https://simplebooklet.com/simplechristianity

Simple Christianity – PDF format

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

 

WARNING – this could be considered controversial.

Perhaps you have read some books on Christianity or read of some people’s testimonies about the benefits and goodness of Christianity. Or maybe you have read some church websites that describe their cultures, goals and offerings. From what I have read, it would seem these would be some of the friendliest, kindest, warmest, happiest, safest, most understanding places on the earth. So why not give it a try?

Typically (which will vary from church to church) you walk into a church and are met by trained greeters at the door. They will seem friendly enough. Then you might even be met by an usher who will help you find a place to sit. At some point during the service, you may be directed by the worship leader or pastor to ‘turn and greet one another’. Then, depending on the denomination and the size of the church, you might be greeted by the pastor or an elder or deacon as you exit the church.

Not all the time, but sometimes this can seem very scripted. Almost like attending a theatre performance or a play.

They were polite, for the most part. But it was like everyone was detached from the present moment and were in a “presentation of another reality”, they were greeting people, but it was just for the program; they may have seemed to be in a hurry so they could move on to the next ‘guest’.

My presence, as a visitor, seemed to make no difference to them after the “job of greeting” was completed. (Even my grocery store will absent-mindedly welcome me. as I walked in. But their intentions were up-front. They wanted to make sure I would make a purchase – help them make a profit. Maybe I should have entered or left the church saying “I plan on giving or I gave to the offering today?”)

On one occasion I ran into some of the greeters from a church I had visited earlier that Sunday at a restaurant. I approached them to say I had enjoyed my visit, only to be met with a distant stare and a nod of approval. “Odd”, I thought.

On a couple of other occasions, I went out of my way to return to a church I had visited to meet the pastor later during the week for a more personal encounter only to be left with a feeling that I might have intruded on his time. (I kept thinking, afterward, that I might have had a friendlier encounter at my local Elks club or at the local bar (although I don’t frequent bars).

During a Wednesday evening service at another church we had been attending, we watched a video on ‘sexuality in the Bible’. Afterward we had a question-and-answer period. A man walked around the auditorium with a microphone allowing those who wanted, to answer questions about experiences of improper responses to sexual situations with Christians and how we handled them. I volunteered to contribute a story. Half was through my story a woman in the back of the church began to shout at me, “you sound like a chauvinist!” She continued to rant stopping me from speaking. I had been at this church less than a year, so I thought it best to go silent. After the class dispersed, many people came to me thanking me for my remarks and lamenting that I could not finish. The woman was not censured – not even spoken to about her ‘lunatic’ behavior. Yep. Just like any old townhall meeting – except we were in church.

Another time during a rather large Sunday School class, I was chatting before class began with a person I was trying to befriend. Suddenly, the ‘teacher’ bellowed across the room at me in an angry tone, “Mike, sit down. I want to get this going”. Both I and my ‘almost friend’ were shocked. This guy is an elder in the church and the teacher – yelling at me to sit down and be quiet? Realizing our shock, he stammered, “he’s a neighbor, so it’s okay”. (Well, we are neighbors, but no, it was not okay).

At another church, (at which I served as an associate pastor) the pastor had been confronted with adultery charges. It had become overwhelmingly plain that there was credibility to the allegations. I asked him privately if a third-party mediator from the district would be a good idea and he shouted at me to mind my own business. Then I suggested a counsellor or a therapist and he suggested I leave the church – which I did, later. (He was eventually found out).

Another time a pastor of another church asked to have lunch. I agreed. He attempted to get me to proselyte members from my current church to his startup church. I refused, whereupon he began to shout at me, accusing me of not being a good person nor of being a good Christian. (Sometimes I think I must have imagined these things. But these are real accounts).

My wife and I had been visiting yet another church for a few Sundays, and at the last minute decided to go to a Wednesday evening service. I did not have time to go home to get my Bible, but went went into this church anyway. As chance would have it, we encountered the pastor in a hallway before the service. I greeted him by saying hello, we are new here. He responded dryly saying “where’s your Bible?” I explained the circumstances and told him we had just moved into the area and told him my vocation. He stared at me and finally replied, “Well, good luck on that”, and walked away.

(These experiences happened at three different Southern Baptist churches, a Nazarene church and a Presbyterian church. I could go on and on, from church to church. But hopefully, you get the idea. We were members of our first church as Christians from 1976 through 1978 during a temporary military assignment in Texas and it was friendly and biblically sound. It was like a big family. Then we became members of a church in Virginia from 1978 through 1987 and it became our family – but things were changing. We moved to a church closer to our home from 1988 through 2005 and it was like a family-business. We relocated to another city and became members of a church – and an associate pastor – from 2005 through 2008, and it had an agenda and a philosophical socio-political worldview. We relocated to Florida and visited a church from 2008 through 2010 and joined as members from 2010 through 2018. We have been at our current church from 2018 to current day).

My experiences and assessment have to be an aberration. Right? I talk to some regular church goers and they say their church isn’t like that. That their church is really, really friendly. (So, I visited some of their churches, and I found them to be polite. I found them to be nice. But no. They weren’t really, really friendly.) So, I am left feeling that maybe it’s just me? I just don’t fit in there…or there…or there? Or am I just complaining? Neither. Or am I just saying aloud, what so many of you have been thinking. But, I am offering a solution – if we are willing.

Many pastors and church leaders will attempt to explain or excuse this behavior saying something like “church is a place for people, and people are sinners (hypocrites, liars, cheaters, etc.) covered by the Blood of Jesus and being sanctified to be like Christ – they are in process”. But many of these folks have been considering themselves as Christians for decades. So how long does this process of “becoming Christlike” take before they stop overt and blatant sinful behavior and actually become “Christlike”? Or is another issue at work here?

Please read this from Galatians 5:16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Verse 17. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. Verse 18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Verse 19. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, verse 20, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Verse 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, verse 23, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Verse 24. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

I believe many are not taking seriously (or just don’t understand) what it means to walk by the Spirit, so that you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. I believe this behavior in the church is becoming or has become the “new normal” in churches across our nation. It would seem that most of us who go to church have just adjusted to this “new normal” and accept it..

We used to say “my church is my family”. Now it is “this is where I go to church – it is where I attend”. (I attend a church now and as long as I stay quiet and speak when spoken to, we get along just great! You know, friends-at-arms-length).

One of the most foreign and socially inept, dysfunctional, and alienating places I have been in the last 10 or 15 years may be church.

Jesus warned that this day was coming. He said, in Matthew 24:12, “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” This verse highlights that during difficult times, especially in the end times, people’s love for one another can diminish due to increasing wickedness and challenges.”

(These examples I have cited are the milder examples. It is getting worse. Much worse. (https://arrestedpastor.com/).

So, let’s move on from this negative approach of “having identified the problem”, and please allow me appeal directly to the Body of Christ – you, the Church, (and yes, I am referring to myself, also):

Having been warned that these things would happen doesnt’ seem to have done much for correcting the problem. But folks, this just ain’t right.

Please read about the CHURCH, according to Strong’s Bible concordance. The term “Church”, comes from the Greek word Ekklesia, and it means “the called; the called-out ones:; these are people called out from the world’s belief systems and to God’s teachings on how to think, act and behave; the outcome being the Church (the mystical body of Christ) – i.e. the universal (total) body of believers whom God calls out from the world and into His eternal kingdom. This is what we, the Body of Christ should begin to focus on and practice until we get it right. Until it becomes not just what we do, but what we believe and are compelled to do by our mind, conscience, will and emotions.

The basics of the Ekklesia is that we, the Church, are called out of this world and no longer part of this world. Please let that sink in. Get the best picture of that in your mind as you are able.

We as Christians, are to be the mystical Body of Christ. We are being made into a peculiar people, made as God’s own possession for His own use.

This is a radical departure or progression from ‘going to church’ to be a better person, to a becoming a peculiarity. We are people who, as Christians, live in this world as resident aliens, foreigners and sojourners, travelers in a foreign nation – we have become citizens of the kingdom of heaven, on mission upon the earth.

Therefore, and thereby, we do not adopt but we must adapt. We do not adopt, copy or resemble this world and its ways but we adapt as we spread the message of the Kingdom of God. (Now, please, stop, and consider how you dress, how you talk, the things you do for entertainment and how you adorn your body. Do you mimic this world’s standards? Please understand that we are not secret agents just fitting in. We are openly and brazenly ambassadors for Christ. This is the litmus test.).

We are not to conform to this world, but we are to have been transformed by the renewing of our minds by the word of God, mirrowing Biblical beliefs and standards, so we may prove what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God to those around us. (This phrase is from Romans 12:2 in the Bible, which encourages individuals not to adopt the behaviors and values of the world around them, but instead to be transformed by renewing their minds to understand God’s will, which is good and perfect. It emphasizes the importance of inner change and spiritual growth).

1 Peter 2:9, from the King James Bible, tells us, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (from the Greek word, ‘peridoiesis’ – a preserving, saving unto the soul, God’s own property or possession, He has obtained); that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”.

1 Peter 2:9, in the New King James Version puts it this way, “you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”.

And, 1 Peter 2:9, from the New American Standard Bible say it thusly: “But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”.

Also,

Again in

Then

Psalms 135:4. also tells us “For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

Titus 2:14. repeats that, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

1 Peter 1:1-2., puts it this way, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as strangers, (parepidemos – a resident foreigner, an alien, a pilgrim, stranger) scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen (electos – chosen, elect, favorite).

And Jesus, in John 17:14 makes it clear when He praying to His Father and says, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Verse 15. I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. Verse 16. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Matthew 5:13, reminds us that“You (followers of Christ Jesus) are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.

Verse 14. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; verse 15, nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Verse 16. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

We are to be counter-cultural to the world and its systems and beliefs.  We are to be cultural influencers, agents of change.

Like light is to darkness and salt is to infection.

Light shows the way, stays rot and decay, provides safety in travel and reveals that which is unknown.

Salt is essential for maintaining fluid balance in the body, aiding in nerve function and regulating muscle contraction. It also enhances the flavor of food and is used in food preservation. So is the life and teachings of Christ.

We live in the world, but we are not of this world. We walk, we talk, we eat, drink and breathe the air. We are bipedal, we have sight. On first glance, we look like everyone else, but upon closer observation, we are not like everyone else at all. Not even close.

We may be like the sheep being led to slaughter, but do not be deceived – we overcome the evils of this world mightily by the word of our testimony and by the Blood of the Lamb. And in that we have a message of bad news and of Good News.

The bad news is that this world is perishing and even now is in the throws like a mother in birth pains. However, these pains lead to death and destruction, the final judgements of God on a sinful and decadent world, always and only doing evil.

The Good News is that there is a way out of this spiritual anarchism and chaos. A way to be saved from the destruction that is at hand. A way to live now, in peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and with self-control and ultimately in the kingdom of our God, in His presence where there are no more tears, no more sickness or death, no more hatreds. Where there is no need of the light of the moon or the sun because He will be our Light. In the place where the river of life flows freel

He is calling to you, now. He is saying “Come, follow Me. I am the Way the Truth and the Life. I am the Only Way to the Father and to the eternal home I have prepared for you.”

