Jesus Is More Than Just Another Slice of Pizza in the Box!

"There are many paths to the top of the mountain!" and "There are many ships that cross the ocean!" are ancient oft quoted statements that claim all religions are equal and no one superior to any other.

I and my family enjoy eating pizza. We have done our share in helping pizza establishments in our area stay in business over time. We have patronized different pizza outlets within a radius of about 10 miles. The common pizza we usually get is one with pepperoni. Once in a while Jean and I will take advantage of Pizza Hut's buffet where you can get a wide variety of stuff for one price and really pig out by choice!

Enough of our personal experiences with pizza and on to the subject at hand. Never has there been a time in which there has been more intense insistence that all religions are legitimate in the claims which each makes in addressing the issues of human life, responsibility, morality, death, and destiny.

It is as if one said that Jesus is just another slice of pizza in the box. I have noticed that when we get pizza in a box that there are some minor differences -- some pieces are a little larger than others and some may have more pepperoni on than others. So you can choose a bigger or smaller piece and if you are really into pepperoni, you pick the piece that has more on it than others.

There are those, including persons within the ranks of professing Christianity, who say that it is up to you to decide the "religion" with which you want to identify -- one is as good as another. And that, of course, includes Christianity. Just pick and choose and should you become dissatisfied, just come back to the religion box and choose another one!

There are still a few of us around who are quite radical on this issue. We maintain that true Christianity is distinctly separate from and far superior to all other religious expressions found in today's world. Another way of saying it is that only Christianity is the true faith and all the others, whether the devotees number but a few dozen or into the millions, are totally false!

The determining factor making the difference is none other than Jesus Christ Himself! While His uniqueness is mentioned repeatedly throughout the New Testament Scriptures, it is in the Gospel of John that His absolute claims concerning Himself are made known and the fact that either He is genuine or if not, then He qualifies as a first class candidate for admission to the nearest institution for those who are mentally deranged!

All the claims He made are very well summed up in two: first, the claim that He is the way, the truth and the life and that no one can come to the Father except through Him and second, the claim that He is the resurrection and the life and those who believe in Him will not die but will live. Critics will jump on that by saying that even Christians die, so Jesus is wrong. The fact is that Christians do not die -- it is a simple experience of moving out of their earthly bodies (described elsewhere in Scripture as a tent) and going into the presence of God. In some cases God has permitted some Christians to tarry a bit at that moment when they are leaving and speak some words of what they see -- past departed loved ones, angels, and even the Lord Jesus Himself! Those two claims of Jesus can be read at John 14 and John 11. But as you go through the Gospel of John, note every statement of Jesus which is preceded with the words, "I am...."

Christianity in its purest expression is uncompromising in stating that Jesus is God revealed in human form Who demonstrated the perfect life lived on earth. But the most significant act in His visit to the planet which He created a long time ago is seen in His sacrificial death on a Roman cross. His death was on behalf of every human born into this world as He paid the penalty for every sin committed by every human being (yes, even for those who follow the many false religions of this world) and made possible total forgiveness and acceptance in the presence of a holy God!

Three days after the crucifixion Jesus was resurrected from the dead and appeared to many people over a 40 day period. Some of His followers saw Him ascend back to Heaven and heard angels declare that this same Jesus Who had been taken from them would return in like manner at some point in the future. We are now a little over 2,000 years closer to His return than when that statement was first made!

No other religion outside of Christianity has anything that even begins to remotely resemble what the Christian faith is all about and the One in Whom it is centered -- a Savior Who paid the price of the sins of the entire human race through the sacrifice of Himself willingly ("No man takes my life from me -- I lay it down and I take it up again!" - also found in Gospel of John) and His subsequent victory in resurrection from the dead!

Becoming a Christian is, however, a conditional experience. We are called to repent of our sins -- that is, to abandon our sinful ways, and to receive Jesus into our lives by invitation with the intent that we seek to be obedient to Him for the rest of our lives here on earth. This results in being "born again" as mentioned in John 3 of the Gospel. It is a new and transformed life that results. One has moved from concentrating on self and the "What I want" way of life to what is it that Jesus wants of me -- how might I please Him each day that I live?

