the Lord of your life. For it is written: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10. This implies that you belong to Him and that He is the One that is in control, not you. If you are struggling with this concept, that Jesus needs to be the One in control of your life, I have to tell you that you haven’t even entered the race yet, that you haven’t even registered to run or to be able to do what God desires for us to do. The Lord Himself taught us to pray this way: “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10. The will of God must be fulfilled, not our will. We were created and saved by God so we can serve Him, and not so that God can serve us and fulfill our whims. That is why the Word also explains this to us: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. So, if you struggle with accepting the Lord’s lordship, then you have serious problems. If you are struggling with problems that have to do with the practice of sin, you also have severe problems, because you will give an account. We have to be very clear on this, that “we must all appear”, for even Paul who writes the letter to the Corinthians includes himself in this judgment seat of Christ, that he will give an account for his actions, whether they were good or bad (And who is going to question Paul’s salvation?). And the Bible also teaches us this: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26. So, we can explain it this way, based on the Word of God, that salvation is not kept through good works, but rather, it is necessary to do good works because of the salvation we have received. It is vitally necessary to do God’s will. Otherwise, we are not letting the Lord be the Lord in our lives, and that carries within itself serious problems at Christ’s judgment seat. How do you think God will see that?

And finally, let’s see this passage which sums things up: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 25:14-30. Whoever receives God’s salvation (by recognizing Him as Lord) receives the title of servant (because that is the natural relationship) and also, receives a talent, at minimum, through God’s Spirit, something that comes from God to be used for Him, and according to their capacity (not something that is beyond them). And simply, if we don’t serve God, and we don’t use the talent He gives us for His purpose, nothing good awaits us. Because even though we may be servants (beyond being children of God), we will be cast into the outer darkness, to a place that the Bible describes as hell if we don’t do what we should do. Understanding it this way, can we believe anything else that does not have to do with fulfilling God’s purpose? Do you understand that the Lord needs to truly be the Lord in your life and that you were saved for a Godly purpose, and not to fulfill your own will? Lord bless! John

Living a Life of Continual Transformation - Ephesians 4:17-24

Based on Ephesians 4:17-24 (New King James Version)

“This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

What should happen with a person that is born again in Christ? Do they start going to church? Do they start to tithe and give offerings? Do they have to become a member of a choir or singing group? Do they have to give sacrificially so a church building can be built? Do they start living a more moral life, so they can be accepted in church? Are they always full of joy, happy and content? Do they have to go to a seminary? Do they need to speak in tongues so they can demonstrate that they received the Holy Spirit? These things are not necessarily bad, but they are what many have determined that should happen in the life of a Christian, in one way or another. But, these things do not necessarily determine if there is salvation or life in Christ. It’s not about turning into a religious person, but that is what happens when a person does not understand what truly occurs when they are born again in Christ.

For starters, today’s Word says that there should be some sort of a change in a person, and that yes, there should be a difference between a person that knows Christ and a person that does not know Christ, nor the things of God. How do you know if you have truly come to know Christ personally, if you have come to be born again in Him? Converting to the Lord consists of very simple yet determining things. The way a person comes to be born again in the Lord is through complete repentance, repenting 100% (not 80%, or even 99%), and converting to Christ, by accepting him as the Lord of their life, and doing it with all of their heart, not just with words or lacking faith. A person really needs to believe what they’re doing because a person is effectively giving themselves over to the Lord, giving Him their life. And when this really takes place, something great happens in the life of believer. An initial transformation or regeneration takes place, as it is written: “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:4-6. So then, what literally happens is that the Holy Spirit comes into the life of a person, and regenerates and renews their spirit, the being within them that has the capacity to live eternally. And when the Holy Spirit comes in, that Holy Being of God, then something significant should happen in the life of a person. It cannot be a day like any other, because in the end, God came in; the most powerful Being in all of the universe. So, by virtue of completely repenting, there are noticeable things that change right away in a person, because of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in their life. It does not mean that they will be perfect right away, but there are going to occur involuntary (per se) changes that happen at the beginning. For example, in my own life, when I gave my life to the Lord, the first things He worked on and helped me abandon was idolatry, stealing, and attraction for alcohol. No one told me that I had to leave those things, or that Christians should not follow or do those things. It happened all on its own, without any kind of effort, because it was the work of the Holy Spirit. God transformed by life.

