The Book of Life

The Book of Life

There’s an old song called, “I Know my Name is There” written by D.S. Warner in 1893.  The first stanza of the song goes: “My name is in the book of Life, / Oh, bless the name of Jesus; / I rise above all doubt and strife, / And read my title clear.”  The chorus of the song says, “I know, I know, / My name is there; / I know, I know, / My name is written there.”

Don't blot out that name.

Don’t blot out that name.

The first reference to this book is in Exodus 32 after the Israelites sin of making a golden calf.  Moses intercedes: “Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.  Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written” (Exodus 32:31-32).  God replied: “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book” (Exodus 32:33).  Some are written in God’s book and some will be blotted out of God’s book.  The New Testament mentions the Book of Life in Philippians 4:3, Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:12, 15, 21:27, and 22:19.

Everyone’s name is written in the book of life at some point, because we all come into the world without sin as innocent children.  When sin enters our life, our name is blotted out.  That isn’t the end, though, because we can have our name written again into the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27).  Revelation 3:5 says, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”  God bless you, and I love you.

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Believe, Billy, and Baptism

Believe, Billy, and Baptism

In a Friday, March 16th, 2018 (yes, ironically the date happens to be 3:16) news story written by Steve Jordahl (OneNewsNow.com), he reported a recent statement made by Pastor Michael Walrond, who has grown the “First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem from 350 members to over 10,000 in the last 14 years.” The article, entitled “’Insanity’ to believe Jesus is the only way, says pastor” (See: https://www.onenewsnow.com/church/2018/03/16/insanity-to-believe-jesus-is-the-only-way-says-pastor?) chronicles Walrond’s comments, wherein he stated:

‘There was a time where you could see people in the pulpit say, “If you don’t believe in Jesus, you [are] going to hell.” That’s insanity in many ways because that is not what Jesus even believed.’ Pastor Walrond indicated he doesn’t want to exclude anyone: ‘The key is, do you believe in God? And whatever your path is to God, I celebrate that – personally. I celebrate that.’ [See video of comments]

Now understandably, in light of passages such as John 8:24, 14:6, and many, many other biblical texts, Walrond’s comments have caused him – and very rightfully so I might add – to come under much and heavy fire from even his own man-made and never seen in Scripture denomination. Charges such as “misleading his congregation,” “[he] is a misleader,” “He’s a false teacher,” He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” and others can be seen in the above cited article. The following, even more stern warning can also be seen contained therein:

Christian apologist Dr. Alex McFarland has a more personal warning for Walrond. “Before Pastor Walrond says that the gospel – quote – ‘is insanity,’ let me remind him of the words of the only man who ever walked on water and rose from the dead, Jesus Christ: Jesus said in John 8:24 – listen to this – If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” Walrond’s comments, captured in a short video clip and posted on Facebook, were greeted with scattered applause in the congregation.

But besides the obvious, here’s the far, far more colossal and immensely larger problem, with his denomination’s supposed problem with him and his comments. We all know that we are to believe in and become one in Christ Jesus through the divinely-inspired truths His handpicked apostles and messengers gave us (John 16:12-15, 17:6-22; 2 Timothy 3:12-4:4; 2 Peter 1:16-2:3). Included within those eternally-settled and forever firmly fixed in heaven truths (Psalm 119:89), is the fact that, according to God, there is only “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). In other words, the same that is true of Jesus – that is, that He is the one and only Lord and way to heaven – is also true of the one faith and one baptism as well. That is to say, that according to God, in the same way that Jesus Christ is the one and only Lord, Savior, and way to heaven, that there is also: only one faith – the one that was “once for all delivered to the saints” before the end of the first century (Jude 3) – and only one and only baptism – the one baptism which every  lost sinner MUST undergo or else they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven (John 3:3-5); the one baptism which is specifically FOR the forgiveness of one’s sins and not something done after they have supposedly already been forgiven by some other man-made and never seen in Scripture means (Acts 2:38); the one baptism which the almighty God of heaven defines in His divinely-inspired word as the exact, precise, and specific point wherein a lost soul calls on the Name of the Lord and has their sins washed away (Acts 22:16); the one baptism which puts us “into Christ” (Romans 6:3-4) and makes us sons and daughters of God and members of His one, New Testament, pre-denominational church or body, through our faith in God and His power (Galatians 3:26-29; Colossians 2:8-13; Acts 2:47; Ephesians 1:22 + 23; Romans 16:16); and hence, the one baptism which God says SAVES US (1 Peter 3:21).

