Doing What is Right in Our Own Eyes - Judges 17

Based on Judges 17 (New King James Version)

“Now there was a man from the mountains of Ephraim, whose name was Micah. And he said to his mother, ‘The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you, and on which you put a curse, even saying it in my ears—here is the silver with me; I took it.’ And his mother said, ‘May you be blessed by the Lord, my son!’ So when he had returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, ‘I had wholly dedicated the silver from my hand to the Lord for my son, to make a carved image and a molded image; now therefore, I will return it to you.’ Thus he returned the silver to his mother. Then his mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to the silversmith, and he made it into a carved image and a molded image; and they were in the house of Micah. The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Now there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah; he was a Levite, and was staying there. The man departed from the city of Bethlehem in Judah to stay wherever he could find a place. Then he came to the mountains of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, as he journeyed. And Micah said to him, ‘Where do you come from?’ So he said to him, ‘I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am on my way to find a place to stay.’ Micah said to him, ‘Dwell with me, and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your sustenance.’ So the Levite went in. Then the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man became like one of his sons to him. So Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest, and lived in the house of Micah. Then Micah said, ‘Now I know that the Lord will be good to me, since I have a Levite as priest!’”

We can see in this passage many things that were done wrong, not because divine instruction was missing, (and yes, it had something to do with there being no king then), but rather, because we see people doing simply however they saw fit. We see a son that stole from his mother, but we see that he is not reprimanded for that. Instead, he is blessed. We see this same woman dedicating her money to making idols. We see this Micah that made himself a house for his gods, and that he even made one of his sons follow and serve the same deviation. And we see that the madness does not stop with that, but also, he temps a Levite to become his very own priest to serve his purposes. And to top things off, we see the Levite follow along with the idea and also sins against the Lord because they paid him well. These are the evils that can be seen at plain sight, as we compare them to the commandments. In summary, we see nothing good coming out of any of this and all because a group of people dedicate themselves to just do as they see fit.

So then, what commandments do we see broken here? Well, many. “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.” Exodus 20:3-5. “You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15. “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. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4:9. All of this was already written, but despite God’s law being present, they decided to follow their own ideas.

Today, not much has changed. Many still look to fulfill their own desires, whims, and create their own morality, even within the people of God. The only difference between then and now is that our civilization has created laws where many of them are consistent with the law we received from God (because man did not invent the Ten Commandments, but rather, God wrote them with His finger). For example, back then, since there was no king, no social authorities established, people could steal and there weren’t any big consequences. Today, that can’t be done because the law of not stealing exists in practically every place on the planet, and there are penalties if a person is found guilty. That’s why the Word says this: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.” Romans 13:1-6. And let’s leave something very clear, because many justify their disobedience to the authorities because they may have been unfair in certain instances. God inspired Paul to write the book of Romans in 57AD while he was in Corinth. Caesar Nero, the most vile and ruthless of the Caesars persecuted and killed many Christians during his reign (37-68AD). God commanded through Paul to submit to the authorities, and to even pay taxes while such an evil person as Caesar Nero reigned and did all the evil he did. So then, if God commanded this during such a time with such an authority, there is then no excuse now to do contrary because there is no comparison. If a person has a problem with that, I am just a spokesman for the One that commands it, but I am His spokesman because I desire to agree with the Supreme Authority of the Universe: God.

