Jesus' Resurrection Is Humanity's Only Hope!

                Jesus' Resurrection Is Humanity's Only Hope!

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#Resurrection
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We see life, intelligence, and purpose all around us, and since it's impossible for a nonexistent universe to created itself, all must be the effect of a great intelligence and will we rightfully call God. But once we admit a personal creator of the universe, we have opened the door to everything in the Bible and Christian faith. All this becomes possible--the Trinity, the devil, angels, fulfilled prophecies, miracles, the incarnate Christ, His atonement, Heaven and Hell.
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Further, the incarnate Christ is our authority--our only authority--for absolute truth, human dignity, ethics, rights, equality, justice, love, a rational and purposeful world, and objective science. All fits within the circle of a personal creator God. And it all rests upon the reality of the resurrected Christ. It in turn eliminates all atheistic humanisms and pantheistic religions.
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Jesus "presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3; see also 2:22-39; 17:30-31; Luke 1:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:3-8; 2 Peter 1:16 )." See my other articles for evidence of Jesus resurrection: Is There Life After Death? Did Jesus Arise from the Tomb? Recent Theories to Disprove Jesus' Resurrection.
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Worldviews have a tremendous impact upon our everyday lives. We may not be aware of or understand  secularism, humanism, pantheism, pragmatism, and others, but  their implications drastically decide what we believe and how we behave for happiness or harm, good or evil. So it becomes crucial that we be concerned with them and their consequences. Jesus resurrection is the foundation and major evidence for biblical Christianity. If Jesus arose from the grave, Christianity has consequences for our world and our lives that no other way of thinking possibly could. Please consider its central tenant:
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 Jesus died to save us from the penalty of our sins, arose to make us right with God, and every knee will one day kneel before Him to confess He is Lord. What then in life really matters that we should give it our time, energy and attention? This article attempts to explain the crucial implications of Jesus' resurrection for our world and our personal lives. Consider these five applications. 

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1. Jesus' resurrection declared Him to be the Son of God and the God-man. He was declared to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:4). As such all he says and approves becomes authoritative and a must for our lives. There can be no higher authority. And Jesus put his approval on both the books of the Old Testament (Luke 24:27, 44) and the New that he knew were yet to be written (John 14:25-26; 16:13). The church is built upon the foundation of his apostles and eyewitnesses who gave their lives to testify to its truth (Ep2:20).
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 Jesus acknowledged people are made in the image of God (Matt. 19:4; Mark 10:6; Gen. 1:27). This assures that everyone before God has the same dignity, value and deserves equal rights, and freedom to do God's will. There can be no discrimination due to race, color, gender, social status, caste, tribe, location, or otherwise (Acts 17:26; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11).  Now consider some of his teaching.
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When Jesus finished the Sermon of the Mount he declared he alone fulfilled the law and his Word would not pass away (Matt. 5-7). Moreover, as God, he expanded his law to what's most basic--it's  not just the outward evil act, but the inward good attitude to prevent evil whether it be murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, love, good deeds, prayer, fasting, wealth, judging and faith requests. There can be no more practical ethical maxim that his Golden Rule: "Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets (7:12).
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 And just before his ascent into Heaven, he said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age" (Matt. 7:18-20).  

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2. Jesus' resurrection revealed His power over death and our afterward destiny. He said there were two ways of life--the way to destruction and the way to life which few find. When he ended his saying, the people were astonished because he taught them having authority and not as the scribes" (Matt. 7:13-14). Two vital messages of his authority are (1) Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).  (2) Some persons "will  go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life" (Matt. 25:24).

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3. Jesus' resurrection demonstrated His supremacy over human religions and philosophies. Founders of human religions taught us some important truths. Buddha showed compassion for others in pain. Zoroaster realized there were two great forces good and evil in conflict. Confucius gave us wisdom in how we should be courteous and respectful to each other. Muhammad realized there could be only one God as a great Creator and Lawgiver. But where are all these greats today? They're dead! Only Jesus arose and that makes all the difference in the world.

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We have had great philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Decartes, Kant, and others who made a vital impact upon the world. But they are limited human beings, understand things only partially, often contradict each other and can never agree.  For example, determinism verses freedom, matter verses mind. In the Father and Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col . 2:3).
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4. Jesus' resurrection confirmed God's providence throughout history.  The Bible differs in crucial ways from other sacred books. It presents world history in sequence from creation to recreation. It's not mythical stories of gods dwelling in some inaccessible place, but factual history of real people and events occurring in Israel, Egypt, Iraq, Greece, Italy. God interacts with people in visual physical ways we can see and know such as miracles, predicted events that transpire, God's visitations and conversations with people. Its events are dated, and artifacts found testify to its persons, places, events that are collaborated in secular history. The Bible shows great diversity in 40 writers, their styles, genre, occupations, personalities, locations over 1,500 years, yet it contains a unity of themes, ethics and plan of redemption amidst such great diversity. History is His story. Hebrews sums it up well:
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"God who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." Hebrews 1:1-3.

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5. Jesus' resurrection provides for our redemption, resurrection and reward. If we fail to acknowledge a personal ethical God who holds us accountable for our actions, there is little if anything we can call wrong--the only law in an animal world is survival, it's eat and be eaten. Even the so-called "new atheists" recognize that the liberal's God accommodated to the unbelieving secular world doesn't really matter. The only God who matters is the supernatural personal ethical God who will judge us. Jesus' resurrection is our only sure hope of eternal life.
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John the baptizer's advise is to look to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). And John the apostle warns us that no corrupt thing shall enter the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:27). "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still, he who is holy, let him be holy still" (Rev. 21:11-12).  Then Jesus says, "behold I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me, to give every one according to his work (Rev. 21:13). "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7).
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 My dear reader, are you ready for Jesus' return? Do you know Him? There can be no greater love than His giving His life for us unworthy sinners. Won't you say yes! I trust you Lord Jesus to save me now, and forever be my Guide. And I'll tell others about you. You can share these articles with friends and loved ones. Just link them to your computer. God bless you and your ministry. You will help them learn the Bible and learn of the Savior.
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Do Chrfistians Have the Right to Proclaim Their Faith?

                      
             Do Christians Have the Right to Proclaim Their Faith?

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Persons today say these things are true. A loving God would never send anybody to hell. There is no absolute truth. It's my right to believe and do as I please. Restrictions should not be placed on the way people enjoy sex. Muslim men defending their faith killing Jews and Christians are more likely to go to paradise and have many virgins. And they can use their own women and childen as human shields in warfare. Christianity is a dangerous violent religion. We should be tolerant of other people's beliefs. Jesus was only a wise man like Confucius. Nothing can evolve into everything. If others can say what they believe, don't Christians have the same human right to speak their beliefs? Indeed, unless we have open discussion of our beliefs we can't be sure we know the truth.

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If Christians hearing such Biblically destructive views remain silent about their Christian beliefs, how long do you think they will have any Christian beliefs? If non-Christians have a right to their beliefs, shouldn't Christians have that same right? After all, if one human has rights, then all would as well. We're told to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

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Now Christian beliefs cannot be demonstrated in a deductive mathematical way nor in a scientific experiment. In other words, Christianity can't be proved in the same way as 2 + 2 = 4 or that two parts of hydrogen mixed with one part oxygen will give you water every time--it requires faith. But non-Christian beliefs require faith as well. Any system of belief requires honest open consideration of the evidence offered in its behalf. Christians believe they can show objective logical factual evidence in its behalf whereas non-Christian belief systems, or worldviews cannot. I can only briefly mention reasons in this article. See my other articles for greater discussion and evidence. 

