Month: September 2025

The BIBLE VIEW #1020 — Grief

In This Issue:
Tip-toeing Through the Tombstones
There Is Hope.  He Is Alive.

Volume: 1020   September 29, 2025
Theme:  Grief


Tip-toeing Through the Tombstones
Bill Brinkworth

After visiting cemeteries, I often wandered among tombstones that, for many, were the only remaining memories of people who once lived.  The visits were a solemn reminder that life will come to an end for all, and our mark on this world may soon vanish.

Only cold granite stones remains of lives that once laughed, traveled, did good or bad deeds, brought lives into this world, and so much more.  Invisible to us, however, their soul still lives on, but where?
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:46

Towards the front of a cemetery were five large plain stones without an etched name or date.  The rocks were carefully manicured to remove overgrown grass, just like all the other monuments.  A sign near the markers stated that they were monuments to unknown people. 

Perhaps the markers were placed before a stone mason was available to chisel their personal information on the rocks.  Maybe they were very poor and could not afford a better monument.  Not even their names were remembered.  There was no memory of them at all.

They are forgotten to us, but not to God.  He knows who they are, what they did, and why and when they died.  I wonder where they are.  Are they in Heaven or Hell for all those centuries?

Further along in a graveyard, there were three crudely carved headstones.  All three had the same last names, different birth dates, but the same day of death.   From the dates on the stones, I could tell they were very young children. 

What happened that they all died on the same day?  Was it a raging epidemic?  Was it a catastrophic fire that they all perished in?  Lord knows, and their ages were very young, so they probably were not old enough to decide to trust and understand Christ as their Saviour.  But, if that is so, they are still in Heaven with their Heavenly Father.
“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:16
“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14   Also: Matthew 18:10, 21:16.

Next to their markers were no headstones with the same last name.  Their parents were not buried next to them.  How did the adults handle the great loss of their children?  Did they get angry, shake their fist at God, and blame Him?  Did they ruin their lives because they did not overcome their grief?  Or did they turn their sadness over to the Lord and remain faithful to Him even through that great loss?  Wherever they are buried, what was chiseled on their headstone?
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”  Psalm 34:18
“The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

Four or five stones together were a reminder that there lie the remains of local soldiers who died in a World War II battlefield.  They gave their lives to secure their country, but where are their souls now?  Are they in Heaven or Hell?  Although great was their sacrifice, that great deed alone would not get them to Heaven. 

Did they get saved before the Service, or perhaps a rare conversion just before leaving this world?  Did they cling to the promises underlined in their small Blbles they were given when they first enlisted and always carried with them?
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

Side by side were two other stones, marking the resting places of a husband and wife.  Apparently, the husband died first.  Was he a born-again child of God?  Is he in Heaven? 
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

Twenty years later, the wife apparently died, with the same last name as her husband.  As her last name was the same as her husband’s, I suppose she never remarried. 

She spent all those years most likely by herself.  Did her children visit her, or did they go about their lives ignoring their mother’s great grief? 

How did she handle the great sadness she must have carried?  Did she ever get saved?  Is she in Heaven with her husband, or is she in agony alone in Hell?  If she and her husband were both saved, I am sure it was a grand reunion when they remet in Glory.

Another stone clearly told whose remains were under the chiseled little lamb headstone.  Apparently, a young child died and was buried there.  Again, how did the parents handle the grief?

I imagine it was difficult for them.  But did they take the time of great sadness and realize that one day their time would come?  Did they get saved?  Their child was older according to the etched dates.  Was the child saved?  Was there a great reunion for that family in Eternity?

A whole row of memorials all had the same last name.  Most had some indication that the person was saved.  There were crosses and verses etched on many of the monuments.  It appeared to be a family including grandparents, parents, and some children.  It was apparently a Christian family. 

Were they all saved, or did some of the “residents” claim to be born-again but were not, and opened their eyes to a terrifying eternity?  Or were they all born-again and living for the Lord?  If so, I am sure there is still a great reunion in Heaven.

One stone had a last name that was not on any of the other nearby monuments.  The dates indicated that the person lived a long life.  Did he live it alone?  Was he ever married?  Did he die alone?  If alone, how did he manage?  Did that person ever get saved?  Where is he residing now?

Then I  came upon a newly laid stone.  The plastic flowers put down by the funeral parlor remained.  It was the burial place of my wife of 36 years. 

I did not have to wonder about that woman’s past or where she is living for eternity.  She was saved and served the Lord for over 40 years.  I know where she is now.  There is no guessing.  
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15

I know in the future, we too will have a great reunion.  What a comfort it is to remember her great faithfulness, her toiling for the Lord, and her diligence in reaching others with the Gospel.