Just saying these things or saying they are so is not enough. We must live in them because we know it is so. People are watching and waiting and God has chosen us to be that peculiar people as a living example of what it means and what it looks like to be one of His Chosen.

For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:  to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like the many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 2:15-17).

Please consider this as an appeal in humility.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

Plan, Purpose, Methods and Ways

(Concealed Church Name)

(Concealed City Name)

• Engage, Evangelize, Edify, Equip, and Encourage
• Introduce, inform, instruct, inspire, ignite
• (Reaching the Lost and Making Disciples for Jesus)
• Family, Individual and Youth Discipleship and Development

Objectives: Reach the lost and gather the straying sheep, build up the Body of Christ, His Church.

We are to be built up into the priesthood of believers, commissioned and sent as missionaries and ambassadors of Christ, to

(# 1), the lost, and,

(# 2), the straying sheep of God, and

(# 3), for the building up of the Body of Christ.

(In other words, we need to tell and show the lost and remind the straying sheep of God, the Gospel message in word, by our behavior and deed. Then, to make disciples, teaching and training them to also become missionaries (disciple-makers) for Christ. By this we establish the Church (Ekklesia, the called out ones) within our Church Body.

Jesus taught that “Foxes have holes and Birds of the Air have nests”. He is saying that we are to go out and make disciples. We are not to retreat to the comfort and safety of our ‘fox dens’ or our ‘feathered nests’. He never advocated a stationary and static church, i.e., a “legacy type of church”.

We should be careful to not prematurely integrate people into a static church (a legacy type of church). We should allow people to naturally gravitate into God’s fellowship of believers, but, while that occurs, we must provide fertile soil which comes from the mission Jesus gave the Church, the gamelan of ministry and the cycle of discipleship, i.e., the way Jesus taught and demonstrated.

Everything we do should point to making individuals, families (fathers, mothers and children) integral  participants in Jesus’ Mission, in our local Body.

We must change what ‘coming to church’ or ‘attend church’ means. We come to Church in order to GO OUT from the Church to reach our community and world, and that is how we are to GROW! 

To accomplish this, we probably need to consider reviewing or changing our attitude and paradigm of “coming to church”.

First of all, research shows that people come to church for specific reasons. And becoming an audience or an adherent is not on the list. But, they will leave if thier initial expectations are not met.

Here are the top 10 reasons given by Americans who attend religious services at least once a month, according to Pew. Survey. (For you information, respondents were allowed to give more than one reason.) The percentage refers to people who said this was a “very important” reason for their decision:

1. To become closer to God. (81%)
2. So their children will have a moral foundation. (69%)
3. To become a better person. (68%)
4. For comfort in times of trouble or sorrow. (66%)
5. They find the sermons valuable. (59%)
6. To be part of a faith community. (57%)
7. To continue their family’s religious traditions. (37%)
8. They feel a necessary obligation to go. (31%)
9. To meet new people or socialize. (19%)
10. Because the pastor knows my name. (added by author.)

People need to come to church to meet Jesus; to learn about Him, to come to know Him personally and intimately by the Word of God, and by our living example; they need to  learn how to follow Him – which is both taught and caught, and learn to become fully devoted followers of Jesus. Then, they and we, together, GO and live out our relationship with Him let that be our witness! Go and order to Grow!

(for the full ariticle see Please Don’t Leave).

We need to understand the demographics and discover ways to become more visible and find UNIQUE ways to serve the community – and that boils down to being like Jesus and doing what He did and taught.

GO OUT with activities: Churches tend to hold ‘events’ in order to attract people to Church. So, we invite people to Chruch on a holiday or a speical occasion, maybe once very few months, hoping we will attract some to come back. But unless there is something to keep them coming back, (about 25% will come back a second time if everything goes just right), it’s a one-and-done matter.

It is God who draws people and saves them. We are simply His Hands, Feet and Voice. We go in His Name. But,

#1. We need “Meet them where they live”. We take the Church to them. It can no longer be “Come Grow With Us”. It has to be “Let’s GO and Grow in Christ Together”. Find ways to keep them coming back, every week.

Many church-growth programs actually pander to the community, so they attract those ‘already saved’ who are shopping churches. That is, I believe, why baptisms are so low. We aren’t reaching a lost world, we are reaching a saved and straying world!

We can continue to do what is working. PLUS, here are some EXAMPLES of IDEAS to go OUT and build:

(1). Build a youth soccer program – Soccer wrapped in the Gospel – A uniquely Christian approach – teach and coach joy, to be peacemakers, kind, good, patient, gentle, self-controlled, yet, proficient, competitive, hardworking, reaching for excellence. Imagine the (Concealed Name) Baptist Church Family Youth Soccer Program!

(Just FYI, I have had experience and qualifications as national youth license, 15 + years experience.

Area Demographics known. Here is an examples of another church doing these very things: Shepherds.Org.

(1.a). Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in America! Kids love it, Dads and Moms love it and if you try it, you will love it too! It is a perfect FAMILY activity! Build a Soccer Program wrapped in the Gospel – a uniquely Christian approach to this sport and influence our area for Christ!

This is a kid and family magnet. Imagine, the (Concealed Name) Baptist Church Family Pickleball Club!!

(And by the way, I have been a pickleball club director and I am currently rated as an advanced player and coach)

(1b.) Bible Quzzing is another exciting and fun ways to get our kids and teens into memorizing the Bible. This is an exciting activity with a purpose! You would be greatly suprised how fun this is and how much the kids love it!

Imagine the (Concealed Name) Baptist Church Quiz Team!! (And by the way, my wife has been a Quizzing coach and organizer when our kids were adolescents and teens).

(1c). Offering public neighborhood and citywide conferences on subjects such as

“Is The End Of The World A Possibility?” (Eschatology – End Times),

“Is Peace Possible in this crazy world – And How About Me and My Family?”,

“How Can I Know That God Really Exists – And How Does That Change Things for Me?”

Future planning: There is a plethora of other means and a multitude of ideas, but the main thing is that we build continuity into our Family, Teen and Children’s ministry. Something parents and kids will come back for, week after week, and not just a seasonal or occasional ‘one-and-done’ activity which repeats quarterly or annually.

ALL OF THESE THINGS, AND MORE, TO INFLUENCE AND REACH YOUR HOME AREA AND BEYOND FOR CHRIST!

(2) We must intentionally ADOPT our visitors and new members as “being part of our family”, from day ONE.

(a). Greeting our visitors and getting to know our new members in ways that make them feel at home, can be intimidating for our MEMBERS. So, perhaps we should hold classes and teach, help and train our MEMBERS the “HOW TO techniques and methods” on greeting, creating conversations and making our visitors feel at home and part of our Church Family. (Improve our ‘meet and greet the people around you’ only to go back to ‘sitting in our own little groups, staring forward and listening to the sermon after our greetings.)

(3). Coming to church AS A VISITOR can be uncomfortable, and even intimidating for most people. We must remember that our visitors are just that: visiting us. And we only get ONE CHANCE at making a FIRST IMPRESSION, and that it is a 25-70 deal at best. So, we must turn that around and make it about them. We need to let them know how important they are to us and to Jesus. We need to make them feel as if they are at home, and it is as if we are the visitors in their house! We have to change the paradigm.

(4). Perhaps we could form Parent-children mentoring (discipleship) sessions early in the visitation process or “new member’s class” process. For example:  we begin meeting in special orientation sessions as a way to help them  integrate.

(4a). Design short discussion games with parents and kids.

(4b). Separate into parent groups and youth groups.  Teach from selected scriptures. Then, discuss achievements and needed improvement in behaviors, activities, family environments, etc., in light of selected scriptures.

Form and Technique: What is meant is that we must build the next generation by TRULY making disciples. I.e., “we must decrease in our influence so Jesus can increase through us and the others among us”. It means that we must teach, train, encourage and send; THEN we must begin to replace ourselves with THE NEXT GENERATION – on purpose!

We will be building a Family Ministry to young families and youth as  part of the main Body here at (Concealed Name) Baptist Church, yet separate from the routine – think of it as a Missionary Church Plant WITHIN OUR OWN BODY!

Our focus must be on Jesus’ mission, calling, plan, methods and ways. We should minimize our own creativity. We must constantly be on mission, teaching, instructing, training and inspiring fathers, mothers and children to become mature as living examples, teaching, and training in righteousness, so that they, as servants of God are thoroughly equipped for every good work through the Spiritual Gifts God has granted each one for the building up of the Body: (also see Pastor Vern Collins, UMC Boone).

1. Lead them to Christ; disciple them in His Name, His calling, His mission, His purpose and His ways;
2. Lead them to become fully involved, inspired, excited, devoted followers of Jesus, and
3. Teach them to become disciple makers,
4. Executing Jesus’ mission, His plan, using His method for His purpose.
5. Then, send them. They, then, ARE the Church. “It is no longer ‘we four, and no more’”.
6. Encourage and assist them in building His Church (not ‘our church’), and sending His church out (not ‘our church’). WE MUST DECREASE SO HE, JESUS, CAN INCREASE.

NOW THE BOMBSHELL. Plant a Church within our Church, just like Jesus did it.

We begin with those in our Church whom God has gifted to be disciple-makers. God has alredy Gifted and Equipped them. These will become our Church Planters (Family and Youth Ministry planters) within our Church. This will be and EXTENSION of our Body, new and separate, but fitted together with the Body.

God will provide the gifts and talents necessary, not only for our Church Planters but also for these new believers to – FROM DAY ONE – to become capable of leading the way forward!

God will provide the gifts and talents necessary, not only for our Church Planters but also for these new believers to – FROM DAY ONE – to become capable of leading the way forward! Please take a look at this list of Spiritual Gifts and the linked test below this list.

GIFTS                  MINISTRIES            EFFECTS             OFFICES

Romans 12      1 Corinthians 12     1 Corinthians 12:28   Ephesians 4:11

Prophecy           Word of wisdom        Apostle                    Apostle

Serving              Word of knowledge   Prophet                   Prophet

Teaching            Faith                          Teacher                   Evangelist

Exhortation       Gifts of healing          Miracles                  Pastor

Giving               Miracles                       Kinds of healing    Teacher

Overseer            Prophecy                    Helps

Mercy                Distinguishing spirits     Administration

(Click here for an online Spiritual Gifts Test).

I am providing an example here, of how new believers become “fitted together with the Body” when establishing a Young Families and Youth Ministry by Planting a church within a Church. (see Boone UMC – Vern Collins link below). My son and his family were living in Boone, NC. Their pastor was a man named Vern Collins.  I met him at my son and daughter-in-law’s house during a soccer related cookout. (My son and family were moving). Instead of leaving after the cookout, Vern stayed and helped them pack their moving van. Vern lives with and in Jesus’ Church body. They are his extended family. I visited their church after they moved and got to know Vern Collins just a little better. The Boone United Methodist church needed to attract and establish (grow) a youth group.

They started by building a group within the Church and ended up planting a new church INSIDE the existing Church and eventually they GREW TOGETHER and ‘co-mingled’. They are still doing that to this day! (Please view the LINK at the bottom of this page).:

We say that we are ambassadors for Christ which is just another way to say that we are missionaries for Christ. We are on mission, planting churches – first within our own Church Body, then OUTSIDE our walls in the future!

