April, 2022 | THE BIBLE VIEW

The BIBLE VIEW #856 — Patience

In This Issue:
Patience, according to the Bible
By Patience…
Has to Be Experienced
Wait Patiently
Bulb to Flower
Can You Do Better

Volume: 856 April 25, 2022
Theme: Patience

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Patience, According to the Bible
Bill Brinkworth

Patience is not a character trait that many strive to develop. In this fast-paced world, more have to have it their way — now. Any waiting involved will soon discourage or aggravate many.

People will not wait for what they think they should earn, so they leave a job rather than serve more time and be promoted. Traffic jams frustrate many and tempers are often lost, resulting in their publically expressing their dissatisfaction. Some will not attempt to curb their eating habits by persevering through difficult temptations, so they seek some pill or operation that will take the weight off of them immediately. Others give up sitting on the sport’s bench, because others are playing, and they are not, so they quit. Students do not have the fortitude to study for themselves, so they cheat on tests. Impatience looms all around us.

Patience is spoken about much in the New Testament. It is rarely mentioned in the Old Testament, perhaps because now, in an era that we are to live more by faith and less by sight, patience may be tested more.

Here are some Bible teachings about patience:

God is patient.
“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:” Rom. 15:5

Not all have patience.
“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Heb. 10:36

Christians are to seek and have patience.
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” I Tim. 6:11
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Heb. 12:1 Also: Eccl. 7:8, Tit. 2:2, I Thes. 5:14.

If people persevere in obedience to do what the Bible teaches, they will reap benefits.
“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15 Also: Rev. 3:10.

If Christians will not quit through difficult times, and persevere, they will be more patient, better Christians, and will be stronger.
“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:3-4
“Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:11
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” Rom. 5:3-4 Also: Rom. 15:4, Rom. 2:7, Rom. 12:12, Col. 1:11.

The Lord will help a Christian be more patient.
“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.“ II Thes. 3:5

Patience in a Christian is a good testimony (example) of them personally and of Christianity.
“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” James 5:10 Also: II Thes. 1:4, I Tim. 3:3, Heb. 12:1.

Christians need to wait patiently on the Lord’s working and timing.
“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” II Thes. 3:5 Also: James 5:7-8.

God knows of our patience, or lack of it.
“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:” Rev. 2:2 Also: Rev. 2:3, 19.

Christians are never to stop being patient in living by faith (Heb. 11:6).
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” Also: Rom. 12:12.

Those in the ministry should have patience.
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,” II Tim. 2:24
“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,” II Cor. 6:4 Also: I Tim. 3:3, I Tim. 6:1, James 5:10.

“The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs, one step at a time.” — Author Unknown

By Patience …
Henry Smith, 1871

By patience, Job heard all the torments that the devil could heap upon him.
By patience, Jacob put up with a thousand wrongs from Laban and his children and never complained in 21 years before he departed.
By patience, Joseph forgave his brethren when he might have put them to death and gave them food when they feared revenge.
By patience, Christ suffered banishment, reproaches, and scourges until He went to His death, like a Lamb to the slaughter.

“Patience may be bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” — Rousseau

Has to Be Experienced
H. W. Beecher

There is no such thing as preaching patience to people unless the sermon is so long that they have to practice it while they hear. No man can learn patience except by going out into the hurly-burly world and taking life just as it blows. Patience is gained by staying with and riding out life’s hard-blowing trials.

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Heb. 10:36

Wait Patiently
Author Unknown

Wait, patiently wait,
God is never late;
The budding plans are in thy Father’s holding,
And only wait His Divine unfolding;
Then wait, patiently wait.

Bulb to Flower
H. W. Beecher

If my child asks me for a pretty tuberose, though I plant the bulb immediately, months elapse before he gets to see that flower. Our prayers are not always answered immediately, not because God would tantalize us, but because the things we ask are often so large and require such a development that there will be a space of time between the asking and the getting.

“Trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.” ― Moliere

Can You Do Better?
Author Unknown

A man’s car stalled in the heavy traffic as the light turned green. All his efforts to start the engine failed, and a chorus of honking behind him made matters worse. He finally got out of his car, walked back to the first driver, and said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to get my car started. If you’ll go up there and give it a try, I’ll stay here and blow your horn for you.”

The Bible View #855 — Ephesians 2:8-9

In This Issue:
Is There Something More I Can Do?
Saved Only by God’s Grace
You Cannot Work Your Way to Heaven

Volume: 855 April 18, 2022
Theme: Ephesians 2:8-9

The FREE printable versions (bulletin insert, large print, and e-mail versions) of this Bible View and many others can be found at https://openthoumineeyes.com/newsletters.html.

I would like to have an upcoming Bible View featuring some of the greatest experiences soul-winners had when witnessing to others. If you have led someone to the Lord and remember it as one of the most memorable opportunities where God did something special in a person’s life (or yours), could you share it with me (brinkworth@frontier.com). It may encourage others to tell others how to be saved. Please keep it under 600 words and do not mention names.

Is There Something More I Can Do?
Bill Brinkworth

A rich man came to Jesus unintentionally admitting he committed the same mistake that most would not dare confess. He confessed to having the same philosophy that sends most lost people to Hell. The man’s misunderstanding is also where most churches and religions err. His false belief was in his question, “… what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life” (Matthew 19:16).

This ruler (Luke 18:18) tried to work his way to Heaven by doing all he could to earn himself a place there. He and most religions believe if you do enough good things, that good will outweigh the bad, and God will let you into Heaven.

False religions teach that obeying and following traditions, rules, catechisms, rites, sacraments, pillars of the faith, or their religion’s teachings will get them to Heaven. Wrong! Unbiblical! That thinking distinguishes man-made religions from real Christianity!

True Christianity is the only “religion” that teaches one does not have to do anything to get to Heaven except believe what Jesus did for them and ask for salvation from Hell. One does not have to “pay” for salvation by doing good works because it already has been paid for them by Jesus Christ’s sacrificial deed.

After receiving salvation, one will want to do all one can to please and obey God and His commandments out of love and gratitude. However, those good acts have nothing to do with getting saved.

All have sinned. All do not only commit iniquity but were born sinners. Because of sin, no one can get higher than the coffin lid after death. That is the bad news.

However, there is good news. There is a person who never sinned. His undeserved death on the cross is the sole payment God will accept to cover anyone’s sin. It is Jesus alone, God’s only son, that was worthy enough to pay for our transgressions.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Trying to do good “works” to earn Heaven is not accepting Christ’s finished work on the cross. That rejection shows disbelief that Christ’s sacrificial payment was not enough to cover a person’s iniquities

Like the rich ruler, doing good deeds and living the way one thinks is right is not enough to earn eternity in Heaven. That man had done “right” his whole life, yet he was still looking for one more thing to do to guarantee eternal life.

Good deeds never satisfy God because they are not enough. Trusting that one loves us so much that He gave his life so that we can live eternally is the only way God will accept.

Are you 100% certain that you would go to Heaven if you were to die today, tomorrow, or a hundred years from now? You can be sure because the “ticket” has been paid for. All you must do is believe and accept God’s wonderful gift!
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” II Timothy 1:9
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Saved Only by God’s Grace
Bill Brinkworth

In Ephesians 2, Paul addressed converted Gentiles (Ephesians 1:1) and reminded them how they became Christians. This crucial action has eluded many religions, even some “Christian” denominations.

The distinctions that separate lost, even religious, people from the saved are:

A saved person is saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 1:8) because Jesus died on the cross and paid for their sins.

