Better Give Some Thought To Being "Caught up"

- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17-

I got in late on a conversation and heard someone mocking another Christian, "Caught up? What caught up? On paying my bills? (then a burst of laughter) "You mean THE RAPTURE?? It's been proven that word doesn't appear in the Bible, you people are fruit loops." 

Upon hearing those words and watching that conversation online, I felt the Spirit tug at my heart to write this blog. It is a true statement the word "rapture" doesn't appear in that English form. But it does in Latin. That word being "rapere" or RAPTURE.  The Latin form rapere comes from the Greek word "harpazo" meaning to"be caught up" or "snatched away. "The Bible has to be studied rather than occasionally picking it up or adopting someone else's interpretation or opinion without looking into things yourself. Do you believe everything you hear? You shouldn't when it comes to the Bible either. Not even me! You need to look within the pages for yourself although I try to make it easier for you by includng scriptures that back what I say.

Scripture makes CLEAR in more than one location that a "rapture" is coming..a "snatching up" is coming .. a being "caught-up" is inevitable.

So let me reiterate the first Christian's admonition. People better give some thought to the RAPTURE because EVERYONE OF US ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTED BY IT whether you're a Christian or not a Christian. Let that sink in .. Non-believers will be affected too! Which will be explained in this blog. If you're a Christian when Jesus comes back at the time of "rapture" of the "snatching away" He's going to call all His faithful believers UP off this earth to spare us from the intense end-times events described as he Great Tribulation mentioned in Matthew 24:21, Mark 13:19, Revelation 7:14 and chapter 13: 11-19. Those are clear scriptures anyone can look up. Even the Od Testament referred to the coming day: Daniel 12:1 mentions it as a time "such as never was since there was a nation" and Jeremiah 30:7 describes it as "the time of Jacob's trouble" and finally, Joel 2:1 calls it "the Day of the Lord."  

Who is included in the rapture? The followers of Jesus both dead in graves AND STILL ALIVE AT THE TIME OF HIS APPEARING.  These scriptures prove that. READ CAREFULLY: " In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" at the last trump, for the trumpet will sound, THE DEAD (that's talking about all believers who have died already) will be RAISED" ....(brought out of their graves imperishable) found in Corinthians 15:52) AND THEN THE LIVING STILL ALIVE AT THE TIME OF HIS APPEARING.. Thessalonians 4:17, "Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds (those that died and we buried) to meet the Lord in the air." And from there will enter heaven.

If you're not a Christian at the time if Christ's appearing, you have a problem to deal with, and that is, the RAPTURE IS IMMINENT. It's going to happen. We don't know the exact day, nor the exact hour, but Jesus left hints of the season and it looks closer than ever because circumstances strongly point to it being close. All those who follow Jesus and study scripture see the signs CLEARLY and are shouting to others 'you better give some thought about where you stand with the Lord BEFORE He comes for us.' If you are left behind because you didn't believe, had no time, thought it was bunk, or just couldn't believe the truth that Jesus died for you, it's going to be catastrophic! If you don't believe the gospel story, you reject it, don't want to hear it you're in danger right now, but you still have time to change though the hour glass is running out.

If you step out trusting (even though you don't understand everything at first) and put your faith believing in Jesus Christ as the only, "way, truth. and life" (John 14:6) as spoken by Jesus Himself in John 14:6, "no one come to the Father except through me." JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY. HE IS THE DOOR. If you'll take that step and ask Him to help you believe, help you understand, ask to save you and show you the way, IF YOU REALLY DESIRE TO KNOW HIM, He graciously and in mercy includes you in His family as saved.. come just like you are: confused, scared, full of sins you've committed, etc. You don't clean up first because you can't! You cannot earn heaven by being good, kind, gentle, etc. if you come with a humble sincere heart, He takes it from there. He places His Spirit within you to save you, guide you, lead you, protect you. And it costs you nothing but surrender to Him. And when Jesus comes to take His believers home, you'll be included!

Now understand, there are people, lot's of them, who talk religious "talk" but they are not saved. Why?? There was no relationship with Jesus. They went to church out of routine but never took the time to read a bible, talk to God, include Him in their life through prayer or alignment with Him, never asking for advice, never making a heart-effort to understand and want Him, to include Him in their daily thoughts with a thank you or a "good morning Lord", never worshipping Him with words of praise and thanksgiving before starting their day but they wear silver and gold crosses around their necks. Ornaments. Not true professions of faith!  Don't you greet family members, a spouse, a friend, or a loved one with "good morning, I love you." We should love Jesus enough for saving us from our sins that we want Him in our lives. Alot of people say, I'll consider Jesus offer later, right now there's too much on my mind. Understand, there may be no "later."

Please believe the gospel, come to Jesus. The hour glass is running out. When Jesus comes for His Church (the believers) it will be in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye .. about how fast a blink is! You must be ready it will be so quick-- the world will be stunned that millions of people in graves and out of graves, babies and children have disappeared and left behind doubters, scoffers, atheists, and agnostics. As I've stressed  before, Jesus died for the sins of the world, YOUR SINS, over 2,000 years ago IF PEOPLE WILL ONLY BELIEVE AND FOLLOW. Hear me!! People will not be left behind because of their sin (He already paid the penalty on a cross)..it's their unbelief!! People will remain and experience the Great Tribulation who refused to believe. Even then, Jesus will have mercy on those who come in their suffering, BUT WHY WAIT THAT LONG?? You can be saved now and have assurance. Do you want to give your life to JESUS? You can simply say:

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner standing before a Holy GOD and I asked you to forgive me I know I've comitted sins. And Lord, I pray that You will save my soul as I come in faith believing You're the one True God. I want to devote my heart to following You for the rest of my life."

He''ll lead the way. Trust Him!

I'm encouraging you right now, give your heart to Jesus before it's too late.

Until He Comes To Rapture The Church,

-Pat-

 

"Out of Context" ---> Ephesians 5:22

 

If there is one verse that gets me fired up and defensive about, it’s Ephesians 5:22. Perhaps it's because I've not only seen people but know a few who use and abuse this verse for improper means and coercive control. This Scripture needs to be adequately defined, especially regarding the concept of submission. After listening to a young lady speak about her current marriage I decided I needed to share what the Bible means by:

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22)

First, what do you think that scripture is asking of women who have entered into marriage vows? Think it through.

I'll get straight to the point. The number of men who use this verse to get their wives to do whatever they want when they please is humiliating and abhorring.

In Context: According to Scripture, Ephesians 5 was written by the Apostle Paul during the same time frame as Philippians. Calling us to walk in love, Paul explains how to love ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ and then extends this love to husbands and wives. Calling us to be careful how we walk, I find it highly ironic that so many men tell their wives "you have to do X" because Scripture says, "wives submit to their husbands." Sadly, this X is often filled with forced sexual pleasures, household duties, or whatever they see fit at the time.