Now then, what should continue happening in the life of a Christian? The transformation process should continue. Things should not stop at that initial moment, and here is where what we read at the beginning applies. Christ died so that not only we could be saved, but also, so that our lives could be completely transformed, so we can be useful, ready for all good work. That’s why the Word encourages us as follows: “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:16-17. The Word is very clear in that there should be a process in a believer, that there needs to be a continuing transformation. And how does that transformation continue occurring? Through the Word, for it is written: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27. The washing only happens through the Word of God. The Holy Spirit, through the Word, teaches us what needs to continue changing, what we should stop doing (evil), and what we should learn how to do (good). And doing good consists of doing good works, not of doing religious things.

Why is this process so important, and a person should not just stay at that initial point only? The Bible teaches us this principle, something that never changes, whether a person has never known the Lord (obviously), or even if a person has come to be born again: “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a. Even though we have been forgiven, redeemed and born again, sin never stops producing death, whether great or small. So then, we know that we will not be perfect until the day we are made free from this body of death (the flesh), but that’s why it is so important to follow the process, because what produces death must be reduced as time progresses. This is the counsel and warning the Word gives us also: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery [drug use is involved in this also], hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:16-21. So then, if a Christian dedicates themselves to practice sin, or living a sinful lifestyle, (what goes beyond just sinning), they will simply not inherit the kingdom of God.

So, are you living a life that is continually being transformed, for your own good, and for the good of others? Lord bless! John

What Matters is How You Finish - 2 Chronicles 24:1-25

Based on 2 Chronicles 24:1-25 (New King James Version)

“Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest. And Jehoiada took two wives for him, and he had sons and daughters. Now it happened after this that Joash set his heart on repairing the house of the Lord. Then he gathered the priests and the Levites, and said to them, ‘Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that you do it quickly.’ However the Levites did not do it quickly. So the king called Jehoiada the chief priest, and said to him, ‘Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and from Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the Lord and of the assembly of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?’ For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken into the house of God, and had also presented all the dedicated things of the house of the Lord to the Baals. Then at the king’s command they made a chest, and set it outside at the gate of the house of the Lord. And they made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to bring to the Lord the collection that Moses the servant of God had imposed on Israel in the wilderness. Then all the leaders and all the people rejoiced, brought their contributions, and put them into the chest until all had given. So it was, at that time, when the chest was brought to the king’s official by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, that the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it and returned it to its place. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who did the work of the service of the house of the Lord; and they hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the Lord, and also those who worked in iron and bronze to restore the house of the Lord. So the workmen labored, and the work was completed by them; they restored the house of God to its original condition and reinforced it. When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada; they made from it articles for the house of the Lord, articles for serving and offering, spoons and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of Jehoiada. But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; he was one hundred and thirty years old when he died. And they buried him in the City of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God and His house. Now after the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them. Therefore they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass. Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen. Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, ‘Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper?Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’’ So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord. Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, ‘The Lord look on it, and repay!’ So it happened in the spring of the year that the army of Syria came up against him; and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the leaders of the people from among the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus. For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; but the Lord delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash. And when they had withdrawn from him (for they left him severely wounded), his own servants conspired against him because of the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed. So he died. And they buried him in the City of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.”

Today’s message is very simple, but many times, those that desire to do God’s things their way or convenience distort and disseminate a message that abuses the grace of God, a message of irresponsibility, teaching things that do not coincide with God’s Word in its entirety. And through this distortion, they teach that the things of the Old Testament need to be ignored, that they no longer apply (because we are in the dispensation of God’s grace), thereby committing blasphemy against the Word of God, mutilating the Lord’s holy counsel. In the end, today we will see King Joash’s life, it’s shining start, but with a sad and unexpected end.

What happened to Joash? When we see the beginning of his story, and although he was a child, he did good things before God, where he even urged the Levites (those people that were supposed to be the leaders and teachers of God’s things) to be more faithful and diligent. But when Jehoiada the high priest died, something happened, and the story changed. He went from one extreme to the other, from being faithful to God and to worrying about His things, to leaving the house of the Lord, and serving wooden images and idols, committing abomination before the Almighty.  

