Jesus is the only way to Heaven. I know that seems unfair but it is the truth. Most of our modern industrial countries know who Jesus is. The Bible is the most translated and published book in the entire world. There is no excuse for a modern society to not know Jesus; what it boils down to is a matter of choice. Will people choose to believe in Jesus or will they choose another form of religion?
Even in this country, there are various forms of religion being practiced. The same goes across the globe. But, the truth is, unless a person believes that Jesus is who He says He is and receives Jesus into their hearts and repents of their sins, they will not go to Heaven. And, I emphasize, Heaven is not for “good” people. It is for “saved” people. After all, what is considered good enough in God's eyes? It is perfection! We could never live up to God’s standard of perfection. That’s why God sent His One and Only Son to us, to die for us and to save us.
People who choose to turn their backs on Jesus will not enter the Kingdom of God. That’s why it is written in the Bible, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Monday, 13 June 2011
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Do the people in the Old Testament get to go to heaven if Jesus hadn't died for them?
Ever since “the fall,” salvation has always been available through God. The requirement for salvation has always been faith. The object of faith for salvation has always been God. In the Old Testament it was God the Father; in the New Testament it is Jesus Christ, His Son. No one, either before Jesus’ death or since Jesus’ death, would ever be saved without the resurrection of Jesus. His death paid the penalty for past sins of Old Testament saints and future sins of New Testament believers.
Do you remember the account of Abraham? In Genesis 15:6, Abraham believed in the Lord and was credited for being righteous. He was “saved” because he believed and trusted in God and God saw him as righteous, meaning right – not wrong- according to His eyes. In Isaiah 69:10, Isaiah says, “I delight greatly in the Lord: my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness…” Isaiah’s faith in god made him righteous and “saved.” Even King David, in Psalm 86:1-2, cried out to the Lord and was saved through his faith. There are plenty of other Old Testament heroes that are saved through the simple act of having faith in God (By faith, Abel…by faith, Enoch…by faith, Noah…by faith, Sarah…by faith, Isaac… by faith, Jacob…by faith, Joseph…by faith, Moses…by faith, Rahab…etc.)
And, to answer your question directly, all the Old Testament believers who followed Abraham in his faith in God and also had faith in God also enjoy eternity with Jesus. Ephesians 2:8 states, “For it is by grace you have saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God.”
Do you remember the account of Abraham? In Genesis 15:6, Abraham believed in the Lord and was credited for being righteous. He was “saved” because he believed and trusted in God and God saw him as righteous, meaning right – not wrong- according to His eyes. In Isaiah 69:10, Isaiah says, “I delight greatly in the Lord: my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness…” Isaiah’s faith in god made him righteous and “saved.” Even King David, in Psalm 86:1-2, cried out to the Lord and was saved through his faith. There are plenty of other Old Testament heroes that are saved through the simple act of having faith in God (By faith, Abel…by faith, Enoch…by faith, Noah…by faith, Sarah…by faith, Isaac… by faith, Jacob…by faith, Joseph…by faith, Moses…by faith, Rahab…etc.)
And, to answer your question directly, all the Old Testament believers who followed Abraham in his faith in God and also had faith in God also enjoy eternity with Jesus. Ephesians 2:8 states, “For it is by grace you have saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God.”
Saturday, 28 May 2011
What fruit did Adam and Eve eat in the garden?
The Bible does not specifically say what kind of fruit it was other than it was from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Some have speculated it was an apple because the Latin word for apple is malus, which is similar to the word for evil. Yet others believe it was a fig because, they argue, apples don’t grow in that part of the world. We truly don’t know what kind of fruit it was. People have come to accept it as an apple because, in the English language, the word “apple” is etymologically (or the source word, root word) a generic term including all fruits, berries and nuts.
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Is it true that if you deny God or stop acting like a Christian, you're not one?
Wow, this is a deep question … The Bible is very specific regarding this topic. If you “profess” to be a Christian and claim you are saved, but knowingly fail to live by Jesus’ teachings, God does not take that lightly. Notice I emphasize “knowingly.” If someone isn’t saved and doesn’t know who Jesus is, that person is living life ignorantly. Basically, they don’t truly know what’s biblically right or wrong. In essence, they are denying God. Sadly, they are perishing without even realizing it. But, if you know Jesus and you know His teachings, you cannot claim ignorance. And, if you willfully violate His standards … look out. I’m going to give you a Scripture that literally changed my life and it’s Hebrews 10:26-27, which reads:
“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”
When people profess to know Jesus but then willfully act against His teachings, they are considered enemies of God! I didn’t want to be the guy that claimed he was saved and then knowingly did bad things, believing that because I was “saved” I was somehow protected by God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. I think this verse makes it very clear that once you know something is wrong but you continually do it anyways, there is no sacrifice left. The Book of Romans, chapter 6, also addresses this and states very forcefully on two different occasions that being saved doesn’t allow a person to keep sinning (basically turning their back on God and not acting like a Christian). Romans 6:1 and 6:15 are firm in their positions.