Again, no other religion in the world has anything that begins to compare to this -- it is only experienced in Jesus Christ and nowhere else!

One can be choosy when it comes to the pizza in the box -- you can pick a big slice, or a smaller slice -- one with lots of pepperoni or one with not so much, or even choose to remove all the pepperoni as certain members in our family choose to do. But when it comes to the religion issue -- be sure to choose the one that is centered in Jesus Christ and be assured of a place in His Kingdom forever -- choosing any other is a sure guarantee of ending up in a Devil's Hell! And that is not an opinion on my part, but what Jesus Himself said about the destiny of those who reject Him! Yes, Jesus is more than just another slice of pizza in the box -- He is Savior, Lord, and our soon returning King!

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." --- Jesus speaking in Matthew 7:21-27

Trespassing on God’s Domain and Touching the Apple of His Eye!

A 56 day old human being!

For thus says the LORD of hosts: "He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.” --- Zechariah 2:8

In a film set in WW II the Nazi program of extermination of selected groups was getting underway. A Jewish man became aware of what was happening to the Jewish people under German domination and made the remark, “They don’t realize what they are doing – they are touching the apple of God’s eye!” It was an obvious reference to a statement made by an Old Testament prophet. Ultimately Nazi Germany paid an extremely high price for the deadly mistake of believing that they could select certain groups and exterminate them. In the process they were convinced that they would be that much closer to fulfilling the dream of a “Master Race” coming to reality and the establishment of a thousand-year Reich!

Consider the statement in yet another context – when you deal with unborn humans, in no uncertain terms, you are entering God’s special domain. Without doing violence to that statement of long ago, can it not be said that these unborn individuals are the “apple of His eye?”

How could that be? Actually the debate as to when human life begins should never have to be – even common sense and a non-scientific background will be enough to let a person know as to when that moment takes place. When the male sperm cell penetrates the female egg the formation of a human being is now underway – a person who will end up being a male or a female.

What God has made clear is the fact that He is involved – “before I formed you in the womb” are words which reminded Jeremiah that he was the result of God’s action – his life and existence were the result of what God had done. “I knew you,” also informed the prophet that God knew him and identified him before that process of formation in the womb of a female took place!

Further revelation shows that God has a purpose for each conceived human life – there may be fools in this world that would attempt to say that it isn’t so – usually that may come from those who take the position that we can dispose of unborn persons at will for whatever reason we may conjure up in our unregenerate minds. There is virtually no limit as to the “reasons” as to why we can eliminate the unborn, whether in later stages through the mutilation and murder process known as abortion, or in the very early stages in which the stem cells of an embryo are used for experimental purposes.

It matters not the timing – the hard reality is that whether the victim is an embryo only a few days old, or that victim is a few weeks old, or but a few hours away from being born, when that life has been snuffed out, it is yet another instance of “touching the apple of His eye!” In the strictest sense, we have trespassed into God’s domain!

Those who take a low view of human life – that is, that we can dispose of selected individuals for whatever reason, fit into that category as mentioned by a Jewish man way back in WW II – “They don’t realize what they are doing – they are touching the apple of God’s eye!”

Lots of deceptive “logic” and “reasoning” are being employed as to why embryos should be used for stem cell research with predictions that diseases can be cured through use of those cells – on and on the argument goes, with President Obama beating the drum and leading the pack following the lifting of the ban on embryonic stem cell research which had been put in place by the Bush administration. So it amounts to this – we’ll kill off a bunch of humans on the pretense that we are going to save some others! Is this a new twist to the old Canaanite practice of offering small children in sacrifice to a heathen deity so that the deity wouldn’t get mad and wipe out a bunch of the adults? You know, sacrifice the kid in order to preserve the adults alive!

The hard fact is this – each embryo, no matter the circumstances of his/her conception, is a human being in the sight of God and one for whom He has a purpose. Remember, He knows each human even before conception and has a plan for each one.

