I just want to briefly share one point the leader made in her reflection on the passage because is it not something I’ve taken from this reading before and so I spent some time with it. She referred to the part of the reading where servants arrive from the official’s house and say that it is too late – no reason to trouble Jesus any further, the daughter of Jairus is already dead. Jesus’ response, as she interpreted it, was: “No trouble at all. I’m already on my way. You invited me to your house and I’m coming. Don’t worry about the details.” And, as we know from the story, Jesus goes to the house and says simply to the girl, “Child, get up,” and she does.

Once we invite Jesus in, there’s no going back. Once we invite Jesus in, everything changes….and anything can happen. A great message any time, and especially on a retreat where God’s blessing are abounding.

http://versical.wordpress.com/2008/07/19/there-are-people/

Many claim to love God, but each should examine himself as to the genuineness of the love which he professes.

The first test is this: he should not dislike the thought of death, for no friend shrinks from going to see a friend. The Prophet said, "Whoever wishes to see God, God wishes to see him." It is true a sincere lover of God may shrink from the thought of death coming before he has finished his preparation for the next world, but if he is sincere, he will be diligent in making such preparation.

The second test of sincerity is that a man should be willing to sacrifice his will to God's, should cleave to what brings him nearer to God, and should shun what places him at a distance from God. The fact of a man's sinning is no proof that he does not love God at all, but it proves that he does not love Him with his whole heart. The saint Fudhail said to a certain man, "If any one asks you whether you love God, keep silent; for if you say, 'I do not love Him,' you are an infidel; and if you say, 'I do,' your deeds contradict you."

The third test is that the remembrance of God should always remain fresh in a man's heart without effort, for what a man loves he constantly remembers, and if his love is perfect he never forgets it. It is possible, however, that, while the love of God does not take the first place in a man's heart, the love of the love of God may, for love is one thing and the love of love another.

The fourth test is that he will love the Koran, which is the Word of God, and Muhammad, who is the Prophet of God; if his love is really strong, he will love all men, for all are God's servants, nay, his love will embrace the whole creation, for he who loves any one loves the works he composes and his handwriting.

The fifth test is, he will be covetous of retirement and privacy for purposes of devotion;, he will long for the approach of night, so that he may hold intercourse with his Friend without let or hindrance. If he prefers conversation by day and sleep at night to such retirement, then, his love is imperfect. God said to David, "Be not too intimate with men; for two kinds of persons are excluded from My presence: those who are earnest in seeking reward and slack when they obtain it, and those who prefer their own thoughts to the remembrance of Me. The. sign of My displeasure is that I leave such to themselves." In truth, if the love of God really take possession of the heart all other love is excluded. One of the children of Israel was in the habit of praying at night, but, observing that a bird sang in a certain tree very sweetly, he began to pray under that tree, in order to have the pleasure of listening to the bird. God told David to go and say to him, "Thou hast mingled the love of a melodious bird with the love of Me; thy rank among the saints is lowered." On the other hand, some have loved God with such intensity that, while they were engaged in devotion, their houses have caught fire and they have not noticed it.

A sixth test is that worship becomes easy. A certain saint said, "During one space of thirty years I performed my night-devotions with great difficulty, but during a second space of thirty years they became a delight." When love to God is complete no joy is equal to the joy of worship.

The seventh test is that lovers of God will love those who obey Him and hate the infidels and the disobedient, as the Koran says: "They are strenuous against the unbelievers and merciful to each other." The Prophet once asked God and said, "O Lord! who are Thy lovers?" and the answer came, "Those who cleave to Me as a child to its mother, take refuge in the remembrance of Me as a bird seeks the shelter of its nest, and are as angry at the sight of sin as an angry lion who fears nothing."

... The Alchemy of Happiness, Hujjatul Islam Imam al-Ghazali

The Lutheran Minister, The Catholic Priest, Or Jesus Christ?

By Dr. Max D. Younce, Pastor

HERITAGE BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH
P.O. Box 573| Walnut Grove, MN 56180 | Telephone (507) 859-2519

"Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."- Mark 7:7

"And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." -Mark 7:9

"Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." -Mark 7:13

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." -Colossians 2:8

A LUTHERAN MINISTER, CATHOLIC PRIEST, OR JESUS CHRIST?

This question has surfaced numerous times down through the years. Two of the most prominent adherents to this position are the Evangelical Churches of America (ELCA) and the Romans Catholic Church. There are a few others, but these are the most influential in this practice. One must remember--when you have placed your confidence in any priest or minister as mediator between yourself and God, you have acknowledged them as being equal with Christ. You have then placed yourself in a position to be susceptible to any other false teaching that is presented. For any minister or priest to declare that you must go through him to obtain forgiveness of sins is ludicrous, apostate, and diametrically opposed to the Word of God. Let us examine the claims of both from their own writings, "Absolution and Penance."

LUTHERAN

The following is taken and quoted from the writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America and published by the Concordia Publishing House in Saint Louis, Missouri.

1. The preacher says:

"Do you promise that with the aid of the Holy Ghost you will henceforth amend your sinful life?  Then declare by saying: I do promise."

2. The preachers says:

"Finally, do you believe that THROUGH ME, a called servant of God, you will RECEIVE THE FORGIVENESS OF ALL YOUR SINS?  Then declare so by saying: I do believe.  As you believe, even so may it be unto you."

3. The preacher says:

"Upon this your confession, I, BY VIRTUE OF MY OFFICE, AS A CALLED AND ORDAINED SERVANT OF THE LORD, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I FORGIVE YOU ALL YOUR SINS in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen."

The question many have asked is: "Does the Lutheran preacher forgive his wife's sin also? Does he forgive his children's sins, and does he forgive HIS OWN?"

ROMAN CATHOLIC

Similar ideas appear in almost all catholic literature describing Penance.  The following quotes are from the Father Connell's Confraternity Edition, New Baltimore Catechism.