Finally, another verse that literally scared me into acting right, not just outwardly but in my heart, is Matthew 7:21-23. In this verse Jesus separates people by true and false disciples when he says:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
I didn’t want to be seen as someone that just acted like he was a Christian … going to church, teaching in TRACK, or leading a small group … but not really loving Jesus with all my heart and submitting to His authority. I didn’t want Jesus to look at me and tell me He never knew me.
Now, having said all that, does that mean if you make a mistake and sin, God’s going to turn His back on you? NO! We are imperfect beings; we make mistakes. Sometimes we even willfully disobey God. But, if you don’t continually and habitually disobey God and you are truly sorrowful and repentant, you will be forgiven. God knows your heart. He knows if you’re truly repentant or just trying to get away with something. And that’s the key.
Are we truly sorry and repentant or are we just sorry we got caught? Do we truly want to change or are we just pretending we want to change because it’s the “Christian” thing to do? Well, God knows for sure where your heart is and what your motives are.
“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”
When people profess to know Jesus but then willfully act against His teachings, they are considered enemies of God! I didn’t want to be the guy that claimed he was saved and then knowingly did bad things, believing that because I was “saved” I was somehow protected by God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. I think this verse makes it very clear that once you know something is wrong but you continually do it anyways, there is no sacrifice left. The Book of Romans, chapter 6, also addresses this and states very forcefully on two different occasions that being saved doesn’t allow a person to keep sinning (basically turning their back on God and not acting like a Christian). Romans 6:1 and 6:15 are firm in their positions.
Finally, another verse that literally scared me into acting right, not just outwardly but in my heart, is Matthew 7:21-23. In this verse Jesus separates people by true and false disciples when he says:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
I didn’t want to be seen as someone that just acted like he was a Christian … going to church, teaching in TRACK, or leading a small group … but not really loving Jesus with all my heart and submitting to His authority. I didn’t want Jesus to look at me and tell me He never knew me.
Now, having said all that, does that mean if you make a mistake and sin, God’s going to turn His back on you? NO! We are imperfect beings; we make mistakes. Sometimes we even willfully disobey God. But, if you don’t continually and habitually disobey God and you are truly sorrowful and repentant, you will be forgiven. God knows your heart. He knows if you’re truly repentant or just trying to get away with something. And that’s the key.
Are we truly sorry and repentant or are we just sorry we got caught? Do we truly want to change or are we just pretending we want to change because it’s the “Christian” thing to do? Well, God knows for sure where your heart is and what your motives are.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Why do people say “God bless you” when people sneeze?
There are a lot of myths surrounding this practice but the one that kept reoccurring in my research is the following:
In English-speaking countries, it is common for at least one person to say "Bless you" after someone sneezes. The traditional explanation for the custom is that it began literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory I the Great (540-604 AD) became the Pope just in time for the start of the plague in 590 AD (rumor has it that his predecessor died from it). To combat the plague Gregory ordered everyone in the land to pray for God's intercession. When someone sneezed, they were immediately blessed ("God bless you!") in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the plague.
From there, it just became a custom to say “God Bless you” whenever someone sneezed!
In English-speaking countries, it is common for at least one person to say "Bless you" after someone sneezes. The traditional explanation for the custom is that it began literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory I the Great (540-604 AD) became the Pope just in time for the start of the plague in 590 AD (rumor has it that his predecessor died from it). To combat the plague Gregory ordered everyone in the land to pray for God's intercession. When someone sneezed, they were immediately blessed ("God bless you!") in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the plague.
From there, it just became a custom to say “God Bless you” whenever someone sneezed!
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Where did Noah put the poop of the animals?
Wow. That is a very interesting question! The truth is that the Bible doesn’t really say. But, we do have a few ideas …
Prior to the Great Flood, there is no clear indication in the Bible that animals ate meat or were violent and vicious. In fact, God commanded Noah to load the ark with every kind of food which is edible for his family and for the animals (Genesis 6:21). Since they didn’t eat meat, they likely ate fruits and vegetables. Not everyone agrees about all this, but let’s go with it for this question.
