Catholic Evangelizes repentance from sin and proselytizes spreading the Gospel; the church apologizes.

'Sin leads to hell'

This sermon led to an apology from the Bishop of Kerry

What are your thoughts? pic.twitter.com/pBXVtjb5PG

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) November 1, 2022

I didn’t know Catholics evangelized the souls of men. Sheehy got in trouble, and the church apologized. So, no, Catholics don’t, in fact, evangelize for Christ?

In a statement, Bishop Ray Browne apologized to “all who were offended,” adding “the views expressed do not represent the Christian position” and the message was not appropriate for a “regular weekend parish Mass.”

We agree the views expressed in the clip don’t represent the Christian position. And that’s the problem. We might have worded it differently, but what Sheehy said is Bible 101. We’re offended that he didn’t receive a standing ovation.

Browne’s Monday statement was released to appease parishioners who were outraged by Father Seán Sheehy’s homily delivered to mass-goers in Listowel on Sunday.

Watch a clip from Sheehy’s now-viral sermon for yourself: ‘Sin leads to hell’

This sermon led to an apology from the Bishop of Kerry

Bishop Browne needs to apologize to Christ! Are there any Catholics here who can explain, from the church’s position, why what he did is wrong? Is it wrong?

Excerpt from Faith Very Simple, by Charles Spurgeon:

“TO MANY, FAITH SEEMS a hard thing. The truth is, it is only hard because it is easy. Naaman [2 Kings 5:1-12] thought it hard that he should have to wash in Jordan; but if it had been some great thing, he would have done it right cheerfully. People think that salvation must be the result of some act or feeling, very mysterious, and very difficult; but God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are his ways our ways. In order that the feeblest and the most ignorant may be saved, he has made the way of salvation as easy as the A, B, C. There is nothing about it to puzzle anyone; only, as everybody expects to be puzzled by it, many are quite bewildered when they find it to be so exceedingly simple.

The fact is, we do not believe that God means what he is saying; we act as if it could not be true.

I have heard of a Sunday-school teacher who performed an experiment which I do not think I shall ever try with children, for it might turn out to be a very expensive one. Indeed, I feel sure that the result in my case would be very different from what I now describe. This teacher had been trying to illustrate what faith was, and, as he could not get it into the minds of his boys, he took his watch, and he said, “Now, I will give you this watch, John. Will you have it?” John fell thinking what the teacher could mean, and did not seize the treasure, but made no answer. The teacher said to the next boy, “Henry, here is the watch. Will you have it?” The boy, with a very proper modesty, replied, “No, thank you, sir.” The teacher tried several of the boys with the same result; till at last a youngster, who was not so wise or so thoughtful as the others, but rather more believing, said in the most natural way, “Thank you, sir,” and put the watch into his pocket. Then the other boys woke up to a startling fact: their companion had received a watch which they had refused. One of the boys quickly asked of the teacher, “Is he to keep it?” “Of course he is,” said the teacher, “I offered it to him, and he accepted it. I would not give a thing and take a thing: that would be very foolish. I put the watch before you, and said that I gave it to you, but none of you would have it.” “Oh!” said the boy, “if I had known you meant it, I would have had it.” Of course he would. He thought it was a piece of acting, and nothing more. All the other boys were in a dreadful state of mind to think that they had lost the watch. Each one cried, “Teacher, I did not know you meant it, but I thought—“No one took the gift; but every one thought. Each one had his theory, except the simple-minded boy who believed what he was told, and got the watch. Now I wish that I could always be such a simple child as literally to believe what the Lord says, and take what he puts before me, resting quite content that he is not playing with me, and that I cannot be wrong in accepting what he sets before me in the gospel. Happy should we be if we would trust, and raise no questions of any sorts. But, alas! we will get thinking and doubting. When the Lord uplifts his dear Son before a sinner, that sinner should take him without hesitation. If you take him, you have him; and none can take him from you. Out with your hand, man, and take him at once!”

“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” – 1 Peter 1:9

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” – 1 Timothy 3:16

We find this unusual and compelling verse amid the instruction to pastor and preacher Timothy. It’s complex and rich, full of the revelation of Christ but put in simple terms that we’ll examine to find the depth of purpose in this writing. There are many verses we won’t use for length of post considerations. Perhaps you’ll think of some related verses.

This verse is oddly placed between the teaching of what makes a qualified bishop or deacon in 1 Timothy chapter 3 and before a prophetic warning in chapter 4 about some who shall depart from the true faith to chase fables forbidding that which is lawful in the New Covenant.

There are many verses like this in Scripture; God gives us a foundation upon which our faith is built, reminding us who we are supposed to worship and what happened that brought in the New Covenant. The Old Testament Jews were constantly reminded of how God brought them out of Egypt. God did this so that they might not stray. Some verses in the New Testament are designed to summarize and remind us of the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the destruction of the Old Covenant, Christ’s current office, our duties in the body, and His return.

It’s indeed a Gospel verse. It begins:

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness”

One of the remarkable things about this verse is there’s no claim as to a lack of controversy over the mystery of godliness. Well, that might seem odd. Millions have been slaughtered for the name of Jesus; nations and empires have fallen, and risen, and fallen again upon His word. Jesus is by far the most controversial name in history. It’s reviled, spit at, laughed at, ignored, used as a cuss, and railed against, and those that claim it are treated upon the scale from pity to murderous rage. But, it’s believed on, called upon, depended upon, glorified, and sought both in the light and in the depths of darkest despair by those coming to the awareness of Christ and God’s sainted believers.

Keep in mind that in Bible terms, the word mystery means being revealed. It does not mean some hidden thing or strange understanding that only the learned, priest or a mystic can proclaim. The Bible explains each mystery it shows; it’s a book of revelations. The Bible is the only and best source for finding the answer to every mystery within its pages. Everything the Bible proclaims, it also demonstrates. Every Law is also exemplified.

The first phrase doesn’t say that there’s no controversy about Jesus Christ; it says there’s not a controversy that the mystery of Christ is great. That simple fact is incontrovertible. The revelation of the Son of God is indeed great. So too, is the manner in which God forges His followers upon the trials of faith and service, regenerating them into the likeness of Christ and further purifying their hearts with each refining.

The revelation of godliness is so great that millions have died, age after age, in every land on earth to bring it to fruition. Nobody can deny it. To the believer and unbeliever alike, the faithful and the heathen, the wise and the simple, the religious and spiritual, there is no controversy that the mystery of God is great and captivating, causing the full range of emotions in believers and unbelievers alike.

All have wondered at the notion of God. We were built that way; to seek Him and to know Him. Though most admire the mystery of His creation, why do they not marvel at Him; why do they not pursue? This is the mystery revealed by our sin.

What is godliness? When we first set out to teach this some time ago, searching the Holy Bible for a definition of godliness proved difficult. Having learned much since then, we see it hinted at in places. An online dictionary defines it thusly: “The character or quality of being godly; conformity to the will and law of God; piety.” Conformity to the will and Law of God is not a terrible description.