While Scripture does make it clear that a husband and wife hand over their conjugal rights to one another once they are united as one, it is said that they do so out of love. It is not suitable for a husband to pressure or even force his wife to have sex with him. Is that love as Christ would love the Church as instructed in the Bible? Absolutely not. The scriptural wording is, "Husbands love your wives AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH AND GAVE HIS LIFE FOR IT." Nowhere is it mentioned here or anywhere in scripture that sex can be used as submissive or coercive control. Reducing any verse in the Bible specifically about  marriage and this topic is twisting and reducing GOD'S Word  down to just sex and gives leeway to be used as a weapon . It is unconscionable and out of biblical context.

Often men pull that single sentence from Ephesians 5:22 without reading what comes right before or after it. Men will grab onto "sumbit submit," 'you have to do what I say" FOR SHEAR  CONTROL. Yet, just one earlier verse #21, the Bible explicitly tells BOTH husbands  and wives to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Submission (and I'll get to that in a minute) is suppose to be a two-way street of humility, not a one-way hiearchy! You see, right after tellng wives to submit, the text commands husbands tolove their wives as Christ loved the church-which meant DYING FOR IT. Scripture is instructing men toward .. TOTAL SELF SACRIFICE, PROTECTION, AND LIFTING THE WIFE UP, never intimidating, dominating, or demanding physical compliance. (And yes, there is such a thing as spousal rape/marital rape and it is ILLEGAL IN ALL 50 STATES!)

The Christian marriage and commitment -WATCH THIS- given to men and women through mutual submission are spiritual. The Christian marriage and responsibility given to men and women through force, coercion, and unequal submission are secular and deathly. Unfortunately in our modern culture the word "submit" sounds like slavery, weakness, or having no say. In the original Greek context of NewTestament, the concept was about voluntary alignment and cooperation to create order and harmony just as Christ asks of His Church, and NOT ABOUT one person owning or controlling the other person's body. When a man feels entitled to control a relationship, he will naturally look for ways (in many cases even secular men using and somehow "knowing" that one verse from the Bible) in order to give him power. Thus reducing "submission" to sexual availability often using it as an excuse to satisy a selfish desire while trying to make that control look and sound "holy." Inevitably I will hear from males who want that control ask, "What about Corinthians 7:4-5? That tells me my wife's body belongs to me and not to deprive me. Isn't that saying she has to give her body to me everyday, every hour if I want?" In all fairness that verse talks about both bodies belonging to each other in fidelity and yes, empasizing mutual agreement.. MUTUAL .. equal rights your bodies belong soley to each other-it forbids one partner forcing or demanding anything from the other!

True BIBLICAL "submission" has nothing to do with forced  intimacy, control, or being a doormat. It's always been about mutual respect, safety, and love. I can understand these Biblical principals both from a faith/religious perspective, but also from a psychological aspect coming from a medical/mental health employment background. It makes sense both spiritually and naturally! Controling a marriage or another person's body can stem from several realities: a lack if empathy on the husbands part, culural brainwashing, fear of vulnerablility, etc. Being controlled in a marriage, especially sexually, IS NOT A SPIRITUIAL DUTY or sign of "A GOOD WIFE." A marriage certificate is not a license for ownership. You didn't buy a slave.  TRUE FAITH never demands that a woman surrender, consent, or inherent dignity to satisfy another person's demands.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Give No Place To The Devil

 

Ephesians 4:27

When Paul says, “Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27), he isn't saying that we should live in fear that the devil is constantly trying to enter our lives. The word "place" means an opening, opportunity, or foothold. Paul had just been talking about anger: “Be ye angry, and sin not.” Anger itself isn't necessarily sinful—it is a normal human emotion. The warning is about what we do with the emotion. If anger is continually fed, it can become resentment, bitterness, hatred, or destructive behavior. That's the “foothold”.. allowing something destructive to gain increasing influence over us.

This is especially important when we experience any destructive trauma or deep emotional wound. Being hurt, betrayed, abandoned, frightened, or mistreated isn't something we necessarily chose, and the emotional reactions that follow can be very human responses to what happened. Fear, sadness, anger, grief, and even intrusive thoughts don't automatically mean the devil is responsible. An unresolved wound can sometimes become fertile ground for destructive beliefs and behaviors" IE: I can never trust anyone,” “Everyone will hurt me,” “I hate them,” or “I'll hurt others before they can hurt me.” The original injury may not have been our fault, but continually feeding bitterness can give that injury power over the person we become. This happened to me because of an abusive childhood. My trauma turned into bitterness and hate. And I did not, could not, recognize the path it led me down.

The same principle applies to temptation. A temptation or unwanted thought appearing in our minds isn't the same thing as choosing sin. We can experience an angry thought, a sexual temptation, a desire for revenge, or another destructive impulse without surrendering to it. The important question is what we do next. Do we entertain it, nourish it, and eventually act upon it—or do we recognize where it is leading and choose another path? Scripture repeatedly warns us about allowing destructive things to take root because what we continually nourish can eventually influence our words, choices, relationships, and character. THIS IS SO TRUE.

So “give no place to the devil” can be understood very simply: don't give evil room to grow inside you. You can be angry without becoming hateful, wounded without becoming bitter, tempted without surrendering, and afraid without allowing fear to control you. What happened to you may not have been your choice, but you can choose what you allow that experience to produce in you. And that is key! The goal isn't to become frightened of the devil; it's to become aware of the doors we can accidentally leave open—and to close them by choosing truth, forgiveness, self-control, and what is laid before us through God' WORD. Personally, for me: if an awkward thought comes into my mind I know is of the flesh, I immediately quote THE WORD AGAINST IT--it is my defense and in like manner I will pray (praying aloud is even better since the words go out into the universe) .." I cast down every imagination, every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of GOD, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. I cast you out, now! I cast you down, now! in the Name of Jesus, the WORD of GOD.  I will replace and think on that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely as instructed BY THE WORD. Those 2 powerful scriptures I just quoted (2 Corinthians 10:5 and Philippians 4:8) chase away and dispels any evil or dark thoughts immediately. James 4:7 promises, " Submit yourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you." The Bible doesn't say Satan "walks away," it says he FLEES!!  Flee has a very specific and dramatic meaning compared to the phrase "walks away" or even "goes away" The word FLEE means to run quickly because of danger, fear, or a threat. ALL Scripture is a threat to demons, and when quoted, Satan and his demons must go! The WORD OF GOD IS GIVEN TO EVERY TRUE BELIEVING,FOLLOWER as a powerful shield over our minds Use it!

