Unbelief’s Assault upon Christians and their Beliefs

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Unbelievers’ often show misunderstanding and hostility toward Christian beliefs. Jews condemned the first Christians for not keeping Moses’ laws that they couldn’t keep themselves. Polytheists accused early Christians of being atheists because they didn’t believe in many gods. Romans said Christians were disloyal to the Roman Empire because they didn’t acknowledge Caesar as a God. Pagans thought Christian’s cannibals since they ate the body of Jesus and drank his blood—Lord’s Supper. Unbelievers called Christians fanatics, holy Joe's, hypocrites, Puritans and prudes all the while I grew up. Today they say far worse things.

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It seems our human nature just doesn’t like anyone including God telling us what we should and shouldn’t do. It’s been forever true since Adam and Eve enjoyed paradise with all their needs met but couldn’t resist eating the only one forbidden fruit knowing it meant death. Just as the sign says WET PAINT, we must touch it anyway to find out. It doesn’t matter even if it’s for our good, or it could cause us harm, injury, sickness, disease or death. It’s utterly irrational and contradictory but true. Let’s look at some of the more recent condemnatory words people call true believers in Christ as Lord and Savior.

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SELF-RIGHTEOUS. Although sometimes called self-righteous, the one thing a true Christian can never be is self-righteous--that would condemn him to Hell. According to the Bible, we can’t save ourselves by being good or doing good deeds before God. The Bible says we’re rebellious sinners unacceptable to a holy or perfect God and unfit for a perfect or sinless Heaven.

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“The righteousness of God (is) through faith in Jesus Christ . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 3:22-23. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us" Eph. 1:7.

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The flaw with self-righteousness is that it’s our sinful pride and not God-righteousness. God and Heaven are not JUST GOOD—they’re 100% PERFECT all the time, but we’re not even close.

“You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.

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“There shall by no means enter it (Heaven) anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie.” Revelation.21:27. See also Romans 1; Rev. 21:8; First Corinthians. 6:9-10

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People universally believe we must be “good people” to be accepted by a “good God” and enter a “good Heaven”. So we must strive to be as good as we possibly can and hope we’re good enough. And we tend to find persons we think not as good as we are and feel proud that we’re better than they are. It seems so logical to think that way so everybody does. Ask anyone why God should let them into His Heaven and usually they say because of their good deeds. We never like to parade our imperfections when we think we should be good. But honest persons know they’re not perfect by anyone’s standards even our own.

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Now if God will accept tipping the scale to 51% of goodness to enter Heaven, then God is imperfect and allows Heaven to be corrupted with sin. How can we hope for salvation from an imperfect God and a corrupt Heaven?  Heaven will become as corrupt as earth or more so since we then know there can be nothing better.

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Any God imperfect in power, knowledge, wisdom, or goodness can never be trusted to save us and keep us. And only the Bible’s God is said to be perfect in all these respects. God’s way then is trusting Christ alone as Lord and Savior dying to pay for our sins and raised from the dead—that shows His perfect love and justice, so He’s our righteousness. No other world religion or alleged God can make such tremendous claims.

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NEGATIVE. Christians are told never be negative and that being positive wins friends and influences people. Negative statements make people feel guilty, insulted, rejected and discouraged. And insulted people may call us arrogant, self-righteous, mean spirited, and even unchristian.

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The problem here is that we can never tell anyone his or her deeds are wrong, harmful or have boundaries—that’s negative. But God’s Word says numerous acts are wrong or sin such as in the Ten Commandments, the Sermon of the Mount and numerous other lists of sins. And those who criticize still believe in laws, restrictions, limits on the things we do. Indeed, how can we even live together in community unless we impose restraints on harmful activities? Consistency would require we do away not just with preachers, but also teachers, politicians, judges, police, lawyers, doctors, guidance counselors, traffic signals. It would result in a state of lawlessness, chaos and destruction. It’s only in issues of Christ and Bible ethics, however, that unbelievers want to shut us up.  Do we understand what’s better for us than the all-knowing loving God who made us? God isn’t out to spoil our fun but to protect and provide us a better life (John 10:10).

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JUDGMENTAL. Christians are told not to be judgmental. Matthew 7:1-2 is quoted to substantiate this. This raises the same impossible problem of being negative as shown above. Further, the objector misinterprets the Matthew passage. It’s not condemning all judgment but unjust hypocritical judgment. In other words, the metaphor saying get the plank out of your own eye before removing the speck from another’s eye. Finally, the critic is himself judging the person he criticizes for judging. What would you call that?

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INTOLERANT. Christians who don’t accept whatever I want to believe and do are intolerant. As some atheists and pantheists will admit, if we deny the infinite personal ethical God of the Bible--anything goes. It leaves us subject to the limited, fickle, faulty, feelings and whims of our selfish, rebellious, depraved human natures.
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 Without the Bible’s God, nothing is ultimately right or wrong, good or evil, true or false. It’s just what each person wants to believe. Even then, we have to suppress our conscience or sense of right and wrong. Natural law or universal common sense teaches we can’t survive long on this planet without moral standards to guide us.
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Morality doesn’t make practical sense without a higher authority to hold us accountable after death. Our own hostile destructive desires destroy us. But God’s way is love, truth and salvation. Christianity says we’re responsible creations in God’s image; otherwise, we’re only perishing animals fighting for temporary survival (naturalism) or recycled energy waiting absorption (pantheism).