To have the character and qualities of being Godly, one must know God, be like God, and follow God by keeping His Law-word while seeking His will. Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us to “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

That’s an immense undertaking, a lifetime pursuit of allowing the Holy Spirit of God to transform you into a son of God, in His likeness (Romans 8:29). It’s easy to see an ungodly person or thing, but blessed be the man that shows himself to be God’s man in all things (1 Peter 1:16).

We learn in 1 Timothy 3:12, just before our topic verse, that all who live godly shall suffer persecution. After our verse, 1 Timothy 4:8 says in part: “godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Godliness is profitable that it may go well with us now and reap the blessings of God’s rewards in eternity. And We find in 2 Peter that we ought to be holy in all conversation (all we show outwardly) and godliness.

The first Psalm provides a satisfactory definition of godliness as well. We are to be godly that whatsoever we do will prosper.

“1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” – Psalm 1:1-3

And what better than for all men to delight in the Law of the Almighty, seeking the face of the Lord, praying without ceasing, bringing forth good fruit, laying up treasures in heaven, and always going about to please the one that saved you and gave you the promise of life now and eternity to come: indeed, without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness.

After that introductory phrase, the text takes a shift. Though we’ve searched the Scriptures for an adequate definition of godliness, we take this verse as self-defining about the mystery and godliness, for there is nothing hidden; all is brought to light by God to those that love Him.

The great mystery from before time and through all ages, evident in creation, hinted at and pointed to within God’s holy word arrived in the flesh as John Baptist declared; “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” If you want to know godliness, look to Christ, for He is God.

“God was manifest in the flesh”

The phrase here starts the revelation of the mystery by defining the life and work of Jesus Christ; God in man. And what a great mystery, Christ was prophesied to be a man, born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Malachi points to His arrival in chapter 3 and verse 1. And as the time drew near (Matthew 1:23), God, as He’s always done, delivered upon His promise.

God was in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19, John 14:10-11); what more straightforward statement than “I and my Father are one.” – John 10:30. We take the virgin birth as sufficient. Christ is the deity in the flesh, having the pure and perfect blood of the Father. The Scripture is fulfilled from Genesis forward up to the virgin birth. The immaculate blood of Christ (God in flesh) is sufficient for the remission of sin. Jesus is the Son of God, and God the Son.

Also, see Isaiah 53:2-5.

What a thing that Holy God would have you to know that Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He was stricken and smitten, tortured to death for your sin, but He had done no wrong and knew no sin. We supposed it correct to point out that He rose from the grave again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), showing Himself among many witnesses, and to Thomas, the holes in His hands and side were still there (John 20:27-28). Having power from the Father to lay down His life and take it up again: God was manifest in the flesh.

“justified in the Spirit”

Jesus is the incarnate Word, the Spirit in flesh. Not simply was the Scripture fulfilled when Christ arrived, but the Word was justified becoming God in flesh; in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily (John 1:14, Colossians 2:9).

This is the most difficult of all the phrases in this verse. Jesus is justified in the Spirit. He didn’t become Christ after the Holy Spirit alighted upon Him in the form of a dove. He was always God the Son. The build of the dove was so that John Baptist, and you, by his recorded testimony in the book of John, might know that this same Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God and Christ (John 1:32-33).

How can the unjust justify? The notion that Jesus was not Christ until His baptism by John is erroneous. His mother (Luke 1:30-35) and her husband (Matthew 1:18-21) were both told. Simeon in the temple saw Jesus as a personal fulfillment of prophecy and global fulfillment for the salvation of His people (Luke 2:25-32) – Daniel’s 70 weeks were coming to their end – Jesus arrived right on time according to the Scriptures. John leapt in the womb (Luke 1:41-42) and knew that Christ was among them before he saw the image of a dove (John 1:26-27). Jesus taught the Pharisees at 12 years old (Luke 2:46-47).

The triune God is One (1 John 5:7 and John 1:1-3). What will those that deny His deity say when they see him? Well, nothing; they’ll be flat on their faces, speechless, scared out of their minds. Here’s what a true believer and His best friend on earth did when he saw Christ: Revelation 1:17.

Still, we admit this is one of the most complex things to understand anywhere in Scripture. It’s much easier to accept by faith for a believer, but the Godhead is often a sticking point for the lost man trying to understand who and what God is. Those who don’t believe will know what Just is when they see face-to-face He who justifies.

Shifting gears, we’ll examine some aspects of this more.

“I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession” – 1 Timothy 6:13

Not that Christ needed any justification by men, but Pontius Pilate found Him not guilty of the things the Jews charged. Jesus committed no offense, and in this, He was justified in all He did and said.

“And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.” – Luke 23:3

Also, we’ll say that Pilot found no fault with Jesus, even after Jesus essentially told Pilot that he himself knew Christ was the King of the Jews.

Jesus was justified at His trial, but the Jews would hear none of it and thrice asked, with increasing vehemence, that Jesus be crucified. Jesus was found not guilty, justified as God in the flesh, and just according to the Spirit as recorded in the word of God. Jesus was justified in all He did and now does; the guilt of His death, therefore, is upon the Jews.

He swears His covenants by Himself since there is none higher; it’s important to note that it’s God who justifies Himself; He needs no man for this. Indeed, being sinners, none can justify God or Christ.

Being the Son of God, He thought it not robbery to be equal with God (Philippians 2:6). Jesus, doing miracles, teaching, and preaching, all in the spirit of truth, operated as the finger of God (Luke 11:20).

But we think Pentecost also provides a sure clue.

Note: see Joel 2:28-32, Matthew 24:29-30, and Acts 2:16-21 together. Jesus was justified in the Spirit for destroying Jerusalem.

The Apostles did err at times, and some had a season of doubt. Still, the Holy Spirit was sent to lead, guide, and direct them into all truth (John 14:17, John 16:13). The arrival of the Holy Spirit justified all of Jesus’ life and ministries, being the Son of man and the Son of God. What surer evidence than the Holy Spirit sent from God fulfilling Christ’s promise of power from heaven?

“16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Acts 2:16-21

When the Spirit was poured out from the Father, Peter was reminded by the Spirit of Joel 2:28-32 and the end of the Old Covenant and the birth of the New Covenant. This is, in part, what Christ spoke of in Matthew 24:29-30. The period from Pentecost through Jerusalem’s destruction fulfilled Joel’s prophecy, justifying Christ by the Spirit as the rightful heir of all things and the Judge of the quick and the dead, great High Priest, for a better covenant. The New Covenant, which was sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, was brought in; the Old Covenant necessarily passed away.

“seen of angels”

Angels announced the birth of Christ (Luke 2:9-14), attended to Christ after the temping (Mark 1:13), in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), at His resurrection (Matthew 28:5-6), and at His ascension to the right hand of Power (Acts 1:10). And see Hebrews 1:6.