Every life has a story.  We can surmise how some lived and died by reading the etched brief information on their headstones.  But all that we can read is their past.  All souls live on, and we have little knowledge of their eternal “life” now and in the future.

When your body gives its last breath and your body lies in a cemetery, what will an onlooker remember, wonder, or read about your life?  Are you confident that your eternal soul will be in Heaven with the Lord, or will you finally recognize that you wasted an opportunity for Heaven?  Oh, what an agonizing eternal error that would be.

Trust Christ and live for Him today.  Life is shorter than you think.
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14

“Grief drives men into habits of serious reflections, sharpens the understanding, and softens the heart.”  — John Adams

There Is Hope.  He Is Alive.
Gotthold

A wife observed her husband, who was dejected by some misfortune that had befallen him.  To such a degree was the grief that he could not sleep.  His sadness was quite apparent.

She pretended to be very upset in the morning and cried and moaned.  As she had spoken cheerfully to her husband the evening before, and exhorted him to dismiss his sorrow, he was concerned about his wife.

He asked her the cause of her sudden grief.

Hesitating a little, she replied that in a dream it seemed a messenger had come from Heaven and brought news that God was dead, and that all the angels and others were weeping.  Hope was gone.”

“Foolish woman,” said the husband, “you know quite well that God cannot die!”

“Indeed,” replied the wife, “and if that be certain, how come it is that you are now sorrowful over your problem as if He really did no longer exist, or, at least, as if He were unable to control what is happening in your life.  My dear husband, learn to trust Him.  He is in control.  He is not dead.”

“The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves.”  — Sophocles

The BIBLE VIEW #1019 — Studying the Bible

In This Issue:
The Word of God — Forever!
Study!
Effect of Reading the Bible
Context!  Context!  Context!

Volume: 1019   September 22, 2025
Theme:  Studying the Word of God

The Word of God — Forever!
Bill Brinkworth

“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.  And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” I Peter 1:24-25

Kings and presidents come and go.  Celebrities also rise and fall.  People are here on Earth for a relatively short time, and then they are gone.  One thing that will never vanish, and one thing that will never be just a “fad,” is the Word of God.

One could knock on most doors in the area and not find many households that have a book that was written over 100 years ago.  Those houses would also hold even fewer copies of books that were over 500 years old.  However, the majority of those houses have the Bible, which has portions that are over 3,500 years old.  This fact validates the prophecy that God’s Word will always be with us.

Men, sometimes with Satan’s influence, have tried to make God’s promise of preserving His Word for us not true.  However, their attempts have failed.  It has been burned, ripped up, and hidden, but the Bible remains.  People have been killed for even reading it.  Men have tried changing its words with over 400 modern translations and diluting what God wants every man, woman, and child to know, but the truths from the Word of God are still available.

This year, the most accurate English translation of the Bible is celebrating its 414th birthday.  The King James Version is the translation from the preserved Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.  The Word of God is still with us!  God cannot lie, and He is keeping His promise.  His Word will endure forever!

“Read my Bible; pray every day, and I’ll grow, grow, grow.” —
From a Child’s Song

Study!
Bill Brinkworth

One of the most important responsibilities all Christians have is to study the Scriptures for themselves.  Church is important, and one can learn quite a lot from the man of God in the pulpit, but it is up to us to study and learn what the Word of God says.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Tim.  2:15

II Timothy 2:15 teaches us five things about studying the Word of God:

  1. We receive God’s approval when we deem it important enough to study what God has recorded for us in the Bible’s preserved words.
  2. Notice that the word God used is “study” and not “read.”  We are to delve into it like we want to pass life’s tests and know God’s mind.  It is the only source that will help us get through life’s difficulties and learn more about the Father.  Reading is a shallower, less urgent, and less purposeful approach to a subject.  Studying takes time, rereading, comparing Scripture with Scripture, and a lot of prayer.  It takes “work,” commitment, and a great desire to get all one can out of God’s Word.  That is how God expects every Christian to approach His Truth.  Be a “workman”!
  3. When we study the Bible, we will never be embarrassed by believing the wrong things.  There are so many who have never read the Word of God for themselves.  All they know about God’s Word is what others have taught them.  If the teachers are wrong, then the students may be also. 