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EXCLUSIVE. Non-Christians resent Christians for saying Jesus is the only true and right religion. They feel slighted and think their religion is just as good for them if not better than Christianity. They claim Christians are arrogant, narrow-minded bigots.

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While it seems this charge is only made against Christians, the truth is it can be made against anyone who truly believes his or her religion is the only true and right way. Even to say all religions are equally good and essentially the same is an exclusivist claim.  It has to deny, undermine, or ignore the particular tenants of each individual religion. Different religions claim one God, two gods, many gods, no god, or the universe is god.  So how is that essentially the same? It’s a contradiction and a lie. Honesty and truth forbid such a claim.

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The crucial questions are these: Which if any religion gives visible empirical evidence its true. And which religion if any meets our most basic human needs. Biblical Christianity revealed in Jesus Christ, the incarnate God-man, visibly demonstrated God is real and loves us, life exists after death, and we are accountable to God for every thought, word and deed. Jesus provided the only basis for human dignity in God’s image. That further provides freedom, human rights, a standard of ethics, a purposeful life serving Him, opportunity of Heaven, and a better world in the here and now. No other religion can give such evidence nor meet these basic human needs. To reject the Lord Jesus as Savior is to choose Hell--period.

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I blame us Christians in large part for not courageously standing up and explaining our beliefs in a gentle, respectful and caring way to unbelievers. Even our churches taught for so long not to create waves, upset anyone or be forthright. Don’t argue was confused with calmly giving logical factual reasons for what we believe. So we’ve allowed falsehood and evil to overcome us. But enough is enough. The Bible’s gospel is our world’s only hope and salvation but its truth is upsetting to the pride and sin of man.

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Christians, don’t be intimidated by the accusations and hateful criticisms of unbelievers. Shout salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ from the housetops. Don’t be ashamed of the most precious love, hope, blessings, and righteousness we alone have in Christ. Give your life for Christ as He gave His for us. Be gracious, respectful, and loving as God tells us in First Peter 3:14-18. But tell people Jesus is humanities only hope for He alone can cleanse our hearts and lives of moral impurity, make us right with a perfect God, and assure us of a perfect Heaven.
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The risk of unbelief is too great. My friend, won't you committe to Jesus? Say with all your being, Lord Jesus, I've been wrong and a sinner. Now I'm trusting You as my Lord and Savior for now until I stand before You as Your follower. Thank You my Lord. Now you have a story to tell everywhere to everybody.

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This joyful hymn by H. Ernest Nichol conveys our Lord’s command and our Christian compassion and commitment.

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We’ve a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right,

A story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light, a story of peace and light.

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We’ve a song to be sung to the nations, that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,

A song that shall conquer evil, and shatter the spear and sword, and shatter the spear and sword.

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We’ve a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigneth above hath sent us His Son to save us, and show us that God is love, and show us that God is love.

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We’ve a Savior to show to the nations, Who the path of sorrow hath trod, that all of the world’s great peoples may come to the truth of God, may come to the truth of God.

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Refrain

For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright,

And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light. Amen-(so be it).

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                 What Is Biblical Christian Salvation?

#Salvation
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What does the Bible teach about salvation? Must we be good persons and do good deeds to earn God’s acceptance and Heaven? How good do you have to be? Can we become morally perfect? What is the Christian life like or supposed to be? Is being a Christian keeping a set of rules? If I become a Christian, can I lose faith and go to Hell? What is Heaven like? These and other important questions I will answer in three biblical words--justification, santification, glorification.

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Justification—Counted Just, Accepted and Forgiven from All Our Guilt and the Penalty of Sin

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The only purgatory taught in the Bible is that the Lord Jesus purged all our sins on the cross. If Jesus is not a full and sufficient Savior, he’s no Savior at all. If we depend even 1% upon our good deeds, we deny Jesus alone is the Savior of sinners. We never become morally perfect, or sinless in this life, but God cleans us up inside the moment we put faith in the Savior. Peter the chief apostle, called the first pope, says so most clearly several times.

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“Redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot . . . so that your faith and hope are in God (1 Pet. 1:18-21). Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we; having died to sins, might live for righteousness (1 Pet. 2:24). Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh (1 Pet. 1:18).” Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).

Peter says it’s all about what Christ did, not what we try to do no matter how good..
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The apostle Paul agrees in many passages that we’re morally weak, enemies of God, under God’s wrath and cannot keep God’s moral laws—613 in O.T. and 650 in N.T. We can’t even know them, much less keep them. So it’s only through Jesus’ death of the just for the unjust that we’re counted right with God. It’s Christ’s righteousness, not ours that God counts us right as a legal transaction. See Romans 4:1-8; 5:6-9; 7:18-19; 8:1-8; 11:6; 2 Cor. 5:19.
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Humanity, before God, is corrupt in every part of our being—conscience, thought, feelings, will. But God is morally perfect so that apart from Christ we’re unacceptable to a perfect God and unfit for a perfect Heaven. Once saved by grace through faith in Christ, God enables us to do good works acceptable to him that will be rewarded in Heaven (Ephesians 2:8-10; Revelation 22:12).
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Sanctification—Progressive Deliverance from the Power of Sin
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The act of faith in Christ sets us apart for God’s service; no church makes us saints. Paul calls those in Christ saints, even those in the low moral Corinthian church (1 Cor. 1:2). But we then progress or grow in our love-trust relationship with Christ. We are to become more like Jesus our example--holy, mature, complete. Becoming a Christian makes us new creations (2 Cor. 5:17), and born of the Holy Spirit (John 3:7), but we still are human beings with human limitations, faults, failures and sins. This is why people sometimes think more highly of non-Christians of a better background. We never become perfect until glorified--those who think they do, need to check out what the Bible says about sin (Rom. 1) and forgiveness (1 John 1:8-10).