The WORD OF GOD is powerful.. a sharp 2 edged sword.. a weapon for the spiritual battles we face in this world that war against our souls (minds) and when quoted, Satan and his demons must go. THE WORD CAN:

Obliterate corrupt thoughts

Subdue lawless impulses

Censure malicious intent

Purge unjust thoughts

Rebuke wicked designs

Ward off corrupt influences

Shield the intellect from malice

Guard the conscience against vice

Annihilate impure, sexual thoughts

Eliminate harmful habits

Hebrews 4:12 tells us the WORD OF GOD is living and active! Let that sink in! It's alive and working in every believer as a defense against evil. It cuts into a persons mind and life to separate truth from lies, holiness from sin, spiritual motivation from selfish desires. It's like a masterful surgeon holding a sharp scalpel that goes in and removes the rottenness Satan plants there as a spiritual cancer. And not only can THE WORD OF GOD remove what should not be in your mind, it is also a healing balm, "life to those that find them and health for the flesh" (Proverbs 4:20-22) We were given a gift .. the Word of Life. Use it to fight your battles!

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

“What are you building your life on?"

 

Ask yourself,  “What am I building my life on?” Because the storm reveals the foundation—not the appearance of the house.  Jesus gives us this picture in Matthew 7:24–27, 

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” Jesus then describes another person who builds his house on sand. Both houses look fine—until the storm comes. Let's break it down on a personal level.

Jesus lesson: Your “house” isn't a building. It's you. Your life:

Your relationships.

Your decisions.

Your beliefs.

Your values.

Your character.

What you trust when you're frightened.

What you do when nobody is watching.

Realize, every day, you're building something. But the real question isn't whether you're building. The question is: “What are you building on? A wise person doesn't merely hear Jesus.

Jesus says they BOTH HEAR AND DO His sayings. That's important. Why? You can know Scripture and still build on sand, you can attend church and still build on sand, you can call yourself a Christian and still build on sand. See, the foundation is revealed by what you actually trust and live by! The rock is putting your trust in Christ and allowing His words to become the foundation by which you live. It's not perfection .. it's direction. When you fall, you return to the Rock. When you don't understand, you seek the Rock. When the world tells you one thing and Christ tells you another, you have to decide which foundation you're standing on.

Are you building your life on sand? Sand represents anything we build our lives upon that cannot ultimately support us. Like what? It can be money, success, other people's approval (that's a big one), possessions, pleasure, power, a relationship, our own wisdom, religion without a changed heart, even our own feelings. And here's something really important .. Sand isn't necessarily evil!  That's what makes the illustration so good. THINK OF IT! Money isn't evil. Having a family isn't evil. Having a career isn't evil. Enjoying life isn't evil. No, the problem occurs when something temporary becomes the foundation of something eternal, because you can have money without money having you. You can love someone deeply without making that person your god. You can enjoy the world without making the world your foundation. BUT THEN, a storm!  Jesus says: “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew…”

Notice something fascinating. The storm came to BOTH houses! 

The wise man's house wasn't protected from the storm.

The foolish man's house wasn't protected from the storm.

Christianity doesn't give us a storm-free life. The difference isn't: “One person had trouble and the other didn't.” The difference was: One had a foundation that could withstand the trouble.

That's huge. Sometimes people think, "If I really trust God, why am I going through this?" But Jesus never promised there wouldn't be storms. He showed us what happens when the storms arrive. What can we consider storms? They can be almost anything loss, grief, betrayal, financial hardship, Illness or disease, loneliness, disappointment, fear, temptation, failure, and death.

But sometimes something even harder takes place .. when everything you believed gets shaken! For a Christian, that's the worst kind of storm because that's when the foundation becomes visible. And because when everything is calm, sand can look just like rock.  You don't really know what you're standing on until something shakes you. A person can say they trust God but

then something terrible happens. Suddenly they discover they trusted their circumstances. Examples:

1. Someone says: “My family is everything.” Then they lose someone.

2. Someone says: “My success gives me security." Then they lose their job.

3. Someone says: “I know exactly how God works.” Then something happens that they cannot explain. And suddenly… the foundation is exposed. The storm didn't create the weakness. The storm revealed it!

Now to the house that falls. Jesus says the foolish man's house: “fell: and great was the fall of it.” Notice that He didn't say the foolish man didn't build anything. He built a house. It probably looked perfectly respectable. That's an important lesson too because a life can look beautiful on the outside and still have a terrible foundation underneath. You can have the house, the career, the marriage, the church attendance, the reputation, the money, the accomplishments, the appearance of having everything together. But underneath it all can be sand. 

The wise man, however, did something different. He didn't merely admire the Rock. He built upon it! That's the difference. You can admire Jesus. You can believe Jesus existed. You can read His words. You can talk about Him. But Jesus asks something deeper: “Will you build your life upon what I have told you?” That's what makes the foundation real.

When you ask yourself, “What am I building my life on?” Don't only ask, “Am I religious?” Ask: “What do I run to when I'm afraid?” “What determines my decisions?” “Where do I go when life falls apart?” “What matters most to me?” “What would still be standing if everything I owned disappeared?” And perhaps the deepest question: “If everything I currently depend upon were taken away, would I still have Christ?” If the answer is yes, then you have discovered something the world cannot take from you regardless of storms!

This is important ..

Being built on the Rock doesn't mean you'll never make mistakes. It doesn't mean you won't sin. It doesn't mean you won't question. It doesn't mean you won't cry. It doesn't mean you won't become frightened. It doesn't mean you won't sometimes feel like your faith is hanging by a thread. It means that underneath all of that, there is something deeper holding you. You may stumble. But you have somewhere to return. You may fall. But the foundation hasn't moved. You may lose almost everything. But the Rock is still there.

 So perhaps Jesus' question to us isn't really: “How beautiful is your house?” It's: “What is underneath it?” Because eventually every person's life encounters a storm. And when the rain falls, the flood rises, and the winds beat against the house, the storm will tell you what your foundation really was. And that's why Jesus says: “Hear these sayings of mine, and do them…” Not merely hear. Hear and build. Because you can build an enormous life on sand. Or you can build a humble life on the Rock. And when the storm comes… the Rock will still be there. 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Sinners Are Blind By Default

Sinners are blind by default. That is not a degrogarory remark. It's a sad one. When you are talking to a  person who is not a Christian you are talking to someone who is categorically BLIND. They cannot "see" (perceive or understand) ANYTHING regarding ANY message of the gospel. I can say that because I too, long ago, was blind to the things pertaining to GOD and ETERNAL LIFE. Borrowing those famous lyrics from the song Amazing Grace'

"Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, WAS BLIND but now I see."

