A New Year's Challenge For You And Me

It is not uncommon, as one year clicks over to the next, for people to commit themselves to new patterns for living. Such New Year’s Resolutions typically focus on self-improvement themes: lose weight, quit smoking, or improved organizational skills.

This year why not make a resolution that will matter for more than a few days or weeks? Why not make a resolution that can last for eternity? Why not boldly share the gospel more than ever before?

It is a sad fact that most Christians did not share the gospel with anyone during the previous year. Many endeavor to live their faith or give to missions, but most Christians ignore passages commanding us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mk 16:15) or to act as “a royal priesthood” and “proclaim the excellencies” of God (1 Ptr 2:9).

Do you realize that between last New Year’s Day and this one an estimated 56.6 million people took their last breath and passed into eternity? How many of them had friends or relatives who are Christian, but never shared the gospel? How many delivered pizzas, provided home repairs, or worked with Christians who were willing to be friendly and talk about every subject imaginable: football, the weather, golf, the latest unemployment rate, but never the gospel?

In the time it takes to read this sentence, about one second, two people died. Between now and tomorrow at this time, while you consider how to respond to this challenge, nearly 155,000 people will discover first-hand how Holy our God is. For many of them, the wrath which God has been storing up will begin to be poured out (Rom 1:18; 2:5-6; Heb 9:27).

There are many missionaries in the fields reaching the lost. There are many preachers boldly proclaiming God’s Word. You can find great men and women of faith who debate with the best and brightest minds foolish enough to challenge the authority of Scripture. However, none of those people have the ability to reach your friends, your neighbors, your relatives, or the people who come across your path every day. Who will reach them if not you?

For some time I have taken my car to the same auto shop. The girl at the counter, Kristine, is always pleasant. I usually have short exchanges with her as I drop off or pick up my vehicle. God convicted me recently that I was wasting opportunities to share the gospel. So the next time my truck acted up, I was ready. I had prayed for an opportunity, and I took along a few resources in case she had questions.

The first few minutes of our conversation were typical. I explained the problems that needed attention, and she thanked me for coming in. Next, I mentioned that the problems worsened the night before, as I drove to church. Then I asked “By the way, do you attend a church?”

This is a great question to ask. The answer gives you tremendous insight into the person’s beliefs and understanding of eternal matters.

Kristine, as it turns out, had a few bad experiences with churches as a youth and had only recently attended a couple services at the request of a friend. This naturally led to the next question, “You’ve gone to a few church services. What do you think happens when you die?” She explained that everyone goes somewhere. Now, most people believe life is not the end, but I wanted to know if Kristine had the right answer, so I continued, “Where do you think you will go?”

Kristine confidently stated that she would go to heaven, because she’s living a pretty good life.

This is one of Satan’s favorite and most successful lies. He used the same approach in the Garden of Eden that he uses today (Gen 3:1-5): convince people they can’t possibly understand what God’s Word means, there must be an alternative, another understanding, such as, live a pretty good life and you’ll go to heaven. This is a lie that Christians must correct, and we can only correct it if we ask and then speak the truth in love.

Kristine and I had a ten minute conversation about God’s standards, and how to know for certain what will happen when you face Him on Judgment Day. She soon realized that her destination was not heaven at all, and she was very concerned. I explained the hope that I have through repentance and faith in Christ, and I left her a book to read along with a gospel tract. Before I left, she thanked me for the conversation. The next time I go to the shop, I will follow up and see how she is doing.

I do not believe the statistics that claim 80% of those in America are Christian, but even if the real number is as low as 20%, if every one of those Christians shared the gospel with only five people, statistically every person in America would hear the gospel by the end of this year! Can you share the gospel with five people this year? Of course you can (1 Cor 1:5). The question is: Are you willing?

Don’t wait, because it might be too late. Think of the police officers gunned down in Lakeland, Washington, on November 29, 2009. If you had been in that coffee shop the day before, would you have shared the gospel with these officers? Because a short twenty-four hours later, it was too late.