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The Christian will always struggle to achieve victory over the world (1 John 5:4), the flesh (Romans 7:24-25), the devil (James 4:7; Ephesians 6:10-12). Romans chapter 6 tells us how to have victory. We will be slaves either to sin or to God. So we are to consider ourselves in Christ as dead to sin and to yield ourselves to God as his slaves.We are to continually focus on Christ and his love.
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It is a super difficult unending struggle and we will have setbacks. But it is possible with our daily yielding to the Lord and with humble confession and cleansing. Christians can be free from gossip, pride, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, idolatry, gambling, ungodly sex (1 John 4:4; 5:4-5). God can forgive all sins, except rejection of God in Christ (Mark 3:28-29; John 16:8-10; 1 John 2:22-23).

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Is God a killjoy imposing numerous rules to spoil our fun? Children see much that parents forbid as their being mean and spoiling their fun. They don’t understand parents forbid things to protect their safety and instruct them in wise behavior. Teens think smoking, partying in drugs, alcohol, sex and the like shows they’re mature and makes them popular. It’s momentary pleasure that brings long-term pain and slavery. Our wise Creator and loving Savior wants to save us from unnecessary harm. We regard his rules burdensome when we fail to understand and to respond to him in a love-trust relationship. Jesus said our love for him is shown in our obedience. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). Jesus summed all God’s laws as simply love for God and love for man (Matt. 22:37-39).   
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What are the aids to spiritual growth in our love-trust relationship with our Lord? Diligent study of God’s Word is vital. We must know God’s will in order to do it (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Thess. 2:13). Prayer according to God’s will in all its aspects—confession, thanksgiving, praise, intercession, petition, (Eph. 6:18; James 5:16). Fellowship with other believers in the body of Christ helps and encourages us (Heb. 10:24-25). Boldly and lovingly sharing our faith in the Lord and Savior is the best thing we can do for others (Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:18).

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Can persons who trust in the Savior finally be lost? I graciously respect a person’s right to differ, but Scripture is definite and clear that God keeps true believers in faith. John 5:24 couldn’t be clearer that at the moment of faith one receives unending life and will never be condemned. Salvation is God’s gift we can’t earn and God can’t take back (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 11:29). Jesus is with us always (Jn. 28:20). We can never perish or anyone take us from God’s hand (Jn. 10: 28-29) and nothing can separate us from God’s love (Rom. 8:35-38).
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We’re born from above once--not repeatedly--and sealed with the Holy Spirit who guarantees our redemption (Jn. 3:7; Rom. 8:16; Eph. 1:13-14). From our calling to glorification is all one inseparable package (Rom. 8:28-30). Doesn’t wisdom dictate we accept clear definite passages over unclear and ambiguous ones that are better explained as applying to other situations? And those who fall away John says were never true believers in the first place (1 John 2:19). Some profess Christ who don’t possess him or have only a head-knowledge.

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But doesn’t security in Christ encourage immorality? Paul says no and that we’re slaves either to sin or to God depending on whom we present ourselves to obey (Rom. 6). Sinning causes us to lose heavenly rewards (1 Cor. 3:10-15). Sinning causes us to be disciplined of the Lord as his true children even to the point of physical death (Heb. 12:5-11; 1 Cor. 11:29-30). Sinning causes us to lose the peace, love, joy and fruit we show in relationship with the Lord (John 15; 1-11; Gal. 5:16-25).  All these statements seem definite and clear to me.

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Glorification—Given a New Body, Home and Saved from the Presence of Sin

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We naturally have many questions Scripture doesn’t answer and mentions details whose meaning is uncertain. But Christians are not as those who have no hope (soulless dirt, recycled energy, or demon worshipers). “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us . . . the sons of God (Romans 8:18-19).”

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Heaven is a real place, not just a state of mind. Jesus said he would go to prepare a place for believers in him (John 12:1-2; 1 John 2:22-23). Let’s look at a list of things no longer present in the new Heaven and earth and another list of things that will be present. See 1 Cor. 15; Rev. 21; 22; Luke 20:35-36; 1 John 3:2.

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In the new Heaven and earth there will be no sin, curse, sun, moon, night, oceans, tears, sorrow, pain, death, marriage, imperfection. Apparently the whole universe and earth will be renovated (2 Peter 3:12-13; Rev. 21-22).

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But in the new Heaven and earth there will be places Jesus prepared for believers, new bodies, everlasting service, a tree of life, river of life, overflowing joy, reunion with saved loved ones and friends, a place of indescribable beauty, rest from life’s struggles, love, rewards, angels, the Trinity, seeing God face-to-face, worship, and perfect knowledge. Certainly, a Creator who is all-loving, knowing, wise, powerful and desires that people be saved from sin and Hell can provide a Heaven for those who trust in him.

