SAVED- BY A BUILDING?

Saved – by a Building?



“John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” John 3:27.



“If you don’t go to Church, you’re not saved.” I heard that phrase from a man the other day, and I responded with “Going to Church doesn’t save you. We’re saved because Jesus died on a cross for our sins and that we believe that fact.” I said, “Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?” He answered “Yes I do”. So I said “That’s what God wants from us, to believe in His Son. To know who He is and what He did for us.” By faith through God’s grace we believe and are saved, and the building you call a church hasn’t a thing to do with that salvation.



I heard a story about a women who attended services in a Christian congregation for 40 years, and when she turned 70 she finally came forward during an alter call and gave her life to the Lord. She began attending that Church when she was 30 and for 40 years she heard to message after message, she was probably very active in potluck dinners and such, yet had never asked Jesus into her life. We’re not saved by going to Church. Jesus saves and it can happen anywhere.



We can attend a Christ centered Church and hear God’s word preached every Sunday, but until we make up our mind to say yes to Jesus Christ, going to Church just becomes a routine we follow. I attended a Church for a full year before a man in that congregation asked me some questions that jogged my brain into gear. The man asked me “If you died today, Ron, would you go to Heaven or Hell?” I only needed to ponder that question for a few seconds, as I knew I had not given my life to Christ. I had never admitted to being a sinner and I’d never asked Him to save me from my sins. So I answered “I would probably go to Hell.” I spent a year attending that Church, religiously sitting in the same pew that had become my seat for that year. In all that time I never really heard the message. I never really paid attention, and the question the man asked me that very special day never once came from the pulpit in that church. Church doesn’t save, Jesus saves.



I asked Jesus into my life the very day that man asked me the question that got through to my brain. I opened the door that Jesus was knocking on and He came in. But the amazing thing as I look back on that situation is that it took a year for that question to be presented to me. Why? All the born again believers in that Church just supposed I was listening, but they were wrong. Going to Church for a full year didn’t save me, but Jesus did.



You may hear a great message while sitting in a pew, but even that message won’t save you. It’s what you do with that message that brings about a brain shock, a Holy Spirit induced revelation that convinces the lost that they must make a decision for Christ, and they must make it soon. It can and does happen during a Sunday morning worship service, but make no mistake, only Jesus saves and it’s the Holy Spirit that reaches us for Christ, be it through a message at a local church or through a few words uttered by a friend on a street corner.



“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:15-16. The Apostle Paul attended synagogues for years, and he knew the Old Testament scriptures very well, but he was not saved until he met Jesus out on that lonely, dusty Damascus road. No church saved him.



I’ve also heard it said that simply to believe in Jesus Christ is not enough, although we’re told numerous times throughout God’s word that all we must do to be saved is to believe. The verse that is inevitably trotted out to confirm the misguided opinion that believing in and of itself is not enough is in the book of James. “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19. Its true there’s only one God, and that one God is Jesus the Christ. There is also only one devil which is Satan, but there are many seducing spirits that belong to Satan and they do tremble at even the thought of God.



The fact of the matter is these seducing spirits tremble because they know the truth. This confuses many especially when we are admonished over and over again throughout the New Testament that believing is what is necessary for salvation. The demons believe, but not by faith; they recognized Christ as Lord and as their future Judge. They are seducing spirits acting under Satan to deceive men. They know they are doomed to Hell because they can’t be saved. They know they have no chance of reconciliation with God. That’s why they tremble, they know their ultimate destination and they know time is their enemy.



Salvation only comes through faith in Jesus Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. Many people are convinced that they are saved simply by attending church. In all actuality, without ever asking Jesus Christ into their lives, they are as lost as the seducing spirits that follow Satan. How many have fallen for these words: “If you don’t go to church you’re not saved”? So, they go to church to prove their salvation, but have never accepted Christ. Where are those people spending eternity?





“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36. Man believes by faith that Jesus is who He says He is and that He died for our sins. We believe the scriptures; more simply stated we trust God. We have placed our faith in the fact that Jesus is the only way we can be saved. We hear the message of the cross (that message can come while sitting in a boat in the middle of a raging river, or standing on a street corner, or sitting in church) and by hearing that message we are then convicted in our spirit to believe. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17.



What was the response by the keeper of the prison where Paul and Silas were locked up once he realized none of his prisoners had escaped? He fell down before Paul and Silas and asked “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30. To which came the response. “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” Acts 16:31. To believe means we trust Him. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12.



Going to the right church, being baptized, doing good works of any kind, these are things we might do after we are born again, but they are not prerequisites for being saved. There are an untold amount of burdens being dumped on people by the uninformed or by those who have an agenda apart from God’s agenda. Thus there are doctrines made up by men which confuse and even bind those who wish only to follow Jesus Christ unabashedly.