We say we are missionaries and ambassadors for Christ. So, let’s be that!

(And as an addition to my resume and experience: I have had decades experience working with youth, both in the church and outside the church).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young (Pastor/Teacher/Evangelist/Church Planter).

(Additional resources):

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES

A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS TO GIVE YOU LIFE

CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “IF YOU”…

Statistics show that we, the Church, are losing attendance, losing members, losing credibility, and we are losing the next generation to the world’s ways and beliefs. Some are dropping out from boredom, some from disappointment, others dont’ see the relevance. They are being influenced and trained by liberal and pagan social media outlets.

We have to engage them in Biblically sound and exciting ways. It has to be exciting, relevant, active, life challenging and life changing. It has to be the Gosple as Jesus taught it. People, families and kids want to be involved and not just an idle audience.

God is calling, and if we are willing, this is going to happen. We will be that “light of the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden”.

Your pastor, brother and friend,

Mike Young

PS:

I would not be coming here to perpetuate a Legacy Church. I am called to do the will of God by following Jesus

By proclaiming and teaching His Message, His Methods and His Ways;

To execute His Plan by adopting and following his Purpose, Using His Methods.

I have no doubt in my mind that God is calling me, has commissioned and sent me to bring His Good News to the humble and afflicted;

That He has is sending me to bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted, and to release the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual captive from their confinement, condemnation and bondage and to set those prisoners free by the will and power of the Gospel of Jesus.

I am here to proclaim the favor of the LORD is to come upon this Church.

I am here to comfort all who mourn, to give them a new hope instead of living in the ashes of the past; I am bringing oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a cloak of praise instead of a disheartened spirit.

You would become known as oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

We will rebuild the ruins of the postmodern Church, and we will raise up and restore the former ways of Christ Jesus.

We will renew the ruined sanctuary of God, and the memory of the glories our God to this generation and this in this day.

Henceforth, people you haven’t known up until now, will come and will give to you freely, and they will become your laborers in God’s Work here.

You shall be called the priests of the LORD in this place; people will speak of you as the ministers of God.

You will enjoy a new health and new wealth.

Instead of our former embarrassments or shame we will share in a double portion of God’s Spiritual Blessings; And instead of past humiliation we will shout for joy over this new portion from God.

Everlasting joy will be ours – for those who will trust and follow God in all of His plans, purposes, methods and way.

 

 

HAVE YOU MET THE WOMAN AT THE WELL?

(Are You LikeThat Person?)

(Jacob’s Well)

But first, let me ask “Why and how do you read the Bible?”

Do you read it as one would read a novel; looking for interesting stories, mysteries? Or do you read it as a self-help book, looking for moral and ethical lessons? Or perhaps you read the Bible as a “How To” book, looking for instructions on how to pray, how to be saved, how to witness, how to be a better person, how to receive from God?

But what if you read the Bible as if it were factually true? I mean, not only without error, but literally true and factually accurate in ways we fail to recognize? What if the Bible is truly a gateway to an unseen (Spiritual) realm from which all things originate? A place where you can have peace in the midst of the tribulations of this physical world, knowing for certain that “He who dwells in you has overcome this world”?

Jesus was fully human and fully divine – fully God. He could and did experience all the feelings and emotions of humankind, but without sin. And still, He is fully God. And He – God – came to this world for you, to show you the way to an abundant and an eternal life, in heaven with God. Just imagine:

Revelation 22:1, And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Jesus), verse 2, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Verse 3. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; verse 4, they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Verse 5. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them; and they will reign forever and ever. And Jesus is the only way and the only One Who is able to keep this promise and to lead us to safety.

The Bible gives us examples of how God may come to us in the most unlikely of places at the most unexpected times and yet speak to us in the most relatable of ways to bring us to the most amazing of all Truth.

How is it possible that you could experience such wonders? It is by faith.

You see, the Bible says that God is able to do all things and that He is sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent and that He has a divine purpose and plan. His plan to find you, bring you back to Himself and give you an eternal home with Him, through His Son, Jesus. (see Luke 19:10).

Let’s look at just one such example found in the book of John, chapter 4, verses 1 through 46.

John 4:1, So then, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that He was making and baptizing more disciples than John, verse 2, (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing; rather, His disciples were), verse 3, He left Judea and went away again to Galilee.

(Commentary Break): This event or narrative of these verses is often repeated as a ‘story’ about Jesus and the woman at the well in order to observe and to muse about the historical religious significance of the site, insights of Jesus Words to this woman at the well. But little is said about the reason why Jesus followed the route he took, or why He stopped at the well, except that He was tired from His long journey. Let’s step back and look at the larger picture and consider that there is a ‘backstory’ or a larger mission.

It is all by design. There is nothing that humanly happens in this life that is not both divinely decreed and intersected by human free will. The possibilities, mathematically speaking, are humanly incalculable. The Bible says God is sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. As such, He is never anyplace at any time without a divine purpose and plan. God sees and knows each and every possibility and the outcomes all at once and “His Will is done, on this earth even as it is in heaven”.

Therefore, as it says in verse 1, “the Lord knew”, so He left Judea and went away again to Galilee; (on purpose and with a purpose). Why did He leave at this time? Was it because He knew that because His influence was surpassing that of John the Baptist the Pharisees had taken notice and this was not the time for a confrontation with the Pharisees? Perhaps. But there is a greater reason and cause at hand.

Please remember that Jesus is on earth – He, in fact, has been sent to earth by The Father – to do the will of His Father. Jesus has said in many ways and at many times that He is on a schedule, His time is valuable and is limited because He has a Mission to accomplish – “to seek and save the lost” and “I seek not my own will, but the will of my Father who sent Me”, and “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

So then, when the Lord knew (ginosko, from the Greek language, – a deep, complete, penetrating, intimate and perceptive knowledge), in the aorist tense – i.e., He knew beforehand, He knows presently and He will always know),

He left Judea (aphiēmi, from the Greek language,– left, abandoned, mission there was finished), in the aorist tense – i.e., He knew He would be leaving, He is certain the time had come, He would never doubt it), and He

 Went away (aperchomai – to depart in of an evanescent state of things – vanishing as a vapor, imperceptible),

 Again (palin – through the idea of oscillatory repetition; a renewal or repetition of the action).

 to Galilee (Galiloea – A circle of gentiles or ‘the heathen circle’, a region of Palestine).

Jesus was ‘invading’ the heart of ‘the heathen circle’. Let’s step back to Matthew 4:12-16 and see a broader view and that the importance of Galilee is that this is the place, when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; This happened so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled:

“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned.”

Genesis 1:1 tells us that God said “let there be light”; and the Words of God in Matthew 4:16 are no less significant, no less creative and no less prophetic that those from Genesis 1.

Then In Matthew 4 verse 17 we read, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 In Matthew 4:17, the Bible tells us, FIRST that “From that time” what time is this? This can be considered as one of the most important historical time markers in the Bible – it is a line of demarcation.

This is the point Jesus began His earthly ministry as commissioned by God the Father, and This is beginning of the invasion of earth by the kingdom of heaven! The greatest of all spiritual wars has begun!

 GOD is announcing that He has come back to reclaim what is His and those who are His! He is here to take His land and to take His kids back from the devil’s captivity – you and me and millions more like us.

 This event is a NEW dawn, a NEW beginning – no less fantastic that when in the beginning God said, “LET THERE BE LIGHT”, GOD is now saying “A GREAT LIGHT HAS DAWNED”.

 And like we often recite from the “Lord’s Prayer”, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”, Jesus is saying that time is at hand!

 (Now let’s return to John chapter 4).

Verse 4. And He had to pass through Samaria.

(Commentary Break):

And He had to pass through Samaria (dei, from the Greek language – is saying it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper).

At first glance it might see that the only pathway from Judea to Galilee was through Samaria. But that is not what this is saying. It is saying that this

1. Was an ongoing necessity which was lying in the nature of the case.
2. Was a necessity brought which was on by circumstances or by the conduct of others toward us.
3. Was a necessity which was in reference to what is required to attain some end.
4. Was a necessity which was of law and command, of duty, equity.
5. Was a necessity established by the counsel and decree of God, especially by that purpose of his which relates to the salvation of men by the intervention of Christ and which is disclosed in the Old Testament prophecies.
6. Represents continual or repeated action. Where the present tense might indicate “He kept on passing through,”  (End Commentary Break).

Verse 5. So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph;

(Commentary Break): For commentary on verse five please see BibleHub.com). (End Commentary Break).

verse 6, and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, tired from His journey, was just sitting by the well. It was about the sixth hour (12:00 o’clock noon time).

(Commentary Break): For commentary on verse six please see BibleHub.com). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 7. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”

(Commentary Break): This is not a metaphor nor is it just a story. It is an account of an actual event. However, there is a purpose, a lesson, a teaching and an eternal Truth to be gained from this encounter.

First, let’s consider that The woman of Samaria is “every man and every woman” – the nature of this woman is you and me. Secondly, we can see ourselves in the lives, thoughts and behaviors of Jesus’ disciples as we hurry about tending to our own physical needs. Finally, Jesus’ words and actions are the Words and Actions of God and are the model for every Christian and disciple of Jesus as we are the appointed representatives and ambassadors of Christ.

As the “Samaritan woman”, we all will come to “draw water” (to slack or to satisfy our physical, mental, emotional or spiritual thirst or to thereby nourish ourself) at one time or another. (As a footnote, in this case, although it was sociologically normal for a man to make demands of a woman, it was not acceptable for a Jewish man to condescend to speak to a Samaritan, and especially to a Samaritan woman. They were at least to be ignored. How often are these social or psychological standards imposed on us, today, but in a sense of feeling worthy or of feeling unworthy?  (For a more detailed commentary of verse 7, please seeBibleHub.com). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 8. For His disciples had gone away to the city to buy food.

Verse 9. So the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, though You are a Jew, are asking me for a drink, though I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Verse 10. Jesus replied to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and Who it is who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” Verse 11. She said to Him, “Sir, You have no bucket and the well is deep; where then do You get this living water? Verse 12. You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well and drank of it himself, and his sons and his cattle?” Verse 13. Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again; verse 14, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.”

(Commentary Break): The stage is set. The conversation has begun. First, Jesus goes straight to the point by explaining, “If you knew the gift of God, and Who it is who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

 Jesus is thinking in His heavenly ‘spiritual language’, so-to-speak, as He translates into the human language of this Samaritan woman. (This is done because, as Isaiah 55:8-11 tells us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it produce and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.”).

The gift of God – dórea – a gift, freely given and hence not acquired by merit or “entitlement” expresses a brand of giving that highlights the beneficent desire of the giver. This “gift of God” refers to the salvation and eternal life offered through Jesus Christ. This phrase emphasizes the grace and generosity of God, who offers salvation freely to those who believe. It echoes Ephesians 2:8-9, which speaks of salvation as a gift from God, not a result of works. The concept of God’s gift is central to the Gospel message, underscoring the unmerited favor bestowed upon humanity.