1. "Penance is also a sacrament instituted by Our Divine Savior in which sins committed after Baptism are forgiven through the absolution of the Priest.""The Priest has the power to forgive sins from Jesus Christ, who said to His Apostles and to their successors in the priesthood: 'Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; whose sins you shall retain, they are attained." (John 20:22,23).
2. "No man, by his own power and authority, could possibly forgive sins.  Only God can do that because sin is an offence against Him.  BUT the priest, as God's representative, can forgive sins because God has given him the power to do so." (Matthew 18:15-18).
   
3. "Our Savior could indeed have decreed that men should receive the Pardon of their sins by going directly to God with contrition.  BUT a sacrament, administered by men in the name of God, IS A MORE ASSURING AND A MORE EFFECTIVE MEANS."
   
4. "The power to forgive sins by pronouncing these words of absolution is given to the priest at his ordination.  In order to exercise this power the priest must have jurisdiction, or be authorized to ACT AS A SPIRITUAL JUDGE OVER THE PERSONS HE ABSOLVES."
   
5. THE PRIEST FORGIVES SINS WITH THE WORDS: "I absolve thee from thy sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the the Holy Ghost, Amen."

One might notice at "2." that the Catholic Church acknowledges that no man has the power to forgive sins, but God only; they then transfer that power to their priests. The following Scriptures are used to support their position:

1. Matthew 9:5-8 "For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.  And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, WHICH HAD GIVEN SUCH POWER UNTO MEN."
   
2. Matthew 18:15-18 "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, WHATSOEVER YE SHALL BIND ON EARTH SHALL BE BOUND IN HEAVEN: AND WHATSOEVER YE SHALL LOOSE ON EARTH SHALL BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN."
3. John 20:21-23 "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."
4. Matthew 16:19 "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

PURPOSE OF MIRACLES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Christ performed hundreds of miracles, beginning with His first miracle of turning the water into wine in John 2:1-11. Not all miracles were recorded. John tells us in John 20:30,

"And many other signs (Greek: semeion, miracles) truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book."

The purpose of the miracles that are recorded, is given in verse 31.

"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus (His humanity) is the Christ (deity, i.e., God in human flesh), the Son of God (by the virgin birth); and that believing ye might have life through his name."

In John 1:11 it is recorded that,

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not."

Christ declared to Israel that He was their Messiah (John 1:41), Saviour (Luke 2:11), Sin-bearer (Matthew 1:21), and King (Matthew 2:2); but the religious leaders wanted nothing to do with Him. In Hebrews 2:3,4 the Word of God declares

"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; God also bearing them (Israel) witness, both with SIGNS AND WONDERS, and with DIVERS MIRACLES, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?"

In Matthew 9:1-8 Christ had healed a man sick of palsy (a paralytic) as proof that He had the power to forgive sins also. Anyone can say, I will forgive your sins, but the miracle of healing was "proof positive" that He was truly the Son of God! In Matthew 10:8, this power of healing and other miracles would also be given to the Twelve Apostles, and to The Seventy in Luke 10. As we are going to see from Scriptures, no human being was ever given the power to forgive sins. The message of the Twelve Apostles was that Christ was to bear our sin on the cross, and by the power given to them to perform miracles their message was substantiated as authentic. In Matthew 10 they were to go ONLY to the nation of Israel. In verses 6 and 7

"...go, rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND."

The power given them is recorded in verse 8...

"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils (demons): freely ye have received, freely give."

Nowhere in Matthew, Chapter 10, do you find they were given power to forgive anyone's sins. Their message and commission was to preach that..."the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

The reason the Kingdom was "at hand"--the King was here. When any Jew believed this message their sins were forgiven. Matthew earlier stated in 1:21 that...

"He (Christ) shall save his people from their sins." (Note John 1:29).

The Seventy in Luke 10 were given the same power to perform miracles (verses 9,17,19,20). Notice carefully, as you read Luke 10, NOWHERE do you find the Seventy being given the power to forgive sins. Their message to their own nation was that Jesus Christ was their Saviour and Messiah. "Dr. Luke" stated earlier in Luke 2:11

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOUR, WHICH IS CHRIST THE LORD."

Christ's crucifixion and resurrection was God's payment for our sins. Paul declared this in writing to the Ephesians...

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

Every minister that loves the Lord Jesus Christ will not draw attention to himself, let alone claim the power to forgive sin. He will declare as Paul did to the Corinthians in 1st Corinthians 2:2 and 1:31...

"For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (2:2)

"...He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (not in himself)." (1:31)

To the Seventy who preached Christ and Him crucified, the Lord said concerning their hearers in Luke 10:16...

"He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me."

Keep in mind, it was the message they preached that would be accepted or rejected. The message would save or condemn, and that God's Word is truth (John 17:17). Ezekiel stated that God's Word would be done; i.e., whatever God says He will back it up from Heaven

"...but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD." (Ezekiel 12:28)

THE "KEYS" AND "BINDING AND LOOSING"

The same guarantee of God backing up His Word from Heaven, is in Christ's Words to Peter in Matthew 16:19...

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Vine's Expository Dictionary of Greek New Testament Words has this to say in reference to the Word "bind":

"The Lord's Words to the Apostle Peter in Matthew 16:19 as to binding, and to all the disciples in 18:18 signify, in the former case, that the Apostle, by his ministry of the Word of life, would keep unbelievers outside the kingdom of God; and admit those who believed."

The "keys" spoken of in Matthew 16:19 were first used by Peter on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2.  Nowhere did Peter or the Eleven ever even HINT that they could or would forgive anyone's sins! The whole chapter is a testimony concerning Christ, the resurrection and His forgiveness. Here are Peter's words in verse 21...

" And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21)

They were saved because of the Word of God Peter preached. They were then baptized as a public testimony of their faith. Notice Peter's Words in Acts 2:41...

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls."

Peter used the "keys" (symbolic of God's Word) again in Acts 10. God sent Peter to the Gentile named Cornelius, to show the Jews that the Gentiles could be saved also. Read Chapter 10 and nowhere do you find Peter EVER claiming the power to forgive anyone's sins.  Peter directed the lost to Christ and Him alone. Here are Peter's Words in Acts 10:43...

"To him (Christ) give all the prophets witness, that through his (Christ's) name whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM (Christ) SHALL RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS."

