The Sanctuary of God, Eternal Life, Rest and Peace

                            God's Sovereignty In Redemption

                                         

I heard someone say when it comes to human beings, in  opposition to all have sinned and fall short of the glory and there is no one righteous no not one,  that God created everything good. Well that's true but sin came into the world because of the simple fact that the first human beings disobeyed God, believed the lie of the serpent (the devil ,satan) that contradicted the warning from God not to eat from the tree in the midst of the garden.  For if they do God told them they would die. The adversary told them they would not die but their eyes would be opened and they would be like God knowing good and evil.                                  

                                                                    

The die was cast, they chose to believe the serpent rather than God and by their disobedience to their creator, sin came into the world and with it death. For God subjected all things to futility (pointlessness, uselessness, vanity, worthlessnes)  not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;  because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Romans 8:18-25)                  

                                       

                                                                                        

God condemned the serpent saying "And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed;  He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”(Genesis 3:15)                                                                                                                          God promised a redeemer one who would rescue His people from their sin and bring them into a right relationship with God again. One who would  destroy what the deceiver of mankind had brought upon the world. Yet in God' s sovereignty would send forth the way, the truth and the life,  who would vanquish the rule of satan and sin as the apostle Paul said "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices."                                                                                                     

And when the fullness of time had come God sent forth His Son born of a woman, as prophesied by Isaiah 750 years before His birth, born under the Law.  To fulfill the law and the prophets.  "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.(Meaning God with us) The Word who was in the beginning with God and was God. The Word  became flesh and dwelt among us. ( Is. 7:14; John 1:1-5;14)                                                            

Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, humbled Himself, took upon himself the form of a bondservant,( a Slave)  and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Phil. 2:5-11; Isaiah 9:6)                                                                            

God's promise to the fallen human race has come to save His people from their sins. To call a people to and for Himself.  A chosen people, a royal priesthood  a holy nation. Who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)                                                             

Paul the Apostle tells us in Romans chapter one that all of creation reveals there is a God. And the Bible reveals to us who that God is. And what the Only True and Living God has done for us. He has provided a way out of our lowly predicament. From the clutches of the devil to the glorious kingdom of God through the only name under heaven by which we can be saved.                         

Saved from what you might ask? Saved from the  wrath of God and an eternity in what Jesus said is a place of eternal torment of unquenchable fire, where the worm does not die, where people will gnash their teeth in anguish and regret and from which there is no return. A place of outer darkness.                                                                                               

 

I myself take no pleasure in talking about the doctrine of hell. Theologian R. C. Sproul was asked which doctrine he struggles with most. He replied: “Hell.” That all mankind is subject to such a fate is more than uncomfortable, I used to think very unfair. But when I see how far our nation, in fact the world have descended into the depths of gross immorality, perversion, violence, selfishness, and every variety of sinful activity. The total depravity of mankind is quite evident. Some practices that would make the vile and wicked of Sodom and Gomorrah blush. It's easy to see that the disobedience of mankind warrants such a fate. The state of our depravity embraces it.                                          

                                                                              

Recently I received an email about a pastor and minIster of the gospel who was using the tithe from his church for purchasing unneeded but desired by him  expensive items, making the congregation support his high spending ways on earthly things. Paul address this in the letter to the Corinthians chapter 2:17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. and in Phillipians chapter 3:18-19 "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.                                                                                                           

In addition to Paul the apostle Peter address the same in his first epistle calling them false teachers who bring in destructive heresies..... By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (1 Peter 2:3)                                                                               

Early in his ministry Peter was appalled when a man called Simon who practiced sorcery  wanted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit to perform  miracles and signs that he saw Peter do. Peter responded with "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God  could be purchased with money. Your heart is not right with God. Repent of this wickeredness. And pray the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.  (Act 8:9-23)                   

                                 
               

The early church Apostles and disciples put aside the material strivings of the world with the desire that many would be brought into the kingdom of God. They were ambassadors for Christ. They realized life was a vapor, a mist and we are here for a little while then vanish away. They believed the words of Jesus Christ. Believing,confessing, repenting and the second birth by grace through faith. That God's gift to the world  was the only way to the kingdom of God and everlasting life.  As Jesus Christ Himself told them:                                        

    

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matt. 7:13-14)                                                                                     

His is the only name under heaven by which anyone is saved. From the wrath of Almighty God. As scripture says, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living  God. For our God is a consuming Fire. (Heb. 10:31;12:29)                                                                                             

                                

God created mankind in His image. From the dust of the earth He formed Adam. He saw that it was good. Sin entered into the world and death through sin.  One Way, One Truth, One Life...salvation and rescue from the second death and being cast into the lake of fire comes by only One name. Jesus Christ. Who became flesh and dwelt among us. And they beheld His glory as the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth.

