Why do Christians try to get morality put into law?

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There are times that people will ask, “Since we live in a pluralistic society in our country, why do Christians try to get their morality put into law?” Or they will ask, “Why do Christians back certain candidates for office?”

The answers to these questions involve much Bible study and a knowledge of the Word. As we read the history of Israel in the Old Testament, we see that Israel either flourished or languished depending on the leadership that was present. When Israel had a leader that “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord,” the Lord blessed Israel. On the other hand, when the leadership was sinful, Israel suffered under the hand of God, and became all the more sinful as a nation.

As long as Israel obeyed the Lord, the promise to Israel in Deuteronomy 28 was one of blessing. However, almost twice as much of that chapter speaks of the cursing that would come upon the land when it chose to disobey the Lord. In other words, the nation was dealt with according to its moral conduct, with that conduct being measured by the law of the Lord. Since we are told in I Cor. 10:11 “And all these things happened to them as examples; and it is written for our warning on whom the ends of the world have come, ” we need to heed the warning! God says, in essence, “Obey my law and be blessed, but disobey my law and be cursed!”

It follows to reason, that a person who studies and believes the Bible would want godly leaders in office and God’s law as the rule of the land. It is not a matter of legislating morality. Every ruling body legislates some kind of morality, but it is a matter of accepting God’s law as the authority for our lives and the law for our land. That does not mean that every person in the land must be a Bible believing Christian, or attend a Bible believing church. (However, it would be wonderful if everyone did.) It does mean however, that when God has spoken about a matter, we must accept His Word as final.

Psalm 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world stand in awe of Him.

9 For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood.

10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He breaks the plots of the people.

11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; the people He has chosen for His inheritance.

13 The LORD looks down from Heaven; He beholds all the sons of mankind.

14 From His dwelling place He looks on all the people of the earth.

15 Together He forms their hearts; His understanding is to all their works.

16 The king is not saved by a great army; a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

17 A horse is a vain thing for safety; neither shall he deliver by his great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is to those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy;

19 to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.

21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we trust in His holy name.

22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be on us, according as we hope in You.

Is morality a Biblical requirement for leadership?

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This question has been dealt with in the media, in discussion groups, and in the minds of many citizens in the light of the scandals that have dominated our political scene. Some feel that a leader’s private life is no one’s business. They feel the real test of a leader is how well he can lead others.

If we leave the Bible out of the discussion, that might very well be a good test of leadership. However, God laid down some principles for choosing a leader. He said, in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, the person who would be the king, or leader of the people, should be a person who is not covetous (does not multiply horses or silver and gold to himself), and he must be one who is sexually pure. He is not to have a multitude of wives (or mistresses) so that his heart is not turned away from God.

Further, this leader is to have a copy of God’s law beside him at all times. He is to study it so that he may keep his heart in tune with God. He is to remind himself of the standards God puts upon leadership. God blessed Israel when she had kings that were righteous, and He cursed them when the king was a wicked, immoral person.

Yes, morality is a biblical requirement for leadership in government.

For more about Leadership see the BBN BI course # 50400

Predestination or the freewill of man?

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Predestination and the freewill of man is our topic today as we consider the major doctrines of the Bible. Perhaps, no two doctrines seem farther apart from each other than these two. Predestination teaches that God controls the destiny of each person, and freewill teaches that each person makes his own choices, using his or her free will. It would appear that these two ideas could not coexist. Perhaps, after our Bible study today, you will see that they can, or maybe you will be even more emphatic in saying that they are poles apart. Let’s look at each of these concepts and the scriptures that would seem to teach each.

Those who teach the freewill of man would use, among other portions of the Bible, those that use the term, “whosoever.” There are many of these in the Bible.

John 3:14 But even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, 15 so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 16 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. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Ironically, this verse is in the chapter that speaks the most powerfully on the sovereignty of God. Romans 9: 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

In the next chapter, we have further teaching on freewill. Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

In the last book of the Bible, the last chapter, God once again gives the invitation to all to come to Him for salvation. Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Those who believe the Bible teaches that God predetermines the destiny of the saved and the lost would use the verses that have the word “predestined” or “predestination” in them. Here are several.