                             Consider these Teachings of Christian Faith.

1. God caused the universe. It is illogical for the universe to cause itself. What doesn't exist can't explode into everything. So this dependent material universe is the effect of an eternal, self-existent, unchangeable, powerful, Spiritual Mind and Will or what we know as person. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1.

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2. God is a Spirit Being. Since we now know the material universe had a beginning, its cause must be an immaterial or Spirit Being as Biblical Christians believe. Thus we can't expect experimental science to find God by mixing chemicals, or by observing Him through a microscope, telescope or other instruments.  This doesn't mean God doesn't exist, it means God may be known by other means. Honest seekers of truth won't deny this, and it is in our best interest to give God honest open inquiry. God's promise: "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13. See also Matthew 7:7-8 and Hebrews 11:6.

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3. God is beyond our full comprehension. How many elements exist, how they work together, and a million other things are yet mysteries in this utterly complex universe. Certainly the Creator who sustains  them is greater yet, and would be way beyond our mind's comprehension. To sustain all creation, God would have to be everywhere, know everything and have all power. So we cannot prescribe in advance what God cannot be or do which may include surprises. For example, Christians believe God has make Himself known as One God in three persons namely Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that this is taught throughout the Bible, i.e. Isaiah 63:7-10; Matthew 28:19. Further, that God has taken on a human body and nature and walked among us both telling us who He is and demonstrating His deity (John 1:1-3, 14). "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isiah 55:9. Jesus said, "I and My Father are One" John 10:30-33.
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4. God is the Author of absolute truth and righteousness. We can say this as God is the universe's Creator, Controller, and Owner. God's absolute morally perfect nature and will is the deciding factor of everything. If the universe always existed and was eternally in flux, we could not say this. Truth and righteousness would then be relative as many atheists claim. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Genesis 18:25. "Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments" Rev. 16:7.
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5. Human conscience and compassion point to God. Conscience makes no sense unless there is a personal ethical God who knows everything about us and will one day require we give account of our lives. We can deny our conscience or try to explain it away or overlook it when we see wrongs done to others. But let someone treat us unjustly and we're quick to protest. It's not what we say but how we act that confirms our conscience. Yet our conscience can be seared as with a hot iron becoming inoperative (1 Timothy 4:2). All the useless wars, killings and using people for human shields prove this. "The Gentiles . . . show the work of  the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, . . . in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus according to my (Paul's) gospel." Romans 2:15-16.
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6. The all knowing holy God will one day judge our every thought, word and deed. Saying there's no judgment and no hell or that God is evil to forbid certain acts we may find pleasurable amounts to a claim of having all knowledge. Isn't it a bit silly to think anyone can have more knowledge than the One who designed the universe and our bodies and minds to work in a certain way? Separating love from justice leads to the destruction of both. Without a righteous God and judgment, morality has no meaning, anything is permitted (Proverbs 14:12; Psalm 14:1). "I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God . . . and the dead were judged according to their works. Revelation 20:12.
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7. It's God's prerogative to say who goes to His heaven and why. No doubt you've heard the claim there are many ways to heaven or all persons go to heaven eventually. Now I ask how does one know that? Some religions believe neither in a personal God nor in heaven. Could this claim be based upon ignorance of world religions and false assumptions of an imperfect tolerant God and of goodness in man? Like a virus even one sin allowed into heaven would infect the whole. "There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Revelation 21:27.
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8. God entered world history as Jesus Christ. Philosophers such as Bertrand Russell can deny it but only show their prejudice. Besides the Bible secular writers furnish enough facts to outline many of the events in Jesus' life. More is known about Jesus than about undoubted persons such as Plato or Tiberius Caesar. The impact of Christ set the dates for the Western World. Further, it's simply impossible to extract the supernatural claims and elements in Jesus' life without rendering their historical content nonsense. Many eyewitnesses heard Jesus' claims to be God that were confirmed by His fulfilling ancient prophecies and performing multiple miracles. And many died in testimony that Jesus is in fact the God-man from heaven and the Savior of all who trust in Him (John 1:1-3, 14: 14:6). "The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven." 1 Cor. 15:47.
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9. God's entrance requirement to heaven is faith in Jesus alone. Turning from sin that God hates to trust His Son who paid for our sin on the cross is God's way. Good deeds, being a good person, being sorry for sin doesn't make us perfect or holy before God nor fit for a perfect heaven. We can do good deeds with selfish motives, still have a rebellious heart, still not know or understand God's laws. We can't undo our bad deeds. And if we could get to heaven doing good deeds, Jesus never would have to be crucified. God's only way is Jesus. "A man is not justified by works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ" (Gal. 2:16). "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.
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10. Mindless molecules can't arrange themselves into men. No matter how much time takes place, stuff never produces order. Gardens uncared for become useless weeds. Life doesn't pop into being from non-life. Further, genetic limits won't allow life forms to become different forms.  If it were so we would see it happening today everywhere. If it happened in the past we would see it in countless  fossils in the geological record. Fact is that life forms appear and disappear in the geological column no different. The universe is running down, not building up. An impossible gap exists between man and the other animals (1 Cor. 15:38-39).  Can't we give all these facts open unbiased consideration? "God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness." Genesis 1:26
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11. The Creator of man's mind and body surely can communicate with him.  Deconstruction, reconstruction, or claiming the plain obvious meaning of a text means what you want it to mean is neither scholarship nor honesty. C.S. Lewis, who has studied and written myths and fables throughout his literary career, says his critics misunderstand his stories. Biblical events and miracles are written as sober history accepted as true by later biblical writers and by Jesus. Those who claim subjective interpretation expect us to accept it of other writers but to take them literally. "God spoke all these words, saying: I am the Lord your God, who brought you  out of the land of Egypt" Ex. 20:1-2. Jesus said, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead." Luke 16:31.
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12.  The Bible is God's final revelation. God gave us his Word to guide his people. He has confirmed it by multiple fulfilled prophecies and miracles. His true prophets and apostles endorsed one another. So all centuries later self-claimed prophets that contradict, alter, or abrogate God's previous message are false prophets and deceivers. They claim their teacher has additional revelation that supersedes the Bible. They often deceive using Christian terms with their own meanings. They deny the Trinity, Christ's deity, atonement, hell and set dates for Christ's return.

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13. The Bible says Christians are to defend their faith. Jude exhorts us to contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Several passages speak of this--Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Cor. 9:3; Phil. 1:7, 17; 2 Tim. 4:16. We're to be committed unto the Lord "and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." 1 Peter 3:15-16.   

