The Rules of Good Stewardship - True Riches - Part Two

 Part 2  

Introduction

A lesson from the past ignored

Have we learned anything from the example of God’s people, Israel?  The theme throughout the Book of Judges was “Failure through compromise,” and the theme found in the Book of Joshua was “Victory through faith.” 

How many books have been written, commentaries were blogged, and sermons have been preached about faith? Is the Church any better than historical Israel when it comes to being in obedience to His commandments? The Church has its moments of victory and its moments of failure. One generation who has forgotten what it took to be in fellowship with God proceeded by a generation crying out to God to intervene. Is this where the Church of this era is now confused, divided, and in despair? Many American and Canadian Christians are crying out to God for a revival. You wouldn’t believe how many stay-at-home believers refuse to be part of an assembly of the saints. Why? Many felt unwelcome (Hebrews 10:25). Some were rejected because they were smokers, and some because they had a criminal record. Really? Are we inviting only sinless candidates? Through COVID-19, haven’t the churchgoers tasted what it is like to be separated from the assembly of the church? 

Revival will not come unless we are willing to welcome sinners – to leave aside our prejudice. If we don’t, we are no better than the children of Jacob, Israel, before their deportation to Babylon. Inasmuch God warned Israel and Judah to return to Him and to His covenant to be a light for the surrounding nations, Jesus, through the Apostle John, wrote to North America’s Church to return as a good and faithful steward of His Word, fulfilling His commission, or else, it will be given to another nation.   

"For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another,"  Titus 3:3

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent,” Revelation 2:5

The Canadian and American Christian Church is not Israel. We do not replace God’s people just because the Jewish authority rejected Jesus. We live under a new covenant (Mark 14:24) under the dispensation of grace (Eph 3:2). We are bondservants by the same rules of stewardship as the Israelites. 

The present Canadian multicultural society, with its diversity of cultures and religions, reflects the same characteristics that existed during the time of Imperialist Rome and Autocratic Babylon.  It has degenerated to where all traditions, cultures, systems of beliefs, religions, and moral values of all nationalities are threatened by Cultural Marxism. 

Nothing is new under the sun (Eccl 1:9). 

In the Book of Judges, soon after the settlement of each Israelite tribe in their assigned territory, Israel quickly drifted away from God's covenant. In those days, there were no kings in Israel, and every man did what was right in his eyes (Judges 17:6). Doesn’t that also reflect the North American Corporate Christian Churches? Having good intentions, each congregation identifies itself with its personalized statement of belief - every church denomination is doing what is right in its own eyes, and so is each Christian. Aren't we far from being united in understanding all things in Christ (Eph 4:13)? So many seek a church that teaches the word of God without compromise.

Canada and America were once strong Judeo-Christian influences; it is no more. The Church has lost its salt flavour, the light on the lampstand has extinguished, and the lampstand will soon be relocated (Rev 2:5). If the Church doesn’t repent by obeying Christ Our Lord’s instructions, God will go elsewhere to do His work. It will leave the community desolate of His presence and His word.  It happened with Israel, and it also happened with the city of Ephesus (Rev 2:5). Our modern churches are not exempt.

 "Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God,

"That I will send a famine on the land,

Not a famine of bread,

Nor a thirst for water,

But of hearing the words of the Lord," Amos 8:11

The Canadian Churches failed the test.

In the Book of Judges 3:4, God allowed five lords of the Philistine to be used as a thorn in the side of the children of Israel (chapter 2:3).  The Canaanites, the Sidonians, the Hivites, Perizzites, and the Jebusites (verse 5).  Verse 4 explains how they tested Israel.  Their gods would be used as a snare (Judges 2:2). The snare was used to find out whether they would obey the commandments of God (Judges 3:4), in particular, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3-5). The consequences of being entangled in the snare, Israel's moral and spiritual disobedience, would lead to their deportation. 

What about Canadian Christians? Have we not been entrapped into the federal Cultural Marxism policies - an autocratic snare, and anti-Christian snare, dictating what ought to be taught to our children, overruling the parents' cultural and religious practices and beliefs, to unite all cultures, all religious faith unto one philosophy, one ideology, one religion under the ruse of false faith indoctrination and Darwinism evolutionary rhetoric?  We live in a so-called ‘Extreme Bias Cultural Marxism and in an Extreme Bias Multi-Gender’ nation. 