Many, especially, many so called believers in Christ like to do things as they please, and they see God’s grace as a license to fulfill their own will, and not God’s will. And many denote as legalism teaching what God clearly commands in His Word. But there is something that must be kept in mind, especially if liberty in Christ is used for sinning: “But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’” John 6:68. God is not the one that comes out losing if He is not obeyed. God has nothing to lose. Man has everything to lose if they dismiss God’s counsel through His Word because God’s Word is the only thing that can produce life here and now, but even more importantly, for eternity. So then, it is convenient for us to seek doing God’s will in our lives, and to take advantage of the privilege of having His Word and His Holy Spirit. God does not cease being God nor does He cease to exist if man is lost in their sin, in their disobedience. It is simply not convenient for us to just do whatever we want. So then, are you living your life however you want, or how God says to for your own good? Lord bless! John

Treating the Lord as Who He is - Matthew 6:1-6

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

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

In this passage, the Lord is dealing with two things that are essential and necessary in the life of every one of His followers. These two things are not optional, if a person truly wants to maintain a relationship with the Lord. To begin to see this, something very basic must be understood. If a person has truly decided to follow Christ, then there must be fruit, there must be a manifestation of God’s work in their life. In other words, as a result of a person submitting to the Lordship of God, there must be a manifestation of the Holy Spirit in their life. It is impossible for them to continue living their life the same as before they made the decision to follow Christ.

The Bible teaches us that there must be fruit, and fruit consists of the following: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23. And as a result, each of these things (per se) are made evident through good works. In other words, a person cannot say that they have love, and they don’t do anything for anyone else selflessly. For example, when a person does something good for a loved one, that is nothing special because there is a personal interest in that. But, when a person loves a stranger or their enemy and does good to them just as the Lord commanded, something different is demonstrated in that and especially if it is done without the expectation of receiving something in return (because many people deal with strangers, and even help them, but they have a motive or an interest). That’s why the fruit of the Spirit can only be seen through good works. Moreover, we were given the opportunity for salvation because we were created for good works, 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. And so, if there are no good works, if there are no actions that demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, then there is no life.

The other issue is that there simply cannot be any selfishness in the life of a Christ follower. It is impossible. And we understand this very clearly through the commandments that the Lord Himself reaffirmed: “Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 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. If we understand the explicitness of these commandments, then we can see that nowhere does it say here, “love yourself first”. If a person truly wants to fulfill the will of God, God should be first and the priority over everything. And secondly, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. So then, watching out for our own interests do not have a priority in what the Lord commands. That’s why the ways of the Lord are so contrary to the world’s ways, because the world (over which Satan exercises dominion), says the contrary. They say: “Love yourself. Look for your happiness. Fulfill your desires. Fight for your goals, etc.” Moreover, if the priority of a person is mainly focused on their own wellbeing, they are following more than anything a satanic influence, as we can see in the following 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. And this was one of His Apostles, the one that even acknowledged Jesus as the Christ. This shows us that if we are not careful, anyone can fall and follow a completely deviated path, just as the Word warns us here: “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.’ Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 12:1-12. So, if the warning is written, then the danger exists (“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:22).

And finally, the lord teaches us that we must help real needy people (“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10, and pray. But there is a detail, that these not only be done in secret (this does not imply that you cannot pray in public as some misunderstand. A little bit of common sense is required), but mainly on both points, that everything be done as if God is watching (because He is watching). This is the most important point, and that is why He brings it up in both instances. We should treat the Lord as Who He is, as God, as the One that sees everything, knows everything, weighs everything, and will even judge everything. “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10. So then, are you treating the Lord as who He is? Lord bless! John

Punishment and Restoration - 2 Chronicles 33:1-20

Based on 2 Chronicles 33:1-20 (New King James Version)

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. But he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; he raised up altars for the Baals, and made wooden images; and he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. He also built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, ‘In Jerusalem shall My name be forever.’ And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger. He even set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, ‘In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put My name forever; and I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I have appointed for your fathers—only if they are careful to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.’ So Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. Therefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon. Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. After this he built a wall outside the City of David on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, as far as the entrance of the Fish Gate; and it enclosed Ophel, and he raised it to a very great height. Then he put military captains in all the fortified cities of Judah. He took away the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord and in Jerusalem; and he cast them out of the city. He also repaired the altar of the Lord, sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel. Nevertheless the people still sacrificed on the high places, but only to the Lord their God. Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the Lord God of Israel, indeed they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. Also his prayer and how God received his entreaty, and all his sin and trespass, and the sites where he built high places and set up wooden images and carved images, before he was humbled, indeed they are written among the sayings of Hozai. So Manasseh rested with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house. Then his son Amon reigned in his place.”

