¿QUIERE GANAR ALMAS?

¿QUIERE GANAR ALMAS? PREDIQUE LA PALABRA Y SOLO LA PALABRA.

Recientemente escuche acerca de una jira médica organizada por cierto grupo de hermanos a Panamá y dentro de esta misión estaba incluida, un campaña veterinaria para perros, gatos y demás. Las fotos se hicieron públicas, y la discusión comenzó. Ciertamente es algo de que preocuparse, sin embargo lo que realmente casi me bota de la silla, fue el hecho que muchos hermanos y hermanas estaban en defensa de aquel asunto que claramente está incorrecto desde el punto de vista de Dios por varias razones a presentar a continuación, pero incluso un “maestro” de Biblia en una escuela  salió a la defensa mal utilizando pasajes en Nehemías para dar a entender que los de la oposición son como Tobías y Sanbalat tratando de destruir la obra de Dios. Ahora bien menciono todo esto no con el fin de ofender y ni mucho menos difamar a nadie sino con el fin de ser CLAROS y honestos con lo que dice Dios, más bien escribimos estas lineas con un tono de amor buscando colaborar en que la búsqueda de la verdad, evitando también la ira de Dios y buscando regresar a la Biblia. Cualquier amigo que no sea de la Iglesia de Cristo y se siente identificado con todo lo que vamos a mencionar le rogamos con el corazón en la mano, por favor reflexione y sea neutral con  lo que enseñan las Escrituras.

Let us not try to draw with animals, free dinners, language programs, etc... Let us draw with the Gospel!

Let us not try to draw with animals, free dinners, language programs, etc… Let us draw with the Gospel!

GANAR ALMAS

Ciertamente es uno de los trabajos más emocionantes en el reino. Cristo llamó a algunos de sus discípulos y les prometió que no serían ya más pescadores comunes sino pescadores de hombres (Mar. 1:17). La frase “os haré” implica que ellos iban a pasar por un periodo de entrenamiento para lograr hacer esto. Este principio es uno de los más importantes, ¡No podemos enseñar algo que ni nosotros mismos sabemos!. El apóstol Pedro lo coloca de una manera diferente él dice “Si alguno habla, hable conforme a las palabra de Dios…” (1Ped. 4:11), ganar almas es emocionante pero hay que saberlo hacer, ¡esto es un arte!. Hay una gran comisión dada a los apóstoles primeramente y luego a nosotros, de ir y predicar el evangelio a toda criatura (Mar. 16:16) reconocemos la necesidad de que más congregaciones hagan esto y no se olviden de tan tremendo mandamiento en tiempos de tanta necesidad. Ganar almas es el trabajo más bello, porque trae honra a Dios y a la vez trae satisfacción a nosotros mismos al saber que estamos ayudando al trabajo de Dios, estamos siendo como la Iglesia del Siglo primero que iba y evangelizaba por todas partes (Hech. 8:4), sin embargo Dios especificó con toda claridad como hacerlo.

EL FIN NO JUSTIFICA LOS MEDIOS

  La frase anterior es de autor anónimo, sin embargo es una de las mejores que existe. Literalmente significa: Por obtener ciertos resultados esperados, no implica que  yo vaya a hacer lo que me dé la gana para lograrlo. Dios ha sido bastante claro y yo diría demasiado claro en como quiere que nosotros logremos la predicación. Pablo dijo en Romanos 1:16 que el evangelio era el poder de Dios para Salvación… parece ser que muchos ahora desconfían de Dios y no sienten que el evangelio siga teniendo ese poder que tuvo en El siglo primero y por eso hoy en el 2016 se necesitan otras cosas que puedan atraer a la gente. Así que se inventa todo tipo de cosas para atraer y luego(dicen ellos),se les predica el evangelio. Bien déjeme decirle que el evangelio NO necesita ayuda de nada para convertir el alma del hombre de regreso a su Dios. Más bien, si no hay conversiones es porque alguien no está leyendo y estudiando la Biblia lo suficiente y alguien no está predicando lo que debería para que hayan resultados. A continuación algunas de las cosas que se practican que NO glorifican a Dios, que no provienen de El sino más bien del hombre y para entretenimiento del mismo.