 

We, Christians, dropped our guard and allowed the Canadian federal and provincial leaders to dictate what we are to accept culturally. Both levels of government became autocratic to the core, under the umbrella of political correctness, accusing Christians of intolerance and racism when Christians voiced their concern.  

Freedom of Worship vs. Freedom of Religion

“Now, are we to shine our light within the four walls of the church building only?  Nonsense.”

At the opening and closing prayers, I heard pastors thank God for the freedom to worship, unaware that God has given them much more than a simple right to worship in Canada. I believe God wrote the Constitution on His behalf - for His purpose, not ours. Isn’t it also for the United States of America with its Bill of Rights? He gave us, not the government, the freedom of religion. The Constitution was founded upon the principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law. Not any gods, but the Christian God – the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God, The Creator who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (Jn 3:16). 

What is the difference between freedom of worship and freedom of religion?  The difference is that freedom of worship restricts a Christian’s sphere of influence by living according to their beliefs, ethics, and moral standard values within the wall of a building. In contrast, the freedom of religion gives Christians the freedom to carry their right to beliefs, ethics, and moral standard values everywhere in our society.   It is our civil right. Have you not noticed how often we hear from the secular to keep our religion at church?  It is a constant attack on our rights. Even Christians among themselves demanded not to mix religion with politics… go figure. 

We have the fundamental right to peaceful assembly in a church environment and freedom of religion in a social environment, especially in our school. 

“True and pure diversity in a multicultural society is to allow each parent to teach their children their religious beliefs, their values according to their culture and tradition, and to teach their sexual moral standard and behaviour without prejudice and interference from any level of government. Isn't that what the Charter of Rights and Freedom is about?”

The Snare (commentary)

We are incapable of untangling ourselves from the snare unless we Christians first repent and live by our personal faith, trusting in the Word. Institutions and the government will fail, but God will never, never fail us.

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God and put Him to an open shame.

For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned,” Hebrews 6:4-8

Haven't we been tested, and are we still? Many Christians, including me, are going through difficult trials. Our faith is being tested. 

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us," Romans 8:18

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose," Romans 8:28

Next Part 3 - Your Sanctification  https://www.simplicityinthegospel.com/2022/06/the-rules-of-good-stewardship-true_16.html

The Rules of Good Stewardship - True Riches part one

 Part One

True Riches

This commentary was on the back burner for over 5 years. So much has happened since then.

The Post Covid-19 Era

What kind of change (New Normal) are we to expect from this unprecedented all-borders invasion of an invisible enemy, called COVID-19? Whether the virus threat was a hoax or real, it has been used as a political ruse,(Psalm 2:1). Are we entering into a unique era, with the possibility of two different resulting scenarios?... A pre-tribulation era scenario (Daniel 2:33) or a temporary victory over a distinct group called the World Elite to allow God’s grace to reach millions of lost souls. No student of prophecy would have predicted that certain Luciferian elite groups would rise up within the Western nations in power in an attempt to control the world population by using a virus to create fear to accomplish their goal of establishing their New World in Disorder. I didn’t expect a pseudo-pandemic to be the instrument of deceit. In the book titled “2018 Canadian Christian Ministry - The Most Lukewarm Church in the Whole Western Nation,” I concluded that the Church would be entering a period of judgment. Our freedom of religion has been challenged followed by an attempt to take away our freedom to assemble. Since March 2022, we have been experiencing a temporary retrieval of the restriction but it was not abolished. In Canada, the Emergency Act has been rescinded after being active for one week without being enacted by the Senate. It was long enough to show how much power the minority government of Prime Minister Trudeau may exert on Canadians. Total tyranny. From frozen bank accounts to using brutal force to disperse a peaceful protest. A pastor who refused to follow the lockdown mandates was detained in prison suffering from prejudiced treatment among the inmates.