How do you explain the sun to someone who can't see? If no one has ever seen the sun, then they don't know what you're talking about. All they know is darkness, and so even their assessment of the darkness, to them, it makes more sense than your confession of the Light. Regarding this conversation (as one with sight) I need to be patient. I need to have empathy. I also need to be prayerful because it means I am actually participating with God in helping and leading the blind to see.  2 Corinthians 4:4 says, "The god of this world (Satan) has blined the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of Christ WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD." So when I speak or you speak the gospel to your family, your cousins, your friends, whoever, and YOU don't understand why they don't get what is easily and clearly is understood (seen) by you, it's because they have been blinded by an unforseen enemy (the god of this world!) The enemy is keeping them from SEEING/UNDERSTANDING Jesus/WORD/gospel. REMEMBER John 1:4 testifes Jesus WAS THE WORD MADE FLESH. 

Paul says, 2 Corinthians 4:5.. "For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as LORD, with ourselves as your servants for HIS sake." I hear so often (from the blind), "Don't tell me what to do." But we, as those with sight who were once in those same shoes, aren't trying to usurp authority over you, or tell you how to live your life. We are simply passing along the WORD OF LIFE (Jesus), His teachings as a helpful guide, as a  map if you will, hoping it will bring peace to you the way it did for us. IT'S NEVER ABOUT CONTROL OR POINTING FINGERS (who am I to judge when I was once blind), it's just sharing good news of how to find your way to see the Light and let you see a path before you you never knew existed.

When we speak the WORD of knowledge and direction, we're not speaking law, condemnation, or guilt. Hell or consequences are never brought up unless it's a part of what happens WHEN YOU REJECT JESUS. As I've said before, the bottom line is, it's not the sins that condemn you in the end, I've committed many, some too embarassing to bring out into the open, but I've been excused of them, cleared of them, washed clean of them! How? 

Did I do them? Yep. Does Jesus know about them? Yep. Every detail? Yep. And so have you .. we all have a transgression list, some miles long. So what's the difference between me and an unbeliever? NOT THE SIN, it's unbelief! If you stand in unbelief, you're condemned already says John 3:18, "but whoever does not believe is condemned already because they have not believed in the son of GOD" and followed up by two other verses backing is John 16: 8-9 AND Mark 16:16. I would encourage anyone to open a Bible and look at just those passages. Trusting in Jesus leads to salvation w/o judgment or condemnation. Jesus died ONCE on a cross  for the sins of the world (yours included), but He cannot make you belief it. Your sins are washed away, nailed to the cross, now believe it to be saved. He made a way, He's the door. Go through Him.

Making Jesus the centerpiece, sharing His Word is, a Christians call. It comes easy! It's like this: Say you are on the 22 mile hiking trail on one of the most dangerous trails known to man.. the Kalalau Trail in Hawaii. Another hiker, a complete stranger passes you and turns "off the path" headed in the direction of Crawlers Ledge. You see this hiker making a wrong turn because you've done it before too.  He's headed for an area notoriously narrow, a crumbly section that leaves no room for error. So many die there. Though this guy is a stranger to you, and you don't even know his name, still, don't you feel an urgency or at least a nudge to yell out something to the effect of, "Hey, hey you. You're off the path and headed for Crawlers edge. You're in danger. Don't go that way-you're liable to slip off and die. Can you see the warning signs everywhere? Did you not see them? I would avoid THAT PATH and turn to the safest one. Let me point  it out for you." Would you not offer a betterway? A safee way?? 

Though he's a compete stranger, wouldn't you speak up? That's the Christian to the unbeliever. I've seen the danger. I've been in danger. I was on the wrong path too but someone called to me, "You're on the wrong path, turn around" even pointed me lovingly in the right direction. I listened, took the right path and was saved from possible (spiritual) death.

2 Corinthians 4:6 "For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness" (from Genesis 1:3) has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Simply, the very LIGHT at the beginning of creation is comparable to the spiritual awakening GOD performs inside A BELIEVER, replacing inner darkness (blindness) with TRUTH! The same creative Omnipotent power required to speak the physical universe into existence is required to save the human soul and there is only ONE who fits that bill .. Jesus Christ. No one else ever died for you, cared about you, or loves you like the One calling out you're heading the wrong way. Remember, Paul warned that Satan (the god of this world/planet) on which we live has blinded THE MINDS of unbelievers so that they just can't see the truth. As a believer whose eyes have been restored to see truth is now telling you the divine antidote is JESUS who shatters that satanic blindnesses by giving spiritual perception, allowing a person to truly know and recognize God's supreme worth and beauty. HIS SAVING GRACE!

Sharing the gospel is the means by which God gives people the abilty TO SEE HIM. So sight, seeing, breaking through blindness, is a gift and a grace that comes by giving and sharing the gospel of Truth. God wants to use believers to bring light into the world because He channels His goodness through us as instruments in a darkpace. And as long as I have breath I'll keep lifting the veil from the eyes of those I perceive as taking the same path I did.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

 

I've Done Horrible Things- I Can't Be Saved.

Have you ever heard it said, "I've done horrible things. I can't be saved. God could never forgive the _______ I've done."

I've heard it. More than once. Over the years more than a dozen times. Have you ever thought this about yourself or someone you know?  In this blog I hope to assure anyone [by "anyone" I'm including the most vile, depraved, repulsive, degenerate human beings labled by our society] that no sin is greater than God's love. To me, this is one of the most important truths in Scripture because shame can make a person believe they are beyond God's reach when the very opposite is true.

A person can commit something so terrible that they can hardly bear to look at themselves afterward. They may think, “If people knew what I had done, they would never forgive me. How could God possibly forgive me?” Shame says, “What you did is so terrible that you are now beyond redemption.” But the Gospel says something very different: your sin can be enormous without God's mercy being insufficient. The Bible does not minimize terrible sin. God doesn't say, “It wasn't that bad.” Instead, He says that His grace is greater than sin. Paul wrote, “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20).

Think about that wording: where sin did abound—>where sin became plentiful, overwhelming, seemingly impossible to overcome—> grace did much more abound. MUCH MORE  And Paul himself is a remarkable example. Before becoming an apostle, Paul violently persecuted Christians. He imprisoned them and participated in their persecution. He even called himself the “chief” of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). And what did Christ do with him? He didn't say, “You have gone too far.” He redeemed him and gave him a purpose!

There is also David. David not only committed adultery with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, impregnant her, then arranged circumstances that resulted in a Uriah's death to hide his sin! He murdered an innocent man after stealing that mans wife. His sin was extraordinarily serious. Yet when David genuinely repented he could still cry out to God: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness”,  (Psalm 51:1) Notice David didn't say, “My sin isn't really that bad.” He knew exactly how terrible it was. He went toward God with his shame rather than running away from God because of it. And that's the distinction I think is so beautiful. Conviction says: “I have done something terribly wrong. I need God.” Shame says: “I have done something terribly wrong. Therefore God could never want me.”  The first can lead you back to God. The second can drive you away from Him.