    If more would delve into the Word of God with an anxious desire to find what God has in store for them, learn His teachings, and practice them, most liberal, unbiblical churches would be out of business in a month!  Unscriptural denominations would be history!  The most significant revival ever would sweep this planet!
  4. In studying the Word of God, one must separate, or “divide,” some teachings.  Some practices were for past dispensations.  The priesthood, sacrifices, and signs from God were practices of times past.  A proper study of God’s Word will expose those facts, and one will not include them in their beliefs for this church age.
  5. God’s Word is the “word of truth.”  It is not just a collection of factual statements; it is the only truth.  It is the only source of truth on Earth, and God has preserved it for all to read!

The reverse teaching of II Timothy 2:15 is that if one does not study God’s truth, he is not approved of God!  Gulp!  That is hard to swallow.  Looking at it that way should make learning what the Bible teaches a higher priority.

Is knowing what God says important to you?  Is it important enough for you to invest some of your time in understanding what God wants you to know?

“To know Him is to love Him.”  — Author Unknown



Effect of Reading the Bible
Oliver Green

A young believer was discouraged in his attempts to read the Bible.  He said, “It’s no use.  No matter how much I read, I always forget what I have just read.”

A wise pastor replied, “Take heart.  When you pour water over a sieve, no matter how much you pour, you don’t collect much.  But at least you end up with a clean sieve.”

Some seem to expect the Word of God to hit them like a jolt of adrenaline each time they read or study it.  Although the “jolt” may hit us periodically, the benefits of the Word of God act more like vitamins.  

People who regularly take vitamins do so because of their long-term benefits, not because every time they swallow one of the pills, they feel new strength surging through their bodies.  They have developed a habit of consistently taking supplements because they have been told that, in the long haul, vitamin supplements are going to have a beneficial effect on their physical health, resistance to disease, and general well-being.

The same is true of reading the Bible.  At times, it will have a sudden and intense impact on us.  However, the real value lies in the cumulative effects that long-term exposure to God’s Word will bring to our lives.

“The Word of God is an armory of heavenly weapons, a laboratory of infallible medicines, a mine of exhaustless wealth.  It is a guidebook for every road, a chart for every sea, a medicine for every malady, and a balm for every wound.”  — Guthrie

Context!  Context!  Context!
Oliver Green

There is a story of two lawyers on opposing sides of a case.  During the trial, one thought he would make a great impression on the jury by quoting from the Bible.  So he said, concerning his opponent’s client, “We have it on the highest authority that ‘… all that a man hath will he give for his life.’”

The other lawyer knew the Bible better.  He said, “I am not very much impressed by the fact that my distinguished colleague here regards as the highest authority the one who said, ‘All that a man has will he give for his life.’ You will find that this saying comes from the book of Job, and the one who utters it is the Devil.  And that is who my colleague regards as the highest authority!”

“The needle of a compass always points to the North Pole.  The Bible is a book that always points to Heaven.”   — Author Unknown

The BIBLE VIEW #1018 — Halloween

In This Issue:
Halloween

Volume: 1018   September 15, 2025
Theme:  Halloween

Sunday School Teachers & Preachers: There are hundreds of free lessons at http://www.openthoumineeyes.com/lessons.html and http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/.  The commentaries for each New Testament chapter can also be used for lessons at http://www.openthoumineeyes.com/blog/.  You can be assured that all material uses only the KJV (most Sunday School material cannot claim that)!

Halloween
Bill Brinkworth

More than 2,000 years ago, the pagan Celts celebrated the end of the summer and the arrival of cold winter.  The day was celebrated on November 1, the beginning of their new year1. 

The celebration served as a poignant reminder to many that winter would claim numerous lives.  On the night before their New Year, October 31, the Celts believed that on that day, Samhain, the dead returned to the Earth.  It was believed that those spirits would create trouble and destruction.  Death was the theme of that day2.

It was also believed that the Druids, the Celtic priests, could make prophecies about the future on that day.  The priests built huge fires where people burnt crops and sacrificed animals to the Celtic “gods.”  People attending the festival wore costumes, often featuring animal heads and skins, and tried to tell others’ futures. 

Around A.D. 43, the Romans took control of the Celtic territories.  Over time, they combined the days commemorating the Roman Day of the Dead and their day honoring their false goddess of fruit and trees (Pomona, which was symbolized by apples) with the celebration of Samhain. 

On  60 A. D., Catholic Pope Boniface IV established the feast of All Martyrs Day, honoring Christian martyrs.  Later, Pope Gregory III included all saints and martyrs, and changed the day from May 13 to November 12. 

The influence of Catholic ”Christianity” spread to Celtic areas.  As Catholicism has done throughout history, it absorbed the pagan Celtic beliefs into the teachings of the Catholic church, most likely to make the religion more encompassing and more powerful. 