Angels were very involved in the ministry of our Lord. Though Christ was despised by mighty men and those wise in their conceit (1 Corinthians 1:26-27), all of heaven was keenly interested in this most important (so far, He’s coming back) of days in all of human history.

Some are interested in angels. We thank the Father for His angels, but more so, we thank God for His messages delivered by them. However, studying angels in the Bible has never been a priority. But they’re often in Scripture pointing to the power of God and delivering the message of hope in Christ to His people. If one were to study them, look for their announcements more than any other aspect, for God’s promises and plan are in the messages.

“preached unto the Gentiles”

Jesus healed a Gentile Roman Centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13). Somebody told the centurion, or he witnessed Jesus’ ministry, but most importantly, he believed. Jesus said of him: “Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

After receiving the Holy Spirit, later in Acts 15, Peter was called upon to preach unto the Gentile Cornelius in Acts 10:34-44.

Also, in Acts 15, a sect of the Pharisees (Judaizers) claimed the Gentiles needed to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses. Peter explains that this is not so.

“6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” – Acts 15:6-11

The preaching of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ by His death, burial, and resurrection has gone out to all men. And in Romans 11:13, Paul claims the office of the “Apostle of the Gentiles.”

The mystery of godliness in the Gospel has even been preached unto the Gentiles on TCJ: here, here, here, and others.

“believed on in the world”

“9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.” – 1 John 5:9-10

Either you believe in Jesus Christ, or you don’t. We that believe have the witness in us and do testify that these things are so: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. This is the record; God has given us eternal life in Jesus Christ by belief through faith in His finished work on the cross.

Excerpt from Walking Dead Man:

“11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” – John 3:11-12

“There is murder, war, adultery, child trafficking, and on and on the list of grievous sins could go. From the earliest days of history, Holy God has sent many witnesses into the world to testify of the things they have seen and heard of God. Jesus says if you can’t hear of the earthly things, how shall you believe the heavenly things? If you won’t believe that God made you in the first place, how will you believe He can make you anew by His Spirit?”

“1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” – Hebrews 1:1-3

God, in these last days, has spoken unto us by his Son, and we heard.

We believe all men are sinners born that way by inheritance of sin from the first man, Adam. We believe that all men are sinners, and because of sin, all men are appointed once to die, then to stand in judgment before God Almighty. We believe that death and wrath abide on all men because of their sin; this wrath is outer darkness, eternal torment, hell, and burning alive. We believe and do know that under our own power, we cannot cease from sin, that the consequences of sin are eternal damnation, that following the Law cannot save anybody’s soul from death and eternal torment, and that no amount of appeasement toward God Almighty or good works on our part could save us. Man is totally depraved, and without God, he is lost forever, having no power on his own to save himself.

But we believe and do know that “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Having been the enemy of the Almighty, Christ made peace between God and us by His literal bodily blood sacrifice on a cross at a place called Golgotha in Israel just outside the city gates of Jerusalem some 2000 years ago. That same Jesus was and is the Christ of God. And He was buried in a never before used tomb owned by one Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent man. And we believe that this same Jesus Christ rose from the dead again the third day and was seen by apostles and other eyewitnesses over a 40-day-long period, including being seen and spoken with in the presence of 500 brethren at once. Christ was alive again in power and glory, teaching and preparing His men for the birth of the New Covenant by the Holy Spirit that would come into them. Then, also witnessed by many, He ascended into a cloud out of sight and, still today, is seated in judgment at the right hand of Majesty in heaven.

This same Jesus, the Christ, is the highest Judge and final authority in all things. We believe He is ruling and reigning in heaven and earth in the affairs of men and nations until His literal bodily return, the day of which no man knows, but you must be ready for that final day when He will judge the quick and the dead.

After His resurrection and ascension, He sent the destructive forces of the first-century Roman Empire against the temple and Jerusalem in 70AD to show that the Old Covenant temple worship system was completed in Him, ending it once for all.

We know and testify that He has forgiven us our sins and saved us from the wrath of God, death, and hell, having, by His grace, given us eternal life. And we do testify that if any would believe in the power of God to forgive you of your sin and save your immortal soul through faith in Jesus Christ’s atoning death, burial, and resurrection, Holy God is faithful to forgive your sin and save your soul. You, too, can enter into the New Covenant by Christ’s blood having life everlasting in heaven with Holy God.

We further believe and do know by the Holy Spirit in us that the real Holy Bible is the perfect, inspired Word of God, holy and inerrant, the words of God to all men, given by Him that you might know Him and His mind toward you.

“received up into glory”

“7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:7-11

All that Christ has done, in our topic verse, is the revelation of the mystery to man, showing evidence in abundance that they might be brought back from their course toward hell and made one with Christ in God.

“Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.” – 1 Timothy 5:24

Some live in sin openly without fear of God; all see their sin and know it as such. Yet more men hide their sin from others, even trying to deny it to themselves, looking for and desiring some escape that never comes. There is no flight; all evil is set before the holy hill, appearing as a dead stinking fish in a meadow, entirely out of place before the throne of God. There is God and your sin before Him. There is no escape, whether iniquity is hidden in this life to follow after in final judgment or exhibited now going before you for judicial review.

There are sinners of the baser sort, foul creatures without remorse, having no fear of God and never considering a coming day with God, and such were some of you.

But others suppose that living in open sin while pretending it’s not wrong will have no consequence. Everybody looks upon their sin as they gallantly expect some new level of social sophistication in maturity, proclaiming their adult and responsible choices; God is not impressed. Hiding your sin in plain sight for all to see while pretending it’s not wickedness isn’t maturity; it’s childishness. You can fool some and even yourself for a time, but God sees your sin; all things are established before Him.

None will get away with sinning. Whether hidden in fear or seen by all, grossly in ignorance or with malignant intent, none don’t sin. It’s hard to know which curse is worse, the exposed sport before men or the hidden self-deceived before God, for none can honestly hide from God, and all are brought to justice.

“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels” – 2 Thessalonians 1:7

The crack in the door to hell is creaking ever wider. You who are troubled with no refuge and nowhere to run, watching the world dissolve into fervor for wars with growing evil all around, seek rest with Jesus Christ. His vengeance against all the disobedient is coming; He will repay with tribulation. There is no other to whom you can hope for salvation than Christ.

“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” – 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9

Vengeance at the hand of the Lord our God shall fall upon all who know not the God of their creation. Having heard of Him, obeying not the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they attempt to hide from God; eternal death is soon their home. By the glory and the power of the Lord, you, who reject the Christ of God, shall be punished under the eternal destruction of damnation in hell; flaming fire awaits as you are slipping toward hades, being removed from the presence of the Lord. Face Him now before it’s ever too late, admitting your sin in repentance; renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness.

“Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.” – Psalm 104:29

Christians are commanded to have no communion with the unclean thing and to depart from evil. Even God Almighty hides His face from those that are troubled and beset by iniquity, for He will not look upon sin; holy is He. There is a price upon your head. In the last, their final breath is taken from them, but all does not go blank; the soul of the sinner dies eternally, in torment, his worm ever turning to escape the wrath of God at the hand of evil. Is this your final lot?

They pay a man to read a Bible and lie about the passing; they say the dead was a good man. He was kind and caring and giving perhaps, but none are good; all have come short of the glory of God. And as they place the carcass in a box returning it to the dust, all those looking on also lie to themselves and each other, nodding in agreement claiming he was a good man, a just man; perhaps now he’s with Lord in glory? Certainly not, for God is holy; no sin may defile Him, nor ever will; He won’t look upon the unforgiven.

“Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.” – Proverbs 11:4

His money didn’t protect him, nor did all the preparations for the end prevail, for God owns everything: every penny in the purse, every tool in the shed, and beans in the cupboard. Only the righteousness of Christ can deliver your soul from death. No deeds well done or riches stored up will profit. Hidden in the womb, you arrived naked, scared, and alone: and in dying, though you may try to hide, the transgressor returns naked and fearful before a holy God, alone without defense.

But there was One, sinless yet crucified, tortured to death, beaten and bloodied, with beard ripped from His face, who took His own cross and dragged up a hill, laying down upon it He stretched His arms wide in love and was nailed with spikes of iron. Then the cross was stood while all mocked and jeered; He was spat upon and ridiculed, dying there for you. He died for the sinner.

Dead in your trespasses against the Almighty and headed to wrath; Christ died there on that cross to save you from your sin and certain death. Holy Father God has turned His face and hidden it from you, ashamed of your folly, but this Jesus came to get you and rescue you from the certain eternal damnation of God’s judgment that you deserve. Jesus paid your debt in death and commended His own spirit to the Father.

As we today anticipate His return and the final judgment, some sadly doubt. Even two thousand years ago, they paused three days for the promise; some waivered then, but they waited.

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:10

And three days later, the Son of God was risen up from the dead, this Jesus of Nazareth who draws all the world to the curious affair of the crucifixion and His resurrection from the dead. He rose again from the dead that He might deliver us, deliver you, from the wrath to come. This is how you can know that Christ Jesus has the power of life. Death could not hold Him, the tomb and hell could not keep Him; this authority He had of Father God, to raise Himself again. Having risen again indeed, this power He has of Himself – to raise you to life eternal, presenting you blameless in the heavenly places with God Almighty.

“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” – Psalm 103:11

The fear of God is a mighty thing. This knowing, deep in your conscience, that indeed there is a God, and although you know Him not, and you’re not perfect by any stretch, you dare not to offend overtly putting yourself at ought with your Creator. This is a fear of the Lord yet without faith. For it is your decision, many are called, but few are chosen.

Knowing the fear of the Lord, do you determine to believe by faith that He is also the God that can save you by His power? The idea in your gut is one thing; choosing Christ, making Jesus your Saviour and holy Father God your one and only God, is what awaits. Do it this day if ye will hear his call, harden not your heart.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:12

And we testify that the love of God is sweet beyond measure; your sins can be hidden from His face and from the wrath to come. People may look upon your outward parts, and you seem the same. They may remember what you once did and were, but Holy God declares of all who trust in His Son; their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. And not only so, but your transgressions can be removed, gone, as though they never existed. You will change, released from chains of fear and regret. This is the forgiveness of Christ, who loves you and, in mercy, expended His life for you.

The human conscience is an alarm to return to God. Whether you’ve ever known God or not, all must return to Him for judgment. The conscience gives you an inkling to be prepared for that day, and it’s not wrong, for God has made us thus, that we might seek Him.

The only saving trial is forgiveness from sin and salvation from hell in the person of Jesus Christ. Return to God in contrite spirit. In Christ Jesus, those who understand they are dead already find forgiveness and life everlasting.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” – Colossians 3:3

Though you hid your sins from men and tried to conceal them from the Almighty, God will hide them as far as the east is from the west, seeing them no more. In Christ is a home unending, free with God. Call upon His holy name. Nothing can separate us from the Love of God. No man can pluck you out of Christ’s hand. No more fear in your conscience nor price upon your head; hallelujah, commending your spirit to the Father, your eternal soul can now be hid with Christ in God.

Reading the title made you think, yes, we can be wise, or even I can be wise; perhaps there is a way under our superior efforts to make things right. “Wisdom finds a way” is one of the most deceptive things we’ve heard this year. It’s indicative of decay into the filth of human self-exaltation in our time. No, wisdom does not find a way. Delusion finds a way. Want to know what the wisdom of men looks like? Three hundred fifty million “free people” accepted the lockdown and put diapers on their faces. Even the Churches did this; God help them.

There is nothing wise about any man. Men are depraved, wicked, sinful, and fallen creatures that lack the capacity for any good thing, including wisdom. The pride of life causes one to become deluded into believing they are good and wise, even all-knowing. No, you’re not God! This idea comes from the devil, that old serpent, for when Eve saw that the fruit would make one wise, how could she resist?

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

So they ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and every decision any man has had to make since that day has only been a choice within the structure of the sin curse. No man has been free since that day, for every object of the heart’s desire is tainted by sin. The world looks at freedom as being free to sin. But sin is bondage in this life, and unto death. But, in Christ, a man can be free from sin (Romans 6:6-14).

The New Testament brings out this concept as well.

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” – 1 John 2:16

Where the woman saw the tree was good for food, 1 John 2 calls it the lust of the flesh. The woman saw that it was pleasant to the eyes, and 1 John calls this the lust of the eyes. The woman saw that it was to be desired to make one wise, and 1 John calls this the pride of life.

Any politician saying that “we” can take a wise course is a liar, and the devil is his father. Man only has the choice to accept sin or avoid sin as best he can. The latter is most often a more challenging course, but it’s far and away the right decision that reaps the blessings of the Lord of Heaven.

“And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” – Job 28:28

What is the locus of a just people’s desire to follow the path of wisdom? Fear of the Lord is the reason which leads a nation into understanding. Having come into the knowledge of the Lord, how does a person or a country demonstrate that wisdom? They shun their pride and the evil of their own understanding by relying upon Holy God; they depart from iniquity and their sins thereby. But to the lost sinners of an unrepentant nation coming under the judgment of God as evident in mass delusions, to say that we can be wise of our own accord is the wholesale embrace of the way of sin, evil, and death. Jesus is greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42).

Our failure of wisdom, being tainted by sin, is the problem that Jesus Christ died to solve; the perfect and sinless, wisest of all, and only begotten Son of God was crucified on the cross to pay for our sin since the fall in the Garden. He died to pay for your sin. Christ rose from the grave again the third day, the resurrected Saviour. Having defeated sin, death, and the tomb, wisdom is found in fear of Him. “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:11

“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” – Romans 6:18

Serving sin no more, and pursuing Him that is righteous is the only wise way; but how?