Christian, you are like a doctor who knows the patient has terminal cancer. Don’t put off telling them about their illness because you might make them feel uncomfortable, or you’re not sure if you’re the right person. You have the cure. Share it!

I’m not saying that you should run up and down the street grabbing people, or screaming the gospel message, but when you have a conversation with someone, won’t you pray that the Holy Spirit will bring the strength and the right words to share the gospel? Won’t you pass out, or send out, a few gospel tracts? Aren’t you willing to start-up a conversation with a stranger and see how the Holy Spirit will use you, before it’s too late?

What New Year’s Resolution could make more of a difference for eternity?

What If Today Were August 8, 1945?

What if today were August 8, 1945 and you were a citizen of Nagasaki, Japan?

Only two days ago, on August 6, a nuclear bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. You stand in a city 198 miles away, perhaps a four or five hour drive.

Though hard to comprehend this new and massive weapon, you would know the stark realities of the destruction. In addition, you would have seen or heard of the warning pamphlets dropped by U.S. planes. You would have heard the allied radio broadcasts urging your government to accept an immediate cease fire. You would know that citizens of your city had been told to flee to safety or suffer a similar fate.

What will you do? You must decide.

You know the danger, but you can not know that if you put off your decision until Noon tomorrow, you could be one of the 30-40,000 killed when a bomb known as “Fat Man” detonates.

What if today, right now, you faced a similar warning? A warning you’ve seen on TV, heard on the radio, overheard people talk about? A warning that you now read with your own eyes.

Will you seek safety, or ignore the fact that tomorrow, or tonight, or one minute from now it might be too late?

The clear warning I speak of is this: “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27)

When you die and face judgment, will you be innocent or guilty? God will rule on your fate based on the Ten Commandments (Rom 2:6-11) How will you do?

If you have ever stolen anything (regardless of value), you are guilty of theft (the eighth commandment). In God's holy eyes, you are a thief.

If you have ever told a lie, you are guilty of breaking the ninth commandment. In God's holy eyes, you are a liar. The Bible warns that all liars shall have their part in the Lake of Fire (Rev 21:8).

If you have ever looked at someone other than your spouse with lustful thoughts, you are guilty of breaking the seventh commandment. In God's holy eyes, you are an adulterer.

The Bible says that no thief, fornicator or adulterer will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

There are many choices you can make, but only one will provide safety from the destruction to come. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." and "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved." (John 14:6; 10:9)

Will you head this warning of your guilt and fate? Will you seek the safety of God’s Son, Jesus Christ? He paid for your sins. When Jesus died on the cross it was like a legal transaction where your crimes were paid in full. All that is required of you is to respond to these warnings. How? Agree with God that you have broken his laws and repent (decide right now to turn from all sin) and put your full trust in Christ to save you. He will forgive and forget your sin. Then read the Bible and do what it says.

It is up to you. You have been warned. You can repent and trust in Christ, or you can ignore the warnings just like tens of thousands of people who woke up in Nagasaki on August 9, 1945 but did not live to see the next day.

(Image is from pamphlet dropped in Japanese cities by the U.S. Office Of Warfare Information)

What Was Your Greatest Gift?

While listening to a sermon last weekend, the pastor stated that the grace which God offers to sinners is the greatest gift ever. I wrote it down; not as a sermon note but as an idea for a conversation starter.

As Christians we are reminded to not conform to the world (Rom 12:2) but we do live in it, and for good reason: the world is the source of the harvest! (Matt 9:37)

Those who are in the world know the world and it's comings and goings. They do not care about the things of God, they dislike God's Word, and they hate Christ. (John 17:14, 16; Matt 10:22; 1 John 3:13)

Discussions about the news and other timely topics can frequently lead to discussions about eternity and the gospel. Because of this, Christians should be aware of such topics and ready to use them to begin or continue conversations.