  1. Dramas : No estamos hablando de Clases para niños donde deberá de usarse material ilustrativo para una mejor comprensión a ellos. Más bien nos referimos a la intención de los adultos a cambiar el acto de la predicación pura por payasos, disfraces y demás. El pasaje de 1Cor. 2-5, es clave en este asunto, porque Pablo estuvo centrado en la predicación pura del evangelio, teniendo a la mano muchas cosas culturales que bien pudo haber utilizado para evangelizarlos a ellos. El dice en el vs 5: “Para que vuestra fe no esté fundada en la sabiduría de los hombres, sino en el poder de Dios.” Amigos, Dios NUNCA escogió payasos para que su palabra fuera transmitida ni obras de teatro, sino predicadores, evangelistas, maestros (Efe. 4). El hermano John DeBarry  en un sermón en este año 2016 dijo: “El diablo pone comas donde Dios ha puesto un punto”. Ojalá  podamos respetar los puntos de Dios y aprendamos a interpretar su silencio también.
  2. Presentación de bebés: Otra práctica muy popular y no tan muy mal vista entre muchos. Consiste en tomar el niño al frente de la congregación y presentarlo a la congregación haciendo también una oración por él. Alguien podría decir: ¿Y que hay de malo en ello?, Es simple, los sobrinos de Moisés utilizaron el mismo argumento en Levítico 10:1-2 y terminaron muertos. El no saber interpretar el silencio de Dios siempre también resultará en muerte para nosotros. Dios puso un punto déjelo así. Dios autorizó únicamente 5 actos de adoración en el N.T, entonces este sería acto numero 6 y la ofrenda de niños sería numero 7 etc… y la lista sigue ¿Donde, por favor que alguien me conteste con el versículo en la mano, donde leemos que la Iglesia del siglo primero hacia dramas, presentaba niños, tenían ofrenda para niños, ayunos congregaciones? Quisiera con todo el deseo del mundo leer esos versículos, pero sí esos versículos no existen entonces es porque Dios no lo dijo.  Y si Dios no lo dijo significa que no está autorizado. Si no está autorizado ya usted le añadió y sí le añadió…analice con cuidado Apocalipsis 22:18-19 y sea honesto con sigo mismo. Las buenas intenciones no justifican de que manera se vaya a llevar a cabo. Aquí las cosas se hacen así : Lo que Dios dijo que hagamos, por razones que El dio y de la manera que dijo había que hacerlas. No es a como yo pienso, o siento.
  3. Campaña médica de animales: Poniendo por aparte, quién lo haya hecho, como se financió si fue con fondos propios o con fondos de congregaciones que ayudaron o incluso quién estaba a cargo, aquí es irrelevante comparado con el argumento presentado no por uno, sino por muchos para justificar el asunto: “Es una manera de predicar el evangelio, el resultado de atender perros y gatos produjo estudios Bíblicos” o, otro como:“Dios ama a los animales también”. Es cierto que Dios ama a los animales y que nosotros deberíamos de hacerlo también, vamos a ser muy claros con lo siguiente: No existe ningún problema o pecado con cuidar de los animales o atenderlos, individualmente o un grupo de la iglesia, eso está bien el problema está en utilizar eso como una carnada para predicar. El texto más claro en esto es 1Cor 1:21 donde la Biblia enseña que Dios escogió la predicación para salvar al mundo, a El le plació. El no escogió ningún otro medio para hacerlo sino la predicación simple de la palabra tal como Pablo exhorta a Timoteo: “que prediques la palabra a tiempo y fuera de tiempo…” (2Tim 4:2) a Jonás Dios le dijo: “Levántate y ve a Nínive, aquella gran ciudad y proclama en ella el mensaje que yo te diré” (Jonás 3:2) otra vez a Timoteo: “Procura con diligencia presentarte a Dios como obrero que no tiene de que avergonzarse, que usa bien la palabra de verdad”.( 2Tim. 2:15).