In this passage, we can see the different aspects of God, both His zeal and anger, as well as His great love and mercy. It cannot be said that if something happens to a person that it always has to do with sin or sins they may have committed personally. There are always exceptions. But, the majority of the time, God allows for difficult things to happen because there was sin, and in some way, that brought on God’s anger. Whoever says that God does not punish does not know the Scriptures, and ultimately, Who God is. God is love, but He is also consuming fire, and what determines how God acts depends on our actions. Nothing happens just because. There is always something.

In today’s case, we see the acts of this King Manasseh, someone that did take God to a point of anger, which is not easy because God is great in mercy. That is the other falsehood that many believe that the God of the Old Testament was harsh and inflexible. God was not as strict as some make Him out to be. Just look at Manasseh’s actions and everything he did before God’s anger came. Manasseh didn’t steal some gum, per se. Manasseh dedicated himself to practically do everything that could be done against the Lord. It’s as if though he had a checklist somewhere of everything that displeased God and he started crossing things off one by one, to make sure he wasn’t missing anything. Manasseh sinned to the point against God that he even passed his children by fire meaning that he sacrificed his children alive on an altar as worship to a completely pagan and evil god. Manasseh killed his own children, and did everything to worship a false god, to be able to find some favor to gain something material or some success in something, because none of those sacrifices had to do with any type of spiritual wellbeing, under no circumstances. So then, after seeing all of this, can anyone say that God was inflexible or harsh? God has always been great in mercy and all loving before, and is now. Many dare to judge God, but all of those people that dare to judge God never think about the evil that is done against God, all of the contempt and daily sinning that so many people commit against God. Many people comment: If God is love, why is the world the way it is? And I would answer, “what evil did God do to the world so that He could be so despised and hated? And I would also say, “Let’s not blame God so much for the things that happen because it is man’s sin that has made the world as hard as it is.” If you don’t believe it, just see what Manasseh did. What reason did Manasseh have to sacrifice his own children in flames? Was that God’s fault? Under no circumstance. Sin produces death, no matter how much people want to decorate it and justify it. Man must take responsibility for all their actions. And every single one of us has sinned.

Yet, despite all of the evil that Manasseh did, we can see God’s incredible grace, but when Manasseh repented. Nothing can change unless there is complete and true repentance before the Lord. It is necessary to understand that it is not God in the wrong, but rather, we are in the wrong. Ultimately, and seeing it very practically, it is not really humbling yourself being able to acknowledge a reality. In Manasseh’s case, he simply acknowledged the reality that he had sinned against God, and like that, harmed himself and all those that surrounded him, because we even read that he helped the entire kingdom stray away from God. Nonetheless, God always leaves an opening for repentance. Despite all of the evil that is committed against Him, God is so great in love and mercy that He leaves an opportunity for us to turn from our sins.

But, if we could see something else it would be this, and especially referring to God’s mercy, that it is not necessary to push the limits of God’s mercy. There are people that believe erroneously that God is the One that dictates when a person changes. That is not true. God is always with His arms wide open, always calling, and waiting for people to turn to Him. The problem is that the great majority of people do not want to understand until something catastrophic happens in their lives, until God allows something to happen that shakes the very foundations of their lives, per se. God loves everyone, and desires good for all, especially their eternal wellbeing. So then, since it all depends on you, do you want to experience God’s temporary and eternal punishment or do you desire to experience His grace, mercy, and love? Lord bless! John

Don’t be Your Own Worst Enemy - 2 Peter 2

Based on 2 Peter 2 (New King James Version)

“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.’”

