Pass Through The Fire

Leviticus 18:21  And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

            Moses, the author of Leviticus, witnessed so many merciless atrocities that it may have become “old hat.”  Today, the merciless murder of millions no longer seems to concern us.  

            I recently visited The Holocaust Museum in Dallas, Texas, and witnessed horror (via film and photographs) of the extermination of the Jews.  Adolf Hitler and his progressive political party murdered approximately 12 Million in Germany.

            A Museum will be required soon to remember The Holocaust of Abortion.   As we do not have bodies stacked in piles, (estimates of 600 million to one billion unborn infants murdered) and we cannot dig up the communal graves, it will be “less moving” and likely “old hat.” 

Amos 1:13-15  Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:  (14)  But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind:  (15)  And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD.

            The phrase, “For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four” has been a problem for me.  (I kept attempting to count the four transgressions.)  However, after much study and reading, I believe it relates to many transgressions, (maybe hundreds, thousands, or even millions.)   This phrase is used seven more times in Chapters 1 and 2.   In all these instances, “four” was added to account for the multiple atrocities that had occurred.   One atrocity in these verses was “because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead.”   (The “women …of Gilead” were descendants of Jacob, and their ancestors walked in the Exodus with Moses.  They not only killed Mothers and Children, but also Mothers with Child.)

            In this dissertation, I am paralleling the murdering of innocent unborn children with our current practice of “legalized” abortion.  Regarding “living in a day,” our real problem in either holocaust lies at the feet of Christians, Jews, and other religions who profess sanctity of life.  (We have not raised our voices in protest.  We will discuss this either with Jesus, or at the Great White Throne.)

            As was Damascus, Gaza, Tyrus, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Israel and Judah, God will judge our nation as He judged Ammon for allowing this ongoing perpetual mass murder.  (We as individuals must raise our voices and change our ballots to stop this horror.)    

            God tells us in The Book of Amos, Chapter Four.  “Amos 4:6 …yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.”   The United States of America as a nation was founded, (as was Israel,) on Godly Christian principles.  God laid out the precepts, but “Progressivism” reared its ugly head around the turn of The Twentieth Century.    Since that time, our Governing body and our Churches have been turning their backs on God.   Our Churches have failed to speak up and define a “fetus” as a living child of God. “Amos 4:6  …yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.” (Our last Democratic Convention even booed God.)

            In Chapter Four, verse 12, God, through Amos tells us to “Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God…”  (We must be prepared to meet God.  I have a hard time imagining it will be a wonderful, totally blessed meeting.)

2 Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

(It will be either a “good or bad” meeting.)  I have never walked into that type of secular meeting, and walked away encouraged.  This meeting is for Christians and Christians alone, those who are “in the book of life.” 

            (If you have not accepted Christ, your meeting will be at the Great White Throne.)

Revelation 20:11-15  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  (12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  (13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

            However, God, within this small epistle from The Prophet Amos, has given us the answer.

Amos 5:4  For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:

Amos 5:6  Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.

God is telling us in (vv 4, 6) that we will live if we repent and change our ways.  We as voting citizens, professing Christians, and other religious groups must take a stand and demand that we quit offering “thy seed [children] pass through the fire to Molech.”  (Molech is a false god that requires human sacrifice.) 

            We must “prepare to meet thy God.”  “Christian, are you ready?  Have you called your Congressmen and your Representatives and told them what you believe?  When are you going to do it?  Get prepared for The Meeting In The Sky.  It is coming.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

<www.fundamentalthoughts@gmail.com>

Walking In His Truth

3 John 2-8  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.  (4)  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  (5)  Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;  (6)  Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:  (7)  Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.  (8)  We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

                       

             This Letter was written by “John The Revelator” to a man named Gaius.  John believed Gaius “walked a walk” that displayed not only his personal Faith, but also “charity” (a love that reflects the love (with the intensity) that Jesus loves us.)

            Jesus tells us that He is The Truth.

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.