Observe que en todos estos versículos y muchos más que existen, la manera de exposición está  limitada primero a la predicación y segundo al mensaje que viene de Dios(para nosotros hoy; la Biblia solamente). Sí a Dios le plació escoger la predicación para salvar al mundo, pregunta: ¿Quien soy yo o usted para suplantar eso por una campaña medica de animales, o por la regalía de medicinas, ropa, zapatos, dinero, juguetes etc..? ¿Quiere usted ganar almas? !Vaya, predique el evangelio! sin ninguna carnada que los atraiga, hábleles del pecado de lo que éste hace en la vida del hombre,(Rom. 6:23), del plan redentor de nuestro Creador, (Hech.18:8)del que Dios había pensado de ante mano contemplando a su Iglesia (Ef. 1:3-4), persuádalos de que ése plan puede ser obedecido en el bautismo asemejando la muerte, sepultura y resurrección de Cristo (Ro. 6:1-6), para un día resucitar a vida incorruptible (1Cor 15:51-58). Eso es lo que se debe de hacer, porque es lo que Dios mandó.  El hermano Dr. Dave Miller en su libro Pilotiando en el estrecho dice: “Dramas (y todo lo relacionado a ello) no contribuyen a ningún elemento positivo para el efectos de comunicación, acepto a la dimensión de el mero entretenimiento humano”. (Dave Miller, Pilotiando en el estrecho, Pag. 243, 1996).

La campaña medica de animales, cae en el mismo trasfondo de las otras dos; el orgullo humano, de hacer las cosas a su manera y como el quiere siempre le han llevado a lo peor a lo largo de toda la historia. Quienes abogan por “hacer algo más”, o por “atraer”, están declarando abiertamente que la manera de Dios de comunicarse es anticuada, inadecuada, fuera de lugar, y culturalmente obsoleta. Muchas personas  terminarán el lago de fuego, simplemente por no interpretar correctamente el silencio de Dios, miles y cientos también estarán ahí por poner comas donde Dios puso punto. El deseo intenso del diablo es apartar a la Iglesia del camino de verdad, le animo ardientemente a que juntos regresemos a la Biblia, aunque usted sea de la Iglesia de Cristo  o no, ¡Por Favor! regresemos a la Biblia, llamemos a lo que es Bíblico bueno y desechemos aquello que no lo es, seamos humildes para reconocer las faltas ahora que hay tiempo y no comencemos a construir una pared con versículos de la Biblia mal usados y fuera de contexto para justificarnos, vale mucho más para Dios aquel quién pueda decir: “Señor me equivoqué, voy a regresar a tu palabra” que aquel que siente que le están atacando personalmente. Espero Dios le bendiga en gran manera.

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What is the Sin of Usury?

What is the sin of usury?

[Some time] ago in our Wednesday evening Bible class, the subject of the sin of usury came up. I have to confess that I was not adequately prepared to discuss the subject in detail that evening and as a result could not answer everyone’s question on the subject immediately. Since that time, however, I have given some thought to the subject and am better prepared as to what the Bible has to say in regard to this sin.

What is Usury?

What is Usury?

Usury is the expression that was used in King James English to describe the practice of taking interest and it is so translated in all of the modern versions. However, since I am using the KJV, I will continue talking about it as usury. Usury is discussed in several places in the Old Testament. The passage that we were studying where the sin was mentioned that occasioned this question is found in Psalm 15. This psalm is discussing the one who is in fellowship with God. One of the attributes of the person who is in fellowship with God is found in verse 5 which says, “He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent.” The background to this particular sin is God’s prohibition of usury among the Jewish nation. There are several passages within the Old Testament that discuss this sin.

Exodus 22:25 is the first scripture in the Old Testament that mentions the sin of usury. It says, “If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.” Notice that God specifies “to my people.” We will see in some of the other passages that the prohibition only applied to the people of God, the Jews, and those who were among them, and not to the other nations around them. Notice also that the prohibition against usury was clearly to protect the poor. Poor people are at a special disadvantage when it comes to money. To loan money to them and then lay upon them the additional burden of paying back interest is to expect something of them which God simply doesn’t think they should be forced to do.