Grace is “free, unmerited love” from God. A person is saved not because one is good-looking, of superior intelligence, or a good person. All are saved because God is good, He loves us, and it has nothing to do with whom we are or what we have done.
If we make the first step to believe Jesus died for our sins, God’s love will do the rest. We must go first, not wait to have proof, but do as a child does when doing what his parents tell him to do. The child believes and obeys. We must do the same and trust what God has told us.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Ephesians 2:8
We are saved because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. There is nothing we can do to earn God’s approval and allow us to go to Heaven other than trusting Christ as Saviour. No amount of good works, kindness, or religious mumbo-jumbo will get us higher than the coffin lid. We cannot earn our way because Jesus has already paid our “ticket” to Heaven. Trying to earn salvation is negating the trust by faith we must have.
“Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:9
However, doing deeds according to what Scripture commands, doing what we can do for the cause of Christ, or bringing honor to God after we are saved is the right thing to do for Him (Ephesians 1:10). A born-again person should want to serve the Lord, not just sit and soak up God’s goodness.

Many nod their head in agreement with Ephesians 2:8-9 but do not connect what it says to what they may do or believe. The two verses’ whole point is there is nothing we can do to earn an eternity in Heaven.

We must trust what God has already done for us. However, even biblical doctrines have been turned into good works people hope will make them worthy of Heaven. Countless people and religious leaders have justified their salvation because “I have been baptized,” “I tithe,” “I help the poor,” “I live a good life,” or “I obey the rules of my church.” They are good works that will please God after one is saved, not good works to get one saved. Those deeds become conditions added to what God said to do in Ephesians 2:8-9.

It is only faith that will get one God’s promise of Heaven. One cannot add anything to it.

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
Titus 3:4-5

You Cannot Work Your Way to Heaven
Bill Brinkworth

It seems natural to many people that if they do good deeds, God will be pleased and let them into Heaven. Although there are many scriptures encouraging people to be less selfish and concentrate on meeting the needs of others, nowhere is it mentioned that those good acts will get anyone to Heaven. The Bible declares that there is nothing we can do but trust Christ as Saviour to have a heavenly home.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

God’s way for us to see Heaven is that innocent blood had to be shed to have our sins forgiven. The only payment God will accept for all of a sinner’s transgressions is the sacrificial death of God’s only son, Jesus. No one can achieve Heaven for what they have done, but because of what Christ did for them. Jesus is the only way to Heaven.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Although good works will get no one to Heaven, a Christian is to do good deeds. He is to do them, not to earn Heaven, but to be a good Christian example. We should be a blessing to others because we love the Saviour and want to be obedient to His commandments. When we shine our Christian “light,” others may see God’s goodness and will also turn to Him.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Mat. 5:16
“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:8 Also: Heb. 10:24, I Tim 2:10, I Tim. 5:10, I Tim. 6:18, II Tim. 3:17, Titus 1:16.

“I am not a Christian because I am strong and have it all figured out. I am a Christian because I am weak and admit I need a Saviour.” — Author Unknown

The Bible View #854 — Our Sin Nature

In This Issue:
Die, Old Nature! Die!
Remarried

Volume: 854 April 11, 2022
Theme: Our Sinful Nature

The FREE printable versions (bulletin insert, large print, and e-mail versions) of this Bible View and many others can be found at https://openthoumineeyes.com/newsletters.html.

Die, Old Nature! Die!
Bill Brinkworth

When a person is saved, he becomes a different, “new” person. One may be “new” on the inside, but all have the same “flesh” they were born with. Those fleshly, worldly desires may be tucked away out of sight for now, but they will always be waiting for their chance to make an appearance. If the indwelling “new man” does not keep them in check, they will ruin one’s life and cause one to be in the same miserable state, or worse, than before.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17

No, one does not get unsaved because he does not follow the “new,” Holy Spirit’s guidance. However, his life may not appear much different than an unsaved person’s life. He will not have the joy he could have had, and he will not be all he could have been. He will go through many hardships that he would not normally go through, and God will not use that person the way He desired.

All have to battle the pull from the old nature’s stranglehold to rule and get its way. Many of our personal and social problems are because someone’s “old man” is trying to rule the roost — again. It is that old man that is prevailing when the green-eyed monster of jealousy raises its unruly head between brother and sister, or when one gets angry quickly with another. He surfaces again when a lie is offered to get one out of trouble.

It is the “old man” (the old self) that creates power struggles between peers, becomes selfish, and it is that same villain that spreads gossip to defame one’s testimony because someone hurt the gossiper’s feelings.