Therefore, what is the base definition of the word “truth?”  True, truth is words, which are absolutes.  (Black is the total Presence of ALL color, as white is the Absence of ALL color.)  Truth is the essence of truth alone.  There is no lie, no untruth, no error, and no blemish in truth.  Truth is a state of perfection without sin, without any hint of blemish.  Consequently, our writer John is exhorting a fellow believer for being a person who “walkest in the truth.”   Does that mean Gauis walked in perfection? No, he didn’t and neither did John, but they walked as they “testified of the truth” their LORD and Saviour Jesus The Christ.  They were doing “faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;” as best they could.  They were serving “the truth” to the best of their abilities.  In so doing, they were faithful.

            The question continually comes to my mind, “Am I being faithful to The Truth, my Lord Jesus?”  I do know I am not serving at 100% ability nor capacity.  I know I could do more, yet, can I do it with perfection and a honest Truth?  No, I cannot because I am not “the truth.”  (Yet God knows I have fallen short.)  My concern is that I do not use this knowledge, (that God knows,) and I will intentionally fall short.  That would be an obvious sin.

            Reader, can you say, I “walkest in the truth?”  (All who have honestly professed Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour are.)  Can we be “the truth?”  No, but we can follow Jesus to the best of our ability, and do as we should. 

            When we discover (and sometimes we do discover) sin in our lives, we must realize our walk isn’t as close to “the truth” as it could or should be.  We must repent and “loose” ourselves from that sin.  Then our walk will pull us in a bit closer.  Our daily walk in “the truth” should always point toward Jesus.  We must always attempt to be The Truth in the purest sense.  (Without blemish.)

            If you are a Christian, do you walk in the truth?  We become Christians only because of God’s “Amazing Grace.”   He bled on that cross so we can call ourselves a Christian.  Have you considered repenting of “discovered” sin in your life? 

            Today, this hour, this moment is the time to evaluate what you have been.  Then do something about it.  Do it now and walk a closer walk with God and His Son Jesus The Christ.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

Whosoever

John 3:15-17  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  (16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

            These three verses are so important to The Gospel of Christ (as is all of God’s Word).  We can get so much doctrinal definition from them.  It is clear that Salvation is based on belief, and in that belief we gain eternal, everlasting life.  Jesus tells us He came to earth for a reason: “that the world through him might be saved.”  He also tells us to whom this applies.  It is “whosoever.”         

            Who is a “whosoever?”  A plausible definition could be “anybody regardless.”  I have personally envisioned The “book of life” (mentioned in Revelation) containing all our names, but the alphabetizing is only the letter “W.”  (My name would be “Whosoever, Chastain, John R. E”.)  This would be the way all names are displayed including Adam and Eve.  The listing would be regardless of race, ethnicity, sin, religion, or any other definable parameter.  All last names would be “Whosoever” as one family.  It would include all people regardless. 

Revelation 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

(I honestly have no idea whether the list of our names will be as I described.  This is for illustration only, and a figment of my imagination.) 

            What I have tried to relay is that regardless of whom you are, Jesus loves you, and is willing to accept you.  He climbed willingly on that Cross.  He was willingly nailed to that Cross to die for your sins.  All He has asked is that you Believe He is the only Begotten Son of God, and God will give you everlasting life.  (Everlasting = Forevermore = Eternally, nothing less.)

            When you sincerely call on His name, Salvation is freely given.  Your name is it still written in “The Book of Life?”  Are you an overcomer, or has your name been blotted out?

Revelation 3:5  He that overcometh, … I will not blot out his name out of the book of life…

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

Many Deceivers

2 John 1:7-11  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  (8)  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things, which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  (9)  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  (10)  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:  (11)  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

                       

            I had to look up the word “deceivers” to be sure I wasn’t thinking “outa the box.”  I had the correct concept.  A “deceiver” is a liar.  (The lies may not be bold “up front lies,” but hidden contextual, sneaky lies.)  We must also note that the use of “antichrist” (in this text) is not a reference to “the antichrist” of the “Tribulation” period.  It is a more complete definition of “deceiver” in that a “deceiver” is a liar and is against Christ Jesus.  (Now we know a “deceiver” is a liar and he is against Christianity.)

            So, where do we look for these “deceivers?”  If we are a “born again” believer, and we walk within our belief as a Christian, then we do not have to look very far.