Many people go to church for the wrong reasons, and most are seeking something but they don’t understand what. If a person is truly seeking God He’ll reveal Himself to them. In other words God isn’t hiding inside a big white building waiting to be discovered. Many folks, when they hit rock bottom and there is no place else to turn, finally end up asking God for help. All of a sudden it seems they need God’s help, but what they hadn’t realized previously is that God has been there all along helping them, blessing them. If only they could realize that simple fact, perhaps they wouldn’t need to hit rock bottom before finally turning to God.



Fellowshipping together with our brothers and sisters in Christ in a Christ centered Bible believing Church can be an awesome experience, one that we may never wish to depart from, but that isn’t what saves us. Jesus Christ saves, and only Jesus is worthy of that designation.



No my friends, you and I don’t need to walk through the doors of some huge Christian cathedral, or a small backwoods humble Christian Church to ask the God of the universe into our lives. I have said it before, the early Church met in their homes and there God added to the numbers of His Church daily. Personally, I asked Christ into my life on a street corner outside a local restaurant in the little town of Gold Beach, Oregon. There, for the first time in my life, I spoke to God and acknowledged who He is, and interestingly there wasn’t a church building in sight.



God is wherever you confront Him. The most important question we should all be asking ourselves is “Have we asked Jesus Christ into our lives, to be the propitiation for our sins?” Not which church to attend and what to wear, or will I be accepted.



Where do you stand in regards to the God of all creation? If you’re waiting for some great revelation at your local church it may never happen. If no one has asked, then let me be the first. If you died today would you go to Heaven or Hell? Think about it.



God bless you all,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

All scripture is from the KJV and God breathed

THE TRUE CHRISTIAN

The true Christian

Most people that I know have their greatest joy or pleasures in this world rather than Jesus Christ Himself. "For all that is in the world,the lust of the flesh,and the lust of the eyes,and the pride of life,is not of the Father,but of the world." 1st John 2:16. This verse covers all three areas of sin. Jesus Christ wants our focus on Him.

The natural man will always strive for worldly goods. His lust has no real end because the love of God is not resting in his spirit. We were created by God to pursue. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1st Cor.2:14. The reason why Jesus Christ is not revealing Himself to them is because they never came to Him. They are not pursuing Jesus Christ because the truths of God are foolish to them. The only other way to go is the world.

You only have to talk to the natural man for a short period of time to see what is in his or her spirit. "For if any be a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass." James 1:23. I think it is in most cases good to try and reach out to this person because they are walking in darkness and need the Light.

"Then Jesus said unto them, yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, less darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knowest not whither he goest." John 12:35.

People that live this way may not realize this but they are walking in pride because their life is apart from God. "But He giveth more grace. Whereforth He saith, God resiseth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." James 4:6. To get grace we have to humble ourselves before God. If people walk their own way, why should God give them grace?

Our heavenly Father sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.He shed His blood and took our place so we could have eternal life.Jesus Christ has an open door for all who will seek Him. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice,and open the door, I will come in to him,and will sup with him,and he with me." Revelation 3:20.

Those that accept Jesus Christ into their hearts by faith can learn from the Holy Spirit, but even at that the Lord will never force anybody to obey the principles in His Word.

The true Believer is saved by grace through faith. "For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (9) Not of works, lest any man should boost." Eph 2:8. Since this is the way God set up salvation through His Son Jesus Christ we have no boasting rights.

We are also kept by grace through faith. "By whom also we have access by faith into the grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:2. Once again there is no pride in this approach.

I like this next verse."If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1st John 1:9.I am going to fail and fall but the fact that God promises to forgive me gives me great comfort.

"Your adversity the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1st Peter 5:8. The good news is the Bible also says,"Submit yourself therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7. The devil is there to devour my life but Jesus Christ is inside me to reveal Himself through my spirit.

True Believers who love the Lord will worship Jesus Christ in spirit and truth. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John 4:24. The Believer should give thanks to the Lord in everything and worship Him.

"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come." It comforts me that the Holy Spirit will not only guide me into truth but our worship will flow in spirit and truth. Our earnestly does come from God but we can give it back to Him in spirit and truth.

When we are in Heaven think about what we will be doing. Since we are saved by grace through faith nobody will be able to say,"I am in Heaven because of what I did." All the glory will go to Jesus Christ. We will be worshiping God in spirit and truth which tells me that our earnestly and sincerity will be real and honest. The fact that we will be carrying out our assigned tasks in Paradise shows me that we will be one with God through Jesus Christ in our salvation,worship and obedience.

Many Christians ask, "What direction should I go into?" Make sure you are saved by accepting Jesus Christ into your heart by grace through faith. Allow God to give you the earnestly to worship Him and ask God to give you the strength and direction to obey the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit. If we are headed down or should I say up this path, how can we go wrong?

Bob D.

