The Old and the New Covenant - Galatians 4:21-31

Based on Galatians 4:21-31 (New King James Version)

“Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written: ‘Rejoice, O barren, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband.’ Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? ‘Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.’ So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.”

What should a person really do to fulfill God’s will so they can be able to obtain eternal life? To be able to answer that, we must first define a problem, and the problem is: that the answer is so easy that ironically many do not find, especially those that do not have the faith that God requires. We see in this passage that two basic things are explained to us, the topic of the old covenant that can be seen throughout the majority of the Old Testament, and the new covenant that is told to us starting with the life of the Messiah, with Jesus. The errors that occur are simply related to the problem: the evil desires that still dwell within every human being. Some may ask, “Where is the devil in all of this?” And the answer to that is that the devil can only tempt, but he can’t force anyone. And the only reason for why a person gives in to temptation is because they would much rather obey the sin that dwells within their members than the soul that longs to live. As it is written: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” James 1:13-15. This is the problem. This was the problem before with man. It is the problem now. And it will be the problem until man ceases to exist as he exists today. And the greatest problem that man has is submitting to God, finally: pride. We must start to understand this to get to the answer.

This pride problem is the problem that came about with the devil himself, where sin originated from, from wanting to be like God. We can see this in the following passage: “How you are fallen from heaven, o Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’” Isaiah 14:12-14. Now, a person may say, “I don’t have a problem with pride!” And well, maybe a person is not literally desiring to be like God (at least so directly), but each one of us does have this problem in one way or another. That is the purpose of the law, to demonstrate that no human being can fulfill on their own everything they are commanded, and it is not because they cannot do it, but rather within themselves, they don’t want to fulfill it, in one way or another. We have the example through the Pharisees. They fulfilled the lower requirements of the law, but failed on the most important, because they were not able to love God above all things. This can be said because when God Himself showed up in front of them, they neither received Him nor respected Him, but rather, they hated Him. As it is written: “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” John 1:10-11. Why didn’t they receive Him? Because they just didn’t want to. There is no other reason. That’s why the Lord spoke to them in parables, not to confuse them, but because He already saw the disposition within their hearts, that they were predisposed not to listen under their own free will. No matter what the Lord would say or do, they had already decided out of their own free will that they were not going to believe, and like that, not obey. And in one way or another, we all have a problem with obeying God, whether it involves big things or small things (per se). There are things that we do want to do, but there are others that we don’t. That is pride, nothing more, nothing less. God commands us to do certain things, and we either say it’s not like that, or supposedly we cannot understand, or quite simply, we say “no” through our actions. And there is where all of this supposed confusion or mixture of things comes from, even this turning back to the law to supposedly get something from God.

The person that attempts to go back to the law for salvation after being exposed to the Gospel neither understands reality, and least of all, listens to God. Why? Because in the law, God gave as a commandment the sacrifices for the atonement of sins (not to erase them, a very big detail). And well, if a person desires to go back to the law, then, how will they atone for their sins? Since 70AD, when Rome destroyed the temple of God and all the sacrifices stopped, how can any atonement for sins be made? It’s not possible. And the sacrifices must be made just as God commanded, and in the temple of Jerusalem. So then, if sins cannot be atoned for through the law, then how can something so insignificant like circumcision fulfill everything the law commanded?

So, the only recourse that is left is the new covenant, the one that is through Christ. There is no other way, but we must do as He commands, and everything starts with being born again, through complete repentance and conversion from all sins, and by literally accepting Jesus as Lord. And this introduces the problem that has been around since the beginning and that a great majority of people have today, the problem of submitting to the Lord as such. Many like the idea of salvation (eternal life), but they don’t want to submit to His Lordship. This is what God commands based on the greatest commandment: “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.’” Mark 8:34-35. Many want to be saved, but no one wants to pay the price. And this is the foundation for God’s grace, the new covenant through Jesus Christ. And many elude this, that it is necessary to obey God, and to do just as He commands. This is the great mystery (per se) that causes so much confusion, and differences, and problems. But to be able to fulfill God’s true will, we do need to deny ourselves, leave aside every kind of pride, so we can effectively obey as the Holy Spirit guides through the Word of God, the Holy Bible. If this is done, then you will be able to be sensitive to God’s truth, and there won’t be so much confusion. So then, have you been able to overcome your pride so that you are able to find the true path to God through the Lordship of Jesus? Lord bless! John

Flee From Materialism - 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Based on 1 Timothy 6:6-19 (New King James Version)

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

One of the greatest problems we have today, and especially within the church of Christ, is a problem with materialism. This is something universal, and it is shown in different ways. We live in a world that is grossly materialistic, and this is not just a problem with the elite of the world as many assume, thinking that the ones that are sinking in materialism are the millionaires and billionaires of the world. So then, let us leave aside those people and think more on ourselves, because everyone else’s problems are not our problem, but rather, we need to look at our own issues. One day not too far away, God will ask you what you did, and nothing more.

Materialism within the church is revealed in different manners, and it is one of the reasons for why many people do not come to a church, because they are afraid of being eaten by the wolves (per se), such people within the leadership that use godliness for gain. Unfortunately, there are many ministers and preachers and teachers that do use the things of God for their own benefit. And why should we speak of this? Because you have to be careful with who you listen to, and who you feel attracted to, so that you do not fall in the same issue, and that you wind up as lost as they are, because when you get so close or listen to evil, that you will also become the same evil. That is the problem. Those that use the things of God for their own convenience will always say nice things to you. They will tell you pleasant things, things that will make you feel good in the flesh. They will appeal to your weaknesses and desires. One obvious way to be able to detect a wolf is to see what they have, and compare that to our Model, to Jesus Christ. As it is written: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.” Matthew 10:24-25a. While the Lord was on the earth, did He have a mansion, or property, or expensive clothing, or any kind of ostentation? No, as it was left written: “Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, ‘Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’” Matthew 8:19-20. So then, whether they speak nicely or harshly to you, just look at how they live, and you will know who their true god is. By their fruits you shall know them.

This is something that must also be left clear. Money within itself is not evil. Money or wealth by themselves have no power to influence, nor can they have any kind of control over a person. They are ultimately inanimate objects that know nothing, nor can they do anything on their own, and are completely consumable. The problem is love for money, or also, the attraction for the material, because it is not only about money, but also about material goods. The problem is when a person focuses on material things, and they put their faith and prime efforts into them. There are people that will say: “I don’t love money”, and like that they justify themselves. But, they want things that only money can buy, like a house, or being able to travel and know the world, or wanting to retire ahead of time, and so on, all things that only money can buy.

And here comes the great question: “How much is necessary?” That is a question that each person that claims to be belong to Christ should ask the Lord Himself, and let the Lord respond to them. But we can see in this passage that there is a very clear and simple answer, as it says: And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. Food and clothing are very basic things, and they are related to what you need daily: a place to live, clothes, and food. Do you need a big house? I don’t think so. Do you need expensive clothing with various options? I don’t believe so. Do you need great feasts with all kinds of goodies? I doubt it. If you sit and think about how much is truly necessary, you will realize how much is really enough also. You can also think about it this way. How did you come into the world, and how are you going to leave it?

And we must leave yet another thing very clear. We must help our neighbor, but the neighbor that has real needs. Because there is something that everyone must have perfectly clear. The gospel and loving our neighbor do not consist of feeding irresponsible or envious people. We should not feed irresponsibility nor give in to people that just envy others. In summary, we are not called to support sin in any kind of way. This is what the Word says: “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12. By God’s grace, I am not supported by any group of people nor by the government. I work very hard at a secular job to be able to pay my bills with the sweat of my brow. May God be praised!

Every person that can work should work to fulfill their responsibilities, but only to obtain what is necessary and indispensable, and also, to be able to help those in true need. But, if you are only thinking on material things, one day, you will become its slave, and you will not be able to serve the God you do owe everything to. So then, what is reigning in your life, materialism, or the Lord? Lord bless! John

Our Freedom in Christ - Galatians 5:1-18

Based on Galatians 5:1-18 (New King James Version)

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off! For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

What was the problem that happened in Galatia, this issue of going back to the law? The problem surged when religious Jews that did not convert turned back to the law, leaving behind God’s grace, instead of following God’s grace through Jesus Christ. In other words, they put as conditions certain things of the law (like circumcision) as part of the way to becoming saved, and that is not what the Lord taught, and quite frankly, it wasn’t right with the law either. The truth is that circumcision was never the basis for faith, but rather, it was a sign that the Lord left established before the fulfillment of grace (because faith and grace was always the basis for everything in the Lord). Abraham received circumcision as a sign precisely after he found grace before God because of his faith. So then, what should happen so that there could be true freedom in Christ?

For starters, it is important to understand also the other error that has entered into the church, the other side of the spectrum, per se, so that we can clarify to those that have used God’s grace as a license to sin and that use liberty in Christ for the things of the flesh, by finally glorifying corruption (which produces death) instead of glorifying Christ. This is what the Word teaches: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:15-23. The Lord did not make us free to fall back into slavery with sin, but rather, so that we could do those things that produce life, to do the will of God.