It is most appropriate to repeat the statement time after time in view of how our leadership in this republic views human life -- “They don’t realize what they are doing – they are touching the apple of God’s eye!”

Closing question – if you have the misfortune of being among the crowd which has shouted “Amen!” to embryonic stem cell research, what are you going to tell God as to your reason for putting your stamp of approval on the intentional destruction of those who were regarded as the “apple of His eye?”

If you don’t settle this issue now, you won’t be dead 2 seconds until you’ll face it then!

For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord." And again, "The LORD will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. --- Hebrews 10:30, 31

Forked Tongue Call to Sacrifice!

Mention has been made on a repetitious basis of the need for U. S. citizens to be willing to sacrifice because the days ahead will be even more difficult than they are now -- so it has been declared by B. Hussein Obama who will be the new president of the United States as of noon on January 20, 2009.

Reminding us citizens that things will be more difficult in the future Mr. Obama has stated more than once that it will be necessary for us to sacrifice in order to get through the ordeal of a collapsing economy.

Now that causes a very appropriate response in the form of a question -- "Mr. Obama, since you will be at the helm of our republic, just how are you going to demonstrate your willingness to sacrifice -- you know, lead by example?"

So far there is no evidence that there is going to be any real sacrificing on the part of the next president, his family, his staff and his cabinet plus the many department people over which the secretaries rule! If anything, the hard reality is that the costs connected with this president will be greater than for any preceding president in the history of this republic!

First, an inauguration and all the parties associated with it -- millions and millions of dollars in what some describe as the big "bash" unlike any ever taking place in DC with more people, more security and a declared "state of emergency" issued by the outgoing president so that even more millions become available. There could have been some drastic cutting back and limitations imposed in the name of "sacrifice" with an example of such set by a very high profile person who says we citizens will have to sacrifice! Ooops! I almost forgot -- we're dealing with a forked tongue situation here!

Second, there are a lot of "perks" that would make any CEO envious. There is a brand new armor-plated limo being used for the first time, which really isn't necessary. There are a number of special built limos in the Executive Branch fleet which can adequately take care of those who need to ride down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Oh yes, there's that rather costly aircraft known as Air Force One. Don't you know that Mr. Obama will be chomping at the bit to do some nation-hopping and globe-trotting somewhere in that winged symbol of majesty of the highest rank! Again, there are less costly aircraft that could do the job just as well, if you just feel the need to get your feet off the ground for a while -- on the other hand, why not just hop on Marine One and skip over to Camp David for a day or two -- it will really save the bucks! But then, sacrificing a bit and getting rid of Camp David would help somewhat in the credibility department when a president talks about sacrifice.

Third, the expansion of government and exorbitant costs of the same has been going on for generations. The president does have influence in such a matter. He can cease adding and adding and adding (insert a whole page of addings if you want) more people in his little self-made "kingdom" and he can sharpen his red pencil and use dozens of the same to eliminate the massive waste found in every federal budget each year! It has to do with something called sacrifice. He does have a power called the veto when it comes to lavish and often very selfish use of the citizens' tax dollars.

But, as noted in other postings -- very, very few people can handle power and wealth responsibly, especially those who are younger in years and still very wet behind the ears! This will become quite evident as we move through the next 4 years -- that is, if the nation holds together that long.

The sacrifice as mentioned from time to time by leaders at the top levels of government with a president attempting to lead the way is one that always applies to the governed ones not to those who are trying to govern. Don't forget, it's a classic case of a forked tongue call to sacrifice!

A Necessary PS on this! Perhaps it has been a bit unfair to accuse the new president, his staff and cohorts as not being willing to do any sacrificing. So in order to correct that misconception, let's remember that Mr. Obama and the members of his administration are willing to do a lot of sacrificing in one area -- in fact, they are among the most militant and determined group to do such sacrificing. And what is it? Why, you should know already -- it is the unrestricted sacrificing of thousands of unborn future citizens of this republic every week of the year! Don't object to me -- B. O. is on public record about this and his past voting record bears clear witness that this kind of sacrificing is most desirable. It's also significant in this respect -- this sacrificing is done in the name of a much perverted interpretation of something called "constitutional rights" and at the altar of a "god" clearly identified as Convenience! More details available at A Quick Look At the United States' Massacre Tally!

