fencepostdigest

All Scripture references are taken from NET2 unless otherwise noted.

Lower case ‘g’ is not a mistake for Elohim is the God who overshadows those gods created in the minds of evil men.

Elijah’s Challenge to the Priests of Baal

“Ahab sent messengers to all the Israelites and had the prophets assemble at Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long are you going to be paralyzed by indecision? If the Lord is the true God, then follow him, but if Baal is, follow him!” But the people did not say a word. 22 Elijah said to them: “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but there are 450 prophets of Baal. 23 Let them bring us two bulls. Let them choose one of the bulls for themselves, cut it up into pieces, and place it on the wood. But they must not set it on fire. I will do the same to the other bull and place it on the wood. But I will not set it on fire. 24 Then you will invoke the name of your god, and I will invoke the name of the Lord. The god who responds with fire will demonstrate that he is the true God.” All the people responded, “This will be a fair test.” 1 Kings 18:20-24.

The etymology of Elohim and  Elijah

Elohim: “ ‘Elohim’ is a plural word, which is peculiar because God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4). Still, the singular form of the word Elohim is Eloah (אלה), and that form is used frequently in the Bible as well. In between these sits the construct form, that is: the plural form without the final ם (mem), or אלהי, Elohai, and indicative of a rudimentary genitive: ‘Elohim of’ or ‘God of’ or ‘gods of’.”

Elijah: “The first part of the Prophet’s name is the word אל (El,) the common abbreviation of Elohim, meaning God (or gods), but most fundamentally possibly meaning power or strength. And “the second part is the appellative יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton; the name of the Lord: YHWH. For a meaning of the name Elijah, BDB Theological Dictionary reads Yah(u) Is God. NOBSE Study Bible Name List renders Yahweh Is God. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads God-Lord, Strength Of The Lord.” (Abarim Publications’ Biblical Name Vault:)”

Elohim as opposed to god(s)

Gods, as in gods, are found everywhere. There is no doubt that in this world gods of all sorts exist and it must be said that the gods of which I write are not alive, have been formulated in the finite minds of men and women which leads to the fact that these gods are dead, inactive and have no ability to affect people or to effect life-changing activity in the life of anyone.

However, Elohim, the God of people who know and trust the Word of God understand and know Him to be alive and effectively changing the daily lives of everyone who claim Him as Savior and Lord. Because He is Sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent His effectiveness upon His creation is as undeniable upon those who claim not to know HIm. Paul writes these words, “Romans 1:18-20. HCSB.

From the beginning of human history, mankind has worshiped all sorts of things whether it be rocks, trees, water, wind, animals that wander the earth and fly in the sky, insects, and kings and queens. The gods of humanity have been and continue to be powerless and ineffective because they have been conjured up in their minds.

We know that a solution for godlessness does exist in creation and His Hebrew Name is seen in a variety of ways:

1. “YHWH appears 6,828 times in the Masoretic text of the Hebrew Bible. This name is first mentioned in Genesis 2:4 and in English language bibles is traditionally translated as “The LORD”.
2. Another common name of God in the Hebrew Bible is Elohim (אלהים). Despite the -im (י) ending common to many plural nouns in Hebrew, the word Elohim, when referring to God is grammatically singular, and takes a singular verb in the Hebrew Bible.
3. In the Hebrew bible אל (El) appears very occasionally alone (e.g. Genesis 33:20, אל אלהי ישׂראל, “El the god of Israel”, and Genesis 46:3, האל אלהי אביך, “El the god of your father”), but usually with some epithet or attribute attached (e.g. El Elyon, “Most High El”, El Shaddai, “El of Shaddai”, El `Olam “Everlasting El”, El Hai, “Living El”, El Ro’i “El of Seeing”, and El Gibbor “El of Strength”), in which cases it can be understood as the generic “god”.
4. The name עליון (`Elyon) occurs chiefly in poetic and later Biblical passages either alone or in combination with El, YHWH or Elohim. It derives from the Hebrew root ʿly “go up, ascend”. The modern Hebrew adjective “`Elyon” means “supreme” (as in “Supreme Court”) or “Most High”. In the Septuagint, it is translated as ὕψιστος (highest). El Elyon has been traditionally translated into English as ‘God Most High’.
5. Elah (Hebrew: אֵלָה), (plural “elim”) is the Aramaic word for “awesome”. The origin of the word is uncertain and it may be related to a root word, meaning “fear” or “reverence”. Elah is found in the Tanakh in the books of Ezra, Daniel, and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 10:11, the only verse in the entire book written in Aramaic.). Elah is used to describe both pagan gods and the one true God.