The “old man” exposes himself when a mouth spews out hurtful words and filthy talk. The old nature gets control again when we allow it to criticize someone that is not doing something our way, or when we are scared others are not accepting us, and other countless ways. The “old man” will always haunt our lives, until we do what God commands we do to our old, could-be-dominating nature. Our “old man” must die, sometimes even daily. He must be forgotten and ignored!

No, do not even suggest one’s committing sin and taking one’s life. That is definitely letting the “old man” have his lecherous control on one’s life. Everyone, if they want to please God, must put the “old man” of the flesh to “death” and let the new, spiritual man lead. The old nature must have as little control of one’s life as possible.

Here is some of what the Bible says about the subject:
When one is saved, he is a new, different person with new needs, desires, and purpose. His second “birth” creates in him a new part of him that never existed before.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 Also: II Cor. 5:17 (see above).
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” Galatians 6:15 Religious ceremonies, traditions, and works should not be the governing factor in one’s life, but a new, spiritual life in accordance with God’s Word should be guiding him.

Do not live for “self.” Let the “new man” in you be your life’s leader. Put self-ambition, self-goals, and self-desires behind you and let your leading force be the desire to be obedient to God’s commandments found in His Word and to be a godly testimony (example). Listen to the indwelling Holy Spirit. Let many of your self-motivated desires “die,” and not have any control in your life. In so doing, God will live through you. The “new man” has a new mind, new spirit, new master, new goals, and a new joy.
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:24
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:9-10

Let your “old man die”. Self-will will have less dominance when the “new man” is leading.
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6

Do not let worldly desires and habits rule and reign in your life. Being born-again is being born into the family of God. What kind of child are you that, while a member of one family, acts like and wishes you were a member of another family? That is what those that are living for the world, by living the world’s way, are doing. By their actions, they are telling God, “I love you Father, BUT I like how the unsaved live; and I will behave, have the same goals, and strive to be like them.” That is what Christians do to their own Creator!

We are on the winning side! Why would anyone ever want to act and live like those on the losing side?
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts … And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. … Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:22-32
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; ….” Isaiah 43:18-19
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Romans 8:9
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” I John 2:15
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9

You are not your own anymore, if you are saved. “I’m born again, but I don’t want to do all God wants me to do,” is what too many say by their actions and words to God. You are not your own, you are purchased by God when you are saved. The blood that Christ shed on the cross purchased you. You did not like how you were before, and how you were headed to Hell claim many when they got saved. He has done great things for you, including rescuing you from an eternal Hell. Don’t you want to do something for Him? Live the life He wants you to live!
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” I Corinthians 3:16
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3

If all the children of God would obey the “new man,” and let their “old man” “die”, their lives would be much different. There would be fewer disagreements, tensions, and disunity in churches, families, schools, and even the workplace. All would have the same godly purpose and direction when the “new” creature guides them through life. If you want the “new” life God desires you to have, let your “old man” die — and please, don’t ever let him be resurrected!

“There is but one question, and that is, what is the will of God? That settles all other questions.” — William E. Gladstone

Remarried
Bill Brinkworth

In Romans 6, Paul lets us know that when we trust Christ as Saviour, our “old man” is “dead” (Rom. 6:6). The part of us that was once unrestrained, did whatever it wanted to, even things that were against God’s desires for us, is “dead”. Once we are saved, we no longer have to serve our sin nature.

Romans 7 takes that understanding and explains how we are no longer under sin’s dominion, and the Old Testament laws that identified the sins. Paul likens the new arrangement of being saved to a new marriage (Romans 7:2-3). Like a marriage, one is bound to one spouse as long as they are alive. Before we were saved, we were bound to sin, until that nature died. It led us where we allowed it to take us: into bars, into adulterous relationships, into bitterness, into blasphemy, and hosts of other places. Our sin nature was in control.

Like a marriage, we are no longer bound to the first spouse, when that spouse dies. Our first “spouse” died when we got saved. That first “husband” contained over 600 Old Testament laws. A saved person is “… dead to the law by the body of Christ …” (Romans 7:6).