For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed. Therefore the LORD will have no joy in their young men, nor have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. --- Isaiah 9:16, 17

They Deserve Much, Much Better!

Madison and Trevor with little brother, Owen, who had just been born a few hours earlier on July 19, 2007. Madison turned 5 years old during May 2008 and Trevor will be 7 years old early in July 2008.

Brianna just turned 3 years old in early June 2008.

Shalie will be 7 years old in early September 2008.

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." --- Deuteronomy 6:4-9

As Jean and I will be celebrating 55 years of marriage this Friday, June 13, 2008, a lot of memories will flood our minds. That is a considerable span of time in which a wide variety of experiences have taken place. Out of this we first and foremost give thanks to God for His abundant mercies and the demonstration of His love toward us constantly over these many years.

Many of the memories will involve family -- 5 children and spouses, 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. There is a wide span of years in age between the grandkids -- the oldest will be 28 years old this coming November and the youngest, Owen, who is pictured above will be 1 year old come July 19, 2008.

It is these young ones for whom I am increasingly burdened -- what a country they have to grow up in that is becoming more hazardous than a Category 5 hurricane slamming into a coastal area containing a large city!

Stop and think for a moment how the adult generation has so miserably failed these young ones -- they are passing on a republic that is:

• guilty of widespread idolatry, with money the #1 deity in the lives of millions of U. S. citizens and their leaders! But many other "deities" have a death-grip on a majority of adults in all walks of life as well, ranging from those in high profile political circles, the professions and church circles to the average "Joe" and "Jane" who walk the streets in any city or town.
  
  
• guilty of massive immorality of the most perverted expressions with God's standards for moral behavior receiving a thumbs-down response by the majority!
  
  
• guilty of the destruction of tens of millions of unborn children over a period exceeding 3 1/2 decades so that human life in our republic is no longer considered unique and special as it was in the earlier decades of the 20th Century!
  
  
• the prominent teaching in the educational process that tells our young that we have evolved from lower life forms -- you know, the wriggly things in a pool of slime millions of years ago (add as many millions as you want because it cannot be any more fouled up and misleading than it is now, whether you talk 700 million or a million million or 35 quadrillion.)!
  

But what our little ones do deserve is this:

• Adults who will set a holy example by the grace of God in word and deed -- adults who make the will of God the top priority in every day living, regardless of what position they hold in life! After all, failure to do the will of God is to place oneself in a position of condemnation -- Jesus did have a lot to say about that issue.
  
  
• Adults who will provide evidence that Jesus Christ is the living Son of God and the One Who gave His life as a sacrifice for the sins of every human being ever born into this world. Further, that this Jesus is exclusively the only way of salvation, peace with God and hope for time and eternity. No other religious expression can guarantee such things.
  
  
• Adults who unashamedly and without apology believe the volume referred to as the Bible to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God -- the absolute authority on all matters having to do with the Christian faith and the living of that faith in all daily experiences and human relationships in this present world!
  

The responsibility rests on the head of every single adult -- no exceptions -- God has explicitly revealed that He will hold every adult accountable.

The hard reality is that the majority of adults will not take the responsibility to do what God expects in terms of the nurture and well being of the young.

So it comes down to this -- do you care enough for our young ones to do what God requires or shun that responsibility and pay a price later on that is so horrifying that the human mind cannot begin grasp even a particle of it?

We adults in our family will seek by example and teaching to show the little ones pictured above that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one can come to the Father except through Him. Further that Jesus has a most glorious plan for their lives here on earth. Unfortunately, they will also be exposed to a big bunch of adults in their growing years who will be setting an example of traveling the broad road which leads to a Devil's Hell!

Homework assignment -- read in Luke 16:19-31 in the New Testament about one man who miserably failed in the responsibilities as outlined above and see the tragic details of the price he paid. Your life might never be the same again!

And Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea." --- Matthew 18:2-6

Why Did He Do It?

Want to upset some people in a split second? Just ask them to tell you why Jesus Christ died on a Roman cross! Of course, this assumes a rather important fact -- that you know beforehand by personal experience as to the reason, and that you haven't fallen for some of the heresy floating around this world as to why Jesus was executed on that cross.

Be aware that some of the heresy has penetrated the ranks of those who claim to be Christian in faith! There are those who say Jesus was just an ordinary human being such as you and I, and not God in human form -- that He set a rather noble example for us to follow and that is about the extent of it -- oh yes, He taught some pretty good principles which we should try to practice, if we should feel inclined to do so! And the main reason He ended up on a Roman cross as a common criminal is that He caused some trouble and if He had been smart, He would have kept His mouth shut and high-tailed it out of town, avoiding all that confrontation stuff!

Let's consult the divinely inspired record as to what it was all about -- just read a few statements which spell it all out:

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. --- 1 Timothy 1:15

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures....--- 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4

For the love of Christ constrains us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. --- 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. --- 1 Peter 2:21-25

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins. --- 1 John 4:10

Today is Good Friday -- a very special day for those who are followers of Jesus Christ, as we remember again His sacrifice of Himself on our behalf, give thanks and praise, and renew our commitment to do His will each day so long as He gives us breath to live in this world.

What does it mean to you?

Review How to Become a Christian and give thanks again for God's overwhelming love for each of us.

Have a glorious time this Sunday in celebrating Jesus' victory over sin, death, and Satan and his forces on our behalf!

More on Issue of God and His Judgmental Wrath!

"But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. The LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me." --- Deuteronomy 28:15-20

Roland in his comment on the post just below this one mentioned one reason why God should not bring judgment and that is love.

God's love is far beyond our limited minds to comprehend. Heavy is the emphasis on His love and mercy throughout the Scriptures. Perhaps that is one reason why things have gotten badly out of balance over time -- the focus has been totally on and emphasis given to God's "love" to the point in some cases of denying the reality of Hell as a place of everlasting torment.

Perhaps you have heard it in one form or another -- "God is a God of love and He would never send anyone to Hell!" Plus a heresy which is also a back door approach to denying the existence of Hell -- we're all going to end up in Heaven which is commonly known as universalism.

Truth demands that we look at this thing in the light of a coin with its "head" side and its "tail" side. God is a God of love beyond doubt and we are at that time of year when Christians review again the proof of His love in the giving of His Son, Jesus, for the sins of the entire human race -- His death on the cross was the perfect sacrifice for every sin you and I have ever committed in our lifetimes! And so mercy and forgiveness are offered on the condition of repentance and faith placed in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

But, God is also a God of judgment and wrath, and this too is clearly spelled out in the Scriptures, beginning with the "biggie" -- the flood at the time of Noah! What isn't realized is that mercy was offered for about 120 years before that devastating judgment took place. It is noted in 2 Peter that Noah, in addition to constructing the ark, was also a "preacher of righteousness." Except for his immediate family, no one else listened.

God's methods in dealing with cultures of people are mainly two -- when His Word is not heeded, He begins a series of chastising actions which may extend over quite a period of time. This is suggested in some of the Old Testament prophets. As long as there is chastising, there is hope for revival, healing and reconciliation. You see mention of God's efforts in this matter in the book of Amos.

However, if the chastising doesn't produce the desired results, then God's agenda changes and judgment is initiated. That means all hope is gone -- nothing but devastation and destruction will result -- God will not respond to the prayers that are uttered at such a time. Before you jump on that with "God always answers prayer!" thing, check Jeremiah 7, 11, and 14 for statements in which God explicitly says not to pray because He will not hear! Note again in the post before this one regarding the reference to 2 Chronicles 36 and the statement "till there was no more remedy!" That meant in no uncertain terms that they had crossed over the line -- no more chastising actions which offered hope of forgiveness and reconciliation with God -- now it was total destruction and NO HOPE!