(i) אלה ישׂראל (Elah Yisrael), God of Israel (Ezra 5:1)

(ii) אלה ירושׁלם (Elah Yerushelem), God of Jerusalem (Ezra 7:19)

(iii) אלה שׁמיא (Elah Shemaya), God of Heaven (Ezra 7:23)

(iv) אלה אבהתי (Elah-avahati), God of my fathers, (Daniel 2:23)

(v) אלה אלהין (Elah Elahin), God of gods (Daniel 2:47)

6. Ehyeh asher ehyeh (אהיה אשר אהיה) is the first of three responses given to Moses   when he asks for God’s name (Exodus 3:14). The Tetragrammaton itself derives from the same verbal root as אהיה אשר אהיה. The King James version (and others) of the Bible  translates the Hebrew as “I am that I am” and uses it as a proper name for God.”

These names are listed as the most common names for God. One which I chose not to list is “Shekinah Glory” because it is not found in the Hebrew Bible although the vivid description of His glory certainly is. These 6 names and others are found in many places, but these are taken from http://biblicalhebrew.org.

Misplaced Hopelessness

What we see in 1 Kings 18:20-14 is Prophet Elijah coming to the end of his rope of patience and therefore, challenges a large group of Baal prophets to prove the existence of their god. Yes, we know what happened and God answered Ezekiel’s bold call for His appearance, and appear He did. This incredible display of God and His power is really impossible to describe in human language. As we read this account the scene is described in human terms as clear as is possible, but there is something missing that cannot be described and no words exist in any human language. I feel the same way in the Gospel narratives concerning many of the events in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ and then the events surrounding Pentecost. No words exist for describing what was witnessed by human lives.

Other gods are everywhere which are just as hopeless as the frail humans. These gods are existent in many things which take up large quantities of time and emotions of human beings. These gods are found in hobbies, animals, inanimate objects of all sorts. These are represented in money, jewels, minerals, and all sorts of other possessions that become objects of human adoration.

The point is simple; these gods are unable to meet any kind of need beyond temporal expressions of human emptiness. But, here we are with ring-side seats observing the incredible destruction of the pitiful and lifeless existence of the gods of humanity Fast-forward thousands of years to our day and time. Gods (gods) exist everywhere. There are sports figures, political figures and a large host of other humans who have truly become ‘gods’ for many people. These figures are worshiped in many ways and when something happens to them those who have been closely following them find themselves overcome with grief which high-lights misplaced emotions. However, read what God says about Himself, “For this is what the Lord says—God is the “I am Yahweh, and there is no other. 19 I have not spoken in secret, somewhere in a land of darkness. I did not say to the descendants of Jacob: Seek Me in a wasteland. I, Yahweh, speak truthfully; I say what is right.” Isaiah 45:18b-19.

However, Jesus remains Lord and He IS God.

All Scripture verses are taken from the ESV unless otherwise noted.

Paul’s testimony concerning who he was or is may very well define your daily walk as a Believer in Jesus Christ. But Why?

From the outset, we must understand what Paul tells us about himself. The argument that we have, not Paul, is whether or not the Apostle is speaking of himself as a lost person or as a Believer when he writes, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” Romans 7:18 ESV. and the KJV agrees, “For I know that in me (that is , in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.”  The question is simple, “Does Christ live in the Believer or NOT?” If not, Paul is a liar when he writes concerning the Saints, you and me, “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” Colossians 1:27-29.

We have a new identity in Christ

We have found in our lives that this small portion of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome has given us one of two identities which say: 1) that sin is our constant companion with whom we wrestle with on a daily basis AND Jesus Christ is both our Lord and Savior. Or 2) “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Romans 6:6. Because Christ now lives in us as Lord as defined by the Holy Spirit we are now enslaved to Him.

Jesus said concerning wealth in Matthew 6:24, “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” And in that same body of thought in 6:33 He tells us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Our instruction is to be faithful to Him alone. Money, just as this dead body of sin, is NOT a part of who we are for both tempt us to avoid righteousness but to absorb ourselves in the things of evil. Neither lives in us, but Satan uses them to deliver powerful forces of temptation to avoid God. However, what we know is that Holy Spirit is the indwelling presence of God in our lives. We live for Him for we are in HIm.

Is Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit All-Powerful or Powerless?

The NT record tells the account of not only ‘how,’ but the fact is, Jesus lives in the fleshly body of everyone who trusts Him as Lord and Savior in the Person of the Holy Spirit. “But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:17-20.

We once sang powerful in our churches and two of them are, “He Lives” and “I Serve a Risen Savior” both of which speak to the fact Believers are indwelt by the living Savior. My point is simple because Christ lives within the heart of every Believer, why would Paul ask or suggest in Romans 7:18, “that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh” when he also writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?”

Is God Truth?