Such was the case at a local restaurant the other day. Our waitress was taking orders when one of the men at our table mentioned Christmas preparations. I asked the waitress, "Kristi, speaking of Christmas, what is the best gift you've ever received?" She stopped and thought. After a moment I said, "Think about it, then let me know what you come up with."

One thing I learned from bold men of God like Mark Cahill and Tony Miano is that an interaction with a lost person should be a conversation, not a presentation. If your intent is to get through a checklist of the gospel, then do you really care about the person or getting another 'notch' on your gospel-gun?

I was looking forward to what Kristi might come back with, to continue our conversation, when she appeared with refills of water and iced-tea. She looked at me and told me of an item she had received many years ago. I asked her to think about gifts that last longer. I explained that as a boy I really wanted a toy ray-gun, but after a year or so I no longer placed any value in it and had moved on to wanting something else. She went off in thought.

When she next returned, she had a big smile on her face. "My dog! I bought my dog, as a gift for myself, and I love him." She showed me his photo, told me about his habits, and explained the breed. We discussed dogs that each of us had owned in the past, and then I said, "Even though you love your dog and he's been a great pet, I was wondering if you could think of anything that might last for eternity?" This led to a conversation in which I learned of her Catholic training as a young girl, and her disillusion with religion. I was able to explain that I'm not religious and was not trying to push any religion, I simply wanted to explain what I thought the greatest gift is, as described in the Bible.

We had a brief discussion of sin, our need for salvation, the Holiness of God, and the simple steps required of us: repentance and faith. Before leaving I gave her a copy of "One Heartbeat Away" by Mark Cahill, along with a note and an email address for her to send questions to me.

Between now and Christmas approximately 2.1 million people will die. Many of them will stand before God and suddenly understand how Holy He is and how wrong they were to believe the world's lies and false hopes. They will have eternity to think about their rejection of a God who stood ready to forgive. Before that happens, are you willing to put aside your pride, your shyness, and your fear of rejection to share the gospel and give these people something to think about while they still have time?

Today is the day of salvation, now go and plant a seed!

Proof That God Exists

Don't take my word for it... take this test for yourself.

How Bad Is The "How Good Is Good Enough" Book?

I must admit that I was suspicious of what I would find even before I cracked open the book "How Good is Good Enough?" by Andy Stanley. Stanley has made his theology clear, and I would argue that he is wrong on a number of points. Still, I wanted to see what he had to say about the most important topic each of us must consider during this lifetime: our eternal destination, and how to plan for it.

This book claims to address "what it really takes" to get to heaven. This is a powerful claim by the author, and one that has the potential to save or derail many people. Let's take a peek inside.

Stanley claims early, while talking about the common belief that good people go to heaven, "Every major world religion subscribes to the notion that our deeds here on earth determine our destination in the afterlife." (pg 21)

We could debate endlessly what Stanley means by "deeds" or "religion" I suppose, and this brings to the table early the problem with books such as this one: it remains nebulous enough to make it hard to pin anything down. Is Stanley including Biblical Christianity in his survey? Does he not consider Biblical Christianity a religion? There is enough squishy-ness here to make even a long-term politician admire the wiggle room he cuts out for plausible deniability. Unfortunately, Stanley is a pastor who should be clear in his message and take a firm position on the truth. Early on in this book, one wonders if that will be possible.

Stanley next makes the curious claim that the Old Testament is of no help, and specifically claims that "there is no connection between the Ten Commandments and heaven. None. Nada. Zero. It doesn't exist." (pg 40)

How any serious student of the Bible can make such a claim is beyond me, unless he is purposely attempting to redefine God's plan. The Bible is clear that the Ten Commandments are a mirror that reveal our sinful nature. They are a tutor to lead us to Christ. They expose the futility of trying to live a good life, and clearly reveal that there is "none good but God."