Believe in Billy? Believe in Pastor? Or believe in the Bible?

Believe in Billy? Believe in Pastor? Or believe in the Bible?

So, going back to Ephesians 4:5: Why is it that when one of their own claims that there is more than “one Lord” or way to God, that they get all upset and call Him a false teacher and etc., but when one of their own, in the very same and exact way, repeatedly rejects and denies the rest of that very same text and sentence, by claiming, proclaiming, writing, preaching and teaching for more than half a century that there is more than one, or a different faith than the one seen in the word of God; and that there is more than one, or a different baptism acceptable to God than the one for the aforementioned biblical reasons, that that false teacher is lauded and applauded with such inhuman accolades as being “the greatest preacher of the gospel since the apostles,” how he “walked with Moses, Abraham, and the Apostles,” and how he could now “give St. Peter a rest and hold open the gates of heaven… he was that revered,” as well as many other sickeningly similar sentiments (See: https://www.onenewsnow.com/church/2018/02/21/power-in-humility-billy-grahams-legacy)? A bit of history if I might…

June 1st, 2000, was the opening evening of the third and final Billy Graham Crusade in Nashville, Tennessee. That evening, preaching students from the Memphis School of Preaching, as well as brother Garland Elkins who coordinated the effort, along with a few other folks, helped to distribute thousands of teaching brochures on the sidewalks leading to the stadium. The tract that they distributed that evening was one written by brothers Garland Elkins and James McGill, entitled, “Baptism: The Bible and Billy Graham.” The contents of that tract are reprinted with permission below:

As Billy Graham closes his sermons, he often tells his hearers that there are three things they must do:

(1) Repent

      Graham then gives a good definition of repentance. This requirement is biblical. On the day the church began almost two thousand years ago, when the apostles preached the first gospel sermon, thousands in their hearing “were pricked in their heart.” They asked Peter and the other apostles what they should do.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).

(2) Believe

Graham stresses that this faith means total trust in Jesus – not just a mere intellectual act of mental asset. Again, Billy Graham is Biblical in saying belief is necessary. Jesus said, in giving what is often called the Great Commission:

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…” (Mark 16:16)

(3) Live For Jesus

      There are many New Testament Scriptures that command this. See, for example, Second Peter 1:5-11.

      Billy Graham has consistently named these three things that every accountable person must do to be saved. He has preached this message to countless millions in crusades, over radio, on television, in newspaper articles, and in books, for more than half a century. Among his numerous best-selling books, Billy Graham wrote one entitled How To Be Born Again.

      Graham is exactly right in saying all three of the commands must be obeyed. (1) Repent, (2) Believe, and (3) Live for Jesus. (We may wonder why he places repentance before faith. In the recorded instances of conversion from the time the church began, in the New Testament Book of Acts, it was faith that came first and that motivated and led to the additional acts of obedience.)

But There Are More Than Just Three Steps In God’s Plan Of Salvation.

      To leave out even one step changes the gospel. It changes the plan of salvation just as surely as adding an unauthorized act would change God’s plan. Compare Galatians 1:6-10.

Suppose we are giving someone directions to a certain destination. And suppose there are four turns he must make. We must tell him correctly about all four turns. If we neglect to mention any turn – just one turn – then that person would not get to his destination.

For half a century Billy Graham has consistently failed to include baptism when he tells those seeking salvation what they must do to be saved! Billy Graham has been reading from the Scriptures and using passages from the Bible in his preaching for more than fifty years. Now, the most puzzling question ever:

How Could Billy Graham Have Failed To See In The Bible The Command To Be Baptized For The Remission Of Sins?

Billy Graham readily sees the command to believe in Mark 16:16: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…” He clearly sees the commandment to repent in Acts 2:38: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins…”

Yet somehow, incredible as it seems, he has never seen Jesus’ command to be baptized to “be saved” (Mark 16:16) or the command to “be baptized… for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).

Seemingly, all through the years, Billy Graham has looked at these Bible verses as though they read… “He that believeth — shall be saved” (Mark 16:16) and “Repent — every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).