Ephesians 1:4,5 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Those who are predestined or chosen are sometimes called the “elect.” The word “elect”, means “one chosen or set apart, designated by God to salvation, predestinated to glory as an end and to sanctification as the means.” (according to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary) This term is used in several Bible verses. First Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Looking at the verses that seem to support these two opposing views, we do see one thing that sheds some light on the subject. In the verses that are used to support predestination, we usually find the words “according to the foreknowledge of God.” God, Who knows the end from the beginning, knows who will claim the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, as their payment for sin, and elects them to salvation, thus predestining them to Heaven. Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. I like to summarize that by this phrase, “There is enough room in the sovereignty of God to handle the freewill of man.” A God as awesome as the God of the Bible is in control of all things and all beings. However, our God is also a God of love, giving each person the will to choose or refuse His Son as Savior and Lord. To go too far on either side in this area, is to misinterpret the Bible. On the one side would be the fatalism that says, “Whoever God is going to save is who will be in Heaven, so we do not need to witness or send missionaries. On the other side is a view of God that makes Him inferior to man and bound by man’s decisions. Neither extreme is biblical.

As someone have aptly put it, “As you approach the gate of Heaven, you see the phrase engraved over the gate, ‘Whosoever will, let him come.’ After you pass through the gate, you turn and read the phrase again, and it reads, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:.” Ephesians 1:4

Now, the question comes down to this, “Have you chosen to receive God’s gift of life in His Son, Jesus Christ?” I felt led of the Lord to teach this lesson, because there may be someone listening today who may feel that they are not one of God’s chosen, elect, predestined saints. My friend, if you have an interest in Heaven, trust Jesus Christ today and He will save you. If you have not done so, and you would like to trust Him right now, where you are, just call this number and someone will be glad to help you, 1-800-888-7077. Don’t let anything stand in your way. God’s invitation is clear, and it is for you. “And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is a thirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

For more on this topic see BBN Bible Institute course # 00900 Doctrine of Salvation

Where is your sacrifice for sin?

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No sooner had sin entered the world, with the eating of the forbidden fruit, than God gave the principle of a sacrifice for sin. Genesis 3:21, ” Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” An animal died, blood was shed, to provide a covering for the naked sinners. They had tried a vegetable covering, an action to be repeated by their first son to cover his sin by bring the fruit of the ground as a sacrifice. That failed to satisfy God, just as our good works will not pay for sin. Titus 3:5-7: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Throughout the Old Testament, the appropriate sacrifice was a blood sacrifice. At the time of deliverance of Israel from Egypt, God gave specific instructions for what would be the Passover feast. Exodus 13: 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.” The blood on the doorposts and the lentil were a sign of the dependence on God for deliverance.

Following the giving of the Ten Commandments, recorded in Exodus 20, God gives the requirement for the offering to be made three times a year at the special feasts. Exodus 23: 18 “Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning.” Exodus 24: 3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do. 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD 6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. 8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.”

In Leviticus 16, we have the teaching on the Day of Atonement. On this day, the high priest slew the sacrificial animal as an offering for sin. He entered the holy of holies, within the veil before the mercy seat and there sprinkled the blood in the presence of the Lord. By this act, the blood covered the sins of the nation. The ideas of “imputation” and “representation” are both important in this event. The sins of the people were transferred to the animal victim, or put to its account. The Bible term for this is “reckoned” to the animal. The High Priest was the nation’s chosen representative in the atoning process. How amazing that the Lord Jesus Christ can be both our sacrifice and our High Priest.

On the Day of Atonement, the high priest wore a special garment. On the breastplate were precious stones to represent the tribes of Israel, signifying that the high priest was the representative of the nation. The robe he wore was described in detail in Exodus 28:31-35: “And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent. And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.” When our Savior died on the cross, He presented His sacrifice to God the Father as the payment in full. He needed no pomegranates or bells to let us know that He was alive. He came forth from the tomb, before the stone was rolled away, alive and triumphant. His resurrection is listed as a part of the Gospel over and over because it was when the high priest appeared again to the people, having returned from inside the Holy of Holies after offering an acceptable sacrifice, that the people knew that God had accepted their sacrifice.