Who it is – Only God could offer a Gift of God. Jesus is identifying Himself as God. He is God with us, Immanuel.

 Living Water – This is the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the believer’s life. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11), and regenerates those who believe in Christ, making them new creations (John 3:5-6; Titus 3:5). The Spirit sanctifies believers, helping them grow in holiness and conform to the image of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2).

Jesus is telling this woman, as He is telling each one of us who are confronted by Him, “If you knew the gift of God, and Who it is who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is the evidence and the proof that one is saved – SOZO, (sode’-zo) – in the Bible, means to be rescued from destruction and brought into divine safety”. To deliver or protect— (From Strong’s Bible Concordance).

SAVED:  To be made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole (complete with purpose). Delivered from the evil one and from the coming Messianic Judgment of God – NOW and for all of eternity,

Made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole In your body. In your mind. In your soul and spirit.

Made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole In your home. With your family, your children, your spouse and relatives. In your work. With your friends. In every aspect of your life.

Made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole even in times of distress, tribulation, trials, sickness, poverty and chaos. You are made to prosper even as your soul prospers!

(This is not a magic formula or a spell. It is the Word of God through your faithful, submissive obedience in following Jesus.

This is the Good News that God gave John to proclaim.

This is the Good News and the reason God sent us His Son. Jesus.

This is the Good News that Jesus proclaims to the world, then and now. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 15. The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water so that I will not be thirsty, nor come all the way here to draw water.”

Commentary Break): And still, this woman only understands from an earthly and unregenerate perspective of a lost soul. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 16. He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” Verse 17. The woman answered and said to Him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; verse 18, for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this which you have said is true.” Verse 19. The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.

(Commentary Break): Jesus uses the common and what is thought to be hidden to open the eyes of her mind and to bring this woman to the Truth. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 20. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and yet you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one must worship.” Verse 21. Jesus said to her, “Believe Me, woman, that a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. Verse 22. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. Verse 23. But a time is coming, and even now has arrived, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. Verse 24. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Verse 25. The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Verse 26. Jesus said to her, “I am He, the One speaking to you.”

(Commentary Break): Please use these links For a full commentary on verse 20, verse 21, verse 22. Verse 23 through verse 26 gives us one of the most profound and amazing statements found in the Bible. Jesus has clearly announced to humanity that He is the One – the prophesied Messiah, the promised King of Israel and of the Savior of the world. “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Verse 26. Jesus said to her, “I am He, the One speaking to you.” (End Commentary Break).

Jesus is still speaking to us, today. Representative of each time that “Jesus began to preach and say”,  Matthew 4:17 tells us that the word used there, from the Greek language, is ‘kerusso’. This is NOT a casual statement nor is it just a narration. It is a word of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; something which has been done, first in the Spiritual realm and to be manifest in the natural.  It is not a general statement nor is it a request.  It is PROPHETIC command. Kerusso!

Next, let’s notice that Jesus says “Repent”. What is often overlooked but should be  glaringly obvious is that Jesus does not tell us WHAT to repent from. We typically assume we are to repent of our sins. But that is not what He actually says. He simply says, “Repent”.

But REPENT from what?

“Repent, (‘metanoeo’), from the Greek, means to change one’s mind – to change one’s mind for the better.

And if it is that we are to REPENT of our sins, it is just as important to know that the word Sin, from the Greek word ‘hamartia’ – literally means to be without a share in; to miss the mark. To miss the mark both of  all that God has intended for your life and all that He has for you now, and for all of eternity.

It is commonly accepted that Jesus meant that we are to heartily amend, with abhorrence of our past sins. And it can mean that and it DOES mean that. BUT IT MEANS SO MUCH MORE.

So, when Jesus says to REPENT, the overall meaning, the connotation of this word it to CHANGE AND CONDITION YOUR MIND TO THINK LIKE JESUS, TO SEE THINGS FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE AND TO RESPOND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCE AND SITUATIONS OF LIFE AND DEATH AS JESUS DOES.

This requires a radical redefining or our understand. It demands that we turn our minds to what Jesus says and what He means – even if it makes us uncomfortable.

Jesus is saying that REPENTANCE is a radical reformation and shift in our paradigms. It is a change in our attitudes, and of our mindset, our will and emotions from how we naturally see things to HOW JESUS SEES THINGS. It is a change in the all the choices we make in life so WE CAN SEE THEM AS JESUS SEES THEM.

 Jesus is saying we must change how see or view and deal with our relationships with others, our families, marriage, and even our disputes. How we react to being wronged, how we give of ourselves, of our time of our resources. How we view work, money, wealth, and anxiety. How we view our community, our country and the world and how we view the lost – from how we see them to HOW HE SEES THEM. We must see the world around us and what Jesus is commanding of us AS HE SEES IT.  THAT IS TRUE AND COMPLETE REPENTANCE.

 We begin to see that the Words of Jesus are life giving words. They protect us, they guide and direct us. They strengthen us and provide us with purpose and hope.

And finally, in this verse, Jesus says, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand (The words ” the Kingdom of Heaven” are so descriptive that you must take the definition of each word and consider the impact and importance. 

 The Kingdom of God is now at hand, describes the long awaited arrival of the Messiah who is now to establish His Kingdom on earth. As the “Lord’s Prayer” even says, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.  A Kingdom of forgiveness, of grace, mercy, justice and eternal salvation.  A Kingdom conquering death, disease, sin and darkness.

 His Kingdom is a royal power, a kingship, dominion, rule and the right or authority to rule over a kingdom; the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah and the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.” This is our calling and our role as Christians, Disciples of Jesus,

And finally, the phrase, the kingdom is now “At hand.”  (“At hand” comes from a Greek word of with a meaning like the ‘crook of your arm’ and with the action like a mounting wave which has the power to knock you off your feet and roll you over and over; indicating a distance which is as close as your hand is to your wrist, AND as Luke 17:21 puts it, “the kingdom of God is now within you”. Romans 10:8 ALSO tells us, that “THE WORD (OF GOD) IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”.

Jesus is saying, today, we are to “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is now at hand”. (End Commentary Break).

John 4:27, And at this point His disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, “What are You seeking?” or, “Why are You speaking with her?” Verse 28. So the woman left her waterpot and went into the city, and said to the people, Verse 29. “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is He?” Verse 30. They left the city and were coming to Him.

(Commentary Break): Look and see: you are at various times do the works of Jesus; at other times you are the woman; still at other times you are the people in the city. At all times, as it says in verse 30, we are to be coming to Him. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 31. Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat something.” Verse 32. But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” Verse 33. So the disciples were saying to one another, “No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?” Verse 34. Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.

(Commentary Break): What are you looking for? Do you have natural eyes or spiritual eyes? You will only see that of which you seek. The disciples were thinking of earthly matters and that is all they could see – Jesus is speaking of heavenly matters. Let’s pray that God enlightens the eyes of our hearts. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 35. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields, that they are white for harvest. Verse 36. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that the one who sows and the one who reaps may rejoice together. Verse 37. For in this case the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ Verse 38. I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have come into their labor.”

(Commentary Break): “Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that the one who sows and the one who reaps may rejoice together.” These “wages” refer to the spiritual rewards and fulfillment that come from participating in God’s work. This echoes the principle found in 1 Corinthians 3:8, where Paul speaks of each worker receiving their reward according to their labor. The imagery of reaping suggests a time of joy and completion, as seen in the agricultural practices of the time, where harvest was a season of celebration.

The Samaritans

Verse 39. Now from that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” Verse 40. So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. Verse 41. Many more believed because of His word; verse 42, and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One truly is the Savior of the world.”

And so by these and even greater works the world came to know Jesus. No flashing lights, no stage smoke, no twanging of guitars or banging of symbols. No singers jumping up and down to the rhythmic beat of passions drums. And encounter with the Living Word of Truth.

Let’s let this be a lesson to us – indeed.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

Two Views of History – The Past and Present – The Past, Present and the Future.

There are only two credible views of human history and only one view of our destiny.

Science gives us the lens of archeology, geology and biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, mathematics and logic which looks back in time. The Bible gives us the root of scientific discoveries, their outcomes and the origins and root of the body, the mind, will, emotions and of the soul or spirit of mankind. In other words, science is restating what the Bible has already proclaimed, instructed, created, and caused, but it is unable to see what is coming (i.e., what has been prophesied by the Bible). Science speaks in the vulgar language of humanity. The Bible is the Harmonics of God throughout creation. It is the very Breath of a Holy, Good and Perfect God.

If you want to know where we have been as a human race, both science and the Bible give a perspective into history. One, being science, is a theoretical look back by way of ancient evidential ruins, and the other, being the Bible, retraces our steps by way of an emphasis on the causes, purposes, plans and methods derived the Spirit of God, imparted to our physical abilities, cognitive skills, our psyche and the core of our being also called our spirit.

Science relies on the wit and skills of mankind. The Bible (i.e., God) relies on the unseen Spirit of God and the kingdom of heaven, which tells of what was, what is and what forevermore shall be.

Science is both empirical and theoretical and mankind is fallible and prone to self-destruction by way of scientific advances.

God and the Bible are eternal and lead to abundant and eternal life.

Science attempts to tell when, what, where and why of the past and present.

The Bible tells when, what, where and why of the past and present with a promise of a future and the only way to get there.

People have tried to accuse religion as the cause of most wars. That is an arrogant deflection from the failures of humankind. The cause of most wars is mankind using religion as their excuse for wars.

Christianity clearly teaches and promotes peace among humankind. Humankind subverts that teaching and promotes tyranny and authoritarians rule for all humankind.

God Created

Mankind Fell

 

God Expelled,

Mankind Rebelled .

 

God Expunged, Cleansed, Restored,

Mankind Exalted himself.

 

God Scattered,

Mankind Gathered again.

 

God showed the way,

Mankind strayed from the way.

 

God sent a savior to show the way,

Mankind killed The Hope.

 

God showed mercy and restored hope by raising Jesus from the grave,

Most all of humankind is slapping away the extended merciful Hand of God.

 

God is Gathering once again,

Most of mankind is scattering.

 

God is Calling,

The rage of mankind is deafening and is muting His Voice.

 

God is at the doorstep,

Most of mankind would lock that door.

 

Revelation 3:8, ‘I know your deeds – (those things you have done and these things you are doing). Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have little power,

Revelation 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Verse 21 The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne. Verse 22. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Revelation 4:1, After these things I look, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.”

Dear Friend,

We are at the precipice. Open your spiritual ears and eyes and hear and see. God has given us instruction over the epochs of time and some have heard His Word and given us that Word. We have (clumsily) acted on His instructions. Our methods and form has changed as time has gone by, and we have strayed once again. We are now at the breaking point – the precipice. God said He was sorry He had created humankind and destroyed all but a remnant.

He has said that, as this cycle repeats and “mankind continually does evil”, He will once again call out a remnant, and He will once again destroy this world, but this time a fervent heat will consume the heavens and the earth.

Then He will provide us who remain, a new heaven and a new earth, and we will live with Him, and He will dwell among us for all eternity.

The time between then and now there is coming a Great Tribulation, an apocalypse, such as the world has never seen and will never see again. That time is at hand.