Sin can still have it's consequences in our lives when we sin with the body. Example, the adulterous affair between David and Bathsheba, resulted in the death of the child from their unlawful union. Several other David's actions weakened his reputation and authority as King which later contributed to rebellions against his crown. While God forgave David AFTER HE REPENTED, the earthly consequences and generational strife within his family remained.

The same consequences of sin can happen to us even AFTER WE REPENT. Forgiveness removes the spiritual guilt, but we still live with the physical wreckage of our past choices.

Examples:

1. adulterous relationships (maybe a husband discovers his wifes betrayal and she's murdered by him).

2. abortions (maybe injury/disease/or even deep guilt manifest later in life to affect reproductive organs or mental stability).

3. pedophilia (maybe 25-30 years later the offense is discovered and your career and reputation is destroyed through public humiliation)

4. homosexuaity (maybe this sin results in aids or a veneral disease that plagues your immune system for the remainder of your life)

5. rapists (maybe found guilty, convicted, you're sent to prison where you now become the victim of the same horrible, painful rape you inflicted)

Realize, God's forgiveness isn't based upon the atrocity. Sin is sin regardless of how we as humans define or measure transgressions. It is based upon God's mercy being greater!

That's why Jesus' invitation is so astonishing. He promises::

“Him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37) IN NO WISE, NOT EVER, AT NO TIME! Regardless of what you've done. Jesus will forgive your sin. He'll wipe it away off your slate forever if you approach Him in prayer, repent, turn from it, and seek His ways. Follow. (Daniel 9:9).

Jesus DIDN'T SAY..

Not “unless your sin is particularly horrible.”

Not “unless you've done it too many times.”

Not “unless you're too ashamed to come.”

He said, “Him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.” --->PERIOD! The depth of your sin is inconsequential.

That doesn't mean there are no consequences for sin, and genuine repentance isn't merely saying “I'm sorry” while deliberately continuing in the same wrongdoing. Forgiveness also doesn't necessarily erase the earthly consequences of what happened as I said. But the size of the sin does not make the blood of Christ too small to cover it. That's my point.

Perhaps the simplest way to say it is: There is no sin so deep that a genuinely repentant person can fall beyond the reach of God's grace. And sometimes the person who feels the most unworthy of forgiveness is precisely the person who most needs to hear Christ saying: “Come to Me.”

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

 

"What I would not do, that I DO." (Romans 7:15-19)

 

-The internal struggle inside a Christian-

(the mind wants to obey but the body has other plans)

Have you ever asked yourself, "how does ongoing confession of sin work in a believers life?" Have you ever wondered, " Jesus died for past sins. What if some temptations are so strong I give in, does that mean I lose favor with God? Is my salvation in jeapordy because I sinned? Today will be two parts in one blog because I feel they need to be understood back to back rather than dividing them into two separate blogs posted on two separate days. This will require a longer reading schedule on your part. If it seems like too much reading, then stop and come back later to finish even if that means tomorrow.

Scripture gives a fairly clear picture of this subject, and there is an important distinction between Christ’s finished work, ongoing confession, and deliberately continuing in sin. Keep those three key points in mind as you read in context how Scripture handles a Christian who commits sin. All answers will be answered with the WORD of God. No opinions are spoken here.

1. Jesus' death does not merely cover your sins up to the day you believed. The New Testament does not present Jesus as paying only for the sins you committed before conversion. Hebrews says: “By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14 And Romans 8:1 says: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” When a person trusts in Christ, his standing before God rests on Christ's righteousness and sacrifice, not on his ability to maintain a sinless record afterward. That's why John can say: “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). Notice the assumption: believers can sin after coming to Christ. And when they do, Christ is their advocate.

2. Then why does Scripture tell believers to confess their sins? 1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession isn't informing God of something He didn't know. It's agreeing with God about our sin and turning toward Him rather than hiding from Him. A believer who sins doesn't need to wonder, “Did Jesus' blood stop covering me?” Instead: “Father, I sinned. What I did was wrong. I don't want to hide it or justify it. Please forgive me and change me.”

And Scripture says God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse!

3. What if the temptation was extremely strong and you actually gave in? What then? This is where I think Scripture gives tremendous hope. Peter gives a picture of someone who really did fail under severe pressure. He denied Jesus three times. Jesus already knew Peter would fall. Yet Jesus told him beforehand: “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren"  (Luke 22:32). Peter's failure was terrible. But Jesus did not abandon him. After the resurrection, Jesus specifically went looking for Peter and restored him (John 21:15–19). Paul describes the Christian struggle this way: “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” (Romans 7:19). And then he cries: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (have you ever felt like Paul did when trying to overcome a particular son or vice?) His answer isn't, “I need to try harder so God will accept me.” It's: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 7:25

4. Does repeatedly falling into a sin mean you've lost God's favor? I've been asked this more than once, but not necessarily—and Scripture strongly warns us against thinking that way. There is a difference between: “I hate this sin. I keep struggling with it. Sometimes I fall. I confess it and want freedom.” and “I know this is rebellion against God, but I don't care. I intend to continue in it and have no desire to repent.” The first describes the kind of struggle Scripture itself acknowledges in believers. The second is a serious warning sign because it represents a heart that is refusing God's rule. But even when you fall, the answer isn't to run away from God. It's to run toward Him!  Hebrews 4:15-16 says that Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses and then tells believers: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace.” That's remarkable!!  Because you are weak, you are invited to the throne of grace—not told to stay away until you've cleaned yourself up.

5. God's discipline is different from God's rejection. A believer can sin and experience God's displeasure and discipline without being cast out of God's family. Hebrews 12:6 says: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.” That's actually a statement of God's fatherly love. AND I'VE EXPERIENCED IT. Think of a child who disobeys his father. The father's correction doesn't mean, “You are no longer my child. ”Likewise, God's correction of His children is intended to restore them. David is a powerful example. After his grievous sin with Bathsheba, David didn't say, “I have sinned, therefore God can never receive me again.” He went to God in repentance: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10)

6. But what about “deliberate sin”? THIS WE REALLY NEED TO GRASP. Hebrews 10:26 can sound frightening: “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” This passage isn't teaching that one particularly strong temptation you eventually succumb to means Jesus' sacrifice no longer covers you.

The context is much more serious: it is describing turning away from Christ and repudiating His sacrifice, rather than the ordinary believer who falls into sin and comes back to God in repentance. That's an important distinction. A Christian saying, “Lord, I hate what I did. I fell again. Please forgive me and help me” is not the same thing as someone saying, “I reject Christ and don't want Him.”