There are a lot of definitions of wisdom. It’s problematic to define because it only comes from God. But God describes it as a fear of Him, departing from evil, entering into His righteousness to work the works of God. When a nation of men fears God and turns from its sins, they become the servants of righteousness. Only a man, having received the grace of God through Jesus Christ unto eternal life, fears God and departs from evil.

“To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” – Jude v25

Repent of your unbelief and call upon the only wise God to save your soul, for He is the one true power in eternity.

“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” – Galatians 5:5

In the day this verse was written, they having the Spirit of God, did wait for the hope of Christ. Christ fulfilled the Law and Prophets, utterly ending the Old Covenant forevermore. As the Lord spoke through Jeremiah: “But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.” – Jeremiah 12:17.

When the keepers of the oracles of the Old Covenant failed to swear by His name even above all their bail worship (Jeremiah 12:16), He brought in a New Testament by the blood of His own Son. No lineage or heritage matters anymore; we’re all one in Christ Jesus. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19), yet they would not. But to those few who were faithful to take the charge of the New Covenant proclaiming the Gospel to the uttermost part of the earth, we owe a debt of gratitude. Where are His faithful today?

For two thousand years, we born of the Spirit have waited for the day of righteousness. Western Civilization has had its highs and lows since the days Christ walked the earth, and the Gospel went west (Acts 16:6-9). No serious-minded soul today considers our civilization anywhere but on the downstroke, sin abounding unto destruction at the removal of blessings, under the hand of the Almighty.

Despite the problems we have suffered in the West, we ought always to be thankful to the Lord our God that the Holy Spirit sent the Gospel into Europe. Through this same Spirit, we are commanded never to lose the hope of righteousness we have in Jesus Christ, for it is not our own. All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, but God, by the infinite blessings of His mercies upon us, has clothed us, bathed us, and dyed us through and through with the righteous blood of Jesus Christ unto eternal salvation.

The Law of God couldn’t save those two thousand years ago, and no law today will save you from sin nor rescue you from the wrath to come. The laws of men have been turned upside down, perverting evil for good and proclaiming sin as progress. Sin is regressive, the illusion of a worthy shortcut, but it always ends in folly. For the sinner has said in his heart, where is God, who is God, He cannot see me. Only Jesus Christ can save; He is the way to the Father.

Yet this salvation of the saints is just a shadow of the coming of full righteousness in Christ at His appearing. We must keep the faith of God that though the righteous may suffer for His name’s sake, the day is coming when all will be set in order. In that day, evil will no longer be called good; and good, those faithful to the end in Christ, will no longer be called the vile and outcast.

Though the centuries seem long to us, God has promised to make a short work upon the earth (Romans 9:28). Except Holy God keep a seed of the righteous, we will turn wholly as Sodom and Gomorrah (Isaiah 1:9, Romans 9:29). This isn’t the first time that the devils of hell have unleashed such poverty of spirit upon a land. Know that Father God, by Jesus Christ, will have a people always, and in all times and circumstances; for He desires a people to be His faithful, by the Spirit given to us in abundance, that we might glorify His holy name.

Now is the time; today is the day of salvation by Jesus Christ, who died for your sins as full payment to Holy God. He suffered death for you but rose again the third day, proving that in Him is life and life eternal. Make today the day you decided to be counted among the righteous in Christ, belonging to Holy Father God now and into eternity.

It’s faith; this is the currency of those that belong to Christ Jesus. Hope in the knowledge that by our faith, God will see his righteous men and women victorious. Even if they try to kill us all, so be it. No Bolshevik prison camp will do. We would rather die righteous in Christ; “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” – 1 Corinthians 15:55

There is a seed; Christ does have a people covered, yea, dyed in His righteousness, and we will prevail. As darkness is descending upon the West, faith in the hope of the Almighty sustains us in these dispiriting hours; but nothing can separate us from the Spirit of God, which is the earnest of His promise. God loves His own. The Holy Scriptures and 2000 years of history exemplify that though evil abounds to elaborate and seemingly unprecedented levels today, there’s nothing new under the sun; God will not let us down.

“18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” – 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

In verse 18 above, we learn that all things are of God; He has made everything, and all things were made for Him (Colossians 1:16-17). He is the Creator, but this very same God has sought reconciliation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Under this ministry of reconciliation, one would naturally ask; why is reconciliation necessary? What was the schism? That word schism holds a connotation, but understand that the very first religious breach, the very first split, was sin against Holy God by the first man. The covenant had been broken; a parting must have been accomplished. The Creator is holy and righteous, and man had taken on the nature of sin and became an enemy against his Maker. Man, having become a sinner and losing his disposition of grace, God could not have allowed perfect sinlessness to continue. Indeed, the corruption of sin had ended the holy communion between God and man.

This break brought guilt, shame, sorrow, and fear, all brand new to man who had dwelled in the love of God uncorrupted. It was man that broke the relationship, devastated by his error, filled with the horror of seeing himself in light of his sin, and knowing, better than any man, just how holy and perfect God was to him, he fled from the face of God. And here you are today, attempting to escape from the countenance of God lest the punishment you deserve come upon you. Nonetheless, God knows us and our sin, the wrath of God is inescapable.

Verse 18 continues, “who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ” It’s not that God has met you halfway; in fact, He owes no such thing as the extension of His hand anew. God didn’t even meet us three-quarters or four-fifths of the way. He didn’t have to offer the consideration of friendship again, but God did it all. He accomplished everything necessary for you to be brought back, reconciled into love and fellowship, holy communion again, and peace. Ah, blessed peace; to have it again under the guiding wing of God that destruction would befall us no more: just as the bird of prey gathers eaglets in the nest, oh how God longs to summon you to Himself under the protection of His holy love.

God was in Christ (verse 19). Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” – John 10:30. God was reconciling the world to Himself by Jesus Christ, not seeking to impute His wrath for our sin but seeking for His own, looking for His lost sheep gone astray, forgiving our trespasses for breaking the covenant and leaving Him, oh that man would cease to flee from the great God of creation and turn to face His Son! We still today, witnesses for Jesus Christ, messengers of the Gospel, ambassadors of peace by God, cry to all those who would hear Him: be ye reconciled to God, by Jesus Christ!

Christ did it all; the wrath of the Father was poured out upon Jesus on the cross: Jesus was sinless, yet under torture for you, dying for your sin. The Son of God went all the way to the depths of making Himself one of His creatures, becoming man yet without sin; He came to get you and bring you back home into the grace of Father God.

“For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.” – Ezekiel 34:11

That’s the love He has for you. That He came looking for you, though you deserve it not, though you had trespassed His holy name, He desires you as a son that deeply. God was in Christ looking for His own to make them a people. He’s looking for you today. It’s no casual mention. And it’s no idle offer; God did call you and seek for you and search, sending His own Son so that you might see how serious He is about bringing you back into the household of God.