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14. Defending Christian faith brings tremendous benefits. We're to glorify God in all we do and defending the faith does that big time (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17). Giving objective logical factual evidence strengthens the faith of believers (Acts 1:3). Second century apologists corrected  pagan charges of atheism, incest and cannibalism as Christians were thought to eat the body of Christ. Misunderstandings of persons both within the church and without need correction.
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Christians who never try to win others to Christ and live in an unchallenged environment may not see the need for apologetics. But their children attending secular schools likely will turn from the faith if not given good answers to the challenges they encounter.Winning persons to Christ is difficult when Christians can't give an intelligent response to someone's honest questions. Jesus is our mentor in defending Scripture (Luke 24:46-47).  Peter said,"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matt. 16:16.
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15. Fulfilled prophecy is one unanswerable evidence. We can make bets on who will win the ball game, but its uncertain. The Bible tells of future events short range so those living at the time can know it's of God as 20 signs given Saul that he would be anointed king (1 Sam. 10). It also tells of future events to occur centuries later so people living then can know they are of God such as Messiah's virgin birth, place of birth, sinlessness, death for sinners, and resurrection. Fulfilled prophecy doesn't exist in non-biblical religions. These events showed Jesus is Israel's Messiah and they can't be explained away. The great Jewish Messianic scholar, Dr. Alfred Edersheim, in his book, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah lists in his appendix 456 O.T. passages ancient Jewish writers applied to their coming Messiah. "Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27.
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16. Miracles are a sure defense in their biblical context of prophetic credentials and claims. Jesus claimed to be  the bread of life when he fed the 5,000, to be the resurrection and life when He raised Lazarus, to be from heaven and He ascended into heaven before many witnesses. The claim Jesus walked on water would destroy science is nonsense. To call events natural doesn't discredit miracles--in fact it's necessary to recognize an exceptional event as a miracle. Nature's laws are subject to nature's Lord and there can be no law God can't use miracles any time it suits His purposes. Witnesses of Christ's miracles were always astonished which shows they were well aware of nature's laws. Skeptics must disprove God to disprove miracles. Jesus said, "This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He sent" (John 6:29).  Jesus is the God-man sent from heaven (Jn. 3:13, 6:33).
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17. Jesus' sinlessness is unique. He was virgin born and overshadowed by the Holy Spirit to prevent corrupting his human nature (Matt. 1:18-24; Luke 1:26-37). Like us, he was tempted at all points only He never sinned. He explained sin clearly as moral impurity of heart--evil thoughts, thefts, false witness, blasphemies, adulteries, deceit, murder (Matt. 15:19; Mk. 7:21). Twelve disciples who observed him more than three years said he committed no sin. This can't be said of any other esteemed person--not Buddha, Confucius, Zoroaster, Moses, Muhammad. Jesus dared to challenge his hostile critics to convict him of sin and they could not (John 8:46). This evidence has a momentous explanation: "He (God the Father) made Him who knew no sin (Jesus Messiah) to be (counted or imputed) sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21.
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18. Jesus died to pay for our sins. It's all about God's grace and glory and nothing we can do or goodness we don't have (Eph. 2:8-9). God alone decides how He will save sinners and if there were any other way than Jesus paying the penalty for us, he would never have had to be crucified. "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." 1 Peter 3:18.
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19. Jesus arose again to make us acceptable to God and fit for heaven. Apart from the resurrection humanity would be without God and without hope. Jesus' resurrection assures us that there is life after death, that we human beings have dignity, that how we believe and behave counts as we will give account of our lives to God, and that  the world is rational and achieving God's purposes. We have the choice of life with our loving God or without Him in eternal darkness, tears, and torments. Skeptics through the centuries have desperately tried to disprove the resurrection but don't even come close. "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57.
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20. Christian faith can't be explained away as delusions of the mind. Can God put thoughts in our minds? I don't see any way to show it impossible. Bible says both God and the devil can (Matt. 16:16-17; Acts 5:5). We dare not follow these Satanic delusions: Nietzsche said belief in God is dead and Christianity makes us weaklings. Darwin implied God is unnecessary and we are perishing animals. Marx's theory of economic equality makes us slaves in poverty under government oppression. Freud claimed faith in God a delusion of fatherly comfort.  Jesus promised the devil and death would not prevale against His Church  (Matt. 16:18; Heb. 2:14). I've read the back of the book that says the former things will pass away and God will make a new heaven and a new earth and live with his people in righteousness forever (Revelation 21). Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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All the evidence in the world cannot convince someone against their will. Evidences are tools to open our mind but only God can save us. Pray that God's Spirit will convict our sinful world and the Father will draw people to the point of trusting Christ (John 6:44; 16:8-11).  We can have a head knowledge but apart from God's gracious invitation reject Christ altogether (1 Cor. 2:14; John 1:12-13). May you be faithful and fruitful to declair and defend the Christian biblical faith boldly and lovingly and to confirm it in consistent godly living. Amen. God bless.
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Please feel free to link my blog to yours so that others you introduce to it may be won to Christ, or be strengethend in Christian faith and understanding. This is the most crucial thing we can do for others and to make a better world. Again, God bless you in your work of faith and labor of love ministry. By telling our friends and circles over the internet we reach people in countries all over the world with the message of life, hope, and love that only salvation in Christ can give.
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See comment and articles below & on right side. God bless.

Does Tolerance Have Limits?

                                Does Tolerance Have Limits?

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George was shocked to read in the newspaper of a new law allowing people to have sex with animals as long as the animals were their own and not stolen. It seemed to him that law put human beings on an even lower level than the animals. While walking through the meat market, Sue gasped to see real people on meat hooks being sold for food along with chickens and pigs. She asked the owner how he could do such a thing. He replied that people taste good when cooked and seasoned right and that they supply the nutrition our bodies need better than any other animal. Tolerance, tolerance, tolerance--that's the buz word today.

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Is morality merely a matter of individual perspective? Must governments arbitrary force unethical laws upon us? Will a prophet or dictator arise to force his God's way upon us as his slaves, or put us to death? Have we no way to verify good from evil? Will waring dictators turn our world over to the rats and roaches? It seems to be rapidly moving in this direction. I believe God has given us moral laws and will hold us accountable. Will you give my position in these four principles honest open consideration? Have you really thought out the consequences of tolerance?