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Further Questions about Heaven
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Doesn’t Matthew 7:13-14 seem to say few persons will be in Heaven? Jesus may be referring to conditions of the world at that time. The gospel was then unknown. Many families have babies and young children who die but go to Heaven. If there will be a literal millennium, there could be billions of saved persons. See Rev. 7:9; 20:1-6. Certainly the dimensions given of the new Heaven and earth make plenty of room for billions of persons. And God is glorified in our loving trust in Him.

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Will everyone be equally blessed? Fully blessed but not equally blessed. Persons who loved and served the Lord more will enjoy him more. See 1Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10. Our cups will be full but apparently come in different sizes so to speak. John 10:10.

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Is the Christian Heaven like the Paradise of Islam? Serious contrasts exist between the two.  (1) The Christian God and Allah is not the same God so doesn’t provide the same Paradise. Christians believe God is one essence revealed in three Persons who can address each other as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That’s blasphemy with Allah. (2) The Bible’s God is morally perfect allowing no sin into Heaven. But Allah allows persons into his paradise who do more good deeds than evil deeds—imagine what his Paradise will become. (3) The Bible God has love for sinners even giving his human life to save them while Allah is a remote Lawgiver too good to mix with sinners and even hates them. (4) The Bible’s Heaven is mainly perfect relationships with God and man while Allah’s Paradise is sensual delight of drink, food, and sex of many women for each man. (5) The Bible's God assures us of Heaven, Allah assures no one of paradise unless perhaps Muslims die killing unbelievers.  

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Why Should We Believe Jesus Is the Only Way to Heaven? Unlike other religions, Jesus claimed to be God and fulfilled ancient detailed prophecies of the Jew’s Messiah predicted to be God (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; 53; Micah 5:2; Psalm16:10). Unlike other religions, also Jesus proved the claims true. He walked on water, immediately healed various diseases, and raised the dead. What greater proofs of God can there be? Bible miracles were recorded not by adoring disciples centuries later as in other religions but by martyrs within a few decades.

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Isn’t salvation in Christ the best thing that can happen to us, and telling others the best thing we can do for others? Now if you have not put trust in the Savior of us sinners, the God-man, humbly pray: Lord, I trust YOU now and forever as paying for all my sins on the cross to make me clean, forgiven, holy in your sight. Help me now Lord to live for you untill I go to be with you in Heaven. Thank you Lord. 
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Christian brother/sister now pray and trust God to use you as His GOOD NEWS MESSENGER over the WWW. Download these articles and send them worldwide and in other languages. Show the devil, and the evil world you are God's person with new life. God bless.

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For Christian growth I recommend for English speakers the outstanding Life Application Study Bible large print with itrs New Living Translation. And for pastors Warren W. Wiersbe’s The Bible Exposition Commentary.

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Isn’t Religion A Private Matter?

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Why are people not more concerned about the crucial things of life? Not who won the ball game? What good movie have you seen lately? Should I ask Susan for a date? But questions vital to life now and maybe a thousand years from now: Is death our end? Did Muhammad give objective evidence honest thinking people can believe that the Qur'an is from God? Are Mormons correct that people can become Gods? Were Jehovah Witnesses correct to give five dates claiming Christ came back to earth? If we’re just evolving animals that perish, what’s wrong with killing dangerous people who disagree with us, especially when we’re in control or won’t get caught? Is it true that we can’t know truth?

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It seems if people really believe salvation in Christ, they would want to share the gospel with persons destined for Hell.

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Worldly influence has caused many persons to regarded religion as a private matter. Some church members wouldn’t think of sharing Christ with friends and loved ones. This opposes the great commission and all Christ and the Bible teaches. Do they have good reasons, or just disobedient rebellious excuses? Here is a list of explanations.

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·        Church members may not be Christians. Possibly the biggest reason church members never tell others about God’s salvation in Christ is that they’ve unsaved or simply not Christians. Churches don’t give lie detector tests to everyone who wants to join a church. Persons may join for many reasons other than faith in Christ. Some want to sing in the choir, play on the ball team, socialize with friends, or make business clients. Sometimes even pastors and missionaries realize they’ve unsaved. And liberal churches don’t claim to believe all the Bible teaches.

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·        Unsaved church members that have only head knowledge or intellectual belief. One can believe in God, believe Jesus is God, agree Jesus is the Savior of sinners, but go to Hell. The devil and his demons know all that. Without the transformation Jesus called the new birth or being born from above, persons cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:7).  Non-Christians view them as hypocrites and they are right.

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Regeneration is God’s Holy Spirit within transforming us to have new spiritual life, new holy desires, a completely new worldview or outlook on life (2 Cor. 5:17-18). And to grow spiritually, our new life grows through worship, Bible study, and fellowship with believers and witnessing to Christ as Lord and Savior.      
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·        They fear ridicule. Jesus warned Godly living will result in persecution as they killed God’s prophets and apostles. But your courageous witness will strengthen other believers. And great is your eternal reward. We can grow to be courageous witnesses if we’re willing. God tests us whether we put Him first in our life or self. We live here only a few decades; Heaven is eternal. Our faithfulness will win others to Christ and cover multitudes of sins (James 5:20). Our behavior brings eternal gain or shameful loss of rewards at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Corinthians. 3:10-15).