It is my opinion that the mandatory restrictions are here to stay. We are now experiencing a temporary relief for the summer season but will be reinforced in the fall unless God intervenes, (Psalm 3). Our way of life will never be the same anymore. Every culture and tradition from all nationalities has been affected. This is truly the result of communist influence and infiltration in all Canadian institutions. This is part one of a commentary that was on the back burner for two years. Never would I have thought that this commentary was to be for the pre-tribulation era ( the pre-rapture era). Never in my mind would this commentary be so relevant for our time. The purpose of this commentary is to prepare the churches for what is to come.

EDIFY

“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” Romans 14:19

 Christian living as instructed by Jesus Our Lord

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15

 To my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ

The content of this book is for you, Christians who bear the name of The Way, (Acts 9:2,14), The Truth, (John 8:31-32) and The Life, (1 John 1:2, John 14:6). Who believe Jesus is Lord, (Rom 10:9), - the Son of God is God (1 John 4:15) - not falsely known as only a historical figure, not falsely known as an angel, not falsely known only as a prophet, not falsely known only as a spiritual being created by God, not falsely known as a simple man begotten by Joseph, but rather truthfully known as the Living God who His name is ‘Father’ who took the form of a man who His name is Jesus (John 14:11, Rev 1: 4b-5a), born from a young virgin woman named Mary, (Matt 1:23), Mary who married and became the wife to a man whose name is Joseph, her husband (Rom 3:23, Matt 1:20,24) and who bear many children (Luke 8:19, Mark 6:3).

A Christian is one who believed in the testimonies carried out by His Apostles, from generation through generation to our generation, (John 17:20). A Christian is one who believes that Jesus died without sins, (1 John 3:5) and redeemed us by his blood (1 John 1:7) from Adam's curse and from the consequences of all our sins - whom we were condemned for eternity in hell, (Rev 22:3, Mark 3:29). A Christian is one who believes in Jesus’ translated bodily resurrection followed by His ascension to heaven (Luke 24:51) where Jesus our Lord is seated at the right-hand side of God the Father, (1 Peter 3:22). A Christian is a man/woman of faith, who believes without evidence, (Gal 3:11), confesses with his/her mouth the Lord Jesus and believes in his/her heart that God has raised Him from the dead, he/she is saved, (Romans 10:9). A Christian is one who trusts in the inerrancy of the Bible, God’s word is true, (Rev 21:5). A Christian is one who is called to be at one with God, (John 6:65, John 17:21-22). Finally, a Christian is appointed to the works befitting repentance and, subsequently, steward of Christ, revealing God’s mystery. (Acts 26:20, 1 Cor 4:1, Col 1:26).

Prologue God commissioned Zechariah to encourage the Jews in their unfinished responsibility to rebuild the walls and the Temple after they returned to Jerusalem after 70 years of exile in Babylon. He didn’t use strong words of rebuke; rather, he used words of encouragement, reminding them that this (physical) Temple was representing the coming of their Messiah as prophesied to their fathers. They were not merely constructing a building but also building the future according to the prophetic word of God’s promise of the coming Messiah. Now, aren’t the Church commissions to do the same—edify the body of Christ and prepare the bride for Jesus' return?

“Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction” (2 Cor 13:10)

The parable of the tares (Matt 13:24-30) illustrates God’s work through angels, the gathering of the tares and the gathering of the wheat as an end-time scenario before Jesus returns for His Church. The tares bundled together for the fire – the seven years tribulation, and the bundles of wheat to be stacks and brought into the barn - an event called the rapture. As a sign of end-time prophecy, there should be a clear distinction between Christians living in the truth and the so-called Christians who live within the humanist deceptions. Although God knows the heart, the Church will be distinct through the ‘Rules of Good Stewardship.

Stay tuned for part two of "The True Riches - Part 2, Introduction"

About me I am neither a theologian nor a Bible scholar. I am not an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher (Eph 4:11-16, 1 Cor 12:27-31) but desire to speak the truth in love. I prefer to be considered a watchman on the wall, as described in (Ezekiel 33). If I do not speak out, the blood of the innocents will be about me. My opinions are based on personal study, observation, research, and life experience walking in the Lord. I believe in the teaching of the Holy Spirit, (John 14:26, 1 Cor 2:13). My citizenship is in heaven; therefore, I am ready to serve anybody without discrimination toward all churches and all denominations who are under one God, one Lord (Jesus), one Spirit and one resurrection.