So then, how do we then get to have eternal life? To start, the Lord Himself taught that it is necessary to be born again, as it is written: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:3-6. How does a person become born again? Being born of water and the Spirit consists of John’s baptism (of water) which consists of complete repentance and conversion from all sins. There must be 100% repentance, just as baptism illustrates it, where a person is completely submerged in water. Being born of the Spirit not only consists of just believing in Jesus as Lord, but also making Him the effective Lord of a person’s life. That is how our spirit is brought back to life, when the Holy Spirit enters our life through faith and submission to Christ. And after that event in our lives, then we should start doing those things that fulfill God’s will. Because yes, we are saved only by grace through faith in Christ, but our lives through the Lord should start to take their course towards what they were made for, as it is written: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10. This is the true way to eternal life.

So, what is it that we should be doing? For what should we be using our freedom in Christ? The Lord reestablished the following, which was also the basis for all of the law: “Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31. We should dedicate our lives to love God with everything we are, and like that, give Him first place; and to love our neighbor. According to God Himself, all of His will is fulfilled through this. And finally, love consists of actions, of good works that glorify God, just as the He did. The Father not only said that He loved us, but He also demonstrated it with the most sublime action, by giving His only begotten Son, Jesus, so that we could have eternal life, a completely unmerited gift, without any kind of obligation, the work of the manifestation of His grace. And remember this, that eternal life is not received until a person finishes the race. Therefore, we cannot just stay with the knowledge of salvation, but we should also run the race that God wants us to run. So then, what are you using your freedom in Christ for, to be able to live eternally, or for corruption? Lord bless! John

Living Towards the Future - Matthew 5:1-12

Based on Matthew 5:1-12 (New King James Version)

“And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’”

In what we read today, we could spend our entire lives trying to understand it, and that is part of the purpose, because they are things that should not only be understood, but also, they should be daily practiced in all kinds of different ways. Everything in the Word is completely applicable to our lives, in one way or another. If the Bible is just taken as a book of knowledge and it is not practiced in the manner that the Holy Spirit guides, it would be preferable for a person to have never had access to it, because all they are bringing upon themselves is more judgment. In summary, the Word of God must be lived so that the eternal can be reaped, and like that, fulfill God’s plans in our lives.

We could look at this passage line by line, which should be done when studying the Word, but we will see the principal point in its fulness, and that is: The Lord was teaching things that should be practiced in life to be able to attain the different rewards in the eternal future. It’s true that we are not born with these attributes or manner of being naturally, and that’s why it is necessary to be born again in Christ, repenting and converting from all of our sins, leaving behind our aimless conduct, and submitting to the lordship of Jesus, and like that, begin to cultivate Christ’s characteristics. We must also consider by what we know through the Bible that God is a conditional God, and that to be able to receive the things of God, we must do as He commands. Quite simply, it is impossible that the Christian life consist of supposedly receiving Christ and crossing your arms (per se) or remaining focused on the temporary. Everything of which the Lord spoke of here, as an example, not one thing will be received unless a person becomes what He said they should become. In other words, if a person is not poor in spirit, or does not weep, or is not meek, or does not hunger and thirst for righteousness, etc., they will not receive none of the blessings or the rewards mentioned. Everything He mentioned is manifested through works. That’s why we understand that everything in Christ is fulfilled when they are done, when there are actions that demonstrate our faith, because by our fruits will both God and men know us.

Therefore, and if we understand the tense in which the Lord was speaking of, we would see that the blessings and the rewards come in eternity principally, and not before. Everything mentioned is referenced as future, and the only future we know in Christ is eternal life. So then, everything that we must live and be should not be focused on the present, but rather, on the future, and that is possible only through faith, because faith is based on believing things that are not visible, but yet believing that they do exist. This is what the Lord taught: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21. Everything we must live in the Word of God should be with our sight looking forward, looking towards eternity. The Christian should live with their focus always towards God, with the hope of encountering God in not such a distant future. That’s why the Word of God also exhorts us with the following: “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. So then, everyone that calls themselves a follower of Christ should always have very present that this body is coming undone day by day, and those of us that are older know that this is happening because we can feel it. And also, they should live with the desire to be clothed and for this mortality to be swallowed up by life, and that God made us for this. The Lord did not make us with the goal that our human body should never perish, but rather, He made it as a temporary vehicle for our soul, so that each soul could have the option of either deciding or not to follow Him out of their own free will, and not only to just follow Him, but also, so that every soul could be transformed and prepared for even greater things. Preparation can only occur through exercising and pressuring the spirit. If we cannot be faithful over little, it is impossible for us to be faithful over much.

So then, how should we live? We should do the same the Lord did through the power of the Holy Spirit, and that is overcome temptation. We read this: “Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’’” Matthew 4:8-10. The devil will always try to make the Christian give up on their faith, and in different ways, just as he tried with the Lord. The devil will always try for you to grow weary and stop being, for example, poor in spirit, meek, and so on. Deviations begin to occur when a person leaves aside God’s purposes. That’s why the Word also teaches this: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” James 1:12-14. We must overcome the evil within us though Christ, and we should live doing as He commands, until the end, to be able to receive what we are hoping for; not the temporary, but the perfection that God has prepared for those that love Him. So then, are you living for the present, or for an eternal future where God is the One that rewards you? Lord bless! John

What Should be Our Reason - Hebrews 12:1-4

Based on Hebrews 12:1-4 (New King James Version)

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.”

For what things do most people fight for? Many strive to obtain material possessions, and they sacrifice everything necessary to be able to obtain what they desire. Others strive for a career or a job, and they also sacrifice time and even their relationships to be able to reach goals and successes, and quite possibly even for noble causes. Many also spend their time trying to find a mate, looking to either have a relationship or a marriage. In a similar manner, there are people that strive to have and raise children, and they sacrifice themselves to be able to build homes. There are people that place much effort in trying to have different experiences in life, trying to live life to the fullest each moment. And also, there are people that work hard to be healthy and strong, attempting to maintain peak physical fitness. And well, there are so many other things that people strive for with the goal to attain what they long for. But are all of these things bad? Within themselves, none of these things are necessarily bad. Quite possibly, they can even be blessings, but we need to go deeper to get to the point. God can bless us in different ways and with different things, and especially if they are achieved in a good way, not through evil. Nothing of what has been mentioned is evil within itself. But the question should be, how much should we strive for these things? And what priority should they have?

This is what should be considered. All the things mentioned above, and even similar things, are not evil, but by virtue that each of them are subject to this world, they are not perfect, and so, they are not eternal. All of this is vanity, as the Bible defines it. In other words, vanity consists or is defined by its existence, and that all these things although they are not evil, they are temporary. So then, it can be concluded that vanity is the same as temporary. And this is how the Word of God warns us: “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’: While the sun and the light, the moon and the stars, are not darkened, and the clouds do not return after the rain; in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow down; when the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look through the windows grow dim; when the doors are shut in the streets, and the sound of grinding is low; when one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of music are brought low. Also they are afraid of height, and of terrors in the way; when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper is a burden, and desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets. Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. ‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher, ‘All is vanity.’” Ecclesiastes 12:1-8. Everything that we see today will fail, end, run out, etc., and there is nothing that can be done about it. It is what it is. Money and wealth are uncertain. A career or a job sooner or later will end, and our abilities will remain with us only up to a certain point. We as humans fail whether we want to or not because we are fallible beings, even when there are good intentions. Many people use others, or we are considered as something good until something goes wrong. Just as the saying goes: “You are only good as your last mistake.” Marriages and families can break apart for endless reasons. Health can change in an instant. And well, with regards to experiences, everything is really nice at first. We all like novelties and sensations, but all of that is temporary also. Everything in this world starts and ends. And please, don’t take this as venting from a bitter person, but rather, as a call to reality. This is reality, that absolutely everything in this world ends either in a good or bad way, and this is what the Bible always exhorts us to keep in mind as we transit through this mirage or illusion we call life.

The Word of God counsels us in that we should not focus so much on this world, nor on the things in it, because it is very easy to lose sight of what really matters. As it is written: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.’” Matthew 16:24-27. It is not wise to put as goals or as a reason to exist things that are vanity or temporary. Therefore, be responsible with your possessions, but don’t let them be the all of your life. Fulfill your duties with your career or job, but don’t let them consume your soul. If we want to have a marriage and/or children, take care of them and do what you must, but they should not be the goal or the definition of your life because you just experience either much disappointment or trust that something will last and that is simply not the case, and so on. You may gain the world, but if you are too focused on the world, you may lose your soul in the process because all of your priorities are wrong, even though they may involve things that are not necessarily bad. This is also what the Scriptures say: “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-20.