Here, then is the question, “If Paul writes as a Believer in Romans 7:18, ‘For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.’ ‘Why?’” The Apostle implores all Believers to “be filled with the Holy Spirit” and to “be crucified with Christ” and to “put on the whole armor of God,” and a multitude of other encouraging words. Why would He suggest such things if He does not have the ability to do what is right in the first place? Is God not as strong as He suggests that He is? Is He not the Standard of all that is true? The Bible tells us that God is truth, “He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.” John 3:31-33.

Just how difficult is this truth to believe? We cannot serve two masters for, indeed, we will love one and hate the other. For this reason the old man was crucified the moment Jesus took up residence in the heart of every new Believer; never to leave. This is His truth.

A choice to be made

Everyone must make this choice. We must choose to believe that two distinct personalities are alive and well in your person: sin and Jesus Christ or Jesus Christ alone.

If one decides that the old sin nature continues to live side by side in life; yes, indeed, there will always be a terrible civil war enacted each and every day. That person must decide each and every moment of every day who will sit on the throne of life. There is no victory in Jesus, but once in a while. There is no joy in the heart. There is no peace like a river and no amazing grace.

However, for the new Believer who chooses to believe that Paul speaks of his life before Christ in Romans 7:14-25 there is knowledge of the fact that Jesus Lives and there is a melody in life each and every day because of what He did on the Cross!! We now know that we are, indeed, in Christ each and every moment of each and every day!! Amazing grace rules and How Great our God is!! Jesus empowers us each day because when we are crucified with Him daily and filled with His Spirit we can rest assured that His armor protects us from the darts of fire coming from Satan’s defeated armies of deception and lies!!

We Can Know

Paul wrote to his precious friend Timothy, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” 2 Timothy 1:8-14. Please note carefully this phrase from within what Timothy read concerning the power of God, “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light the gospel” v. 10b.

You see, if one chooses to think that two personalities live in our lives, the old sinful man and Jesus Christ, these two will be scrapping in our hearts for superiority. That then leaves God to be truly impotent and powerless to our personal struggles.

God is all-powerful and His victory over sin and death at the Cross and the Tomb provides truth to the Risen Savior living in the Believer that the old man is dead and defeated as well!! Jesus lives “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:16-18.

Jesus is Lord!!

The Coming End-Time as we understand it begins with the Rapture of the Church when the dead in Christ and those who are alive ‘in Christ’ will meet Him in the air. When will this be? No one knows except the Father, at the least, and when Jesus was a man He did not know. I am not making an effort to explain the details of the End Time Prophecies, but I write this now because we do not hear nearly enough about the Second Coming from our pulpits. If we did there would be more personal evangelism and more powerful pulpit evangelism might be taking place.

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-18 NASB.

The word ‘rapture’ is most often used for the end-time event that we refer to as “The Rapture.” Critics of the use of the word are prominent in denying the event itself because the Greek word in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 translated as “caught up” is from the root word (ἁρπάζω) harpzo.  Rapture is defined as the experience of being ‘carried away’ or ‘snatched up.’ The English word we most often use comes from the Latin word, rapio, which means to seize or snatch in relation to the removal from one place to another. In the sense of our use, it means to be carried away in spirit or in body. The Rapture of the Church means the carrying away from earth to Heaven those who are dead in Christ and those who are alive in Christ..

The same word is also used to describe the Holy Spirit moving Philip to Caesarea in Acts 8:39 and also when Paul is caught up to the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17 speaks of the removal of the dead in Christ and those who are alive in Christ from earth to heaven. However, I understand the moment in time as being before the Tribulation there will be no discussion of another time period here.

There is no reason to be uninformed 

As a Southern Baptist and Believer in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there has also been an understanding of the Rapture and Second Coming of the Lord as well. It would be impossible to indicate how many times I have heard sermons in revival meetings, from various pastors in local churches, in Bible studies, camp meetings and other kinds of events concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The sermons and studies always include the Rapture of The Church as well for these events are separated by the Great Tribulation and the Millennial Reign of Christ. The time frame might appear to be something like this:

1. The Rapture: 1 Thessalonians 4
2. The Tribulation: Revelation 6-10.
3. The Judgment Seat of Christ: Matthew 25:31-41 and Joel 3:2.
4. The Second Coming of Christ: Revelation 1:7-8 and 2:25-28
5. The Great White Throne Judgment: Revelation 19:20-21
6. The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ: Isaiah 11 and Revelation 20:1-10.
7. The New Heaven and New Earth

Introduction of the Antichrist: After the Church is taken away (raptured)  as seen in 2 Thessalonians 2:2-8, a man of Satan will somehow gain control of a world government promising world peace found in Revelation 13:1 and Daniel 9:27.  Another person known as the False Prophet will lead a world-wide religious system also of Satan which will require worship of him, Revelation 19:20.