The law is important, however. It shows us what God likes and dislikes. From it we learned that lying is wrong; as is adultery, deceitfulness, disobedience, rebellion, hatred, and on and on the list goes (Romans 7: 7). Without the law of God we would not have known the whole mind of God concerning sin.

The law is very hard, however. It curses and condemns us for the sins we have committed. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, when accepted, pays for our sins, and now we can have grace and mercy. As Matthew Henry put it, “The sentence of the law against us is vacated and reversed by the death of Christ to all true believers.”

For the believer, the “old man” is dead. We can be “married” to another. The second spouse is Christ. We are not bound to the “old man” and his laws. Yes, the old nature and new nature will still battle for control (Romans 7:18-19), but with the new mind a Christian has, he can be free from the control of sin (Romans 6:7).

“If you are saved, you sin by choice, not by chance.” — Barbara Brinkworth

The Bible View #853 —Consequences

In This Issue:
There Can be A Way of Escape
What a Christian Can Miss
Whose Side Are You On?

Volume: 853 April 4, 2022
Theme: Missing Consequences

The FREE printable versions (bulletin insert, large print, and e-mail versions) of this Bible View and many others can be found at https://openthoumineeyes.com/newsletters.html.

There Can be A Way of Escape
Bill Brinkworth

The blessings of God often are poured out on the godly and the ungodly. As Matthew 5:45 reminds us, the sun rises and sets whoever you are. The God-sent rain also refreshes the crops of His children and those of the heathen.
“That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45

Perhaps God’s blessings are to keep all alive as long as possible so that they have an opportunity to be saved from the Lake of Fire’s eternal torment. America has often reaped God’s goodness from all the countless efforts and sacrifices of its missionaries and other godly servants.

However, there have been and will be times that God will separate the godly from the ungodly while he deals with the ungodly’s disobedience to Him.

The ungodly of Noah’s day enjoyed “normal” living for a while when the godly man built the Ark. However, when it was finished, there came a time when the Ark’s door of escape was closed to them (Genesis 7:16). All who were not inside perished in the worldwide flood. God dealt with the ungodly; however, Noah and his family were spared.

Although both Egyptians and God’s people experienced some of the ten plagues God unleashed on their lands, there was a time God only brought some upon Pharoah and his people.
“And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. 23 And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.” Exodus 8:22-23

Egyptians experienced the scourge of flies, but God’s people, Israel, did not (Ex.8:23). Israel was also spared from the plague of the loss of cattle (Ex. 9:6), some believe the plague of boils (Ex. 9:11), damaging hail (Ex. 9:26), thick darkness (Ex. 10:23), and the death of firstborns (Ex. 12:30).

There is also a future judgment that God promised will come one day. Although many believe they can do whatever they want, there will be a time when God will end unrestrained iniquity.

As God spared the righteous in Noah’s and Moses’ day, he will spare His own from that coming judgment. Before the Almighty unleashes seven years of a terrible, destroying tribulation on Earth’s inhabitants, He will call His own Home to Him during the “Rapture.”
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” I Thessalonians 4:16

After the godly are removed from Earth and out of harm’s way, the horrible seven-year Tribulation will begin. God’s judgments will plague all that remain. Earth’s inhabitants will face His wrath as it has never been experienced before.

When God halts the terrifying events, Jesus will return to rule and reign on this Earth for 1,000 years. After that time and other prophecies are fulfilled, this world’s final judgment will occur.

Christ-rejectors will be cast into the Lake of Fire at that judgment, where they will spend eternity! Horrifying! Again, the righteous will not experience that terrible event. As God has spared His own from many terrible judgments in the past, they will not be judged at the frightening White Throne judgment.
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14-15

There is a time to receive blessings; sometimes, they are the rewards of others’ obedience to God’s commandments. However, God’s patience in sin has often ended as He has judged many for their iniquities. Eventually, a final judgment for sin and rejection of Him will be pronounced on many.