We must always keep this in mind: There is a resurrection for those that love Christ, we should not put our hope on vanity or temporary things, and far less, we should not use the things of God to justify temporary desires because the Father will pay each of us according to our works. And even though there is a great cloud of witnesses, there is only one Witness that should matter, and that is God. We must resist until bloodshed striving against sin, because everything that takes God’s rightful first place turns into sin, and even the blessings of God can become sin if you let them. So then, what is the reason for your existence? Lord bless! John

The Hope of Everlasting Triumph - Isaiah 25

Based on Isaiah 25 (New King James Version)

“O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. For You have made a city a ruin, a fortified city a ruin, a palace of foreigners to be a city no more; it will never be rebuilt. Therefore the strong people will glorify You; the city of the terrible nations will fear You. For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. You will reduce the noise of aliens as heat in a dry place; as heat in the shadow of a cloud, the song of the terrible ones will be diminished. And in this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees. And He will destroy on this mountain the surface of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken. And it will be said in that day: ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.’ For on this mountain the hand of the Lord will rest, and Moab shall be trampled down under Him, as straw is trampled down for the refuse heap. And He will spread out His hands in their midst as a swimmer reaches out to swim, and He will bring down their pride together with the trickery of their hands. The fortress of the high fort of your walls He will bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, down to the dust.”

Those of us that understand the Scriptures as a whole, and also use some sort of common sense, know that this world as it is today is not perfect, nor will it be either. The Bible teaches us that this world is full of problems and challenges, and that those of us that truly follow the Lord will have affliction on this earth. This place will never be perfect, nor will it be free from problems because of sin. This is not heaven, nor paradise, nor anything that resembles those things. Therefore, we should not put our hope in this place.

To be able to understand the subject a bit more, and to see the Bible’s perspective, the Lord Himself taught us the following: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21. Why did He say that? Because this place, this earth, is a temporary place. As it is also written: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.

So, the following question may come up, and especially if a person has clung on to the things written in the Bible to justify believing a doctrine of prosperity and perfect health, that if God did great things before for those that followed Him faithfully, why would He not do the same now? And the answer and first clarification is that something happened between the time the law was in effect and grace was manifested. Christ changed everything, and for an eternal glory, opening like that the door directly towards eternity, the dispensation of God’s grace. Before Christ died and was resurrected from among the dead, the law was still in effect, and under the law, no one could be justified, as it is written: “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:19-20. Before Christ, there was no salvation because there was no justification. So then, if there was no justification, there was no access to heaven. Therefore, no one before Christ was able to enter heaven. That is why Abraham’s bosom existed, which the Lord Himself revealed, where all of those that were faithful to the Lord and kept God’s law went. Abraham’s bosom was a paradise that existed adjacent to hell or Sheol. David wrote many times about this Sheol. So then, everyone prior to Christ went to hell, but the difference was between this paradise for the faithful and the place of torment for those that were not found faithful to God.

The second clarification is that everything in the Old Testament were previews of the eternal. God revealed in some way things before as signs of what was going to occur eternally, when the fulfillment of all things would occur. In other words, all of the earthly victories and prosperities that were made possible before were signs of the eternal that is to come, that would be experienced by those that are faithful to the Lord. What we saw both in the tabernacle and the temple were foretellings of what would be fulfilled in the Messiah, in Jesus. What we read today may have occurred in a limited way to God’s people on earth, but they are just previews of eternal coming events. So then, we need to be careful on how things that were written before are applied with the idea that they become real on earth now.

Now, another question may arise, “Will God not do anything in our favor while here on earth?” And the answer is yes and no, but everything is subject to His will and purpose, and this is difficult to accept if you use your human knowledge and your carnal senses to see things. First of all, within this point, we cannot overlook the great and eternal triumph we have through Christ, which consists of the eternal salvation of our souls. There is no more Abraham’s bosom. When Christ was resurrected, God’s purpose was fulfilled and the greatest miracle occurred, that all of those that were waiting for the coming of the Messiah in Sheol or in Abraham’s bosom were taken to heaven, to the eternal reward. When we think carnally, we underestimate God’s great miracle, salvation. Secondly, God can do whatever He wants. But, He does everything always being subject to a purpose, to a why, and that purpose and why is to reveal that He is God, and that there is salvation only in Him, that He is the only hope. Christ did the miracles He did to precisely demonstrate that He is God. The apostles and disciples through the Holy Spirit also received these gifts as a sign to demonstrate the same, and God can reveal His power on this temporary world today (like He did with me when I converted to Him) through us His servants to give an opportunity for someone or a group of people to see that He is God, and that there is only hope in Him. Everything has as an end to demonstrate God, to give hope for salvation, and for the edification of the church of Christ.

In summary, incredible things will be fulfilled in those of us that have remained faithful until the last moment of our lives, those of us that truly love Him. “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’” 1 Corinthians 2:9. Have you placed your hope on the temporary or on the eternal triumph? Lord bless! John

Relationships and Sexual Abuse - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (New King James Version)

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.”

One of the greatest problems we see today is the sexualization of everything in the world. We can surely say that we live in an era where society is consumed by sex. The media is saturated with sexuality, from commercials, television programs, movies, fashion, music, to sports. You can say that almost everything invites or incites to sexuality. And how about the internet? Such a tool has made pornography more accessible than ever before. If a person wants to see something sexual on the internet, they just need to type a little bit on their computer or smart phone and they have access to anything they can imagine and even to things they couldn’t imagine. It is estimated that the porn industry generates billions of dollars a year worldwide. One of the pornography giants on the internet declared on Yahoo Finance that in 2018 there were more than 28 billion visits to their website. To put it in perspective, there are over 7 billion people in the world today, so then, statistically speaking, it’s literally like if every person (man, woman, and child) in the world saw porn four times on this website alone in that year. So then, am I exaggerating that our society is more than obsessed with sex? And the problem with that mentality is that it does affect relationships.

The Thessalonians lived in a society very similar to ours, so then, this issue that the Apostle Paul is dealing with in the church is very relevant to the problem we have today in our own Christian society. The people of God are just as sexualized as the world because many in the church live like the world, and therefore, have the mentality of the world. The Apostle Paul is dealing with two things specifically here, so that we can understand the topic: fornication (or the sex act) between two people that are not married and married couples. Marriage is not the only thing being addressed here, and we need to understand the perspective that involves the stage before marriage because that is what will generate problems in the marriage after.

The first aspect, in other words, sex before marriage is sin, and the Bible also uses the same term as fornication or sexual immorality to refer to this. The issue is simply that there should not be sexual relations between two people before marriage. God created sex for marriage, so that it can be practiced within marriage, but as it should be done (as we will see later). The problem is that many commit this error, and the grave problem is that they see this sin as an expression of love or as something natural, and it’s not so. The truth according to God’s Word is that having sexual relations with a person outside of marriage is sin. Nonetheless, many people within our churches practice sex freely between couples or even without being in a relationship. And many couples not only practice fornication within their relationship, but they live together before marriage. And this is a big problem because God’s Word is very clear on the issue of the practice of sin, as it is written: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21. The Word is quite clear in that God simply does not tolerate the practice of sin, or a lifestyle of sin, when a person commits sin deliberately and without control. You don’t need a high level of education to understand this.

What is the problem with fornication in a relationship prior to marriage? Outside of the serious spiritual problem it causes, there is a practical problem also. The problem is that to be able to form a stable and healthy relationship, to be able to see the other person as clearly as possible, people need to get to know each other without intermixing sex, because if sex is introduced, they are not thinking clearly anymore. Sex is taking the preeminence in the relationship, whether they admit it or not, because whether it be because of pride or because their mind is darkened, they don’t want to admit that they are not thinking clearly. And the solution is not to get married so that the evil stops per se. That is what turns one big problem into another more problematic one. A marriage should not be built without love, and when sex has been put into the equation, it is not founded on something healthy, and that is one of the greatest reasons for why many marriages don’t work or they don’t function as they should today, because something corrupt has been used as the foundation. Many couples get married for all the wrong reasons, and there simply is no love. This must be understood that sex does not equal love. And, if a couple have children, the wrong is made even greater because third (innocent) parties are introduced to experience a dysfunctional and corrupt relationship.

And this brings us to our next point, the problem with sexual abuse in marriage. The abuse that is spoken of here is not related to how the world explains it. God created sex as something precious and blessed that should only be shared between a husband and wife. And sex was not created just for having children, but also, as an expression of love and care between a marriage. If sex is practiced without that end, that it be an expression of that love, then it is also something that is abused, and that is what the Apostle Paul is dealing with here. Sex within marriage should never be treated as an outlet, or to let loose evil fantasies, or as a process, or as a duty, or far less, as a tool for control. All of that destroys a marriage. And that’s why what happens before is so important, because that will dictate how a person enters into the relationship, with a completely wrong frame of mind. We need to be careful on how things are done, on the reasons for why things are done, because we very clearly read the warning, as it is written: “…no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such.” And sometimes we wonder why things go wrong.

In the end, there is a good way on how to proceed for both single people as well as married people, and God’s desire for our own good is that everything be done according to what He teaches us. And if things have been done wrong, it’s never too late to repent and turn to what God commands. So then, are you living your life according to the Lord or according to the world and its evil influence? Lord bless! John

Sanctification and Testimony - Acts 22:1-24

Based on Acts 22:1-24 (New King James Version)

“‘Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.’ And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: ‘I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished. Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’’ And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!’ Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him.”