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

            First, “Look within your own Church.  Has there been compromise on The Word of God?  Has there been compromise on the music? Has there been compromise on dress?  Has there been compromise on repentance?  Has there been compromise on sin?  Is the preaching salvation by faith, or by works?”

            I honestly could go on with this line of questions, but this also relates to you. 

Second, “Look to see where you stand.  Have you become a “deceiver” to yourself, to your heart and to your family?”  We periodically must just stop and give ourselves a “spiritual checkup.”  “Are you saved?  Do you have eternal life with Jesus and our Father in Heaven?   If you died today, this very moment, would heaven be your home?  If you cannot answer this question with a resounding “YES,” God wants you to know where your eternal home will be.”

1 John 5:13  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.

God wants you to know that you can know you will have “eternal life.”   If we know Jesus, and have accepted Him as our personal Savior, we will have “eternal life” with Jesus.

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Confess to others that you do believe that God has raised His Son Jesus from the grave, and God will have saved you.

However, “If you have accepted the “deceivers” doctrine, (his teaching, and not the Bible’s) where and how do you give yourself that “spiritual checkup?” 

The answer is found in The King James Bible.  In order for you to “KNOW” your Bible, you must be the ONE that “READS” your Bible.  “[D]eceivers” thrive on our ignorance.  (Ignorance = lack of knowledge of a subject.)  “If you don’t read and study your King James Bible, your “ignorance” makes you a likely candidate for the “deceivers.”  “Cults” love ignorant people.  They thrive as their followers die and burn in Hell because of your lack of knowledge concerning The Bible.

            Another “deceiver” to take a hard look at is the “healer.”  There is no question in my mind God heals.  When He heals, He does the healing, not men.  If we take a honest, realistic look at these “faith healers” and realize if they were of God and God was healing through them, “Why do we have Doctors, Nursing Homes (full of the infirmed), and hospitals.  It would behoove our Federal Government to put these men on staff and pay them an outrageous wage to heal our physically ill.  (ObamaCare could be eliminated as could MediCare.  There would be no need for hospitals, just emergency care to hold us until a healer could lay his hand on us.) 

I know this might be a bit of a stretch, but all that “deceivers” do is a mighty stretch also.   They rely on our ignorance of The Bible.

            Another “deceiver” that has changed God’s Salvation Plan is known as “speaking in tongues.”  The Apostles spoke in their own language and the congregation heard the message in their native language.  The “speaking of tongues” was a hearing experience.

Acts 2:11  Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

            I know I have not given a complete exegesis (a critical explanation or interpretation of a text) on the subject of “deceivers.”  That would be near impossible as they pick new lies, (new twists on the same subjects,) to keep those who are ignorant of The Bible confused. 

Take your King James Bible to church.  Look up the verses given, read along, and write them down and go home and read them, study them.  If what was said from the pulpit and what The Bible says is different, The Bible is your authority.  Then find a Bible (King James Bible) preaching Church, and study to show yourself approved of God.

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Do it now, don’t wait, don’t hesitate.  Move away from the “deceivers.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

Our Walk

2 John 1:4-6  I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.  (5)  And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.  (6)  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

              

            In my writings, I have used the phrase “Our Walk” many times.  “Walk,” by my usage means, “how we live our lives.”  In The Epistle of 2 John, these scripture verses use “walking” to mean the same thing.

Galatians 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

“Our Walk” and “our life style,” (the way we live) defines us to others that we are a Christian.  Another requirement is that we walk “in truth,” (a commandment from our Father in Heaven.)  We can define “in truth” as being faithful, and sincere to The God of Heaven and His Son Jesus The Christ.

            However, in our walk it must to be as He commands.  In (v 6) He commands “that we walk after his commandments.” Jesus also states in:

John 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Therefore, our “walk” should always be as close as possible to what God wants for us.  (Many Christians perceive this more as a suggestion from God.)  But when we read and literally accept what has been stated, our “walk” is a command.  There are NO suggestions, and there are no other interpretations or perceptions.

            Our Walk is the definition of what we claim to be.  Many who know us, (though they tell us not to judge them) will judge us in “Our Walk.”  Bro D. L. Moody stated:  “Out of one hundred men, one will read the Bible, the other ninety-nine will read the Christian.”   As Christians, we are The Bible for so many.  It is so important that “Our Talk” match “Our Walk.”  “Our Walk” must match what God expects of us.