One of the greatest problems in our society is the issue of substance abuse, both the legal kind (prescribed by doctors, or that can be bought at any store) as well as the illegal kind. Whether it be legal or illegal, it’s a severe problem. To be able to see the magnitude of this problem, we need to go to the statistics. In the US, it is estimated that 161 million people, or 66% of adults use drugs under prescription. Also in the US, it is believed that about 21 million people have at least one addiction, either with alcohol or another substance (from what we know, because not everyone admits they have a problem). Between 1999 and 2017, more than 700,000 people in the US have died due to drug overdose. It is estimated that alcohol and drug addiction costs the US economy more than $600 billion every year. This is the economic damage (for starters) that we are inflicting upon ourselves as a nation. And this is in the US alone. I’m very sure that the rest of the world has similar issues.

Nonetheless, there are people that are benefiting greatly from this catastrophe. There are many that live very well thanks to other’s misfortunes. With both legal and/or illicit gains, they can buy themselves mansions, planes, luxury vehicles, anything they want. They enjoy the delights of this world peacefully and grandly. Now, someone may say that these are detestable beings that do these things. But there is something to consider. Who are the ones that contribute so these folks are able to have what they have and live the way they live? Every amount of money that is used to buy their products is money that invested in their operations, helping pay their employees, and finally, giving them gains that go directly into their bank accounts or secret places. So then, there is something to consider. Who are at fault, the ones that sell and supply the substances or the ones that consume them, and like that, they feed the greed and evil of others? What would God say?

You may ask, “What does substance use and those that sell them have to do with today’s message?” There is a very similar problem with the evil that exists within the church regarding evil doctrines (although there are many people inside churches unfortunately that also have problems with the consumption of bad substances and those that sell them sometimes sit in church as well). I have heard many people through the years complaining about bad preachers and all the money they make, etc. And yes, there are many in the ministry that use the same for gain. And there are many of these ministers that are well known, but there are others that go unnoticed because maybe they are less flashy, or they have a more subtle message, speaking of things that seem healthy and good, but it is all an illusion. Some of you may say, “I know so and so is bad, but I don’t think it is wrong what this other person says.” And I would need to ask, “Are they good and acceptable based on your personal opinion or according to what God teaches in His Word?” And finally, both those that teach evil and support evil are involved with the same problem. And the problem surges when a person does not know what is approved by God or approved by man. And the way that the trap is set is by appealing to the weaknesses of our flesh. We cannot allow ourselves to be guided by and accept things because they sound good or pleasing. When we allow ourselves to be guided by the flesh, by corruption, there is where we fall with people that have evil instincts and intentions. It’s the same thing that happens with substances. Everything starts with a little and because it makes a person feel good somehow. But just because something apparently feels good does not mean that it is good. That is the danger and the problem that continues being proliferated everywhere. We cannot allow ourselves to be guided by our flesh and become our own worst enemies, becoming victims of our own evil desires. If you truly want the life that God offers through Christ, you should let yourself be guided only by what the fullness of His Word says and through the Holy Spirit, and not by what seems attractive to the flesh. So then, are you a prisoner of your own evil desires, and like that, your own worst enemy, or do you live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of the Word of God? Lord bless! John

True Love Explained - Ephesians 5:1-7

Based on Ephesians 5:1-7 (New King James Version)

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.”

Today, there is a great error that has been proliferated throughout the world, including within many churches, the error or sin that love means to justify and even fight for sin. This great contradiction is being supported by a great number of people, and it continues to grow rapidly, where things that are sin are put as examples of love. Quite simply, in today’s society, and within many churches, evil is seen as good and good is seen as evil, as I am very sure that quite possibly many will be offended when reading this message, and will say that this is a bad message, or possibly, they might even say that it is blasphemous, but his ministry, by the grace of God, is dedicated to sharing Jesus Christ and His Truth with the world, and not to propagate anything else (may God help us remain faithful).