Unlike Peter, some clergy, through pride, love to claim this power for themselves and love to mediate between God and man. In doing so they outright deny and resist God's Word. 1st Timothy blatantly declares in 2:5...

"For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, the man CHRIST JESUS."

When God's servants preach His Word on earth, it will divide--those who believe it are saved and, those who do not are lost.  His Word is so powerful it will divide as a sharp. two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Isaiah 55:11 declares that His Word will not return unto Him void and empty. Those in Matthew 16:10 that are bound on earth are those who have believed the Word and are saved. They have the promises of the omniscient and omnipotent God, that in Heaven He will make good the promises that He gave on earth. The same goes for those who reject God's Word (John 3:36). Even though many do not believe in Christ, the Word of God or Hell, it will not alter God's faithfulness to His Word when He pronounces their end sentence in Matthew 25:41...

"...Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

Then they will realize that, not in all the New Testament nor in Peter's two epistles, was there the vestige, either claimed or exercised, of Peter forgiving anyone's sin. Who will you believe--man or God? Romans 3:4 makes it perfectly clear concerning God's Word...

"God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar..."

COMPARISON OF JOHN 20:23 TO OTHER SCRIPTURE

" Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." -John 20:23

John 20:23 is the verse relied upon as the strongest to support this position of the Lutherans and Roman Catholics.  This they claim is their right and power given to them by God to forgive your sins.

To obtain the correct teaching of Verse 23, as any Bible student knows, you must compare all other Scriptures that pertain to the same subject or verse in question. When all Scriptures pertaining to the same subject AGREE, then you have the correct teaching of that subject or verse. If not, then you have a wrong interpretation or application of the verse or subject in question. This would then lead to a false teaching perpetuated upon the unsuspecting congregation. Since all Scripture is given by "inspiration of God" (2nd Timothy 3:16), there can be no error or contradiction in God's Word. This is why Peter declared in 2nd Peter 1:20 that...

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any PRIVATE INTERPRETATION."

The Word "prophesy" is the Greek "propheteia" and defined by Vine's Expository Dictionary of Greek New Testament Words:

"Signifies the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God.  Though much of the Old Testament prophecy was purely predictive, it is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means.  It is the FORTH-TELLING OF THE WILL OF GOD, WHETHER WITH REFERENCE TO THE PAST, THE PRESENT, OR THE FUTURE."

This does not mean that one cannot understand the Scriptures for themselves. It does warn against anyone building a doctrine on one, isolated, verse without comparing all other verses on the same subject. This is why the Holy Spirit inspired Paul in his second epistle to Timothy, verse 2:15, to emphasize the value of studying the Word of God for yourself.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of truth."

Rightly dividing comes from the Greek Word "orthotom" and means "teaching Scripture accurately." Our study thus far has shown that only God, Who is Christ in human flesh, can forgive sins. Now let us compare John 20:23 with some other Scriptures concerning forgiveness of sins, and a preacher or priest trying to place himself as mediator and intercessor between God and man.

A mediator is one who goes between God and man. There have been and still are myriads of men, either claiming they are the Christ, or that they possess special powers above others in order to be man's representative to God. Maybe you are one who actually believes your minister or priest can forgive your sins; thereby instilling in you the confidence that you are now ready for eternity. Let us examine the BIBLE and see if you have been misled or if their claims are substantiated. Here is God's Word on the subject...

1. 1st Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man CHRIST JESUS."
   
2. Romans 8:34, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US.
   
3. John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME."
   
4. Hebrews 7:25, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him (Christ), seeing he (Christ) ever liveth to MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM."
   
5. 1st John 2:1, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an ADVOCATE with the Father, JESUS CHRIST the righteous:
   
6. Isaiah 53:12, "...and he (Christ) bare the sin of many, and made INTERCESSION FOR THE TRANSGRESSORS."

One would have to outright deny the Word of God and call Jesus Christ a liar by not acknowledging that Christ, and He alone, is the only One Who can forgive our sins. Isaiah 53:5,6 describes the lost condition of man and what our Wonderful Saviour did for us.  No wonder He is a jealous God!

"But he (Christ) was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him (Christ); and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him (Christ) THE INIQUITY OF US ALL."

The only One who can forgive sins is the One Who paid for our sins and that is Jesus Christ. The only true and absolute peace a person can posses concerning eternal life comes from Jesus Christ and His payment for sin. Paul makes this perfectly clear in Romans 5:1...

"Therefore being justified by faith, we HAVE PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Scriptures are vouchsafed in plenty for those who have a sincere desire to know the truth. Tradition has propagated upon humanity, the most dastardly evil employed by some of the clergy to convince the unsuspecting that they have the power of Jesus Christ to forgive your sins. The following Scriptures will unmask the veil of error and illuminate the truth of God's Word:

1. Mark 2:10, "But that ye may know that the Son of man (Christ) hath power on earth to forgive sins..."
   
2. Luke 5:20, "And when he (Christ) saw their faith, he (Christ) said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
   
3. Matthew 9:6, "But that ye may know that the Son of man (Christ) hath power on earth to forgive sins..."
   
4. Ephesians 4:32, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
   
5. Colossians 2:13, "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him (Christ), having forgiven you ALL TRESPASSES."
   
6. 1st Corinthians 15:3, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures."
   
7. 1st Peter 3:18, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he (Christ) might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."
   
8. John 1:29, "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (I don't see anything in this verse that indicates the priest or minister is the one who takes away sin).
   
9. Romans 11:27, "For this is my covenant unto them, when I (Christ) shall take away their sins."
   
10. Acts 13:38, "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins."

This is what every Lutheran minister and Catholic priest should be preaching; i.e., that through Jesus Christ, and Him alone, is the forgiveness of sin. Our question is, and should be yours also, why are they not directing their parishioners to Christ instead of themselves? I, personally, have asked hundreds of people belonging to these two organizations to question their minister or priest, asking them why they cannot go directly to Jesus Christ for forgiveness? Most often their answer is "I wouldn't dare do something like that." My reply "Why not, are you scared to? You have a right to question your pastor or priest on ANYTHING they teach."