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·        Serious sin in one’s life hinders witness. We’ll never be perfect in this life. But we can live holy lives that please the Lord. Though Christ paid for all our sins past, present, future, we still fail him every day. He knows this and promises us continued forgiveness and fellowship through honest daily confession (1 John 1:7-10).

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·        It is the pastor’s job. It’s every true Christians’ job. If the Lord’s orders to make disciples  of all nations meant only the first eleven disciples they could never have reached the  world nor lived to the end of the age (Matt. 20:20-21: Acts 1:8; 8:4). Christians have  influence and contact with persons their pastor and spiritual leaders will never see. Christians have the ministry of reconciliation. Do we not care that our loved ones never hear the good news of Christ. The Bible is plain that unsaved persons spend eternity in  the darkness and torment of Hell. Persons who win others are wise (Prov. 11:30).

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·        I witness by my life. Yes, we are to be the light of the world, salt of the earth, and a city on a hill. But no matter how good we live, if we never tell anyone about the Savior, then they may never know. It’s inexcusable disobedience to our Lord’s command. It’s a joy we deny ourselves not to seek the salvation of the lost.

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·        We can’t force religion on anyone. Hate religions and philosophies (politically correct) do intimidate and force outward observances but not a yielded heart. They demand blind obedience and enforce it by ridicule, threats, persecution, imprisonment, torture and murder. But that’s not God’s way. His way is friendship, respect, concern.

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·        Jesus is truth and love. He invites us to put our burdens on him who cares for us. The Bible is clear Christians are not to give offense (1 Cor. 10:32; 2 Cor. 6:3). But it is equally clear we are to be ready to give a defense of our faith at all times with respectful concern (1 Pet. 3:15; Acts 1:3; Phil. 1:16; Jude 3).

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            One good way I’ve found to avoid conflict is first make a friend. Then ask the question: May I share with you--the good news about someone who loves us? Or, the best friend I know? Or, the opportunity of a lifetime? Or, how to get to Heaven?

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            Prayerfully trust God’s Spirit and share only when they answer affirmatively. Then graciously explain the Bible verses: Romans 5:8; 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-10. Then ask your friend if you could lead him or her in prayer to receive God’s gift of eternal life. Carry a pocket New Testament with these passages underlined and some gospel tracts.

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·        I don’t have time. Yes, we live busy lives but talk to people every day by phone, WWW, and everywhere we go. It’s just a matter of obedience. When we face Jesus, or in a century from now, the only thing that will matter is whether we spent time serving the Lord. What are your priorities?

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We are also to expose false religions and philosophies that align themselves against God (Deut. 13:1-4; 2 Cor. 10:3-5). We should contend without being contentious, give reasons without being argumentative, and show respect and understanding. Humbly admit we’re sinners too, knowing persons don’t like to admit sin (1 John 1:8-10). But unless persons acknowledge their sin, they won’t see any need for a Savior.

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These alleged reasons are rebellious, disobedient excuses. Keeping Christ’s word shows, we are in Him and love Him, especially when it requires study, prayer, concern and time (1 John 2:5). Join me as a GOOD NEWS MESSENGER sending these articles to others over the internet. Only one life and it will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.

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Courageous Witnesses, Or Faithless Cowards?

Courageous Witnesses, Or Faithless Cowards?

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Statistics show that most church members for decades who claim to be Christian believers in the Savior never tell anyone about the Lord Jesus Christ in our multicultural world. They fear being called ugly names, thought fanatic, extremists, troublemakers. They fear being asked questions they can’t answer. They fear rejection, job loss, persecution, maybe even martyrdom. They say it's the pastor's job and they're too busy.
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After His resurrection, Jesus said, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and 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 (Matthew 28:18-20).

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Are there good reasons to tell people about Jesus in spite of all these things? YES! A thousand times more reason. Can you dare to be honest and courageous?
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Tell People about Jesus because He Alone Is the unique God-man.
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Non-Christian religions are only subjective human opinions. They have no evidence they are of God. Moreover, they can’t show we are anything more than soulless dirt. Pantheists such as Hindus, Buddhists, Taoism, New Age, Unity, claim we have many lives based upon repeated changing seasons, human defects, and past life recall. These pantheists (monists) say the world is illusion so we’re just energy that assumes many forms (reincarnations). But it’s all human speculation better explained as the earth’s tilt circulating the sun, human genetic defects, and fantasizing. Ancient peoples lacked such knowledge.

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Islam is based upon Muhammad’s claim to be God’s final prophet having seen the angel Gabriel who told him the Qur'an. Nobody saw the angel but Muhammad. A crazy man could claim the same thing. In fact, centuries later Joseph Smith Jr. claimed he saw an angel and was God’s final prophet. Even when world religions claim miracles to make good their beliefs, the miracles are claimed not by eyewitnesses but by adoring disciples in writings centuries later that contradict the founders own claims. Now understand this: Non-Christian religions have nothing to show that their religious claims are anything more than human opinions and speculations.

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What’s different about Jesus? Many historical sources testify to Jesus being a real person. We have the six independent accounts: the Gospels, Acts and New Testament letters. Besides the New Testament, secular sources and church fathers testify as well. They even give us an outline of events in Jesus’ life. There’s more reason to believe in Jesus than believe in Plato and Tiberius Caesar whom no historian would question.

