Four Revelations: "Goodbye"

In this post I return to the original spirit of this blog and am again writing simply - saying naught but what I have learned through relatively recent experience.

So let the story begin...

Due to the immense pressure placed upon me by family and coworkers I began dating in the vain effort to find a godly woman among worldly "Christians" This took place over the past 10 months or so, I dated three women (one at a time) they were all nice people, and being the optimist that I am I thought that perhaps it would be a successful effort. It was successful in every way, with the glaring exception of meeting the stated goal, that goal of finding a godly woman. So why then was it still a success?

Because it clarified exactly what I am looking for, and it “proved” (at least momentarily) to certain harassing people that finding a wife is no easy task.

First Revelation: The strongest reaction to discovering others sins should not be negative thoughts against them, but thankfulness that we are free from experiencing the consequences and guilt of that sin.

To realize what I mean by this let me first give some background. Undoubtedly the reader may think this sounds crazy – but it is true and has a considerable impact on my life. Sometimes I experience – I don’t know what you want to call them – but out of nowhere a “movie clip” plays in my mind’s eye. In my head I see a happening, an event, or an experience, so real it is as if I am there. It always involves myself – or a close member of my family or someone I care about. These “sightings” always involve situations of physical or spiritual danger that a loved one or I is going through – they have never been “real” that I am aware of, but things that could happen. For specific examples – I might see someone dying in an auto accident, or someone reject long held biblical teachings. When I see these things I feel anguish, terror, fear, sadness etc., as if, or nearly as if it actually happened, and it immediately causes me to pray about it, that it would not happen, that God would guard them about it, and ultimately ends in thanksgiving that such a thing has not really occurred. Though sometimes it may have occurred and I don’t know for certain, like a “vision” that someone committed some certain sin, in which case I pray that they can become free from it.

Second Revelation: Killing one’s self to escape a reality only traps one in the very thing they are trying to escape.

This one came to me as I imagined if I had sinned in the same way this one girl I dated had. I would want to kill myself, which made me consider that for perhaps the first time with sincerity that doing such a thing would merely be turning one Hell into another.

Third Revelation: Marrying a woman who disagrees with me on biblical teachings I feel strongly about would be tormenting.

In other words, agreeing to disagree only works for minor things.  This much I knew before, but I hadn’t realized how major certain things were that I thought to be minor.

Forth Revelation: "I KissedDating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris has a lot of good principles.

The third girl I dated, on our second date, she told me about the aforementioned book and suggested I read it. So we read it together. Not sure why or how come she was ever reading it, as our relationship ended due to the fact that she nearly completely disagreed with it, and I nearly completely agreed with it. Nevertheless, it was a good book, and one which brought me back to support justifications I had for why I wasn’t dating in the first place.

Stay tuned for a future post titled; Book Review: Why I Kissed Dating Goodbye. 

Love Man More Than God?

I was thinking the other day about what my motivation is. Why do I want to see people saved? Why do I want people to be Christians? Why do I want people to live in accordance with the word and will of God?

So often I desire to see people find peace. There are those who are hiding running, and turning from God, and they are restless, troubled, and without peace. I see people suffering and living through trying and difficult days and times as a direct result of their sins. I have known men who suffered through the day because they drank too much alcohol the night before. I know those who are poor and overworked because they committed fornication, having children out of wedlock for which they have neither time nor money to care for. (Worse yet, there are those who have murdered there own children, taking upon themselves the curse of shedding innocent blood. Worse yet are they who live in the enjoyment of their sin bearing the guilt of murder but with out shame or pain living in complete callousness to God and his coming judgment.) I know those who have nearly been and who are divorced because they have neglected their duties, misdirected their affections, and ordered their life and responsibilities in a fashion contrary to the plan of God as it is so clearly prescribed in his Holy Word. His Word which so few retain in their knowledge and much less do they obey it. These are common sins of so many and the fruit of their sin is ever before them as they reap it day after day. Yet they change not and their hearts are hardened. As we get to know some of these people we feel sorry for them, we wish to help them. We try to brighten their day and cheer them as they go their way. Those who love men more than God so often will do things which appear to help men but are in fact prohibited by God. When we love men more than God humanism becomes our God and we endorse not only Idolatry but we in essence reinvent Christianity and change it into a lie, a blasphemy, and an alternative to the only true Christianity - Biblical Christianity. We must remember that Christ associated with sinners and sought their salvation - but we must not forget that he also boldly spoke against hypocrisy and sin. We can observe from the scriptures that it was the lost sinner who received much grace, not the self-righteous hypocrites who mistakenly thought they knew God. Thus by the scriptural example we show more grace to those who never had much chance to learn the righteous way. We invite them to church, we speak of Biblical principles, and we treat them with respect. We desire for them to find the peace that is only available through our Lord Jesus Christ. That name above all names – who they know only as a swear word – or a distorted distant memory.