I urge everyone who reads this to spend a lot of time with Jeremiah and Ezekiel (who was a contemporary of Jeremiah, but among the earlier captives) and see what was pointed out by way of spiritual, moral and ethical shortcomings. You will be amazed at how up to date these two are! But it's also a bit discomforting as well -- it might cause us to conclude as King Josiah did when words were read to him out of a long neglected dusty scroll -- "We're in a heap of trouble with God!" (that's a paraphrase, but that's precisely what he meant!).

"Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country...... --- Deuteronomy 28:1-3

Jesus' Bones? Can't Be -- I Was Just in Conversation with Him This Morning!

And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. -- 2 Thessalonians 2:11,12

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. -- 2 Peter 2:1,2

Seems like just about everyone is jumping in and splashing around -- some major networks such as Fox News and NBC are really caught up in the excitement as they wallow in the cesspool of unbelief. But then that is to be expected in chaotic times such as these!

The alleged discovery of burial boxes containing the bones of Jesus and His son caused people on the NBC Today show to speculate that this could be the biggest story of a lifetime -- ah, one could alter that by saying it would compete with one of the biggest lies of a lifetime!

But as noted in the headline above, those can't be the bones of Jesus -- He and I were in conversation earlier this morning -- only when the other person to whom you are talking is alive is the conversation two way -- you can try to talk to a dead man, but there is no response, whether it's a dead body or bones in a box supposedly centuries old!

Yes, the Christian experience and absolute knowledge that Jesus Christ is alive is basically a faith experience and limited to just a few persons in comparison to the 6 billion plus population on this planet.

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." -- John 17:1-3

So when something like the boxes of bones is discovered with claims they are Jesus' bones and that of the son He had with Mary Magdalene, mass media people will be so excited and push it with throttle wide open, having fallen for a big lie!

When you have made your personal acquaintaince with Jesus such stirrings in the mass media cesspool as we are now witnessing is simply a reminder of how the majority of people have been deceived.

Why such high profile publicity on this? Actually it's a simple thing -- for century after century there have been efforts to claim Jesus was never resurrected from the dead -- whether flat out denial, or the intentional teaching of such in seminaries where future ministers are trained, or the mess of "discovering" boxes of bones in the 20th or 21st Century! If you have a dead Christ, then you don't have to worry about ever facing Him, having Him scrutinize your life on earth, and then render a judgment upon you which determines what your eternal destiny is going to be -- a trouble-free paradise in heaven or indescribable torment in hell, which the human mind cannot possibly grasp!

But as the very famous Gomer Pyle was fond of saying, "Surprise, surpise, surprise!" That is what it will be for the vast majority of the members of the human race when life here in this world reaches its conclusion and one by one, each gives a personal accounting to the Creator of this universe and ultimate Judge of all, Jesus Christ!

So play with your little boxes of bones and have your big publicity fling about it -- it's sort of like a meteor in the sky -- for a while you see a big flash of light and then it is extinguished and all that is left is dust -- lots and lots of dust!

In the meantime a few of us will continue to be in conversation with Jesus, expressing among other things our appreciation for what He has done for us by way of His personal sacrifice on the cross, for the inner peace and confidence He provides 24 hours a day, for His presence with us each day, and for the rock solid hope He gives us for time and eternity!

Two Faiths – Two Books – Two Deities, But Only One Will Prevail!

Islam, embraced by Muslims, has millions of devotees all over the world. Likewise, Christianity, embraced by those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, has a considerable number in many parts of the world.

The Muslims have a holy book known as the Qur’an (or Koran) and get very upset if it is shown any kind of disrespect. Christians also have a holy book known as the Bible. They also get upset if the Bible is shown disrespect. How Muslims and Christians react to those who would show and demonstrate disrespect for their holy books can be very different.

The deity of the Muslims is Allah. The deity of the Christians is most often referred to as God Who has chosen to manifest Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit throughout the centuries of human history. Christians have been criticized and accused of being polytheists because of identifying God in such a manner.