Later, November 1 became “All Souls Day,” “All Saints Day,” and  ”All Hallows Eve” to honor the dead.  Eventually, the day was changed to “Halloween” and was still celebrated as was done during the Celtic Samhain.  Bonfires, costumes, and parades were part of the celebration.  Some dressed up as saints and devils.  It was soon celebrated on October 312.

As immigration transported many who upheld the Catholic/Celtic tradition of Halloween to America, the practice spread.  It was not accepted in New England because the Bible’s influence was too profound, and they recognized it as an ungodly event.  However, it did thrive in Maryland (“Mary Land, named after Mary in the Bible, who Catholics venerated.”)

As Halloween spread across America, that day’s traditions evolved.  However, many of the early practices remain, including bobbing for apples, giving treats, scaring people, costumes, and concern for the dead in the afterlife.

Today, in many areas, Halloween is celebrated more than Christmas.  The day often glorifies things God is against, including the occult, and even has a theme of fear. 

Scary things, such as ghosts, devils, and unwholesome things, are emphasized on that day.  Professing witches commemorate Halloween more than their other festivals and days they remember.

Halloween is a day that remembers and celebrates traditional pagan beliefs.  It should have no business being observed by professing Christians.  It glorifies all things that a Christian should avoid.

Halloween:

  • Incites fear.  We are to respect and rely on God.  We are not to be afraid of what could happen in this world.  Fear breeds trust in oneself.  Our eyes and reliance should be on Him, not on the things of this world or those that God opposes.
    “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
    “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7
    “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32
    “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalm 37:7       Also: Proverbs 24:19.
  • Glorifies death and makes it appealing.  But, for many, death will be eternal agony in Hell and later in the everlasting Lake of Fire.  Halloween desensitizes many so that they will not fear death, which they should if they are not saved (John 3:3).
    “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.” Revelation 20:14
    “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15  Also: Rev. 20:10.
  • Fills one’s mind with wicked, ungodly thoughts and actions.
    “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
    “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2
    “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.” Proverbs 15:26
  • Witchcraft.
    “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” Exodus 22:18   In the Old Testament, they were to put witches to death.  Today, many dress up as witches and even venerate them.  God hated the sin then and hates it today.
    “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” I Samuel 15:23.  Witchcraft is a sin, and we are to stay away from it.  We should certainly not venerate it or make it appealing, as is done on Halloween, in movies, and in other forms of entertainment.
  • Fortune tellers  and talking to spirits:
    “A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.” Leviticus 20:2
    “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:31
    “A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.” Leviticus 20:27 
    “And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers.” Micah 5:12      A soothsayer is one who makes futuristic predictions, often from supernatural sources.
    Also read: Deuteronomy 18:10-11, Leviticus 20:6.
  • Wizards:
    “And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.” Leviticus 20:6
    “And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.” Malachil 3:5    Also: Leviticus 19:31, I Samuel 28:3, 9.
  • God commands not to have any part with the occult.
    “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer (sorcery, divination).” Deuterobomy 18:10-11
    “Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.” Leviticus 19:26


Halloween has origins in ungodly behaviors and practices.  Christians should not elevate it by using it as entertainment or celebrating what God forbids.
“Abstain from all appearance of evil.” I Thessalonians 5:22  Also Philippians 4:8.

Many justify participating in the celebration of Halloween by claiming “It’s just harmless fun.  We are not encouraging people to be involved in those sins.”  Maybe so, but you are showing  people, especially the youth, that it is an acceptable activity. 

Many folks have their first exposure to the occult from the “innocent” participation of  glorifying things that God is against.  Halloween can put ideas in minds to consider one day.  If it is okay to do things God hates on one day of the year do not be surprised if that exposure to those things becomes more than a thought in someone’s mind.  Do not celebrate a day that glorifies activities God is against!

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
2 https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-halloween

“Christian, you are on the winning side.  Why are you doing what the losing side does?”  — Brinkworth
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” II Corinthians 6:17
“Abstain from all appearance of evil.” I Thessalonians 5:22

The BIBLE VIEW #1017 —The New Birth

In This Issue:
The New Birth
Sin Sick
What Should I Do?

Volume: 1017   September 8, 2025
Theme:  The New Birth



Read or HEAR the DAILY VIEW devotion, a KJV chapter, and more spiritual food for a hungry soul. The e-mailed devotion is a spiritual all-you-can-eat buffet that might have some biblical comfort or advice you may need for that day. Sign up for it at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/a26cc9M



The New Birth
Bill Brinkworth

Throughout time and the world, many feel that there’s more to life than meets the eye.   They are right!

