Religious Groups in Jesus Day

The Pharisees

 

The Pharisees strictly followed the Mosaic Law, but they also adhered to a vast body of oral traditions and additional regulations known as the Mishnah. While the Mosaic Law contained 613 commandments, Pharisaical practice required obedience to thousands of sub-rules designed to clarify and protect the original laws, such as detailed restrictions on Sabbath work. It would seem to be a means of controlling the population with additional burdensome laws.

The Pharisees believed the Oral Torah was given to Moses alongside the written Torah and passed down through generations, making these extra rules binding. 

They prided themselves on meticulous observance of both the written Law and the oral traditions, often focusing on external markers of piety like dietary laws and ritual purity. 

Jesus and other critics argued that this legalism shifted focus from the heart of the Law to outward appearances, accusing the Pharisees of adding burdensome traditions that sometimes contradicted God’s original intent. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.pursuegod.org

 

Thoughts from a Random Mind 

 

Societal conditioning is responsible for the discord that exists in life. We are adversely influenced nearly from birth. We learn from everything we see and hear. All of a sudden the source of the influences begins to matter. What do we allow ourselves to see and hear on a daily basis? Is it uplifting and encouraging or the opposite? Images burn themselves into our subconscious and reappear in our mind’s eye at the most inopportune moments; perhaps when you are attempting to concentrate on something else important. How do we break the cycle of negativity that is prevalent in our society? This is where God fits into the equation. He should be the FIRST variable in the equation, but often times is not. I suppose that makes it fall under the category of “Better Late Than Never”.

Many times the cycle cannot be broken until the Lord enters into a person’s life. It is at that point very specifically that the trajectory of their life begins to shift. All of a sudden the serious believer will start to partake of the spiritual food offered in scripture. From that they will begin to know more about their Lord. Shifting your attention to godly endeavors instead of whatever suits your fancy is a great place to start your maturation process. 

It can be very difficult to break the chain of societal conditioning that bind us. For me, cussing when I get frustrated is a major problem of mine. I typically do it under my breath or out loud when I’m alone. It’s a terrible habit that became habitual many years ago and has been a fire that I’m been unable to extinguish. I’ve been praying and talking to the Lord about it for a number of years to no avail. That’s not God’s fault, it’s mine. I’m still working on it. You have to WANT to change. You have to WANT to break the cycle. It’s more than possible if you follow God’s lead and replicate Christ’s behavior. It’s possible, but not alone. It’s only possible because of the choice of assistance we seek.  Go with God! Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind 

 

Do you realize that nearly every problem you have in life is your own fault? A poor decision you made at one time which had lasting consequences. Misjudging a person or situation that landed you in hot water. Who else’s fault could it possibly be? Are you not in control of your own mind? Then it was YOUR fault that you are in the mess you find yourself in. Don’t despair. Accept that reality, mentally flush it, and move on. Easier said than done, you may say? God can make that happen if you rely on Him implicitly. Moving on with God as the captain of your ship would be a wise choice if you haven’t already turned the wheel over to Him.

Everyone has problems. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has the opportunity to erase every mistake they’ve ever made; they are called sins or transgressions or iniquities. Whatever you call them, they reveal the fact that you are not perfect; never will be. 

There’s seems to be a misnomer that followers of Christ think they’re better than unsaved folks. While that may be true of some, I’d like to believe that the bulk of them would never think that. I’m here to tell you that even Christians have problems. And Christians act improperly toward others, though not as a general rule. We’re human, just like those outside God’s family. If you insult us our feelings get hurt. If you cut us we bleed, just like anybody else. The difference is that we realize where our problems came from and have chosen to do something about it. 

You don’t have to stay mired in the fallout of a lifetime of bad decisions. Call on God for help and He WILL help you, not the way YOU think you should be helped, but the way He knows will benefit you the most. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Great Apostasy - Part Three

 

Paul makes three statements relating the coming Antichrist to the great apostasy that he inspires. First, the man of lawlessness comes as a counterfeit of Christ. Paul indicates this by applying to the Antichrist the same word that he has frequently used of Christ’s coming. Just as God the Father has ordained the coming of His Son, Jesus, back to earth, Satan has planned the “coming of the lawless one.”