7-year Tribulation: A period of seven years will see God’s judgment coming upon those who have rejected Him, Revelation chapters 6-16. During this time the Church will be in heaven and the Antichrist will show up. Many scholars believe the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will also take occur in Heaven during this period, 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Revelation 19:6-10.

War against Israel (First War of Gog and Magog): During the first half of the Tribulation, a great army from several powerful nations from the Middle East and Africa will attack Israel, but God will side with Israel to defeat these nations, Ezekiel chapters 38-39. There are some who believe this battle will happen before the Tribulation.

The Abomination of Desolation: Halfway through the 7 year Tribulation period the Antichrist walk away from his covenant with Israel and the Jews will be scattered and will come to Jesus as Savior and Lord. Persecution will soon follow because they now believe in Christ, Daniel 12:11; Mark 13:14 and Revelation 12:13-17.

Armageddon: This battle will mark the end of the Tribulation as Jesus returns leading His army of Heaven, Mark 14:62. The Lord Jerusalem from destruction while defeating the army of the Anti-Christ, Revelation 19:11-21. Both the Antichrist and the false prophet are now captured and cast into the Lake of Fire Revelation 19:20.

Second Coming of Christ: Revelation 1:7-8 and 2:25-28 mention this world-wide event, and every person on the planet will know and see Him come which makes the Second Coming different from the Rapture. The Rapture is only witnessed by those who are the living and dead born-again Believers in Jesus Christ.

The Great White Throne Judgment: Christ will judge those who survive the horror of the Tribulation and will separate the righteous from the wicked, Matthew 25:31-46. Some theologians understand the Old Testament will be raised from the dead.  Also, Satan will be bound and put into a bottomless pit for 1,000 years, Revelation 20:1-3.

Millennial Reign of Christ: The righteous will enter the Millennial Kingdom. the wicked will be cast into hell. Revelation 20:4-6.

Revelation 20:7-10 presents another possible war also known at Gog and Magog. Much discussion takes place for and against this argument. I do not argue for or against this because I will admit that I have not studied enough about this to have drawn a conclusion. What I do know i that this argument concludes that with the completion of this war Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire, a New Heaven and New Earth will be created, and the termination of human history will take place. Time will be no more. Only time will tell…:).

Jesus is Lord…

All Scripture is taken from the NASB unless otherwise noted.

Enough has been stated in the Word of God that Jesus Christ will someday return for His Church, and soon. Granted, no one knows when ‘soon’ is, but we do know that He will come. There are three very important passages in the New Testament which are vital concerning the coming Rapture: John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. We will look at each of them, but for this moment we must understand the importance of why we Must proclaim the light in the darkness.

“For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” 8  and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:6-10.

From Darkness to Light

Light dispels darkness because without the presence of light darkness is simply present. Light always overcomes darkness because the light is the source of all things good. Darkness provides the opportunity for evil whereas light prevents the opportunity for darkness to prevail. John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:1-5. Notice that Jesus is the Light shining in the darkness, “and the darkness did not comprehend it.” This has been true from the beginning of time in Genesis 1:1, is true today and will be so until Jesus finally says in Revelation 22:20, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Until He comes our task is to proclaim salvation in the darkness; to those who walk in darkness. The Light has come, but that Light will soon go out and today is the day of salvation!! “And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain- for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2.

Because of His Light, I and you are able to walk in His grace, His blessed salvation. Because of His grace we have not the opportunity alone, but we have the command to make proclamation of His incredible free gift of eternal grace with Him. We find this gift extended in John 3:16, “”For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” and we have the command to disciple the nations in Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Jesus is Coming and Soon

Let us no look at the three very important passages in the New Testament concerning the Rapture: John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. This is not an attempt to study these verses, but to mention them briefly because time is short for those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. For those of us who know Him we must become intensely animated to share the Gospel with the lost.

John 14:1-3, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

1 Corinthians 15:50-53, “Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

Our message must be proclaimed with great urgency just as Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, “But we do not want you to be uninformed.” There are people all around who are walking in death, in darkness because they are uninformed about the imminent coming of Jesus Christ. We MUST tell them!! We do not know when He is coming and because we do not know we must tell!!

Jesus is Lord!

All Bible verses are taken from the HCSB.

Hebrews 11:1-3 is helpful in giving an answer to 5 questions asked of me this week which makes the subject more interesting. “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For our ancestors won God’s approval by it. By faith we understand that the universe was created by God’s command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.”

These questions concern the blood of Christ:

1. Should we have faith in the blood or the death of Christ for salvation? I know both are important but in verses like 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 , where Paul seems to summarize the Gospel or give the essentials of the faith, the blood of Christ is not mentioned.