With all of these elaborate sacrifices, the believer in the Old Testament really had no complete payment for his or her sins. The animal sacrifices were merely an admission of a debt owed. It was like a debtor showing up at the place of the creditor and acknowledging that a debt was owed, and that it would be paid someday by someone. The debt was still carried on the books, but payment was not demanded at that time. Romans 3:25 teaches that God was just in forbearing the collection of the debt for sins from Old Testament saints. He merely passed over that debt, knowing that His Son, Jesus Christ would pay that debt in full by shedding His blood on Calvary’s tree.

The New Testament also stresses the need of a blood sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 9:22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” No remission, no forgiveness, no salvation, without a blood sacrifice. The sacrifice of Christ far exceeds the Old Testament example. First, because of the One Who died. Second, because the Old Testament atonement could only put off the debt for one year. Christ has paid the debt off completely by His death. Now there is “no more condemnation” Romans 8.

One of the problems faced by modern day Judaism is a lack of a place for blood sacrifice. The Temple Mount is not open to Jewish sacrifice, because a greater blood sacrifice took place on Golgotha when Christ died for our sins, shedding His blood for us. Let me ask you, my friend, regardless of what religion you have, where is your blood sacrifice to pay for your sins?

Jesus Christ paid your sin debt. He died, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. If you have not trusted Him as your personal Savior, may I lead you in the sinner’s prayer? If you are able to bow your head where you are, do so and pray this prayer with me. “God, I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot pay for my sins. I know that I need a Savior and I ask that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead be counted as my payment for sins. Forgive me and cleanse me. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. Please give me eternal life as You have promised in Your Word. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen” Now, receive the gift of God, eternal life and forgiveness of sin. In your own words, right now, thank Him for saving you.

Please let us know that you have made that decision, contact us at www.bbnradio.org

Where does it say that in Scripture?

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Sometimes we go looking for something, and we are just sure we know where it is. We hunt and search, but it is not where we thought it would be. After a while, that item shows up in another place and we realize we would never have found it in the place we originally searched, because it was not there.

We often get questions from people who ask where in the Bible a certain idea or phrase is found. When I do, I think back to my freshman year in college. I had an idea for a message to submit to the “preacher boys” contest. I wanted to write the best sermon I was capable of writing. I wanted an attention getting start to the message, and I needed to locate that famous verse in the Bible, “God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.” I had heard that phrase many times, and just needed the Scriptural reference for it to make it a part of my introduction. After asking several people, I was referred to the library and a book on famous quotations. I was embarrassed to find that it is not in the Bible, but was written by a hymn writer, many centuries after the Bible was completed!

Not too long ago, a gentleman called here to BBN and asked where in the Bible he could locate the passage that spoke about the seasons of the year becoming indistinguishable as the end of the age approached. He referred to the unusually warm weather we were having for the winter season. When I told him it was not in the Bible, he would not accept my answer. After a little discussion about it, I pointed to Genesis 22 “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” God would not put a verse in the Bible that would contradict a prophecy that He announced until the time period prescribed has run out. The caller finally agreed that the phrase he had heard was not in the Bible.

Perhaps you have heard the phrase, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”, but your study of the book of Proverbs failed to turn that verse up. That is because it is most often ascribed to Ben Franklin, and is not in the Bible. “God helps those who help themselves” also qualifies for a phrase that is not in the Bible. “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) is found in the Bible, and would seem to teach almost the same thing, but it is not the same phrase.

Another caller asked about a phrase that had been quoted to him that would justify a man having relations with a prostitute if his wife was unable to meet his need. This phrase condemned spilling one’s seed on the ground, and thus it taught that the immoral act of fornication was the better of two alternatives. (The idea of spilling one’s seed on the ground is mentioned in Genesis 38:9, but the problem was one of not wanting to raise up children for his brother, who had died, not self gratification.) When I told him the phrase he had quoted was not in the Bible, he offered to bet me that it was. I declined, and told him one could always tell when something was not in the Bible if it violated a clear command of God. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” and “Flee fornication” are biblical verses, so nothing that contradicts them could be biblical.