How could Billy Graham have failed to see Jesus’ words “and is baptized” in Mark 16:16? How could Billy Graham have overlooked Peter’s words “and be baptized” in Acts 2:38?

An Old Question

      This is not a new question. About fifty years ago, during the Billy Graham month-long Crusade in Nashville at the Vanderbilt University football stadium, someone asked a member of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association team this question directly:

“Why does Billy Graham not include the command to be baptized in his preaching?”

The short and very unsatisfactory answer was: “Because it is a controversial subject.”

A further insight into this strange phenomenon came to light a few years later with the publication of Leslie L. Spear’s book The True Religion and Religion of Others. When that book was published, one chapter attracted immediate attention, and created intense interest: Chapter 2 – an exchange of letters between the author and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Minneapolis.

The first letter, dated January 12, 1963, was written by Leslie L. Spear from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in response to a Billy Graham My Answer column that had just appeared in the Knoxville Journal. An inquirer had asked Billy Graham: “Please give me a simple answer to ‘What must I do to be saved?’” Billy Graham completely failed to mention baptism in his reply!

In Leslie Spear’s letter to Billy Graham, he quoted the words of Jesus: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…” (Mark 16:16). Spear says that Graham might have included that Scripture as part of an appropriate answer to the question.

Spear then quotes the words of Paul the apostle in Galatians 3:27: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” At this point in his letter, Leslie Spear puts his first direct question to Billy Graham:

“Mr. Graham, why didn’t you give Paul’s answer to the question? You could have told where it was found, so the person could have read it for himself.”

      On April 17, 1963, Leslie Spear received a reply from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. It was signed by John D. Lundenburg, Spiritual Counselor. At last, there was to be an answer to this puzzling question! But the part of the answer that responds directly to the question is brief:

“Salvation is not dependent upon a person having been baptized…”

There it is! When people have been steeped in centuries of religious prejudice, they can somehow read right through all the Scriptures that teach clearly that obedience in baptism is necessary for salvation.

The doctrine that salvation can occur before and without baptism for the remission of sins has been preached millions of times since it first began to be taught in Europe five centuries ago.

That doctrine has been repeated so many times that even otherwise able men like Billy Graham have been saturated with it. They were taught the doctrine just as if it were true – even Biblical! Yet, to say that obedience in baptism is not necessary for salvation is just as false as it was when men like John Calvin invented and propagated the doctrine in the 1500’s.

The Result

      Think of the multiplied millions who have heard and accepted Billy Graham’s teaching. Every one of these souls will one day stand before God in the Great Day of Judgment. They will not be able to account for why they were not baptized for the forgiveness of their sins – except to say, honestly, “Billy Graham didn’t tell me I had to do that!”

      And Billy Graham will face God in judgment, too, as all people – great and small – must do. What will he answer if God asks, “Billy, why did you never tell all these millions that they must be baptized to be saved?”

“…be baptized, and wash away thy sins…”

~Acts 22:16

“…baptism doth also now save us…”

~First Peter 3:21

As one final footnote to this false, fatal, and fallacious doctrine of salvation occurring before and without baptism, and the fact that it is still taught and defended by Graham’s followers and association, a post at www.billygraham.org seeking to address the question, “Is baptism essential for salvation?” is answered thus:

“To one who has received Christ, baptism is a necessary and meaningful experience… You may know that we urge immediate and extensive Bible study for each convert. As the Scripture is reviewed, the place of baptism will surely be discovered. If baptism were a requirement for salvation, we would certainly say that. But you couldn’t support that, knowing, for example, that the thief on the cross had no opportunity for baptism or church membership.”