RIGHT - IN THEIR OWN EYES

Right – In Their Own Eyes



“In those days …every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges 17:6. When mankind resorts to following his own imagination, especially concerning what is right and what is wrong, God, for the most part, gets left behind. Although they won’t admit it, most people today live their lives, at least in some respect, in accordance to God’s word. When people blatantly disregard God’s laws and live according to what they themselves believe to be right then invariably up becomes down and wrong is seen as right. Those who are completely opposed to anything biblical and who radically reject the teachings found within the pages of God’s word are doomed, or better stated damned.



Here’s a little side note:

For those of you who don’t yet get just exactly what it means to be damned, it speaks of those who are lost – those who have no hope – they will find themselves in a place of torment when their end comes. For those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior it means an eternity in Hell. If you don’t believe in Hell, yet you continually reject God’s free gift of salvation, you will.



Today as marriage is being attacked or distorted many refuse to believe that God gave us our institution of marriage many thousands of years ago back in the Garden of Eden. God’s idea of the appropriate form of marriage has been well established in most cultures today. Another of God’s laws which is now characteristic of most of earth’s civilizations is the fact that murder is not condoned, not in any fashion. In the book of Exodus we read the verse “Thou shalt not kill” Exodus 20:13. The Hebrew word used here actually means murder (Thou shalt not murder). This is God’s sixth commandment and has been His standard for thousands of years. The prohibition on stealing, lying, and adultery are all well established bans which were recognized long before secular man’s laws were even thought of. It amazes me when I ponder these things; just where do folks think all these, and many more, directions for our lives came from?



It’s true that people, for the most part, don’t read the Bible. But many of its truths are continually passed down even through generations of secular law givers. If there is no God why hold to His precepts? Why not allow complete abandon and live like the devil? Because whether they like it or not the knowledge concerning God is in every man. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 1:20.



People today have an excuse for everything. But God says there is no excuse, that the ignorance of His power and Godhead is inexcusable. This means they who don’t believe there is a God have no excuse for holding such a non-defendable position. There will be no defense as these folks make their final appeal to God while they stand before Him awaiting judgment. Imagine walking into a courtroom and standing before the judge completely defenseless with only the claim, “But judge I didn’t know murder was against the law”. How much credence would any judge give such a defense? Ignorance of the law is no excuse.



Today we live in an age that is ripe with the “spirit of wickedness”, which can be attributed to every man doing that which he feels is right in his own eyes. We are bombarded with clichés’ which constantly remind us of our individuality. We are encouraged to break the rules, to place no boundaries on our liberties, to let loose our inhibitions, to embrace humanism, and to come to grips with the promise of no remaining taboos. According to today’s secularist every old fashioned taboo should be removed from today’s “enlightened” society.



If it feels good do it, after all we’re only human. Today’s message from the secularists is always the same: “Make your own rules; you answer to no one, the universe revolves around you.” But the result of taking that path can only be disorder. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12. Without God’s truth and intervention in the affairs of mankind there would not even be a mankind.



Today’s culture demands the populous has the right to do whatever they want, whatever pleases them, whatever they can derive pleasure from is considered to be right and acceptable. Instead of looking to the Bible for answers man looks to his fellow man, who is just as corrupt as himself.



“If you want to be truly happy follow your heart.” Wait a minute, what does Jeremiah say? “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. The heart is deceitful? Yes. That’s what God says about the heart, so should we follow something that is deceitful and desperately wicked? Who would want us to follow the heart if it is only going to deceive us? I’ll give you one guess.



Satan, of course; he conspires to deceive us and he succeeds continually. All those above clichés are his invention or better stated his intervention. Humanism is his concept because it removes God from the world. “Well, without God the playing field becomes more equal.” Not hardly. Without God there remains only His enemy. God’s enemy hates all humans; this fact is well known by all believers in Christ. Without God’s protection, the playing field becomes horribly skewed toward Satan’s agenda, which is evil, death, and ultimately Hell.



Where humanity is headed, and even in many cases already resides, is exactly where Satan wants us. It’s a hard pill to swallow when a person learns they’ve been following Satan all their lives. God has always been close but He doesn’t interfere with our will. Yes, He sent His Holy Spirit to direct us toward Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, but God will not force us into a believing, faith filled, and loving relationship with Jesus. That must be a decision we make on our own.



Opposition to God’s word is folly. Even when folks say they accept some of the Bible as truth but they don’t believe that the entire Bible is from God they are only following their true father, the devil. An evil scheme of Satan’s is to discredit the Bible, to show that the Bible is corrupt, misleading, and full of myths and should be disregarded. Many folks would rather follow Satan and his lies than read and believe the truth of God, hence, the overcrowding nature of Hell.



The world belongs to Satan, he stole it from Adam, and he’s had an almost complete autonomy concerning earthlings for around 6,000 years now. There are currently two groups of people on earth: Earth dwellers (those who belong to this world – Satan) and Christians (those individuals who’ve given their lives to Christ and as such are only sojourners here).