Second, Paul says that these false signs employ “all wicked deception for those who are perishing” (v. 10). If we wonder how people can be deceived by false miracles, we need only consider the many examples that abound today. For example, in 1858 a Roman Catholic woman named Bernadette Soubirous claimed that the virgin Mary had appeared in the French village of Lourdes. Today, five million pilgrims journey to Lourdes each year, seeking miraculous healings, so that the town of fifteen thousand residents boasts 270 hotels, second in France only to Paris. In light of the power of many imaginings and frauds that happen today, consider how great will be the deception of the Antichrist when he appears with satanic power, performing genuine wonders so as to deceive the unwary, foolish and needy. Paul’s warning of Satan’s deception points out how perilous it is for anyone to neglect the saving truth revealed in God’s Word. Jesus stated that these wondrous deceptions will be so powerful that “if possible, even the elect” would be persuaded (Matt. 24:24). How much success then, Satan will have with those who have rendered themselves vulnerable by rejecting biblical truth.

Paul’s third statement regarding the satanic strategy in apostasy states that his victims are deceived “because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (v. 10). Though Satan is unable to undo the salvation of true believers, his targets inevitably accept the deception because that is all that is left to them once they have rejected the truth. When Paul points out that Satan’s targets refused to love the truth, he inevitably includes worldly malice toward Jesus Christ Himself, who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). They hated the gospel because it offended their self-righteous pride and threatened their lifestyle of cherished sins. For those who reject the gospel truth of Jesus Christ, there is no salvation from God but only a path leading away from Him, to Satan, and with Satan to eternal condemnation.

When Paul considers God’s purposes in the great apostasy, he says that in the coming of the Antichrist, “God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (vv. 11-12). Here Paul observes that the unbeliever not only refuses to love the saving truth that God sent through the blood of His Son, but also delights in the things that transgress God’s law and give offense to God’s holy person.

The Bible’s prophecies of the end fit the pattern both of what the early Christians faced and of the tendencies that will challenge the church throughout her history. John wrote: “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). The coming of the lawless one will put an exclamation point on what takes place throughout the present era, which Hebrews 1:2 calls “these last days.” Thus, Paul’s teaching about the great apostasy and the man of lawlessness warns all Christians and provides an agenda for our watchfulness in faith. 

This concludes our brief study on the Great Apostasy. My hope is that it brought some clarity to this interesting topic. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.theseedchristianfellowship.com/2023/03/30/2-thessalonians-23-9-12-the-great-apostasy/

The Great Apostasy - Part Two

 

If professing believers may fall away, how can a Christian know that his or her faith is genuine and therefore eternally secure? Should believers worry that their faith is actually false and that sometime in the future they might apostatize? John addressed this issue in his first epistle, when he wrote “that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). According to John, there are three tests of a true, saving faith. One is a doctrinal test, focused on faith in the person and work of Jesus: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God” (v. 1). Another is a moral test: “By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (2:5-6). This doesn’t mean that true Christians never sin or are as perfect as Jesus was or is. Yet true Christians have taken up the calling to follow Jesus in practical godliness, turning from sin and pursuing holiness. Third is the test of love: “everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him” (5:1). True Christians are drawn to other believers and gain a love for the church that reflects the family love of God. According to the Bible, these three tests – dealing with theology, ethics, and love – provide Christians with a testimony from God’s Word as to the assurance of their salvation.

This understanding of apostasy shows why Paul was so pleased with the news that the Thessalonians were holding fast to the gospel and embracing a lifestyle of godliness and love (2 Thess. 1:3). They were steadfast in faith under persecution, as their worldly goods and even their lives were threatened (v. 4). According to Paul, this confirmed that they were “worthy of the kingdom of God” (v. 5); that is, their lives manifested a true and saving faith in Jesus.

Yet the day will come, Paul warns, when a great apostasy will fall upon the church. Christ will not return “unless the rebellion comes first” (2 Thess. 2:3). Having understood the doctrine of apostasy, we learn from verses 9-12 that a great apostasy will occur in the end, both by the working of Satan and by God’s sovereign judging of unbelief. In verse 3, Paul had linked the great apostasy to the coming of “the man of lawlessness,” often known to Christians as the Antichrist. In 2 Thessalonians 2:9, the apostle makes it clear that the rebellion is the work of this evil person: the great apostasy by which multitudes of professing believers abandon the Christian faith and turn against the church results from “the activity of Satan” in “the coming of the lawless one.” 

Part three concludes this brief study... Until then, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.theseedchristianfellowship.com/2023/03/30/2-thessalonians-23-9-12-the-great-apostasy/

 

The Great Apostasy 

Part One

2 Thessalonians 2:3, 9-12

 

Paul wasn’t surprised by the reality of apostasy. Paul had notified the Thessalonians that there would be a great rebellion against the gospel before Christ’s return. “Let no one deceive you in any way,” Paul wrote. “For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first” (v. 3). One of Satan’s chief goals, especially through the future “man of lawlessness,” is to induce people to abandon Christianity. Paul therefore knew that some people who profess faith in Jesus Christ will later renounce that faith, to their own destruction.