Perhaps our problem is that we are not familiar enough with what is in the Bible. We, therefore, tend to fall for teaching that sounds like it could be in the Bible. Since we have the Bible to read, let us dedicate ourselves anew to reading its truth. It has been honored by literary experts, hailed by great thinkers, accepted by millions, but read thoroughly by so few. Rather than looking for answers that are not in that Book, let us find the Truth that it teaches. Read it, meditate upon it, seek to understand it.

As the billboard in Florida reads, “Have you read my book? A final exam will be given. God” Have you been doing your homework lately?

For more about this topic see: 0503 Understanding Truth

How to be happy

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Perhaps you have said, “I will surely be happy when….” Or “I will be glad when….” We spend a lot of our lives looking forward to some event or the completion of some project that is to make us happier than we have ever been before. In doing so, however, we miss a tremendous amount of joy that the Lord has for us each day.

The Apostle Paul reminded us in Philippians (which was written while Paul was in prison, not the type of prison we have now, but a dungeon) that we should “Rejoice in the Lord always.” He also said, “In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Have you ever thought that being unthankful for everything is to be out of the will of God?

Perhaps you are going through an experience right now that is not of your liking. The natural tendency is to say, “I will surely be happy when this trial is over!” But the right Christian attitude is the attitude of gratitude! Job could say, in the midst of it all, “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10) While Job was not comfortable in his trial, he was content that God knew what was happening and that He had a purpose for the trial.

Since “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28), we can give thanks for the current good thing that is happening in our lives. As Habakkkuk said, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Some of the most spiritual persons I have met have been those who are going through great trials, and should have ample reason to complain. They have chosen, however, to let the Lord be manifest in their lives through their suffering. The joy of the Lord has become their strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

For more about handling Trials see: 0101 Trials and Temptations

What rewards or honors are there in Heaven for Christians?

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While salvation is free and available to all without cost, rewards in Heaven are promised in various places in the Bible and for various reasons. In Revelation 14:12, we read, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Their works do follow them. Not their words, not their reputations, but their works follow them. Some Christians talk a good game, but do not play the game by the rules.

First Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. Notice the word “strive”. That word means working hard, energetically, for a goal, a prize, a crown. The athlete in the Olympics gives his very best to earn a prize that will someday fade away. Paul says that we should work even harder as Christians, since our reward is one that will last throughout eternity, a crown that is incorruptible. Jesus put it this way in the Sermon on the Mount, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

Again, in that same sermon, our Savior talked about rewards in Heaven. Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about a reward for good service for the Lord. First Corinthians 3: 8 “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.” Note that good deeds done by family members, other church members, missionaries or pastors will not count for rewards for you as a Christian. It is the work of each individual Christian that will count toward that Christian’s reward – “according to his own labour”

In the last book of the Bible, the last chapter, we are again reminded of the existence of rewards for Christians. Revelation 22:12 “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Notice that every one will receive a reward, not just the “stars” of the Christian community or family. So many times we only hear of the great things that have been done by those who are the famous among the Christians. Some missionary is martyred for his or her faith, and we are sure that they will receive the “Martyr’s crown.” Or some evangelist has one hundred or more come to Christ through his ministry, and we say that his reward will be great in Heaven. Yes, the Bible says in Daniel 12:2,3 “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” However, the evangelist may have to take a back seat to some saint who prayed for God’s power to be manifest in that preacher.

Jesus put it this way in Matthew 10:40-42 “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” Ephesians 6:8 says, “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”

2Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:Let’s look at several of the rewards or crowns that are to be given to Christians, and what the standard is for their award. Second Timothy 4:7 & 8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Paul states that a crown of righteousness is to be given to each one who fights the good fight, finishes his own course, looking for the Savior’s appearing. That means that the Christian does what God gives him to do, accepts what God has given or withheld from him, and still looks for the return of our Lord.

We read about a faithful follower of our Lord in Hebrews 11:24-27 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” He accepted the reproach rather than the riches looking forward to the reward! A crown of righteousness would be the reward for this king of life.

Another reward is promised for a faithful saint who endures great trials and temptations without falling or losing confidence in God. James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” While the Christian may not understand the trial and may feel that it is undeserved, he nonetheless accepts it from the Lord and endures it. To the church at Ephesus, God said in Revelation. 2:10 “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

To Pastors and others who shepherd and lead God’s people, a special reward is promised. First Peter 5:1-4 “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock and when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” The under-shepherd is told to exercise the oversight of his flock, willingly, not for gain of money, and by setting a good example for his flock. For faithfully doing that, he is promised a crown of glory in Heaven.