            Part of that expectation is that “we love one another,” and in that love “keep my commandments.”  In this “love [for] one another,” we are to be concerned about their souls.   As a Christian, we are allowed to judge others’ sins, and counsel them concerning their involvement in sin.  We are to “love” the individual (regardless of their sin.)  However, we are NOT to “love” their sin.  We may come across as being a self-righteous person, and/or with an angry attitude.  This is why “Our Walk” is so important.  Those we approach must see Jesus’ Love in us by our compassion and concern.

            We must remember that there was a day that we were where they are now.  “So, do you love Jesus?  Do you keep His commandments?”

            One last commandment:

(Mark 16:15)  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

“Go ye” into your neighborhood, (your city) and ask the question, “If you died today, would Heaven be your home?”  Show them in The Bible that they can know that an eternal life awaits them with God.  Show them.

(1 John 5:13)  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.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

The World Today

(Philippians 4:7 KJB) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Our Government and the news media are always up in arms concerning peace. We have a President, a Congress, and a Press who believe they can sit down and “talk peace” with the Saddam Hussein’s, the Adolf Hitler’s and the Genghis Khan’s of the world and get peace.

We have seen in recent months where Bernie Madoff, made–off with billions of dollars from family, friends, and business associates. As far as those who lost their fortunes through Bernie, they would put him in the class of those who are willing to talk but not change.

The problem is they do not know the Peace of God. All they know is me, myself and I. It doesn’t matter what happens to you so long as I get what I want. This is where our World is today. It is a me, myself, and I world. Just so you understand, it has always been that kind of world, because the prince of the world is in control.

(Ephesians 2:2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

This prince is in control of our President, our Congress, and a good per cent of our news media. He is in control of our education system, our social lives, and all that consumes our thoughts.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, then this prince will no longer have control of your life. The problem we Christians have is we keep looking over our shoulder, peeking back, and in some cases longing for the old times, when sin and the prince of the air controlled our lives.

Instead of looking back, we need to look at our President and our Congress, and remind them who they work for, and that abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research, and marriage other than one man and one woman is contrary to the Word of God. The taking of lives, and the ruination of marriage as God created is beyond the Peace of God.

Our real problem is a great falling away of the Principles on which this country was founded. We are falling away from the Principles God set in place. The Ten Commandments have been hidden behind locked doors in a basement of a court house. Some are wanting to remove God’s name from our Pledge of Allegiance and our currency. It won’t be long and we will change our National Anthem to some rap song.

Our country is in dire straits. We as a nation need to get back to the Lord. Remember Him, and pray for His mercy.

(2 Chronicles 7:14 KJB) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Our churches are diminishing in size. Christians are walking away from Bible teaching churches, and some are even returning to their wicked ways. We must get back to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Evangelist Retired Pastor

<fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com>

NOTE: This was first published in the Wellington Leader, Wellington, Texas, April, 2009.  The introduction is a bit outdated, but the article is timely.

Behold, The Days Come

Amos 8:11-12  Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:  (12)  And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

            I began writing this devotion the same day that someone stole my ’87 Chevy Silverado Pick Up.  As I mulled this scripture regarding the thieves (thief), “their day” will come.  (I have prayed that their souls will repent and ask Jesus into their hearts.)  “That day” (for the thieves) is not what God is referring to in this set of scriptures.

            To what “days” is it that God is referring?  Amos was not speaking of a literal, physical famine as the scripture states.  (There had been a 400 year silence after the Book of Malachi until the Birth of John The Baptist.  It was a famine of God’s Word.)  Israel had been scattered and they wanted to hear from God.  We don’t know if Amos was referring to that particular “famine in the land” or an upcoming “famine.”

            If we look at our surroundings today, (our nation and the entire world,) we can see a negativeness concerning God and His Son Jesus.  Our Churches are being swayed by worldliness, (not concerning themselves on honouring God,) but doing worldly things to bring in “the world.”  We see cults demeaning The Word of God, (changing The Word, God’s Bible, [The King James Bible,] and the sermon [message] to allow sinners to feel more comfortable in Church.)