And as we know, this response shows a total and undeniable lack of biblical knowledge, understanding, or acknowledgment of the fact, that of course the thief on the cross didn’t have to be baptized to be saved, because He lived and died under the Old Covenant! This Grahamatic answer utterly and completely fails to take into account and apply such vital passages as Galatians 4:1-7 and Hebrews 9:15-17 to the overall New Testament salvation ‘portrait’ that God ‘paints’ for us in the sacred text! So of course it’s going to be an erroneous answer; because those furnishing it fail to take into account all of the relevant verses on the subject, or their context and connection to said topic! They sincerely believe that they’re giving folks the full picture, but without their having put all the ‘pieces of the puzzle’ properly in place to begin with! Hence the ‘holes’ in their answer! Such ‘scripture-plucking’ failure to rightly divide the word of God always leads to such error, confusion, and eventually, if not corrected, spiritual death and destruction. Of course the thief on the cross did not need to be baptized in order to be saved, and had no opportunity for church membership – BECAUSE THE NEW COVENANT/TESTAMENT HADN’T COME INTO EFFECT YET, AND THE LORD’S ONE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH HADN’T BEEN ESTABLISHED YET! That crowning achievement of God’s plan (Ephesians 3:8-12) would come about and into existence some fifty days later, and only after the thief’s death – on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2:1-47 (which see).

The bottom line for our denominational friends and their leadership in relation to Ephesians 4:4-6 is simply this: Is there more than one Lord, and one faith, and one baptism acceptable to God? Or; is there only ONE Lord and way to heaven – the one and only Lord Jesus Christ which we read about in the New Testament; ONE faith and way to God – the one and only faith which we read about in the New Testament; ONE baptism which God honors as outlined in the aforementioned scriptures – the one and only baptism which we read about after the Lord’s church was established in Acts 2 of the New Testament; and of course, ONE church (or body – Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:3) that belongs to Jesus Christ – the one and only church which we see established and in existence as we read through the New Testament, congregations of which the apostles worked and worshipped in and as were called by His name and His alone (Romans 16:16; Acts 4:12)? Because whichever way it is, applies to each and every one of the seven terms contained in the text of Ephesians 4:4-6. So… which way is it?

For further explanation on audio see: https://soundcloud.com/user-640047687/737-3-4-18-pm-strangers-aliens-forever-part-two

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Husbands, Love Your Wives

Husbands, love your wives. Even when it’s tough.

Men, how many times has your wife nagged you in the past week or two? Or better yet, how many times have you felt neglected in the bedroom? Or maybe she is putting on some pounds as she ages? Or maybe her cooking leaves a lot to be desired? Ever felt like she neglects the house or laundry?

Marital problems have at their root a failure to walk in Christ.

Marital problems have at their root a failure to walk in Christ.

I suspect you are not alone. I’ve heard more than my fair share of complaints from men who are not “happy” or satisfied in their current marriage. However, the problem is not your wife. The problem, my friend, is you! For you see, there is a command in the Bible that most men overlook or just downplay to make themselves feel more comfortable—a command that can radically change their marriage and make it so much better.

Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.” (Ephesians 5:25-28).

Love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church. Men this is a command—not a suggestion. The text does not say “love your wife when she is pleasant” or “love your wife when she pleases you in the bedroom.” God’s command is to LOVE YOUR WIFE. The only “condition” He places on this command is that we are to love our wives like Christ loved the church. It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t cook your favorite meal or if she has put on a few pounds. It doesn’t matter if she’s emotional or doesn’t have the laundry folded. Your command is to love your wife.

Take a moment today and consider what would happen if Jesus Christ placed “conditions” on His love for the church. What if Jesus acted like some Christian men who only show love according to how they are treated? Or worse, what if Jesus wasn’t happy about the church and decided the grass might be greener elsewhere.

Ask yourself–are you honestly washing your wife with the Word? If she’s not the wife you desire the fault may rest at your feet for not helping her grow in His Word. It’s God’s Word that can make those changes you want–not you. So maybe stop focusing on her “problems” or “issues” and lead her in a Bible study. Be her spiritual leader and see how she responds.

Friends, here is the truth—before we mount a campaign to defend God’s institution against same-sex marriage we would do well to make sure we are obeying His commands about how to treat one another. We should inspect the foundations of our own marriages and consider the pattern we have been setting for our children.

Not happy in your marriage? Not satisfied with your spouse? Believe the grass is greener somewhere else? Maybe you should spend time watering your own lawn and LOVE YOUR WIFE like God commanded you, rather than walking away to find someone you think will please your “needs.” After all, it’s not all about you—it’s about Him. And unhappy might be just where God wants you to bring Him the most glory. Stop focusing so much on yourself and focus on obeying Him. You might be surprised…your grass might just turn green right before your eyes.