Why do difficult things sometimes happen? If we look at things through the Word of God, difficult things occur most times because we have not done things well, because a person has committed sin or sins and they are experiencing in some way the consequences of those actions. And quite frankly, absolutely all of us have experienced this in one way or another, and we continue experiencing these consequences because they may have lasting effects. This is what we should realize, and that’s why the Word of God and the Holy Spirit guide us to stop doing those things that are wrong, those that do not bring about any good, but actually quite the contrary, that they only bring about painful consequences. But there are certain instances that certain things may be suffered not because there has been deliberate sin, but rather, because there is another end that God is looking for, because God allows for all things to happen, both the good as well as what can be seen as difficult, but everything has a purpose. Nothing is just because, especially in the life of a disciple of the Lord.

There is something that I am going to say that will not please many, and it is the reason for why many only look for the benefit of salvation, and not to serve God. They want a Savior, but not a Lord. They want to go to heaven and be able to attain all the promises and blessings from God, but without any kind of commitment, and least of all, without any kind of desire to serve the Lord. That is why these so-called popular gospels that have come out in these end times (signs of the end) are precisely so popular, because many people like the idea of receiving God’s salvation, and for God to fix their problems here, and the idea that they can obtain heaven and all kinds of crowns and heavenly rewards without doing anything for them. It is taught many times that there is nothing else to be done, and in addition, if a person is told to do something, that whoever is saying it is turning back to the law and to works. In summary, an easy, irresponsible, and as a result, antibiblical gospel is being taught, and that is why we have what we have today, a universal church full of sin, disorder, bad testimony, and darkness, such that the world cannot distinguish between themselves and so-called believers. Frankly, the world that needs to see the light of Christ cannot see it because of so much sin.

The issue is that there will be moments where we will suffer not because we did something wrong, but quite the contrary, for trying to do those things that God commands, for things that go against the flesh. Tough times will occur that God Himself will allow to happen to take us beyond, to see if we truly love Him, if we are willing to pay the price for following Him, like we saw here in the Apostle Paul. Following Christ bears a price, in one way or another, whether it be persecution, difficult circumstances, and so on; tough times will come and the question that God makes throughout all of that is: Do you love me? We read of the same here: “Now great multitudes went with Him [just like now]. And He turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:25-33.

The Lord will allow things to happen that will finally take us to the path of sanctification, to continue helping us let go of the sin that can still ensnare us, the sin that can interfere with our walk towards eternity. And those moments will also be for giving testimony to that cloud of witnesses, to show that different circumstances can be endured for love for the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do things alone, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit. But that dedication, that determination that can be seen in us (like Paul’s faith that we just read about) can also help strengthen the faith of others. So then, are you willing to go through anything, even injustices, for love for God, so you can get to the true goal that His Word promises? Lord bless! John

God’s Miracles - Acts 5:17-32

Based on Acts 5:17-32 (New King James Version)

“Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ‘Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.’ And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, saying, ‘Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!’ Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. So one came and told them, saying, ‘Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!’ Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, ‘Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!’ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.’”

Can God do miracles today? And the answer is, “yes”, because the Word offers this simple explanation: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. God does not change. His power does not depend on the times, nor on circumstances, nor on political parties, nor on economic stabilities, nor on science and/or medicine. In summary, God can do whatever He wants, wherever He wants, however He wants, and whenever He wants to. And blessed be the Most High for that, because if we did not have such a Rock as a foundation for our faith, our hope would be in vain, and all of us that have entrusted our lives to Him would not get anything in eternity, where things are much more unpredictable and uncontrollable for us as humans (because there is no one that can do anything for themselves in what comes after). If the Lord would change, He would be like everything else (be careful, because there are principalities and powers that can affect the present, the temporary world). But, one question would be, "What are the conditions so that a miracle from God could happen?”

To start, we must see and understand very clearly the way they were done before, just as the Word shows us (because everything God does is subject to His Word). What we read in today’s passage demonstrates to us what should be present for God to want to intervene. What we can see is that the disciples that were miraculously freed by the Lord were serving the Lord. They were not jailed because they were doing something illegal, and far less, because they were doing something that went against God’s commands. Actually, quite contrary. They were unjustly imprisoned precisely because they chose to serve the Lord, and through that, they were being obedient more to God than to man.

Together with this, these disciples were not perfect, but their lives were in order and subject to the Lord’s obedience, because we can see this in their own lifestyle and determination. We are saved by grace, but after receiving such grace from God, the power of God manifests itself differently when a person is subjected to the things of God, and obeys the Word of God, both in their daily living and service. And this “helps” to determine if God will intervene miraculously somehow or not (because this alone does not determine things).

The other factor that should be present for God to intervene is purpose. God will not intervene directly if there is no purpose, if there is not a reason that makes sense to Him (not according to our thoughts). This is something that is very difficult to understand for many people, to be able to see things from God’s point of view. And the reason for why this is difficult for most, even for God’s so-called people, is because they are only focused on themselves, on their own desires and vanities, just as the Lord Himself said it: “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:8-9. Many are far away from God’s thoughts, so far away that they are subjected to Satan’s ways, and they do things without even noticing, just like we see it in the next passage: “From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’ Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’” Matthew 16:21-24. This is what happens when a person puts their focus on man’s things (they obey Satan). The purpose that was present when the disciples were freed was as a testimony that God is God and that He was with them, so that they could continue with the work, and to demonstrate to the religious that they were fighting with God Himself. And there were many other purposes, not just these. When God intervenes, it is because there is a masterpiece where many things are involved, and in a such way that even transcend time.

Now, there is another thing to clarify, because there are many occurrences that could be seen as miracles, but that God may not necessarily be involved for good (and we need to be very careful here). It was mentioned before that there are principalities and powers that can affect the present world. Not all so-called miracles proceed directly from God, that could be for good. It is necessary to be able to understand clearly what comes from God and what comes from some other source. And the way to be able to distinguish things is through what we explained. If other things happen outside of God, or rather, outside of the parameters of obeying God, they are happening for perdition, because everything that makes man deviate away from God is for perdition, and the enemy and his forces can influence things to cause man to deviate. So then, if you wish to see God’s hand in your life, make sure your life is in order with God, with what God commands. Because also, if you are just looking for a miracle, be careful. You may get just what you want, and the Lord will not be involved. So then, are you living your life for the Lord or for something else? Lord bless! John

God’s Purpose for Our Lives - 2 Corinthians 5:1-11

Based on 2 Corinthians 5:1-11 (New King James Version)

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

There are many that have asked throughout the ages, “What is the purpose of this life?” And of course, since it is easier to perceive what is visible, the here and now, then the focus of many people’s lives become earthly, towards the temporary world. That’s why in general, the majority, even many believers, are only focused on the present world, and to such an extent that they have invented many doctrines and teachings that only apply to the present. And it is understandable because we are practically prisoners of our own senses and of the sin that dwells within us. But, if we truly understand our creation, the way God made us, we should be able to understand that we were created for things that are of much greater significance and infinite. God did not create us just to live in this temporary world (blessed be God that there is something more).

This is something that must be understood, especially if we desire to live the total purpose of our existence. This world is only a prelude, a place for decision, and also a place where we can prepare for what is coming, for things that are more important and eternal. The Bible refers to this place as the valley of decision, which is what can be read in the book of the prophet Joel, where it says: “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:14. And we can see this matter of decision from the beginning when God Himself spoke to His people, as it is also written: “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. ‘See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.’” Deuteronomy 30:11-20. Everything here implies a decision, a choice. And we need to remember that God is not necessarily talking here about an earthly promised land, but rather, of something that goes beyond, the one that Abraham truly pursued, the father of faith, the one who is also father of those that have decided to have his same faith.

So then, what is our real purpose? God made us so that we could first choose for Him, being convinced by our faculty to reason that He Himself has given us. Reason is the only thing we have, together with our soul (because the two are a part of each other), which should be able to take us further than the sin that dwells within us. And our senses should be subject to our reasoning so that they can focus on God and on His works, and not on the evil and temporary desires of the flesh. This is the main purpose. But also, just like all things, there is a practical part, per se, for why we need to choose for the Lord. Everything that exists points to God being our only salvation. There is nothing more. Everything else is temporary, superficial, or has a poor foundation. All the answers are in God and the reason for our existence (because He created us for Himself). And we are called as His creation to fulfill our function, our eternal purpose.

In the end, the purpose of our existence is to come to the Lord and to understand that He is everything, and that we need to fulfill our eternal purpose, and part of that eternal purpose is to help others come to the same salvation. And that is why we can neither let ourselves be guided, and least of all, cling on to the hear and now, to the visible, to earthly things. If we cling on to and focus only on those things, we will lose sight of the purpose, the why, the reason for our existence. There is something much greater and eternal beyond this. The reason for this place is to understand that greater and better thing exists and to search for it, like those great men and women that preceded us. This is what the Word says regarding this: “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’” 1 Corinthians 2:9. Everything in the present exists and happens to be able to take us to a point of decision and to be prepared for what is coming. But, there is no way of attaining this if this feeling is not in us: “But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’ When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.’” Mark 8:33-35. If you put your eyes on earthly things, in the things of men, you will irredeemably be lost. But, if you put your focus on Christ, and you deny yourself, and you follow Him faithfully, despite the circumstances, then not only will you come to have eternal life, but also, you will attain those things that only God knows that exists and that He has reserved for those that truly love Him.