If only they would find Christ and his salvation and live in accordance with the word of God: then so many of their problems in this life would simply cease to be. Then they would have the joy, peace, and grace of God to help and to lead them victoriously through the trials and difficulties that all must endure as they are yet in the body of flesh upon the earth.

But let us not forget the reason for desiring the salvation of lost souls. The greatest reason for seeking the lost is not to see them find peace. The greatest reason to see them find peace is not so that their life will be comfortable. These reasons are far too earthly minded, and could even be motivated by selfishness. The reason we should desire to see men saved is for the Glory of God and the sake of his kingdom. Further, we should desire to see men saved to have them avoid eternal Hell fire, rather than to merely see them live comfortably in this short time we have here upon the earth. We should be motivated by fear, heeding the word of God and knowing full well, the torment and fury to which the unsaved are to be subject!

It is vital not to lose our focus; for we stand in danger of loving man more than God, and of desiring peace for men rather than Glory for our Holy Father. We stand in danger of desiring peace on earth, more than, or instead of peace in the eternal. In fact, there are ministers who have done God disservice to this very end. They have overlooked truth and discarded righteousness and attempted to extend love beyond the limits of its character. They have cut some from the peace of eternal life in an attempt to bring them peace in this world, and the very prince of darkness applauds their efforts.

To keep the proper focus we must know, believe, and live the truth of the scriptures, not only to live righteously in the sight of God, (who sees all) but to live righteously in the eyes of men, to the end that we may turn them to Him. Him to whom all praise and honor and glory is due, to Him who is the author and finisher of our faith.

Let us see the greatest commandments spoken by Christ Jesus in Matthew 22:36-39 and regard their order. "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." These laws are very much intertwined, for we cannot possibly love God unless we love man. However, I believe that we can love man to a point without loving God, for even sinners love that from which they benefit. Even unselfish and sacrificial love is I believe possible without necessarily loving God. But loving man without loving God is like having zeal for God without knowledge. More harm than good could be done if we are not wisely and rightly directed. It is a love which is without understanding. Let us first Love God and seek his Glory, and in doing so we will love man and seek his benefit in the way which is right and pleasing to God in light of his will and the eternity into which we shall shortly pass. Amen.

http://thethoughtsofhans.blogspot.com/2011/12/make-difference-share-gospel.html

The Sins Of Job: Revealed By Elihu

Most of us are familiar with the story of Job and how God allowed Satan to test Job by taking away all that he had; his family and possessions, and lastly his good health. For the Lord said unto Satan, "Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life." (Job 2:6)

After Job lost all of his possessions how did he respond? He responded in word and by his actions, what was it that he did and said? We can see in Job 1:20-22. "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."

After Job was afflicted of Satan and suffered sores and pain how did he respond? Initially he did not sin, but as time passed Job did sin, and soon we shall look at what the sin of Job was.

Many assume or mistakenly believe that Job did not sin. It is apparent that they did not read very far into the book of Job. Perhaps they thought that the foolish responses from Job's three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar made Job look more righteous than they. Perhaps the foolish response of Job's wife made Job appear more righteous than he really was. (Job 2:9) Is it to be assumed that Job was without sin merely because he was less foolish; and merely because he spoke words of faith? (Job 13:15) Do we think we are righteous in our own right merely because we have not entirely gone astray, merely because we do not live in sin as the world does? Woe to him who thinks he has no need of repentance, for the slightest error is still sin and any sin howsoever small or seemingly insignificant places us in the path which leads to gnashing teeth and flames of the very fires of Hell.

The only righteous man in scripture who did not sin was our Lord Jesus Christ, and this is no surprise for he was God dwelling in a body of flesh upon the earth to fulfill the plan of God. He alone was worthy to be slain for the sins of the world, for he alone was without sin. (1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5)

So what was the sin of Job and how do we know without a doubt that he did indeed sin? Our first clear indication is at the beginning of Elihu's speech. Elihu was the only person in the book of Job to speak any length of words and be entirely without condemnation in the eyes of God, insofar as the book of Job has told us. It is Elihu and the prophets Isaiah and Malachi who tell us the sins of Job. We also know without a doubt by what is said in the last chapter of the book of Job.