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But here is the vital point: Jesus claimed in many ways to be God. The Jews understood this and that’s why they said he blasphemed and why they crucified him. Furthermore, before eyewitnesses, Jesus walked on water, raised the dead, and immediately healed all kinds of diseases—only God’s power can do such things. He fulfilled ancient prophecies of the Jew’s Messiah, the great I Am or God. No such things exist in non-Christian literature or world religions. Jesus alone is God and spoke the truth of God—we know because he visibly demonstrated his deity before eyewitnesses who died to affirm it.

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Tell People about Jesus Since He Alone Gives Us Dignity, Rights, and Ethical Accountability. 

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Apart from Jesus, his death for our sins on the cross and his bodily resurrection, there is no evidence that we are more than soulless dirt. Neither atheism nor pantheist religions give us a basis for human dignity, rights, freedom or ethical accountability.

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As both a just and loving God, Jesus took our place on the cross to satisfy God’s justice and to show God’s love. Because Jesus arose from the dead, we have assurance of our most vital and basic human needs. First, we know there is life after death which is essential to all else. Second, we know the resurrected Jesus is the God-man who walked among us as he said. That being true all he said is absolute truth, not just human guesses as in non-Christian religions. Third, Jesus said the Scriptures were God’s Word and true. The Scriptures teach God created us rational, moral beings eternally accountable to God. That means we’re not just soulless dirt but persons of dignity, rights, and ethical accountability. And No world religions nor philosophy can assure us of that.
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Tell People about Jesus Because He Raises the Moral Status of Society

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Where Christian teaching prevails with its influence strongly felt, practices such as cannibalism, baby killing, slavery, abuse of women and children, immorality, adultery, illiteracy, and crime gradually diminish. People understand we’re not just soulless dirt to abuse and discard. We’re responsible to each other and are accountable to God who one day will judge our actions. In Christ human dignity, rights, ethics and responsibility make sense so there’s hope for achieving a better world.

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Where Christian teaching is believed and Christ’s influence felt, churches, schools, hospitals, orphanages, homes for the aged appear. Christians believe in helping people because we’re in God’s image—we count. God created a good and rational world we can understand, explore and enjoy. We have a basis for invention, logic, truth, philosophy, and experimental science. Christian beliefs inspire works of art as literature, poetry, and painting. Christ makes just and humane government and laws imperative as well since rulers are accountable to their people and to God.  

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Tell People about Jesus Because Believers Gain Present and Eternal Rewards

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Committed Christians naturally want to please the Lord who loves and saves them. They want to live lives of faith, love and obedience. They are happy to lead loved ones and friends to trust the Savior, see them grow in their spiritual and moral lives; see them become Christian leaders one day themselves. And they anticipate joy to hear Jesus say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Jesus said, “I am come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). It’s no profit to gain the whole world and lose your own soul. Only one life; it will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.

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Tell People about Jesus Because It May Save Them from Unending Torments in Hell.

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People ask how can God be love and have an eternal Hell of torments. Good question. People don’t want to acknowledge that a holy or perfect God and Heaven exist and that we are rebellious self-centered sinners unacceptable to God and unfit for Heaven. Honesty compels us to admit that we can’t live perfect lives; we justly deserve punishment. Each person’s daily rejections of God earn the torments he or she will receive in Hell. It’s all our free choice and God respects our dignity and grants our decision. If we don’t want God and his will on earth, God won’t force it on us but let us have our way apart from him in eternal darkness and torment. Prideful rebellious human nature apart from God never changes and can’t be allowed to corrupt God’s perfect Heaven.

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God shows his love in keeping his promise of providing an eternal pure Heaven to those who love and serve him. He too shows love to unbelievers by numerous witnesses—his Holy Spirit, logic, nature, conscience, the Bible, preachers, blessings, even plagues as warnings. Unbelievers are without excuse (John 7:17; Romans 2:1). He warns unbelievers, “If you don’t believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). We want our loved one and friends to die in Christ, not in sins to endure torment, darkness and despair alone eternally.

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Jesus warns believers as well, “Whosoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 9:38). I’m not ashamed. Are you? Our witness or lack thereof shows whether we are courageous witnesses or faithless cowards. Join me in being a GOOD NEWS MESSENGER to planet earth. Share these messages WWW and tell loved ones, friends, and neighbors. What a joy  it will be to hear Jesus say, "well done good, faithful servant" and meet the many persons our Lord used us to tell of Him who is life eternal.

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Clean Christian Jokes
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Christians can use good clean jokes as a means to gain a warm reception for the good news of Christ. Expressive body language and a surprise punch line ensure a good laugh and help establish friendships. I’ve found this true many times. But not knowing what jokes you might receive in return, it’s good to set the right relationship with a big friendly smile, introducing yourself and asking if your acquaintance would like to hear some good clean jokes. Almost invariable they do. Afterward, ask if you may share the greatest news you’ve ever heard. You have earned a chance to present the good news of Christ. Of course, always be in prayer for God’s grace, wisdom, leading and power. When appropriate, ask if you can lead your new friend in a definite prayer of commitment. Have him or her repeat phrases of the gospel. For example--