As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.  And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:15-16)  The other sheep Jesus is referring to here are gentiles. All those who are not born jewish. This point is clearly expressed and alluded to in the Old Testament and also by Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament.                              

In Genesis 12:3, God promises Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." Palm 22:27 declares, "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him."                       

                                    

And to the eleven apostles Jesus says "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19                    “When they (The Jews) heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life!'” – Acts 11:18                                                                             

    

The apostle Paul quotes from the Old Testment. And again Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.'” – Romans 15:12      And Jesus proclaimed to his apostles “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,  and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.   (Matt. 24:46-48)                                                                                                                   

    Likewie Paul proclaimed "there is neither Jew nor Greek (gentile), there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."Gal. 3:28                                                                          

For Jesus came to save His people from their sins....All those whom  God has chosen to respond, believe and walk worthy of the calling they have recieved. For the Gospel is for all people Jews and Gentiles alike. Yet not every single person will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.                                                                                                      

For as The Lord Jesus Himself said, in John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.  And again in verse 65 He repeated that statement saying, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”(John 6)

These words by Jesus The Christ Himself attest to the fact that it is God who choses us and not that we somehow had enough goodness and sense in ourselves to chose God. The Scripture stresses there is No One righteous, no not one, No one who understands and No One seeks after God. All have turned away and together have become worthless...No One who does good. No Not One.                                                                                                                           

It is God Himself who seeks out His people and gives them New Life in and through His anointed Savior of the world. The world meaning "both the Jews and the Gentiles." It is by grace (the unmerited favor of Almighty God--receiving something you do not deserve) That one is called from darkness to light and from death to life. For ALL have SINNED and fall short of the glory of God. It is the MERCY of God (He gives us what we don't deserve)  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)     

People don't like or even loath this doctrine. They want to believe there was something in and of themselves that warranted that regeneration and entrance into God's kingdom. Not so! He saves not because of the righteous things we have done. For there is no one righteous, no not One. Explains the apostle Paul (quoting the Old Testament in Romans 3) but because of his MERCY. Which means a person does not receive what they do deserve--eternal absence from the presence of God and the glory of His power. Which is the destination of all those who are at enmity (hatred) of  God... Because the carnal (Fleshly-worldly-sensual-lustful-lewd-salacious)- mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.  So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:7-8)

                               

                                                    

But God chose (God made the choice)  the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  God chose the lowly (low in stature; importance; the humble)  things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,  so that no one may boast before him.  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.  Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”(1 Cor. 1:27-31) For God has mercy on whom He wills. 

"By grace are you saved through Faith, and not of yourselves." A popular verse among evangelicals.   That faith to believe comes to those  who has been regenerated by God's grace.....The faith to believe itself is a gift of God --not of works lest anyone should boast. For before we are regenerated, born from above, born again we have nothing in ourselves to warrant or even want to believe in Jesus Christ. We are dead in our trespasses and sins, following the course of this world, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,  among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. (Eph 2:1-5). It is the permanant absence of any way to respond to God's call without first experiencing  God's regenerating grace to believe. That is the sorry state of fallen mankind.                                                                                               

The first disciples of Jesus Christ did not chose God. God chose those who became his apostles to the world. ( as Jesus said to them "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."  John 15:16)                                                                                                                                                       

Saul (also called Paul acts 13:9)  did not chose God, God chose Him for before he became the Apostle to the gentiles scripture tells us  Saul, still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, (Those who believed Jesus was the Messiah) whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  (Act 9:1-2)                                                                

Paul who himself as a Jew was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; and  concerning zeal, persecuting the church; (Phil. 3:4-6) and was doing everything and anything he could to quash these followers of the Way.                                             

Saul (Paul) was not looking for God. He thought Himself to have a zeal for God concerning  himself; righteous in the law and blameless.  Saul (who was to become the Apostle Paul)  was blinded on that road to Damascus by the very One he was doing his best to silence.   (He was, as all other non-believers, blinded by the God of this age,(Satan)  so that he could not see the light of the gospel of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 4:4)                                                                               

Jesus, the anointed One of One of God, the Savior of the world,  Yeshua Hamashiach,  was heard of Saul from the light that blinded him on the road to Damascus with these  words, "Saul, Saul why are you persecuting Me. Saul (Paul) asked, "who are you Lord?" Then the Lord replyed, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. So he,(Paul)  trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”                                                                                         