The Greek word translated in verse 3 as “rebellion” is apostasia. This word refers to the turning away from a former position or the abandonment of prior loyalties. It can be used of a political rebellion, however, in the Bible the word is used to describe a turning away from the true faith. Apostasy reflects an evil heart that embraces unbelief after previously professing faith. Does apostasy, however, describe a person who once truly believed and was saved, and who then, by losing his or her faith, lost salvation as well? The answer to this question is No. The Bible clearly teaches that those who possess a true and saving faith cannot be lost, for the simple reason that genuine faith results from the grace of God, and God never loses any of those whom He has saved. Jesus said of His true sheep: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

If believers in Christ can never be lost for salvation, then what is an apostate? An apostate is a ‘professing’believer and outward member of the church who, having never truly believed, falls back into unbelief and condemnation. John explained: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that they might become plain that they all are not of us” (1 John 2:19). How then, do we tell that a professing believer is really an apostate? In most cases, it is difficult if not impossible to tell until he or she actually abandons the faith. It seems, for instance, that the other disciples never suspected Judas Iscariot of his falseness even up to the night on which he betrayed Jesus to His death. 

Part Two of this brief study continues tomorrow... Until then, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.theseedchristianfellowship.com/2023/03/30/2-thessalonians-23-9-12-the-great-apostasy/

Always Remember / Never Forget

 

“In the Bible, honor is defined as the esteem, respect, and reverence given to individuals, God, or principles, derived from the Hebrew word kavod (meaning "weightiness" or "glory") and the Greek word timē (meaning "value" or "price").  It is not merely an internal attitude but a multifaceted action that involves recognizing inherent worth, showing deference, and often accompanying respect with obedience or appropriate attention.” ^[1]

                  In life we honor those who risk their lives protecting others. Law enforcement, military, fire fighters, etc. In this day and age there are many factions who attempt to discredit those who lay their lives down for another. While the reasons are not clear to me why anyone would do that, I shall always honor and respect those who have done that which I was unable to do. 

            It doesn’t seem all that different to me than the honor we are to have for Almighty God, whom I respect and revere because of who He is and what He has done for me. The “heroes” that exist today are special and are to be honored by remembering their acts of supreme bravery in the face of adversity. Thank you Lord for these brave souls both living and dead, who neither seek nor require any accolades, but for me have earned them, nonetheless. Let us remember our fallen heroes this day and every day for without their bravery and self-sacrifice our world would not be the same. Bless and honor their memory always. 

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] www.biblehub.com; www.biblestudytools.com

My Imperfections / My Prayer 

I’m far from being perfect. The things I’ve said and done throughout my life would make a blind man blush. There are times when I would wonder if I had gone too far for God to forgive me, then I remember when Moses was forgiven for killing an Egyptian man. I remember when David slept with Bathsheba and though there were harsh consequences for his actions, he was still referred to by God as the apple of His eye & a man after God’s own heart.

How can that be? I know God doesn’t wink at sin, but I also know He doesn’t hold our transgressions against us once we seek forgiveness. He knows the sincerity of a person’s heart and that makes all the difference. All that encourages me, but I still end up wondering if God might wash His hands of me because of my continued wayward thoughts and innocent but hurtful words and actions. Perhaps I am harder on myself than the Lord is with me. I guess that’s because I have felt like I haven’t pleased a whole lot of people in this life by just being me and I want so desperately to feel the warm embrace of my Lord when all is said and done. I don’t want to be spit out of His mouth for being lukewarm.  

Please continue to be patient with me Lord. I’m trying to be the best version of myself with the Spirit’s help. Don’t leave me to my own devices. While my faith and trust in you doesn’t waver, my behavior does from time to time. Without You I am nothing more than a shipwreck of a man. Humble me and lead me down the pathway You have laid before me. I love you Lord and I want to be with You throughout eternity. Help me overcome my poor tendencies and become more like Your Son a little more each day. Thank you.

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: This spilled out of me recently & I thought maybe some folks out there may relate to all this. It isn’t staged, but rather how I truly feel in my heart. Does this resonate with you? Have you ever felt this way? rlk

God’s “If-Then” Clauses

 

            An “if-then” clause is a conditional statement that lays out a condition that when fulfilled provides a certain expressed result. Example:  If we repent of our sins & believe in Jesus Christ, then we shall receive salvation. The fact of the matter lies with Jesus final words spoken while He hung on the cross. In John 19:30 Jesus says, “It is finished.” In other words, there is nothing else that needs to be done to cleanse one of their sins. Once He says His final words the “If-Then” clause is activated. 