This is reflected also in Leviticus 25:35-37 which says, “And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.” Notice in this passage that God is still referring to a “brother,” that is, a member of the Jewish nation, whether by birth or by proselytization. The obligation was that they were to take care of this poor person. They were not to charge usury. They were also not to sell food for profit. God wanted the children of Israel to take care of each other because they were supposed to love each other as brethren.

In Deuteronomy 23:19, 20 we read “Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.” Again the prohibition of usury is expanded in these verses to include money, food, nor any other thing on which one could charge interest. It is in this context not even limited to the poor, but is applicable to all Israelites. Notice that these verses also make it clear that God is not talking about someone outside the fellowship of Israel. Usury may be taken from someone who is a stranger in the complete sense of the term, that is, a foreigner. However, to a brother, a fellow Jew, no usury could be taken.

In Ezekiel 18, the prophet discusses the fact that each individual is responsible for his or her own sin. He clearly states that the son does not bear the iniquity of the father and neither does the father bear the iniquity of the son. In setting forth this principle, he shows how those who do righteousness will be accounted righteous and those who do wickedness will reap wickedness. He sets forth some of those wicked things that evil people do to merit punishment in verses 10-13. He says, “If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things, And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbor’s wife, hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination, hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? He shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.” It is significant that right along side of robbing, murder, adultery, violence, and lying we find the sin of usury. It is clearly something that God does not like.

Now all of these passages are from the Old Testament. The natural question arises in regard to the New Testament. Is usury still considered a sin by God today under the New Covenant? There is no doubt in my mind that God still considers this practice sinful. Paul wrote in Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” The Old Law gives us the knowledge of sin. It defines sin for us. Part of that definition is the sin of usury. However the Old Law was limited and could not provide positive justification for righteous living. Only the New Covenant can provide that through the atoning death of Christ. Paul reiterates in Romans 7:7 “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” Paul thus gives an example by what he means when he says that the law defines sin. When the Old Law says, “Thou shalt not” then God is defining sin for us. Usury definitely fits into that category and we must acknowledge that it is sin today.

But this is also borne out by New Testament principles as well. We don’t see this so much in a negative command, but we do see it practiced in a positive way. God’s people are to take care of each other. This was God’s intention in forbidding usury under the Old Law. He wanted his people to love one another and take care of one another. When we do this, usury does not fit into the equation. We read in the early church in Acts 4:32 “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.” This verse is not reflective of a command by God to give to the poor (God does command that, but not in this verse). This verse is reflective of the command given by God to love one another! When we love one another, we are not going to hold back anything that we have from those who need it. We are going to take care of one another. Usury is inconsistent with the principle of loving our brethren. When we love one another and we see each other’s needs, we are not going to think, “Now, how can I come out on top of this situation. How am I going to be able to make a profit out of this?” Such is the furthest thing from the loving Christian’s mind.

Let’s also notice 1 Timothy 6:17, 18. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” The ideas of “doing good,” “being rich in good works,” “ready to distribute,” and “willing to communicate,” involve readiness to give to those who are in need without thought of personal reward. Paul continues in verse 19 that such givers can expect their reward to be in heaven: “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” While these don’t gain any interest on earth, they will certainly when they get to heaven. Finally, the verse which seals the idea that taking usury of a brother is a sin is 1 John 3:17 “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” Taking usury certainly is included in what John is talking about when he speaks of shutting up the “bowels of compassion.” Lending money through usury is without doubt an uncompassionate way of helping a brother in need. He could get that offer from anyone! But the brother who loves and sees the need and gives without thought of reward is the brother who practices compassion. This is the brother in whom dwells the love of God. Today, one could certainly commit the sin of usury, but let it not be said among our fellowship that we exact usury of our brother.

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Whose Accomplishments?

The Lord has Done Great Things

It never ceases to amaze me how some Christians view their accomplishments. Lip service is often given when glorifying the Lord but arrogance and self-righteousness abound. The lips of so many are dripping with hypocrisy, they say one thing but do something else.

I, I, I, Me, Me, Me, I, I, I, Me, Me, Me.

I, I, I, Me, Me, Me, I, I, I, Me, Me, Me.