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

            In a previous life, (before I was saved) I cut gemstones as a hobby.  If the stone is cut well, 90% of its brilliance will come through the very top of the stone.  If you place the stone top up in clay or mud, the stone will still be brilliant.   (That is what we as Christians ought to be.  “Let your light so shine before men” as a brilliant light in a sea of mud.)  If the stone is mounted properly, all of its brilliance will be seen.  In our brilliance, we can now “glorify your [our] Father which is in heaven” with our all. 

            “Are you letting your full light shine through?”

            At times, we become side tracked from the commands that Jesus has given us.

Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Bible tells us numerous times, “Go ye.”  This doesn’t always mean going to a foreign land.

Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Our town, “our” region, is our “Jerusalem,” our “Judaea” is our state, and our “Samaria” is our nation. The “uttermost part of the earth” can be anywhere that God has called us to go.  We are commanded to “Teach[…] them to observe all things” whatsoever He has commanded.  We see the commands, yet we can be side tracked to other focuses.

2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Many Churches today are ignoring Jesus’ commands. (This should be our single focus.)  Timothy repeats God’s Word from The Book of Amos, “For the time will come.”  As I look around throughout our “Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth,” it should be obvious that not only has the “time…come” as Amos prophesied using God’s Word “the days come.” 

            (Our main task is to lead souls to Christ.)  Yet, many Churches have turned away from the preaching of God’s Word (to hand out balm for their “itching ears.”)  (The “truth” of The Word of God is our solid foundation.   The fables and men’s opinions are the wiles of the devil.)

Ephesians 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

            After I first came to The Lord, my comfort level was low.  (I learned from the preaching about my sins.   I learned, as a new Christian what I was supposed to do.)  I am certain my feet were bloody from the stomping on my toes (figuratively) from Brother Huntress.

            When God called me to Pastor, my personal charge was to always follow Jesus’ commands.  The Book of Mark told me:

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

And I went as God called. 

            Another set of verses I used in my personal charge are taken from The Book of Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 33:7-9  So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.  (8)  When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  (9)  Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

To wrap my personal charge into my words:  As a Pastor, and now as an Evangelist, I am required to lead people to The Lord.  I am also required to warn them of their final destination if they refuse Christ.   (Part of that warning is to define the devil, and what he is all about.)

            If we define “Prophet” clearly, it is one who foretells the future.  Webster’s 1828 defines it as:

“PROPH'ET, n. [L. propheta.]  1. One that foretells future events; a predicter; a foreteller.  2. In Scripture, a person illuminated, inspired or instructed by God to announce future events; as Moses, Elijah, David, Isaiah, etc.”

For clarification, I know of NO ONE who has met the standard of the men mentioned in this definition.  However, all who have been called of God to preach are:  foretellers of the future, prophets if they preach Christ’s Gospel, His Redemption, His Repentance, His Heaven, and the hell created for Satan and his followers.  These prophets are foretelling our future.

            God is warning us through Amos and Timothy of this coming day.  My fear is that day of falling away has come.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4)  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

It is hard to say “that day” is here, but it certainly appears to be.  (So what are we to do?)  Lead someone to Christ, and tell them of their future Home in Glory.  Seek the lost.  Go about God’s work.   Let us not tarry in our watch.  We must “Work Till Jesus Comes.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

www.johnchastain.com

www.fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com

Why God?

 

            As a preface to this article, I want to state why I chose this title.  Whenever a tragedy like “The Newtown School Shooting” occurs, the press, (not journalists, they no longer exist) dwells on the reason why God would allow such a horrifying happening.  I am not certain I will give a substantial answer, primarily because some of the press no longer knows God.  They are “of your father the devil” and wouldn’t know a blessing from God if He actually gave them one.  They, the press, are the reason for this diatribe.

John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

            As I remember, the first time I ever heard this question, “Why God,” was on Mother’s Day, 1951.  I was nine years old, and my Mother asked this very question upon receiving the news that my Father had died in Korea.  It is a question that has haunted me for years, and I never understood the answer.  Even now I can only surmise the answer.