So then, are you fulfilling God’s true purpose for your life, the reason for why He made you? Lord bless! John

To What God Has Called Us To Do - 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Based on 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (New King James Version)

“But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.”

Shortly after the formation of the first churches and until today, there is much confusion regarding what God has called us to do. And because of that, many have developed their different erroneous versions and concepts, some because of confusion, others because of carnality, and others to take advantage of his neighbor, finally making themselves vessels of dishonor. But something is certain, and the matter (which has been commented many times before) is that our opinions will not mean anything when that moment comes where we will need to stand before God. Contrary to the secular world teaches (the same that has been absorbed by the church in general), you cannot control reality. No one can change God. This is reality: We can neither change nor convince God of anything, but rather, we need to adjust to what God says, and to do things as God indicates, to be able to obtain the things that only God can give.

Now then, there are those that have practically disqualified what the Bible teaches in the Old Testament because they think that it no longer applies, and that if you look to do the things that are in the Old Testament, then you are returning to the Law. Moreover, those that subscribe to this concept use the grace we now have in Christ as a way to rule out many things in the Word of God, and that does not agree with the Scriptures. Many justify themselves in what they read in the book of Galatians, and of how Paul admonished the church because they had forgotten about God’s grace and had started to practice certain things in the Law as a vehicle for salvation. But what was Paul referring to? This is what it says: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” Galatians 5:1-6. The problem that Paul saw was that the Galatians were starting to put other things before faith in Christ, and they started to put certain things of the Law as conditions to be able to obtain salvation. In other words, if a person would come to Christ, they would say that they also needed to be circumcised (if they were men, of course), to be able to genuinely obtain salvation. This was the problem. But what needs to be clarified is that the way we obtain salvation and what we do after because of that decision are two very different things, but they are interdependent.

This is what we must understand, what the Lord Himself said: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20. The Lord, under no circumstance, came to destroy the Law which consists of what God commanded in the Old Testament, so then, it is not possible to dismiss that part of the Bible like many want to. He came to fulfill the Law in the way that He was going to be the divine sacrifice that would end all other sacrifices made in the past. He was going to open completely the way for all to God through His person, and many of the things that were practiced before are no longer necessary, those of which God taught as a foretelling of what would come after. God did not make a mistake, but rather, God developed things as they needed to be through the course of time. But if we read well what the Lord said, we do need to do and fulfill the commandments of God, if we desire to enter the kingdom of heaven (read it well). So, things are not so simple.

The way to God’s salvation also consists of actions and works in the sense that we need to do certain things to be able to obtain salvation, which consists of clinging on to what God established, because the reality is that everything consists of some form of work or action. Whoever says differently does not understand what God has established, nor reality, and far less, God’s plan. To be able to be saved, we need to first repent and convert from all our sins (this requires action). And secondly, we need to effectively make Jesus the Lord of our lives (which also implies many actions). And this is just the beginning, what makes being born again possible. But after that beginning, there must be a continuance, and there is where fulfilling the commandments comes in (not circumcision, because that was needed before to show that you were a part of God’s people. Circumcision was a sign – Genesis 17). When a person has given their life over to the Lord, they don’t need a sign so they can be seen as being a part of God’s people. But it is necessary to follow Christ, and that we will be known by our fruits. You can’t stop when coming to salvation, but rather, you need to continue following the Way, living the life that God called you to live.

So, which are the most important commandments that God desires for us to fulfill, after coming to Him, as a sign that we do belong to Him? “Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31. These two commandments can only be fulfilled through good works, so then, living faith in Christ consists of doing those things that God has called us to do. God calls us to love Him and to love our neighbor, and that love needs to be shown in a very practical and evident way. How do we know that Jesus loved His Father? He obeyed Him, and to the point of even dying on the cross, the very thing He did because of His love for God and for His neighbor. Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly, and His works proclaim that for all eternity. And since Christ is our example, if we desire to be found worthy before God, God needs to see us through Christ and similar to Christ, letting go of the works of the flesh. That is what God has called us to do. So then, are you doing what God has called you to do? Lord bless! John

When People Dismiss God - Proverbs 1:20-33

Based on Proverbs 1:20-33 (New King James Version)

“Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words: ‘How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. ‘Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.’”

With everything that is happening, are we understanding what happens when a society that does know about God and knows what He has done for them decides to dismiss and ignore Him? Will man’s sin remain unpunished when they decide to abolish God and His Truth, His Word? I think it is impossible, just like we are witnessing. Many will say, including so called believers, that God is love and that it is impossible to believe that a God of love would allow such things. But, the matter is that God is love, and He is slow to anger and great in mercy, but that cannot make Him deny the other things He is also like worthy, sovereign, holy, and almighty, and that sooner or later, either by attempting to call man to repentance or because of punishment, He will continue to allow things to happen that will demonstrate man’s futility, that we are in fact limited, and that absolutely nothing good can happen while man continues hating God and His knowledge. The reality of the matter is that the more a society rebels against God, the more evil will come, and the more foolish and ashamed man will see themselves at the sight of their failures and ravings.

This is what the Word of God teaches: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” Romans 1:18-25. Every person should realize that God does exist through everything that is seen in this world, and even science in its pure state (not the aberrations that have been fabricated to contradict the existence of God) demonstrates the greatness of this God. But, we read that when man decides not to glorify God, nor to be thankful to Him, but rather becomes futile in their thoughts, nothing good happens after that. And if they don’t repent, man will continue its trajectory towards the abyss and will get to the point of no return, where a person will stand judgment before God’s throne, independent of what they choose to believe, because finally, reality does not take into account man’s opinion. God is God whether man likes it or not, and there is nothing that can change that, neither their laws, nor their abominations, nor their so-called science and technology, nor anything that exists, no matter how much Satan himself tries, God is God and Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and they will be that forever and ever, amen.

The Word speaks more to us here, as it is written: “Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: ‘There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, killing and stealing and committing adultery, they break all restraint, with bloodshed upon bloodshed. Therefore the land will mourn; and everyone who dwells there will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea will be taken away. ‘Now let no man contend, or rebuke another; for your people are like those who contend with the priest. Therefore you shall stumble in the day; the prophet also shall stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. ‘The more they increased, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame. They eat up the sin of My people; they set their heart on their iniquity. And it shall be: like people, like priest. So I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their deeds. For they shall eat, but not have enough; they shall commit harlotry, but not increase; because they have ceased obeying the Lord.’’” Hosea 4:1-10. When those that know the Truth reject God’s knowledge, nothing good can happen. In the end, man will receive the reward that comes from what they choose to cling on to. If a person decides to cling on to money or wealth, will these be able to give them eternal life? Will adultery, fornication, or sexual deviance give man immortality? Will fame or power open the doors of God’s heaven? Will science and technology make eternity possible for a person? Can a human being give immortality to another? No. Then, is it worthwhile to exchange the Most High’s knowledge for temporary things like these?

This is the issue we saw today: “For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” The only one that has words of eternal life is the Lord, just like the Apostle Peter confessed. And if we look to live the Most High’s wisdom, no matter what happens, we can dwell safely in Him and live securely, knowing that our souls are safe in the hands of Him that lives for all eternity. You may have some satisfaction or human delight for a small while, if you decide for those things that go against God, but one day, your end will come, and after that, what will happen with you? But, loving the Lord and following Him faithfully is what guarantees us eternal life and the rewards that can only come from Him. So then, are you one of those that dismisses the Lord, or are you one of those that looks to live out His knowledge for eternal life? Lord bless! John

Looking for God’s Purposes - Acts 27:39-28:10

Based on Acts 27:39-28:10 (New King James Version)

“When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land. Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.’ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.”

If a person guided themselves by the idea that everything in the Lord must turn out well (humanly speaking), they would say that Paul’s voyage was a failure, and not only that, but they would also say that Paul’s life and ministry was not blessed by God because Paul did not have a victorious life (humanly speaking) because he died poor, nearly alone, jailed, and finally decapitated for his faith in God. If that is not human failure, then I wouldn’t know what is. Paul had no mansion, nor properties, nor riches, nor a family with many children, nor a temple with a large congregation. But we do know that Paul, for the glory of God, was the apostle that came to resemble the Lord the closet from all of the others. Likewise, if we allowed ourselves to be guided by this erroneous gospel, we would be led to think that the Lord failed also, and that is impossible. But, we do know that all who decide to listen to and follow such lies and satanic doctrines will receive their own reward in the end, and it will not be heaven, if they don’t repent from their evil ways. The Lord will judge. Nonetheless, neither this episode in Paul’s life, nor far less, his ministry was neither an error nor a failure, because Paul had something that was the key to everything which we should have clear also, and that was that Paul did and lived through everything he did for his love for Christ, and that is what makes all of the difference in this world and in eternity.