Don't Give Up - God Remember You

And Do Not Let Your Feeling Say Otherwise

God remembered us.  There are many examples of much-needed requests to be remembered by many characters of the Old Testament. Those prayers were centred on one’s special attempt to get God’s attention.  In those moments of extreme anxiety, the words “Remember me” were used.

Joseph

There is Joseph son of Jacob/Israel who requested to be remembered by the butler:

“But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house,” Genesis 40:14.

Joseph pleads with the butler to remember him when he would be re-established as Pharaoh's servant.  Yet, the chief butler did not remember Joseph but had forgotten him, (verse 23). Two years went by before the butler remembered Joseph.  How do you think Joseph felt about not being remembered? Joseph was sold by his brothers, and then taken to Egypt as a slave; the Egyptian master’s wife accused Joseph of sexual assault. Joseph desperately wanted to get out of prison, (verse 15).  How would you have felt if that were to happen to you... anger comes to mind, isn't it? God remembered Joseph. God had Joseph's destiny planned. God has planned yours also.

Samson

Then, there is Samson. He desperately cried out to be re-established by God.  

“Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” Judges 16:28.

Samson's pride brought him to despair. Blinded and chained, he was brought up to the Philistine temple as a trophy to their gods. He had forgotten that his strength was coming from God, not his hair. Samson did not fulfill God's calling as a judge for His people.  "Remember me", Samson cried out. This kind of prayer is indicative of a soul in need. God answered Samson's prayer and gave him the strength to destroy the Philistine temple and kill those gathered inside worshiping idols.   Some of us have experienced despaired situations in life. We realized that our selfish ambitions kept us from pursuing God’s will for us which is to bear fruit, (Rom 7:4). It is not too late to be re-established; go back to Him. God remembered us. God never left you nor forsaken you, (Heb 13:5, 1 Jn 2:17). Let me remind you that I teach what I needed to learn.

Hannah

Then there is Hannah, the wife of a polygamist.  Peninnah, the other wife bore several children but Hannah was barren, (1 Sam 1:2). Peninnah belittled Hannah, (v. 7).  

“And she (Hannah) was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head,” 1 Samuel 1:10-11.

Remember me, was a prayer she implored with desperation and of a broken spirit. God answered her request and gave her a son she named Samuel and more children after.  Have you not experienced animosity from someone toward you in your life? No matter what you do to please, he/she puts you down. You never wronged them, yet they keep offending you.  Do not keep this bitterness in your heart.  Tell God what would make you happy. 

Nehemiah

Nehemiah representing God’s people is another one who wanted to be remembered by God so that God would continue to bless the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s wall and the Temple, (Nehemiah 5:19, 13:14,22,31).

“Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people,” Nehemiah 5:19.

“Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services,” Nehemiah 13:14!

Ministers, pastors, and teachers who are God’s stewards, the example of Nehemiah is for you.  You love God and want dearly to serve Him.  You want to do more. I can assure you that God has not forgotten you.  In due time He will answer your prayers.

Job

Then there is Job.  In despair through physical pain and grief for his great losses looked at death for comfort. He asked God to take his life yet to remember him on the day of the resurrection:

“Oh, that You would hide me in the grave, That You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, That You would appoint me a set time, and remember me!” Job 14:13.

Are you suffering from an incurable disease?  Is your health so bad, that you are restricted to bed and isolated from family and friends? Your body aches and pains, no one seems to know what to say to encourage you, and you desire death.  God did not fail Job and remembered him. God has not forgotten you:

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you,” 1 Peter 5:6-7.

David

David also pleaded to be remembered: 

“Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness sake, O Lord” Psalm 25:7.

Have you done something so bad that you believe that no one, not even God would ever forgive the wrong that you did?  Think again. God desires only that you admit your sins and He will forgive you, (1 Jn 1:9).

Jeremiah

Then there is Jeremiah’s prayer, 

“O Lord, You know; Remember me and visit me, And take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In Your enduring patience, do not take me away. Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke,” Jeremiah 15:15.