            After I accepted Jesus The Christ as my personal Savior, January 19, 1993, I purchased my first King James Bible.  I didn’t purchase the Bible just to possess it, but to read it, and to study it.  In the ensuing months and years, it became evident that The Bible tells the answer.

            The complete answer is in The Bible, but we are required to be observant of our surroundings, and what is happening within the world around us.  In doing so, we can find the “Why” all around us.

            God created Man, then Woman, and then marriage.  In so doing, He created The Home.  After The Home, He created The Church after His Son Jesus The Christ.   When we look at these God created institutions (as they stand today,) we should be able to see the “Why.”

[1]  The Bible teaches that God has two institutions - the HOME and the CHURCH. Nothing should be more important to a Christian than these two places, for they are sacred.

            In this dissertation, we will look at these two Creations:  The Home, and The Church, in relation to our question, “Why God?”

THE HOME:

            The Home is created when a Man and a Woman unite in Holy Matrimony.  (They become one in this union.)  God’s intent is that Marriage be an inseparable union, once created, only to be dissolved by the death of one.

Jesus tells us in (Matthew 19:4-6) …and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,  5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh  6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

We can look at the world and see the attacks on our marriages, (the redefining of marriage, the divorces, and the casualness of living together as if married.)  My first thoughts are the world has redefined marriage. We see this attack as a total defilement of God’s Word. 

            (Many are redefining marriage.)  The first and the one most loudly championed are the sodomites who want a multi-sexual definition of marriage.  The other prominent redefiner are those who use the casualness of “living together” as if they are married to define marriage. 

            Concerning sodomites:  God tells us plainly that sodomy is an abomination towards God.

Leviticus 20:13  If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

[2]“Abomination = 1. Extreme hatred; detestation.  2. The object of detestation, a common signification in scripture.”

I am not advocating that sodomites be put to death.  We, as Christians must make a sincere attempt to lead them to Jesus, (who will give them the ability to repent of their sin and no longer be an abomination to God.)  God hates sodomy, and the sin it perpetrates. (God never said, “He hates sodomites.”  It is their sin He hates.) 

            God defines marriage as a union between a Man and a Woman.

Matthew 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh

Those who foster their redefinition are walking against, and are in enmity with God.

            The world’s second redefinition is:  choosing to “try each other out” by living together.  Men (boys) have made our daughters whores, and we as Fathers are doing nothing about it.  (We allow our daughters to dress and act like Hollywood whorettes.  Many wives have followed suit.)

            The Family is a unit made up of a Man and a Woman, and their offspring.  (This Family is created in a marriage of a Man and a Woman.)  A Family is never two men and their offspring, nor can it be two women and their offspring.

THE CHURCH:

            The church is defined as:  [3] "a company of people called out to a specific place for a specific purpose."

It is a local body of people who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior, those who deliberately, by their faith, accepted Him, and in obedience were Baptized into a local assembly.

            The Church is not “the building” where believers assemble, but “each individually and collectively” are the church.

1 Corinthians 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

            The Church has come under attack primarily from our Government through The Judicial System.  Judges have quarantined The Ten Commandments in a locked closet in a courthouse basement in Georgia.  Judges have refused to stop Doctors from killing innocent babies through abortion.  (Thou Shalt Not Kill.)  The atheists are using the courts to keep Jesus’ name out of the public venue.

            Our biggest problem is what is happening within the confines of the worship service.  Sin and repentant preaching has been tempered by a prosperity and forgiveness preaching.  We no longer want to hear about our sins, and of course, we do not want to change (repent) from our involvement in our sin.  Our music has been changed to “seven verses, eleven times.”  The music of these 7/11 songs sounds as if they came from the world’s bar room, not a Godly mind.

            The Bible has been changed so many times, solely to soften sin, and soften The Deity of Jesus.  No one wants to hear He is God, and all powerful.

            The Church is being “killed from within” by some who “call” themselves Christian.  They may be sincere as they are bringing people in.  However, are their souls being won for the Lord, or for the world?

            Some of us who call ourselves “Christians” walk a walk, and talk a talk that is pure blasphemy to God.

[4] “Blaspheme To speak of the Supreme Being in terms of impious irreverence; to revile or speak reproachfully of God, or the Holy Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

            If we are the “temple of God,” how can we be a part of blaspheming God, Jesus The Christ, or The Holy Spirit?