Sad to say, the clergy of these organizations have almost promoted themselves to the level of a god in the eyes of their people, a practice so entrenched that it would be a "sin" to question their authority! We find the prophet, Jeremiah, experienced the same problem, so nothing has changed in over 2,500 years!

"The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; AND MY PEOPLE LOVE TO HAVE IT SO: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jeremiah 5:31)

11. Acts 13:39, " And by him (Christ) ALL THAT BELIEVE are justified (declared righteous) from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Please note: By believing in Jesus Christ, we are justified.)

12. Ephesians 1:7, " In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."

Remember--nowhere in the New Testament can you find one case where any of the Apostles ever forgave anyone's sin. They always pointed their listeners to Jesus Christ. If not one of the Apostles ever made that claim, then those today claiming that power have placed themselves above the Apostles, and equal with Jesus Christ Himself.

13. Luke 7:47,48,50

"Wherefore I (Christ) say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven..." (vs. 47) In verse 48, Christ assures this woman her sins have been forgiven:"And he (Christ) said unto her, THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN."

In verse 50 the Lord gives the reason the woman's sins were forgiven. It is on the same basis that our sins are forgiven, our FAITH IN HIM, and not in a minister or priest. No priest or minister ever died for your sins, but Christ did."And he (Christ) said to the woman, Thy FAITH hath saved thee; go in peace."

The Lord Jesus Christ forgave sins while He was on the earth, and is still the only One Who can forgive sins today. Every preacher and priest is a sinner themselves, and needs forgiveness.  Notice God's indictment on mankind in Romans 3:23...

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

My Bible says "ALL have sinned"; and I cannot find where it says, "ALL, but preachers and priests." "Coming short of the glory of God" literally means falling short of being as righteous as God, Himself. Therefore, Romans 3:24,25 tell us how and why we have remission of sins...

"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his (Christ's) blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God."

Where do you find anything about a minister or priest being able to remit your sins? Ask your minister or priest if they are trusting Jesus Christ as the payment for their sin. The clergy go to Heaven the same way the congregation does; that is through Christ and Him alone. If the answer is "Yes," then ask them why you cannot go directly to Christ the same as they?

The only One Who can forgive sin is the One Who is sinless. 2nd Corinthians declares that Christ was without sin...

"For he hath made him (Christ) to be sin (i.e. the payment for sin) for us, WHO KNEW NO SIN; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2nd Corinthians 5:21)

Would any minister or priest dare to claim they are sinless? Remember, only the One Who is without sin can forgive those who are sinners, and that is Christ Jesus. By making the claim they can forgive sins, they are actually placing themselves on equality with Christ and being sinless themselves. I personally, have talked to many and all deny they are sinners, but become a little offended that one should question their self-appointed authority. Even though they deny this, their solicitation for sinners to come to them for forgiveness is an indictment against themselves by their own WORD AND PRACTICE.

1st John 1:8-10

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (vs. 8)

"If we confess our sins, he (Christ) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (vs. 9)

"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his (Christ's) word is not in us." (vs. 10)

The first chapter of 1st John is written to Christians who sin AFTER they are saved. John is addressing the Christian's service--not salvation. His fellowship with Him and not his Son-ship. His power for Christ as a witness--not his position with Christ in Heaven.  Let us closely analyze what the preceding verses actually say.

1. Who are we to confess sins to?  Answer: Jesus Christ.
   

2. Who is faithful to forgive our sins?  Answer: Jesus Christ.
   

3. Who is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness?  Answer: Jesus Christ.
   

4. Should any Lutheran minister or priest even hint that they, themselves, are without sin, God says they are SELF DECEIVED (v.8), and make God a liar (v.10).

I have been a pastor for 34 years and it is beyond my comprehension to even think I could forgive someone's sins. What a blessing it has been and still is to direct people to our Wonderful Saviour, Who will forgive any and all sins. John 6:37 declares,

"...and him that cometh to me (Christ) I will in no wise cast out."

There are multitudes of Scriptures in addition to what we have already quoted. Isaiah 43:25; 44:22; 53:5,6; Micah 7:18,19; Exodus 34:7; Daniel 9:17-19; and Psalm 130:1-4, could have been quoted, as well as many, many others.

FAITHFUL MINISTRY OF THE GOSPEL ACCOMPLISHES REMITTANCE OF SIN

What follows in an examination of the verse most commonly used by Lutheran ministers and Catholic priests to justify their "power" in claiming they can forgive your sins. By this, they place themselves as the mediator between you and God.

"Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." (John 20:23)

As we compare other verses with John 20:23, we can easily see the only way a Christian, clergy, or layman, can remit sins is by presenting the WORD OF GOD. The Word will judge those who reject it, as Christ stated in John 12:48...

"He that rejecteth me (Christ), and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the WORD that I have spoken, the same (i.e., the Word) shall judge him in the last day."

Psalm 138:2 relates how important the Word of God is:

"I will...worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME."

The reason the WORD is magnified above His name is that we today would not know the surety of God or His name, if it weren't for the WORD OF GOD.

When a Christian witnesses to a lost person with the WORD of God, as recorded in John 3:16 and 36, that person then has a choice to make. If they accept Christ, they have everlasting life. Should they reject Christ until death, they will then experience the wrath of God in Hell, just as the Word of God has stated in John 3:36...

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

When one believes God's WORD, their sins are then remitted, not by the preacher or priest, but by the WORD OF GOD which promises them eternal life. Should they reject God's WORD, they will retain their sin. Only by presenting God's Word as a faithful witness for Christ, do we have a part in another person's salvation. This is what Christ meant in John 20:23 when He told His disciples that...

"Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."

The Greek Word for "remit" is "aphiemi" and literally means "to send away." Vine's Expository Words in the Greek New Testament explains the use of this verb as such.

"Scripture makes clear that the Lord's Words could not have been intended to bestow the exercise of absolution which the Scripture declares is the prerogative of God alone. There is no instance in the New Testament of this act on the part of the Apostles. The Words are to be understood in a "declarative" sense; the statement has regard to the effects of their ministry of the gospel, with it's two-fold effects of remission or retention."