There is a God and a Heaven where He dwells.  That place can also be a home for anyone who enters His way.

That “way” is questioned and doubted by many.  What “way” is right many wonder? 

Without reading or following the only preserved roadmap (the Bible) God has given and preserved for mankind, many man-made avenues are created that many hope will get them to that eternal home.

Religions have cropped up all over the world, but their way to God’s Heaven is often not His way.  However, they usually have one thing in common.  That way is that mankind tries to please God by doing good works or religious tasks.  They believe that if their good works outweigh their bad deeds, the Lord will be obligated to let them enter His Heaven.

However, as sincere as those believers are, there is only one way to enter into God’s abode.  It is His way!

There is no good deed or any amount of good works that will get anyone higher than the coffin lid.  Nothing one can do (except being saved) can get them a heavenly passage, as Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross has paid for their sin-debt.
“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“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 3:5

God’s only way to Heaven is by being born-again.
“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
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.“John 3:7

Being “born again” is a spiritual birth.  We cannot birth ourselves, especially by good works.  One’s spiritual birth can only be done by God.
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” I Peter 1:23
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:13
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” James 1:18

If one is truly born again, there will be a new life!  One certainly will not be perfect,  as one still has the natural, sin-prone body given them at birth.  There will, however, be changes in one’s behavior and thinking.
“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
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” Galatians 6:15

Have you been born again?

“One can’t do what is already done.  Jesus paid for your sins; you can’t.”
—Brinkworth



Sin Sick
Barbara Brinkworth

“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.  13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:12-13

Sometimes, the sick do not even know that they need a physician. That was my condition for over 36 years. I was spiritually sin sick because of my iniquities.

I was religious, but lost, and did not even realize I was unsaved and not bound for Heaven. For many years, I had gone to church and knew about God.  I knew that Jesus Christ had come to Earth and died on the Cross for my sins.  But, I later learned that knowing is not enough.

Despite all I knew, I was not born again.  I was not saved.  I was not trusting the price Jesus paid for my “illness” but was relying on my good works.
“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
“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

It took a faithful preacher’s message on the Bible’s way of salvation to open my eyes to the truth.  The man’s message spoke to my heart when he said that salvation was in Jesus Christ alone, plus nothing and minus nothing.  That day, I trusted Jesus as my Saviour and was assured that Heaven would be my home one day.
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” I John 5:12-13

I am so glad that Jesus Christ came to call “… sinners to repentance.” He healed me from my sin sickness!
“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17

“Real Christians are forgiven, but sin can still ruin one’s walk with Christ and make one’s life miserable.” — Brinkworth

What Should I Do?
Bill Brinkworth

A rich man came to Jesus unintentionally admitting that he had committed the same mistake that most of the religious and unreligious would not dare confess.  It is the same philosophy that sends most to Hell.  That terrible iniquity is where over 90% of churches and religions are wrong.  His confession was, “… what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18)

That ruler (Luke 18:18) was trying to work his way to Heaven by doing all he could to earn a place there.  Certainly, he and others in many unbiblical religions think it natural that if you do enough good things, the good will outweigh the bad, and God will let you into Heaven.  

Wrong!  Unbiblical!  That is what distinguishes all man-made religions from true Christianity!  Other religions teach that doing something, such as abiding by traditions, rules, catechisms, rites, sacraments, pillars of the faith, or their religion’s teachings, will get one to Heaven.

Real Christianity is the only “religion” that teaches one does not have to do anything to get to Heaven except trust Christ as one’s Saviour and ask to be saved from Hell.  One does not have to do anything for it because it has already been done for them by Jesus Christ.

There is a Person who never sinned.  His undeserved death on the Cross is the only payment God will accept to cover anyone’s sin.  It is Jesus alone, God’s only Son, who is worthy enough to pay for our sins.  

Trying to do good “works” to earn Heaven is rejecting Christ’s finished work on the Cross.  That rejection says that Christ’s payment was not enough.

Like the rich ruler, doing good things and living the way one thinks is right will earn no one an eternity with Jesus.  That man had done “right” his whole life, yet he was looking for one more thing to do to guarantee eternal life.  Good works never satisfy because they are never enough.

Trusting that God loves us so much that He gave His life so that we can live eternally is the only way God will accept us.  Are you 100% sure that if you were to die today, tomorrow, or a hundred years from now, you would go to Heaven?  You can be sure because the “ticket” has been paid for; all you have to do is accept it!

“Worry not who you are, but be concerned whose you are.” — Author Unknown