Man can and does ignore God, but man cannot remove God, not from his mind, his heart, or from planet earth for that matter. Man can only make the decision to attempt to remove God from his life. When man becomes convinced that he has achieved success in removing God from his life he begins to see everything differently, as right in his own eyes. This is exactly where Satan wants mankind. This has been Satan’s goal from the beginning. Eliminate God and everything falls into Satan’s grasp. Those who fall into the clutches of God’s enemy will finally get what they’ve pursued all their lives, an eternity without God. Earth dwellers are those who, knowingly or not, exclusively follow Satan. Remember there is no neutral ground; there are only two to chose from, Jesus Christ or Satan. Jesus said “He that is not with me is against me;” Matthew 12:30a. There are many folks, almost innumerable numbers, who should study those words more carefully.



God wants us to pursue a relationship with Him and to live according to His word. But when in our own eyes we see all forms of evil as pleasure, always enticing us, and we allow ourselves to be led by evil in an attempt to be fulfilled, sooner or later, nothing we do or try will be fulfilling. We will ultimately end up like Solomon preaching “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:1-2.



Here we are staring at the end of all time, we are all looking eternity in the face and people are still consumed with pursuing pleasure, seemingly more than ever before. There continues to be purveyors of pleasure in all walks of life, always bent on pulling the masses toward destruction. All this perceived pleasure is fleeting, temporary at best. No matter how close we get to the end, the end will never be in sight for those whose tendencies are focused toward doing what is right in their own eyes.



What are your sights set on today? What or who are you looking to for your own peace of mind? There can only be one who can bring peace to you. You might concede that all is vanity, but with Jesus Christ in your life, your life doesn’t need to be lived in vain.



Folks, doing what is right in your own eyes can produce some horrible consequences. One very severe consequence ultimately arises as a result of rejecting God’s free gift of salvation. That severe consequence is an eternity of torment in Hell without possibility of reprieve or pardon.



Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, never mind what you think you know or what others tell you about the existence or non-existence of God Almighty. Come to your own decision regarding Jesus Christ. Come to the correct decision that will forever endear you to the Son. Jesus Christ is God and He is the way, the truth, and the life. And if you truly want to see Heaven when your time on earth runs out, remember this – Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the God, gives life, and life more abundantly. And He leads all who will follow Him to Heaven. All those who will place their faith, their trust, and lives in His hands are in for a great escape.



God bless you all,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

All scripture is from the KJV and God breathed

PC Runs Amuck

PC Runs Amuck – Among Christians?



“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. First of all, as followers of Jesus Christ, we must be convinced that the Bible is the inerrant word of God. Secondly, we must believe, our Messiah, Jesus – God Almighty - is being truthful with us. And thirdly, we must believe that when He made the statement “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” He was speaking to all humankind on planet earth, for all time.



If we believe that Jesus is who He said He is, and we believe in Him and on Him, then why not believe His statement above? How many Christians believe there are many paths/roads/religions that lead to God? Surprisingly, there are many professing to follow Jesus Christ who openly call their Messiah a liar. How’s that you might ask? Simply by agreeing with the politically correct mindset that all religions worship the same God, or with those who say there are many paths to God that don’t include Jesus Christ and His sacrifice.



Jesus is God and as such He has the authority to make such an exclusive statement. “In Christ believers” may not like the idea that Christianity is so totally exclusive but we are not given the choice to disagree. We either believe God that His word is true or we end up calling Him a liar. Those who profess a faith in Jesus Christ yet believe there is another road, another way which leads to God are without excuse.



The president of the United States claims to be a Christian and yet he claims that there are many paths that lead all those from other religions to the same God. As I’ve already mentioned there are many professing Christians making this same erroneous statement. Former President Bush made the same statement. Whether or not these men are trying to be politically correct or not probably won’t matter one iota to God when they all stand before Him. Anytime men and women feel it necessary to place man’s ignorant ideas above God’s precepts, thereby calling God a liar, should prepare themselves for a very hot and tortuous eternity.



The reason many professing Christians disagree with the word of God may be summed up in these terms: they are fearful of evangelism. Perhaps they don’t want to step on toes; they may find it easier, thus preferable, to go along with the PC crowed. We know that there are many who “line item veto” what they don’t like concerning the word of God; Jesus’ statement in John 14:6 is one of the main line item vetoes preferred by PCers.



Yes there are many religions and they all have their faithful adherents. “Aren’t those who worship the god of those other religions actually worshiping the same God of the Bible? And if they are, wouldn’t that mean that there are many roads or paths that lead to Heaven?” The answer to that question is, of course, no. All religions do not worship the one true God, the God of Bible, the God of Christianity.