7. One of the greatest promises is 1 John 2:1 I think this verse gets right to the heart of our question: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Notice both sides. God doesn't say: “Sin doesn't matter.” He says: “Don't sin.” But He also doesn't say: “If you sin, you're finished.” He says: “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate.” That's the gospel!  The goal of the Christian life isn't: “I must become good enough that God will continue to love me.” It's:

“Because God has loved me and given Himself for me, I want to walk with Him, turn from sin, and become increasingly like Christ.” And one more thing

If you're wondering about  this because there is a particular temptation that you keep falling into, I would not conclude from the fact that you fell that God has withdrawn His love from you. Confess it. Get back up. Come to Christ again. Don't hide. Proverbs 24:16 says: “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.” And Romans 8:38–39 gives perhaps the strongest assurance of all: nothing in creation can separate those who are in Christ from the love of God.

The Christian life isn't a story of never falling. It's a story of belonging to Christ, getting back up, and continuing to walk with Him by grace.

-------------------------------------------------------

PART TWO

Do you keep falling into a particular sin even though you're trying not to but sin's grip keeps winning? What Im describing is very close to the posture Scripture calls us toward: a heart that wants God, takes sin seriously, grieves when it falls, confesses it, and keeps turning back toward Him. Sound familar? Well there's one distinction I wanted to write and expand on that may bring you even more peace. You don't have to achieve perfection in order to be pleasing to God. Do you understand that? Your desire for holiness is good, but your acceptance before God isn't based on how perfectly you perform! It rests on Christ. Listen closely. Paul could say: “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after” (Philippians 3:12). Paul wanted holiness desperately, yet he openly acknowledged that he had not already attained perfection And Scripture says, “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

God sees the difference between a heart that loves Him and hates its sin and a heart that has simply decided it doesn't care about Him. In my own weaknesses I have thought many times, “I never want to disappoint GOD” and that thought is important. WHY? If you've ever felt that way too, I'd encourage you to let that desire mature from fear of disappointing God into love for God. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments" ( John 14:15). Obedience is supposed to flow from love. And when you fail, don't let shame convince you that you need to stay away from God until you're worthy to approach Him. That's precisely when you should go to Him. Scriptures tellS us, “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 51:17).

There is something beautiful here: If you sorrow over sin it can be evidence that your heart is turned toward God. A person who genuinely doesn't care about God generally isn't grieved that he has offended Him. So keep pursuing holiness. Fight temptation. Confess quickly when you fall. Make whatever changes are necessary to avoid returning to the same sin. Ask God for strength. And when you fail, don't make your failure bigger than Christ's grace! You can hold these two truths together:

“I want to be holy because I love God.” and “When I fail, Christ is still my Advocate.” Both are biblical! And perhaps most importantly, remember this: “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). God isn't finished with you!! The fact that you aren't perfect today doesn't mean you're on the wrong path. Sanctification is a walk. Keep walking. I hope these scriptures have helped clarify any doubts you may have had up to now considering your standing with Christ as you fight the good fight of faith Timothy describes in his 1st book Chapter 6 verse 12 -- describing the Christian life as an active, enduring struggle for spiritual truth, perserverance, and eternal life.

Until He Comes,

-Pat- 

Do Our Pets Go To Heaven?

Do Our Pets Go To Heaven? How many times have I been asked that question. Maybe you have too.  The love we have for our pets is a special bond which runs deeper than words can truly capture. They transform from mere pets into heartbeat-bound members of our family. I've answered that question from friends before who have sought my opinion. Today I want to present my case of why I believe our pets will be reunited with us once again. And while scripture does not give a direct "yes" or "no" about our specific animal companions, it does share several passages about animals, creation, and the future which may help you form an opinion of your own.

There are many passages about animals in eternity, I'll cover some of them and feel free to look them up yourself. 

1. Isaiah 11:6–9 and 65:25: These verses describe a future peaceful world—often called the New Earth—where animals like wolves, lambs, leopards, and lions live together in complete harmony without hurting one another. 

2. Revelation 19:11: The apostle John sees a white horse in heaven Jesus is riding when He returns, showing that animals can be part of heavenly visions.

3. Romans 8:20–21: This passage says that all of God's creation was subjected to decay and eagerly looks forward to being set free from death one day. FREE FROM DEATH. Interesting!

4. Ecclesiastes 3:19–21: The writer notes that humans and animals share the same physical breath and physical death, and asks the honest question of whether an animal's spirit goes downward into the earth or upward.

The bottom line is, God cares for animals. The Bible says God notices when a small sparrow falls to the ground (Matthew 10:29)--compassion -- and says God saves both humans and animals (Psalm 36:6). He did on the ark so the species of every kind could live with man. Many theologians point out that heaven is a place of ultimate joy and perfection. While scripture leaves the exact details unclear, we can trust that God is loving, fair, and good.  There is a well-known verse in the King James Version of the Bible that says, “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel” (Proverbs 12:10). It's evident God distinguishes those who love his creation-ALL creation-in this verse eferring to animals from those who don't. Modern translations of Proverbs 12:10 update the language slightly, phrasing it as: "The righteous care for the needs of their animals..." (NIV)"The godly care for their animals..." (NLT)"A righteous man cares about his animal’s health..." (CSB) Loving and caring for animals is important, thus, God loves and cares about animals too.

Other Places Where the Bible Commands Care for Animals as another referrence? The Bible contains several other laws and principles about treating "beasts" and animals humanely:

**Sabbath Rest: In Exodus 23:12, God commands a day of rest specifically so that work animals—like oxen and donkeys—can rest and be refreshed.

**Helping Strays: Exodus 23:4 states that even if an animal belongs to your enemy, if you see it wandering off or struggling under a heavy load, you are required to stop and help it.

**Fair Work Practices: Deuteronomy 25:4 says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," meaning an animal should be allowed to eat while it works. This is why many people believe that loving and caring deeply for a pet aligns directly with God's character.

There is a fascinating law in the Bible that links showing mercy to animals with a promise of a long life. I know of everal dog rescuers here where I live and where I've adopted my dogs from, as well as rescuers in Puerto Rico I'm connected to. These people seem to have extraordinary strength, endurance, patience, and health! Even  Deuteronomy 22:6–7, which is a unique and very specific commandment about wildlife conservation and compassion. The verse states:"If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, whether in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life."

Why is this commandment so significant?An Explicit Promise of Long Life: There are only a couple of places in the entire Bible where God explicitly promises a "long life" for keeping a specific law (the other famous one being the commandment to honor your father and mother). The fact that God attaches this major blessing to a tiny act of mercy toward a bird highlights how highly He values the humane treatment of his creation. The principle behind the law is a mix of compassion and conservation. By leaving the mother bird alive, you ensure she can go on to live, heal, and raise future generations of birds. It shows a beautiful glimpse into God's heart—that even the smallest wild creature matters to Him, and He promises to bless the lives of people who treat them with respect.

Are there animals in heaven? Are they important to God?

Isaiah 11: 6-9 describes wolves and lions living harmlessly with lambs and calves.

Revelation 19:11 depicts Christ returning from heaven on a white horse

2 Kings 2-11 describes Elijah being taken up with horses of fire

Numbers 22: 21-35 The Lord used and spoke through a donkey.