Therefore, let us see more clearly the issue of defining sin and what it does. God defines sin through the Word for the good of mankind, because God since the beginning has tried to help mankind avoid what is harmful to them. Ever since God told the first man that he should not eat of the forbidden tree, He was not trying to hide something good from them, nor just because, but rather, because mankind was surely going to do die if they disobeyed. And thanks to that disobedience, we have what we have today in the world. We have death. No matter what mankind tries to do for themselves, whether they can even find the cure for all of the different kinds of sicknesses and plagues that exist, every human being will die at some point, without exception. No human will live forever. That is the great legacy that disobedience has left. This is the simple consequence of sin, as it is written: “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a. And the Word also says this: “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 truth regarding sin. No matter what a person would want to believe, whether thinking that nothing bad is going to happen, or that God is wrong, sin kills, and it kills in the most definitive kind of way, killing both the body and the soul of man. Sin is what makes a person die physically, and forever, eternally separated from everything that is life for all eternity. This is the evil that God has tried to help mankind avoid sin man was created.  

Now then, let us go deeper into what God said in today’s passage that is sin, something that is not just sin, but the same kind of sin that can make a person not be able to have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God if it is practiced; the issue involving fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness that is related to idolatry. For starters, fornication consists of having sex outside of marriage. Whether they are partners (as they are called today), or casual sexual encounters, or the act of sex apart or outside of marriage (and regarding marriage, we are talking about the union between a man and a woman, just as God created it), all of that is considered fornication. In the context of this passage, uncleanness refers to inappropriate things related to fornication and also what the Law of God explains as things or voluntary acts that are unclean (or unnatural). For example, whether the coronavirus came to existence in China because there was a problem with bats and food, or whether it involved a sterile laboratory where trials and/or experiments were being done with bacteria or viruses, all of that before God is considered unclean. And regarding covetousness, the Bible says very clearly that the love of money is sin, and it relates it here to idolatry which defines all things that are put ahead of God, like money, family, etc., anything that is put ahead or given priority over God. If these things are practiced or they become a lifestyle, quite simply, those that live in such a manner will not inherit Christ’s kingdom (this is what the Bible says).

Let us try to see this issue in a practical sense so we can understand. If I have a son or daughter, and that son or daughter would like to play with a poisonous snake, what should I do as a father that wants what is good for them? Should I go get it for them so they can play with it? Should I support them in their search? Should I tell them that if they decide to do it, to just be careful? Or, if I really want what is good for them and to help them avoid all danger, should I not just explain to them the danger and that they should just avoid it for their own good, so they don’t even have to worry about anything? That is what God tries to teach us through His Word, so that we don’t just avoid getting into trouble, but even avoid the risk. But unfortunately, many don’t think that way because they either don’t understand, or they just don’t want to accept that the natural consequences of sin are that it produces death, just like when a human being gets bitten by a poisonous snake, when it injects its venom, and it is only a matter of time for the person to die. Many people think that, because they don’t just die right away, or because something humanly catastrophic doesn’t happen immediately, that the issue of sin and the evil it produces is a lie, that it’s a fable or an exaggeration. In the end, they believe the same thing the devil told Eve so long ago: “You will not surely die.” The devil’s lie continues being the truth to many, and unfortunately, even many supposed believers, especially those who even believe that since we have the grace of Christ, that everything is forgiven, and that there is nothing to worry about. Adopting a sinful lifestyle produces the same evil outside of God’s grace as well as within God’s grace. This is what the Word of God teaches.

So then, what is then true love? The only one that knows how to love perfectly is God, because God is love. True love will never consist of supporting sin because God will never support something that produces death and destruction in a human being. And if a person really wants to love someone, they should do the same as God does, by letting them know the truth so they can also have what Christ came to give, as it is written: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b. Because God loves us, He only wants for us to live eternally, and so, He teaches us to do those things that produce life, and not the things that cause death, sooner or later. So then, what exists in your life, God’s true love, or the lie that produces eternal death and destruction? Lord bless! John

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