Stanley soon dismisses the entirety of the Old Testament as "a system of rules to live by" with "no eternal ramifications to keeping or breaking God's law." (pg 43) He even states that the Old Testament "seemingly ignores the issues of eternity". (pg 43) What of passages such as Isaiah 66:24, which clearly teaches that transgressions (breaking the law of God) will result in eternal torment? Look also to Isaiah 1:28, which warns that sinners will be crushed and those who forsake the Lord are doomed. Look too at Psalm 9:5, "You [God] have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name forever and ever." Who are the wicked? Those who transgress God's law. What happens to them? They are blotted out forever. These points are repeated and clarified in the New Testament in verses such as Second Thessalonians 1:8-9.

The Bible is not a collection of disassociated books, like Stanley implies here, it is God's revelation to mankind of His redemptive plan of salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Stanley begins to get to the heart of his argument, he plays loose and fast again with the truth. In rapid succession he states that "Jesus taught that good people don't go to heaven." (pg 49) and states that this idea "was so unsettling that Jewish religious leaders had the man arrested and crucified" for it. Nonsense. Jewish leaders had Jesus arrested and crucified for claiming to be God, not for teaching that "good people don't go to heaven". Even this claim that "Jesus taught that good people don't go to heaven" is twisting scripture mightily. Christ went well beyond this Kindergarten-level exegesis by teaching there is "none good, not one." He was building upon the Old Testament declaration of Jeremiah that "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;" (Jer 17:9, KJV)

We get additional insight into Stanley's mind-set when he proclaims judgment upon God on page 53. After showing that Christ magnified the Ten Commandments prohibition on adultery by stating that God also examines the heart, regardless of the completion of the act (Matt 5:27-28), Stanley dares to state, "Now that's not fair, and certainly not reasonable." Dangerous ground indeed.

This also is where Stanley begins to go completely off-track with his understanding of the gospel. He ends Chapter 7 speaking of how Jesus seemed to contradict Himself when he assured "bad people" that they had a place reserved in heaven while the "best people" did not. In fact, what Christ was pointing out was that unless people recognize their sinfulness, humble themselves, repent and believe the gospel (that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah) they would not be saved.

Stanley's misunderstanding of repentance is evident a number of places following this poor introduction in Chapter 7. Not only through the balance of this little book but also on his church web-site. It is clearly shown, for example, in his discussion of what happened at Calvary with the salvation of one of those crucified alongside Christ. According to Stanley there was "no turning over a new leaf" for the thief who asked Christ for mercy. Yet, it is clear from scripture that the thief did exactly that. Read Luke 23:39-43,

One of the criminals who were hanged there was ​​hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the ​Christ? ​ ​Save Yourself and us!" But the other" [criminal] "answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving ​what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come ​in Your kingdom!" And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in ​Paradise." (NASB)

This is the Biblical model for salvation through repentance and faith. Note that the first criminal was defiant to the truth, even taunting the Lord on the cross, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" His heart was deceitful and wicked, with no humility or sorrow.

The second criminal was completely different. He was sorrowful, "we indeed suffer justly". He was humble, "we are receiving what we deserve". He was repentant, "do you not even fear God?" and realized his lost state without salvation. He then sought expressed his faith in Jesus Christ. "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom." This last statement was an admission of who Christ is, and His power to save. It was an act of faith and a hope for the future.

Stanley sees only part of the picture, and for that his book is to be avoided.

Stanley does point out that most worldviews and religions get this all wrong by believing that good people go to heaven. It is unfortunate that he then scrambles the true message of hope that God offers for those who will repent and believe in the gospel.

In Part II of this book, Stanley focuses in on the forgiveness offered by God, and gets the basic idea right. It is a shame that he neglects to point out that forgiveness is not possible without humility and repentance. Scripture is clear that darkness has no place in light, and that those who continue in sin are of the devil. Stanley ignores these warnings. He apparently hopes he can charm people into agreeing with the easy part of the gospel (accepting unconditional forgiveness) without having to change anything about their sinful lives. The Bible teaches otherwise, and a clear warning for those who follow the easy path (described as "the wide gate" in Matthew 7:13) is given in Matt 7:15-23:

Beware of the ​false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ​ravenous wolves. You will ​know them by their fruits. ​Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So ​every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. ​ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will ​know them ​by their fruits. ​ Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

​Many will say to Me on ​that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many ​miracles?'