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---Lord, I’m a sinner deserving Hell. But you died on the cross to pay for all my sins and make me right with a perfect God. I trust you now to save me, make me a child of God, and give me your gift of eternal life. Thank you Lord. Amen (so be it). Share assurance passages—Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 16:31. Invite him or her to a Bible believing church or take them to yours. Give them a Bible if they need one.
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Young Girl Who Married Her Hero.
This young lady admired this young man for his broad shoulders. She thought I've got to have him to be my hero. So she married him and discovered he was as dumb as a brick! Her hero turned to zero.
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The lesson here is that we need to ask thoughtful relevant questions about our relationships, not jump into a relationship, and not let our emotions overwhelm and reason. We will learn things in marriage about our spouse that we may never think of in dating.
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Jesus Is Watching You. A man was robbing a house in the dark with his flashlight. He heard a voice behind him say, Jesus is watching you. He turned around but didn't see anyone. Continuing to put treasures in his bag he again heard the voice say, Jesus is watching you. Turning quickly around he saw a parrot in a cage. He thought it's just a dumb parrot. Again collecting items he heard, Jesus is watching you and felt a warm breath on his neck. Turning around quickly he saw this big black bull dog with big menacing white teeth snarling at him. Jesus truly was upon him.
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Yes, Jesus is watching and we all will see Him one day at the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive our rewards for service, or at the Great White Thrown that decides our just degree of punishment for preferring our way to the holy perfect will of God. I sincerely hope and pray you my friend, will choose Jesus who in love died to save us sinners. 
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THE MAN WITH THE HICCUPS.

This man in a crowd of people asked the guy next to him if he knew how to stop the hiccups’. He said yes he could help him and to come with him. He took him around the corner away from the crowd. Then he slapped the fire out of the man. With face stinging bewilderment, he asked why in the world did you do that? "To get rid of your hiccups," the man replied, “But it’s my wife who’s got the hiccups.” May I share some good news with you?

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No matter how well intentioned, we all make mistakes that can cause harm. We live in an imperfect world and can’t live a perfect life. The perfect God who created us knows all about it. That’s why we need his Son the Lord Jesus Christ to be our Savior. What we can’t do, the God-man demonstrated He can do for us. Jesus’ death in our place on the cross displayed God’s love and satisfied God’s justice. Only in trusting Christ can we be sure to one day have perfect bodies, live in a perfect world, and not make mistakes and sins even when not intentioned. My friend, would you like to make sure you enter this new world by trusting the Savior today? May I lead us in a commitment prayer of faith and repentance? Repeat these words after me if you really mean it.

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JONAH AND THE WHALE--GREAT FISH.

Student told teacher a whale swallowed Jonah. No, teacher said a whale couldn’t swallow a man.

Student said the Bible says the whale swallowed Jonah. Teacher said I don’t believe the Bible.

Student said Jesus said the fish swallowed Jonah. Teacher said I didn’t believe in Jesus.

Student said when I get to Heaven I’ll ask Jonah. Teacher said but what if Jonah went to Hell.

Student said then you ask him. My friend, may I share with you the greatest news I’ve ever heard?

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I’m no theologian who has all the answers. I know only that one day I trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. It made me a child of God and I have God’s assurance that when absent from this body, I will be with my Lord. And anyone who honestly admits his sinfulness and asks Christ to be his Lord and Savior, will find God’s forgiveness, peace and love are real. The Bible says all who call upon the Lord will be saved. Can I lead you in a prayer to be saved?” “Not today.” Then, thank you sir, for your time. May I give you this gospel tract?

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THE NICEST LITTLE LOVEBIRD.

Two ladies discussed their parakeets. One said she had the nicest little lovebird that has a wonderful vocabulary. He says, let’s pray. Let’s pray. Other lady said her bird has a terrible vocabulary. She says, “Let’s neck. Let’s neck.” First lady said she would bring her bird over to teach the other lady’s bird a better vocabulary. She did the next day. When she opened the cage doors, the male lovebird hopped up on the perch next to the female. He looked at her and she looked at him and said, “Let’s neck, let’s neck”. He said, “My prayers have been answered.” My friends, may I share with you the most wonderful loving thing I know?

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You know many persons have honestly acknowledged they fall far short of God’s perfect moral standard. And they offered this simply prayer with sincerity. Lord, I know I’m a sinner deserving hell. But the Lord Jesus in love died to save me from all my sins. Lord, right now I trust Jesus to save me, give me His gift of eternal life, make me a true child of God to live for and serve Him the rest of my life. Amen. This is the best thing of my life. I want to share Jesus with my loved ones and friends.

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AN EVIL MAN’S WALK IN THE WOODS.

This wicked man went for a walk in the woods and came upon this big ferocious bear. He was so scared he fell on his knees and prayed—“Lord if you’ll save me from this big ferocious bear, I’ll trust in Jesus and try to be a good Christian”. Looking up he saw the bear with folded hands and bowed head praying. The sinner said, “never mind Lord it’s a Christian bear”. Then he heard the bear pray thank you Lord for bringing this good meal to me today. My friends, may I share with you the best news ever? It wonderfull changed my life.

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We don’t know when our end will come. But we can know we will go to live in the new Heaven on the new earth. Quote First John 5:11-13 and Revelation 21:4. Now Roman 6:23 says it all.

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THE POST-MODERN CHURCH.

