articles (Cont.) #3

"Eat, drink, and be merry." Have you ever wondered where this phrase came from? According to the Bible, it was first spoken by Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a parable about the success of a certain rich man who became "independently wealthy" and chose an early retirement. Now he was really going to "live it up", or so he thought "...And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" (Luke 12:19,20)

1. "BUT GOD SAID UNTO HIM" - Think of the power that God displays when he speaks. Take creation for instance; whenever God said "Let there be light", there was light. "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them ...For he spake, and it was done, he commanded, and it stood fast." (Psalm 33:6,9) Therefore, when God says something, men should take heed, for HE SPEAKS WITH AUTHORITY AND TRUTH. Remember the television commercial about the stockbroker firm that used to say: "When E.F. Hutton speaks, everybody listens"? Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the case when God speaks. The Holy Spirit of God calls out to men through his Scriptures, but they are only interested in their own selfish desires as this rich man was. The prominent book in today's household is no longer the family Bible, it has been replaced by the "T.V. Guide". Listen, do you want to know what God says? Then BRING BACK THE BIBLE INTO THE HOME! Jesus said: "Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39)

2. "THOU FOOL" - How would you feel if God called you a fool? God calls the atheist a fool in Psalm 14: 1: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." Jesus does not specify whether this rich man believed in the existence of God or not, the main thing is that he ACTED like there was no God. This is just like some people who claim to be "Christians", but live like atheists. They are "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." Listen to what the Spirit says: "Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you." (Psalm 50:22) If you're a "Sunday morning Christian" who forgets about God during the rest of the week, you're only fooling yourself.

3. "THIS NIGHT" - What if you die tonight? Maybe some of you that are reading this have made plans to go out and "eat, drink, and be merry"; but this could be your last day on earth! God says: "Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." (Prov. 27:1) God has given each person a certain amount of days to live on this earth, and then they have an appointment with death. "Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with Thee, Thou has appointed his bounds that he cannot pass." (Job 14:5) Maybe your name will be in tomorrow's obituary column.

4. "THY SOUL SHALL BE REQUIRED OF THEE" - Some people think that death is the end, and they will be rid of all of their troubles. But God says ..."it is appointed unto men once to die, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGEMENT." (Heb. 9:27) This judgement will consist of a thorough investigation of your own personal life. Nothing will be covered up. "But I say unto you, That EVERY IDLE WORD that men shall speak, THEY SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT THEREOF in the day of judgement." (Matt.12:36) Even your secret thoughts shall be judged. "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ" (Rom. 2:16) This judgement will be based on the Sciptures and whether you really repented and believed the gospel of Jesus Christ. "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." (John 12:48) No matter how good you may claim to be, it will not be enough to pass through this judgement. "As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one ... For all has sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:10,23) This rich man must have forgotten about God's judgment; have you'?

5. "THEN WHOSE SHALL THOSE THINGS BE, WHICH THOU HAST PROVIDED?" - Apparently, this rich man was only concerned about the material things of life. Jesus said that "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth." Like many, this rich man didn't realize how "temporary", physical riches and pleasures are. "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (I Tim. 6:7) "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36)

"And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abomina-tions of the nations which the Lord cast out before the children of Israel." (I Kings 14:24) Our country has truly been facing a great moral crisis! For example, 40 years ago, who would have thought that a state of this "one nation under God" would even consider to legitimize sexual perversion by legally recognizing civil unions of same sex couples? We have witnessed such things as "gay rights" marches in our nation's capital and "gay pride" days in our amusement parks. It just goes to show how low a country will sink when it has abandoned the Bible as its moral guide and allowed television "sitcoms" and "talk shows" to dictate what is socially acceptable. I suppose that some of you are already labeling me a "homophobic, hatemongering bigot." I refuse to be intimidated by your name calling. If I am a bigot because I hate sin, then so be it!

At the core of this subject comes the question: is homosexual conduct right or wrong? When God began the human race, he created them male and female (see Matt. 19:4-6). After the "sinful fall" of Adam and Eve, people gradually became more and more wicked. There were some who even changed what God had intended for the human sexual rela-tionship. "...for even the women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet." (Rom. 1:26,27)

In the Bible, the word "homosexual" is not used. However, it is very clear that this wicked conduct is identified with the words "sodomy" and "sodomite"; derived from the Old Testament city of Sodom. "But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly." (Gen. 13:13) God destroyed this city because of the sin of homosexuality. It is quite obvious that he hated this sin. "Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is abomination." (Lev. 18:22)

Since it is physically impossible to reproduce offspring from the homosexual act, homo-sexuals must recruit the upcoming generation to their perverted lifestyle. "Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (Rom. 1:32)

In order to defend their conduct, many homosexuals claim that they were born that way. They contend that they did not choose their sexual desires, it just happened. To them, this seems to justify their conduct. However, in using that logic, every child molester could also justify his conduct. Just because someone has a certain desire for something does not excuse it or defend it from being morally wrong.