Answer: It is very, very important for us as Believers to understand the context of Scripture when we are reading and studying it. Paul’s letters were written as a single message which must be read in their entirety. The blood of Christ is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11:25 the Apostle writes concerning the “Lord’s Supper,” “In the same way, after supper He also took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Most likely Paul did not find it necessary to mention Jesus’ blood when he speaks of His death in chapter 15. He felt that the reader would have understood. Therefore, as we read the New Testament we must consider what has already been written and when the death of Christ is mentioned by anyone of the NT writers, unless otherwise mentioned, Jesus’ blood and death, in most instances’ can be interchanged.

2. So does the blood only emphasize Christ’s death? and yet there are verses such as Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Matthew 26:28 show the meaning of the blood.

Answer: Please take a close look at Romans 5:6-11 which briefly explains why Jesus’ death, blood, and life (resurrection) are important, “For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! 9 Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have now received this reconciliation through Him.”

3. Obviously, a sinner must know that Christ’s death was for our sins when placing their trust in Jesus.

Answer: Knowledge of the facts of salvation is really not necessary for salvation comes by grace through faith.

4. But is knowing the meaning of the blood a prerequisite to salvation? is knowing the meaning of his death enough (and resurrection of course)?

Answer: The answer to both questions is ‘No.’ The only necessity in becoming saved is faith which effectively released God’s gift of grace. “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift 9 not from works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.

5. Are both blood and death interchangeable?

Answer: “Yes” and “No.” Yes, in that His death caused the shedding of His blood, and we must believe that Jesus died for our sin, and ‘No’ because it is His blood that effects the cleansing of our sin, not His death alone.

The foundation of these questions rests upon the proclamation of the Gospel Message which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For in this alone we have the wisdom of God calling us to salvation by His grace through faith in His Son, “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1 Corinthians 1:21-25 HCSB.

Jesus is Lord

All Scripture references are taken from the NET2 translation unless otherwise noted.

“5 One person regards one day holier than other days, and another regards them all alike. Each must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day does it for the Lord. The one who eats, eats for the Lord because he gives thanks to God, and the one who abstains from eating abstains for the Lord, and he gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for himself and none dies for himself. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For this reason Christ died and returned to life, so that he may be the Lord of both the dead and the living.” Romans 14:5-9.

We live for the Lord because we are the Lord’s; we belong to Him. “We” is the Body of Christ. He is our Lord. For this reason alone we live, breathe, and all that we do must be done according to His call upon our lives. For this reason we advance the Gospel Message, “Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.

Strategies for Evangelism

And this is the place where the proverbial ‘water hits the wheel.’ There are many different strategies that have been employed by Evangelicals since the mid-20th century. It seems that every denomination has developed strategies to suit their needs and/or systems of belief. Depending upon a particular point of view it might be said that one is more effective than another, but that may or may not be 100% accurate. No effort will be made here to champion one over another, however, each of these strategies have used one or more methods which will  be discussed here.

Personally, there are 7 different strategies that I have studied and employed over many years, and the last one on the list is the most common.. Each has strengths and weaknesses and can be effective.. Is one better than another? “Yes” and “No.” Every Believer also has strengths which can effectively be employed in any one of the following methods:

1. Lifestyle/relational
2. Events (music, revival, youth-led)
3. Door to door
4. Street Preaching
5. Tract
6. Conversational
7. Intentional/personal

Vision for Evangelism

If your local church does not have a vision for evangelism for saturating your community with the gospel, stop now and develop a catalyst for the development of this strategic mind-set. Evangelism’s success will only lead the congregation as far as the established vision of the local church allows. The purpose must be to pray for and to share Christ with every lost person in the local community. If this is the visible and stated vision of your church, evangelism will then flourish and result in changing the heart and soul of your community.

Perhaps the most effective evangelistic project is used for what might be called ‘outreach visitation.’ Teams can be formed consisting of 2 or 3 Believers are encouraged to go during the Sunday morning worship hour sharing Christ with individuals or families in their homes. This may be a good time to discover some who are in need of Christ. Yes, there will be ‘nay-sayers’ concerning this idea just as there will be someone who will criticize most any attempt to share the Gospel. The idea is not to hesitate to promote attempts for evangelism.

Do Not Be Ashamed

Remember these words of Paul to the church in Rome, “So I am eager to preach the good news to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:15-17 HCSB. The point is simple because we who are Followers of Christ live by faith and we are proud ambassadors for Christ and His Message. The Message is available for all to believe for salvation in Him. For this reason we live.