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 God says, “If my people … shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God’s “if-then”clauses are very specific. There is no mistaking their meaning. Conforming to God’s way is imperative for it is the only plan of redemption provided by our creator. We MUST do something or abstain from doing something to make these clauses become valid and useful. Taking this whole Christianity thing seriously is the key to receiving total and complete forgiveness for everything we’ve done both knowingly and/or UNknowingly.  

This isn’t a matter of doing something to MAKE God provide a positive result. The purpose of the conditional clause is to let you know that God has chosen of His own free will and out of His deep, abiding love for His creation to provide a certain position outcome as a result of your obedience and submission to His condition. THAT is what God’s “if-then” or conditional clause is. Pay attention when you read scripture, because ... “The Bible contains approximately 1,600 to 1,637 instances of the word "if," which functions as a conditional conjunction.  This count is divided into roughly 993 occurrences in the Old Testament and 602 to 608 occurrences in the New Testament, with nearly half of the New Testament instances appearing in the four Gospels.” ^[1]

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1]  https://www.ogchurchofchrist.org/Sermons/the-biblical-word-if/ & https://moreofhimministries.org/if-then-but/

PUBLIC ENEMY

          The way things are going in the world today being a follower of Christ could just make you a “Public Enemy”. I fear that persecution is coming to the homeland, if it isn’t already here. The Christian is the only threat to Satan’s reign over this world. God allows what takes place and persecution may be on the docket for the not too distant future. Stay strong. Stand tall. Fear nothing. Trust God. Perhaps it will not touch you and those you love personally, but pray for peace and the reality of man’s need for salvation. God wins in the end.

            Did you realize that we are HATED by some segments of society. That’s right, literally hated!! They don’t take the time required to understand what we stand for or what we believe, they react emotionally based on what “important” people have said or are saying. Satan fuels the hate; you can be sure of that. 

            It is imperative that believers lock in on their beliefs and not let them fade over time.

Don’t be distracted by worldly endeavors that take important time away from either God OR family. The devil will find that weak link in your chain and fire away at it until you either rebuke his efforts or succumb to them. Become keenly aware of that which is taking please all around you. Unfortunately, we are human; clay in the master potters hands. We can break very easily if not handled properly. The Holy Spirit is the person that holds things all together, unless we venture down a tangent path against his warnings. Submit to the true Master of the Universe; our Creator God. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Is Christianity considered a philosophy?

 

            Christianity is considered a religion with elements of philosophy; however, it’s not solely a philosophical way and thinking and living. It has been influential in religious thoughts throughout the ages. From reading my posts you should know that I do NOT consider true Christianity a religion as much as it is a persnal relationship with Almighty God. 

            By definition religion is “an organized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices” and while that is primarily true, I see it as something that is far more intimate and personal. Something that is more individualized.

            First of all, Christianity is centered on the life, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It involves faith and trust in the same. Philosophy looks at questions about God Himself, human nature, morals, ethics, and the nature of reality. The Christian theologians thru the years have put together systematic theologies to attempt to answer life’s challenging questions regarding religion.

            Secondly, in Christianity, the human condition is defined as a state of being created in the image of God but currently existing as a fallen, sinful creature separated from Him.

Christianity provides a template to understand morality, man’s purpose, and the human condition. Philosophy provides a set of circumstances related to our existence, our limitations, and our shared experiences, all which constitute human existence, such as, birth, growth, emotion, aspiration, conflict, ethics and mortality.

            The key difference between the two is that while philosophy seeks knowledge and understanding thru human reason, Christianity involves both faith and revelation. In other words, Christianity is more than simply a philosophy, though it does incorporate philosophical thoughts, ideas, and methods. It’s a school of thought that has a rich history of philosophical thoughts, ideas, and reflection.

            To tie it all together Christianity is not a philosophy, yet does have elements of philosophical thought in it. Our main tool for knowledge and reflection is the Word of God. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Permission Needed

 

“Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘Legion,’ he replied, because many demons had gone into him.  And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.” [Luke 8:30-33 NIV]

 

We get a clear picture of the hierarchy of God in the Book of Job when Satan came into the throne room of God to seek permission to come against Job. The above account of Christ’s dealing with the demon possessed man brings into focus that which we already know. God, and by association, Jesus, is far superior in every way to Satan. Hence the demons in the man HAD TO BEG Jesus (repeatedly) not to be thrown into the abyss. Now why would anyone beg another for anything unless they were subservient to them in some capacity. Jesus granted the demons PERMISSION to do that which they requested. They entered the swine and they plummeted over a nearby cliff to their death. They sought permission from the Son of God, which essentially was the same as seeking permission from God directly.