The psalmist reminds us that it is the Lord who accomplishes great things through His humble servants (Psalm 126–130). And though we diligently watch and labor, if not for the Lord, our labor and watching is in vain. We may build great houses but only those built by the Lord will remain.

We need to remember two things when it comes to our human and spiritual accomplishments:
Just because something “good” happens from a humanistic standpoint doesn’t mean God has blessed that effort or that it was God’s plan. The Bible is replete of stories of successful human endeavors of which God was not pleased. I have seen men appointed to the eldership who were not qualified and folks praised the move as providential. Congregations of the Lord’s church have left the “old paths” in an effort to be more contemporary and inclusive to the chagrin of God. We need to be careful not to determine something as God’s will if it runs contrary to God’s will.

When truly good, God blessed events are accomplished, make sure we give the praise and glory to God. Let us remove from our language the self praise of “I did,” or “we did” and acknowledge what God has done through his humble servants.

Let us give credit and glory where it is due, unto the Lord. For He has done great things! The faithful and obedient child of God will be blessed beyond measure. Be faithful!

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Living Together Outside of Marriage

Living Together While Not Married

Most of the unbelieving world does not have a problem with couples living together outside of marriage.  To them, it’s not sin.  It’s normal.  But, living together without marriage does not mean Christians need to partake in such liberal lifestyles.  Christians represent Christ and they are also entrusted with the Gospel (1 Thess. 2:4).  So, as a Christian goes through this world, they represent the kingdom of the Lord (Jn. 18:36) and it is a Christian’s responsibility to reflect their King, that kingdom and what it stands for.  Thus, a Christian’s influence is very important.

Shacking up is not marriage.  It is not acceptable to God.  It is sin.

Shacking up is not marriage. It is not acceptable to God. It is sin.

In the Bible, Christians are called to be holy as God is holy (1 Pet. 1:16) and so they should never do anything to bring shame (reproach) upon the Church.  Christians are also called the salt of the earth because the world is morally corrupt and it needs Christians to be a light to the world of darkness and to show them who Christians are so that the world will glorify God (Matt. 5:13-16).  This is why Paul wrote, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31).  And, this is also why Christians are told by Peter to keep their conduct honorable before all so that when evildoers speak against them, they may see your good deeds and glorify God (1 Pet. 2:12).

Now, many who are not Christians know that adult males and females should not live together unless they are related or married.  Even when we look at parents, they don’t want their children to live together with others of the opposite sex.  So, why are there Christians, of the opposite sex, who think they can live together and not bring the Church under the community’s reproach where its future effectiveness is put in doubt?  Also, most neighbors assume that since two people of the opposite sex are living together, then they are having sex with each other.  And, what’s worse here is that the neighbors know that they are Christians.  So, how are they influencing others for good?  Furthermore, by living together as man and woman, it allows everyone the right to live together as man and woman, for whatever reason.  But, is this living Godly (1 Pet. 1:7)?

Consider that “the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him . . . Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Gen. 2:18, 24).  God’s first institution was marriage, not cohabitation.  Thus, God has only one plan for a man and woman living together and that is marriage.  God gives no indications that a man and woman, who are not related, to live together under any circumstances.  In the Bible, the Jews throughout history understood this as well as Jesus and his apostles.  And so, “Does the Bible say it is wrong for unmarried, unrelated men and women to live together?”  Well, this is not the right question. The right question to ask is “What is God’s will concerning a male and female living together?”  It is between husbands and wives (Gen. 2:24).  Now, why does God say this?  The answer is because living together is an intimate, bonding experience.  Living together in the same home where men and women share the same kitchen, bathroom, etc., where they see each other early in the morning and late at night intimacy and bonding naturally develops.  So, we learn from these verses that living together as a man and woman does not reflect the commitment that God instituted and ordained via marriage.  It is something else.

Now, Christians are commanded to abstain from every appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22).  So, how can a man and woman live together and not have people thinking that nothing is happening?  They can’t.  So, the result is that these individuals bring shame on the Church and on Christ.  Christians need to remember that they are to live holy lives and this includes being above reproach.  And, just because some do not see living together as a problem, Christians should know better than to promote anything that would appear evil or sinful.  And, as Paul warned Christians, they should not give Satan (adversary) any occasion to slander the name of Christ (1 Tim. 5:14).