The First Sin Of Job: He Justifies Himself Rather Than God

We read in Job 32:1-2 "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God." This is also similar to what God questioned Job about in Job 40:1-8 "Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it…Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?" So this is a sin of Job, that he justified himself rather than God. Let us hear what the prophet Isaiah hath said "Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" – Isaiah 5:21 (also see Proverbs 3:7, 12:15, 16:2, 21:2, 30:12)

The Second Sin Of Job: He Calls Delighting In God Unprofitable

We read in Elihu's speech in Job 34:7-9 "What man is like Job … For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God." Let us hear what the prophet Malachi hath said "Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?" Let us also hear what is written in Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

These words of Isaiah and Malachi were obviously not originally directed at Job. Nevertheless their words apply to any who sin in the same manner, including Job and every man before and until this very day. Many say that Job's sin was saying that he had no sin. This is true, Job did also sin by claiming to be sinless. (Job 33:9, 9:21) (1 John 1:8, 1 Kings 8:46a, Ecclesiastes 7:20) But if we can say he sinned by claiming to be sinless, we can also say he justified himself by admitting his sin. (Job 7:21, 13:23, 14:17, 15:14) Or we could argue that he knew he had sin, but his claim to be sinless was merely a figure of speech or a reference to how God had covered or forgiven his sins. Therefore it is much more profitable and wise to pinpoint specifically what the actual sins of Job were. Consider the pharisees who accused our Lord Jesus Christ of sin falsely. Had they actually judged Christ honestly looking for a sin he had committed, they would have found no sin and had perhaps believed him.  

Proof That Job Sinned: He Had Need Of Repentance

In Job 42:1-6 Job confesses his sin and repents. (Job 42:6) This is how we know without a doubt that Job sinned, because he who sins not has no need of repentance, but Job had need as do we all. (1 John 1:8) Job is forgiven by God and called a servant of God because he did that which was right in that he repented and in that he prayed for his friends as the Lord commanded. (Job 42:8,9,10) What became of Job? In the end of his life he was more blessed than he was before. (Job 42:10-17) 

We all can be called "servants of God" if we too, like Job, repent and do that which is right, coming to God in Faith believing that he indeed is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him, for this is what he is, and what he does, for he has promised, and his word is faithful and true. (John 12:26)



"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" – Psalm 27:1

Know Thyself: The Biblical Edict Of Introspection And Self-Examination

In the below verses we are given the Biblical command to examine ourselves, and prove whether we are in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ - or not.

It is important to understand that by judging ourselves we do so, and can only do so, by the Holy Ghost. It is the spiritual man who can judge himself, and even all the world, because of the Holy Ghost given him by God, as well as his renunciation of and turning aside from the flesh - his carnal nature.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” - 2 Corinthians 13:5 (also consider Galatians 6:4 and 2 Peter 1:10)

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” - 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 (also consider 1 Corinthians 11:28-34)

“But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” - 1 Corinthians 2:15 (also consider 1 Corinthians 6:2-4).

An individual can only judge themselves (accurately) by the Holy Spirit’s presence within them. It is difficult for any man to examine themselves naturally speaking because of the prideful, sinful, nature of man. If we are to possess an accurate picture of ourselves, which is necessary to better serve God and to fulfill the biblical command of self examination; we must be filled with the Spirit, and cast aside our pride. This is why examining ourselves is so difficult, because if we are honest, we are miserable failures, which is not something anyone wants to admit. But this is what the Lord has told us from the beginning to the end of the scriptures. This is why our Lord Jesus came and paid the price; we cannot measure up to God’s high standard apart from Christ our righteousness (2 Peter 1:1, Romans 5:21).