Just a quick look into the various religions of the world will be an eye opener to most Christians. No religion of this world accepts Jesus Christ as God Almighty. You might be confused with my statement. What about Christianity? Friends, Christianity is not a religion, it is a faith through grace based lifestyle which the true believer in Christ lives daily. Religions do everything they can, by utilizing their own manmade ideas, to atone for their own sins instead of relying on Jesus Christ, the one who has already atoned for the sins of the world. Oh yes, there are some religions out there among the world religions who claim to be Christian but they don’t actually believe Jesus paid the whole price for their sins and thus they do all sorts of works to help themselves achieve salvation. Consequently, Jesus’ final spoken word from the cross “Tetelestai” (meaning “Paid in Full”) is also line item vetoed.



Many of the world religions believe that Jesus Christ was a living being but not God Almighty. They believe Jesus was a man, yes, a great teacher and humanitarian but that is as far as their belief takes them. Through their relegation of Jesus to the status of a mere human they strip Him of His deity and leave Him standing bare and insignificant. This attitude of subordinating Jesus Christ to some sort of lesser god or angel by many who erroneously take the name of Christian will never endear them to the King of kings and Lord of lords.



By Jesus making the statement that no man can come to the Father but by Him, He’s effectively eliminated all worldwide religions from being of Him and has driven the stake of exclusivity into the ground like that of a line in the sand. Only unlike the bully who draws a line in the sand as a dare, Jesus says cross this line and live.



Christianity isn’t really exclusive like some kind of club that only allows certain high profile folks to join. There really isn’t anything exclusive about the Christian faith. Everyone is given the opportunity to become a believer in Christ and thus become a part of the body of Christ. Joining a religion of the world, including the religion of atheism, will be a major barrier to ever entering the Kingdom of Heaven.



“I am the way the truth and the life” – the whole reason for this statement was that people would believe and not perish. Those who do not believe Jesus’ words will certainly perish. “…that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16b. This verse is just as exclusive as the verse in John 14:6. To obtain everlasting life we must first believe in Him (Jesus Christ) as the one who gives everlasting life. There is no other God and there is simply no reason for political correctness. If God Almighty isn’t being PC why should we?



“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17. There is no condemnation in Jesus Christ the condemnation is in believing there are other paths/roads/religions that lead to the Father. All who believe this erroneous concept are condemning themselves to Hell. God gives us His truth to follow – it’s up to us to believe and to follow Him as our only Savoir and Lord. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19.



This really is the basis for all the political correctness in the world. Men love darkness and they love their evil deeds, and they love placating others. They want to remain in the world doing what they see as right and correct. Many followers of Jesus Christ are in the same mindset as the PC crowd. If they believed everything Jesus said they’d be overwhelmed with guilt, and from this guilt would come repentance. Alas this just isn’t the case as we can plainly see; they don’t believe what Jesus said, therefore guilt and repentance are not forthcoming. “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:20-21.



There is a very large segment of earth’s population who stand against Jesus Christ, nothing new in that statement. But unbeknownst to them is the fact that they are all currently condemned to Hell, and will remain so unless at some point in their life they come to believe what the Holy Spirit has laid on their hearts about Jesus Christ. Joining the PC crowd and going along with the mindset of many paths lead to heaven will only serve to cement the feet of that large segment of earth’s population to that path which leads to destruction.



PC Christians, in many instances, are standing against Jesus Christ. If anyone is opposed to Jesus’ teachings they are opposed to God. Can a person be truly saved and still be opposed to Jesus Christ? When we witness to someone it’s usually someone who is an unbeliever, but with professing Christians that isn’t the case, or is it? When it comes to witnessing, who are we to witness to? Is it the lost who’ve never heard the Gospel, or the lost that have heard it and don’t believe it? Or is it the professing Christian who believes he is saved yet continually calls my Savior a liar?



There are many verses in the Bible that when read by the unsaved can be difficult to understand and misconstrued. There are many who’ve read the Bible and have dismissed it as mythical. Many others parrot only what they’ve heard someone else say about it. But those who profess a faith in Christ have no excuse for calling Him a liar. Born again believers are indwelt with the Holy Spirit and He directs us. If you believe there are many paths/religions which will lead the unsaved to the Father, other than the path that the God of all Creation has espoused, then you will most assuredly want to rethink your conversion experience. You’d best begin with asking Him for forgiveness.



God bless you all,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

All scripture is from the KJV and God breathed

DENIAL OF THE TRINITY= same as rebellion

Denial of the Trinity – Same as Rebellion



Fundamental to the understanding of God’s triune nature, who He is, His attributes and abilities is our acceptance of the truth of all scriptures. Denial of God’s truth is tantamount to denying one or more of God’s natures which must be considered rebellion, period. Denying truth never eliminates truth. God’s truth is always our foundation, we start there. When we consider that the discernment of God’s inerrant word is imparted only to those who believe and trust Him, we realize our faith in God underscores all possible understanding of His word and who He is.



“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:1, 2. In the very first verse of the book of Genesis, God plainly states that He created the Heavens and the earth. Then He goes on to say that His spirit was upon the face of the waters. What’s so hard about understanding those two statements? Denying any portion of God’s truth is rebellion to God and will fog or distort ones biblical understanding. God said it, so believe it, period.