We are but Messengers and not saviors. Jesus Christ is the One who saves. It is incredibly wrong to think that the Believer is the ‘Soul Winner’ although some have said we must be. No, we are only making proclamation of the Gospel concerning Jesus Christ who IS ‘Savior and Lord.’ AND it is the Holy Spirit who brings conviction of sin, judgment and righteousness upon us.

“Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.  For he says, “I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”  Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation!” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2.

Jesus is Lord.

All Scripture references are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible unless otherwise stated.

The last revival meeting I witnessed in West Texas was in 1967 at the First Baptist Church in Lubbock and was led by James Robison and it was in that meeting that God called me to ministry. This statement is not about me. This statement is not about James Robison. This statement is not about First Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas. This statement is about Jesus Christ and Him alone.

But there is more. This statement concerns you. This statement concerns the Body of Christ in America, the weakness of His Body in America. For years this beloved Body of Christ has been suffering from spiritual malnutrition because this Body has NOT been committed to following the teachings of His Word. We Baptists have followed this page, or that page, but not all of it. The Methodists, Lutherans, Episcopalians and all of the others have been doing the same thing. Each one follows the page that suits their needs and that is all.

The Body of Christ Reflects the ONE Who Redeemed Her

“When I close up the sky so that it doesn’t rain, or command locusts to devour the land’s vegetation, or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who belong to me, humble themselves, pray, seek to please me, and repudiate their sinful practices, then I will respond from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, HOWEVER, “However, if you turn away and abandon My statutes and My commands that I have set before you and if you go and serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will uproot Israel from the soil that I gave them, and this temple that I have sanctified for My name I will banish from My presence; I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples.” 2 Chronicles 7:19-20.

Revival is certainly a word to be found in the Baptist vocabulary. We Baptists once used this word to describe a series of worship services in which a visiting preacher, and sometimes a visiting choir director would go to a church to lead in worship. The emphasis was given to leading people to Christ. The idea was that the church members often help out by singing in the “revival choir,” there would be a “pack a pew night,” or a “youth night.” Before the revival week, prayer meetings took place in members’ homes. I think that this would describe what we Baptists meant as a ‘revival meeting.’

Evangelism is not what the word ‘revival’ is defined as being. A revival is an event that God breathes upon Believers and not upon lost folks.  The reality is that a ‘revival’ is intended for the people of God, the Church, the Body of Christ. Do you know that dead people cannot be revived but must be resurrected?” What God does in a revival is a move of His Holy Spirit in those who have life in Him. However, these have grown weak because these have yielded to temptation and fallen into some kind of sin they have chosen. What we do know is that revival gives birth to personal evangelism. Evangelism becomes the effective tool of Christians when people come to Jesus by grace through faith.

Revival is nothing less than God accomplishing His sovereign work of grace in His people. His Spirit causes His people to return to spiritual health because they have succumbed to Satan’s temptations to sin which can and will cause broken fellowship with God. Revival will only happen when the people are convicted by the work of the Holy Spirit which is to convict people of sin, judgment, and righteousness. And this results in His forgiveness and restoration of the abundant life and a renewal of spiritual life.

Take a moment to read and hear what God said to Isaiah, “Come, let’s consider your options,” says the Lord. “Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow; though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet, you can become white like wool. If you have a willing attitude and obey, then you will again eat the good crops of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” Know for certain that the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 1:18-20.

When is a revival needed among God’s people?

When God’s people have their left first love they must be revived when they find themselves going through the motions of ‘church.’ Paul instructs Timothy to continue to teach the truth of the Gospel message to those who have moved away from it, “Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:2-5. God’s people need revival when they are succumbing to temptation and walking into sin and are, perhaps, regretting their sins, but unwilling to repent God’s people must have a revival in their hearts when they are denying their relationship with Jesus Christ. Revival becomes necessary when God’s people become numb to God’s Presence and to His Word

The work of the Holy Spirit becomes necessary when there is a lack of supernatural power from the preaching of the Word affecting the hearts of the careless. These must turn to God in order to once again walk in newness of life. God’s people must be filled with the Spirit instead of being drunk with the things of this world. We read about the power of the Holy Spirit as fire descending from heaven as His answer because of the effectual prayers of righteous men. We must seek the Lord our God to make known His presence. Yes, we are in need of revival, of spiritual renewal.

Jesus is Lord.

“The question is, ‘How much is enough time?'” Jesus told the woman who was caught in adultery to go and sin no more.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” John 8:10-11. Jesus told her to sin no more; from this moment. No doubt the woman was an adulteress and Jesus tells her to ‘stop it!’ Not tomorrow, but to stop living in that way beginning right now. We are not told any more about this woman nor if she ever became a follower of Jesus Christ.