Some Christians have a problem with the idea of Christians being failures. They somehow take this statement to be an attack on the righteousness of God's people and even an affront to the work which Christ does through believers. People who feel this way appear to be self-righteous and unattuned to the extreme perfection which the law demands. Perhaps they misunderstand the message which is meant to be communicated. Never there was a man who measured up by his actions only, only by his faith. Lest this be an argument of semantics, it should be stated clearly; Yes, Christians are more than conquerors through Him, our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But when we, as individual Christians measure ourselves against God and his perfection and supremacy, we cannot but help to see our insignificance and leanings toward a nature of sin. It is also true that we, per se, are not required to be measured against the standard of the law, for Christ cast that down in a sense (Romans 10:4). If we consider all the faithful patriarchs, none of them were perfect, even though they may have been described as righteous or faithful, and as prophets and men after God's own heart. Consider David and Abraham, they were men who were epitomies of faith and righteousness, and yet they failed at times (2 Samuel 11:1-27, Genesis 12:10-20, 20:1-18). And when we see the failures in their lives, and especially in our own (if we can see them, for many I fear cannot), we can point to these and consider ourselves miserable failures; though perhaps we are as perfect as a man can be by faith. When the accuser Satan points to our sins and says "see Lord, they are unworthy of your salvation," it is then that we can say "Lord we would be unworthy, but we have been made worthy by our faith in your Son." Then Christ our advocate will turn to the Father and say, "It is true, these are mine, for they had confessed these sins, my blood has covered them." (Ephesians 1:7, 1 John 2:1, Job 16:19, Revelation 12:10-11)

We cannot, it appears, move on to a more mature Christian walk, unless we are able to examine ourselves, see our sins, and confess them with the promise to be cleansed from them (1 John 1:9). This is also why spiritual men judge all and are judged by none; because it is not they that judge but God in them.

We should pray as Job did in Job 13:23 - “How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.” We should pray as did David in Psalm 51:3 - “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” We must desire for the Lord to convict us so strongly of our sins, that we develop a hatred toward them and cannot but weep till we have departed from them.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. - 1 Peter 5:6-11

Playing With Fire: Befriending The World

The church's habit of playing with fire is getting the church burnt. 

The Christian church has befriended the world is so many ways, that it is unable to discern right from wrong (Hebrews 5:14). Popular cultural has so been absorbed into the church, that the church is blinded to its effects and unable to conceive in its mind what holiness or righteousness even are. This is an enormous stumbling block, and an obstacle which prevents the church from being what God has called it to be. Yet the true Church cannot ultimately fail, those who are the called are the true Church. It is the institutional "church" which fails to live up to its professed calling. 

This is not a process which happened over night, but a process that has been going on since Christianity began; only perhaps to be expanded and easily exampled in recent decades. This is a tragedy which can only be prevented or solved by radical faith, and a willingness to risk ridicule and temporary discomfort for the treasures of heaven (Hebrews 11:6). 

What is sad, very, very, sad, is that few professing Christians, know, or even care. This is only evidence of the craftiness of Satan, and the dominion he wields over those who fail to use the power for deliverance which is available through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

To those who grow up in the worldly "Christian" church, this type of talk seems to them to be nonsense. Something must awaken them, and unblind them or they cannot understand. 

Reason for but a moment... Not only is the Church's love of the world condemned in scripture as sin, but it is not even logical. How can a Christian profess to be a Christian, when they fill their minds with the same things as those who are not Christian. Can we really continue to fool ourselves into believing that we are Christians when we watch and hear movies, music and television which blasphemy God and promote what His Word detests? How can we say "Oh, we're mature enough to handle it." Really? I guess that's what the devil wants you to think isn't it. God knows the saturation of the minds of individuals with television and modern music has corrupted them nearly beyond repair. Dare we promote what God hates and excuse ourselves by saying "it's just for entertainment." Entertainment in its self, (for no other purpose), is nothing other than an excuse to delay doing that which God has for us to do (James 4:17). That is why there is no excuse for "cheap" entertainment. "Cheap" entertainment is herein defined as entertainment that does not teach some lesson or value to make us the wiser and better equipped for the purpose we as Christians have. We must ask ourselves if our acting or thinking places us within the will of God as it is proclaimed by scripture; weather it diminishes or allows or enhances the fulfillment of verses such as Romans 12:1-21, Colossians 3:17 and Philippians 4:8. 

I would venture so far as to say that many professing Christians do not even know what "the world" refers to in the phrase "love not the world." Neither do they understand what "befriending the world" is. In part, they imagine it as gross materialism or illegal acts to avoid doing; they fail to realize that it involves every aspect of their life; that they have been living in error, deceived into thinking that music, television and dress do not affect who they are. To love God, and not the world, is not something which can be done without deliberate effort; and yet, it cannot be done by the will of man (John 1:13, Romans 9:16). We must actively guard against the craftiness of the devil, and not be unwise dealing with an enemy which we, apart from Christ, are powerless to withstand (Matthew 10:16). The cares of this world have choked the spiritual life of many, and the love of it has turned many aside to death and destruction, though they know it not (Mark 4:19, 1 Timothy 6:9).