A Bible believing seminary student on school break attended a post-modern church. He knew he had made a mistake when he heard the pastor say, "All religious beliefs were true." The seminary student squirmed in his seat feeling most uncomfortable. The pastor again assured his congregation that all religious beliefs were in fact true. Sermon over, the student hoped to slip quietly out the door unnoticed. But the pastor grabbed him, gave him a bear hug, and asked if he lived in the area. The student said, “No sir, I’m a seminary student attending your church during school break.” “Seminary student, wonderful!” said the pastor. And what do you believe young man.” “I’d rather not say sir," was his reply. Oh, you can tell me the pastor insisted, “I believe all religious beliefs are true.” “Alright then” the student respectfully leaned toward the pastor and whispered, “Sir, I believe you are going to hell.” Shocked and red faced, the pastor said, “Well, I guess I don’t believe all religious beliefs are true after all.” That's true of all who don't know Jesus. And, we can show people the way to heaven and eternal life. What greater news is there in all the world?

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Apart from the Bible’s God visibly shown to us in the God-man, Jesus Christ, we have no assurance we’re anymore than perishing animals. God, absolute truth, freedom, human dignity, moral standards, life after death, and ultimate purpose of life are crucial human needs. But, we know they are true only if Jesus, the God-man, died for our sins on the cross and arose again. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). That’s not our way, but it’s God’s way. And all who trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior from sin find it’s true. We can be God's faithful servants just telling others about this blog.

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THE MAN WHO FELL OFF A CLIFF.

Standing at the edge of a cliff with a two-hundred foot drop, Adam admired the beautiful scene below. Suddenly the rocky edge gave way and he felt himself plunging to his death. He grabbed a hanging limb and held on for dear life. Looking up he called. “Is there anybody up there who can save me?” “Yes, a powerful voice said I’m the Lord and I can save you.” “Thank you Lord, throw me a rope, yelled the doomed man.” But the Lord said, “To save you, you must TRUST ME AND DO WHAT I SAY”. “Oh yes, I’ll do whatever You say Lord. “ Then let go of the limb,” said the Lord.” After some hesitation, the limb hanger said, “Is there anybody else up there that can save me? Of course, it’s a fearful thing to trust the Lord. My friends, May I share with you what I’ve discovered in thinking about this subject?

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I know it’s scary to trust God. But I’ve discovered many good reasons to do so. Jesus left Heaven to show us God is love and really cares about our well-being. And since He experienced trial and temptations similar to us, He understands our needs. He defeated every evil and promised that in Him, we can too. The greatest love anyone can show is to give their life for another—that’s what Jesus did for us even as imperfect unworthy sinners. Nothing in this world is worth having or doing, if we lose our own soul. I trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He’s given me forgiveness of sin and assurance of heaven. Wouldn’t you also like to trust Jesus to receive His forgiveness and gift of eternal life? I can lead us in a prayer of commitment. (Have him or her repeat phrases of the gospel after you as given above in green. Then give her\him this blog address so he can share how to learn Bible teaching and share this good news with the world.) Your doing that will count more with God and for eternity than having the winning lottery ticket.
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 A Boy and A Dog.
Upon coming to the store, Mr. Assume saw a boy sitting in a chair beside the door and a dog lying beside him. He casually asked, "Son, does your dog bite." The body looked him in the eye and answered, "No sir, my dog doesn't bite." Mr. Assume reached out to pet the dog who bit his hand. Surprised! his hand drew back, "You said your dog doesn't bite." The boy said, "That's not my dog."
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Can we make some false assumptions? Consider these examples: Nothing can evolve into everything, so no eternal self-existent Creator exists.  A Creator of the universe wouldn't take human form as Jesus to tell us He loves us. No heaven and hell exist. Death means our spirits die with our bodies.  We can earn our way to heaven by being good. A little sin won't keep us from heaven. Jesus was just a good man. Christians can furnish evidence all these examples are false assumptions not true. Check it out in the articles in this blog.

 Dear friend, won't you bow your head and say this in your heart--Lord Jesus, I trust you now and forever to be my Savior, Lord, and Guide throughout life. Amen.
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 Now get a Bible and study it to learn God's will for your life. And, meet to worship with God's people to be encouraged and show your faith is real. You can share these blog articles with others and lead them to know the Savior. You can even link them to your blog. In reading and sharing them, we not only learn answers to the crucial questions of life, not only have logical factual evidence absent in other faiths, but we can win others to the Lord, and make this a better world. We may one day rejoice to meet others on heaven's streets and discover God used us to introduce them to the Savior. What could be better? Praise God! Lord, bless and use this Your servant's ministry.
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Please understand: I don't write all my articles the same way (genre), or at the same specified length of time. My older articles are good too. I depend upon God's way, God's time, God's glory. Please pray with me that they be God's articles and God's will--I'm human. Thank you.
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Dear friends, please, please, please help me by giving others the address of these blog articles. I greatly need U to help me tell your friends and for them to tell their friends. I'm limited to the few friends I know in my immediate area. If they don't share the life giving message, it stops with us--we may go to Heaven and others who could not go at all. We have the greatest opportunity in the history of the world to share God's love in Christ through modern technology. Playing computer games and idle chit chat is fun, but being computer missionaries is what will count at the judgement seat of Christ and for all eternity. Others use the computer for evil, let's use it for good. Thank you for your commitment and courage. "Lord, bless your faithful computer missionaries with abundant fruit."
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