The United States is one country where efforts have been made to enter into “dialog” and establish “civil” discourse among Muslims and Christians. For some it is a matter of recognizing that we are all “on a spiritual journey” and we are all “seeking the same goal” therefore we ought to respect one another and discuss where we have “common ground” so that we can work together for the common good of all persons, nations, etc.

President George W. Bush speaking at a news conference held with Tony Blair in the United Kingdom some time back stated that he believes Muslims and Christians worship the same God. A number of persons would heartily agree with the statement and appeal that we should be able to live peaceably with each other on this basis.

The hard reality is that Christianity and Islam in their purest expressions are totally incompatible. When these two faiths become corrupted due to false teachings within the ranks, or professed “believers” rely on personal opinions and what “feels good” rather than on the teachings as revealed in the Bible or the Qur’an, or leaders in these faiths claim to speak with “authority” but at same time deny basic teachings of the holy books, then the faith of each has been compromised. The claims of being exclusively the only true faith have been essentially destroyed and anyone can jump on the religious band wagon, stake out a claim, and be recognized as being as genuine as anyone else who has a “spiritual” fiddle to play!

The grand finale of human history is where one sees the sharp contrast between a future as viewed from statements in the Qur’an and that of the holy Bible.

First, see the Qur’an, Surah 2. The Cow (statements 126 – 132):

And remember Abraham said: "My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and feed its people with fruits,-such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day." He said: "(Yea), and such as reject Faith,-for a while will I grant them their pleasure, but will soon drive them to the torment of Fire,- an evil destination (indeed)!" And remember Abraham and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. Our Lord! make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will); and show us our place for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. Our Lord! send amongst them an Messenger of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in scripture and wisdom, and sanctify them: For Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise." And who turns away from the religion of Abraham but such as debase their souls with folly? Him We chose and rendered pure in this world: And he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the Righteous. Behold! his Lord said to him: "Bow (thy will to Me):" He said: "I bow (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe." And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons, and so did Jacob; "Oh my sons! Allah hath chosen the Faith for you; then die not except in the Faith of Islam."

Next, see the Qur’an, Surah 2. The Cow (statements 191 – 193):

"And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits. And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers. But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors."

Now see what is revealed in the Christians' holy Bible in Philippians 2:5 – 11:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

And note Bible statements in 1 Timothy 6:11 – 16:

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

However, the greatest contrast not only between Christianity and Islam, but between Christianity and all other religious expressions in the world is in the fact of incarnation and redemption. Only Christianity reveals a God Who loved the members of the human race so much He was willing to become human. And not only did He become human, but ultimately He sacrificed Himself for all the sins of the human race and made possible total forgiveness of those sins on the condition of repentance (turning away from those sins) and acceptance of Jesus Christ (God in human form) as Savior and Lord.

Thus the Christian can say to the Muslim or a member of some other religious group, “Jesus died for your sins just as He did for mine – He loves you, and by accepting Him as Savior and Lord of your life, you can be forgiven, have peace with God, and the assurance of a place in His Kingdom forever!”

The Muslim, or a practitioner of some other religion cannot make similar statements of that kind to a Christian – there is nothing in whatever “sacred” writings they may have that even comes close to teaching their deity or deities becoming human and personally atoning for the sins of each human being ever born into this world! In fact, in some areas where Islam fully dominates and controls the culture, if a Muslim should choose to become Christian, execution of that convert will usually take place -- the reason being that the Muslim has abandoned his faith and has become an infidel! Islam in its purest form seeks to establish a world where it is fully accepted and infidels exist no longer.

However, the exclusive claims and demands made by Jesus set Him apart from and superior to all deities as taught by the hundreds, if not thousands of religious groups which have sprung up as human history has run its course through the centuries. If you haven’t done so lately, review His claims and demands as revealed particularly in the Gospel of John in the New Testament.

It was after His glorious resurrection from the dead that He commanded His followers to go into all the world and preach the Gospel (the "good news" of a Savior Who has come to seek and save that which was lost) to all nations, to baptize in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and to teach the things which He has revealed to us in His Word. See final statements in the gospel of Matthew in the New Testament, chapter 28.

Think about it!