A similar question is asked over and over again, “If a person(s) who is a professing Christian and is living in adultery a Christian?” The answer is, “Probably not.” From 1 John 3:7-9, “Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” One who is born of God, born again by the Spirit of Christ cannot practice, cannot live in sin. For this reason a Believer will not live in an adulterous relationship. They may have a ‘one night stand’ with someone, but will immediately stop the adulterous relationship.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

If this person is a Believer the Holy Spirit will accomplish His work in the heart of that individual and the sin will stop at that moment. There will be no other sexual act with that person or another. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17.

Yes, the Holy Spirit lives in the life of every Believer. This is Holy God. Think about this for a moment, “Holy God, Who Himself is sinless will allow sin to be present in His temple which is your body?” You answer that.

The work of the Holy Spirit is this, “7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.” He work of conviction is to convince anyone of the darkness of sin, the certainty of judgment against the darkness of sin, and the righteousness of resulting in His presence in the life of everyone who believes in Him

Walking in the Light

Yes, a Believer, a Follower of the Christ will sin, but that person cannot remain in that darkness. “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10. Believers will walk in the Light and not in darkness although we will yeild to the temptation to sin along the way, but we will not, and indeed, cannot, remain in that darkness because His light in us will not allow that to occur. For just as John writes, “but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” What ore can I say?

One more time, a Follower of the Christ may sin, but cannot habitually repeat the same sin, live in it for a period of time, because of the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. If that person remains in sin there is no relationship, no fellowship with the Christ. That person is not born-again, but is lost and on the way to Hell.

Do not get mad at me, take this question to God, read the Bible and see what He says about those who belong to Him and about those who do not…Jesus is Lord.

All Scripture references are taken from the NASB unless otherwise noted.

Amazement seems to gripe my heart and mind as I observe the many different points of view that people have in viewing and understanding Jesus Christ. And I have the very same emotion when I read and hear so many different points of view concerning the Word of God. When these things occur reflecting the same Person of God I often wonder, “How does the Triune God view this craziness?”

God’s Instructions Do NOT Agree With Our Own

We are reminded from the outset, “6 Seek the Lord while he makes himself available; call to him while he is nearby! 7 The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle and sinful people their plans. They should return to the Lord, and he will show mercy to them, and to their God, for he will freely forgive them. 8 “Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds,” says the Lord, 9 “for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.” Isaiah 55:6-9. What I do know is that everything we think and say apart from God will never agree with Him. Unless we choose to follow His directions we will not arrive to His destination. AND that is the problem for more often than not there seems to be blindness by so many who are attempting to give leadership. The Bible, the Word of God is written in such a way that anyone can understand, but so many are failing to do so. “Why is that true?”

God distinctly tells Isaiah, “Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds…my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.” The NASB reads in the following manner, “my thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways…” What I have discovered is that many people seemingly refuse to accept what God’s Words clearly tells us and choose other paths to follow while claiming those pathways are those of God.

Alternate Pathways Do NOT Agree with God’s Word

I will not detail what others have chosen to do, but I will briefly point out what they do say. Many church groups have chosen women to be pastors of congregations and have chosen to ignore sexual differences among God’s creation which is to ignore the inerrant and infallible Word of God. Ignorance is not bliss. “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:12-17. Much of this instruction from Paul is ignored especially, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching…” To ignore this phrase will negate the former verses and beyond because those “former and beyond” then become negotiable and with great cost to invalid interpretations. Those invalid interpretations will not agree with God’s thoughts and plans. Enough said.

Jesus Is the Word Who Validates Truth

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:1-5.

Genesis 1:1 records, “In the beginning God,” or as John 1:1 tells us, “In the beginning was the Word.” This is the truth for “apart from Him nothing came into being…” 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30. Because Jesus and God are One and the Same and must be accepted as THE way, the truth, and the life; the ONLY way to Heaven. Unfortunately, this truth is being challenged in many, many ways for they are the Authors of the Word of God which is ignored as being the foundation to all truth.

Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in John chapter 3 concerning faith that leads to Heaven. Jesus spoke to Zacchaeus about finding life in Luke 19. The rich young man discovered His truth in Matthew 19 but rejected it. Jesus’ truth identified sin in two women, In John 8 one was accused and He wrote in the sand, and told her to go and sin no more. In John chapter 4 He announced the Water of Life to a Samaritan woman. In Psalm 107 and in Luke 8 our Lord stilled storms in order to provide safety for His people. Truth is who He is!!

Truth is oftentimes denied and He then must rescue us. Peter denied the Christ, but Jesus freed Him from the fear of his denial, Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him and Jesus told him, “tend to my sheep.” John 21:17 and He follows with, “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” 19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, “Follow Me!” John 21:18-19.  In truth, His truth, we are to follow Him.