One of the passages that is most misunderstood in the Word where many erroneously cling on to with the thought that everything will be fine (humanly speaking) is this one: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. When we follow the Lord, it is true that all things will work together for good, whatever seems good and whatever seems unpleasant, but for that to happen, there is a small detail that needs to be present, as we remember that everything in the Lord is conditional. All things work together for good to those who love God. That is the great detail that needs to be present. If a person really loves God, then all things will work for good. But if they don’t love God, will everything work together for their good? And the answer is: “Absolutely not.” It is necessary to fulfill the condition that there must be love for God. God has a purpose for every single one of us, and He has called us through Christ so that we can be part of that eternal purpose. But if there is no love for God, no matter how much purpose there is, many things could happen, but the truth is that nothing will be for their good. It’s as simple as that. Whatever happens will happen but there will be nothing else if there is no love for God. There will be no purpose nor good that will be produced no matter what we choose to think. Therefore, it is necessary to love God.

Now then, what does loving God consist of? The Bible teaches us that we need to love Him in the following manner as it is written: “Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.’” Mark 12:29-30. I know that many will say: “You mention this passage a lot.” And I would say, “Of course, because it is the all of man.” If this is not done, everything else will be useless and without value. You can try to love your neighbor, try to fulfill the ten commandments, in the end, do many things like even preach, heal the sick, cast out demons, etc., but if you don’t love God in this manner, then there is nothing of value and you will be lost. This is what is written: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23. So then, what is God’s will? Loving Him above all things is the most important, and then everything else should follow. This is the all of man.

Many might be saying, “If I am honest, I don’t think I love God like that.” And well, the answer to that is: “If you really want to get to the Lord as is necessary, then start to learn how to do it.” No one is perfect, but the Bible exhorts everyone to learn to follow God, and of course, to come to love Him with everything we are and above all things. That is what sanctification is all about. It’s not necessarily about morality or about doing good things, but rather, of letting go of the sin that ensnares us through the Holy Spirit and the Word, of following Christ. That’s what the apostles and the disciples did, and what we should do also. This is what the Word says: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Galatians 5:16-17. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37-38. This is what Paul had very present, and this is what made him look for God’s purposes, no matter what the circumstances. He loved God in everything he did and went through, and this is what we must learn to do as well, if we wish to get to the goal, to arrive at the reward that God has for those that love Him and follow Him. So then, are you looking to fulfill God’s purposes, or are you looking to do your will? Lord bless! John

Last Words - 2 Samuel 23:1-7

Based on 2 Samuel 23:1-7 (New King James Version)

“Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; thus says the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: ‘The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.’ ‘Although my house is not so with God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For this is all my salvation and all my desire; will He not make it increase? But the sons of rebellion shall all be as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands. But the man who touches them must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, and they shall be utterly burned with fire in their place.”

In this passage, we read what is said to be King David’s last words. If we understand what we read, this passage first starts talking about who David was and what was his testimony. And we see also that this David spoke about what God had done in his life, and, he spoke of the promise of the Messiah and what this great being that would come from God would be like. And of course, there is no one else that can fulfill this description than the Lord Jesus, such prophecy that was fulfilled approximately 550 years after this book of Samuel was completed. And we also see what he said regarding the sons of rebellion, those that hate God. But, in all of this, I thought, “What would be my last words before leaving this world?”

When starting to meditate on this, God brought to my memory 4 people: my father, my first pastor, Paul, and the Lord. The first memory would be my father’s last words which bring great relief in the Lord and a pleasing temporary closing (because I will see him in eternity, because of his faith in God). Shortly before his departure, I remember that he asked for forgiveness, and in a very deep way, because I was able to see what he was saying with his eyes. I understood that not only was he doing it for whatever wrong he may have done, but he did it with the faith and conviction that God was present between us, which gave me the blessing that even until the last moment, my father wanted to make sure that he would be well with the Lord. And shortly before he lost his abilities, I had the blessing from God to ask my father if he knew that I loved him very much, and he said, “Yes, I know.” These two things have left me good memories despite his leaving us because I have the conviction that he did leave things well with the Lord and that he knew that I loved him. These are blessings that I owe the Almighty.

The second would be my first pastor. The memory that has remained after his departure was when I was about to graduate from college. He wanted to be at my graduation but was not able to because he was in his last moments. But he did leave me something much greater than if he would have been at my graduation, and that was when I saw him for the last time here (because he is someone else that I will see in eternity). I remember that when my mother, my father and I were at his bedside because he could no longer move, that he did something that has stayed with me since and that will always be with me. Despite his condition, I remember that he asked to pray for me. I have to say that by the grace of God, there have been people that have prayed for me, but I have never felt something as deep as what this man did for me, that he was more concerned of praying for me than his state. That is what he had most present. I will always remember his prayer because God used it to produce a great change in my life, an event that changed the course of my life at that moment. These are wonderful blessings that I owe the Almighty because I was able to see a great testimony of God in the life of this being, a man that despite his great personal challenges, served the Lord faithfully until his last breath.

The third memory would be the Apostle Paul, someone that God has used greatly in my life. Everything that is in the Bible is sacred, holy, and blessed, but God has used greatly Paul’s life and what he wrote in my own life. He is someone else that I will try to find immediately after seeing my Lord face-to-face. The Lord brought to my memory the last words the apostle wrote to his beloved Timothy when he said: “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:1-8. I don’t think much else can be said, and God has used him greatly in my life, even after centuries of his departure.

And of course, the last but most important of all, the last words of the Lord Himself. Before ascending to the heavens after His resurrection, this is what was written of the Lord: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 18:18-20. The Lord’s resurrection and ascension was the beginning of a great plan, a new covenant, of one that continues in effect until today, something the Lord has entrusted me with, something I have done for years, and my hope is to be able to continue doing it until the Lord comes for me, whether my carnal existence comes to an end by virtue that I’m an insignificant mortal, or because one day the Lord Himself will take me together with His universal church where we will see Him in great glory and power. What can I say about the Lord in my life? He is the all of my existence, my beginning and my end, and by His grace, my eternity, because God has great things for us, for those that love Him and follow Him faithfully until the end of their days, things that we cannot imagine, but they will be great like Him because they will be His.

Now then, this brings me to what I would say, when my time comes. The reality is that we never know when our end will be, so I will say them now, just in case: God has said: “…for those who honor Me I will honor…”, and “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” Deuteronomy 6:4-6. Love and honor the Lord above all things because man was created for this purpose. So then, what will be your last words? Lord bless! John

Following Jesus - Luke 18:18-30

Based on Luke 18:18-30 (New King James Version)

“Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ So Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’’ And he said, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth.’ So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ And those who heard it said, ‘Who then can be saved?’ But He said, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.’ Then Peter said, ‘See, we have left all and followed You.’ So He said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.’”

One of the greatest misunderstandings that is in Christianity today is salvation, and I believe that it is misunderstood by many people because they have a fundamental problem with the most important part. Many preach and teach that salvation consists of only having faith in God. Others that beyond that teach that you need to have faith in Jesus and doing good works like keeping the commandments and doing good to your neighbor. And those that get even closer to what is necessary preach that repentance from sins and believing in Christ as savior is the way to salvation. But the issue is that if we understand this passage well, salvation or inheriting eternal life consists of something much deeper, something that does not make the issue so easy. In other words, it’s simple to understand, so easy that a child can understand, but being able to make the decision to inherit eternal life—that is the hard part, so difficult that the Lord Himself said: “…it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle…”

To be able to understand more clearly the topic, it is necessary to see its compliment in other Scriptures. This is what it says: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9. The great detail that is missing in what is taught or even practiced is that Jesus has to be Lord. In other words, when a person accepts Jesus as the Lord of their life, that goes beyond acknowledging Him as Savior. Of course, God did for us the greatest service anyone could ever do for all of humanity, of providing us a savior, but simply accepting such a service from God does not produce what is necessary for a person to come to the salvation they so much need. The word “Lord” implies many things, like owner, master, the one that gets the priority in everything, and that we don’t belong to ourselves. That is the implication involved with making Jesus the Lord of our lives. The Bible goes even further: “For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:22-23. By submitting ourselves to someone or something else other than Christ, that means that that person or thing comes to be our lord, and in that is also involved our own person, when a person insists on being their own lord. The majority want to continue fulfilling their will, and they think that God exists to help them accomplish that.

The issue gets deeper when things are done that come close to the truth, but what is necessary is still not done. This is what the Word says, the very thing many believers misunderstand: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. What love is being spoken of here? Of a nice feeling, something that makes you feel like you are floating on air, or feel butterflies in your stomach, that can be felt for someone else? Emphatically no and I say “emphatically” because God’s things are humanized and turned into inferior things that follow the deviation that Satan himself wishes to foster. This is the love that is being spoken of in this passage: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” Deuteronomy 6:4-6. Many things could be done that look genuine, but they could be done for all the wrong reasons, starting with the simple fact that a person does them based on their will and not because they love the Lord.