Not only have churches befriended the world; they have redesigned themselves by the philosophies and standards of the world. To the extent that they have done this, they have lost the power of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit; giving themselves to be naught but institutions of man, becoming fodder for the fire of the wrath of God (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Revelation 14:10-11, Luke 3:9).

The verses below have much to do with this subject, and their reading provides further insight into what it means to obey and believe the God of the Bible concerning the key topic of avoiding worldliness. We can see from the verses below that it is desirable to be unspotted from the word, and to deny friendship to the world. We also observe that those who love the world are enemies of God, and that those who are chosen by God are hated by the world. We also see that the Gospel is foolishness to the world which is perishing, but to those who are saved it is the power of God. 

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. – James 4:4 

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. – James 1:27

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. – John 15:19

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. – 1 John 2:15

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.  – 1 Corinthians 1:18-24

What is Sin ?

What is Sin?

There are a few different definitions of sin given in the Holy scriptures.

In 1 John 5:17 we read that “All unrighteousness is sin.”

In 1 John 3:4 we read that "sin is the transgression of the law."

In Romans 14:23 we read that “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

In James 4:17 we read that whosoever does not do the good he knows he should do sins.

In 1 John 1:7 -10 we read;

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

In Proverbs 24:9 we read that “the thought of foolishness is sin”

By these scriptures we can see that the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from sin and that he is faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, if we confess our sins. We also see that we can sin either by doing something or by not doing what we should.

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” - Romans 8:6

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Romans 6:23

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: - 1 John 2:1

Other Recommended verses that might be good to read with this are John 8:34, John 16:7-13, 1 John 2:1-2, Romans 6:2-23, Romans 8:1-17.

A Sinful View of the Holy Bible

Many Churches today believe and promote false and unbiblical teachings. It appears that this is largely due to their sinful, incorrect, worldly view of the Holy Bible. Viewing the Holy Bible as anything other than completely Holy, Important and as the Authority and the very word of God is Sin.

If you believe the Holy Bible has mistakes you are in error and sin. It is not acceptable to choose the parts of the Holy Bible you like and to disregard the rest.

In Acts 13:46 there are some who do not accept the word of God, and because they do not accept it they are judged to be unworthy of everlasting life.

In John 12:48 Jesus said, “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.”

Throughout the new testament Jesus and the apostles always refer to the old testament scriptures as an authoritative source. Mark 12:10, 15:28, Luke 4:21, John 2:22, 7:38, 7:42, Galatians 4:30, and 1 Timothy 5:18 are just a few examples.

In 2 Peter 3:16 reference is made to Paul’s epistles being scripture.

In 2 Timothy 3:13-17 we read; “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Notice what scripture is given for and that it leads the man of God to be perfect. Therefore we cannot improve upon the scripture by adding or diminishing from it. We cannot add doctrines and commandments of men. Nor can we ignore any part of the scriptures.

In “The Book Nobody Knows” by Bruce Barton (Publishers Grosset & Dunlap, New York, printed in America 1926) a false and sinful view of the Bible is exampled. On page 15 Bruce writes speaking of the Holy Bible that “It is worth knowing. Not all of it, of course.” He goes on to discuss 1 and 2 Chronicles as being unimportant. These evil statements are only the beginning of his wicked views of the Holy Bible.

In the commentary on the Gospel of Matthew (Vol. 2 revised edition 1975 by William Barclay. Published by the Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) by William Barclay a short quote from his comments on Matthew 12:38-42 is below.

“Here we have a problem….It is to be noted that these are not the words of Jesus, but the explanation of Matthew….The fact is that Matthew understood wrongly the point of what Jesus said; and in so doing he made a strange mistake…” Here William is referring to what Jesus said in Matthew 12:40. William did apparently not understand how the statement Jesus made could be true, so he falsely assumed that Matthew made a mistake in writing the Gospel. It is utter foolishness to assume that the word of God is incorrect simply because we cannot understand it. With this attitude we are merely choosing to believe only that which we find acceptable, only that which supports the beliefs we already have. Rather we need to be ready to change our beliefs in light of what the scripture says.

We must learn to view the scripture as did Jesus and the Apostles, and as those of the Protestant Reformation who risked there lives to translate the Bible into their language and as those who risk death just to read the word of God. For it is through the scriptures that Faith in Christ can be found. Through faith in Christ we are set free from sin, and can be in the light, knowing the truth.