In closing, it is obvious animals INCLUDING OUR PETS/dogs/cats/horses  etc. are deeply important to God BECAUSE HE CREATED THEM for us with care. He sustains their lives and includes them in His divine plans. Do you realize during creation GOD looked at the animals and explcitly declared them "good" BEFORE humans were ever created? God actively feeds, provides for, and watches over every wild creature and how we treat them (and our pets.) Scriptural imagery of the future kingdom features animals living in perfect peace, proving they have a lasting place in His design. I do not know of any earthly dad not being affected by their chid crying over a deseased pet. Dad's want to fix it! How much more our heavenily Father that has the power to restore pets back to His children. Personally, Iam looking forward to reuniting with the cats and dogs I have had stewardship over while on earth.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

 

The Power Of Your Tongue

 

   verse from Proverbs 18:21:

  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

What a powerful verse! There is so much we can dissect from those 20 words. The book of Proverbs is one of my favorites books because wisdom and understanding flow there by way of life lessons. It's the book that can say so much with so little words. Puzzles I love putting together. At first glance, Proverbs 18:21 can sound almost mystical—as though saying something automatically makes it happen. That isn't what Scripture is teaching. The deeper meaning is about the enormous power our words have to bring about life or destruction through what they communicate, influence, encourage, authorize, and set in motion. The book of James also cautions us in the 3rd chapter verses 1-12 warning that the tongue, though the littlest member of the body is like a "fire set on hell" "a world of iniquity" "defiles the whole body" "sets on hell the course of nature" "an unruly evil" "full  of deadly poison" "we bless with it and curse with it" and finally, " no man can tame it." (KJV) pointing out the heavy responsiblity we have in how and what we speak to each other. Not only is this necessary information for every Christian believer but it also can be valuable for anyone outside of faith. I want to go through this particular verse and reveal what I've gleaned from it. So if you have a few minutes and don't mind a longer blog, I will expound.

 

What does it mean to have the POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH in our tongue? That sounds terrifying in a way from the power alone then add what the book of James adds and you realize how crucial this subject is. Think about what the tongue can actually do. Your tongue cannot physically create a tree, heal a broken bone, or cause someone to die merely because you spoke words. But your words can change the course of a person's life.

Think about these words: “You are worthless. You'll never amount to anything.” A child may hear that repeatedly and eventually believe it. Those words can produce shame, hopelessness, insecurity, and destructive behavior. Now compare: “You made a mistake, but you can get back up. You are not a failure.” Those words can produce courage, hope, repentance, and perseverance. The circumstances may be identical—but the words spoken into the situation can influence what happens next.

 

That's the “power” of the tongue.  But there is an even deeper spiritual dimension. The Bible repeatedly connects words with the heart. Jesus said: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). In other words, your tongue is revealing what is inside you. And this is where Proverbs 18:21 becomes particularly profound. Your words aren't merely sounds. They can reveal several things .. faith or unbelief, wisdom or foolishness, love or hatred, truth or deception, encouragement or condemnation, blessing or cursing, repentance or rebellion. That's not all. Your words can lead you and others toward corresponding actions.

Consider gossip for instance. Someone says:

“Did you hear what she did?”

Another person repeats it.

Another adds something.

Soon a person's reputation is destroyed—even though the original statement may have been false. The tongue produced destruction.

Now consider someone saying ..

“Let's not assume the worst about her. We don't know the whole story.” That tongue stopped destruction. THAT'S LIFE AND DEATH IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE! 

 

Scripture takes this VERY seriously.  James gives us perhaps the clearest explanation. He compares the tongue to a small fire: “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:5).

Think about that. A tiny spark can eventually burn an entire forest. So can a few words can start something enormously destructive. One lie can destroy a marriage. One accusation can destroy someone's reputation. One cruel sentence can remain in someone's memory for fifty years. One false teaching can lead thousands of people away from truth.But the reverse is also true because one word of encouragement can keep someone from giving up. One confession can restore a relationship. One testimony can lead someone toward Christ. One proclamation of God's truth can change someone's eternity. That's the astonishing power of the tongue!  Now look at it from the perspective of God ..

 

There is an even deeper connection. God Himself creates through His WORD. Genesis repeatedly says: “And God said…”And then something happened. “Let there be light.” And there was light. But here's an important distinction: God's words have creative power because He is God. We are not little gods whose words magically create reality. That's a very important boundary. We don't speak something into existence simply because we said it. Instead, our words have power because God created human beings with the ability to communicate, influence, teach, persuade, bless, deceive, encourage, and destroy.

 

Now let's look at the last words of verse 21. “They that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” This part is REALLY important. Proverbs doesn't merely say: “Words have consequences for other people.” It says you will eat the fruit of your own tongue! In simple language: What you continually speak can eventually become part of the life you are living. Suppose someone constantly says: “Nobody can be trusted.” They may eventually become suspicious of everyone. They push people away. Relationships deteriorate. Then they say: “See? Nobody can be trusted.” They created with their words .. therefore they are eating the fruit of their own words! 

Or another example, someone continually speaks hatred, bitterness, resentment and anger. Those words reinforce the condition of their own heart. But someone who continually speaks truth, gratitude, forgiveness, wisdom and encouragement can cultivate a very different kind of life.

The mouth plants seeds.

Life eventually produces fruit. See how it works?

 

Finally, just realize there is something deeper in the verses in book of Proverbs . It isn't merely saying, “Don't say mean things.” It is showing us how extraordinarily consequential our words can be. One thing I especially love about today's blog is knowing:

Your tongue can become a tool in God's hands.

You can speak truth to someone who is discouraged.

You can speak forgiveness when someone expects condemnation.

You can speak Scripture when someone is confused.

You can speak hope when someone feels hopeless.

And sometimes, one sentence spoken at exactly the right moment can stay with a person for the rest of their life. Again, that's the “life” in the power of the tongue. 

Small instrument. Enormous consequences.

I love digging into Proverbs! I want to understand what God is really showing us underneath the words. I hope someone sees this too.

 

Until He comes,

-Pat-

 

 

 

Explaining Matthew 7 One More Time

 

I was asked by a reader to explain in more understandable details what and why many on judgment day will be told by Jesus that He never knew them and they can't enter heaven afterall.

I will do my best.

In my opinion, the scariest words Jesus ever said are, "I never knew you." You can find His words in Matthew 7: 21-23. These might be the most terrifying words that Jesus ever spoke and here's why ..

He wasn't talking to atheists!

He wasn't talking to pagans!

He was talking to peope who CLAIMED HIS NAME, CALLED HIM LORD, and were confident they belonged to Him. 

Now, before anyone says, " no no He was only talking to the Pharisees and people like them."