Christians, you who are being persecuted, even at the risk of losing your life, do not despair. Jesus visits you. He gives you the strength to endure.  Your reward is great in the Kingdom of God, (Matthew 5:10).

The Criminal

Another important example took place at Jesus' crucifixion. A request using these words, ‘remember me’ was used.  One of the criminals who was hung adjacent to Jesus, in humility asked Jesus to remember him. 

“Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom,” Luke 23:42.  

What a great and wonderful example of the simplicity of the gospel; believing that Jesus is Lord, (Rom 10:9). How great was the way Jesus responded?  Jesus did not reply saying that He must first die and resurrect before He remembered him. No, He answered: 

“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise,” verse 43.   

The gospel is not complicated.  It is a simple decision in faith, to believe and to put your trust in the Son of God whose name is Jesus, (Jn 3:16).

“Jesus died for your sins, and raised from the dead,” is the gospel.  The only work you need to do to receive the gift of eternal life is to believe, (Jn 6:29). We are justified by faith, not from the deeds of the law, (Rom 3:28).

Cornelius

God never forget. In (Acts 10:31) Peter said, 

“Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.”

God remembers everything, from eternity to eternity. He even writes everything in books, not for Him but for us, (Rev 20:12).  It is proof that He takes great importance in everything we do and say.  We need to remember that. As a father, I kept a treasure box to remember my children's crafts.  They appreciate the memories. We can, therefore, go to God with confidence that He remembers us, and He is willing to listen to our plea.

While we pray, we want God to remember us.  When we pray using those words, “Remember me, Lord,” it means, “Give attention to who I am in Your presence, Lord.”  "I am one of many whom you Father has called to your Son Jesus, (Jn 6:37).”

“Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified,” Romans 8:30.

Believe it or not, if not saved, Satan is your master

One Gospel One Truth

andre@simplicityinthegospel.com

"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved," Romans 10:9

Becoming a Christian is easy, The First and Final Step...all you need to do is to Believe. Repent, and Confess.  This is why and how.

Christ's resurrected is the gospel. Our resurrection is our blessed hope. To receive the resurrection of an incorruptible body for eternity is easy. Believe that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God, who paid for our sins. We must repent, which is admitting that we are sinners and accepting Jesus AS OUR SAVIOR and LORD. Moreover, we must confess from our mouths that Jesus is Lord

To become a Christian is to accept Jesus as Christ.  Christ means the Anointed One (Messiah), and messiah means the Promised One.  The Promised One is the One that God had to send so that whoever believes in Him has eternal life. (John 3:16), For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  

Why should we believe in His Son Jesus?  Because He is the one that took away the penalty of sins in our place, that function is one of a redeemer, (Gal 3:13).  A redeemer is a relative of the family that has the right to buy back a property that a family member has lost, (Romans 5:19).  Adam has lost ownership of the dominion on earth.  He lost it to Satan.  He lost it by disobeying God.  Adam disobeyed by eating the fruit that God had forbidden them to eat.  The human race has since suffered the consequences of Adam's disobedience
.

The consequences of his disobedience also included a change of mastership.  We are no longer sons of God but sons of disobedience, (Ephesians 2:2).  Satan is now our master.  In addition, since Satan's destiny is to be separated from God for eternity in the lake of fire, the sons of disobedience have the same destiny.  Jesus loved us so much and in as much as God does, that He would take our death sentence in exchange for His life.  Therefore, whoever believes in Him is reinstated in the family of God.  

Jesus lived a sinless life, death could not keep Him prisoner, (Acts 2:24).  

Jesus' blood did not only pay the penalty of our sins but resurrected us with Him, therefore, He reinstated us in the family of God.  Not only are we reinstated, but He also appointed us to reign with Him, (2 Timothy 2:12).  He is sharing His inheritance with us, (Ephesians 1:11).  There is only one catch…we are to accept Him, we are to believe that He is the One that paid for our sins, our disobedience.  That simple.  Just Believe, (John 6:29).  All sins from the beginning of time to the end of time had been forgiven, paid for everybody from Adam to the last born human.

Satan knows that his time is short.  His destiny in eternal fire is at hand.  With fury and vengeance, he wants to bring as many victims with him. Deceiving by lying is his greatest weapon, (Eph6:12).  THEY MUST NOT BELIEVE…is his motto.