God called Paul from the darkness in  which he was enslaved. Paul thought he was doing the will of God by persecuting the church of Jesus Christ. His defense of judaism was his lifelong call to good works that God would adknowledge Him and judge him according to what He had done in his life. In regards to the defense of the jewish law.                                                                                              

Paul was born again on that road to a life of serving His Lord and Master Yeshua Hamashiach, (Hebrew meaning Jesus the Messiah)    preaching and teaching to as many as he was directed to bring many into the church as he proclaimed Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life. For he knew, he believed, he proclaimed that  entrance into God's kingdom and everlasting  life was possible through No One else. That only those that have the Son of God, the son of Man, God's anointed and Holy One of God have life. Those who have not the Son shall not have life but the wrath of God remains on them. (John 3:36) 

 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.  (IS. 55:10-12)

                                

God's call ignites the mind, reveals the truth of God's Word, and brings forth contrition for past transgressions.  And  new purpose and goal in one's life. The repentant confess to their new master and Lord, "what do you want me to do." And God's response... Trust and Obey for there's no better way to be happy in  Jesus than to Trust and Obey....  

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matt. 10:28).  

For it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb. 10:31)

If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”   (Romans 10:9-13)     

                                            

                                                                                                                                                         

    

*.* (Taken from TGC "The Uncomfortable Subject Jesus Addressed More than Anyone Else")                           

The Saving Grace of God/A Regenerated Soul

I was online and came across a new book, new age that is now old age really, that basically contradicts everything that the Bible teaches. This is nothing new. It's the same old tired New Age nonsense that infiltrates the world of unbelievers as truth. Of course they claim to have proof that I'm Okay ,You're Okay. There is no sin. No consequence for one's actions. And evil is a misconception and doesn't exist. And as for a nefarious denizen of wickedness called the devil and satan? No such thing. Still the events that are plastered on the news everyday can quash that notion in an instant. And does so every single day.

Or maybe it's the lack of positive thoughts and concentrating on negative thoughts that's the problem. Just think good things and good things will happen. But what may be good thoughts for one person may not be good thoughts for another person. What may be a good thought to one may be to someone else a bad thought that could lead to bad actions culminating in what the law says is criminal activity. It's all the matter of a persons perspective. Or what is immoral to one may not be seen as immoral to another. Leave it up to the heart of mankind, which by the way is deceitful above all things and desparately wicked (Jer. 17:9) to blur that line and call evil good and good evil.

I used to believe in the new age nonsense that everyone is OK....death is just a wonderful transition from one plane to another. There is no judgement....there is no sin....no need for a savior....no need for God. And of course there is no devil, satan or father of lies. I dabbled in this lie. In God's grace and mercy he sought this man for His own. And He called him from darkness to light and from death to life. And my life hasn't been the same since. Which I am extremely grateful for to an all knowing, all caring, all loving God who bestows His grace on those who don't deserve His mercy. (1 Cor. 1:26-31)

As Jesus said, "I did not come to call the righteous (those who think they are just so wonderfully good and God would be privilaged to have them in His kingdom) but sinners to repentance. And Scripture teaches there is no other way to heaven for anyone. All other religions are nothing but idols to be shunned and avoided as you would a plague. For they offer no freedom from the judgement that God will pour out in His wrath on a sinful and dying world. And with fire and brimestone, weeping and gnashing of teeth in the afterlife in what Jesus talked about more than anyone else in scripture. Referred to as the Pit, the Abyss or more commonly as Hell. Which by the way, Jesus spoke about more than anyone else in the scriptures.

Our Bibles tell us when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son. Born of a woman (the virgin will concieve and bear a Son Is. 7:14)...born under the law. Jesus Christ who did not come to destroy the law and the prophets but to fulfill them. The bible also tells us there is no one righteous, no not one. That all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. For there is no one who seeks after God. For Jesus proclaimed “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications (sexual immorality-- any sexual acts outside the marriage bond of a man and women), murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (Mark 7:20-23)

Don't believe the lies of this world. (1 John 2:15-17) That there are many ways to God. That it doesn't matter what you believe for we're all headed to the Nirvana pastures of lush fields, flowing pristine streams and bright colored flowers. Only One Kingdom of God. And Only One Way, Truth and Life by which to enter into the joy of the Lord. By grace through faith and not of yourself.....it's a gift of God not of works. It is by God's mercy that one is brought from darkness to light and from death to life.