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The Law of Moses Doesn’t Apply to Christ’s Church

The Law of Moses Doesn’t Apply to Christ’s Church

Perhaps the subject of this article strikes you as something that is very obvious.  However, there are many religious bodies, proclaiming to be the Church Christ founded, which validate some of their religious practices not from Christ’s new covenant, nor from the eternal principles of God, but from the Law of Moses.  God gave the Law of Moses to Moses upon Mt. Sinai.  Part of the law involved what the world knows as the “Ten Commandments” (Exodus 20).  These are held up by society and many religions as the laws to live by today, but do they still have the authority of God?  In truth, much like the Pharisees of Jesus time (Matthew 15:1-9), many entities promoting practices from the Law of Moses do not even follow them, but a form of them devised by the traditions of men.  Such is the ground they stand upon, leading many to faithfully follow, though the foundation has been swept away by the hand of God.  The covenant of Christ cannot be properly followed while the authority of an old law vanished away is still sought after.

The Law of Moses was given to physical Israel.

The Law of Moses was given to physical Israel.

Malachi 3:8 – “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

The passage above demonstrates the neglect of the people of God.  Under the Law of Moses they were to bring forth tithes and offerings.  Deuteronomy 14:23-29 notes tithes of corn, wine, oil, firstlings of herds and flocks, and tithes of increase.  Note:  If the Law of Moses applies to the faithful of God today and we are not obeying it, then His words in Malachi 3:8 are applicable to us.  We are robbing God!  However, if one undertakes deeper examination they will read Malachi 1:1 and Malachi 4:4.  In these verses it is found that the words of God which Malachi shares are to the nation of Israel.  Additionally, it is seen that the Law of Moses was given to the nation of Israel and no one else.  The ten commandments?  They were God’s law given to a specific people 3400 years ago.

Many zealously religious individuals and entities, declare their usage of musical instruments comes from the Old Testament.  They will readily agree they are not Israelites, but are following the example given by Israel’s worship of God.  God commanded within the Law of Moses that Israel make two silver trumpets and blow them at the tabernacle for various secular and spiritual reasons and also over their worship time of burnt offerings and sacrifices (Numbers 10:1-10).  Similarly, in 2 Chronicles 29:25-30, we see the trumpets playing during the sacrifices at Solomon’s Temple along with instruments introduced by King David.  Whether or not the instruments were approved of by God is debatable (See: Adam Clark re: Arabic and Syric texts), but not pertinent to our scrutiny in this passage.  What is critical is the observation that, as commanded, when God handed this instruction down in the Law of Moses, the playing of instruments only occurred during sacrificing.  What occurred following these sacrifices?  Singing only is seen.  In the New Testament, following the once for all time sacrifice of Christ and then the addition of souls to the Church in Acts 2, only singing is ever commanded by God for the Church.  This is an interesting shadowing between the old and new covenants in regard to what happens after sacrifice.  Reasoning to justify instrumentation in Christ’s Church by going back to the Law of Moses, not only was not practiced by Israel as implemented today, but the first century church by its own example and command (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19) never had a practice of following the Law in this regard.

The Law was given to Israel.  There is no example of Christ’s Church following the Law by the authority of God.  Contrary to those who would follow the Law, the apostle Paul wrote the Galatian Church to follow only the Gospel which he had previously delivered to them (Galatians 1).  He told the Christians  “a man is not justified by the works of the law” (Galatians 2:16).  He declared “for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21).  Why?  Paul stated, “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made;” (Galatians 3:19).  He would later say the Law of Moses was a schoolmaster.  The word here comes from the Greek pahee-dag-o-gos’ and references one who takes a student from point A to point B.  The Law of Moses took the children of Israel from their wanderings in the wilderness to the final fulfillment of the promise to Abraham by God – Jesus the Christ, the seed to bless all nations.  The Law was not created to last forever. This is another reason that the Church does not follow it today.

We do not follow the Law of Moses today because it was not given to us, the first century church did not follow it, and it was not made to last forever.  Long before the New Testament was written, the Old Testament declared the end of the Old was coming.