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A Created Universe Supports Every Bible Teaching Beginning with A Personal Ethical God. We know the universe is composed of  all these things: matter, energy, life, consciousness, intelligence and will. We couldn't discuss it if it isn't true. We know also the universe is expanding, running down in usable energy, that we can regress only to its beginning point, and that it all depends on a greater cause outside itself. The universe had a beginning and a beginner--it's irrational to suppose it had no cause meaning nothing caused everything.
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That greater outside starting and sustaining cause must be an eternal, self-existing, unchangeable, immensely powerful intelligence and will. It is what we can call a personal Being or God. Further, as Creator, Sustainer and Owner of His universe God's will is law supreme and decisive. Now this fits well with the Bible's personal ethical God. Moreover, only one Almighty can exist.
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In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good (1:31). God made Adam first and Eve from Adam being the mother of all living (3:20). It's absurd to talk in genes and cells that no one would understand until modern times. God made only man in His image and likeness with dominion over His other creations that reproduced after their kind (1:25-6; 9:6).
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All the Bible agrees with this including Christ the God-man (Gen. 2:21-22; 5:2; Psalms 8:4-6; 100:3; 1 Cor.11:7-9; 15:38-39; Matt. 19:4; Mark 10:5-6; Luke 11:50; John 17:5; Rom. 1:19-25). Dr. Geisler (Systematic Theology, Vol. 2. pg. 632)  lists 300 Bible references to Creation. It's clear the biblical writers had no concept of a mindless evolutionary process nor of thestic evolution. They believed in a living, loving, moral Creator God.
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Now can we be fair and open minded about evolution, the alternative to creation? That everything arose from nothing by chance over time simply doesn't correspond with the facts. Molecules to genes is an impossible jump. Molecules have no consciousness, life, mind or will that they can arrange themselves into life forms, not even in fifteen billion years. Like the Bible says things reproduce after their own kind. We can see many varieties of dogs, horses, monkeys, and men but never see dogs turning into horses or monkeys evolving into men. If animals are changing into other animals, shouldn't we see thousands of such examples everywhere today? Are we for tolerance for  everything except what may be the truth?
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 Let's face it, the gene pool won't allow it. And if it happened in the past we should see thousands of skeleton examples but we have only a few disputed specimens. Life forms appear and later disappear in the geological strata unchanged. Furthermore, there's no living animals with a partially formed digestive system or partially developed heart or lungs--everything at the outset must be completely formed and functional. And, no experiment proves evolution. So, if it all points to God and creation, why can't we be honest about it? Isn't  true science supposed to conclude what the facts suggest? Do we  have tolerance for these real facts of science?
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God Has Acted Decisively in our World So We Can Know of His Presence. If an all-powerful, eternal Spirit exists everywhere even surrounds us this very moment, how could we know it? I suggest three ways. One is if God's prophets predict unknowable events that occur--like Jesus said Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed (Matt. 26:33; 69-74). Or, Samuel listed 20 signs Saul  would shortly experience verifying his being anointed king (1 Sam. 10).  Such unknowable fulfillment about persons, nations, and Israel's Messiah show God's knowledge and presence with us. Tolerance required we give this our honest consideration.
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Another way is that God's messenger's do things normally impossible for nature or man to do such as immediately heal visible diseases or raise the dead. Miracles that defy nature's patterns abound in Scripture. The third way is for God Himself to appear to us, tell us in many ways He is our God and demonstrate both the above ways. This too Jesus, the God-man, did by healings, nature miracles, accepting worship, forgiving sins, commanding angels, showing divine attributes, and being transformed as light before His disciples. What more could we ask?  See my articles on Christ.
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Talking about visible tests, Jesus miracles and prophecies serves that need and history is valid testimony. If we know we can accurately record events that transpire a day in our lives, that record would be true the next day and be no less true ten thousand years later. Jesus' apostles died torturous deaths in testimony there writings were true. Historians may accept two independent sources as verifying an event; the four Gospels, Acts, and the epistles are six independent sources verifying that Jesus is in fact the God-man. Honest mention of apostles faults and minor differences in the accounts further prove their integrity. More is known about Jesus historically than other persons such as Plato and Tiberius Caesar. Secular writers even give a sketch of events in His life corresponding to the Bible. See my other articles on history, prophesy, and miracles for more details.
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Saying there is no God who can act in our world is not science--it's the dogmatic assumption of a closed mind. Honest science seeks the truth wherever it is found. No world religion but biblical Christianity furnishes such supernatural empirical evidence. It's absurd to ask Jesus to appear to every generation, do some miracles and die again on the cross so we can take pictures of it all for posterity? Jesus said that if we won't believe Moses and the prophets, neither will we believe if someone arose from the dead (Luke 16:31). Ironically, His resurrection is the best evidence of who He is mentioned in both secular and biblical history. Though brilliant skeptics have done their best to disprove it, or explain it away, they have not. See my articles on Jesus' resurrection.
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God Has Given His Laws of How We Should Live and Will Hold Us Morally Accountable. Unlike many books, the Bible records both the noble efforts of God's heroes and their blemishes. It gives examples of how God uses righteous followers and how He punishes unrighteous ones and even uses them to punish His own people to awaken them to their sad end. God sends angels, prophets, apostles, evangelists, plagues, good seasons, great blessings, anything to get our attention and show us we need the Lord. We will be governed either by the loving God or by evil lying tyrants who likely will show us no tolerance.
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God's nature demands moral purity of us: "Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God" (1 John 3:10). Nothing impure will be allowed into heaven (Rev. 21:27). Jesus said, "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man" (Matt. 15:19). Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). A head knowledge won't save us. Jesus said, "You must be born again" meaning God must take up residence in us to enable us to live for Him(John 3:7). Jesus is God and God loves us enough to tell us the truth.
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Jesus as the Savior and Lord of us Sinners is the Starting Point. Jesus is God come into our world to save us (Luke 19:10; John 1:1-3, 14; Phil. 2:5-11). As God, He alone provides our authority, truth, dignity, freedom, morality, justice, love, ultimate purpose, and eternal life beyond the grave. Why deceive ourselves with other options that can't satisfy?  Who loves us enough  to volunteer to suffer the indignities the Savior did for us?  He was ridiculed, cursed, slapped, beaten beyond recognition, crucified naked before glaring crowds to take away our sin, make us right before a perfect God, and give us entrance into a land more beautiful and wonderful than we can ever imagine?
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Do we prefer some demonized Hitler to humiliate and destroy us, our people and our land rather than Jesus? Without Jesus it can become an insane world with no limits to what it will tolerate. Human conscience and compassion can become inoperative--believe it! (Lev. 18:21-24; 1 Tim. 4:2). I beg you to trust in the only One who really loves us and can make all things new. If we don't bow to Him now in love, we will  bow one day in tears and judgment (Rom. 14:11-12). Say, Lord Jesus I trust You now to cleanse me from all sin and enable me to live that holy life pleasing to You until You come for me or I die and go to You. I  won't be degraded by when others I don't show tolerance. I want your way, not the way of tolerance that is displeasing to You.
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Now tell everybody you can about the Savior. You may download this blog, tweet it, and send it to a lost and dying world on it's way to hell. This is the best thing we can do for others and to make a better world. Thank you and God bless you sincerely my dear reader. You may link my blog with yours and help others find God's love in Christ. Just check file then save and send in upper left corner.



Myths about & Realities of Heaven

                          Myths about & Realities of Heaven

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The Bible mentions three heavens. One is the atmosphere around the earth or our sky. Another is outer space where the planets and stars are. The third is the abode of God. It may be some place in space or in another dimension--we don't know.
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In this article I will discuss some myths or popular misconceptions about the new heaven on the new earth. Then the realities are things we're accustomed to on earth that will be missing in heaven greatly to our benefit. God has promised to make all things new. Praise God! 

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The Myths.

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Myth that heaven's inhabitants just sit on a cloud playing a harp. That's the Hollywood fantasy. It conveys the notion that there's nothing to do eternally but sit on a cloud playing a harp. But the Bible says God is always active doing great things and we will be also in service to Him and enjoying it always (Rev.22:3).  Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life and that they have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Don't allow Hollywood demons to deceive you.

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Myth that heaven is an unchallenging, dull, boring place. That's like mistaking heaven for a kind of hell. As God is the Source of all goodness and love, heaven is the most beautiful, exciting, sociable fulfilling place our Lord prepared for us (John 14:1-4). It's paradise restored even more exquisite than original Eden. We will see angels, meet loved ones again, and rejoice with persons God used us to minister to and bring to Christ. Though Paul was taken to the third heaven, God wouldn't let him tell of its wonders beyond human imagination. They will be part of our joyous service to our loving Lord.
The alternative is darkness and aloneness, except perhaps in hearing the despairing moans, cries, and torments of all who rejected God, His goodness and love.
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Myth that heaven is only a place of rest and contemplation. Yes, there is a heavenly rest, but it's not referring to idleness but rest from all the persecutions, tribulations, and sufferings the evil Satanic world system and its followers have inflicted upon God's people trying to live for Him (2 Thessalonians 1:4-9). Rather, it will be God's new world order.

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Myth that heaven's only idealistic escapism. We naturally want to escape injustices, frustrations, failures and troubles of this life?  Strong believers in heaven work for a better world here and receive great reward there (Hebrews 11; Matthew 5:11-12).  See my four articles on Christian Heroes. But willful rejecters of God  here, to their horror find the torments of hell with  their father, the devil, inescapable (John 8:44-45). God loves us enough to tell us the truth.