This event shines a light on God’s power and authority over all in His creation, even the author of evil. When it comes to God’s children, nothing can happen that isn’t either caused or allowed for His greater purpose. Those type of trials are nothing more than lessons in faith. Do you trust the Lord today to protect you from the evil one? You should because the Lord is our ultimate weapon against evil. The forces of darkness can do nothing to a bonafide believer in Christ unless He allows it. Remember that. The devil is a toothless lion [1 Peter 3:8].

1 John 3:8b says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” The devil’s activities are what he seeks to do to destroy everything associated with Almighty God. That following is a list of his diabolical deeds: sin, rebellion, temptation, ruling the world, persecution & accusation of the saints, instigation of false teachers, and the power of death. These acts cannot infiltrate the life of the believer unless they open the door to it.

In spite of 1 John 3:8b stating destroying the devils works is “the reason” He came, there are other reasons as well, primarily to restore the sinless condition to the heart of man.

Remain focused on the One who saves your soul and not the loud one who seeks to disrupt and bring chaos. He truly has no hold on any of God’s children. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: The MacArthur Study Bible; The Life Application Study Bible.

I Have a Question 

What is True Happiness?

 

Happiness is an emotion arising from a sense of well-being, joy, and/or contentment. Everyone wants to be happy, but happiness, as our ultimate goal, can be elusive. People may make decisions based on what they think will make them happy, then experience despair when happiness never comes. People who assume that God wants them to be happy may justify activities clearly prohibited in the Bible by arguing that such choices are necessary for happiness. But is our personal happiness God’s ultimate goal for us? 

We were created by God in His image, and we know happiness is possible because God is happy. When God created the first man and woman, He placed them in a garden and filled it with everything they needed to be happy (Genesis 1:29–30; 2:8–9). But they fell for the lie that happiness is contingent upon having everything they wanted (Genesis 3:1–6). Their failure to acknowledge God as their Source of happiness led to sin and banishment from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23–24). From that day on, humanity has struggled to regain the sense of happiness that Adam and Eve experienced in the presence of God.

God wants us to be happy but not at any cost. His goals for us are higher, broader, and more lasting than fleeting happiness (Isaiah 55:9). In fact, the pursuit of happiness is not spoken of in the New Testament. Instead, we find repeated commands to deny self (Mark 8:34), take up a cross (Luke 9:23), and consider oneself dead to sin (Romans 6:6–7). These instructions may appear contradictory to the idea that God wants us to be happy. How can we be happy when we must choose the opposite of what we desire?

God’s path to happiness goes a different direction from the path we would naturally choose. Sinful actions can usually be traced to one foundational lie: that we will be happier if we do this thing. But God says, “How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers!” (Psalm 1:1, CSB). God delights in confounding the wise by using foolish things to accomplish His purposes, weak things to shame the strong, and lowly and despised things to magnify His glory (1 Corinthians 1:27–28). The psalmist says that we are happiest when we are delighting in God’s promises and commandments (Psalm 112:1).

God wants us to be happy, but the temporary thrill sin provides is not true happiness. Sin can produce feelings of happiness as long as we are getting what we want. Augustine of Hippo rightly stated in his fourth-century book Confessions, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” The truth is there is a “God-shaped vacuum” in the heart of every person, and that void can only be filled by God through Christ, not by any created thing. Happiness is a gift from God that can be fully known only in proper relationship with Him.

God does want us to be happy, and He has provided all we need for life and godliness through Christ Jesus (2 Peter 1:2). He has designed the human heart to experience its greatest ecstasy in worship, its deepest satisfaction in serving, and its greatest love through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we are living in fellowship with Him, we can expect to be happy regardless of our temporary circumstances (Philippians 4:11–13). Our goal is the prize awaiting us in eternity, so we can endure earthly difficulties while remaining full of hope (2 Corinthians 4:17). When our joy and hope are based on that which cannot be taken away, we have found true happiness, and God is pleased. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

I Have a Question

Is Anyone Worthy of Redemption?

 

“Are Jews better off than Gentiles? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews & all Gentiles are under the control of sin & subject to its power. As it forever remains written, “There is none that meets God’s standard, not even one. There are none who understand; none who seek after God. All mankind has turned aside, & become useless; there is none who does good, no, not one. There is no fear of God & His awesome power by man. 