God is showing you how He made Christ to be sin, that you might be made straight with Him. That’s the exchange, your sin, for the righteousness of God; what an offer. And Jesus rose again on the third day, fulfilling the Scriptures and proving that the most fantastic dawn of history had arrived; the reconciliation of God by Christ, to all who would hear, to you. All you have to do, for Christ did it all, is accept the righteousness of God as His gift. Flee from Him no more, prevailing in Christ, made right in His sight: be ye reconciled to God.

Why do you not desire to kill the innocent, but some do? Is it because that’s just normal or natural? That not wishing to kill the innocent is right isn’t the question. Neither is it a question of who is right and who is wrong. Nobody would do it if it were merely wrong to kill the innocent; every man claims knowledge of right and wrong. Of course, there’s some basis in the questions, for God has declared it from the beginning.

“22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” – Genesis 3:22-24

That’s the same sword which the Almighty baths in the baptism of blood as He exacts vengeance upon the wicked that have made war on Him and His people. Folks strive for a lifetime, trying to return to the garden of primordial days upon the earth. Please stop, look to the future, look to the new heavens and the new earth; Jesus Christ has made the way to the purity of good that you crave.

So today, starting from the earliest man, we know good and evil, but this hasn’t answered the question as to why the heart of some accepts that the taking of innocent life is corrupt, but others take life.

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” – Genesis 6:5

The heart of a man is wicked; you may be able to hide it from the rest of the world, but it’s true. All of us have not only the capacity for evil, but in the recesses of the thoughts of our heart lurks a grave evil, one every man is born with. This evil that lives in all men is not an intellectual thing; it’s not a learned behavior. It’s innate and inborn to all; it’s a man’s heart condition. But you admit that some are gifted with particular abilities; you’re about to prove a part of the point here.

Look, it’s not lost on us why many won’t go to Church; they have replaced God’s Law with the State. If it’s legal, it must be moral, is their creed. This is idolatry by Statism which is the worship of the State as a god. Some men can’t be taught not to kill, nor can they be forced by legal code. The falseness of this State as God in the American Church is a fact. Government can no more legislate good and evil than it can take the guns. Both are something that requires your cooperation.

Those who don’t kill the innocent are right —those who do good and not evil and are just.

“(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” – Romans 2:13.

You know in that same heart of yours that the doers of this law of good and evil are justified; else, you would kill with impunity. Are you shocked by that statement? If you had no moral conscience written on your heart, bearing upon your actions, what wouldn’t you do?

Hearing of right and wrong, this knowing good and evil, is not enough to keep you from thinking the most horrifying thoughts in the vanity of your imaginations, and it didn’t stop you from acting upon some of them. Nor does it stop people from killing those who have committed no offense. It’s why murder is such a fascination to many; they’re blind to God, groping in the dark for the cause of such wickedness.

And there’s the failure of eastern mysticism; that both good and evil reside in the same container, and you can choose the good. This can’t be so; do some simply decide to kill the innocent? “Should I have fries with that or kill a guy?” This is hardly a reasonable hypothesis. Evil is genuine, and you know it.

The modern ‘doctors’ of psychiatry will tell you that some cannot control themselves and are pathological, but that makes no sense either. Where did their desire to kill come from, and why did they act upon it? Pathology is not an explanation; if adequately defined, it would be the study of the vector of evil that already exists in the mind of all men.

It appears to take only a generation to whip up the minds of whole groups to kill tens of millions. So no amount of convincing nor law can stop killing, and no amount of religion either. Mass killing takes only a “proper” coxing of the evil that exists in every heart bringing those souls to bulldoze millions into open trenches out of manufactured hatred. Why are they so easily led; because evil resides in the heart. What of their yin, or is it yang? The very civilization that supposedly follows that mysticism turned to follow Moa.

“13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another)” – Romans 2:13-15

That’s a parenthetical statement in the Word of God meant to teach you this very thing: God wrote this law on your heart, that your conscience would bear witness of God by the knowledge of good and evil. Your own conscience is telling you that God exists. God wrote this law on your inward parts, upon your heart, that you might know He cares, that you’re not an animal operating only in the realm of instinct. By His grace alone, both choice and reason may have a say. Still, the law of grace is there primarily that love would rule and reign in your heart, overtaking the evil of baser desires as God remakes you into His child. You can be a child of God.

The man who wrote those verses by the Holy Spirit of God was trained in the fully enjoined law’s depth, breadth, and magnitude: “Though shalt not kill.” He was immersed in the statutes from birth and lived by the strictest letter. We suppose, having been chiefly isolated from non-Jews all his life, when he encountered Greeks and Romans (Gentiles) now with the desire to show them about God, he wondered at their capacity for good and evil without going by the book of the Law of God. He was raised in the Old Testament law; very few Europeans or Africans cared even to read it in passing, if they could obtain a copy, or read at all.

When the Gospel of Jesus Christ came to all men, these verses were written showing the light and love of God to your ancient kinsmen. So he’s teaching a point that is apt today; he’s explaining how that God has made way for you to know Him by writing His Law upon your heart even though you are not an Old Testament Israelite.

And as for me, having heard the good news of the mercy of God by Jesus Christ, accepting Him in salvation, and asking Him to take the pen of His New Testament writing it upon my heart; as a witness and a messenger of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I’m teaching you.

The Creator has placed the first snippet of His moral code in you, like a clue, or a primer, that you might seek to know Him, having the entirety thereby completed upon your heart through faith in Jesus Christ.

That parenthetical aside in Romans 2:13-15 above appears just after these verses:

“11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law” – Romans 2:11-12

God is no respecter of persons. All have broken the law, perhaps not by murder, but His rule is violated nonetheless. There’s no excuse with God, not riches, not just doing your job, not I didn’t mean to, not anything. Sin is a matter of the heart before God; all are aware of right and wrong, yet none have withheld themselves from sin. Nor could they, and neither could you; we are sinners. Not that we’re sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners from the start. That’s why God is no respecter of persons. All have sinned; there is no fear of God before their eyes; the thoughts of men are evil continually. But God can save the murderer, and He has; God can save you.

God is holy, perfect is the standard, and none may attain. But God gave His only Son, and He did overcome the world to make that way to the new heaven and new earth for you. Christ was the Law made flesh. Stop trying to make things right; get right with the Almighty; it’s His Law. He is the Judge, serve Him, and rebuild a civilization worth having under the banner of Christ Jesus.

Now is the day when God will judge the secrets of men by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How you act upon the knowledge in your heart that Christ died to forgive you of this very evil called sin is paramount to the full realization of being justified. Being religious in the morality of your own mind is not good enough; the covenant you need is by the faith of God to blot out your sins in the blood of Jesus.