And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; ​depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'

Stanley clings to the mistaken view that "believing in Him is the only requirement" for salvation, but the Bible teaches otherwise. "Even the demons believe, and shudder." - James 2:19

Given the choice between the entirety of the Bible, and Stanley's interpretation, I will choose the Bible. I hope you do too.

There will be many who die believing they are Christians, who have some level of confidence that they will breeze into heaven on the day of Judgment. But many will be wrong. Please do not be led astray by the ravenous wolves who would lead you off the true path. Recognize your sin, repent (turn from it with a firm commitment to avoid sin with the help of the Holy Spirit) and put your trust in Jesus Christ to save you. He will save you, you cannot save yourself. Trust Him now. Today is the day of true salvation.

A Review Of Ken Ham's "Why Won't They Listen?"

Ken Ham, the well known founder and president of Answers In Genesis and the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY, is the author of numerous books.

Why Won't They Listen was originally titled Creation Evangelism, explores one of the key problems faced by Christians hoping to fulfill the Great Commission in the U.S.A. of the early 21st century, and countries with similar cultures.

What similarities, specifically? A poor understanding of the Word of God.

Mr. Ham equates many societies with the Greeks of the 1st century, with little knowledge of the Bible, little knowledge of the attributes of God, little care for moral absolutes, little history of mankind in a moral sense, and an assumption of the Bible as being little more than stories believed by a strange group of uneducated people.

In the United States, for example, there is a significant downturn in moral values, and a resulting rise in crime and other societal ills, which all seem to date back to the point in the 1960's when public schools became hostile to the Bible and prayer. Adding to this was the introduction of evolution indoctrination as the only viable explanation of why things are the way they are. In an arena where truth was supposed to be king, evolution became the truth, the Bible was relegated to the status of a kept-at-home relic.

As a result the USA adult population, raising younger generations, which have little or no confidence in the Bible as the true Word of God, and little understanding of the moral truths and consequences contained in the Bible.

Mr. Ham contends that evangelists must treat the members of such societies the way Paul did in Acts 17: First you must explain the basic truths contained in the Bible, only then can they understand the true meaning of their sin and their peril without a savior. Part of this explanation must include conveying the fact that evolution is based on faith and theory, it is not the scientific fact so many believe it to be.

The effects of evolution on society is deep and wide-spread. If evolution is true, then we are all the result of random mutations, we are all the result of prior organisms fighting for survival and doing whatever they had to get a step ahead of weaker organisms, if there is no God and no afterlife, then there are no moral absolutes. I can do whatever I can get away with, or convince you to let me get away with. If I amass power, I can do significantly more. There are no boundaries, there is only what someone can get away with.

This is exactly what we find in leaders around the world who reject the concept of God and rise to positions of power. Suddenly pragmatism and greed are king. Murder is a tool to repress opposition, or to motivate the masses.

But we do not need to look at the Hitlers and Pol-Pots around the world to see evidence of those who discount God, we see it in increased child-abuse, abortion, sex-slave rings, divorce, embryonic stem-cell harvesting, all manner of sexual perversions and combination's, and much more.

Why are there so many side effects to evolution? As Mr. Ham states, "[evolution] is a philosophy of life which teaches that man, independent of God and independent of revelation, determines truth. Thus, man’s opinions determine truth."

This is the world that modern evangelists increasingly face.

What is the answer? In the words of Martin Luther, "It was by the Word that the Church was founded and by the Word also it shall be re-established." Put simply: Christians must defend and expose the truth by enlightening people with the Word of God.