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Myth that heaven has dull music. Mark Twain, the American humorist, said heaven's music would be the same dull hymn repeatedly. I don't believe he was in any position to know and I suspect he may now wish he could be within the sound of heaven's music. Heaven's music like everything else will be designed to give God's people's greater fulfillment than they ever could imagine. It won't be sensual music to excite and entice us to do evil, but  praise and rejoicing music expressing love and gratitude for all the goodness of our Lord. Heaven's alternative will be the moans, cries, and agonies of unholy rejection, lost opportunities and painful experiences amidst God's wrath (John 3:36: Matt. 8:12). Atheist philosopher, Bertrand Russel, said life ends in unyielding despair. Even worse, the despair is unending! But in Jesus, heaven's alternative is a loving God with His redeemed people.
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                                         When we've been there ten thousand years,
                                               Bright shining as the sun,
                                        We've no less days to sing God's praise,
                                              Than when we'd first begun.

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Myth that Peter guards the pearly gates. How many jokes have we heard about meeting St. Peter at the pearly gates? This is a fantasy based upon Matthew 16:18-19. Peter himself, explains that Christ is the Church's foundation (Acts 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:4-10; 3:18; 1 Cor. 3:11) and head (1 Pet. 2:25; Eph. 5:23).  Every church has authority to discipline its erring members (Matthew 18:15-18).

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Myth that believers become angels with halos and wings. In no place does Scripture say that. Even the angels that appear to men are not described with wings. But in new bodies like Jesus, we may be able to go through doors and quickly appear in other places. God is good. 

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Myth that time shall be no more. I love that old hymn that says "When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more" but it just isn't true. Revelation 10:5-6 refers to the tribulation plagues on earth before Christ's return. The angel with raised arm is taking an oath to delay the plagues (not time)  no longer. Now where there's life, there's change, movement, a past, present and future and that's what we mean by time. Time doesn't cease in heaven but goes on forever in blessed experiences for God's true people.
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The Realities.

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No Temple. No temple is needed since God is everywhere (Revelation 21:22).. No further need for building funds, furniture, decorative objects, lights, heating. We will worship God in spirit and truth. God will be the ever present light of the world so there will be no more night or further need for the sun and moon and no more danger and fear in darkness. In God is no darkness at all.

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No Sea. Almost three quarters of our planet is covered with ocean. Ancients feared sea monsters, storms, shipwrecks, exile, pirates, separations from loved ones that may never return home. No such fears and deprivations will exist on the new earth. And earth's topography will be radically altered. Our new world will be able to contain billions of inhabitants. But we will have a beautiful clear river of the water of life flowing from the thrown of God with the tree of life along its banks bearing twelve fruits every month (Revelation 22:1-2). 

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No Death. Sin brought death and the curse on all nature (Genesis 3:17; Romans 5:12; 8:20-22). The earth will be cleansed from sin by fire and the elements melt so that there will be no more curse (2 Peter 2:10-13). The passage mentions the heavenS so apparently the whole universe will be transformed. Without sin there will be no need for soldiers, wars, police, jails, courts, judges, lawyers, security guards--it will be a very different world more wonderful than we can imagine.. 

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No Pain. The benefits of doctors, hospitals, dentists, medicines won't be needed in heaven. We'll have no diseases, deformities, backaches, colds, forgetfulness, tiredness, pains of any kind because we will have perfect bodies (1 Cor. 15:35-51). But they will be similar to our bodies now so that we will recognize each other. Moses and Elijah were recognized on the mount of transfiguration. Physical differences as size, shape, skin color, appearances and all such things will never be a problem with God's loving, rejoicing people. WOW! What a world.

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No Tears. In this life we shed many tears. Accidents, deaths of family and friends, lost loves, rejections, disappointments, failures, mistakes, sins, deprivations, griefs, depressions and on and on. God will wipe away our tears and make all things new (Revelation 21:4). Whoopee!
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No Hunger or Thirst. The tribulation believers are promised what applies to all God's redeemed that we will never hunger or thirst again (Rev. 7:16). What a promise considering the starving millions with bloated bellies in Africa, India and indeed all around the world at times. Apparently, we won't have to eat with our new bodies but can if or when we want to--there will be no lack of delicious food. Praise God!

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No Shut Gates. Absolutely amazing what the Almighty Creator is preparing for His redeemed people. A great city on earth 1400 miles square (Rev.21). Such a building would cover three fourths of the United States east to west and be way up above the clouds. It has rooms a plenty for all those who trusted in Him from Adam until the city descends to earth. There will be some from every tribe, tongue, people and nation (Rev. 5:9). The new heaven and earth will doubtless contain billions of inhabitants. What a joyous celebration?
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Here's a Bible fact we must face honestly. Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Many other passages say similar things (Rev. 21:27; 22:15). That's God's Word, not mine. Again, God loves us enough to tell us the truth. 

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We must examine ourselves to see if we are truly Christians believing and obeying God's Word. We can have a head knowledge like the demons and go to hell. Which do we really love, our self and our sin, or the Lord Jesus who died to remove our sins and enable us to live a holy pure life for Him?  

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Many naively assume since we can't be perfect God will accept us if we even try. That's not what God's Word says. Sin separates us from a perfect God and perfect heaven. This is life's most crucial issue and delay can prove fatal. Won't you say, Lord forgive me and transform me to Your ways. I now trust in Jesus as paying the penalty for my sins and with Your help and guidance live for You.
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If you made this commitment, then 1 Corinthians 6:11 describes your new state in Christ. You are now washed, set apart for God, justified in the name of Jesus and by the Spirit of God. Amen. You may link my blog to your and tell others of God's love and salvation.

Could We Be Mistaken about Hell?

                                        Could We Be Mistaken about Hell?

If God is love and mercy how can He cast people into hell? An unending hell at that? How can He  punish serial killers equally with innocent persons in a lake of fire? I couldn't be happy in heaven knowing my loved ones were burning in God's torture chamber! Didn't Jesus teach forgiveness? Few preachers even mention hell today. Maybe they realized it's all wrong and got ashamed of it.
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I don't want you to think I'm an arrogant, closed minded, know it all emotional coward unwilling to listen to reason. If you somehow think there's a case for hell, I'm willing to hear it. Put it on me!

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I thought you'd never ask. If we're honest thinking persons, God can open our minds and hearts to see things we've never imagined before. I pray this will be the case now. Many arguments from both reason and the Bible show the reality of  hell. I'll list them by numbers. Thank you for your patience, open mindedness, moral courage and intellectual integrity.