Let's go back to the city of Sodom again. The men of the city wanted to perform the homosexual act on two angels who were guests in Lot's home. When Lot came out and denied their request, they wouldn't take no for an answer. They claimed he had no right to judge them, and became more aggressive and violent. (See Gen. 19:6-9)

This is the agenda behind the homosexual movement in America today. They are trying to force their immoral lifestyle upon our society any way they can through "gay rights" marches, entertainment, legislation or the education system. They are no longer just asking for understanding or counseling. They claim that no one has the right to "judge" them. They refuse to admit that what they are doing is wrong and should be discontinued. They want acceptance, approval, and recognition.

As was the case with Sodom, God will not allow the sin of homosexuality to go on for very long unchecked. He will execute judgement on their bodies now and eventually on their souls later. "For the wages of sin is death ..." (Rom. 6:23) "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind ... shall inherit the kingdom of God." (I Cor. 6:9,10)

Can a homosexual go to Heaven? Yes! But like everyone else he must admit to God that he is a helpless condemned sinner, and be willing to forsake his wicked lifestyle. There are many who have been delivered from and forsaken this sinful conduct, however there must be a sincere repentance to God and complete trust in Jesus Christ as personal Saviour for a real conversion. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (II Cor. 5:17) Can homosex- uals be changed? Many psychologists claim that they can't. Nevertheless, they can if they get saved; for God's word says: "...with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Matt.19:26) The Bible records that there were some in the Corinthian Church who were delivered from this sinful life. (see I Cor. 6:9-11 "...and such were some of you")

Remember, no Christian should ever tolerate the sin of homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle; but because of the possibility for them to get saved, they also should never be a part of persecuting homosexuals. In conclusion, with homosexuals, as with all others, God hates the sin, (does that make Him a bigot?) but loves the sinner and wants to save him. (see John 3:16-20)

About the only time you ever hear the word "hell" spoken is when someone is cursing. It doesn't seem to get mentioned much in churches anymore. Think about it; when was the last time you heard your minister preach a message on that horrible place of the damned? According to the Scriptures, Jesus preached more about Hell then he did about Heaven. This is because he loved his listeners and didn't want them to go to that terrible place. However, the popular teaching for today is that God is too loving to send anyone to Hell. To preach otherwise would be considered negative and judgmental. Then there are also those of you who believe that this life on earth is the only "Hell" that anyone will ever experience. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Hell is a real place; and unfortunately, many people are going there because they have not been properly warned about it. The same Bible that tells us about the wonders of Heaven speaks also about the misery of Hell. If you are going to believe in one, you had better believe about the other. In looking at this subject of Hell, there are two things that I want you to sincerely consider: One - JUST HOW BAD IS HELL? and Two - JUST HOW BAD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO GO THERE?

Some people mockingly claim that Hell is going to be a place where they will have one big continuous party with all of their old "drinking buddies". However, they will be in for a drastic surprise the very moment they enter there. Think about some of the things that will be missing in Hell that we have in this life.

There will be no water in Hell. The Bible tells us about a man in Hell who begs for just a drop of water that he might cool his tongue. (Luke 16:24) Consider: this man still had a craving for water, but he could not get his thirst quenched. In Hell a person will still have the appetites of the flesh, but they will never get them satisfied. The cravings will still continue for the drunkard, the dope addict, the homosexual, or the child molester, etc. But none of these will be able to indulge in their sin.

There will be no friends in Hell. No parties or happy reunions. No sympathy or love for others. Everyone will be too obsessed with their own suffering and pain to care about anyone else. Jesus described it as a place of darkness where there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 8:12).

There will be no rest in Hell. Again, the Bible tells us that Hell is a place of continuous torment. Those who go there will have "no rest day nor night." (Rev. 14:11) Some of you may get very tired working a long shift; but you can always look forward to finally going home and getting some rest. There will be no chance of that in Hell. Maybe your tombstone will say "rest in peace"; but if you are in Hell, you will never rest again.

There will be no hope in Hell. This is probably the worst thing about Hell. There will be no chance of ever getting out of that terrible place of torment. Think of the mental despair that one will experience. After a thousand years there will still be thousands and millions and billions of years to come of suffering and torment. Oh dear reader, don't be so foolish to fall for the lie that people in Hell just burn up and cease to exist. Don't you realize that if God can keep a "burning bush" from being consumed, he can keep people in Hell from burning up? Jesus referred to Hell as a place of "everlasting punishment" (Matt. 25:46).