Now we know that whatever the Law of Moses says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that the excuses of every mouth may be silenced from protesting & that all the world may be held accountable to God & subject to His judgment. For no person will be freed of guilt & declared righteous in His sight by trying to do the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin knowing this directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin.”

The above verses from Romans 3 reveal that NO ONE lives by God’s moral & ethical standards laid out in scripture. No one seeks the Almighty One on their own. It also highlights that the Law doesn’t provide a solution for man’s sin problem. An offering of blood, pure from a spotless “lamb” is the only offering that cleanses a man of their sin. That “lamb” mentioned is symbolic of Jesus, who in scripture is referred to as the “Lamb of God” [John 1:29; John 1:36; 1 Peter 1:19 NLT].

Back in Jesus day the religious leaders definitely felt superior to all non-jews; however, God didn’t provide salvation for Jews alone, but for their supposed “inferior” neighbors, the Gentiles. This didn’t sit well with the Jewish religious leaders. They rebelled, but their rebellion wasn’t toward Jesus & His teachings alone. Jesus ministry challenged the 1000’s of restrictive extra oral traditions that they added to the Mosaic Law. Jesus was causing questions to be raised that threatened the hold the leaders had on their people.

When grace is understood it far surpasses anything the Law provides as far as redemption is concerned. The forgiveness Christ provides in the Age of Grace removes one’s sin once for all time, not a yearly sacrifice to cover one’s sins.  No, no one is worthy of redemption by themselves, but if they are willing to surrender themselves to a God whose love surpasses anything known to man then redemption is freely available and attainable. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

I Have a Question

What is the “unforgivable sin”?

According to the Bible, the only unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This refers to a persistent, willful rejection of the Holy Spirit's testimony about Jesus Christ, ultimately hardening one’s heart against repentance. It is not a single, mistaken word, but a sustained defiance. 

 

Matthew 12:31-32 ^{[Amplified Bible]} “Therefore I say to you, every evil sin & abusive blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit [by attributing the miracles done by Me to Satan] will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

 

Mark 3:28-30 ^{[Amplified Bible]}  “I assure you & most solemnly say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, & all the abusive and blasphemous things they say; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit & His power [by attributing the miracles done by Me to Satan] never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin [a sin which is unforgivable in this present age as well as in the age to come]”— [Jesus said this] because the scribes and Pharisees were [attributing His miracles to Satan by] saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

 

In this day & age the unforgivable sin involves consistently rejecting the Spirit’s conviction of sin & refusing to repent. Why is it unforgivable? It’s not that God refuses to forgive, but that the person constantly rejects the only mechanism (the Spirit) that draws them to repentance & faith, making forgiveness impossible.

            What the unforgivable sin IS NOT is a fleeting thought, a single sinful act, or a moment of doubt, but a state of hardened, unforgiven rebellion. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.thenivbible.com

I Have a Question

What is a Theocracy?

 

In a nutshell, a Theocracy is a government set up and run by religious leaders. America is NOT a Theocracy, but rather a place where any individual has the opportunity to establish a Theocracy WITHIN themselves. That is Christianity. A life that is orchestrated and led by Almighty God. That doesn’t make us robots due to the “free will” that is allowed us. We seek to establish this relationship based on who God is and who we are WITHOUT Him. Without God’s influence in our life we are like a rudderless ship, prone to being tossed about by every wind of change that comes our way. But WITH God we not only HAVE a rudder, but a moral compass that tells us the right and wrong of things. 

It may sound like tyranny, but in fact it is simply an otherworldly approach to life. The spiritual side of things. We believe in a lot of things throughout our lives and as long as we feel we are in control we are alright with what transpires; however, without a loving Heavenly Father to guide and direct us we shall be forever prone to making wrong decisions based on what we think we know. Sadly, it is what we DO NOT know that can trigger success in a manner of speaking. Instead of looking for reasons NOT to seek out God, we should learn to submit to the higher power of the Lord to achieve eternal life thru Christ, by His blood. 

Is it so wrong to exhibit love over hate, or peace and hope over chaos? Does it make us weak? By the worlds standards, yes, but the world has an all-consuming distaste for religion in general. The world is ‘into’ self-empowerment and being a good person. But what is “good”? We have limited resources to draw from, while the Lord has infinite resources. 

It is curious to me that man does as he pleases then blames God, whom he may not even believe in, for letting things go off the rails. “How could God do this to me?” But what did God do other than allow you to exercise your free will. The outcome isn’t God’s fault. There are reasons for everything that transpires in this life. Instead of blaming God, look for the lesson in the results. God is looking to teach us how to live in peace and harmony. Don’t seek the easy path, seek the path God has set aside for you. He loves you and wishes for you to succeed. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

 

I Have a Question

Is the resurrection of Jesus Christ true?