“16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” – Hebrews 10:16-17

By faith in Jesus Christ, God will remember your sins and iniquities no more. By this is life today and life everlasting; Christ has defeated sin and death, rising from the grave again on the third day. Amen. Out of a genuine desire for God to cover your sin, ask Him to fill your heart with His love, to overwhelm your evil thoughts and deeds, to make you a new creation where good wins and right is the Holiness of God Almighty as He completes the record of His Law upon the heart of your desire toward Him; do it now. It’s Christ that paid to justify, and God that justifies by His grace that you might live in the New Covenant He is writing on your heart. God showed you His Law and gave you a choice. It’s God that wins; the Lord our God is life and life everlasting, for He is the author thereof. By faith in Jesus Christ, today is that day.

“7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.” – Hebrews 2:7-8

Christ is eternal, but Christ was made man, setting Him for a time below the angels, crowned King of kings receiving kingdoms in His death and resurrection. He is now above all, even the works of creation, having suffered indignities and afflictions to receive glory and honor.

Christ is the heir of all things receiving His inheritance promised from the start; the world is made subject unto Him. Now we see the Kingdom of God to which you are invited. You will spend eternity somewhere, and the kingdom of death and hell is in a losing battle deceiving men about the truth of the war for your everlasting soul. Hell not only awaits but casts a net of beguiling upon the unaware by telling them God isn’t who He says He is and that there is no heaven. So death still reigns until Christ’s return when the fullness of the Kingdom of light and life will be gathered unto Holy God. Death is the final enemy; though your body may taste of death, your soul needn’t die under the curse brought by the sin of disobeying God. Everyone has disobeyed God.

“9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9

Those made Sons of God in Christ see Jesus who suffered death for every man that by His death, death has been defeated for all who call upon His holy name. By the grace of God, the gift of eternal life is this day come to you. Christ died for you, though eternal since before creation, God made Him lower than all, accused yet guiltless suffering death at the hands of the unrighteous.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5

Though having never offended being God the Son, He suffered the crucifixion that by His stripes, we might be mended, forgiven of all sin. Gloriously healed of heart and soul, that death is no more in us, we worship Him ever thankful for the price He paid. Jesus rose from the grave to offer restoration from the curse of sin which rules over death. God loves us, and death has lost its sting to those that love Him and keep His commandments.

“10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” – Hebrews 2:10

It was a wise concession for Christ to do these things for you, being the Creator of all and redeemer of men’s souls.

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” – Colossians 1:16

He is before all things. He is higher than any and is boundless; He exists since before time. He offered Himself as the one final blood sacrifice unto death for the sins of all that believe in Him by faith. Having risen from the grave, seated in power, ascended indeed, He’s crowned in glory, excellence, and majesty; in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily. All things are His, and not one escapes that is not His. You are His by faith; He awaits your reply: oh, to be made whole, a child of God.

He is the chief captain of your salvation from sin and death. He was perfected, made complete in suffering for your debt to God that you might be might made one of many sons of God; you needn’t suffer death and hell, but life and light and heaven are to those children that are under His protecting wing, sanctified, one in Christ with God.

“11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” – Hebrews 2:11-13

Jesus is not ashamed to call you His brother if you are His. Jesus Christ is the elder, the first raised from the dead to have joint heirs of the Kingdom to be His family; for this cause, He will raise you up to inherit the Kingdom with Him. You can be brethren together in eternity before the throne of the Almighty God. Though he created all, not all are called children of God, brothers of Jesus. Put your trust in Jesus Christ, becoming a child of the King, brothers, and sisters among the saints; kinsmen with Christ evermore. Who can you trust but God?

“I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.” – Psalm 22:22

God is gathering a people, a congregation before His throne. You can be a son of God, serving until His return to claim all He owns and those that are His. Accept the Lord Jesus to be received of Him into life everlasting. Amen.

“14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” – Hebrews 2:14-15

Children of God are the unfeigned believers and followers of Christ. You being flesh and blood, Christ, born of a virgin, also became flesh and blood; in this, we are brothers. Being made like us and lowing Himself, He tasted death for every man. But, risen from the tomb, the domain of the devil has been crushed under the heel of Christ fulfilling the prophecy from the garden of Eden. Christ is the author and finisher of our faith unto life unceasing; your soul can be His in heaven.

Having been made a man, Jesus Christ, sinless and holy and perfect with God, defeated death. No man could ever do this because only Jesus never sinned. Jesus offered Himself to God upon the alter; death and the devil are defeated forever. Delivered from the fear of death, it has no hold upon those with Christ, His brethren. Amen.

“16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” – Hebrews 2:16-17

As some would claim, Christ was no mere messenger of heaven, just a prophet or a pretty good guy, but He is God made flesh. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1. Jesus is the seed promised of God to make more sons of God than all the sand of the sea and all of the stars of heaven. The ancient prophecies are fulfilled; Jesus has fulfilled the promises of God to save your soul, reconciling you unto God.

Jesus became a man that we might trust in Him. Willing to make Himself as low as us, to know our infirmities, we might recognize this: that Christ is not some high-minded tyrant overlord. We don’t want to go too far here, He is indeed the Sovereign, but he became sinful flesh so that we might know He was serious about coming to get us, to reconcile us to God, returning us into the family of God from the fall in the garden.

Christ, being God gets all praise and glory, but we don’t truly comprehend what high honor and the glory of God could even be. So, in the act of humiliation, He lowered Himself, even to the death of the cross to be tortured without mercy, that we might believe by completed trust in Him. God cares that much for us; the Saviour wants reconciliation with us by the agreement of covenant. He became one of us so that you might also recognize Him as a brother and friend who cares so very deeply for you.

He became like us that He might know our infirmities to be a merciful God, having been tempted yet without sin, suffering in this world as we do. He knows what you are, not only as the Creator knows His creation, but He became His creation. Nobody knows you as Jesus Christ does.

Yes, we are brothers. Brothers with the Holy Creator Redeemer? Who can fully comprehend such a thing, but moreover, having heard, who would be fool enough to reject it? This is why it became Him to suffer that any who hears would be without excuse for their unbelief. How is man uninterested in God; are they soulless creatures?

Verse three of Hebrews 2 says: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him”

And at every turn, with patience and lovingkindness, Jesus took the time to explain essential truths to those dull of hearing, sometimes more than once, in the hope that they might respond in kind by admitting in their heart: yes, I want to be fully reconciled to the Almighty, brought back into the family of God. His patience, mercy, and kindness are extended to you.

How shall you escape the wrath of God, having heard of the glorious works of Christ and the offer of salvation confirmed in the New Testament record?

Once you’ve heard about the Christ of God, with every breath taken in disobedience to the truth, you are heaping molten coals of burning brimstone upon your own endless damnation. God gave His Son to be killed so that you might believe in Him by trust! What more could He do but become a man such as you, suffer like you, and much more so upon the cross? God’s plan from before speaking creation into being was that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

He wants to forgive you; will you forgive yourself and accept the offer?