CONCLUSION:

            My first question I must quell is that my answer to the question, “Why God?” is not that I am answering for God.  (His answer may not be what I have penned.)  However, from a Biblical stand point, I believe the answer that I have derived is, in part of God.  (I am not purporting a new scripture, just my heart.)

            The question, “Why God?” is answered in their defined attacks.  The HOME is under attack through many avenues.  Too many HOMES lack a Father figure, a leader, a disciplinarian. 

            Sodomites are creating un-Biblical homes with single gender “families.”  Two “Fathers” are not the answer.  A child needs the nurturing of a Mother, and the spiritual leadership of a Father.

            The HOME is also being redefined by those who agree to “live together,” and have no commitment towards each other.   “Trial living” sometimes ends with an unwed Mother and a child. (Does the Mother bring up the child or hand him over to Grandma to rear?  There is no commitment to Family or to the HOME.)

            Divorce has become another attack on the HOME.  Too many who marry lack the determination that their marriage is for “the long haul.”  (Something more attractive or exciting comes along, and it is time to change to a defiled bed.)

            I understand that much of what I have written concerning our HOME is an extreme, over simplification of our problem.  However, we as Christians must determine that God has never allowed a redefinition of the HOME. 

[5]  The Bible teaches that God has two institutions - the HOME and the CHURCH. Nothing should be more important to a Christian than these two places, for they are sacred.

After Christ, our spouse must be our most precious, most loved person.  (Our spouse must be sacred to us.  Our HOME must also be a sacred place for us.) 

            (We as Christians must refuse the carnality of the world.)  As Christians, our real problem is we have left the door open to the world.  We have accepted “sodomites” as normal, and they are not.  We have accepted our children “shacking up” living in a life of sin.  We are even “prideful” with no visible shame when our unwed daughters come home pregnant.

            We call this normal, but then ask, “Why God?”  We (in the HOME) have turned our backs on His created institution of the HOME, but expect His Blessings, and question the motives of what He allows.  (We have turned our backs on God, allowing these redefinitions.  This happens to the family when God, His Son Jesus, and The Holy Spirit are no longer allowed in The Home and in our schools.)  (How do we have the gaul to ask of God, “Why?”)

            Our Churches have required our Pastors (The Preachers, The Watchmen, The Prophets,) to quit harping on sin.  (Quit telling us we are heading to Hell.)  We insist they use a watered down bible, leaving God’s Word on the printers cutting table. 

            Our Churches:  those who are preaching the fundamentals of The Word of God are mocked and ignored:   Our King James “Old Fashioned” Bible along with our modest clothing choices are mocked.

            However, when a tragedy happens:  (children are murdered, a tsunami kills thousands, an earthquake, a tornado, a hurricane, or any other man made or natural devastation,) we ask, “Why God?”

            I understand why those of us who do not know God will ask this question.  (They usually give “Mother Nature” the credit for the “natural devastation.”)   However, when it comes to evil happening, they go to God. 

            But, Christians also ask God, “Why?”  Christians, “Why are you asking God a question, when you should know the answer?   Have you sincerely, (with a convicted heart) asked Jesus to be your Saviour?  Do you love Him for what He has given you?  Do you follow His precepts, His commands?”

John 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

If you love Him, and you do believe, turn back to Him, and walk in His path. 

            The question, “Why God?” will then be answered for you.  (It really means you will never ask the question again because God is still waiting for the rest of the world to “see” Him.) 

            Tell others that God wants each and every one of us.  He wants all of us to live eternally with Him and His Son Jesus.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

<www.johnchastain.com>

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[1] Copied from “The ABC’s of Christian Growth” Robert Sanger, Bible Baptist Church Publications, Oak Harbor WA, 1986  Chapter “Church”

[2] Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

[3] Copied from “The ABC’s of Christian Growth” Robert Sanger, Bible Baptist Church Publications, Oak Harbor WA, 1986  Chapter “Church”

[4] Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

[5] Copied from “The ABC’s of Christian Growth” Robert Sanger, Bible Baptist Church Publications, Oak Harbor WA, 1986  Chapter “Church”