When we read a little further down the page we find one of God’s natures, His triune nature, staring us square in the face. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:” Genesis 1:26. What’s that He said? In Our image? After Our likeness? Who do those who deny the Trinity suppose God was speaking to here? His angels? Scripture never tells us that God created the angels in His image. So who else would be in view here? Could it be His only begotten Son and His Holy Spirit? There is no other explanation; after all, man was only a twinkle in God’s eye at this point.



For many, it really won’t matter what God says about His triune nature. Rebellion, stubborn pride, even arrogance and ignorance, will always form a very significant barrier against understanding truth. Since the word “trinity” is nowhere found in our English Bibles there will never be enough proof to support God’s declaration that He is fully capable of the most supernatural of manifestations, that of three distinct God’s in One. The word trinity doesn’t need to appear in our English Bibles. At least not to establish the truth since Hebrew was the language in which the Old Testament scriptures were originally written.



“In the beginning God.” The word God was translated into English from the original Hebrew word “Elohiym”, which is a plural masculine noun. The Holy Spirit placed this Hebrew word “Elohiym” in the original text for a very specific reason, to show all who would read His word that God has a very unique ability apart from all the “man invented” gods. From the beginning, God intended for His creation to understand that He is one God with a very significant and quite unique attribute. Our One God, through His own confessed supernatural ability and nature, is able to manifest Himself into three different personages, which are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. By reading the Hebrew text, we find within the first four words of the first verse of the Bible God telling us He is a triune God.



God had no intention of hiding this ability from His creation; it’s only His creation who insists on denying Him and His Son as well as His Holy Spirit as being One triune God. Many deny God altogether and they, we are told, are without excuse. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 1:20. Clearly, those who insist on denying God’s triune nature by re-interpreting scripture to fit the box they wish to place God into are equally without excuse.



“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8. Who is speaking in this verse? The Apostle John tells us whose revelation this is in the very first verse. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ…” Revelation 1:1. So Jesus Christ is speaking. He’s giving instructions to the Apostle John. Jesus Christ is God Almighty as He clearly states in verse 8 above.



I’ve received numerous letters from folks who reject any notion of a triune God, and who consistently point to the Catholic Church as the inventors of this doctrine. Others choose Constantine as the culprit who instilled this supposedly erroneous concept into the minds of the believers. This whole approach as a way to write off the truth about God’s triune nature is in itself a corruption of God’s word. The scriptures declare an eternal triune God. The Catholic Church did not write the scriptures nor did Constantine.



“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth..” John 1:14. Here in the very first chapter of the book of John we are told that the Word (referring to Jesus Christ) became flesh and dwelt among us. This verse indicates that the Word had to have been in existence before becoming flesh and blood. And yet Jesus is referred to as the Son of God. Undeniable proof of a Father and Son relationship intertwined within the Godhead.



“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16. Here in this straight forward verse God is fully revealed in His triune nature. God the Son (Jesus the Christ), God the Holy Spirit descending and lighting upon Jesus, and God the Father announcing from Heaven how pleased He is of His beloved Son.



Again, there are numerous verses that declare the truth of how God reveals Himself at different times in different natures both in the Old Testament and the New. In the book of Isaiah we read the same Hebrew word that was used in Genesis 1:1 – Elohiym. “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,” Isaiah 46:9. Simple as this verse reads in the English the Hebrew has a few more surprises for those who will diligently seek them. First of all, the first reference to God in this verse is the Hebrew word “EL” which is always used as a singular masculine noun. Here we see God declaring He alone is God and there is none else. In other words, God says there is only one God not many gods. For example, the “man invented” moon god, allah of the Muslim faith, is not our God. He is simply a manifestation out of the minds of those who are deceived.



Then God takes us a little further into revealing His triune nature. He says “I am God, and there is none like me.” In this instance the Hebrew word used to represent our English word for God is “Elohiym” which is the plural form of the same masculine noun. “None like me” again, all those false gods which continually pop up on the scene are created out of the minds of men, yet time after time they are shot down by our one and only true triune God. By God referring to Himself as Elohiym, He stakes claim to having a triune nature and a nature that is not possible for any of those false gods to replicate. Only God Almighty can manifest Himself in three different personages.



But still, when folks are predisposed with the idea that the Trinity is a false doctrine there are not many who can convince them otherwise. God Himself, try as He does through His very own words, is very often rejected or dismissed as only man’s misunderstanding, or misrepresentation of scripture. Those who rebel at the idea of the Trinity are too often saying “Don’t confuse me with facts”.