The under-shepherds will also receive some kind of reward, based on the actions and attitudes of those they lead, First Thessalonians 2:19 & 20: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” The flock will also receive a crown of rejoicing for following the under-shepherd faithfully. Second Corinthians 1:14 “As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.” Wouldn’t this lessen the number of church fights and conflicts if church members could realize that a reward awaits the Christian that willing follows faithfully the pastor who follows the Lord faithfully? It is not a competition between Pastor and flock, but a team effort shared by both!

Yes, there are rewards to be given in eternity, but remember they will be based on what we have done for the Lord here and now. Perhaps you have never thought of this concept of the Christian life. Obviously many are ignorant of this truth, or Christian lives would be different. Some who now live for the here and now, the self-gratification of this age, would live in the light of eternity. Remember, the rewards or crowns are often spoken of as not fading away! Will you have any eternal rewards?
For more about this topic see:  040203 Rewards for believers

What is meant by justification by faith?

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What does it mean to be justified? Jesus gave a parable of two men to demonstrate justification by faith. Luke 18:10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

Justification and Regeneration are closely related doctrines. Regeneration is that work that takes place within the person, Justification deals with the difference in his standing before God. Regeneration deals with the impartation of life to the sinner, while Jusification deals with his acceptance as righteous in the eyes of God.

Man is a sinner while God is holy. The publican admitted that he was a sinner. There can be no fellowship between the two until the matter of sin is dealt with effectively. There is a great gulf fixed between the two. Justification is the bridge God builds between Himself and the sinner. He declares the sinner righteous by a legal decree, based on the sin payment by His Son. No human effort to build that bridge can succeed. Romans 3:21 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

Justification is a legal act by God, whereby He declares a sinner righteous because He imputs the righteousness of Jesus Christ to the sinners account. Romans 4:24 “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.) 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.”

By the act of justification, God can declare the worst sinner a saint. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about their standing before God: First Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” The Corinthians still looked outwardly like sinners in many ways, but had been declared righteous by the divine decree called justification.

Since justification does not transform a sinner, but declares him to be righteous, what effect does it have on the person? At lease six results are evident:

Assurance of salvation. A calm assurance of the acceptance of the person by God produces the certainty of salvation. Isaiah 32: 17 “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Romans 14: 17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Peace with God. Romans 5: 1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” God, Who put the wall between the sinner and His God, has declared the sinner to be a saint, and removed that wall of separation. The war has been declared over by God and peace is declared.
Freedom from condemnation. Romans 8: 33 “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Sonship. Titus 3: 7 “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Think of it, by the divine decree, God has made the former enemy of His, His child and heir! That is justification by faith!
Blessings untold. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
Assurance of glorification. Romans 8: 29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
Have you been justified by faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Remember, it is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us, and justifies us.
For more on this topic see: BBN Bible Institute course # 32100 Ephesians

What happens when a Christian sins?

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We have here a doctrine that has caused some confusion among Christians. Some believe that sins prior to the new birth are forgiven, but sins following that are another matter. Others believe that all sin is forgiven at the time a person receives Christ as personal Savior and there is “therefore no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus,” therefore there is no penalty for sins that a Christian commits. Neither of these opposing views is correct.

While it is true that a Christian is a forgiven sinner, and the blood of Christ has paid for his sins, there are still consequences for sins that a Christian commits. First, there are consequences in this present life. If a Christian should get angry at a driver who cuts him off on the highway and try to get his pound of flesh by catching that car, maybe passing it and yelling at the driver, and crash, he or she could have permanent scars or disabilities as a result. God would forgive the sin, and the eternal penalty of that sin would have been paid on Calvary by the death of Christ, but God does not erase the scars or correct the infirmities.