 

Scripture presents conclusive evidence that Jesus Christ was in fact resurrected from the dead. Christ’s resurrection is recorded in Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-53; and John 20:1–21:25. The resurrected Christ also appeared in the Book of Acts (Acts 1:1-11). From these passages you can gain several “proofs” of Christ’s resurrection. First is the dramatic change in the disciples. They went from a group of men frightened and in hiding to strong, courageous witnesses sharing the gospel throughout the world. What else could explain this dramatic change other than the risen Christ appearing to them?

Second is the life of the apostle Paul. What changed him from being a persecutor of the church into an apostle for the church? It was when the risen Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-6). A third convincing proof is the empty tomb. If Christ were not raised, then where is His body? The disciples and others saw the tomb where He was buried. When they returned, His body was not there. Angels declared that He had been raised from the dead as He had promised (Matthew 28:5-7). Fourth, additional evidence of His resurrection is the many people He appeared to (Matthew 28:5, 9, 16-17; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:13-35; John 20:19, 24, 26-29, 21:1-14; Acts 1:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:5-7).

Another proof of the resurrection of Jesus is the great amount of weight the apostles gave to Jesus’ resurrection. A key passage on Christ’s resurrection is 1 Corinthians 15. In this chapter, the apostle Paul explains why it is crucial to understand and believe in Christ’s resurrection. The resurrection is important for the following reasons: 1) If Christ was not raised from the dead, believers will not be either (1 Corinthians 15:12-15). 2) If Christ was not raised from the dead, His sacrifice for sin was not sufficient (1 Corinthians 15:16-19). Jesus’ resurrection proved that His death was accepted by God as the atonement for our sins. If He had simply died and stayed dead, that would indicate His sacrifice was not sufficient. As a result, believers would not be forgiven for their sins, and they would remain dead after they die (1 Corinthians 15:16-19). There would be no such thing as eternal life (John 3:16). “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NAS).

Finally, Scripture is clear that all those who believe in Jesus Christ will be raised to eternal life just as He was (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). First Corinthians 15 goes on to describe how Christ’s resurrection proves His victory over sin and provides us the power to live victoriously over sin (1 Corinthians 15:24-34). It describes the glorious nature of the resurrection body we will receive (1 Corinthians 15:35-49). It proclaims that, as a result of Christ’s resurrection, all who believe in Him have ultimate victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:50-58).

What a glorious truth the resurrection of Christ is! “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). According to the Bible, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is most definitely true. The Bible records Christ’s resurrection, records that over 500 people witnessed the resurrected Christ, and proceeds to build crucial Christian doctrine on the historical fact of Jesus’ resurrection.

                  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

I Have a Question

 

Do I have to involve God in my decisions?

 

As a follower of Christ, when you make a life changing decision, who do you consult? Do you do research? Do you speak to God about your situation; tap into His database, so to speak, to get a read on what He KNOWS is best for you? Seeking the Lord for guidance regarding lives challenges should be the way it goes for believers, but based on my own failures, I’d say not everyone involves God in their decision-making. So to answer the question directly, NO, you do not HAVE to involve God in ANYTHING. It’s your choice (free will).

                  Let’s review God’s attributes for a moment, okay? The one that I think is most pertinent to our above question is His being omniscient. In other words, Almighty God KNOWS ALL THAT CAN BE KNOWN. If that is the case, and I believe it is, then why wouldn’t a person want to tap into God’s foreknowledge regarding what would be to your greatest benefit. Let’s say you plan to go to college, or take a new job, or date someone. These are potentially life altering decisions. As a believer in Christ you can and should seek council from your parents, your Pastor, another Christian adult family member... and why would you do that? Proverbs 12:15 ^{Amplified Bible}, ^“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

            There are many verses in scripture that speak to receiving wise council. Unless it is unavoidable, I would avoid snap decisions. Unless it’s a life threatening situation, I highly doubt a snap decision would be warranted, unless it is the serendipitous variety, like a spontaneous day trip, or going to the movies at the last moment. Buying a new car or a home is a decision that, I would think, would require prayer and advice. Trust me, if they want to sell their commodity, they will still talk to you tomorrow or next week. Don’t be bullied or cajoled into making a decision you don’t feel comfortable making at that particular time.  Isn’t it amazing how adept some folks are at spending YOUR money. 