Jesus is God, (John 1:1-5).  Jesus came out of God to take the form of a man.  Jesus will keep that form forever.  He will never be like God the Father is.  Jesus still bears the scars on His hands, side, back, and forehead.  These scares will be with Him for eternity to remind us of the price He paid to redeem us.

Take it or leave it, if not saved, Satan is your master; your destiny is to be with him for eternity in the lake of fire.  You cannot be sitting on the fence, (Matthew 6:24).  It is your choice.  Choose eternal life with Jesus…it is that simple.  BELIEVE.  Jesus did all the work. 

"that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved," (Romans 10:9) NKJ

Pray this simple prayer:

If you have prayed this simple prayer, find someone you trust in the Christian community.  Share with him/her that you have accepted Jesus.  They will guide you in your new life with Our Lord.

Jesus loves you

I believe.... therefore, I will live for eternity... no matter what...  "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand," (John 10:29).

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Romans 8:38-39).

Isaiah 53 - CEB

1. Who can believe what we have heard, and for whose sake has the Lord’s arm been revealed?
2. He grew up like a young plant before us, like a root from dry ground. He possessed no splendid form for us to see, no desirable appearance.
3. He was despised and avoided by others; a man who suffered, who knew sickness well. Like someone from whom people hid their faces, he was despised, and we didn’t think about him.
4. It was certainly our sickness that he carried, and our sufferings that he bore, but we thought him afflicted, struck down by God and tormented.
5. He was pierced because of our rebellions and crushed because of our crimes. He bore the punishment that made us whole; by his wounds, we are healed.
6. Like sheep we had all wandered away, each going its own way, but the Lord let fall on him all our crimes.
7. He was oppressed and tormented but didn’t open his mouth. Like a lamb being brought to slaughter, like a ewe silent before her shearers, he didn’t open his mouth.
8. Due to an unjust ruling, he was taken away, and his fate—who will think about it? He was eliminated from the land of the living and struck dead because of my people’s rebellion.
9. His grave was among the wicked, his tomb with evildoers, though he had done no violence, and had spoken nothing false.
10. But the Lord wanted to crush him and make him suffer. If his life is offered[d] as restitution, he will see his offspring; he will enjoy a long life. The Lord’s plans will come to fruition through him.
11. After his deep anguish, he will see light,[e] and he will be satisfied. Through his knowledge, the righteous one, my servant, will make many righteous and will bear their guilt.
12. Therefore, I will give him a share with the great, and he will divide the spoil with the strong, in return for exposing his life to death and being numbered with rebels, though he carried the sin of many and pleaded on behalf of those who rebelled.

When Did I Receive The Gift of Eternal Life?

When I Believed

The Reward Is Eternal

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:42

In this commentary, I will share with you my personal life experience it took to become born again and consequently receive the “free” gift of eternal life. Here are the sequences of events that took place in my life that brought me to understand the simplicity of the gospel.

My parents raised me in the Roman Catholic faith. I attended a catholic school. I was an altar boy, regularly scheduled to assist the priest serving mass. It was all in Latin then. There were a lot of rituals, ceremonies and strict observances. On each first Friday of the month, a priest would come to school to receive confession and then we would go to church service at 11 am. The month of May was specially consecrated to Mary, Jesus’ mother in daily prayers by reciting the rosary kneeling in front of her statue holding baby Jesus and at the same time crushing the head of a serpent with her heal.   Lent was a special time when we gave up something, mostly sweet for forty days. Was it then that I received the gift of eternal life? If I would have died then as a good catholic, would I've received eternal life? After all, I burned candles for those who were stuck in purgatory and I confessed my sins regularly. No. I would have gone to hell. God forbids us to pray to the dead to intercede on our behalf. Only Jesus is our intercessor. He also forbids calling anyone father. That is reserved for God, the Father only. Jesus instructed us to avoid repetitive prayer and to pray in the privacy of our room.  No, I did not receive the gift of eternal life by following my parent's tradition and religious custom of the Roman Catholic Church.