 

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  A Timeline from The Beginning to The End

THEN: A World History timeline converged and compared with a Biblical Historical Timeline

FINALLY:  The Journey to Perfection

https://songer.co/song/lyz3irt4zczcs68hxx7dre16

 

“Should a Christian defend themselves against verbal harassment or violent attacks?”

The TOP Line

At the top of all this, there have been church bombings, burnings, violent attacks on the people of the church. And as of this date, January 22, 2026, we only need to look to New York City or Saint Paul Minnesota to see the aggressive, often illegal and oppressive tactics being used by Leftists (Marxists). We can also see an example of how one church is responding to this harassment.

If we depend solely on our own strength and wit to engage these harassments and attacks, we will fail. You see, scriptures instruct us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore, we are to take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints.

I asked Chaptgpt, “Should a Christian defend themselves against verbal harassment or violent attacks?” and it began by saying, Christians have wrestled with this question from the earliest days of the faith. The Bible gives principles, not a single one-line rule, and those principles need to be held together.

But first, MY RESPONSE (in red and black text):

I am all but certain that my response will evoke a myriad of responses, but I both agree and disagree with the Chatgpt answer to this question (see below).

I believe all that is said (by Chatgpt, below) is correct with one exception, and that one exception is the bedrock of the argument or discussion.

The one exception is that Jesus came to earth and was on the specific Mission give Him by the Father, and He could not and would not waste His time physically engaging His enemies and detractors. His Mission was to save sinners by revealing God, offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin, and accomplishing redemption—according to God’s predetermined plan.

Jesus and His disciples and those disciples that followed, faced the most severe persecutions, harassments, murders, and beatings. They were, at times, hunted down, viciously attacked, cut to pieces, stoned, burned to death and crucified on crosses. Sometimes they fled and hid but they stay true to Jesus’ Mission, even in the face of these perils. We are to do no less.

(CHATGPT response is in this color text –  my comments are in black or red text):

In TheMiddle

From the middle ages until this postmodern age, here are the core components of His mission, stated in Jesus’ own words and in apostolic teaching.

1. To Do the Father’s Will (Perfect Obedience

Jesus repeatedly defined His mission as obedience to the Father:

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
— John 6:38

This obedience included His life, suffering, death, and resurrection (Philippians 2:8).

2. To Reveal the Father

Jesus’ mission included making God known:

“He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
— John 14:9

“No one has ever seen God; the only begotten Son… He has made Him known.”
— John 1:18

Jesus reveals God’s character, truth, holiness, love, and redemptive purpose.

3. To Proclaim the Kingdom of God

Jesus announced the arrival of God’s kingdom:

“I must preach the kingdom of God… for this purpose I have been sent.”
— Luke 4:43

This proclamation included repentance, forgiveness, and the future fulfillment of the kingdom (especially relevant in a premillennial framework).

4. To Seek and Save the Lost

Jesus explicitly stated His redemptive mission:

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
— Luke 19:10

This frames His ministry as a rescue mission for sinners.

5. To Give His Life as a Ransom

Central to His mission was His sacrificial death:

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
— Mark 10:45

“This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.”
— Matthew 26:28

This fulfills Isaiah 53 and the entire sacrificial system.

6. To Fulfill the Law and the Prophets

Jesus’ mission was not to abolish Scripture but to complete it:

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
— Matthew 5:17

Every aspect of His life aligns with God’s redemptive promises. 

7. To Secure Eternal Life for Those Given Him by the Father

Jesus links His mission to a specific people given by the Father:

“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”
— John 6:39–40

This includes resurrection and eternal life.

8. To Destroy the Works of the Devil

His mission had cosmic implications:

“The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”
— 1 John 3:8

This includes victory over sin, death, and Satan—fully realized at His Second Coming.

(One-Sentence Biblical Summary):

Jesus was sent by the Father to do His will by revealing God, proclaiming the kingdom, offering Himself as a ransom for sinners, fulfilling Scripture, securing eternal life for His people, and ultimately defeating sin, death, and Satan.

(CHATGPT response is in this color text –  my comments are in black or red text):

(1). Although this is still the method and the practices we, as Christians, are to employ in the Great Commission, today, we are not under the time constraints that Jesus was under (His coming and timely crucifixion, resurrection and ascension).

(2). This matter is far from settled. Even the early reformers changed their view over time:

When Christianity became legalized and later dominant, the question changed:

What should Christians do when they are responsible for protecting others?

2. Augustine’s contribution

The Bible had not changed but …

Augustine introduced the Just War framework, arguing:

• Violence can be morally permissible to restrain evil
• Motivation matters: love of neighbor, not hatred of enemies
• Governments bear the sword legitimately (Romans 13)

For Augustine:

• Personal revenge is forbidden
• Protective force may be necessary to preserve life

This marked a shift:

• From martyr church → shepherd society

3. Again the Bible had not changed, but The Reformers (16th century): Two Kingdoms & vocation

Martin Luther

Luther taught the Two Kingdoms doctrine:

• The spiritual kingdom (church): governed by the gospel
• The civil kingdom (state): governed by law and sword

Implications:

• As private individuals, Christians should endure wrongs
• As magistrates, soldiers, or heads of households, Christians may use force to protect others

Luther saw Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as:

• Governing personal ethics
• Not abolishing civil responsibility

John Calvin

Calvin emphasized:

• God ordains civil authority to restrain evil
• Self-defense is lawful when life is threatened
• Vigilante justice is forbidden

Calvin rejected pacifism as:

• Unrealistic in a fallen world
• Potentially enabling injustice

4. The Bible had not changed but Modern Evangelicals: Qualified self-defense

Most modern evangelicals hold:

• Verbal persecution → endure patiently
• Physical violence → self-defense permitted, sometimes required

Typical reasoning:

• Human life bears God’s image (Genesis 9:6)
• Jesus forbade retaliation, not protection
• Loving your neighbor includes stopping harm

Many evangelicals distinguish:

• Persecution for Christ (may involve suffering)
• Criminal violence (may be resisted)

And finally, although the Bible had not changed but some subgroups:

• Anabaptists / Mennonites – continue early church pacifism
• Reformed / Baptist / Pentecostal – defensive force allowed
• Christian self-defense advocates – emphasize stewardship of life

1. Verbal harassment: generally endure, respond wisely, or disengage

Scripture consistently encourages restraint in the face of insults:

• Jesus: “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39).
• Peter: “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return” (1 Peter 2:23).
• Paul: “Bless those who persecute you” (Romans 12:14).

This doesn’t mean Christians must be silent doormats. The Bible allows:

• Calm defense or correction (Acts 23:1–5; Jesus answering accusations)
• Setting boundaries (Proverbs 22:3)
• Walking away when words become destructive (Titus 3:10)

Key idea:
Verbal harassment is best met with patience, wisdom, and self-control—not retaliation.

2. Violent attacks: self-defense can be morally permissible

The Bible does not command passivity in the face of physical harm.

Biblical support for self-defense

• Exodus 22:2–3 allows defending against a violent intruder.
• Nehemiah 4:16–18 shows God’s people armed to protect themselves while doing His work.
• Luke 22:36 — Jesus acknowledges the reality of personal danger (though He forbids using violence to advance God’s kingdom).

The consistent biblical pattern:

• Preserving life is good
• Stopping violence is not the same as seeking revenge

3. What Christians must not do

Even when self-defense is justified, Scripture sets limits:

• No revenge (Romans 12:19)
• No hatred or cruelty (Matthew 5:44)
• No violence to advance the gospel (John 18:36)

Self-defense should be:

• Proportionate (only what is necessary)
• Protective, not retaliatory
• Last-resort, not first instinct

4. Jesus as the model

Jesus:

• Endured insults willingly
• Avoided unnecessary danger at times (Luke 4:30)
• Forbade violence to fulfill God’s redemptive plan
• Yet affirmed the value of life and responsibility

Christians are called to imitate Christ’s heart, not necessarily repeat every circumstance of His suffering (He died uniquely as the atoning sacrifice).

A balanced Christian conclusion

• Verbal harassment → endure, respond wisely, disengage when necessary
• Violent attack → defending oneself or others can be morally legitimate
• Always → act without hatred, vengeance, or pride

As Paul says:

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18)

How different Christian traditions (early church, Reformers, modern evangelicals) have answered this—or how this fits within Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount:

Below is a historical-theological overview showing how major Christian traditions have handled self-defense, persecution, and Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, followed by a synthesis.

1. The Early Church (1st–3rd centuries): Radical non-retaliation

Historical context

Early Christians:

• Had no political power
• Were a persecuted minority
• Often faced imprisonment, beatings, and martyrdom

This context deeply shaped their ethics.

Core position

Most early church fathers emphasized:

• Enduring persecution
• Refusing violence
• Imitating Christ’s suffering

Key voices:

• Tertullian: Christians should not retaliate or bear arms
• Origen: Jesus’ commands were literal and binding
• Justin Martyr: Christians had “exchanged swords for plowshares”

Why?

They interpreted Jesus’ words very literally, especially:

• “Do not resist the evil person” (Matt 5:39)
• “Love your enemies” (Matt 5:44)

Martyrdom was seen as:

• A witness to the gospel
• Participation in Christ’s suffering
• A victory, not a defeat

⚠️ Important nuance:

• This was not cowardice
• It was voluntary faithfulness, not inability to resist

2. Augustine & Just War (4th–5th centuries): Love-motivated restrains

5. The Sermon on the Mount: how it fits

“Turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39)

• Refers primarily to personal insult, not lethal threat
• A slap was a shame act, not attempted murder
• Jesus is addressing retaliation, not protection

“Do not resist an evil person”

The Greek implies:

• Do not resist with revenge or vengeance
• Not a blanket prohibition of all resistance

Jesus’ own behavior

• He did not seek violence
• He avoided danger when His time had not come (Luke 4:30)
• He rebuked Peter’s sword because it interfered with redemption—not because all defense is sinful

Jesus’ kingdom advances by:

• Sacrifice, not coercion
• Witness, not force

But this does not nullify:

• Civil justice
• Protection of the innocent
• Responsibility to preserve life

A synthesized Christian framework

Situation: Insults and verbal harassment. Christian Response – Endure, forgive. Harassment – disengage. Personal vengeance – forbidden. Violent attack – defense may be justified. Protection of others – often morally required. Gospel advancement – never by force.

The tension remains intentional:

• Christians are called to be cross-shaped
• Yet live responsibly in a fallen world

Final thought

The Sermon on the Mount shapes the heart posture of Christians:

• Mercy
• Humility
• Love one’s enemy.

Christian tradition then asks:

How do we live this out without abandoning justice, life, and responsibility?

That tension is not a flaw—it is the cost of following Christ in a broken world.

This question fits very naturally with your futurist, pre-millennial, pre-tribulation framework, because Scripture explicitly connects persecution, restraint, and testimony in the end times. I’ll walk through this carefully and biblically.