Another couple of verses that clearly reveal God’s triune nature, yet become bones of contention while being interpreted erroneously, are John 1:1 and Colossians 1:16-18. In John’s Gospel, John refers to Jesus Christ as the Word. That fact is for the most part universally understood. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1. In denying the Trinity many people will use a book that the Jehovah’s Witnesses have written themselves using their own fallible re-interpretation so the scriptures adhere to their own manmade doctrines. In their corrupting of the verse in question they’ve inserted an “a” between the God inspired words “was” and “God” in order to prove their point that Jesus was only a god not God Almighty. This is an obviously slanted and biased attempt to diminish Jesus’ deity. And as it would seem, many believe that that is precisely what the original Greek states. But in fact the “a” is not to be found in any of the original Greek manuscripts. Consequently what has occurred is just another case of corrupting God’s inerrant word for the purpose of promoting man’s doctrines over God’s truth.



Further analysis of the text in the following two verses of John chapter 1 gives conclusive evidence that Jesus Christ is God Almighty, the Creator Himself. “The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:2-3. John, still referring to Jesus Christ as the Word, states that “the same was in the beginning with God” and that everything made was made by Jesus Christ, thus Jesus Christ is God the Creator of everything, while co-existing from the beginning with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.



To emphasize the truth of Jesus Christ as our Creator God, the Apostle Paul adds, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. Wow, what more could anyone want in regards to Jesus’ deity and His triune nature. Alas these two verses prove nothing in the skeptic’s eyes.



Why? This next verse gets in their way. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18. In the Greek, the word for firstborn is “prōtotokos”. Firstborn – from protos, meaning “first,” and tikto, meaning “to beget” – is used in His relationship to the Father, expressing His priority to, and preeminence over, creation, not in the sense of being the “first” to be born. “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” Colossians 1:15. Here is where Christ’s eternal relationship with the Father is in view, and the clause means both that He was the “Firstborn” before all creation and that He Himself produced creation.



On and on it goes as scripture after scripture declare the triune nature of our awesome Creator God, Jesus the Christ. At the top rung of the ladder of rebellion stand those who fundamentally reject God’s inerrant and infallible word. They are those who wish, through corruption of His word, to influence, disrupt, and lead astray those simple minded who have no drive or inclination of studying for themselves to ascertain the truth. They simply parrot what they’ve heard.



“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24. This verse is so very important for all those who remain in their stubborn rebellion to God. Why? Because by denying God’s triune nature they deny Jesus’ deity. In the verse above, Jesus is speaking and in no uncertain terms is telling all those who refuse to believe that He is God, that they will surely die in their sin. Be careful folks.



God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit are One. That’s the truth.



God bless your all,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

All scripture is from the KJV and God breathed

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Here We Go Again



A recent article circulating various news sites proclaimed 24% of American’s have made it known that they believe Barack Obama to be Muslim, not Christian, so the media is on a frenzy to prove his Christianity. The fact that everything he does is contrary to God and the fact that he promotes the Muslim faith every chance he gets couldn’t have anything to do with folks believing him to be Muslim, or could it? Perhaps the fact that he was born into a Muslim family with a Muslim father has something to do with what faith he embraces. Muslims claim that all children born into Muslim families are indoctrinated into the Islamic faith. So where would that leave Barack Obama?



The truth is Obama has never publically denounced his Muslim faith, and the fact that he enjoys an especially close association with those who adhere to the religion of Islam could be part of the reason many consider him a Muslim trying to hide himself in sheep’s clothing (pun intended). As we take a look at the people standing alongside Obama claiming he is a Christian, we can readily see they have no concept of just what constitutes the Christian faith.



Consider the following; these Obamaites say he prays every day, so do Muslims. They say he has Christian advisors (debatable), but he’s also saddled himself with Muslim advisors. They say he has his own special way of looking at the resurrection, yeah, as do all Muslims, (in their minds it didn’t happen). And those talking heads that speak for Obama regarding his religious faith, as well as the mainstream media, feel these things prove he’s a Christian.



The fact is, those of us who are actually born again know there is only one way to become a Christian. And it isn’t through the occasional lip service the media deems sufficient proof of one’s Christian faith. To be a “Christian” takes commitment to Christ, and many times we are faced with sacrificing family ties, friendships, even jobs for our faith. Believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a full, lifetime pursuit. There’s really no difficulty in accepting the truth of the Gospel of Christ, the difficulty comes in embracing that truth for life.



How can I be saved? “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John 6:28-29. The people came to Jesus while He was at Capernaum and inquired of Him what they must do to do the work of God. In other words, what must they do to be saved? And what was Jesus’ answer? “… that ye believe on him whom he (God the Father) hath sent.” John 6:29b. How do we believe? By placing our faith, our trust, our very lives in Jesus’ hands. At the moment we’ve done that we are instantly born again (justified in the Father’s eyes) saved for eternity.



This is not just a causal belief system Jesus is referring to. No, our lives will go through a supernatural change. Even our own family members may ask “What happened to you?” Some may even disown us. When we become born again, born from above, born of God we begin a whole new life with a whole different family. Our faith now resides in God; we who are born again trust God and believe His inerrant word.