I stopped going to Sunday mass during my mid-teens. I slowly got interested in the New Age trend. I was more interested in girls than in religion. Gradually, I got more involved in the new age movement and proceeded to study the paranormal phenomenon. If you want more detail about what is behind this read my commentary on the subject: PARANORMAL PHENOMENA, WHAT REALLY BEHIND THIS?

Paranormal consisted of ESP, clairvoyance, mind over matter, communicating with a guide (angel) and many more. I finished college and got a job. A co-worker was also very involved in the paranormal. Actually, he was so much involved, as to let a demon take control over him. He would allow it. He informed me that Satan wanted to see me. It was then that I realized who was behind the New Age movement. Satan wanted to use me as he used my co-worker.  It was then that I asked God the Father to protect me. God did protect me. Satan and his demons were unable to enter my body and unable to use me to achieve their agenda.  I eventually quit my job and moved on. Was it then that I received the gift of eternal life? After all, God answered my prayer to protect me from demons. No. If I would have died then I would end up in hell. 

One rainy morning on my way to work, I was driving up a small winding curve on a hill. My car lost control and I was heading toward two young boys who were on their way to school.  My foot was on the brake pedal and unable to stop, I could see their face in fear of my coming. I asked God to take my life in exchange for theirs... immediately the car swerved and crashed on the opposite side of the road in a rocky ditch. The boys were unharmed. My car was totalled.  Was it then that I received the gift of eternal life? After all, I gave my life to God in exchange for the lives of the two young boys. No, I did not receive the gift of eternal life then, either. If I wound had died then I still would have ended up in hell. 

A door-to-door salesman knocked at my door. Without any hesitation, I asked if he had a bible.   That is when I became curious to search for the truth.  In those days it was forbidden to own a bible, especially with the full Old Testament version. A good friend invited me to a weekend retreat.  It was a gathering of young men to get to know Jesus. All through the weekend, I've listened to testimonies of how Jesus affected their lives, and how Jesus helped them overcome huge obstacles in their lives. It emotionally moved me. I asked Jesus to come into my life. It changed me, it helped me to reconcile with my father, and express my love to my mother, brother and sister.  Was it then that I received the gift of eternal life? No,  if I would have died then, I would have ended up in hell.  

I got interested in attending and being a part of a Christian denomination. I got involved with the Worldwide Church of God.  To become a member, I had to go to a series of interviews. I was even told that I must stop smoking before being baptized. So I quit smoking, got baptized submerged in water, hands were laid on my head and elders prayed for me. This particular denomination observed the Sabbath day of rest, which was from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday.

We also observed all the Jewish feast days, which took part in the Spring and Fall season.  I paid tithe, plus a special tithe set aside for the observance of the Feast of Tabernacle, and every third year a special tithe dedicated to the needy in the church.  I also keep the special dietary ordinance, staying away from eating unclean food as prescribed in the Book of the Law of Moses. It required a lot of discipline to set aside half an hour minimum of prayer in the morning and at bedtime, and one hour of Bible study minimum each day. Surely, at this time you would conclude that I received the gift of eternal life. No. If I would have died then, I would have ended up in hell. 

So, what does it take to receive the "free" gift of eternal life? Is it by going to church every Saturday or Sunday? Is it by giving one's heart to Jesus? Is it by being part of a congregation? Is it by swearing an oath? Is it by keeping the 613 commandments? Is it by sinning no more? Is it by walking down to the front of the congregation stage to accept Jesus as my Lord? Is it by serving in the community? Is it by giving to the poor? Is it by having good conduct and a good reputation? Is it by stopping smoking and drinking? No, none of the above will do. Therefore, what should we do to receive the “free” gift of eternal life?

Some of you would probably argue that God is not that finicky and that He sees the heart. Is God that difficult? It is the opposite; God had made receiving the gift of eternal life so simple and so easy that it makes it hard to see.

What must we do? What is the work that we must do to receive the gift of eternal life? The circumstances in my life made me leave the Worldwide Church of God. I did not attend any other denomination. I took it upon myself to find the truth by reading the Bible and not to take anyone's church version to explain the truth. Something was just not right. There are so many denominations and all claim to have the truth. Yet, why are Christians divided?  Right then and there is a sign that something is drastically wrong. I find that they all have some truth mixed up with confusing theology. I decided to go back to the basics by questioning everything that I was taught.