SOME CLOSING THOUGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION

1. Search the New Testament through and you will not find where any of the Apostles ever claimed the power or authority to forgive anyone's sins.  The Apostles always directed the Lost to Christ, and Him alone, as the One Who paid for sin and offers forgiveness to all in return for their faith.
   

2. Fact: The minister or priest who asks you to trust him as God's representative to forgive your sins has placed himself as mediator between you and God.  God's Word in 1st Timothy 2:5 states, in no uncertain Words...

"For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

If you are one who is trusting the Lutheran preacher or Catholic priest to forgive sins, instead of Jesus Christ, you will spend eternity separated from God.  Christ encountered these same types of religious leaders in His day and levied a stern rebuke against them.  Consider Matthew 23:13...

" But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."

An analysis of this verse will show the strength of Christ's Words against these RELIGIOUS LEADERS:

a. The Scribes. In New Testament times the Scribes were the students, interpreters, and teachers of the Old Testament Scriptures, and were held in high esteem by the people.

They were also called lawyers in Matthew 22:35. They were avowed opponents of Christ, and were publickly denounced by Him for making the Word of God of none effect through their tradition.

b. Pharisees. The name means "separated" and they were called "separatists" because they had separated themselves from the ambitious political party in their nation. They were the exponents and guardians of the written and oral law, and, in belief, were the "conservatives" in distinction from the Sadducees. Their religious orthodoxy was spiritually dead and barren.  These were the religious leaders--just as you have today!


c. Christ called the Scribes and Pharisees "Hypocrites" because they were aware that what they were teaching the people was not true. Christ knew this and that is why He labeled them correctly.  Your minister may appear to be very humble and sincere on the surface, but when he tells you that he can forgive your sins, his true character is then exposed.  Christ had this to say in Matthew 23:27...

"...for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, BUT are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

d. If you believe the false teaching of today's modern "scribes and pharisees," you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. "...For ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men..." (Matthew 23:13)

These false teachers are not saved and will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but Hell awaits their entry.  "...For ye neither go in yourselves..." (Matthew 23:13)

3. Who do these ministers and priests confess their sins to? Do they forgive themselves? Have you ever heard one of these clergymen telling their congregation who they profess their sins to? If you support these churches with your money, you surely have a right to know how the Lutheran ministers or Catholic priests get their sins forgiven. Why not ask them?

4. Have they presented themselves to you as being without sin? I should hope not, but if that is the case with some, then, according to 1st John 1:8, God would indict them with "First Degree LYING."

" If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves (not others), and the truth is not in us."

5. In Luke 23:43, it was Jesus Christ Who forgave the thief on the cross next to Him. He didn't call for the religious leaders or the priest, did he? Only Christ could assure this thief that his sins were forgiven and give him the absolute assurance that "TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE." Who are you going to trust for your salvation, the Lutheran minister, the Catholic priest, or JESUS CHRIST?

6. For the ministers and priests who assume the power to forgive your sins by claiming Matthew 9:8...why do they not claim and practice the power God gave the Apostles in Matthew 10:8?

"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, RAISE THE DEAD, cast out devils (demons): freely ye have received, freely give."

As Christ stated in Matthew 9:5...

"For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?"

If these Lutheran ministers and Catholic priests can legitimately forgive your sins, let us see proof of their claim such as: (a.) healing the sick, (b.) cleansing lepers, (c.) RAISING THE DEAD!

Notice the paradox. The Apostles had and exercised the powers given them by Christ in Matthew 10:8; but, NEVER claimed to possess the power to forgive anyone's sin. The Lutheran and Catholic clergy claim the power to forgive your sins; yet, are unable to exercise the power to heal the sick, raise the dead, etc. If they posses the power the Apostles had, let us take them to the nearest hospital and let us witness the healing of every person in that hospital. If they fail, you have exposed a false teacher who pretends to be humble, pious, loving God and etc. This would all be so convincing until compared with the Word of God. Again, may I submit, IT IS MUCH EASIER TO SAY TO SOMEONE, "I forgive your sins" than to say "Arise and walk." Put them to the test and you will find their claims and teaching to be fraudulent.

Whether in the secular or ecclesiastical arena, men have always craved to have power over others. Christ indicted the religious leaders for their pride. Here are Christ's Words in Matthew 23:5,6,28...

"But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues." (vs. 5,6)

"Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."

CONCLUSION

There is only one Person Who can forgive your sin. There is only one Person Who paid for your sin. There is only one Person Who is your Mediator, and there is only one Person Who can give you eternal life. That Person is the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Whether you go to Heaven or Hell depends on who you want to believe, the Lutheran preacher, the Catholic priest, or THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

"Jesus saith unto him (or you), I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." (1st John 5:13)

Personally, if I was visiting a church where the preacher got up and stated he would forgive my sins, I would get up and walk out immediately. I would not subject myself or my family to that type of brainwashing; but would find myself a good, Bible-teaching church where Jesus was exalted--not the preacher!

Our prayer is that you will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, and have the peace and assurance that you have a home in Heaven when life is through.

Dr. Max D. Younce, Pastor

HERITAGE BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH
P.O. Box 573
Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Telephone (507) 859-2519

Web: www.heritagebbc.com

This time I wanted to sit down and get some input, get him to own the talk a bit.  At twelve speaking is an intimidating process but it is something that gives him a chance to grow and I am happy he had the experience.  Given that statement I also want him to understand what he is talking about so that he is just not doing a seminary answer talk, where he reads the latest story from the Ensign, New Era or Friend.

So today we worked away, browsing for quotes, some of the time I interviewed him about what he thinks on the subject.  I figured he would come to understand the issue better that way.

Talk done.  He reads it, I realize that I have not put a testimony spot.  (My second son finished a talk in Primary with "I'm done," because I failed to put "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen" at the end.  So I attached it.

Then I realized he had not really expressed his testimony at the end.  So I asked him what he thought about the topic from a faith standpoint.  Twelve year olds hum-ha-hum with the best of them by the way.  It was obvious that he understood why it was important but not why it was important to him.