No, no He was not. Matthew 7 is part of the sermon on the mount. Jesus was speaking to the crowds following Him and to His disciples. He didn't say, "some religious leaders will say to me"... He said, "MANY will say to me." This is a loving warning to many (anyone) who claim to know Jesus without surrendering to Him. Many people say they know Jesus by saying He was God's Son, a prophet, a good man, someone who did appear in biblical times. They "think" that's knowing Him, by having knowledge He was real once.

Let me be clear because this is where people get confused.

KNOWING JESUS IS NOT about working your way into heaven. Scripture is clear--we are SAVED BY GRACE ALONE, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Works OR  knowing of Him does not save us IE: being good, perfect church attendance, moral living, helping others, charity, volunteering, donating money, tithing, being a law abiding citizen, are examples of works that do not earn a right into heaven. Scripture is just as clear about this .. saving faith is never alone. Catch this:

REAL FAITH produces repentance.

REAL FAITH produces obedience.

REAL FAITH produces transformation!

NOT PERFECTION, BUT DIRECTION.

Jesus isn't rejecting those people because they didn't do enough good  things. He's rejecting them because they used His Name without ever truly submitting their lives to Him. They wanted the "power" provided in His Name, not repentance. They wanted the "benefits" promised to followers, not obedience. They wanted salvation and a guarantee of eternal life in heaven, not surrender. And that's why Jesus is warning when He said many will hear, "I never knew you." NOT, "I knew you and you messed up." But instead, He's saying, "you knew Me, you spoke My Name, but you never really walked with me."

This isn't about performance .. we can't "work" our way into heaven no matter what good we do. This is and always has been about RELATIONSHIP. This is about whether your faith is real. Cultural Christiany is comfortable. It talks about Jesus without following Him. It wants forgiveness without transformation. BUT JESUS DOESN'T WANT FANS, HE WANTS FOLLOWERS! His words aren't meant to scare you, they are meant to wake you up because Jesus wants to know you as one of His but He won't be reduced to a label or prayer you once prayed during an altar call. DO YOU KNOW HIM? DO YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM? The last thing you'll want to hear when the book of Life is opened, is silence. You may look up and ask, "but what about me? Where's my name? I told others about you. I went to church nearly every Sunday. I dropped money in the collection plate. I wore a cross around my neck to show others I was a Christian." He will answer, "I never knew you." Knowing "OF" Jesus is not the same thing as KNOWING HIM.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Four kinds of Christians JESUS SAID Would Not Enter The Kingdom

 

Jesus gave a warning to people who label themselves Christians

The most dangerous word in the churches today is the word SAVED. Millions believe one altar call prayer, the "sinner's prayer,"  has sealed their eternity, but Jesus told us 4 stories that shatter that illusion. Listen closely and take heed if this fits. This was Jesus speaking. Not my opinions. Four kinds of people who thought they were in and found out they weren't.  It's time to search ourselves as 2 Corinthians says, 'Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith." It's time to check our own spiritual standing.

#1 The man who wanted heaven but kept his treasure. A rich young ruler knelt before Jesus asking Him how he could inherit eternal life. He told Jesus he had kept every commandment there was to keep since childhood, He was moral, sincere, desperate. Jesus looked at him with love and called him to sell everything he had and to come, follow Him. The rich man actually walked away grieving. By the man GRIEVING shows us the reason he walked away. Its shows us the actual condition of his heart. Understand,  why is there a scripture that says, "It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God" said Jesus in (Matthew 19:24)? But it wasn't that the man was rich or possessed an abundance. Rich people can get into heaven too. The warning is: The man was sorrowful because keeping his riches meant more to him physically than the spiritual condition of his soul. Jesus said it to reveal the mans true intentions. It's very difficult for wealthy people to rely on God instead of their money. You can't want heaven and still walk away from it if your hands are too full of the world. This is the message.

#2 The workers who had power but no relationship. On judgment Day these will stand before Jesus and say, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy Name? And in Your Name cast out many devils, and in Your Name done many wonderful works?" (Matthew 7: 21-23) PAY ATTENTION! "These" are not atheists. These are miracle-working, sermon-preaching CHRISTIANS and Jesus will answer with the most terrifying sentence in scripture .. "I never knew you. Depart from me, you that work iniquity." Not "you lost your salvation." He'll say, "I NEVER KNEW YOU." Why?? You can do God's work and be a complete stranger to GOD'S heart. Jesus is going to reject people at the final judgment who "claim" to follow Him but do not have a real, personal relationship with Him. The warning is: most assuredly because these CHRISTIANS kept practicing deliberate, habitual sin, lived in rebellion against GOD'S moral law and fake righteousness while their hearts remained far from GOD.

#3 The "branches" (CHRISTIANS) that were connected to the Vine (Jesus)- "I am the Vine you are the branches. IF you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit"(John 15:5) THESE DID NOT BEAR FRUIT, they were "fruitless." Scriptures goes on, "Every branch in Me that doesn't bear fruit, He takes away" (verse 2). Notice, the branch WAS IN THE VINE, connected, looking alive, appearing real, healthy .. the CHRISTIAN IN JESUS singing songs, attending church, praying but producing nothing. Lip-service. You see, the warning is:
 true faith shows up in CHANGED BEHAVIOR. That's the "fruit." And changed behavior manifests a true  life and relationship with the Lord. Connection without transformation cut down and thrown into the fire (John 15:6).

#4 The guest who got in AND got thrown out.  Let's first establish the guest. A guest is someone who receives an invitation. The King (represents Jesus) walked into His own wedding feast and found a man without a "wedding garment." This is important. The man was indeed invited (as we have all been invited to come to Jesus) but the point is, he came on his own terms (represented by his own clothing and not a wedding garment). He tried to enter in and be a part of salvation without the wedding garment of what the King provided. All saints who go through THE DOOR-Jesus in life ("I AM THE WAY") were present and all dressed in pure white linen robes, representing being clothed in the purity and sinless righteousness of Jesus (Revelation 19:8) the warning is: this man had on what is considered filthy rags.. IE: his own human attempt to get to heaven with a facade of self-righteousness, another religion, philosophy or belief system, his own efforts, moral goodness, charitable works, or whatever. The King then orders his servants to "bind the man hand and foot and throw him nto outer darkness." Note: Being in the building, the room, the Church, the wedding hall is not the same as being dressed for the wedding!

If any of this hits close to home, that's not condemnation. That's mercy knocking. Did it wake you up? You can change course. Don't let the altar prayer you prayed 10 years ago remain stagnant. Are you producing fruit? Are you changing from the inside out? It's past time to start growing, maturing, and bearing fruit. Time grows shorter and shorter with each day that passes. You're not getting any younger! For a list of the fruits your life should be producing refer to Galatians 5:22-23 in your Bible If you don't have a Bible, ask Google!

Until He Comes,

-Pat-