This is the principal point, just as the Lord said it, that we need to follow Him, and in a very practical and literal way. The disciples did just as the Lord affirmed, that they left everything to follow Him, but even they had not yet arrived at the goal until they finally understood and did what was necessary, of even losing their life for Him. We need to remember that the disciples did abandon the Lord, and at His worst moment. We do know that what had been said needed to be fulfilled, but also, this event revealed the condition of their heart, that they were still not ready to give it all up for the Lord. They did leave their belongings, their families, etc. and they followed Him while here on earth, but they ran away when it came to giving their lives for Him. This is what the Word says: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:24-26. The matter is that we need to follow the Lord, wherever He takes us. We need to follow His direction and not our direction, and even far less, the direction of the world and its delights, or our loved ones, our friends, or careers or jobs, etc. This is the example we see in the Scriptures: “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.” Exodus 13:21-22. And it also says: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4. He may guide us through the valley of the shadow of death, and to even give up our life for Him, but that’s what it’s about, about following the Lord wherever He takes us, no matter what happens. That is what loving Him consists of. It doesn’t mean that you cannot love anyone or anything else, but rather, that we need to Him above all things, and that whatever we do, we do for Him. So then, are you following the Lord because you love Him, to be able to inherit eternal life? Lord bless! John

God’s Restoration through Jesus Christ - Isaiah 62

Based on Isaiah 62 (New King James Version)

“For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. I have set watchmen on your walls, o Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. The Lord has sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength: ‘Surely I will no longer give your grain as food for your enemies; and the sons of the foreigner shall not drink your new wine, for which you have labored. But those who have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the Lord; those who have brought it together shall drink it in My holy courts.’ Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples! Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world: ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Surely your salvation is coming; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.’’ And they shall call them The Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, a City Not Forsaken.

God truly loves His people. There is no doubt. And He promises to do great things with them. There is no doubting that either. That has always been His plan, His desire. It is not necessarily God’s will to punish the wicked, but also, punishment needs to come because God is not only a God of love, but also, a Holy God. He is both things because otherwise, He would not be perfect, and undoubtedly, God is perfect. And if a person thinks otherwise, then they have no hope. Nothing can be obtained from God if this concept that God is perfect does not exist because much, the most important part, rests on the person of God. To be able to understand this better, it is necessary to go deeper, because precisely on the person of God is that this beautiful hope and promise we have in Him rests on.

The first thing we need to understand is the person of God. God is God. He has always existed. There was no one before Him, and there will be none greater after Him. He always is, just as He revealed it to Moses, as it is written: And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14. And nothing has changed since then, for it is also written: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. Now, someone may ask, “Is Jesus Christ God?” and the answer is, “Yes.” He is the same Lord that existed before, the One that was with Abraham, with Isaac, with Jacob, and even with this Moses. Jesus is the I AM. We see the following in the Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:1-3. “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. And here is where we see where He mentions Himself as the I AM and what happened when He did: “They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’ And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” John 18:5-6. So then, since Jesus is God, and since He was from before, the One that gave this promise through Isaiah, as the Great, Fearful, and Almighty God, then we can establish that we can count on Him that such a promise could be fulfilled. Since God is God, He can assure us that all of this can happen, what depends on Him. He has the power and the way to make possible anything He promises.

Now then, does absolutely everything depend on God? If we are referring to the establishing of the parameters so this can happen, of course. Just as He did with creation, He is the One that establishes the parameters for everything. But, the issue is that within the parameters He established, there is a place for man’s decision, and that He chooses not to control everything within that because He established that men should choose their own way. And here enters this famous free will. Some take God’s perfection as something that gives place for men not to have any responsibility for their actions, and that God is the One that resolves everything, even man’s rebellion, and things do not work like that. From the moment that God inserts the word “love” in the relationship between Him and us, like loving Him with our whole being, He has then left a place for decision, because not even God forces love. That is the whole matter. God allowed for sin to exist so there could be an option for either following Him or not, to see if a person really loves Him or not. We see this, for example, in two places in the Word: “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.” Deuteronomy 30:14-16. And also: “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36. It is clear in both passages that choice—free will exists. Love means decision and choice, and man has the capacity to choose, which is one of the great likenesses we have with the Most High as created beings.

So then, how can we attain the promise that God gives us in Isaiah? It is necessary to do our part, with what God has established as the part that corresponds to what man needs to do to obtain what God offers. The Bible gives us this counsel on God’s behalf: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. Nothing divine or eternal can be obtained with sin: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. No matter what our condition is and the sins we may have committed, if we repent with all our heart, and we turn completely to God, there is forgiveness, redemption, and promises that can be found through Christ. The Lord is the One that makes it all possible, if we convert to Him and we love Him, just as His Word tells us to do, for our own good. So then, have you done your part so you can experience in your own life God’s restoration through Jesus Christ? Lord bless! John

God’s Punishment and Restoration - Ezra 6:11-22

Based on Ezra 6:11-22 (New King James Version)

“Also I issue a decree that whoever alters this edict, let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it; and let his house be made a refuse heap because of this. And may the God who causes His name to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issue a decree; let it be done diligently. Then Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, Shethar-Boznai, and their companions diligently did according to what King Darius had sent. So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. Now the temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. Then the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites and the rest of the descendants of the captivity, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. And they offered sacrifices at the dedication of this house of God, one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. They assigned the priests to their divisions and the Levites to their divisions, over the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses. And the descendants of the captivity kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves; all of them were ritually clean. And they slaughtered the Passover lambs for all the descendants of the captivity, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the Lord God of Israel. And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the Lord made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.”

Many believers like to cling on to God’s promises and to the triumphs that can be read in the Scriptures, and they feel that they can claim all of that so they can achieve similar results in their own lives. And yes, in a certain way, of course you can do that, but of course, while fulfilling God’s will. Everything in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation is conditional, even God’s salvation that can only be acquired through the Lord’s grace (just like the Word says: “…not by works…”). But salvation can only be acquired by doing what the Scriptures say regarding this, that there needs to be complete repentance and conversion to the Lord, and that there needs to be an acceptance, a confession, and effectively making Jesus the Lord of your life so such salvation can be received. And to be able to retain such salvation, there needs to be an abiding in Christ, that a person needs to follow and do the things that God commands. Everything in the Lord is conditional.

To be able to see the entire panorama with regards to the rebuilding of God’s Temple (what we read today), we should ask ourselves, “Why did God allow for the temple to be destroyed in the first place?” This is what the Word says regarding this: “Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord and the king’s house; and Solomon successfully accomplished all that came into his heart to make in the house of the Lord and in his own house. Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man as ruler in Israel.’ ‘But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. ‘And as for this house, which is exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and this house?’ Then they will answer, ‘Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and embraced other gods, and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this calamity on them.’” 2 Chronicles 7:11-22. The first temple was destroyed because Israel sinned, and they sinned for a long time before God. And God, although He is slow to anger and great in mercy, could not suffer it any longer, and He Himself allowed for the temple to be destroyed by the gentiles to be able to deal with His people’s sin that they had committed for so many years. The Word was fulfilled exactly.

The issue is that, in this life, nothing will be perfect, and together with that, we need to make certain clarifications. Just because a person has problems does not necessarily mean that they are experimenting God’s punishment, and also, just because everything goes will for a person does not mean that they are being rewarded for their good deeds. Only God knows why things happen. The only thing that the Word of God teaches is that we need to live in such a way that it pleases God because based on that is that we will be judged in the end. And, if we go through tough times here, that we should live through them because we are doing God’s will, as it is written: “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:14-17. This is what in all reality what we need to always keep present while we are here: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23. What we should worry about the most is doing the Father’s will, because the here and now does not matter as much as God’s future judgment. Let us not deceive ourselves. There is punishment and restoration, and everything will happen according to what God’s Word says. So then, how will God’s Word be fulfilled in your life, for eternal punishment or for restoration and eternal life? Lord bless! John

Idolatry and Harmful Relationships - 1 Kings 14:21-31

Based on 1 Kings 14:21-31 (New King James Version)

“And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king. He reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there. His mother’s name was Naamah, an Ammonitess. Now Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked Him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, more than all that their fathers had done. For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree. And there were also perverted persons in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. And he took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king’s house; he took away everything. He also took away all the gold shields which Solomon had made. Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who guarded the doorway of the king’s house. And whenever the king entered the house of the Lord, the guards carried them, then brought them back into the guardroom. Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days. So Rehoboam rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David. His mother’s name was Naamah, an Ammonitess. Then Abijam his son reigned in his place.”

What happened with Rehoboam that not only he sinned, but that even all of Judah did what was evil in the sight of the Lord? His father Solomon committed great errors before his birth, and those errors continued in him. This is what the Word Itself says about Solomon’s acts: “But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites—from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David.” 1 Kings 11:1-6. This was the great evil that occurred before and during Rehoboam’s life, the sin of idolatry and of being unequally yoked. This was the environment and the raising that Rehoboam was given, because Rehoboam had a pagan mother (an ammonite, the one that is named twice in the same passage so we can be clear).