At first, no human being was supposed to go to Hell. It was originally "prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matt. 25:41) However, Jesus tells us that the vast majority of people are going to Hell instead of Heaven. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matt 7:13,14)

Many of you have the idea that only the "very bad" will go to Hell. You think that only such people as violent criminals and atheists deserve to go there. After all, you claim that you believe in God; but so do the devils (James 2:10), and look where they're going. Maybe you never have robbed any banks or murdered anybody, but according to the Bible you are still an unrighteous sinner in God's sight, and deserve to go to Hell (Rom. 3:10, 23). You might even be very religious; (been baptized, attend church faithfully, perhaps even sing in the choir); but those things won't keep you out of Hell. How bad do you have to be to go to Hell. The Bible says that if you have broken just one of God's commandments, you are guilty of breaking them all (James 2:10).

Maybe some of you are thinking, "Well, then, how good do I have to be to go to Heaven? The answer is: You can't be good enough! (lsa. 64:4) The only thing left up to you is to admit that you are a helpless, guilty sinner, and then depend on someone else to save you from Hell. That someone else is Jesus Christ; God manifest in the flesh. He shed his blood as a payment for your sins so that you could have everlasting life. Won't you trust him today? Don't put it off any longer. You might die and be in Hell tomorrow! Remember, you don't have to believe in Hell in order to go there! "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation ... ?" (Heb. 2:3)

If a person has sincerely repented and committed the salvation of his soul to Jesus Christ; can he KNOW FOR CERTAIN in this life that he will go to Heaven? Can he be ABSOLUTELY SURE that he will never again be in danger of going to Hell? Is it possible for one to have too much faith in the promises of God? Or would that be presuming too much from God's Word?

Yet, the Bible says that salvation is a "free gift" from God and that man cannot do anything to merit his own salvation. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8,9)

In order to come to a Scriptural conclusion in this matter, we want to look at the faith of Abraham, who was to be an example of future believers. "Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, forseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed." (Gal. 3:7,8)

In the book of Romans, we are told how Abraham was justified in God's sight and received His righteousness. Please notice that it was by grace through faith, without works. "For what sayeth the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. BUT TO HIM THAT WORKETH NOT, BUT BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT JUSTIFIETH THE UNGODLY, HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Rom. 4;3-5)

Remember, Abraham and his wife Sarah had been childless. Yet God promised him that his seed would be multiplied more than he could number, as the stars in the sky. (see Gen. 15:3-6) God promised that Abraham would bear a son named Isaac by Sarah, in which He would establish His covenant with him and his seed after him. (see Gen.17:15-19) In Romans, chapter four, Paul refers to this promise, and Abraham's faith in it. "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness." (Rom.4:19-22)

Sarah may have argued: "Abraham, don't be ridiculous! How can you say that you KNOW something like that? You can only "hope" so. You can't possibly know for sure! Besides, even if we could have a child in our old age, there is always the possibility that it might be a girl."

Abraham's response might be: "Sarah, the reason that I can say I KNOW it is going to happen is because I AM FULLY PERSUADED THAT WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED, HE IS ABLE TO PERFORM." Notice that Abraham believed God would do what He said He was going to do, regardless of Abraham's own weaknesses; and so righteousness was imputed to him.

Consider another event in Abraham's life where he may have been accused of "presuming too much." Remember in Genesis 22 when God told Abraham to offer up his son Isaac as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah? Suppose that one of the young men who went with them part of the way had asked him some questions:

In the Bible, it is said: "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: ACCOUNTING THAT GOD WAS ABLE TO RAISE HIM UP, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure." (Heb. 11:17-19)

The same kind of faith that Abraham had is what you MUST have in order to be justified and have God's righteousness imputed to you. "Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, IF WE BELIEVE ON HIM that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered FOR OUR OFFENSES, and was raised again FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION." (Rom. 4:23-25) This is the only kind of faith that qualifies one for the grace of salvation to be imputed to one's soul!

Unfortunately, out of a fear of being accused of this "sin of presumption" by their church, many people are coming way short of this faith. They seem to think that it would be arrogant to profess that they have received God's promise of everlasting life for themselves. Because of this, they do not believe that a person can KNOW FOR SURE that he is saved forever, regardless of their own weaknesses. To them, it sounds more virtuous and humble if they say that they "hope" that they are going to Heaven. They will never put their complete faith in Jesus Christ alone to receive His gift of everlasting life. However, when it comes to depending on God's ability to save, THERE IS NO VIRTUE IN DOUBT OR UNBELIEF!

"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. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we KNOW that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we KNOW that we have the petitions that we desired of him." (1 John 5:13-15)