The final judgment day is getting closer! When God’s wrath is poured out on all humanity, will you be there, or will you be spared His anger? The righteous of Noah’s, Pharoah’s, and other periods of wantonness escaped God’s punishment, you can too. Trust Christ’s payment for your sins today without delay.

“You may juggle human laws, you may fool with human courts, but there is a judgment to come, and from it there is no appeal.” — Gifford

What a Christian Can Miss
Bill Brinkworth

Many are convinced that if they become a Christian and live a life as prescribed by the Word of God, they will miss a lot in their life. They are right!

If one lives a life centered on the Bible and abides, to the best of one’s ability, by its teachings and commandments, one will miss a lot that the unsaved will have happen in their lives.

A God-fearing, God-obeying Christian will most likely miss:

Cirrhosis and other liver diseases from drinking alcohol, as one will avoid the activity that causes much of it.
Lung cancer from smoking. When a person is saved, the Holy Spirit impresses a person to take care of their temple (their body). Smoking is often one of the habits to go.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” I Corinthians 6:19
A broken marriage. If the husband and wife obey God in all areas, the chances of having a successful marriage are great.
Begging for money. An obedient Christian should be a hard-working employee and has a God that will help him provide for his family and himself.
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:25
Having a drug addiction. A God-obeying Christian will want to avoid any substance that takes control of one’s life and, therefore, should want to be far away from taking drugs.
Deciding to have an abortion. Because of not having sex until married, one will never need to consider killing an unborn child.
Having to worry about venereal diseases. Because a God-obeying spouse will be faithful to their spouse, most likely, venereal disease will not be experienced.
… hundreds of other heartaches.

Being a Christian does not guarantee anyone will not have hardships in this life. Sin hurts all. Sometimes innocent God-fearing and God-obeying Christians suffer from others’ involvement in iniquity. However, if one obeys God’s commandments, much of what happens to those that do not follow God’s guidance will be avoided.

Sometimes a now-obedient Christian suffers from the side effects of unrighteousness they were involved in before they were saved or when they were not so obedient. Getting right with God does not mean the scars of sin will go away. That is why God wants us never to get involved with iniquity.

An obedient Christian will want to do what God tells him to do from God’s Word. Most of God’s commandments are to avoid sin. If a Christian stays far from iniquity, his chances of getting hurt from evil-doing are less.

It is wonderful being a Christian. Avoiding some of sin’s side effects is one benefit of being a child of God.

“No sin is small. It is against an infinite God and may have consequences immeasurable.” — J. Taylor

Whose Side Are You On?
Bill Brinkworth

“A Song or Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.” Psalm 108:1

Psalm 108 starts with a declaration to which all Christians should strive to commit themselves. Christians should make up their minds about whose side they are on. Are they on the Lord’s side or the losing world’s side? They should purpose in their heart to be “fixed” as was David’s and live, serve, and obey what God requires and commands of them.

A large percentage of Christians have not made that commitment. They often vacillate between both sides. They want to be saved, but still do what they did when lost.

Christians are born again (John 3:3) into the winning side. They have a promise of a future with the Lord and can have a relationship with God, who will guide and protect them through this life. Somehow, that does not seem good enough for so many.

Being saved is the most important decision one can make. It will free one from what could ruin one’s life here on Earth and give them a bright, eternal future. Why would anyone not want to be a proud, vibrant Christian?

Too many get confused by the attractiveness of the shiny things available on Earth. They get swallowed up by desiring and striving to get wealth, ease, popularity, and all that they see about them on this planet. However, those “things” cannot follow them into the next life. Getting them may even cost them happiness, freedom, and peace that they could also have in this life.

Christian, you are on the winning side. Read the Bible, especially the last chapters in Revelation. All you see here is temporary. You cannot take it with you into the next life, and besides, God has better plans for you in the future.

Life here is an opportunity to live for the Lord, have Him bless this short life, and receive wealth for your time with Him in eternity. Purpose not to have the same goals as the unsaved that have no joyful eternal future. You are on the winning side; act like it and appreciate the new life God wants you to have here.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Mat. 6:19-21