The answer espoused by Mr. Ham is not to attack issues, but to proclaim the truth.

As Christians we can reject abortion, we can stand for marriage, we should work to help those who are helpless, we should proclaim the need for civility and honor, but each should be defended and proclaimed using God's word, including Genesis 1 through 11.

When a Christian gets into a conversation about right and wrong, the way to argue for absolutes is to declare the absolute moral giver.

Legislation is not the answer, slick marketing campaigns are not the answer, even passionate arguments are not the answer: the inerrancy and trustworthyness of God's Word, combined with the peril for those who reject it, is the answer.

Mr. Ham proposes a four-step process.

1. Christians must understand and proclaim the inerrancy of Scripture, from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21, and churches must teach how to defend these truths.

2. Christians must understand that the humanistic movement is an attack on Christianity, and be prepared to give a defense to their falsehoods and propaganda.

3. Those ministries that can reach into the broad media and around the world must join in to promote these truths and pound the foundations of the evolutionists, humanists, atheists, and others.

4. When Christians fight issue battles, they must do so using the Word of God, the only way to prick the heart and achieve long-lasting change.

I agree with Mr. Ham that the earth is relatively young. A day is a day, and not billions or millions of years. I also agree with the literal reading of Genesis 1-11. There was no death until the fall of Adam and Eve, and consequently evolution is a fallacy. I also agree with his call to action: proclaim the truth and stand upon God's Word!

However, I think he overstates his case a bit with statements of how no one can understand God, including Christians, if they disagree. Mr. Ham states,

"And because the non-Christian has been indoctrinated to believe in millions of years of death, suffering, disease and bloodshed, he doesn’t understand how there can be a God of love. This person is not going to understand about a God of love until he puts on the true, uncompromised, biblical glasses, including the timeline of history: from Creation, through the Fall, the Cross and Resurrection, and the final Consummation of all these. Also, until the Christian has put on these same glasses, he will not be able to explain this seemingly contradictory world of death and life, health and disease, and joy and suffering to the non-Christian."

I must disagree with the distance Mr. Ham attempts to reach here. I was, until enlightened, just one of these non-Christians. I was, until enlightened, just such a Christian: believing in the atoning work of Christ while also believing that people in lab coats were diligently working to find truth wherever it lay. My heart ached for the lost, and in my own poor way I was attempting to share the gospel.

I now know the lengths to which scientists will go to bend the results and the interpretation to preclude a conclusion of anything divine. Take for example the declaration of Richard Lewontin, an evolutionist biologist and geneticist:

"We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counter-intuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is an absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door." Richard Lewontin, Billions and billions of demons, The New York Review, p. 31, 9 January 1997.

I also understand that many Christians, with a desire to understand God's handiwork displayed before us, are responsible for many scientific discoveries, and their faith is enhanced, not challenged.

Mr. Ham makes a great point, however, in that by neglecting our responsibility to defend God's Word modern Christianity has self-inflicted cracks to form in our own foundation.

Overall, Mr. Ham has produced a book that is a worthwhile read which sheds light on the difficulties a Christian will encounter in modern "civilized" society.

This book is available online, for no cost, in its entirety. It is also available in paperback from the same page.

Armor up Christian!

Those Who Are To Be Accursed Can Be Closer Than You Think

"False prophets are to be found in the circles of the most orthodox, and they pretend to have a fervent love for souls, yet they fatally delude multitudes concerning the way of salvation. The pulpit, platform, and pamphlet hucksters have wantonly lowered the standard of divine holiness and so adulterated the Gospel in order to make it palatable to the carnal mind...Any preacher who rejects God’s law, who denies repentance to be a condition of salvation, who assures the giddy and godless that they are loved by God, who declares that saving faith is nothing more than an act of the will which every person has the power to perform is a false prophet and should be shunned as a deadly plague." - A. W. Pink

"As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!" - Paul, Galatians 1:9

Be on guard and be ready to give your defense.