The devil, satan.... God's and all mankinds adversary prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. His objective is to stifle the plan of God. Don't believe His lies. For he is the father of lies. And a murderer from the beginning. (John 8:44) To lead the world away from the truth of God. That God so loved the world that he sent His only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

For we do not wrestle aganist flesh and blood, but aganist principalities, aganist, powers, aganist the rulers of the darkness of this age and aganist the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Jesus Christ won that war when he went to the cross. And has conquored death for all those who confess with their mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God has raised Him from the Dead. They will be saved. (Romans 10:9) God's chosen people are saved from the wrath of God, from the judgement that awaits the wicked. And offers the gift of forgiveness, redemption and everlasting life to all those who call on His name.

Jesus Christ said to those who persectuted Him and put him to death, "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."  Not only that, Jesus had a confrontation with the devil when tempted 40 days and nights in the wilderness. (Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13) The devil even used scripture to try and trick the Son of God into proof  Jesus was indeed God's Son. Jesus replying   with scripture and a correct  interpretation of God's Word in His response. Three times the devil was foiled in his attemps and so departed until what scripture says was an opportune time. The devil does not give up easily. He is real. He is persistent. He is the enemy of all mankind and desires our disobedience and our doubting of God's word as he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is the enemy of all mankind; And our adversary of all that is Holy, Righteous, Truth  and Good.                                                     
                                                               

                                                          

                                                           

Don't be deceived by the father of lies. The evil one is cunning in blinding the minds of unbelievers so that they can not see the light of the gospel of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. He even energizes his ministers as deceitful workers that lure the unsuspecting to their doom. By keeping them away from the truth of God's word. Or distorting or watering it down. For He has the ability to control the hearts and minds of sinful fallen mankind. Satan himself comes as an angel of light claiming to have special knowledge that drifts from the truth of God's word. Even denying the One who bought them with a price. The precious blood of Jesus Christ. Throw off the fetters of unbelief that have a strangle hold on your life and believe in the only name under heaven that delivers one from the bongage to sin and death. To the promise of everlasting life with a citizenship in heaven where you will glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

"And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.  I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." (Rev. 1:18)

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld His glory as the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;  and He was transfigured before them. Behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him! 

                                       

 I pray you hear His voice today. Confess, repent, believe, trust and obey. For there is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey. 

                                          

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Mark 7:13-14)

                                             

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)

Mankinds Sinful Inheritance

                                           Mankinds Sinful Inheritance 

                                     

Death is a great mystery that confronts us all. Societies down through the millenia have throught about it and have offered up various views on the topic of death and the existence of an afterlife. Atheists simply say this is the only life a person has and when you die you simply go into nothingness. Existence is no longer possible. The body just ceases to function and deteriorates and rots. There is no soul that continues on. No further existence. Just a transition to nothingness.  

                                     

                             

Agnostics  neither believe or disbelieve in a god or religious doctrine. Agnostics assert that it's impossible to know how the universe was created and whether or not a divine being exists. Different religions and spiritual traditions offer various beliefs and perspectives on the afterlife, providing comfort, guidance, and hope to their followers. There are 15 or more views that include righteous deeds in life that provide an entrance into a heaven; Another is that of a cycle of reincanation where a soul is reborn into a new body after death. Or a view that believes in a spirit world or an afterlife where the souls of the deceased reside. Still another religion has a belief  in multiple realms, including the realm of the living, the realm of the dead, and the realm of the gods. The list of different views teaches the concept of the soul's journey through different spiritual realms after death. And there's even a belief that a persons goal  is to attain exaltation and become like God, living in eternal happiness and glory.  And that's  just a few of the various religious doctrines of the afterlife.                                

                                             

Christanity on the other hand teaches through the Old Testament of the Bible from the very outset of mankinds transgression, disbelief, disobedience to the command of God. That the first created persons  chose rather to believe the serpent, the devil, satan who told  them what God commanded them wasn't the truth. That God was holding something back from them. That if they disobeyed what God told them not to do they could be like God and they would not die for their transgression.  But they would be like God.                                                                                                 

                                               

They choose to believe satans lie in the garden rather than the God who created them, cared for them and loved them.  And the punishment extended to all of adam and eve's progency and thus sin came into the world passing that corrupt nature down through the eons. And not only that. For  God subjected all of His creation  to futility with destruction, disarray, entrophy and death being the final result.