1. The end-times setting: persecution is expected, not accidental

Jesus repeatedly warned that the closer history moves toward its climax, the more intense persecution becomes:

• Matthew 24:9–10 – believers hated by all nations
• John 15:18–20 – the world treats disciples as it treated Christ
• 2 Timothy 3:12 – “all who desire to live godly… will be persecuted”

This reaches its peak during the Tribulation, when:

• Global political power turns openly hostile to Christ
• Religious coercion is enforced (Revelation 13)
• Faithfulness may cost livelihood—or life

This context shapes Christian response.

2. Pre-Tribulation Rapture: why restraint matters before and after

In a pre-trib view, the Church is removed before God’s wrath (1 Thess. 4:16–17; Rev. 3:10). However:

• Persecution exists before the rapture
• Tribulation saints (those saved after the rapture) still face intense pressure

Key principle:

Persecution is not something the Church is called to defeat—it is something we are called to endure faithfully.

3. Jesus’ end-times instructions: witness, not resistance

When Jesus spoke directly about end-times persecution, His guidance is striking:

“Do not resist” in testimony contexts

“When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak… for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit”
(Matthew 10:19–20)

“This will be your opportunity to bear witness”
(Luke 21:13)

Jesus frames persecution as:

• A platform for testimony
• Not a call to armed resistance

4. The Book of Revelation: two very different kinds of conflict
5. What believers do not do

Believers are never shown:

• Forming militias
• Overthrowing the Beast
• Taking up arms against Antichrist

Instead:

• They overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony” (Rev. 12:11)
• They are described as martyrs, not soldiers

1. Who fights in the end

• God fights (Rev. 19)
• Christ returns as Warrior-King
• Judgment belongs exclusively to Him

This is crucial:

Any attempt by believers to violently overthrow Antichrist would be a theological error, not faithfulness.

5. The Mark of the Beast: resistance vs faithfulness

Revelation 13 presents a stark choice:

• Compliance → temporary safety
• Refusal → persecution or death

How do saints respond?

• They refuse idolatry
• They accept consequences
• They do not fight back

“Here is the endurance and faith of the saints.”
(Revelation 13:10)

This is not weakness—it is eschatological obedience.

6. Self-defense vs martyrdom: the key distinction

Biblical distinction

Criminal violence –	Defense permitted
Religious persecution –	Endurance commended
Gospel coercion –	Refusal, not revolt
State-enforced idolatry –	Obedience to God, even unto death

End-times persecution is:

• Systemic
• Ideological
• Religious

Therefore:

• Violent resistance misunderstands the nature of the battle
• The battle is spiritual, not political (Eph. 6:12)

7. Why martyrdom has unique end-times significance

Revelation gives martyrs a special place:

• Revelation 6:9–11 – souls under the altar
• Revelation 20:4 – martyrs reign with Christ
• Revelation 14:12–13 – blessing for those who die in the Lord

Martyrdom is not:

• Sought recklessly
• Avoided at all costs

It is:

• Accepted when faithfulness demands it

8. What this means practically for believers today

Before the end intensifies

Christians should:

• Defend life lawfully
• Protect families responsibly
• Use wisdom and discretion

When persecution becomes explicit and religious

Christians should:

• Refuse compromise
• Speak truth calmly
• Accept suffering without vengeance
• Trust Christ to vindicate

The closer history moves toward Revelation 13–19, the less room there is for violent resistance, and the greater the call to faithful endurance.

9. The paradox of end-times victory

The Church appears defeated—

• imprisoned
• silenced
• killed

Yet Scripture says:

“They conquered him…” (Rev. 12:11)

How?

• Not by swords
• Not by revolutions
• But by faithfulness unto death

Final synthesis

In end-times persecution:

• Self-defense is not the primary calling
• Witness is
• Endurance is victory
• Christ alone brings judgment

Or simply:

The Church does not overthrow the Beast—Christ does.

 

THE BOTTOM LINE

Although the Bible has not changed in the Twenty-first century, there has been an unforeseen and unimaginable advance of technologies and the prophesied spread of global evil and hatreds. There are assaults by Global Marxist atheist, anti-Semitic and anti-Christian ideologies which are becoming more violent and deadly, and are being justified by its perpetrators. They are able to utilize new technologies to assault their perceived enemies physically, electronically (media and social media), financially (passing laws and using electronic means to track, monitor and oppress).

So perhaps it is time for another “adjustment” to the view of the early Church leaders and reformers when asked,

“Should a Christian defend themselves against verbal harassment or violent attacks” or as when Christianity became legalized and later dominant, the question changed to, “What should Christians do when they are responsible for protecting others?”

(1). We are still to follow the teachings and example of Jesus: Preach and live the Gospel.

(2). We are still responsible to complete the work the He began and commanded (The Great Commission).

(3). Consider adding the framework of the earliest “church model”, the Wilderness Tabernacle.

(4). We may protect ourselves, using only the defensive means necessary to preserve life.

(5). Arrange and keep ourselves in a defensive mode. (obstruct, resist and flee when necessary).

(6). Call on civil authorities for defensive and offensive measures.

(7). Expect some will be martyred.

I think the point is made. However it is often easier to analyze and speculate than to apply principles in a difficult situation. So I will close with these two final remarks:

*“It is not easy to be a Christian, that is, to actually follow Jesus, His model, His teachings and commandments – it is simply impossible. That is, it is impossible unless you are truly His disciple, then it is He who is doing these things through you.”

*“Being a disciple of  Jesus means that you are just dying to follow Him.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

This Episode will bring us up-to-date (through the year 2022), and the daily news (in 2026) tells the rest of the visible story.

The groundwork has been laid for a coming global conflict of unimaginable terror and destruction. The earth is groaning and something new and terrible is about to be birthed. I will reveal the source of this “last days” apocalypse and what we can expect to happen, in the next episode.

The sides and factions of the ideological global war are established, and it would appear there are several. Some in opposition, others in an alliance. China (Chinese Communism), Russia (global ambitions), Iran (Islamic Jihad) and the United States.

But appearances can be deceiving. The greatest of all prophecies says otherwise and gives us a clear and precise description of the parties involved and the driving force behind each one. There will be only two dominant forces in opposition with a myriad of allies and accomplices and only two driving forces (which I will reveal in a coming episode).

But first, as I stated, in the last Episode, that I would address each stated goal of the U.N. initiated and U.N. controlled Marxist-Globalist Agenda 2030 and uncover their actual goals, methods and results. Because Agenda 2030 Goal #3 is so broad and includes all the goals, I am doing a panorama of all 17 goals and will point out the REAL OBJECTIVE and METHODS of each goal. (You can click on photos to see the webpage source).

Goal #3 – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

There is a social and political war raging in America between ‘Conservatism’ and the ‘Radical Left’, and it is for the life or death of America.

Better said, the war is between Capitalism and Marxism, Democracy, (in the case of America, a Constitutional Republic) and Marxist-Communism, prosperity and severe lack and poverty; between slavery and freedom, between Christianity and Atheism.

The Leftists and Marxist have a well-defined game plan and a simplified strategy, while the Right has a confused defense and no effective game plan. It seems the Conservatives, Christians and most Republicans are furiously fighting the myriad brush fires being ignited by the Leftists, while ignoring the source – or should I say, ignorant of the source.

If you don’t stop the problem at its source, you will always fight the endless brush fires, until you tire and collapse.

What is ‘The Source’? Liken ‘the source’ to flying a kite. You can know all about the materials of the kite, the construction of the kite and the kite’s aerodynamics.  But, until you know what is DRIVING the kite, you will always deal with the failure of an earth born kite or kite tangled in trees or high electrical wires.

‘The Source’ of the kite is the wind.  It is the wind that drives a kite.

It is a combination of the Socialist-Communist-Marxist hatred, resentment and envy of Western prosperity and values, greed and the dream of a Communist Utopia, (which is the absence of the latter), that drives the political and social war in America and around the world.

COMMUNIST UTOPIA:  A place of ideal perfection, especially in laws, government, and social conditions.

Adherents of Marxism, (into which I am lumping Socialism, Communism and all other variants of these ideologies) truly believe that they can achieve

1.  World Peace and the end of wars by eliminating gun ownership and by creating one global police force, a one world court system and a one world government. (Click on photos for website referenced).

2.  The end of hunger by controlling worldwide agriculture, food production and distribution, but scarcity is the result.

3.  Good health and well-being for all of earth’s inhabitants by way of the World Health Organization directing which medical practices are allowable, pharmaceuticals, medicine production and distribution; making unilateral decisions on abortions, assisted suicides and euthanasia (i.e., world population control).

(Life in Cuba)

4.  Quality Education through tightly controlled state sponsored education programs which teach or indoctrinate government policies and practices of Marxism.

(Life in Cuba)

5.  Gender Equality by promoting and protecting aberrant behavior and lifestyles which are counterproductive for social and psychological stability and population growth –  not to mention the destruction of women’s sports programs.

(Transgender Lia Thomas)

6.  Clean water and sanitation by rationing the availability of resources.

(Water pollution in China)

7.  Affordable clean energy by eliminating all fossil and nuclear fuels and through rationing.

(High wire electrical workers in China)

8.  Decent work and economic growth as determined by Elitist policymakers in the highest offices of a One World Government. (This is so ill-defined and subjective that no further comment is needed.)

(Labor conditions in China)

9.  Resilient Infrastructure.

(Venezuela’s weak infrastructure)

10. Reduced inequalities is another way of saying, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” is a slogan popularized by Karl Marx in his 1875 Critique of the Gotha Program. The principle refers to free access to and distribution of goods, capital and services according to Marxist Doctrine.

11. Sustainable cities and communities as defined by Marxism.

12. Responsible consumption and production as defined by Marxism.

13. Climate action by eliminating all fossil fuels and any production method with emissions of any kind. Funded through taxation and redistribution of wealth.

14. Cleaner oceans according to Marxist doctrine, which usually mean restricted use.

16. Peace and justice according to Marxist doctrine by strict dictatorial rules.

17. Partnerships for these goals – though a One World Government.

 

 

 

 

The U.N. and their surrogate-partnerships are simply a front for a One World Marxist-style Government. They have accomplished what they endeavored to do.  Agenda 2030 has publicly and brazenly stated they will have achieved all their objectives by the year 2030. They are ahead of schedule.

The ideological war is drawing to a close. The terror and suffering will soon begin. Get ready and stay ready!

(Since writing this article in 2022, President Donald Trump has changed the political landscape around the globe in an effort to counter the growing global Marxist and radical Islamic menaces. The dictator in Venezuela has been removed and hope given to her people. Cuba has been put on notice. The terrorist Islamic leadership in Iran is falling into shambles, Israel is exerting great influence and control around her borders, and the U.S. commitment to Israel is stronger than ever. This strengthening of the Western commitment to global democratic freedoms is encouraging but is also creating a global tension that many fear will erupt into a global conflagration).

Michael J Young

NEXT:  GLOBALISM AND THE NEXT TOWER OF BABEL – Episode 6.

PREVIOUS: MARXISM, AGENDA 2030, THE U.N., THE AMERICAN DEMOCRAT PARTY – Episode 5

A preview into what is coming – The Prophecies:

Daniel 12:1 says, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”

A visible look into the future:

Matthew 24:29 warns that, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Verse 30. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. Verse 31. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”

Matthew 24:21, tells us that, “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again. Verse 22. And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”

Additional Reading:

FOREIGN TO AND IGNORES IDEAS PRECIOUS TO THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

WHEN DO THESE FINAL 7 YEARS BEGIN?