So we started talking about a testimony.  I decided to bring up Moroni.  I felt that my child like an investigator may not really know how to identify spiritual experiences.  So I felt he needed to understand.  My first step was to explain that at some point he could not pass on borrowed light.  I phrased it differently using the idea that he is at a friends house who is not a member on a Sunday, the friend wants to buy a chocolate bar.  He suggests to my son that he wants him to come and will even buy him one.

I felt immediately we were getting to the crux of the discussion.  The concept that going to church, doing whats right is hard.  And the Lord expects hard things from us.  I said think of his jewish friend, he cannot eat a ham sandwich.  We know it is delicious, not bad in anyway, other than fatty and we like them.  Yet he would refuse as he is honouring his faith as we do.

It is a subtle role to take with my son, probably a bit over his head, but at the same time I know when I discuss complex topics with them it expands their understanding of better things (here a little there a little sort of idea).  For him to understand that he needs his own testimony, I challenged him to take up the promise of Moroni.  It is the best solution before moving into a more challenging period of his life.

As a father this is when I feel most like Heavenly Father, when I have done all I could, taught the principle, attached the promise yet knowing I cannot make him do it.  It is both sad and exciting as you see your kids mature.

Anyways that is it for tonight.

(I shall soon blog on the issue of the alleged Shirdi Sai Baba miracle, said to have occurred in Bangalore on July 18, 2008, courting such headlines in the Indian national press such as the Times of India as: Frenzy over Sai idol with one eye open).

Blind Faith and Blind Science. Unbeknown to themselves - quarreling cousins with a stark family resemblance

Many serious and well-qualified investigators who have gone to homes, temples, grottos, etc., that are scenes of apparent miracles have not always found fraudulence – nor even unconscious self-deception on the part of the hosts.

There appear to be phenomena as yet unexplained within the present state of scientific knowledge. Ironically enough, it may be true that Papal investigators of miracles have more in common with rationalists. Comparative studies are important. There are many cases that need scientific enquiry and understanding, and - if there is not cross-cultural, interdisciplinary work - any serious undertaking risks being weakened from the start.

Variety

The tendency of many faithful of various persuasions is to think that God is blessing them as Hindus or Sikhs or Christians or Buddhists, or whatever the Faith, all the while not realizing that similar phenomena - with different historical-cultural reference points – occur throughout the world.

There are also those in many belief systems whose adherents are perfectly ready to believe that mystic phenomena (beyond the merely ‘spooky’or superficial) are likely to happen anywhere and to anyone irrespective of religious background. There are those, too, from many faiths who do not regard the ‘miraculous’ as important for them at all.

The Mountain Human Beings Created Without A Single Miracle

Society distorts adults minds into thinking that teenagers are not as wise as they should be. This is a stereo type; thinking that the teenage position in society is lower that the adult position.

This is not true.

In the bible, there was one time when Jesus and all the disciples went into a temple. Now at this specific temple, you had to pay to get in. If you were eighteen or older.

Jesus and Simon Peter were the only ones who paid the fee. Meaning, eleven of the disciples were under eighteen. AKA, teenagers. Surprising isn't it?

Now this has taken me to one conclusion. Maybe, just maybe, teenagers know what they're talking about.

To all of those Christian teenagers out there: You're a lot smarter than you think.  Adults tend to conclude that teenagers are less mature than them.  But in Matthew, it says we should have faith like a child.  Our faith should never mature.  Where does that place teenagers?  Their faith?

Isaiah 30:29 "Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel." 

Lately A number of recent posts (like the previous one) have dealt with upheaval in the physical world and trials of a nature that most saints in the west cannot fathom. It's not so much that we are unaware of their possible manifestation; rather we have simply never been faced with such circumstances. For centuries saints in various parts of the world have faced persecution, separation from those closest to them and a continual sense of not knowing what the next day would bring forth. They learned to place their complete confidence in the Lord Jesus and "from their heart" let go of every earthly entanglement. Nobody that I am in regular contact with has ever had to endure such things on a notable level. Other than a theological understanding, most of us have no idea of what it would be like to be hauled off in the middle of the night to an undisclosed location because we maintain the testimony of Jesus Christ. A testimony which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to us proclaims the salvation of God. 

One thing that I know to be true is that when we meditate upon the Lord Jesus Christ who redeemed us from everlasting death, there's a peace so incredibly strong that all the forces of hell cannot shake it. A supernatural joy as we are in fellowship with our Creator who inhabits eternity and places a spiritual song in our heart. A song so sweet and out of this world that no earthly instruments are able to collaborate with it. A heavenly melody; the words of which have no earthly translation, that resides solely in the spiritual realm giving honor and praise unto Jesus; the King of kings and Lord of lords. When we come into contact with it, the majority of what passes for "christian music" in this world will fail us. It takes us into a deeper place as we begin to fathom a level of God that we never encountered before.  The structures of tradition and programs of men fade from view as we draw into a closer fellowship with the Ancient of days.

It's a relationship with the Lord on levels that I've only caught passing glimpses of; but strive to remain in continually. When we meditate on the unfathomable awesomeness of God, the heart just begins singing. I don't know how to place into words what I'm talking about. There's such a closeness, such a sense of awe, such a rejoicing in the Lord Jesus; by whom all things were created and with whom we shall abide throughout the eons to come..."world without end." I would like to write down Isaiah 26:3, but over the course of this blogging season, it has probably been the most "referred to" passage already. Nonetheless, it is 100% true. If we keep our eyes on Jesus and on the world to come, we'll not be overwhelmed by the events transpiring in the physical realm. Gods perfect peace transcends every storm, every earthly uncertainty, every form of physical circumstance that one may be exposed to. In the world we shall have tribulation, but Jesus has overcome the world and has gone to prepare a place for us.