            God is in the business of helping you make good, sound decisions. He has a stellar track record and has never let anyone down yet. Because He is perfect in every way He never will. Until next time, walk with the King & be kind to others.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What Does it Mean?

Justification

 

The catch phrase “Just as if I’d never sinned”, while revealing a level of truth, does NOT tell the entire story. It actually sells what Christ did for us on the cross way too short.

Justification is the instantaneous and irreversible divine declaration of the unrighteous as positionally righteous, based upon the merit of Christ’s obedience, applied by grace and received through faith (Rom. 3.24-28; 4.1-5; 5.1-2). God declares the unjust to be just based upon Christ’s work on their behalf.

Justification by faith alone is the declarative act by God (the sole judge) that we are forever covered by the everlasting righteousness of Christ! His record is now your record. His merit is yours. God treats you as righteous because he treated Christ as unrighteous for our sake (2 Cor. 5:21).

Our justification has absolutely NOTHING to do with us or whatever we may have done to gain favor with God. We are completely absolved of all sin based on the actions of another. That will NEVER change. We cannot become justified on our own, just like we cannot forgive ourselves of our accumulative sins. We are to graciously and gratefully accept God’s gift of justification by virtue of Christ’s actions. What a blessing! We need God, as well as Jesus, to survive this life and be with them for all eternity. Our words and actions outside of our acceptance of God and Christ’s work, are quite inconsequential. Only what we say and do on Christ’s behalf will ever matter. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.thegospelcoalition.org

What Does It Mean? 

Integrity

 

“The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”

 

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”    

 

John Wooden was a legendary college basketball coach and devout Christian. He believed in LIVING HIS FAITH. The first quote by him above defines INTEGRITY to a tee. One’s integrity is their personal character. Their adherence to a moral and ethical code. The moral / ethical code a believer in Christ follows lies in the pages of God’s Word.

If you’re confronted with a situation where no one would see what you did, what would you do? Would you follow what you believe or attempt to take advantage of the situation by doing something out of character? Proverbs 5:21 says, “The Lord sees everything you do. Wherever you go, he is watching.” Proverbs 15:3 states clearly that God sees everything: "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good." We should act as if Jesus were there with us in bodily form every second of everyday. You wouldn’t break a law in front of a police officer, so why would you think it was alright to do something questionable when God sees all?

Who you are as a person tells others everything they need to know about you. In that case, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 Amp) 

Take your walk with the Lord seriously. You are an AMBASSADOR for Christ, so those you encounter each day are opportunities to be a blessing. You reputation means nothing when everything revolves around you. Some folks in high places are concerned about their LEGACY. What will they be remembered for. For me, I’d rather NO ONE remember me at all, as long as they found Jesus thru something I said or wrote. My existence in relation to the world is INCONSEQUENTIAL. All I seek is to hear those majestic words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23 NIV). That alone will be reward enough for me. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What Does It Mean? 

“Ephemeral”

 

            Ephemeral means “lasting for a very short time.” Our lives last for a certain sum of years, but in reality, when compared to eternity our life is ephemeral. We have no clue how long we have on this earth. God knows, but we do not and never will. Birth is easy to predict because of the changing of the women’s physical appearance while carrying the fetus, but not so with death. 

            God is not associated with the word ephemeral in any way, shape, or form. He is timeless. Scripture tells us in Psalm 90:4, “For (God), a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.” And 2 Peter 3:8 which says, “...with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

Astoundingly enough we are told that He has NO BEGINNING and NO END. He just IS. Now that boggles the mind. Yet just because it cannot be explained doesn’t make it a lie. I believe that Almighty God is mind numbingly superior to anyone or anything even Hollywood could invent. There is NOTHING to compare Him to. 

            What are some other things in life that are “ephemeral”? Ill-gotten gain. Selfish behavior. Adultery. Pretty much anything that benefits you, but harms someone else is unhealthy and unnecessary – it’s positive impact is non-existent, and what you gain from it is gone before you know it. Any benefit you gain only lasts for a very short time. Ephemeral.

            Straying from God’s plan can have bad results for you and all you care about. A middle aged man I know was engaged to a lady of the same approximate age. He did something unfortunate that caused a breaking of the engagement. When I spoke with him I said very plaining, “well buddy, you’ve done things your way and failed, why not try doing things God’s way?” No response. No reaction. He’s still pursuing that which caused the problem compounding the consequences of his initial mistake.  This man’s indiscretion nearly ruined his life, yet he keeps rumbling down his own personal path of sin. Without salvation he is doomed to end up where he never intended to go. And the gain he experienced was “ephemeral” in nature. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.