 

THE ENTIRE WORD

Why do so many people, including pastors, bible teachers and even theologians read and teach the Bible’s instructions, prophecies, precepts and meaning without regard to the context of the entire Bible? It is as if they have myopia. The way they teach and preach the Bible, one might think they assume that God’s mind wanders from event to event, topic to topic and subject to subject. As I read various highly regarded Bible commentaries, it seems as if those authors might think that God had to change His mind from time to time in order to correct Himself.

Even those who preach or teach the Bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse often fail to connect their chosen verse with the overall context of “in the beginning” (Genesis 1:1) and “Yes, I am coming quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Isaiah 28:10 would explain this well and in the simplest of ways when it says, “For precept must be on precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little”.

Furthermore, God is not a God of disorder or confusion. Consider that God has said, “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14), the Pre-existent One. This reveals God’s self-existence, eternal presence, and unchanging nature. He is omniscient (all knowing at all time), omnipresent (everywhere, all the time) and omnipotent (all powerful). God never ‘has a thought’ or ‘changes His Mind’. He is and always has been and always will be.

So, when you read the Bible, from Genesis 1:1 (the beginning) through Revelation 22:20 (the end of all things old and the new beginning of all things new), make it your goal to discover the context of the entire Bible. For example, if you are to determine “if, when and how” God created all things, read the Book of Genesis (chapters 1 through 3, sort of like reading the topic sentence and paragraph of a well written book). Then, if you want to know why God created all things, read the last three chapters of the book of the Revelation. (Sort of like reading the epilogue or concluding sentences and paragraphs of that same well written book). Then it is fair to conclude that everything written between these two points supports the topic sentences and paragraphs and the concluding chapters.

This way, you will discover God’s Plan and His Purpose for all creation. And in that you will find His Methods and discover His Nature.

And, if by chance someone says that the Bible says that “God has a plan for your life” you will discover that God has both a universal plan (the same for everyone) and a personal plan (just for you). You will then find that you have a choice to make. You will either choose to follow Him and His Plan or you will reject Him, rebel and go your own way. Furthermore, you will either find peace and enter into an eternal rest with Him, or you will wander into an eternal torment without Him. Either way, you cannot make an informed decision in plans for this eventuality if you do not know the His Plan and The Way.

If this seems confusing, then let’s simplify this matter and get some assistance from Jesus. He has said, “I am The Truth and The Way and the Life. There is no other way to the Father except by Me.” In a colloquial vernacular, we might say, “Hey, folks. Over here! You are lost, and the path you are on leads to the destruction of your soul and an eternity in darkness and fire. Come and follow Me. I know the way out of this mess. I know the way out of your dilemma. I know the way to life. Come on. Follow Me – or you will perish.”

(Just as a footnote: from before time began, even before time existed, God exists. So for us to say that God had a plan is pathetically ignorant of God. God Is and always has been. God is the Plan, Purpose, The Way and The Method. It is the infinitesimally small and limited mind of mankind that needs to define, draw boundaries, analyze and explain God in order to gain some understanding. And even our pathetic attempt to define God is from a flawed human perspective. But we try and we fail. But we can take heart because God has said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” So by faith we fear God and gain wisdom and understanding.) (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 14:27, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 15:33, Psalm 19:9).

Finally, let me say that even from a secular point of view, science and scientists are just beginning to peer at things they admit they do not understand. They call this quantum physics. Strange and wonderful and often frightening things. But, when put in the context of the even stranger language of the Bible, it would appear that science is peering into the Eye and the Mind of God, so-to-speak. Just as it is written: “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HUMAN HEART, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? So also the thoughts of God no one knows, except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.(2 Corinthians 2:9-13). This phrase refers to the idea that the wonders and plans God has for those who love Him are beyond human understanding or imagination. It is often cited in the Bible, emphasizing the mystery and greatness of God’s promises.

Let’s trust Him. Take Him at His Entire Word and give your soul rest while we busy ourselves preparing for His return.

Glory!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

“What does it mean to get ready?”

This message, “A Race Worth Running” by pastor Trent Casto, Covenant Naples Church, Naples, Florida, is a message for all people – men, women, boys and girls.

But I title this post, “A MAN’S RACE” because if you are a man and feel like church is pretty much ‘feminized’, then this may be just right for you.

Jesus was a man. In fact, the Bible often refers to Him as the “Son of Man”. Jesus was, in the vernacular of the beloved, respected tough man’s man, John Wayne, “One tough Hombre”. He is the toughest of Hombres.

It’s time, we as men, stop “pussyfooting around” and re-take our responsible place as leaders and defenders, as Christian Men willing to do what it takes to love, serve and protect as Christ has done!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

JUST IMAGINE

You come to a particular church and decide it is the church you want to join. You go to the pastor and tell him your decision, and he says, “I am glad you want to join this church. Let me be clear about the main requirement for membership. You will have to surrender your eldest child (and if you do not have children, then you or your spouse) to a certain foreign legion military group for service, where the fatality rate is rumored to be near 100%.

Can you imagine your astonishment? You might think the pastor has lost his mind, is making a bad joke, or the church is some kind of cult? But he reassures you that is the main requirement.

Of course, this proposition is beyond ridiculous. No pastor or church would ever imagine or allow such a thing. But this is similar to what God has done for you.

But listen to this: God sent His son to seek and save and to die for the lost – you and me. And by that act, Jesus set the framework for the establishment of His Church. The main prerequisite was that God gave His only Son as a sacrifice. Our main requirement is to believe in faith that God gave His only son as a sacrifice for many, and that if we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.

Thankfully, the only sacrifice we have to make is putting our mortal flesh, our old life to death. But that is not an end, it is just the beginning of a new life, so we can live in and with Him forever!

So, why all these requirements of death in trade for life? There are three ways to view this. One is complicated and two are simplistic.

(1). The idea and practice of exchanging or sacrificing a life of one for the life of another – in other words, one must die so another can live, is this: Before there was a Law (the knowledge and boundaries of right and wrong) humankind was sinless. Then at some point they gained the knowledge of right and wrong, and they chose to do wrong and experience the pleasure and the pain of sin. (See the story of Adam, Eve, Satan and the apple of the fruit of knowledge). Then came death. First the death of animals so Adam and Eve could begin to clothe themselves. Then the son of Adam and Eve, Caine, killed his brother Able in a fit of jealous rage. And so sin progressed.

In the Jewish Law (Old Testament or the more accurately, the Torah) God established a law that said that lawlessness, rebellion and sin could be forgiven and the effects could be erased or mediated only if the sinner (the perpetrator) died or paid an equal price for his or her sin. This was supposed to relieve the anger and the pain and soothe the grieving conscience of the offended parties. But in the mind of the Jew, God needed to be satisfied and ameliorated also.  The Jew correctly believed that since God is perfectly sinless He cannot tolerate sin in His presence nor among His people. So, in order to satisfy God and the Law, someone had to die in order to keep the presence and peace of God with His people.

Therefore, this Law said that animals would be sacrificed each year so as to satisfy the unseen sins or lesser sins of the people in general. Additionally, the High Priest of Israel prayed over a goat (the “scapegoat”) designated to bear the sins of the people during the Yom Kippur ceremony, which occurred once a year. This ritual involved confessing the sins of the people over the goat before it was sent into the wilderness.

(2). God put an end to the endless, repetitive and largely ineffective sacrificial system with the sacrifice of His Son Jesus for all the sins of all humankind. The only difference being is that only those who confessed their sins and would confess Jesus as their risen Lord would be washed clean of their sins, forgiven and saved from a coming final judgment of the sinner.

Even for the Jew, it wasn’t until 70 CE when the Roman army destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem that sacrificial system ceased. The Temple was the only place where sacrifices were permitted according to Jewish law. Today, no Jewish community practices animal sacrifices. Instead, prayer and good deeds have taken the place of sacrifices in seeking forgiveness and drawing closer to God.

(3). On a more practical level, God created a conscience in all of us. Some may call this the heart or soul of a person (pseuche), where our emotions reside and from which they emanate. When we feel that we have been injured unjustly, treated unfairly or mistreated in any of hundreds of ways, it is built within us to want justice or for things to be made right. We want a sense of being made whole again, to be repaid physically, mentally and emotionally for any and all harms. Without things being put back into balance, we may very well carry a sense of a need to get even or to pay someone back (an eye for an eye) for what has happened to us. Or perhaps these emotions stem from anger, greed, vengeance or selfishness or dozens of other responses. In any case, and as strange as it may sound, they can and do lead to sexual immorality and addictions, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, murders, wars unless they are satisfied or recast in the mind of the beholder.

Can you see it? Do you get it? Any kind of betrayal, disappointment, failure, or harm must be put right in the heart and mind of any individual. Without that, we cannot live a productive, useful, satisfying and healthy life. This is simply how we are made – as a faint copy of the image of God.

God has made a way, if you are willing. God sent His Son, Jesus to speak directly to you, that is to your mind, heart, soul and spirit. The very mind, heart, soul and spirit He created and put within you. He is saying your sins – all of them, no matter what you have done – can be forgiven you, and you can be made whole, safe, healthy and well with a new start in a new life with Him. He was sacrificed on your behalf. He repaid the debt that you owed God. The same debt you may have felt you were also owed. But you must first step away from the tangled mess of the power, pleasure and pain of sin that has entrapped and enraged you for so long.

You can now be set free to live, maybe for the first time. Leave all that behind and God will satisfy your need for revenge. Believe me when I say that He will repay the vilest of offenders. (And if you could see it, you would wish you had not seen it. You would feel compassion on them for the severity of their punishment if they do not also repent of their great offenses).

Just like Adam and Eve, we all have been deceived at one time or another. It isn’t our fault! But now that it is done, it is our responsibility to turn to God and make things right once again. It is our responsibility to accept the balance that God brings. It is our right and our responsibility to become whole, safe, healthy and well at last.

In the simplest of terms, just turn to Jesus, right now, and ask Him to show you the way. Give Him your past and accept His future for you.

Just remember that you cannot bring your past with you. You cannot pass through that “eye of the needle” with the baggage and burdens of the past. You just will not fit through the “narrow gate” with all the additional baggage and weight of the past.

There is only and just enough room for you, empty-handed, unburdened and free.

Come now.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

CALL ME RELIGIOUS IF YOU MUST

BUT MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR – IN JESUS NAME

But I say, (if you) walk by the Spirit (that is according to the characteristics and leading of the Holy Spirit of the Lord God of the Bible, on this Christmas and New Year, then) you will not carry out the desire of the flesh, (which are hedonistic, self-serving and destructive to a healthy, self-controlled, moral, purposeful, useful, and giving way of life). The reason being is that the desire(s) of the flesh (the self-centered, self-destructive, hedonistic ways work) against the (desires of the) Spirit (of God which are life giving and life preserving), and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another. (The two work are in conflict with one another, holding you captive and chronically indecisive. Thereby keeping) you from doing whatever you want.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under (a set of manmade religious Laws).