Now, many of those that think that are wise in the Word might say that he never had a personal relationship with God because he said: “…the house of your God (and did not say: ‘my God’).” Others that think that are scholarly would say that God raised him for the work, and that it was not his own choice. And others may simply say that he followed Jehoiada the priest. And well, all of the above may be true, but being so wise and educated, we can yet lose sight of Joash’s life. No matter what happened, Joash started well, but unfortunately finished badly. And in the end, God is more concerned about how each of us live our lives and how we finish the race (because this is a race, and in a race, you need to run and finish, as the Word teaches in the New Testament, as part of grace), for it is written: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2. “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” Philippians 3:13-15. And finally, the Lord Jesus Himself said this: “…If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” Luke 9:23-24.

So then, what are you doing with God’s grace? And, will you follow the Lord faithfully until your end? Lord bless! John

The Innocent Pays for the Guilty - Leviticus 17:1-7

Based on Leviticus 17:1-7 (New King James Version)

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron, to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying: ‘Whatever man of the house of Israel who kills an ox or lamb or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp, and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting to offer an offering to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord, the guilt of bloodshed shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people, to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they offer in the open field, that they may bring them to the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to the priest, and offer them as peace offerings to the Lord. And the priest shall sprinkle the blood on the altar of the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and burn the fat for a sweet aroma to the Lord. They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.’’”

Why did the sacrifice of certain animals exist in the Law of Moses before? The issue was that when man fell in the garden of Eden, sin came into the creation on this earth. The first innocent victim that was sacrificed was for the use of it skin, to cover man’s shame as the Bible tells us in the book of Genesis. God Himself sacrificed the victim as a sign of what was going to happen later. So then, sin was the reason for why this was done before.

The Bible explains to us, that since then, sin was the reason why everything that was good on this planet was ruined, because it was what introduced death into God’s creation. Sin is the reason why we have all of the evils we have seen in history, and what we live through until today. This is what the Bible explains even further: “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4. It also says this: “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a. So then, this was the reason for why there were sacrifices in the Old Testament.

Now then, in the Law of Moses, in the Old Testament, the word in Hebrew that describes what the sacrifices did for sin explains that it did not remove sin, but rather, that they only covered them (the word “kaphar”). So, the sacrifices could never take away the eternal price of sin (the death of a soul), but rather, that they would only cover them before the eyes of God. Despite the fact that they were clean victims, they did not have enough power to erase the sins of men. It was something temporary. Something much greater, a being that was Holy, and also of divine and eternal nature was necessary so that the sacrifice could be perfect and eternal, so that man could have the possibility of saving their soul from a certain eternal death. And here is where the only begotten Son of God comes in: Jesus Christ. The sacrifices of the innocent in the past were only a sign of what would come later, and that it would become a reality through the Lord.

Our salvation was something very costly, something very hard and difficult. Although it was something similar to the innocent in the past, the Lord suffered far more. Even though He was God, He suffered it while having complete human consciousness, in our likeness. The Bible describes prophetically in one place what the Messiah was supposed to suffer through like this: “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5. The Bible describes in different places the complete process that the Lord suffered, starting with Judas’ betrayal, experimenting unfair and unfounded judgments carried out by the religious Jews and roman authorities. He was beaten and scorned. He was crowned with a crown of thorns that was dug into His head. He was flogged with chords that had pieces of metal intertwined, such objects that would penetrate deep into his skin and flesh, and when retracted, they would pull off everything they had grabbed onto. He carried a heavy cross after, while the multitudes scorned Him, while they mocked Him, and as they spit on Him and threw things at Him. After that, He was nailed to that cross by nailing through His hand and feet, where He hung for hours. And in the end, in order to confirm that he had died, they pierced His side with a spear. All of this was what the Messiah experienced, as part of the process of His sacrifice.

Someone may ask, what was the reason, the why that something so horrible had to happen? As we had explained before, our sin carried a huge price, and that’s why it had to be this way. A simple death was not enough to be able to do what was necessary, or rather, to be able to do what we needed. And God did all of this not because He had some sort of obligation with us, or because He owed us something, because He owes us nothing. They did everything out of love, as it is written: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

And now, knowing, or rather, understanding all of this, how could we see God’s salvation as something so simple or of little value? How can something so great be taken so lightly? Make no mistake, that even though salvation through Jesus is by grace, even though it is God’s incredible gift to man, it should not be taken lightly or as of something of little value, and for many reasons, part of which we just mentioned. God is love, but He is also just and consuming fire. As it is written: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31.