Most of us are familiar with the account of Paul and Silas singing at midnight from the innermost chamber of a Philippian jail. This wasn't a psychological method of trying to deal with a traumatic situation; it was heartfelt praise for God who had granted them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. The truth that Jesus Christ had come into the world to save sinners and that the gift of eternal life was available to "whosoever will." Their eyes were on Jesus; their treasure in heven and anything that transpired on earth was only for a very short season. The entire account of that night, the singing, the earthquake, and the prisoners remaining despite their bands being loosed, is fascinating. Paul and silas could have escaped and rejoiced in having been delivered from the hands of unjust men, and yet they remained. We know that there is a Philippian jailer, along with those of his household, abiding in heaven at this moment becuase of the events of that night two thousand years ago.

In short, we need to get our eyes of Jesus and keep our hearts on the eternal. The peace of God that passes understanding is real. It's more real than everything that's made of atoms and will eventually burn. When we are focused on the eternal, the present; no matter how traumatic it may become, will fail to rattle us. I probably ponder end time events more than the average person but I don't become fearful as I did in the early years. Such ponderings only intensify the desire to get as close to Jesus as I can and to be about those issues with eternal ramifications. We may "observe" events, but we "focus" on the Lord Jesus Christ and the incredible love that he has for us. When we do this, the song will meet us there. I wish to all a blessed day in Jesus.

Psalm 107:8 "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" 

Ephesians 5:19-21 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."

Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord."

Jude 20-21 "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."  

In my head i'm writing the my thankyou & goodbye's, for decision i still havent made, I'm not sure if I want to laugh or  to cry-  to be excited or meloncoly .Hmmmm........

This is Diving into the deep end, without floaties, But life is fate & destiny , and the last three months have had some seroius omg ing thrown & fizzled around me.

Thier are two things that are going to happen,  1st - surgery ,  and 2nd:  Be excited!  In 4weeks and3 days , I'm livin the dream , I'm finally going to europe. That's happening , no matter what , This is my destiny, This is going to happen , she says with butterfly's in her stomach .

But from there, I don't really  have a plan, I have concepts, and idea's , but no solid foundation plan .

And that in it's self scarces me shitless, and my mother too btw.  But sometimes You just have to beleive in yourself, show patience , and consider all  possibility including  have to go back to  weekend work  ( dam it) , 

The thing that seem's to matter that  in the end you have faith that  your decision's are   in the greatest interest to Health &  Soul .

Word! - tell me what you think ? I may not agree , but i'm very interested to hear it .

You have APProxmately 9 hours! , Feel the Force people, feel the force

We got to bed last night around 1:00 am and slept late this morning before getting up and going to eat at Tybee.  It was a nice lunch and Christy and I got to finally discuss some of the happenings on the trip and begin to process everything.  The trip was awesome and spiritually renewing but so busy we just didn't have time to talk it through. 

We then went down to Brighter Day and the store to pick up some food before coming back home and taking a nap.  Christy then got up to do some more laundry, the washing machine is beginning to smoke I think from the 14 loads that Christy has already done (not quite that many but you know how she exaggerates.)  We then took a nice long, hot shower (nothing like an American shower).  It was so nice to actually feel clean after showering. 

It's been a good, restful day and we're headed to bed (did I mention how good our bed feels?).  It feels good to be home but we miss the group and our Brazilian brothers and sisters in Christ.  For us, it's always hard to leave Brazil and we never seem to get enough time there.

Anyway, stay tuned over the next few weeks for photos, stories and Brazil inspired posts. 

Boa Noite and Tchau.

This is one of my favorite verse in the Bible. Psalm 20 v 4 - May God give you the desire of your heart and make all of your plans succeed.

and reason for being here on this earth

Have you thought about your mission lately, or have you ever thought about your mission at all? I believe we have all have a mission however many of us do not pay attention to what is or we ignore it altogether.  

I think many times we overlook or don’t pay attention to mission work or we don’t look at it for what it really is. My mission at this time in my life to help others from all walks of life to move forward in a positive manner. That does not mean our mission can’t or will not change in the future. I think it is save to say our mission can and will change often, it’s about not being afraid to move forward, its about recognizing what it is and its about having the courage to live true to your mission.

Today spend a little time thinking about what your little piece of the puzzle is and how you can add value to the lives of others while knowing the satisfaction of living your mission.

Susie Austin

He does not use it to move you out of the faith, because if you do not believe unto santification of that area of your life, then you are not in the faith of it either. The devil will use your lack of faith to exploit this area in others, tempting them away from their first faith, and on and on it goes. The end of this is what we have in the Church today: a mass of faithless, unbelieving, unsanctified vessels serving the works of darkness and the purposes of the enemy in the name of the Lord, stones of stumbling and rocks of offence against the truth of Christ and the Gospel that is our salvation.

It is for this cause that we are called to take up the cross, denying self, and follow after Christ. Christ did not do what pleased Himself. As a vessel wholly dedicated, consecrated and sanctified unto God, He did what God commanded, and suffered untold agonies in order to do it - not for the sake of His faith, but that He might deliver those who were of little faith.

In truth, the evidence of your faith is your willingness to suffer whatever needs to be suffered to maintain the faith for the sake of others, regardless of the outcome of your faith. That willingness to suffer for the faith of Christ and the Gospel was the true power and glory of the First Days Church. This is the faith that keeps the doors and gates to the kingdom open, not this air-miles Club Med evangelism that passes for faith today.

Get before God and seek the truths of the Word to wholly sanctify and purify your faith that you might be a vessel fit for the Lord's uses, and not the enemy's, keeping the recognition ever before you that if you do not go yourself, you only set the example that others will use to justify their not going either. That is what you will answer for in the last day. I

You read the Scriptures, you find out what God expects of you, now that you live and abide in Him and have a place in His home and in His kingdom. Let the Scriptures judge you unto repentance and renounciation of all that is unChristlike in you, and receive His righteousness.

You read the Scriptures and receive the wisdom contained therein to guide your walk and direct your ways, and you will find that they will lead most assuredly unto God.

Faith is not this airy-fairy, pixie-dust, faith-zone of belief that we have been making it out to be. Carpet time, manifestations, angels, healings, impartations and anointings . . . none of these will avail unto faith. They are merely nothing more than the carnal substitute for the convicting power and presence of holiness and the forsaking of your own ways, wisdoms and understandings.