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1. Earth's Injustices Require Hell. A world in tears screams for justice. Dictators murder countrymen they swore to serve. Men rape helpless children. Ruthless swindlers bankrupt couples of life savings. Human justice systems never achieve full justice. Any indignity from trashing streets to destroying nations occurs. If  justice is ever to be served, it requires hell to bring it about.
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2. God's Justice Requires Hell. Only a perfectly just God can insure justice is served. The Bible is clear, God knows all circumstances and judges everyone according to truth and impartially. Fact is, if there's no personal ethical God who cares about us and we're just perishing animals, justice ceases to mean anything.  Life then frees us to do whatever satisfies our desires. Like with other animals, life simply is eat or be eaten. God's principles of justice are truth, deeds, impartiality, conscience, and the gospel are in Romans 3.
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3. Jesus Preached Hell. Jesus preached hell more than others, more than heaven. Jesus lived in a multicultural world as we do today. He said hell was more serious than losing an eye, hand, or foot. Could the Lord Jesus be wrong about preaching Hell? Aren't believers to follow His example? Should we be ashamed of His preaching it? Or, rather ashamed of our not obediently preaching the whole counsel of God  (Acts 20:27)? I rest my case? See Jesus' mention of Hell (Matthew 5:29-30; 10:28; 11:23; 13:40-41; 13:49-50; 22:13; 23:15, 33; 25:41; Mark 9:43-48).
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 4. Life's Meaning Necessitates Hell. If there's no life after death, and we're just perishing animals, what real meaning is there to life? But if we must face a holy God and give account of our life, then every thought, word, and deed has serious consequences. We better be careful how we live. We know the holy fear of God. Now this is exactly what the Bible teaches. See Galatians 6:7-8; Romans 2:5-6; Psalm 9:17.
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5. God's Love Demands Hell. Sentimentalist's idea of do good but don't judge or condemn evil is a huge mistake. Not to judge and punish evil is to allow evil to overcome and destroy good. How can we truly love good and not correct or disarm the evil that destroys it? Civilized peoples put criminals away to protect citizens. Likewise, is God less civilized to confine evil doers to stew in their own juice?  Further, all God's commandments, laws, warnings, and judgments are expressions of His love. What loving parent would not warn their child not to touch a hot stove, an electoral outlet, or not look both ways before crossing a street? If there is no penalty for evil, then good and evil cease to have meaning. Warnings of hell show God's love is real and given to save us from disaster and from hell. Hebrews 12:5-9; Psalm 119. God loves us enough to tell us the truth.
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6. God's Love Rejected Requires Eternal Hell. God will forgive, reform, restore, and save all who trust in Him and His way (John 3:16, 36; 10:10). But prideful, selfish, rebels who want to do their own thing contrary to God cannot stand before a perfectly holy or ethical God. "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an eternal unforgivable sin (Mark 3:29). Persons fixed in rejection of God continue their unacceptable ways in Hell (Rev. 22:11). Hell is said to be just as everlasting as God and heaven (Matt. 18:8; 25:46; 2 Thess. 1:8-9). The wicked are not annihilated--words such as perish, destroy, waste, cease to exist, burn up mean ruined of their intended purpose being separated from God. It's like a totaled car that's ruined and junked but not annihilated. Besides, hell's degrees of punishment exclude the idea of human extinction. Jesus loves us, this we know for the Bible tells us so. Hell is our choice, not God's will (2 Peter 3:9) .
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7. Human Freedom Requires Hell.  God gives us the choice  to accept Christ and heaven or to reject Christ with the alternative being Hell. A loving God can invite but not force Himself on us. Love can't be forced for force would destroy our dignity, and would dishonor God. But God invites us to seek the Lord while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6-7; Matt. 7:7-8; John 3:16-17). And, "if anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine" (John 7:17). We are without excuse as God can't force His love on us but whoever will can seek Him and find Him (Matt. 7:7-8).
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8. Heaven's Existence Requires Hell. Indeed, there can be no Heaven without Hell. The Bible doesn't say God does away with the wicked (annihilation), but rather allows them their own way whose consequence is Hell. They have hated God and His ways insisting on their way as best for them, so Hell is the natural and logical alternative (Matt. 25:46). Not wanting to sing God's praises in life, they would not want to in Heaven either. They really reap what they sow (Galatians 5:19-21; 6:7). And God is fair in giving those who trust His promises, seek to live for Him and love His appearing will be rewarded with a home free of every kind of evil (Rev. 21:27; 22:15).
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9. Heaven's Happiness Requires Hell. If the redeemed in Heaven cried over the the wicked in Hell, that would make a Hell out of Heaven. But the Bible is quite clear there will be no tears, death, sorrow, or agony in Heaven, all that is in Hell (Rev. 21:4). When God's true people see their Lord, they will be conformed to His image understand things exactly as He does (1 John 3:2-3). But the unredeemed would be miserable in Heaven and turn it into Hell. They didn't love God on earth and wouldn't in Heaven because they love darkness rather than light (John 3:19-21). In a real sense, God is merciful to let incorrigible rebellious sinners have their own way. Their abode is self-chosen darkness, tears and torment forever in accord with each person's sins.
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10. Hell Said to be Degrees of Punishment. All sinners will not be punished equally. Each sinner's  punishment will be according to each one's works. Justice means that one reaps exactly what he or she sows (Gal. 6:7-8). A murderer deserves greater punishment than a liar though both sin. Just as Heaven has degrees of reward, Hell has degrees of punishment. See Matt. 10:15; 11:22, 24; 23:14; Mark 6:11; Luke. 12:47-48; Heb. 10:29. Some understand the lake of fire metaphorically  as God's wrath against evil (John 3:36; Romans 1:18). It will be degrees of shame, contempt, regret, torment, despair forever. But it doesn't have to be that way.
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11. Human Conscience Implies Hell. All persons have a natural sense of fair play, justice, or right and wrong. We expect reward for good behavior and punishment for bad.  We may be silent or deny injustices shown others, but are quick to protest when they are shown us. Conscience makes no sense unless there exists a moral standard and an all-knowing moral Lawgiver and Judge, namely God. Conscience is an inner light leading to God if we follow it. Rom. 2:14-15; John 3:19-21.
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12. God's Sovereignty Demands Hell. The Almighty who Created and Sustains the universe can have no opposition except He allows and uses it to suit His purposes. He upholds all existence--every minute particle of energy is at His command (Col. 3:16-17).  He has revealed most clearly in His Word that Satan and sinners will be caste into hell. Death and disease will be done away with (1 Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20-21). God is very patient, but His wrath can wait only so long. A day of reckoning must come (Rev. 20:11-15). Please trust in the One who loves us more than any other.
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13. God's Glory Is Confirmed by Hell. God is jealous of idols usurping His rightful place.We are to prefer nothing in our lives before the Almighty. It's not His will that we perish, but we do by living unholy lives.  We're proven wrong choosing other things above the greatest thing. Hell vindicates God's justice, truth, rightness, love, grace, mercy in His victory over evil. And apart from the Fall and God's eternal plan, we could not understand or appreciate His glory and worthiness.  Some say the wish for Heaven is illusion for it seems too good to be true. But they wish Hell's the illusion since it's so bad they don't want it to be true. Is it worth taking a chance? Delay can prove fatal.
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14. Jesus Alone Saves from Hell. Founders of world religions may make wise sayings and unproven claims--for example about angels and life after death. But only Jesus claimed to be sinless, the Savior of sinners, the God-man from Heaven, the way to Heaven, and the One who will judge us for sin. Only Jesus gave visible evidences to substantiate His claims being fulfilled prophecies, miracles, transfiguration, death for sinners, resurrection, and ascension. No other religion has anything comparable. I'm not against people of other religions--I just pray they will be saved.
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15. The Church's Mandate Requires Hell. Jesus said He had all authority and for His followers to make disciples of all nations, to be fishers of men, to represent him as ambassadors, and that He is the  truth, life, and only way to Heaven (John 14:6; Mark 8:38; Luke 19:10). To reject Him or refuse the light that leads to Him results in eternal Hell. We who know Christ should be ashamed of our cowardice and disobedience in not telling others in a humble, respectful, loving way as our Lord commanded (1 Pet. 3:15-6). Sharing Christ is the best thing a Christian can do for others. My readers may download my blog articles and share them with others.
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16. The Bible's Authority Requires Hell. Hell is usually the first Bible teaching doubters deny. It's a mistake to think we can deny or ignore Hell and maintain other Christian teachings. Like a line of dominoes when the first is toppled the others follow. Not punishing sin makes God an imperfect untrustworthy Being. No Hell makes a Savior of sinners unnecessary. No Hell floods Heaven with unredeemed sinners and corruption. The local church becomes only a social club of do-gooders. The gospel, evangelism and missions are a waste of time and money. Each person is enthroned as their own authority and it doesn't matter what you believe or how you live. The world is without God and without hope. Could that be true with you?
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17. Christ's Cross Demands Hell. There was no other way (John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12), no greater love. Jesus lay down His  human life to save us.  His death paid for our sin, satisfied God's justice, opened the door to Heaven. He was beaten, cursed, ridiculed, and crucified naked before the world giving His all so we could live eternally, could be made acceptable to a perfect God and fit for a perfect Heaven. To reject Jesus is to choose eternal  Hell. We must not pass up life's greatest opportunity!
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18. Tearful Compassion Proclaims Hell. Christians have been deceived and diverted by multi-- cultural opponents. We must prayerfully weep over the erring ones, care for the dying, lift up the fallen, snatch them in pity from sin and Hell. Pray God will send revival and renewal to His erring church. We may be in the last hour of the last days, but that only means we must work harder. We've a factual message to tell to the nations that can turn their hearts to the right. Lets do it!
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19. Speculative Philosophies and Religions Deny Hell. Religions philosophies make dogmatic claims beyond limited human knowledge. Atheism claims to know  there's no personal ethical Spirit called God. Agnosticism does the same thing to say we can't know or don't know about God. Pantheism denies sensory experience and rationality to claim we'll be absorbed in a god of universal energy. Finite godism says God is too limited in either power, knowledge or love for us to be sure of any outcome. Panentheism claims an evolving bipolar god that isn't trustworthy or worth serious consideration. Recent so-called Christian cults twist Christian terms and teachings to teach their own ideas. Non-biblical religions are only human guesses. Feel-good preachers don't declare sinners need a Savior. All such claimants in effect deny Hell by their unwarranted and conflicting claims. Let's not be deceived.
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20. Fact and Logic Confirm Hell. Unless we believe the absurd notion that nonexistence can explode into everything, the universe is the effect of an eternal, self-existent, powerful, creative intelligence and will like the God the Bible mentions in Genesis 1:1; Ex. 3:14; John 1:1-5, 14; Heb. 1:1-3. A creator of everything has no problem taking on a human nature and body. Both Bible history and secular history tell us Christians believed Jesus was God. Only an anti-supernatural bias can deny it. Jesus fulfilled ancient prophecies as a virgin birth, performed miracles, claimed to be God with us, and best of all  died to pay for our sins. Although His tomb was guarded and sealed, He arose from the dead and said all who trust in Him have life eternal. This is God's good news for you and me and our most serious issue of life--Hell is the alternative!! Please turn from darkness to light, from self and Satan to the Lord who gave Himself for us!
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My reader friend, thank you for your time. Won't you say yes to the Savior who will save you from Hell, give you a new life, a new hope, a new love you never dreamed possible. All our problems won't be solved or all our questions answered. But eternal life is offered us to trust the Savior of us sinners. Say, Lord Jesus, I trust you now to forgive my sins and make me your servant now and forever. Amen.  Lord, bless and use my friend. May he/she share this good news.
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Secular Religions Or Biblical Christianity?