I started to read the bible again but this time I took it, as is, and took Jesus by His word. What makes God's word difficult to understand? We tend to view the Bible from the secular point of view, the world vantage view that is. We conclude that it is too difficult to understand therefore, it is better to leave it to the theologians. 

I came across an important verse that encouraged my research:

 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day," John 6:44.

God definitely was drawing me to His Son Jesus. All these past experiences of God present in my past reveal that He wanted me to understand something very important, and who would guess that it would pertain to the gift of eternal life.

I read many commentaries. I eventually narrowed my sources to three authors: Lambert Dolphin, Ray Stedman, Jack Kelley and recently Andy Woods. They also provided YouTube and MP3 bible study.  You will find the link below. They all agree that to receive the "free" gift of eternal life is to ... believe that the Son Of God is the Lord and in His resurrection. In all its simplicity, all it takes to receive eternal life is to make a choice to believe in our Lord and King Jesus.

 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light,” Matthew 11:28-30.

We tend to associate this verse with the problems we face in our lives. Yes, Jesus will help us face life’s troubles, but this verse is directed to a Jewish audience. The Jews are burdened by observing all the laws and ordinances described in the Book of Leviticus. The Pharisees and the Sadducees only made matters worse by adding more to the laws. The Jews are the ones Jesus was addressing; hey, I know by experience, I lived it. Working for my salvation, meaning working to receive eternal life is a heavy-laden burden and it is tough labour to keep our salvation. Jesus is explaining to learn from Him, meaning to take Him by His word and you will find rest, which in turn means to stop working. Take the example of God who rests on the seven days, He stopped creating, and He stopped working.

What is Jesus' yoke that is so easy, what is Jesus' burden that is so light?  It is to BELIEVE. Is it that simple? To believe in what? Believe that He is the one who did all the work so that you may receive eternal life and He is the one responsible for seeing that you keep it.

 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand," John 10:28.

In addition, if that did not convince you, this verse should:

 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand," John 10:29

Take the example of Naaman, commander of the king of Syria’s army found in the Book of 2 Kings Chapter 5.  He had leprosy. He heard from a young Jewish girl servant of his wife that, there was a prophet in Samaria named Elisha that could heal him. He brought it to the attention of his king. His king told him to go seek the prophet, get healed, and bring with him silver, gold and clothing. Therefore, Naaman did so. When he got to Elisha's house, Elisha sent his servant to meet Naaman at the door to give instructions to wash in the Jordan River seven times. 

Naaman was furious that Elisha did not make a special ritual and prayer to heal him. He left, fuming. However, one of Naaman's servants asked him, "Would you not follow Elisha's instruction if he would ask you to do something great to show that you are worthy to receive healing?  But, instead, he asked you to do something simple as to dip seven times in the Jordan River." This convinced Naaman so he followed Elisha's instructions to find his flesh restored like the flesh of a little child.

Naaman was very happy and wanted to reward Elisha with silver, gold and clothing. Elisha refused to receive anything. The purpose of God's healing of Naaman an enemy of Israel was to prove that there is no other God on all the earth except in Israel.

Are we not all like Naaman? We refused to consider that the gift of eternal life is so simple to receive. Moreover, there is nothing we can do or give to keep it? Therefore, why are you persisting to disobey His instruction to believe in His Son who did it all for us and promised that nothing will ever take it away? Recognize God's mercy and grace and testify that there is no other God on all the earth except in Israel and His name is Jesus.

 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19

 

By Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone!

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

 

Word of advice...when in doubt, take Jesus by His word.

c u @ d rapture... soon

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." Revelation 22:12

“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:29

The Reward Is Eternal

Andy Woods - https://www.youtube.com/user/kristuskommt/playlists
Lambert Dolphin - http://www.ldolphin.org/

Ray Stedman - http://www.raystedman.org/

Jack Kelley http://gracethrufaith.com/

Pastor Steven Michel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdAWe9Oj5nwafgMgPG5aM2w/videos

Welcome to the Family of God

andre@simplicityinthegospel.com