Now the deeds, (the proclivities and urges) of the flesh are (self) evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Examples of this kind of person might be Adolf Hitler, Karl Marx, Joseph Stalin or Pot Pol – all of whom created chaos, poverty, wars and led hundreds of millions to their death.)

But the fruit, or the outcome of the (indwelling) Spirit (of the Lord God), that is for those who live according to the Spirit, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no (set of manmade laws that can be imposed upon you lead you or cause you to live in the misery of a failed life). (Examples of these kinds of people are Jesus Christ, Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Billy Graham).

Now, ( here is “The Way” or the secret for) those who belong to Christ Jesus, (that is those who submit themselves to His teachings and following His ways by calling Him Lord of their life: You) will have crucified the flesh (so-to-speak, that is they deny the hedonistic, selfish and destructive ways of living) along with its passions and desires (and turn your life Jesus, to His ways and His teachings).

FURTHERMORE

Here are 10 guarantying steps for a successful life – not as the world considers success – but true soul, mind, body and spiritual success – and the process for a better life for some and a greater life for others. This way you will prosper even as your soul prospers.

1. Rise up (from your current life, your current ways of thinking and living), and cross (your) “Jordan” (river – the dividing line between your selfish base desires and passions that only create poor life habits, self-serving behaviors, inane pleasures and spiritual fatigue). (Decide to go) into “the land” which (God) has given (those who will believe and follow Him. For those who will, then) every place the sole of your foot treads, He will (have given) to you. Just as God did for Moses. (Then), from the wilderness (and your misdirected hedonistic heart desires, reaching) as far as the “great river, the river Euphrates” (which is your new beginning of a prosperous, meaningful and successful life, throughout)  all the land of the Hittites, (that is all the low and terrifying places you have or will have encountered), and as far as the “Great Sea” (the new horizons of a new life) toward the setting of the sun (of your old life) will be your (conquered) territory. (You will overcome all these things, and), no one will be able to oppose you (in any of your efforts) all the days of your life. (Just as God has been with) Moses, (He) will be with you; He will not desert you nor abandon you. (You must decide to) be strong and courageous, for you shall (possess) all the land which God sworn to (the forefathers of Israel and their descendants and all those Christians to follow. He has given all this to) them. (Again, just) be strong and very courageous; (And) be (diligent) and careful to do according to all the (Words and Ways) which Moses, God’s servant commanded; do not turn from it to the right (- that is in your own strength) or to the left (- that is do not get wrapped up in your own ways or ways contrary to what God says, or your life will take on that form and failure), so that you may achieve success wherever you go. This Book of the Word of God shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, (and that way) you will be (able to be) careful to do according to all that is written in it; (It is) then (that) you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. (Now) God is commanding you – (do you hear) Me? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (see Joshua 1:1-9)
2. Always find a way to show love to others – even those who behave badly and do not deserve love – find a way.
3. Find the joy of life, especially in the face of troubles, so others see it and will reward you for it.
4. Learn to be at peace, practice being at peace and demonstrate peace, and you will be rewarded with peace from others.
5. Show patience to all people at all times and others will return the favor as you work toward your successes in life.
6. Be kind and show kindness, always. What you give, you will receive if you persevere in kindness.
7. Do good and give goodness to all people at all times and they will pour goodness into your lap until it runs over.
8. Be faithful and show others your faithfulness. Make good on your word. Make your yes, yes and your no, no and nothing more or less.
9. Be gentle and create an atmosphere of gentleness.
10. Exercise and show self-control so all these other things will have their effect on your life and on other, and then your successes will be great and very great. (see Galatians 5:16-24).

Now, let’s please pray for one another and make this Christmas day, today, all of 2026 and the rest of our lives the merriest of Christmases and Happy New Years!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

THE GREAT ESCAPE

The Great Escape was a true-to-life movie made in 1963 about the mass escape of 76 Allied airmen from a Nazi POW camp in March 1944. Allied officers in a German prisoner of war camp during World War 2 make a daring plan for a mass escape by hundreds of POWs, hoping to draw German personnel and resources away from combat operations. 200 were in on the planning, but only 76 escaped and of those, 50 were executed by the Nazis for their attempt. Three men actually made it to safety.

THE GREATER ESCAPE. God created the heavens and the earth and all its inhabitants. Lucifer, (also known as Satan) once an angel of light, rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven and condemned to Hell and became a destroyer of nations. His prideful evil work would continue as the prince of the air of earth. Through his armies of demons, he kills, destroying lives and steals all that is good.

There is an ongoing escape from this present age greater than the one depicted in the great escape of World War 2.

THE GREATER ESCAPE FROM: Ungodly stress, unnecessary poverty, demonic sicknesses, unreasonable fears, confounding doubts, wounding hate, bewildering and isolating divisions, soul tearing perversity, deadly deviancy, monstrosities of witchcraft, satanic evil, spirit killing drunkenness, murders and the like.

THE GREATEST ESCAPE TO: A peace that passes all understanding, a love that transcends reason, Joy that lifts you above all your troubles, a Kindness that sustains, a Goodness that gives, Patience that heals, long-suffering that sustains, Faith that brings hope, self-control that proves what is good and acceptable in those who are being tested.

THE ESCAPE ROUTE: Romans 10:9-10, Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

2 Timothy 2:19-26, The firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His; and, Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver implements, but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honor while others are for dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Break free and run! Run to Jesus. He has made a way and is waiting for you.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

 

“The 8.3”

One in Twelve

Salvation is an exacting matter. So, could there have been any significance to the fact that one of the twelve initial disciples of Jesus betrayed Jesus and was thereby condemned? Perhaps not, but I will coin a new term, “The Eight Point Three” as a new moniker for an old category.

1. The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and 
2. Andrew, his brother; and 
3. James the son of Zebedee, and 
4. John, his brother; 
5. Philip and 
6. Bartholomew (Nathanael); 
7. Thomas and 
8. Matthew the tax collector; 
9. James the son of Alphaeus (James the Less), and
10. Thaddaeus (Judas, son of James); 
11. Simon the Zealot, and 
12. Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him. 

Regarding Judas Iscariot, Jesus said, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him. (John 6:70-71)

The Traitor – a devil. Nothing is known about Judas’ background. His encounter and call by Jesus is not recorded in Scripture. He was not from Galilee, that much is known. He obviously became a follower and stayed with Jesus for three years. Judas gave Christ three years of his life, yet he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (see Matthew 26:15), and became an “8.3 percenter”.

The Calvinist and the Reformed believer and theologian (Baptist, Presbyterian), would most likely say that although Judas followed Jesus and seemed to be a ‘believer’ and was named, by Jesus, as His disciple, he was never truly saved. (see GotQuestions.Org). But others who hold an Armenian view (Methodists, Nazarenes, Wesleyans, General Baptists, Pentecostals), will say that he fell away or in a certain vernacular that “he lost his salvation”.

Certain scriptures, such as Hebrews 6:4-6, tells us that “It is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”

Others scripture verses, such as Ephesians 1:13-14, explains that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, ensuring their eternal security. And, Philippians 1:6 assures that God will complete the good work He began in believers.

Both views use scriptures to make their point, but the people making their point do so as humans attempting to decipher the true meaning of God’s Word from an anthropomorphic point of view, through human logic and human reasoning.

Jesus said that He would lose none of those Whom God has given Him. Yet on another occasion He said “Depart from Me, for I do not know you workers of lawlessness” speaking to those who follow Him, calling themselves Christian.

Let’s please step back and look at the full picture, trying to reconcile these two points of view on salvation.

The Bible implies that there is confusion from a human perspective of who is really saved versus those who only thinks they are saved. Or those who persevere in the belief they are saved versus those who lose their faith.

The Bible says there will be wheat, true Christian believers – true followers of Jesus, and tares, or false believers; these are the “8.3 Percenters” in the Church, and that we are to let Him sort them out – “First, at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into My barn.”  (see Matthew 13:24-30).

Now, factually, there are no ideas about an “8.3 Percenter” in the Bible. It is just made up to make a point. But in the case of Judas, it is true. He was chosen as disciple – One of Twelve who were chosen – he represented 8.3% of the total, and He was lost and condemned, although He followed and walked with Jesus. He became a sad statistic.

But for the believer reading this, please keep heart. God is not mocked. God knows every person’s attitude, intention belief and faith and holds you tight.

There are those who are believers and followers of Jesus whose faith is genuine, and they are truly saved (made safe, made well, made whole). This salvation given by God through faith in Jesus and His redemptive work, produces a salvation that delivers a person from sin and its consequences, allowing believers to attain eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. It encompasses both spiritual and physical aspects, emphasizing God’s grace and the transformative power of faith. And still, some of these believers will suffer physical and emotional scars or consequences of sin while living in their fleshly bodies and may begin to doubt is they are truly saved. Therefore, many of the believers live in fear and shame because of mental or emotional disabilities such as trauma induced afflictions or chronic habit or substance addictions. They live in a repeating cycle of sinful behavior and abuse – both in their thought life and in their actions.

I say to these believers, never give up. God knows your heart and your dilemma, and He is faithful. He will deliver you. But you must join Him and seek help as He directs you to overcome these adversities. It may be, and in fact it most likely will be a life-long battle of recovery or restoration, but it is “the one who endures to the end who will be saved.” God knows your heart. Continue to pursue God, pursue righteousness and pursue holiness. Whether Satan has afflicted you directly or you have stumbled into his trap, unaware, or if, God forbid, others have caused this affliction in your life, one day you will see victory. One day, you will be delivered from this torment, and you will be set free.

 TO OTHER BELIEVERS: Never cast a brother or sister aside. Pray for them. Encourage them. There may be times you need space from them, but continue in prayer and encouragement.

Listen, please. Here is a key:

Hebrews 6:4-6, tells us that “It is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt”, and they may seem to say you can inadvertently, helplessly or deliberately fall away from God’s saving work.

But in reality, these verses are literally speaking of a person who seems to be “a fully devoted follower of Christ”, but is in fact only ‘dabbling around the edges’, inspecting the idea of being saved and having faith. They take a‘taste’, of the heavenly gift here and there, and sample a momentary share in the Holy Spirit, but never make up their mind to made it their own. They continue to argue with themselves about the veracity of faith in Christ and the reality of being saved. Metaphorically, they ‘wrestle with their faith’ (the picture given from the Greek language in these verses is of a Greco-Roman wrestling match) until they grow tired of this “wrestling match”, and the argument throws them to the ground, and they are pinned to the mat in failure! And they are defeated. They are called out!

It could be said they had “lost their salvation” or that “they were never saved in the first place”. It matters very little how you say it, because either way, the end result is the same: They are eternally lost. God says this person is irrevocably lost. What a terror!

The lesson to be learned? Fully embrace the promises of God. Believe in faith. “Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (see Romans 10:8-10). Know this: the person who holds fast to the promises of Christ and perseveres, is saved. Even while you may struggle, God knows your heart and mind, and He will hold you tight in His Mighty and loving grip while He makes a way for you. Join God as He does His mighty work.

And finally, scriptures tell us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Never take anything simply for granted. Beware lest you become a statistic like the 8.3%.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

For the rest of the matter:  Separated from God?