God changes not. His ways remain the same. There is and was only ever one way unto God, and one way in which to walk. One body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.

There is a broad way unto destruction and a narrow, straitened way unto life. Diversity and variety will only gender chaos and confusion, unless it is rooted and secured anchored by God into the Vine that is Christ, who is, and was and ever will be the same, unchanging holy One of God.

            To be a Christian is to believe in one God. In fact, I believe in the God I used to know.

Though it is impossible to prove objectively, I strongly believe there is a God who is high above all; who is omnipotent and omniscient in his own right. I am highly convinced that behind everything that my eyes could see is a Creator of all those. The complexity and uniqueness of each thing implies this.

            The conscience that I have; that voice of God that everyone can hear when in face of tests of morality, is also a good reason for saying that God is present in us. We all speak that this act is right, that one is wrong; doing this is good, doing that is bad. This idea of difference between right and wrong implies that a Lawgiver must be there beyond our consciousness.

            Another point is the perfection of the Bible. I believe that it has been the best book one could find in this world. There are a number of books written by different people at different time and different place compiled in here and the amazing thing is the fact that all of those focus on the idea of God. This implies a very great Editor behind. And that Editor is none other than God we know.

            Now, as the name implies, a Christian doesn’t only believe in God but also believe in Christ as the best and wisest of all. Indeed, I believe in Christ and I am always willing to be His follower.

On the grounds of His teachings, it is wrong to say that He is unwise and has just brought misery and cruelty in the world. He speaks of good maxims to live by. Yes most of those could also be found on earlier philosophers, but there are of course those that are unique in Him. He does speak of hell but He also speaks of Heaven, of eternal life. He tells us of sins but in the end, He has saved us from those. Moreover, His idea of second coming is a not a negative issue but in fact a positive one. It actually gives the world a new hope to live for. It’s a very rare opportunity for the world to take the path of righteousness. It is a promise of hope like no other.

            On His biblical character, I believe that it is likewise wrong to say that He is morally not good. The maxims that He practices are good examples for everyone to follow. The fact that Christ is known to curse those who never listen and believe in Him is just His mean of saying His utmost concern to us. He just wants us to understand what is right and wrong in the eyes of God; He just wants us to be saved.

            All in all, even ignoring the fact that I was baptized, raised and labelled as a Christian, I would still be a Christian as what I am today. It’s not about the contagious “fear” that draws one to a religion as Russell was telling but about the strong “faith” that I have towards Christianity. It’s not even about the unlimited “price” that I could possibly get in the end as Pascal was saying but about the inexplicable “peace” that I have as I live as a Christian. This is not about what my “mind” dictates but about what my “heart” beats.

One cannot understand reality if one brackets out a large portion of reality--the preternatural order (angels and demons). If you try to arrive at valid conclusions concerning reality, but have left out a good part of that reality you are engaged in an exercise in futility. So many things today can only be understood in the light of this spiritual reality. Have you ever wondered why so many apparently educated and intelligent people just don't get it, especially with respect to such life and death matters as abortion?

There is a battle that goes on in the spiritual order between the forces of God and the forces of Satan, "the adversary." This battle between cosmic good and evil, between angels and demons, has man caught in the crosshairs. Man is an active player in his own salvation. We need the help of our allies the angels. To fail to enlist their help is reckless. To fail to realize the reality of the enemy forces, the demonic legions, can be ultimately and eternally fatal.

We are at war and our battle is not against flesh and blood, as St. Paul warns us in Ephesians 6. The battle between good and evil, truth and lies, life and death involves these angelic legions-good and evil. We are soldiers in God's army, like it or not, believe it or not. We must be aware of these fundamental teachings, learn them, and live in accordance with them.

God bless you,
Fr. John Corapi

Editors Note: Here below is the link to Father Corapi's website. From personal experience of having previously attended Father's conferences during my own conversion, I can attest that for any soul in search of no nonsense answers to questions concerning divine truth, the spiritual life or Holy Mother Church, you'll find it here--and without error... He, (along with his works) is a true light on the road of faith seeking understanding. Find it here: fathercorapi.com

Sirdan and I have just been watching the reverse process, the events at Randwick now being over.

Neither M nor B came to lunch, as it happens, so the "confrontation" did not eventuate. Sirdan and I had a wonderful lunch at Chinese Whisper, yet more dishes we hadn't tried before, and then paused at Devonshire Street to watch the passing parade.

Neither of us was nor could possibly be a grumpy old man about what we were seeing...

As for M and B, we decided that if ever they met we should start talking about The Empress, after which B and M would find so much in common that any hint of racial tension would be transcended by a recognised commonality between them... ;)

My Aunt Betty turned ninety something last week. She is a vibrant woman of strong faith, who refuses to let her severe arthritis slow her down. She is surrounded by a loving family. Yet she asked this of me; would I pray that God take her home? She went on to explain that she was happy, but she had lived for so long. She just wanted to go to her heavenly home, and she was ready to leave now.

I had to think about this. My first reaction was a selfish one - I wasn't ready to let go yet. My dh also expressed shock and initially said no, he wouldn't do this. The more I thought about it, the better I understood it, and after awhile, so did he.

As Christians, we have faith that we will go to heaven when the time comes. Most of us aren't in any particular hurry to get there. Can you imagine the faith that would allow us to yearn for it? Such is the faith my aunt has. She has lived her life as a shining example of love and honor. She never wavered in her love for Jesus, even after being widowed at an early age. Some I know dismissed her as a "holy roller", yet they will never know themselves the peace she has found. I saw her last year and introduced my little one to her, and I couldn't help but notice that she was absolutely luminous.

I decided it would be incredibly selfish not to do what was asked of me. So I find myself wanting to see Aunt Betty go home. I imagine how joyous her homecoming will be.  When she is gone, I am afraid I will have to work harder at being a better person, so I won't let her down, because she always saw the best in me. One of these days, very soon I believe, the phone will ring and I will hear that she is gone. I'll try to remember how much she looked forward to this day and be happy for her. Still, I'm sure going to miss her.