You know, as we consider appearances, Christians know that God designed us to desire companionship.  And, living together puts natural temptations in front of us.  But still, men and women may attempt to rationalize or justify living together.  They think that God would not care and that He would understand.  And surely, some may cohabitate unmarried because of financial challenges.  But, where some attempt to excuse themselves from making a public and legal commitment to one another for budgetary reasons, others will excuse themselves for other reasons.  And so, Christians become a stumbling block to others, which is sin (Rom. 14:13; Matt. 16:23; 1 Cor. 8:9).  And, it is also worrisome that Christians living together like this say they believe in God.  The same God who created the universe and everything in it from nothing and who raised Christ from the dead yet, they don’t trust Him enough to take care of their financial needs if they got married on a fixed income.  So, does this display their seeking first their own agenda or seeking first the Kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33)?  I mean, why are Christians more worried about making it financially than in obeying God and trusting in Him to provide?  God promised to meet our needs and even Paul penned, “my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).  Trusting the Lord and following His will is what we are all about as Christians.  Christians should never allow financial problems to determine their morality.

All in all, God is angered when we attempt to justify our sins by rationalizing them.  And, Christians must remember that circumstance never ever determines what is right and what is wrong.  God does.  And so as Christians, we should follow whatever glorifies God.  Thus, The Bible seems to be clear that for a man and woman to live together outside the bounds of marriage is sin…even if there is no sex.  And, a Christian should know better.  Living together outside of marriage causes all sorts of problems and it is against God’s pattern for living together, it gives off the appearance of evil, which is sin, it causes others to stumble, which is also sin and will cause some people to lose their souls because they think that it is okay for Christians to live together without a marriage covenant.  As a Christian, be careful of your influence because we are not to live like the world (Rom. 12:2).

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Is God’s Will for Me Revealed?

How Can I Know His Will For Me?

There is no speech or language spoken anywhere on this earth where the heavens and earth do not declare there is a God (Psa. 19:1). By simply looking around, every man can know that God exists. However, though nature reveals His existence, it does not reveal His will for me. Yet, for me to serve God, I must know His will and what He wants me to do. Look at the following truths about knowing His will.

Has God's will for me been revealed?

Has God’s will for me been revealed?

For me to know His will He must reveal it to me. Without a revelation from Him, I cannot even be sure of His nature. Do I judge Him by the ravaging storms with their attendant thunder, lightning and destruction or by the beauty of the sun rising or setting? Do I judge Him by the blessings of children or by the untimely death of a child? There must be more than nature. I can know God exists, but until He shows His will, there is nothing I can do to know how to serve Him.

God must reveal Himself to me in a way I can know His revelation is really from Him. It stands to reason that part of His revelation demands that I can know that the Creator truly has spoken to me. Common sense shows that this revelation cannot be surrounded by subjective ideas which come into my head. If He fails to show His will in a way that I can know the message is from Him, then it must be given to me in uncertainty with “holy hunches” being His method. How could I ever be sure it is from Him and not from evil, anti-God forces in this world? There must be accompanying evidences of His power when He reveals Himself.

God must reveal His will to me in a way I can understand it. If God’s revelation is only to a few chosen ones, then there is no way for me to find it if I am not one of those few. If He reveals Himself only to those highly educated or those having great riches, then most of mankind will be left out. There are millions with greater education and greater wealth than me. For the common man to know His will, it must be understandable for him.

What if He has not revealed Himself? If God has not revealed His will in a way I can know it is from Him and can understand it, then I stand helpless before Him. I have no roadmap or compass for my life, and there is no need for me to seek to find one. He might exist, but I have no choice except to ignore Him.

What if He has revealed Himself? On the other hand, if God has revealed His will to me in a way I can know it is from Him and can understand it, then I must seek to please Him. Will you take time to think about the fact that a man named Jesus lived on this earth and claimed He was God’s avenue of revelation of Himself? Sober-minded men must examine the evidence. Are you sober-minded? Are you ignoring Him?

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