                 Secular Religions Or Biblical Christianity?

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By secular religions I refer to secular minded persons who have little or no acquaintance with the Bible and its teachings. Perhaps only that they once attended the wedding or funeral of a Christian friend. Secular folks nevertheless may have strong beliefs or opinions about religious and ethical issues which is their right.

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We realize that many differing beliefs and practices exist in our culture and world. It's a mark of an educated  person to be acquainted with these differing beliefs. We respect others right to hold their beliefs and in turn expect that same right be shown our beliefs. This doesn't mean, however, that we can't use our minds to examine how differing beliefs relate to reality. Certainly, we wouldn't affirm anyone has the right to harm or murder persons. In this article I will discuss six secular attitudes and contrast them with biblical Christianity in its claim of a real God who acts in our real world.

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Consider Secular Religious Attitudes Positive and Negative.

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All religions are essentially the same. This simply isn't so for two reasons. First, every religion is exclusive with its core beliefs which distinguishes it from all others. Consider Islam and Hinduism as examples. Popular Hinduism is the most accepting of religions. You can believe almost anything about god or in many gods and be a Hindu. But you can't deny the caste system and reincarnation. Islam, however, is belief in Allah (God) and the worst sin is (shirk) to say there are other Gods. So Islam and Hinduism are both exclusive and neither believes the same as the other. Second, if any religion is true, all religions that oppose it must be false since the opposite of true is false. So people who say religions are essentially the same are either uninformed or play down the differences to avoid possible disputes. 

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Positive thinking and self-help books are all we need. It's popular even with some preachers. Self-help books do give good suggestions for improvement in various areas. For example, be kind and loving to people is good advise that will win friends and influence people. But negatives such as don't lie, don't steal, don't murder are needed to further define what good and loving means. The Bible's positive statements in Matthew 22:37-40 and Philippians 4:8 are defined by all the rest of biblical teaching. Without the Bible's teaching on sin we wouldn't know we are rebelling against a morally perfect God, and need Christ's deliverance from sin and offer of Heaven. Even our good deeds apart from Christ are rebellion and for self-glory.

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What's popular, or  what the majority thinks, is alright with me. Philosophies, doctrines, fads, traditions come and go and may be contradictory. Because something is popular doesn't mean it's true or right. Even when it seems to work it may not be true or good and lead to troubles later on. Political correctness doesn't necessarily mean  correctness with God. But God's will is what will count in the end and for eternity. What elitists make correct today, their replacements may make incorrect tomorrow and punish.  Elitists sometimes kill their dictators to take their place and force their form of correctness. Oppression of free thought and actions leads to slavery. Socialist denial of God brings on rules, taxes, unemployment, poverty, crime and destruction. No god but Caesar leads to slavery.

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Don't be a religious fanatic. Put your religion on the back burner and don't promote it. People may think you strange, or be offended at you, or even persecute you.  Of course we're to be respectful and not give offense. But to worship God one hour on Sunday and do our own thing the rest of the time is not pleasing to the One who gave his life that we might have life eternal. Such religion is just a dot in our big circle of  life. But Jesus is to be Lord of all of life. His true disciples are to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. If we're ashamed of Jesus, at his return, He will be ashamed of us. Christians are to be in the world as salt and light but not be part of it's evil system (Matt.5:14). Our every thought, word, and deed will be our eternal reward or loss at his judgment and in eternity (1 Cor.3:9-12).

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Christians are hypocrites, legalists, and condemners of others. Yes, indeed sins (bad behavior) of Christians dishonors Christ and His church. But consider these things before you judge and condemn Christians. Not everyone thought or claimed Christian, is Christian. Some profess Christ who don't possess Him (Matt. 6:21-23). People can go to church for other than spiritual reasons. Christians face the same temptations, difficulties and limitations as non-Christians. Just becoming a Christian doesn't immediately make anyone perfect, or knowledgeable, or  godly, or fully committed. Churches don't always teach right  beliefs and practices either. All these factors weigh in to fair evaluation. Further, non-Christians commit the same sins and condemning Christians doesn't excuse them (Matt. 7:1-5; Rom. 2:1). But only Christians have assurance of God's forgiveness and of Heaven (John 3:36).

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I don't like Christians.. The prophets, Christ, and His apostles were condemned and killed for godly behavior (Matt. 23:37; John 15:18-25; Acts 7:58-59). Jesus parable of the killing of the landowners servants gave a stern warning to those who did it (Matt. 22:33-46). He said that persons without the wedding garment (not of Christ's church) will be cast into outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 22:1-14). Godly behavior is a rebuke to ungodly behavior. But God so loved the world that He gave his unique sinless Son to die to save us unworthy sinners (John. 3:16). And God alone can make our hearts right with Him and with others.
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Biblical Christianity Claims A Real Ethical God Who Acts In Our Real World.