So then, have you understood the incredible thing God did for you? Do you value the price of your salvation, that the Innocent paid for the guilty? Lord bless! John

Having a Soft Heart Before God - Hebrews 4

Based on Hebrews 4 (New King James Version)

“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: ‘So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’’ although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: ‘And God rested on the seventh day from all His works’; and again in this place: ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, ‘Today,’ after such a long time, as it has been said: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.’ For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Today, and for some time now, people preach in many places a gospel or a doctrine that takes way too lightly the things of God, and they turn God’s grace into something that is abused, or rather misunderstood. Even more so, something is preached that takes away all responsibility, whether it involves continued change and being transformed, and also, takes away the importance of doing good works. You can’t quite put an exact title on this erroneous gospel because it is taught in different ways, and it is either taught subtly or directly. Basically, many teach that when you have come to Christ, or when you are saved, that there is nothing else that has to be done because works don’t count, and/or also, they teach that when you have come to the Lord, that it doesn’t matter how much you sin, that there is no way for you to be lost. If we are lead by the Word, and we put it all together (because in order for something to be right and taken as sound doctrine, it must agree with all of the Word of God, not just some parts), there are many parts in the Word, and in particular, in the New Testament (because many commit the mistake of ignoring the Old Testament, as something that has no value) that clears things up in a different way, just like the passage that we read today. In the end, it is an error to think that works do not count after being saved, and also, it is an error to think that we should not take care of our salvation.

To deal with these issues, we would need to see Paul’s example. I think we can all agree that Paul was the Apostle that came closest to being like the Lord, and by virtue of that, he was the one that worked most for the Gospel of Christ, that he even came to give his life for his faith in the Lord. Despite all of that, and with an irrefutable conversion and with all of his sacrifices, he never thought that he had gotten to the goal while he still thought he had time.  As he said this about himself: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” Philippians 3:13-15. Let’s see a little bit more of Paul’s life and all he went through for the Gospel: “I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:16-28. So then, if Paul never thought that it was all done with just being saved at the beginning, and with everything he suffered for the Lord, how could we even venture to say something else, and that we don’t have to continue moving forward and do good works for the glory of God?

And now, with respect to the issue of sin. We are all sinners, and we will continue sinning until the Lord returns for us. That is a reality, and one that God understands, and that’s why He established Jesus Christ as our High Priest. Or else, why institute Someone like Him? What matters does not mean that you will be perfect, but rather, that you have a soft heart before God, and that when He confronts you with His Word (not with man’s rules, or commands, or religious things), that you can at least come to accept that something is wrong, and that you allow Him to work in your life. The Lord gave testimony of David as it is written: “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’” Acts 13:22. David was not perfect (morally speaking), and he committed great atrocities, but what made David so special before God was that when he would be confronted with the truth, he would not make excuses or justify his sin, but he would accept it and repent. This is the same expectation God has for each of us, that we be soft and docile in His hands so that the work that started with our salvation does not stop, but rather, continue until the end. And so, let us not pretend like there is nothing else that has to be done, nor that we don’t have to take care of our salvation. So, do you have a soft heart before God, enough to continue changing and also willing to work for Him? Lord bless! John

A Living Faith - Exodus 20:1-17

Based on Exodus 20:1-17 (New King James Version)

“And God spoke all these words, saying: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth  generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him  guiltless who takes His name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in  six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.’”

What is a living faith? Many have turned God’s things into something that is not God’s will. Many have converted what is His into a system of rules that go way beyond what the Bible teaches, turning things into regulations and standards. Others have done the opposite, and have made things into something so liberal that they teach you to just live your life any way you want because God loves you, and He is going to forgive everything, and like that, they incite you to abuse God’s grace. And there are others that center everything on a church, and that the all of a Christian is to be in church and do religious things. I think that what the majority have in common is that you should always tithe and give offerings, because when it comes to money, all of the above ask for it in some way, either soft or subtly, or directly. It’s not that tithing, and offerings are bad, but each one of us are able to see if something is used legitimately for good or for other things (logic helps a lot here). The issue is that a living faith consists of fulfilling and living the Word of God. But let’s explore a bit more to be able to understand better.

The first thing we understand is that everything is based on the Word of God because the Lord Himself said this, as it is written: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17. So then, if the Lord Himself did not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, then we should not do it either. The Word of God exists so that it can be fulfilled all around us and within us. But it is necessary to understand it so we can fulfill it, and here is where many don’t get it right. The issue is that faith in Christ needs to come in first so that you can understand and do what He wants you to do, because then, what would be the reason for doing things? The Lord always has to be the reason for why we do things, in one way or another, or else, all is in vain.