Years ago I heard this illustration, and it has stuck with me every since. A young farm boy was having trouble behaving, as he should. His father gave him the project of putting a nail in the barn door every time he did something bad. He gave him a bag of nails and a hammer. For several weeks, the path from the house to the barn stayed well worn, as the boy obediently pounded a nail in the barn door each time he disobeyed. Soon he came to his father and said, “Dad, I am all out of nails! Now what do I do?” His father then told him to pull out one of the nails each time he obeyed. Some time later, he again came to his father and said, “Dad, I have pulled all the nails, but…” “But what?” his dad asked. “Dad, the nails are gone, but there are holes all over the door, and it is ugly!”

God pulls the nails through His forgiveness, but many times the holes are left as scars of the evil deeds and thoughts. King David got forgiveness for his sin of adultery with Bathsheba, but he watched his young son die, his family ruined, and his fellowship with God break. Here is his prayer following his being exposed by Nathan.

Psalm 51: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

The results of David’s sin was a feeling of filthiness. A Christian is a lamb, not a pig. A lamb is uncomfortable in dirt and filth. He cries out for a cleansing. If you can wallow in the mud of sin and feel comfortable, you may not be His lamb. It also left David with a guilty conscience because he has sinned against God, and he knew it. By the way, a conscience is only a safe guide if the conscience has been tuned to God’s Word. David knew better, but sinned any way.

He had a feeling of disappointment, knowing that he had disappointed God. My dad did not discipline me physically very often. His worst form of discipline, as far as I was concerned, was for him to tell me that I had disappointed him. That hurt me far more than any spanking would have done. God allows the Christian to know that he has let God down. God’s love is still just as strong and meaningful, but the Christian knows a guilt from falling short of what God expects of us.

David also lost his joy. He mentions that in verses 8 and12. So many Christians are living below their privilege because they have unconfessed sin and a guilty conscience. Perhaps you are thinking of a sin right now that you need to confess to God, and perhaps confess to the person that was the victim of your sin. You need the joy of your salvation back, and sin is hindering that. You, like David, have lost the song in your heart. He asked God in verse 14 to deliver him that he might once again sing God’s praises. He also lost the respect of the world. Let me ask you, when was the last time you witnessed successfully for God? Sin can be like a sign hung around your neck that tells the sinner, “Don’t listen to me, I am a sinner like you.” Ask God to cleanse you and you like the forgiven, cleansed David, will teach transgressors God’s way! What do you suppose would be the result in your community of several Christians just got a good bath in God’s forgiveness tub?

Perhaps one of the most devastating consequences of unconfessed sin in a Christian’s life is not being able to conduct an effective prayer life. The Bible says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” Psalm 66:18. This can translated literally, “If I view and tolerate sin with pleasure, God will shut his ear to my prayer.” There will come a time when your prayer, not the prayer of your Pastor, a deacon, the listeners to Family Altar on this radio station, or anyone else, will be the one that will make the difference. It would be tragic if God stopped his ears from hearing you because you had refused to own up to your sin, confess it, and get God’s cleansing. He has promised, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” First John 1:9.

Paul warned the Corinthians of further consequences of unconfessed sin. He gave the teaching on partaking in the fellowship of communion or the Lord’s Supper. First Corinthians 11: 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” Notice that some Corinthians were sick and some had died because they refused to confess sin and judge themselves. No, a Christian cannot live a life of sin without bad effects, even sickness and death. While some sickness is not directly related to sin in a Christian’s life, much is. David’s baby with Bathsheba became sick and died because of David’s sin!

There are also results of that sin at the Judgement Seat of Christ, where every Christian will give an account of the deeds done in the flesh. Although Christ has purchased the Christian’s place in Heaven, there are still consequences of sin in the Christian’s life. There is such a thing as the Judgement Seat of Christ! Paul describes that event this way; “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” First Corinthians 5:9 & 10. Now I am not sure what this will be like. I am concerned because the very next thing the Apostle told the Corinthians was, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” Verse 11. Remember, unconfessed sin robs you of the opportunity to serve the Lord as you should. Isn’t it time to confess that sin to Him and claim his forgiveness and cleansing?
For more information about having your sins forgiven please see: What the Bible Teaches about Sin or visit BBN Bible Institute and study course # 12100 Doctrine of Repentence

What does the Bible teach about the rapture?