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It's an unwarranted, dogmatic, even arrogant assumption to claim there's no personal, ethical God who can act in our world. We know scientifically the universe had a beginning, and since nothing can't create something, the universe must be the effect of a great creative mind and will like what the Bible calls God (Gen. 1:1). Moreover, it's a much lessor thing for a Creator of the universe to act in extraordinary ways we would call miracles. He could even take on a human nature and body like what is claimed of Jesus Christ. And there's no rule the Lord of creation must show Himself in accord with out demands but could appear in recognizable ways at selected times as recorded in the Bible. It's up to us as honest thinking persons to openmindedly examine Christian claims to see if they be true. It makes no sense to say mindless elements can arrange themselves into plants, animals, and man no matter how much time.  
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Further, God is disclosed as a Trinity of love. Anything different from what God has told us about Himself  is  limited  unauthorative human guesses. The Bible statements teach God is love (1 John 4:8) which means personal relationships. In eternity God existed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit  in relationship which means He can have loving relationship with us made in His image.
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What God has told us about Himself is what we must believe. Any denial of this is not biblical Christianity but another belief contrary to what is taught in the Bible and has always been affirmed by true Christian churches.
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The nature of God is not in conflict but is beyond human understanding. We can understand how God can be one essence but not how God can at the same time be three persons that can communicate with each other. But that is exactly what the Scriptures teach about God. Jesus talked to his Father and sent the person of the Holy Spirit to us. When we can't comprehend all the grandeur and mysteries of the universe, how can we expect to understand the even greater God who created them? See my article on The Great Mysteries of the Christian Faith.
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Now certainly biblical history deserves honest openminded reading. It reads like real history telling the faults and failures of even it best characters. And it tells of God acting in our real world in surprising ways. So much of it is verified by archaeologists digging up artifacts telling of kings, priests, places, dates and events described in detail in the Bible. People were always astonished and doubtful at biblical miracles showing people then knew nature's patterns as well as we do today. Its prophets were persecuted for revealing the abuses and secrets of the wicked. Bible history is all so natural with world conditions and human nature to be anything fake or made up. It's God's truth.
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 God the Father sent his Son Jesus, the promised Messiah and Savior, to all who believe in Him. Many persons testify they have come to have a new heart of love, peace in God's forgiveness, and hope of eternal life unimaginable before. This wonderful event can happen to you too. Won't you say, Lord, I trust you to forgive my wrong doing (sin). You paid for my evil actions by your death on the cross. Now Lord, save me from sin and hell to live for and serve You forever. Thank You Lord for saving me.
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Now as a new follower of Christ I want to read Your Word, obey Your commands, and share my new faith with others who don't know You. Help me follow Your great plan for my life. I pray others I tell on Facebook or tweet will come to trust in You as well. I want to do what I can to make a better world and show people how to go to heaven.
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A Dozen Eggs You Don't Want to Hatch!

                  A Dozen Eggs You Don't Want to Hatch!

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Youth is less experienced and more easily persuaded. But at any age we can fall into traps that destroy our character, ruin our reputation, restrict our future opportunities, and may send us to prison. It's said, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." Protect Your Character and Your Future!

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We can be so focused on  the present and its seeming harmless enticements and never once consider the addictions, destructions, limitations, heartaches, and sufferings that we must face down the road. "Oh, if I had only known--but now it's too late!" Please take these admonitions seriously as they may save you from utter ruin.

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1. Everybody's doing it. Do we know that to be a fact? Has anyone taken a survey? Maybe it seems that way because our particular friends seem to be doing it. Maybe they just say that thinking it more acceptable. Even supposing they are doing it, does that make it right? Could it have harmful consequences down the road? Will our family approve of it? Do you have to sneak around to do it?Consider these things seriously.

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2. Just one time won't hurt you. Are you sure? Many have thought that and become addicted to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling that they wish a million times they never would have started. Girls can get pregnant from sex just one time and live with guilt and maybe poverty the rest of their lives. Seeming present benefits may have long term harmful effects. Does it make us wise or more adult to take on adult habits that become expensive destructive addictions we later regret? Don't let yourself be tricked.

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3. Don't be a party pooper.  Friends, movies, and teachers may promote and pressure immoral destructive behavior as though there's nothing wrong in it.  It takes courage to stand for behaviors we know to be right. Sometimes we need to change friends to those who share our moral values. We need to feel good about ourselves, a good clean guilt free conscience can prevent anxiety and fear of exposure. Do be God's precious trooper.

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4. Cutting corners is good business. It can destroy an otherwise good business. It's dishonest, risky, and eventually likely to be found out, destroy your business and prevent you from starting another business. You would resent someone cheating you. Fair and honest business produces more good business. People trust you when they know you give them a fair deal.

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5. You won't know unless you try. That might be true but any harm done may be too late to correct. Adam and Eve gave us all a rebellious sinful nature. Seeking to learn more about the subject first is wise and may save us many tearful regrets. Avoid even the appearance of evil.

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6. I won't tell on you. Don't put trust in people's word. They have already approved an evil act. You may have a fallen out with them and they quickly spill the beans. People may find out anyway. We can always overlook something or make a mistake. If we lie about it, we might have to tell more lies to cover up and get into deeper trouble. A temporary advantage isn't worth risking a sterling character. Trust in the Lord and do good.

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7. It may be your last or only chance.  Even supposing it is, gaining the whole world isn't worth losing your own soul. Good character is what enables people to trust you and give you chances. Bad character doesn't. You don't know it's your last or only chance. Surprising opportunities do occur. Believe and behave.

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8. It's just borrowing and you can put it back later. Just borrowing is a lie. Taking something that doesn't belong to you is stealing.  We can never know we will not be found out or even can put it back. Conditions can change unexpectedly. Honesty is the best policy.

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9. It will make you popular, successful, wealthy, or sexy. Such things are not the most important things in the world though we may selfishly think so. Good character, self-esteem, an honest living, trustworthiness, faithfulness, and loyalty are worthy of everyone's respect. We can be outstanding in areas mentioned above and not find fulfillment. Being sexy can lead to unwanted problems while real beauty is in good character. Bad behavior to obtain something may backfire later on.

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10. Nobody will ever find out. We don't know that. It may turn out much different than what we ever imagined. People see things when we don't know they're around, as when Moses killed the Egyptian. Nazis who killed Jews escaped to other countries and many were found. Besides, a guilty fearful life is not good. God too knows all our secrets good and bad.

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11. You deserve to get even. Two wrongs don't make a right. This life is not just, but justice will be served one day by the all knowing Lord Jesus. He who took our place, dying for our sins on the cross, is the same one to whom we will bow and give account of our lives. The nails didn't hold Him to the cross. Love for us held the perfect Son of God to the cross. He could have called ten thousand angels to his aid. Man's worst injustice, God used to bring about the world's greatest good--the Lord Jesus' death to save us unworthy sinners. Leave it in God's hands.

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12. God wants us to have fun. Indeed, he does and we can in a multitude of ways. But the fun God wants us to have is not destructive of our character, our body, our mind, our family or our country. It gives us self-respect, a guilt free conscience, moral purity, and hope for good things throughout life. Party with purity.
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A good name is to be chosen rather than riches (Proverbs 22:1). Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come (Ecclesiastes 12:1). I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). May I recommend that you commit yourself to the Lord each day. That's the only way we can escape the pollutions of this evil world system.

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