Now then, to be able to understand Rehoboam’s evil, we must first understand what happened with Solomon since he was supposedly such a wise person. The problem with Solomon started with idolatry, and then came the issue of being unequally yoked. How can this be said with such certainty? Because idolatry does not just consist of worshipping other deities, but also, it consists of putting something or someone ahead of God. This is the foundation of idolatry—when other things are put ahead of God. And when that starts, the deviation is taking its course. That is why we must be so careful in keeping God in first place, because this is the greatest evil that man commits. This is what the Scriptures say: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37-38. Through this teaching is that we can see that even our loved ones, the ones who we owe love and care the most cannot take under any circumstances God’s place. They cannot take first place. That’s why the first and greatest commandment of all is, just as the Lord reiterated: “Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:29-30. It is even more important to love God then to honor mother and father, which is found in the ten commandments. So then, the beginning of the fall in Solomon started with idolatry, with something that was given more priority, but clearly, God did not have first place in Solomon’s heart.

And then Solomon continued with other sins, to further his deviation, like having friendship with the world which consists of having intimacy with those that do not care about God and being unequally yoked. And this is what the Word says regarding this: “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4. This does not mean that we cannot have contact with the world (like some believers think which is also an error), because then, how will the world know about the Gospel if no one draws near to them and speaks to them about the Lord and His salvation? The issue is that there should not be any intimacy with someone that is under the control of this world, and we also need to take into account that this affects other believers, that although they may profess being in the Lord, but if their lives are in disorder by practicing sin, we should not have any intimacy with them either (see 1 Corinthians 5:9-11). And we also see what God says about being unequally yoked as follows: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. These were Solomon’s evils that influenced and affected Rehoboam, and unfortunately, Rehoboam followed his father’s footsteps (that was his choice).

God’s will, which is what God looked for through His Son’s sacrifice is this: “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” John 15:14-15. The Lord desires for us to become His friends, that He be first. Solomon and Rehoboam were not like David, the one that did become God’s friend, because David not only found grace before the Most High, but God also constituted him to be the father of the Messiah (because the Messiah was to be called Son of David). So then, there are two paths here, and you need to decide. Do you desire to put other things before God and start (or continue) with your deviation? Or do you desire to give God His rightful place in your life, and keep the course that leads to eternity and towards everything that God has for those that love Him? Lord bless! John

Doing God’s Will - John 21:15-25

Based on John 21:15-25 (New King James Version)

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, ‘Lord, who is the one who betrays You?’ Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, ‘But Lord, what about this man?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.’ Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?’ This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”

In this passage, we see quite clearly the complete will of God. We see for starters that the Lord asked Peter if he loved him, and He does it three times. What was the Lord after? Well, if we remember the story, Peter denied the Lord three times after He was arrested, and quite possibly, wanted to make sure that those three times he had denied Him, that He had in all reality repented from that. The Lord didn’t need for Peter to tell Him, because as God, He knows everything, even our deepest thoughts, but rather, He wanted to hear a new confession from Peter. Nonetheless, each time the Lord asked him if he loved Him, He would demand something, a service, a product, per se, as proof of that love that he confessed he felt for Him (as we read). So then, what does this show?

The first point is that loving the Lord implies doing something for Him. Our relationship with Him does not consist merely of feelings, or nice words, or of singing songs and hymns that are well composed, with pretty music, or of raising hands, or of jumping and dancing. That within itself does not show love to God. Those things on their own are not proof that a person loves the Lord, as He sees them. This is what the Lord Himself taught: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23. The Lord continued clearing up this subject in the following manner: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21.

So, what is the Father’s true will? The Word offers us this following account where the subject is made clearer: “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’ So Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’’ And he answered and said to Him, ‘Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.’ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’ But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’” Mark 10:17-23. So then, even though the Ten Commandments are very important, they are not the all of God’s will, but only part of it, because the Lord Himself said that something was missing. This implies that if this rich person died at that moment, that he would not inherit eternal life. This is what finally settles things, as it is written: “Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘Which is the first commandment of all?’ Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31. This is the same thing the Lord was dealing with Peter, of helping him see that if he really loved Him, that he had to love his neighbor. In other words, the foundation, the reason, and the motive for everything that is done in life should be because you love God. If you say that love God and you don’t do anything for your neighbor, then that means that such love does not exist. And if you love your neighbor because you choose to love them and God is not the reason for why you do it, then that is useless. And, if you do all kinds of things that seem good, but the motives are not based on loving God, then that also will not work. These are all examples of actions that will take you to hell, just like the Lord Himself said: “…‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Everything that is not centered on love for the Lord is evil. That’s how exact things need to be. He must be first, before all things, and the reason for why all things are done, as it is also written: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37-38. And finally, the Apostle Paul also declared this: “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!” 1 Corinthians 16:22.

There is no great mystery really, but rather, it is very easy to know God’s will, because it consists of treating Him like the Lord, as the root of that love we should have for Him. And finally, this is our example: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1. What we must simply do is imitate Christ. Christ came to fulfill the Father’s will because He loved him, which consisted of putting His desires first, which involved His neighbor, to the point that the very Son of God came to give His life in obedience to God, and for the salvation of all humanity. And the Lord also healed the sick, freed the prisoner, fed the hungry, and even raised the dead. He never tended to Himself, nor did He take advantage of people. And if He lived that way, we should do the same. So then, are you doing God’s true will? Lord bless! John

God-honoring Conduct - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (New King James Version)

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.”

The Word of God is not very complex because being able to understand God’s will is very simple, so simple that even a child can understand it. You don’t need a great education or university degrees. As a matter of fact, God Himself said that it is necessary for us to become like children, as it is written: “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:2-4. So then, not only is it necessary to become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven, but also, that if we humble ourselves like children, that we would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. So, what is it then that makes it so difficult, because the state of things makes it seem like it is very difficult, not only by everything that can be seen that is wrong with the world, but even more so, by how wrong everything is with the things that involves Christianity?

I think we can define this issue generally with one word: foolishness. When something so simple that even a child can understand is turned into something so difficult and complex, it’s because foolishness is reigning. There is no other explanation. Let us put things in regular daily terms, so we can understand. Is there any sense in paying for something $100 when it could be easily bought for $5? Is there any sense in delaying something for 2 hours when it should only take 5 minutes? Is there any sense in hiring 4 employees for a job that 1 employee should be able to handle? If these things don’t make sense, and there is no justification for them, then what good is it to complicate the things of God, things that a child not only can understand, but even also fulfill? Do you understand the foolishness? And do you understand even the greater foolishness that if God’s things are not fulfilled as God commands that there will be no eternal life nor rewards in heaven?

In today’s passage, we read very simple instructions, that we should, for our own good, look to please God, look for sanctification, that we should abstain from sexual immorality (what has to do with having intimate relations without being married, or with people outside of the marriage), that we should treat rightly our wife or husband, that we should not harm our brother or sister in Christ, that we should not dedicate ourselves to uncleanness, that we should love each other, that we should look to lead a quiet life, to mind our own business or tend to our responsibilities, to not be lazy but rather hardworking, and finally, to conduct ourselves properly. Nothing of this is difficult to understand. In the end, it is so easy to understand that a person would almost be unprofitable or useless if they were not able to because it is simply about following instructions. For it is also written: “Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” Luke 17:9-10.

Let us explore even more the foolishness. If the Word of God says: “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a), and, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith,” (Galatians 6:7-10), then, how could we think that nothing bad will happen or that everything will be fine if we dedicate ourselves to sinning and to sowing in the flesh, or if we grow weary while doing good? What are we thinking? Did God make a mistake in what He said? Or, if God tells us to do certain things, that He in reality is just not going to pay attention? How can you think something different, or justify something, if we are being told very clearly what we should or should not do? God says with good reason that we should look for His truth, so we can be able to know what we should do or not do. It is something as simple as following instructions.

Let us try to make things even more simple, just as the Lord did: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12. Now, let us use this very simple concept to put the things we read today into perspective. Sin not only hurts you, but it also offends God, because God is life (the opposite of death). Do you like being offended? Do you like the idea of you being completely in love with another person, and that this other person just uses you, like a tool, like an object that you pick up or lay down when they feel like it? Do you like being grieved, especially if you have done no wrong to the person that grieves you, or even worse, that the person that grieves you is someone you have concentrated in only doing good to them? If you have worked hard in cleaning something, would you like for someone to making it filthy again, and that they make fun of your efforts in trying to keep it clean? Do you like being hated, or mistreated, or for someone to return evil for good? Do you like for others to get into your business just to make things more chaotic, for them to get into things they neither understand nor care about? Do you like for others to live well, without even trying to work, and for them to live off of your effort and hard work? Do you like for people to steal from you, to lie to you, or to deceive you? We can see all of these things in this passage, and possibly even more, if we see them through the lens (per se) of the law and the prophets, of doing to others as you would like for others to do to you.

So then, and in summary, we were created in the image and likeness of God. And as such, we have very similar feelings. So, the law and the prophets should not only be fulfilled with your generation, but moreover, they should be fulfilled firstly with God. Treat God the way you want to be treated. Having said that, does your conduct honor God and benefit your neighbor? Lord bless! John