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The Bible teaches a “snatching away” of believers to Heaven, a special departure that does not involve the death of the Christian. Some will not study the teaching on the rapture because they say the word “rapture” is never found in the Bible. This is true, but neither is the word, “trinity” or “choir” or “offertory”, etc. Many words that are commonly used by Christians are not in the Bible. That does not mean that the teaching about these things is not there, just the particular word is not found.

There are at least four main views of the rapture. The first view would be that there would be no rapture or special rescuing of a group of Christians. This is primarily believed by those have not found the word in the Bible and thus deny the teaching. They believe that all will die to get to Heaven.

Among those who believe in a rapture, there are those who believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, a mid tribulation rapture, and a post tribulation rapture. I personally believe that there is more scripture that points to the pre-millenial rapture.

The age in which we live is considered to be the church age or the age of grace. Both of these terms are a little misleading, but they have been assigned to this period of time. I say misleading because God has always dealt with man by grace. By grace, He overlooked the sins of the believing in the Old Testament, waiting for the death of Christ to pay for those sins. Anyone who makes it to Heaven will do so by the grace of God. The church age is also a little misleading, since it implies that all that God is doing is in and through the local church. However, these are the most commonly used names for the age in which we live.

At the end of this present age, a time of tribulation will come upon the earth. It is described in various places in the Bible and is defined as a period of seven years. This is primarily taught in Daniel, chapter 9. Daniel has been confessing his sin and the sin of God’s people. He had been making supplication to God for His people. The angel Gabriel arrives to give Daniel understanding about what God will do. He lays out the time that God will deal with Israel into 70 weeks. Daniel 9:24 “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” Then he goes on to divide those seventy weeks into several parts. First, a period of time described as 7 weeks, then 62 weeks is described: Daniel 9:25 “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.” At the end of the 62 weeks, the Christ of God shall be put to death. Daniel 9:26 “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” In the seventieth week, something disastrous happens. “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” We learn from the New Testament that this will be during the Tribulation. Jesus prophesied: ” But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judea flee to the mountains:” Mark 13:14 and Matthew 24:15.

Since we know that a time of great trouble is coming in the future, we go to the question of what will happen to Christians with regard to that time. Either God will rapture or snatch them up out of the way prior to that time, or during that time, or after that time. Those are the three options regarding the rapture of Christians. Let’s look at the Bible to see if God has given a pattern of His actions under similar circumstances.

First, we have the account of the great flood that was to cover the world. God warned Noah to make an ark for the saving of Noah and his family. Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Prior to the destruction of Jericho, God provided a safe refuge for Rahab. Joshua 6:17 “And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.”

The Old Testament is replete with references to the rapture of believers. The New Testament is no less a witness. The most often quoted passage is First Thessalonians 4:13-17. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (or precede) them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” Now, notice that some Christians will be alive at this moment, and some will have died. Both living and dead will meet together with the Lord in the air. He will not have returned to the earth at this point, but the meeting will be somewhere in the air!

The book of Revelation gives a further clue to the timing of this event. In the first chapter, we have an introduction to the book. In chapters two and three, we have the history and prophecy of the church age, or the age of grace. Chapter four begins with these words, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” Revelation 4:1&2. It is interesting that the word “church” never occurs after chapter 3 of Revelation. The wrath of God is poured out on the earth in chapters 5-21 of Revelation, after the saints celebrate the greatness and worthiness of our God in chapter 4.

To be sure, God will have his witnesses during the tribulation, but these will be converted Jews, as the Lord renews His covenant with Israel. The wild olive branches of Romans 11:17 will have been taken out of the way, so that God may deal with His people, Israel. The 144,000 witnesses mentioned in Revelation 7:4 and following are from Israel. “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” They are again mentioned in Revelation 14:1.

At the end of this time of great tribulation, Jesus Christ returns to earth, arriving on the Mount of Olives with a dramatic touch. Zechariah 14:1-4 “Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” I have been to that spot in Israel. Scientists tell us there is a fault under that Mount that runs due East and West. When Jesus touches the ground, that fault will open a valley directly aimed at the Eastern Gate, now sealed by both Arabs and Jews. That shock wave created by Christ’s landing will break that seal and He shall enter triumphantly, with ten thousands of His saints following Him. (Jude 14 and 15) Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

For more about this topic see: Rewards For Believers or visit the BBN Bible Institute and study course # 11500 Five Future Events