Jeremiah 31:31  “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,

Jeremiah is quoted in Hebrews 8:8-13 and it is made clear that the Law of Moses by Jeremiah’s prophecy was already old and vanishing away.  This is not the only Old Testament reference to a new covenant to be given.  In the messianic passage of Isaiah 42, Jesus, the messiah that Israel was looking to arrive would be given as a “covenant” to the people (Israel) and to the nations (non-israel)  (verse 6).  In Isaiah 61, a chapter which also sees messianic text and from which Jesus applies scripture to Himself, it is declared a covenant would be given to the “offspring” of God.  Daniel 9:27 speaks of the Messiah establishing a new covenant.  Hosea 2:18 speaks of a new covenant.  There are other passages, but the point should be clear that those in generations long before the establishment of the Church knew the Law of Moses was temporary.

Once Jesus arrived upon the earth he shared the Good News given him by the Father.  That is the “one faith” of the gospel (Ephesians 4).  He did so knowing His mission upon this earth was short and He was on the way to the cross to be crucified for the sins of mankind.  He did so, was buried in a tomb, and arose after three days to be seen over a period of time by many before ascending into heaven (Acts 1).  When he died upon the cross, the Law of Moses itself was figuratively nailed to the cross as well (Colossians 2:14) taking away the ordinances of condemnation upon those whom it held in its grasp.  Jesus shared the Gospel in His ministry (Mark 1:1).  His focus was not the instruction of the Law of Moses.  After his resurrection, but before his ascension, He told his disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and to teach the disciples to follow the things He taught them.  Jesus did not teach the Law.  He nailed the Law to the cross.  He brought a new covenant to mankind.  On the day of Pentecost, when Christians were added to the Church (Acts 2:47), they were not added to the kingdom of God by following a covenant of circumcision, but rather a new covenant in Christ.  The Law of Moses could not forgive sins (Hebrews 10:1-4).  But Christ’s blood brought about forgiveness and a new covenant of eternal inheritance (Hebrews 9:15).  Christ came to take away the first covenant and establish the second (Hebrews 10:9).

Why would the Church of today follow something that was never intended for them?  It makes no sense at all to follow something that the Church when it was formed not only did not follow, but was warned against following.  The Law was not created to last forever and ample proclamation declared it would end and another covenant would be coming.  Only the New Covenant based upon the sacrifice and Gospel of Christ can provide eternal life.  It is the words of His covenant that will judge us in the last day (John 12:48).  Knowing these things, why would anyone choose to follow any other teaching and jeopardize their soul for an eternity?

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The Psalm of the Soul Winner

The Psalm of the Soul Winner

The book of Psalms expresses the deep emotions that servants of God have. There is something about poetry and singing which touch the souls of His people. Each of the psalms is different and has a special place in the various stages of our lives as we serve our Creator. Psalm 126 gives us great insight into the emotions each of us has as we seek to lead others to the Lord. It is truly the Psalm of the Soul Winner.

There is joy and sorrow in walking down His pathway.

There is joy and sorrow in walking down His pathway.

Being a soul winner begins with an abiding sense of how lost we were before we became a child of God. The imagery of this psalm is of the return of the Jews from captivity. Every soul winner, while not in physical captivity, was held captive to Satan. The psalmist said, “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream” (verse 1). It was as though the Jews had been in the wilderness south of Canaan which often flourished when there were streams of water (v. 4). Every child of God was once a child of Satan, but He is brought back from captivity.

Being a soul winner results in a change of attitude toward worshiping God. The psalm continues with these words, “Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with singing” (v. 2). We have been freed from the bondage of sin and our tears have been turned into laughter and our grief into singing. Great soul winners never forget what God has done for them and for those they have taught.

Being a soul winner is known by those people who are around them. The glorious return of the Jews from captivity resulted in the nations around them saying, “The Lord has done great things for them” (v. 2). The light of the redeemed shines brightly in the darkness of the world around them. God has changed their lives and the redeemed also say, “The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad” (v. 3).

Being a soul winner creates an optimistic expectation that others will be won. “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” (v. 5). As you read this verse take special note of the tears shed by those who are sowing the seed of the kingdom. Most people we teach will not turn to the Lord and we are more concerned about their salvation than they are. Yet the promise of God is that we will be filled with joy. There is no joy greater than that of leading another to the Lord.

Read the last verse slowly and hear God’s message to you. “He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (v. 6). We sow. We sow continually. We sow with tears. Yet we sow knowing that without doubt there will be the joy of the harvest as sheaves are brought in. Want to be a better soul winner? Read and meditate on this psalm!

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