Jesus provided the escape from final damnation. Have trust in Christ; He will save them to the uttermost that come unto God by faith.

Romans 5:6-10

Some are at peace with God. Some make war on God. And yet some are wholly unaware. Sometimes it’s difficult to know who is who and what master they serve. Some have peace with God but a raging war against sin on the inside, tearing them up. Some have faith without peace being a sheep gone astray. Some are justified by the illusions of their mind having peace for a season of their own creation; like a baby with a pacifier, they have temporary comfort while gaining no sustenance. Many know full well they serve the devil; you being a sinner, have that same capacity. Most are blinded and glad to be so. But every soul on earth, ungodly sinners all, have access in faith to the throne of the Almighty by the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no peace, no end to the war of the heart and soul by any hustled-up religion, self-help book, and undoubtedly not by the evil that abounds unto death in this world. But we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and our Saviour. Do you want to wait, have faith in the arbitrary, and see if a better option comes along? You genuinely are taking your chances; eternity is nothing to gamble away.

Hardships are coming; they’re already arriving and will bear down on the soul. Tribulations start in the tangible world, but that’s not the target; it’s in the human soul where the wrath settles; having vexed the body and mind, the trials of wrath look for your core, plunging the depths of conscience to see what you’re made of. None can withstand God. It’s war by judgments and tribulations or peace by the Lord.

The wrath of God is the allowance of evil, and the world leaders have sided with the maleficent, choosing war with the Almighty. It will affect you, family, friends, work, and every aspect of life. The rulers and would-be tyrants all around us have a vested interest in keeping you socially inept, isolated, away from others of like heart and mind. As if by some power, and it is, the whole world was locked in their homes wearing a diaper on their face. Evil is real, and it’s a spirit. The mental damage to especially the young and old is permanent, and you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. No man knows the future but do you think things will soon improve? They could, but more likely are wonders to behold; all the world will marvel as the depths of evil are plunged, and none will escape. It will affect your very soul as God permits; that is the target of the enemy’s attack. Evil thrives in the torment of the heart and soul; that’s what’s coming. But there is a peace to be found.

“1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” – Romans 5:1-2

If not today, then why wait? There is no better situation coming, no better time than now, no better covenant than in Christ Jesus. One has but to believe that Christ died paying the fullness of your debt for sin. What a simple and marvelous thing that today, this very moment, you can be delivered from the power of darkness and brought fully into the love that God has for you. There is no reason to wait. Christ will not die again better; God will not love you more later, and the Holy Spirit will not browse the library of your works looking for your nobility. Christ is noble; Christ is King, the only Holy One worthy of life yet suffering defeat at the cross by His own will, for you personally, that you might live bought into godliness by His shed blood upon the tree. He’s not going to the cross again; it is finished; seated at the right hand of Power, Christ has sealed the covenant in His own blood. There’s no purer a covenant because there is no pure blood than that of the Son of God shed for you. Today is your day, the day of redemption; Christ paid it all so that you might go free.

“6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6

Now is that time. Not when you have the strength, not when you claim self-godliness, but now, today! God knows you have no power to save yourself from being in a helpless state against what’s coming, and God knows your sins and transgressions; they have found you out. Christ died for the ungodly, not the self-reformed, cleaned up, and presented with phony piousness; Jesus died for the sinner. Today is the day of salvation come unto you!

“7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:7-8

Evil is arriving, and cowardice abounds in these times, although we do see glimmers of hope. Oh, so rarely for a righteous man, and some might die for a good man daring to follow after, but Christ didn’t die for good men; He died while we were sinners, ungodly, yet without strength on our own, because God loves you. God has Commended His love by showing the extraordinary depth and mercy of His heart toward you, in that He gave His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus. No better man is coming; it’s Jesus Christ the Son of God. He’s the only sinless, there being none good, no perfect love but that of God.

“Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made;

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.”

The story goes that this poem was found on a cell wall in an insane asylum. Is it any wonder, the love of God seems wholly irrational in a hate filled world. When they come for the truth-tellers, when earthly thrones and kingdoms fall, when as today they call the just man crazy and the evil good, upon what foundation of love will you stand?

Today is the day of salvation because of the covenant with the Saviour who was foreordained before the foundation of the world to die for you. You can be found justified in the mind of Almighty God and saved from the wrath to come. It’s coming; there is no better time, no nearer day to the Lord than this very moment, escaping the wrath of God that abides on all those that hear but wait! Salvation is to them that believe in the power of God over the evil of sin, the world, and death.

“9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” – Romans 5:6-10

The enemies of God are lining up, outing themselves more and more every day. Surely you’re not with them? Why remain an enemy of God? It’s a war you can’t win; today is the day of reconciliation, forgiveness, and salvation; having risen from the grave, He’s alive. By His life, you can enter into life everlasting.

What cartoonish silliness is this to stand at the pearly gates and be assessed by God to see if you’re worthy? You are not holy. You are not sinless. You are not eternal. You’re not worthy; you’re an ungodly sinner, full of deceit, hate, and anger. When those eyes pierce your very soul, it’ll be too late; either you belong to the Just One who is worthy and enter into the love of God by Him, or you’ll be cast into outer darkness burning for eternity. No man stands on the last day; every knee will hit the dirt, every tongue will be stopped; Christ is King.

It’s by the power of God that Christ rose from the grave, and it’s by His power that you, if you are His, will be raised to a new life, being made a son of God, knowing God, set to new purposes in a new kingdom under Heaven. Want to die a death with meaning, gallantly? Die for Christ on the battlefield fighting for the souls of men in the Kingdom of God. Today is the day to be made a friend of God; such a thing as that is the offer of the Almighty whose boundless love toward you would accept the torture of His own Son in your stead.

Friends with God today; Jesus knows those that are His. There’s no reason to fight it, no reason under creation to remain His enemy – what have they got to offer but the coming hell on earth and in eternity to follow?

It can’t be overstated; there is no better offer coming, no better god, no better faith, no better religion; it’s not even about religion or Church; it’s Jesus. Jesus Christ poured out the sinless blood of the New Covenant, for He is the way to the Father, the Creator and Redeemer of those yet without strength, of ungodly sinners in need of salvation; turning to the Saviour today, you can be His. The choice is yours to make, the wrath to come or the love of God by Christ Jesus. Without the resurrection of Christ, there is no eternal life for the believer at the last day; you won’t be raising yourself from the dead to be with Holy Father God. Now is the time to get this right.

Call upon the Father, tell Him you don’t want war with Him; you don’t want to die in your sin but desire a life with meaning and purpose above any that the death and hell the world has to offer. Grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. God is faithful to those who are His, for He delivered Christ, so you can also know that He’ll deliver you into eternal life, sealed through faith, in the blood covenant made before the world began.