It wasn’t after the flood that man apparently was allowed to eat meat (Genesis 9:2-3) And, God commanded that animals were then also allowed to meat. God warned the animals, however, that if they ate a human, they would have to answer to God for it (Genesis 9:5).
So, because animals and man did not eat meat prior to the flood, their poop wasn’t contaminated with blood (the Bible calls it “lifeblood “) and probably not any other biological impurities either.
So, having said that, (and I am completely guessing here) they probably did two things with the poop: 1) They threw the excess poop overboard into the water were it degraded naturally; or 2) they used it as fertilizer for their plants and crops to grow additional fruits and vegetables!
Prior to the Great Flood, there is no clear indication in the Bible that animals ate meat or were violent and vicious. In fact, God commanded Noah to load the ark with every kind of food which is edible for his family and for the animals (Genesis 6:21). Since they didn’t eat meat, they likely ate fruits and vegetables. Not everyone agrees about all this, but let’s go with it for this question.
It wasn’t after the flood that man apparently was allowed to eat meat (Genesis 9:2-3) And, God commanded that animals were then also allowed to meat. God warned the animals, however, that if they ate a human, they would have to answer to God for it (Genesis 9:5).
So, because animals and man did not eat meat prior to the flood, their poop wasn’t contaminated with blood (the Bible calls it “lifeblood “) and probably not any other biological impurities either.
So, having said that, (and I am completely guessing here) they probably did two things with the poop: 1) They threw the excess poop overboard into the water were it degraded naturally; or 2) they used it as fertilizer for their plants and crops to grow additional fruits and vegetables!
Saturday, 23 April 2011
How can I love God and other people like God loves us?
That is a very awesome question! And the honest truth is, you can’t! I have to tell you that up front so that you don’t put so much pressure on yourself because the truth is NO ONE can love as unconditionally, immensely and infinitely as God can.
The reason is because God’s love is perfect. He can’t ever not love us! He can’t hate us. He can’t get sick of us. His love is unconditional. The Holy Bible uses a Greek word, “agape,” to describe God’s love for us. There isn’t even an English translation for it. It’s basically a deep, deep, unconditional love for us.
So, why can’t we love God or others like that? It’s because of our sin nature. This is the sin that was handed down from us from the time of Adam and Eve, Our sinful nature puts conditions on our love … sometimes even with God! We are imperfect beings so we can’t love perfectly. At some point will get mad or hurt and pull our love back just a bit. God doesn’t do that.
But, does that mean we shouldn’t love God or people? Absolutely not! In fact, when asked by His disciple s what the greatest commandment was, Jesus said:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
Do you see what Jesus says? Not love the Lord with all His heart but our own! Our own imperfect hearts … the hearts that sometimes break, the hearts that sometimes grow tired of loving and the hearts that sometimes falter because of anger. So, we’re to love God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind. We’re to love God as best we can. Then, we’re to love our neighbor as ourselves.
So, how can we do that? Through prayer. Through service. Through random acts of kindness. Remember what Jesus says:
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:21)
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12)
“This is my command: Love each other.” (John 15:17)
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
God bless you!
The reason is because God’s love is perfect. He can’t ever not love us! He can’t hate us. He can’t get sick of us. His love is unconditional. The Holy Bible uses a Greek word, “agape,” to describe God’s love for us. There isn’t even an English translation for it. It’s basically a deep, deep, unconditional love for us.
So, why can’t we love God or others like that? It’s because of our sin nature. This is the sin that was handed down from us from the time of Adam and Eve, Our sinful nature puts conditions on our love … sometimes even with God! We are imperfect beings so we can’t love perfectly. At some point will get mad or hurt and pull our love back just a bit. God doesn’t do that.
But, does that mean we shouldn’t love God or people? Absolutely not! In fact, when asked by His disciple s what the greatest commandment was, Jesus said:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
Do you see what Jesus says? Not love the Lord with all His heart but our own! Our own imperfect hearts … the hearts that sometimes break, the hearts that sometimes grow tired of loving and the hearts that sometimes falter because of anger. So, we’re to love God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind. We’re to love God as best we can. Then, we’re to love our neighbor as ourselves.
So, how can we do that? Through prayer. Through service. Through random acts of kindness. Remember what Jesus says:
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:21)
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12)
“This is my command: Love each other.” (John 15:17)
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
God bless you!
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