                                             

                                    

“What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous?" Job 15:14

Because the carnal (fleshly) mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.  So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:7-8)

The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.(Ps. 58:3)

“The heart is deceitful above all things,

And desperately wicked;

Who can know it? (Jer. 17:9)

For we have all become like one who is unclean [ceremonially, like a leper], and all our righteousness (our best deeds of rightness and justice) is like filthy rags or a polluted garment; we all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away [far from God’s favor, hurrying us toward destruction].(Is. 64:6)

And you He (God)  made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,  in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,  among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of (God's) wrath, just as the others. (Eph. 2:1-5)

                                               

The problem I see with our current age in both the secular and even with many evanglicals is that people are born basically good. The verses of scripture in this writing prove that to be in error. People may say  we have these little sins in our lives but deep down inside our human nature mankind is basically good. God proves this wrong. Jesus made this very plain when he taught the people saying: "There is nothing that enters a person from outside which can defile them; but the things which come out of a person, those are the things that defile a them. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,  thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”      

                                                 

                                                                                                                                                 But their are many people who think  we just need a little more self-esteem to get us through the day. What they won't tell you is when you sit around and mope and feel sorry for yourself that itself is being self-consumed with the emphasis on yourself and that is itself sin.                                      

Biblically speaking all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We're not Sinners because we sin--we sin because we are sinners--we are born that way. Psalm 51:5 prophet and King,  David totally understood that when he proclaimed : "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me." 

For from within a person there does not proceed basic goodness, righteousness, and belief in a Sovereign and Holy God. That is not natural. What is natural to all mankind is an adversion and enmity or hatred of the God of Scripture. How dare God say I am not righteous, I'm not a good person. And that my good works won't count for anything.  Good works do not warrant a righteousness that allows anyone an entrance into God's Kingdom. Why?  The Apostle Paul says that so succinctly with the words " When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness." Without Jesus Christ's imputed righteousness by grace through faith and not of yourselves...no one will see the Lord. For Jesus the Christ, the Only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Himself said to the people, "you being EVIL...." And also "you must be perfect as the Father in Heaven is perfect." No one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ. For both gifts, grace and faith, are given by God for those who are born again and believe in the only name under heaven by which we can be saved.  For the natural man or woman  is a slave to their own evil desires. Sin is their master. Disobedience to God tantamount to their actions. As Jesus proclaimed....I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life no one comes to the Father except through me. 

                                   

                                                                

                                                                                                                                                  The first created human beings, Adam and Eve,  disobeyed their maker and believed the LIE of Satan that if they would disobey God they would themselves be like God. That is what they hungered for. That is what they desired. That is what they were passionate about achieving. For they wanted to be like God. And that desire of fallen humankind continues to this very day.                                                                                                                              

Instead they came to know evil from the inside out. It was fallen mankinds way of knowing evil not God's way. For God is light, and in Him there is no darkness (NO SIN OR EVIL INTENTS) at all. For our first parents transgression  God subjected all He had made to futility and Mankind and all creation began to age and die. And all their progeny after them born with a corrupted, tainted, fallen nature prone to sin.                                                          

                 
                                                                                                      

SIN IS THAT SERIOUS.  Sin is what taints every fiber of every human beings person. It is in our very nature to sin. It is in our very being that sin rules the heart. Only God can open the heart of a wretchful, lost, unworthy human being to believe his truth.(John 6:44;65)       It is God who delivers one from darkness to light. From death to life. And it is through His Son that God the Father proclaims His people are washed (through ther Holy Spirit)  sanctified (made Holy/ Set apart), and justified (as if one never sinned)  in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:9-10)                 

God hears  the, the plea of a repentant sinner and regenerates that lost soul from being at enmity (hatred) with God;  being an enemy of God;  to being His child. Born from above with a citizenship in heaven and the promise of everlasting life. It cost Jesus His life yet His spilt blood, His sacrifice brings all those the Father gives Him into the kingdom of God.  

We all need a radical transformation. To be born from above. Born again into New Life. A life that understands our sin predicament and our insatiable lust for the things of this world.  A process that is tamed only by the lion of Judah. The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  

                                              

                                                                                                                    

We are the Ferocious Beast of which concupiscence has its grip and  by which the God of this age, Satan,  has blinded the minds of the unbeliever so  that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of God in the face of in the face of Jesus Christ.                                   

That is only loosed by The Only Name under heaven by which anyone can be saved. From the wrath and judgement of Almighty God.  Brought from the spiritual Darkness that infects every single human being and rescued by the Son of God Jesus Christ by grace through faith and not of ourselves. It is a gift of God. Not of works. Lest anyone should seek to boast.

For all God's chosen, who's  spiritual eyes were delivered from blindness, who cried out have mercy on me a sinner, are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praisesd of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) 

                                    

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, througfh His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” – Colossians 1:13-14

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10                                       

 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10) 

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)                                      

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,  whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. (John 5:24)

                                             

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor. 5:27)