Jesus is Lord.

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do what I tell you? 47 “Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and puts them into practice—I will show you what he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep, and laid the foundation on bedrock. When a flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the person who hears and does not put my words into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against that house, it collapsed immediately, and was utterly destroyed!” Luke 6:46-49.

Simply stated, just as a good foundation is necessary for the sure construction of a building of any kind the same holds true for every life entering this world. Recalling a very strong earthquake in the mountains of Peru in 1988 I met an architect who had studied the effects of earthquakes on the surrounding village for many years. As a result, he developed a way to construct a nearly earthquake-resistant construction beginning with the foundation. He and his wife constructed their house using his model a few months before the aforementioned disaster that ultimately destroyed hundreds of homes and buildings while leaving many dead. Their house not only withstood the shaking of the earth, but they also showed me the inside of their construction which had few cracks in the walls and none on the foundations. Most houses surrounding their house had collapsed or were severely damaged. The point is simple; good, strong foundations are fundamental to sound construction.

Jesus was born into a religious culture not existing on a solid foundation. Yes, the Jewish community was substantially constructed upon the foundation of the Law of God, the Mosaic Law. However, few people in the Jewish world were abiding by the Word of God. When the Son of God began teaching in the Temple in Jerusalem and worked miracles throughout the surrounding towns and villages there grew a resistance because the traditions within the culture resisted the message He presented.

Encountering Tradition

As we all know traditions are difficult to change and Jesus encountered such a force. “Then Pharisees and experts in the law came from Jerusalem to Jesus and said, 2 “Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat. 3 He answered them, “And why do you disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘If someone tells his father or mother, “Whatever help you would have received from me is given to God,” 6 he does not need to honor his father.’ You have nullified the word of God on account of your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said, 8 ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, 9 and they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Matthew 15:3-9. The Jewish traditions became their cultural foundations forgetting the Mosaic Law.

Many local churches in America are entrenched in traditions which is their identity. This is not to say that the local church is exchanging traditions for the Gospel Message for that is not taking place. However, the traditions found in some small churches do oftentimes overshadow the message of the Gospel which is evangelism. Many church communities are identified with a longtime presence and everyone is known for miles around is a part of their identity. Evangelism is sometimes a family affair where everyone becomes a Believer and is baptized into that identity whether it is Baptist, Methodist or whatever brand is available. The church family then takes on a denominational name as well. Tradition is foundational which competes with the Gospel and this is what Jesus addressed in Jerusalem, Samaria and beyond. “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, and they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” The truth of the Gospel is sometimes painful.

Is Jesus Your Lord?

If Jesus Christ is Savior of your life, He will be Lord, too. One cannot become saved unless Jesus is recognized as Lord. “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we preach), 9 because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. 11 For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13. There is no doubt that the lordship of Christ not simply essential to being saved because the Messiah does not simply save He becomes Lord.

Because Jesus is Lord, He is the Rock of the foundation of every Believer’s existence. “For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were all drinking from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:1-4.

Jesus reminds us of the utter importance of His lordship, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do what I tell you? 47 “Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and puts them into practice—I will show you what he is like” vv 45-47. Everyone who claims the Name of Jesus will effectually demonstrate His presence in their lives. He is the Solid Rock of the life of the Believer which reinforces that life which will encounter the difficult storms of daily living. People whose lives are crumbling around them because of rushing rivers or crashing waves of difficulty most likely do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

People will reject that premise because “Sister so and so is a longtime and faithful member of our church, but she has encountered difficulties which have brought much pain. She is no longer attending church because she questions God.” The problem with such a statement discounts the ability of God to rebuff Satan’s attacks which will come. Yes, indeed, there are some horrible circumstances that may confound life, but God is sufficient in all things because He is Lord. Remember the 23rd Psalm, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.” And Paul reminds us of the same truth, “I have learned to be content in any circumstance. 12 I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. 13 I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11b-13. Believers are promised that in whatever circumstance the Savior is always present.

He is the Solid Rock

When difficulties are present, and they will come, are you prepared to face them? If you are a Believer and Follower of Jesus Christ, “Yes, you are.” Look at what the Savior has to say concerning those who Believe in Him as Savior and Lord, “He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep, and laid the foundation on bedrock. When a flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.” Christ is the Builder and Sustainer of every Christian. Period.

The tragedy of life is that many who claim to know Christ and call themselves ‘Christian’ are not and when difficulties do arise, their lives clearly demonstrate a lack of relationship because their lives collapse when the winds and waves thrust themselves against them. They are not protected because there is no relationship.

Everyone has the same opportunity at some point in life to come to Him by faith. God is present everywhere and He makes Himself known to us.

Jesus is Lord.