But, in the end, this is what the Word of God teaches regarding faith and works (because a living faith can be seen through works): “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:14-26. The Ten Commandments (what we read today) have two directions: the first set of commandments consist of our relationship with God, and the ones that come after have to do with how we treat our neighbor. That’s why the Lord explained things even more simply when He said: “…the first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31. All of the law and the prophets consist of what the Lord said, and the New Testament is simply the work and the fulfillment of the Word of God through Christ’s universal church. That is the reason for why the Gospel has been spread throughout the whole world, because it is about fulfilling what God wants: sharing the Gospel with every person. That was the Apostle’s motivation, and the motivation of those of us that follow after. And all of this is action, not just talk. We have what we have today because of those faithful people of God, people that had a living faith, that dedicated themselves to spreading the Word of God and helping their neighbor, and it cost them hard work, and sacrifice, and their own lives.

So then, you need to live faith. It is necessary to do those things that please God. All of those that teach that works do not matter usually cling on to the following passage, but magically forget the verse that follows: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10. The Word of God also teaches this: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. 

So, if you are convinced that Christ has saved and redeemed you, do you then have a living faith? Lord bless! John

The Problem with Unbelief - Matthew 13:53-58

Based on Matthew 13:53-58 (New King James Version)

“Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, ‘Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?’ So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.’ Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

Unbelief is the most destructive of all sins because it is the one that simply does not allow for you to believe in God, neither in who He is, nor in what He is capable of doing. Complete unbelief is what takes a person to eternal perdition. And if there is a measure of unbelief in a person, at least not total unbelief (because there are levels of unbelief), it will affect negatively those areas that are linked to the unbelief (if you believe that God is only good for certain things). Faith is everything to every human being. Without faith, you cannot get to anything of value, especially to the great things of God. For it is written: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.

Today, many people see God as a legend, or as part of a children’s story. When you talk about God, it’s like talking about a cartoon character, or something similar, but only that He is something that is older and that He was invented by a church institution so that they could be able to control the ignorant masses. Those of us that believe in God are seen as people without education, people that are extremely limited, or simple and even superstitious people. In the end, faith in God does not have much value in today’s “developed” world. Today, just as before, people believe more in the power of the material, in money, in people, in science and technology, and in other similar things. Those things have much more value than anything related to faith in God. And well, each person is free to choose to believe or not believe. But, like we have said many times, absolutely everything has consequences, and if you don’t see the consequences here and now, you will see them in the future, because ladies and gentlemen, the truth is that every human being shall die, and every human being will stand before the Great and Eternal Throne of God, whether they want to believe it or not. And when they are there, they will remember words like these, either for good or for bad, depending on what they decide to do with the Word of God, because God’s Word does not come back empty handed. The Word of God is fulfilled exactly, because either you believe in Him and you receive His salvation and the blessings that come with that salvation, or you don’t believe in Him and you lose the opportunity for salvation and all the blessings that come with that salvation. The Word of God is fulfilled either for blessing or for curse. As it is written: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

The issue is that there are greater things that talk about God, things that are taken for granted because they are so great and immovable, such things that should not be ignored, because they are simply too great and are completely out of our control, those that proclaim God’s greatness, those that should at least cause some sort of curiosity for the Omnipotent God. As it is written: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. This planet and all of the universe was created by God. It was not an accident or an explosion like many scientists affirm. Furthermore, the truth is that we have no control upon this planet, neither on the stars, and not even on this planet’s gravity. All of that exists and remains not by human hand, neither by money, neither by science or technology, nor by anything that many choose to believe in. We don’t even have anything to do with the beating of our hearts, but rather, it is something completely involuntary. You live and breathe because of something, or rather, because Someone allows for it to happen. And that is God, whether you want to believe it or not.

Now then, one of the things that affirms that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, that He is God, is prophecy. Isaiah wrote the following over 700 years before it was fulfilled in the Lord’s life, which reveals that not only Jesus is the Messiah, but also the greatest act of love that not anyone could fulfill, as it is written: “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked—but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53. And this Jesus does not change, for it is also written: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.

And so, the issue then becomes simpler, and it involves a simple decision: “Do you believe that Jesus is God or not?” If you believe in Him as God, you will attain eternal life and see the glory of God, but if not, the opposite will become your reality. Lord bless! John