People listen to Obama as he claims to be a Christian and they believe him. Why? Because those folks have no concept of what it means to be born again. I’ve listened to Obama many times, but I’ve never heard him say he was born again, or when and where his conversion took place. I have heard him say, though, that he believes there are many paths that lead to Heaven, which in turn tells me he believes our Lord Jesus Christ, the one he claims to follow, is a liar (John 14:6).



“You seem to be somewhat judgmental Ron.” Do I? Over and over again, when I write about Obama, predictably I’m sent the scripture verse that reads “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Matthew 7:1. Excuse me, but Jesus also gives the following admonition: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24. Again, predictably, that one they conveniently omit.



The Greek word for judge is “krino” and it means “to call into question”. This is what Jesus means when He says “judge with righteous judgment”. We are to call into question the unbiblical actions of individuals and discern for ourselves whether or not to follow such a person. This is something that is sorely lacking in the Christian community today. It seems everyone is afraid of being accused of judging others. Mostly this misrepresentation of scriptures comes from those who are not following Jesus at all, let alone being biblically knowledgeable. When that verse is used it is always in relationship to someone condemning someone else’s seemingly judgmental attitude. Christians aren’t to condemn, but we are to judge/call into question the actions of others and use biblical discernment to do so.



Obama displays no devotion to Jesus Christ; actually quite the opposite is true. No one can be a follower of Jesus Christ while standing so firmly against Him. No born again believer in Christ is going to promote and advance the Islamic religion. Obama, besides following Satan’s agenda by promoting and declaring Islam to be a religion of peace, is fully following Satan in other arenas as well. Obama is the most abortion happy president in the history of the United States. If he knew his Bible and believed it to be the inerrant word of God that it is, he could never condone the murder of the innocent.



Obama, as sitting president, is the most open and visible supporter of the homosexual agenda in our history. How can a born again believer in Christ stand so opposed to God and His word? How can any follower of Jesus Christ call evil good and good evil? “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:20-21. Old Testament or New, standing against God in any sense is not following Jesus’ admonition “If ye love me keep my commandments” John 14:15.



Here’s another fact that must not be overlooked. Anyone who supports Obama is also a supporter of the same satanic agendas. Whether or not you agree with my above statement is inconsequential, it’s God’s stance on these issues that concerns me and that is where I take my stand using biblical discernment.



Not everyone worships the God of the Bible; but multitudes worship the god of this world. Yet they believe they are worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. True Christians know that Jesus Christ is the Creator of the Universe, and the One and only God worthy of our worship.



Why doesn’t anyone ask Obama if he believes Jesus Christ is everything the Bible says He is? I’ll tell you why. In a YouTube video Obama has admitted no confidence in the Bible. In this same video he makes statements to the fact that he believes Jesus to be a great teacher, a great humanitarian, but never in that video or in any of his speeches does he refer to Jesus Christ as God Almighty. Obama disparages the Bible; but question him on what he thinks about the Koran, and you’ll quickly see where his allegiance stands.



Perhaps someday Obama will follow his own mantra and make a “change”. He may one day see the truth and actually become a true follower of Jesus Christ. Every one of us should be praying for that day to come soon. But as of this writing that day has yet to materialize and nothing I see coming from this man indicates that a conversion experience is even on the horizon.



I’ll be the first to admit that we are all sinners, but all born again believers in Christ believe the Bible is God’s inerrant word and that those words are not to be taken lightly. Obama claims the Bible contains numerous obscure verses. No, there’s nothing vague, unclear, ambiguous, or doubtful about God’s word.



Many folks claim to be a Christian, just like Obama, but the proof is in the pudding. “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:16-21.



The fruit America and the rest of the world sees coming from Obama is far from anything that might even minutely resemble a good tree bringing forth good fruit. All we see is corruption and lies “neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” Jesus says every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit must be hewn down, and cast into the fire.



Obama says this nation is not a Christian nation, a claim he seems to be proud of. I agree this nation is currently far from being a “Christian nation”, but it was established on Christian principles a mere two centuries ago. Yet I’ve never heard that fact brought out in any of Obama’s speeches.



He claims that Muslims are responsible for the majority of the innovations that have occurred over the last few centuries. To say that, one would need to exclude the mass of innovations made by the Jews. Of course we know the Muslims hate the Jews so there’s nothing eye opening about Obama’s statement when one actually understands who and what Obama really is.



Barack Obama believes that all Muslims are worshipping the one true God. He believes this falsehood because he is a Muslim and stands alongside his own. No true follower of Jesus Christ will ever make the statement “Muslims worship the one true God.” It is impossible to make that statement if God’s Holy Spirit dwells within you. Why? Because allah, the Babylonian moon god, is the antithesis of God Almighty.



As stated earlier, there is more to being a Christian than the US news media, or even many citizens of the US comprehend. By and large, most folks have no understanding of God’s word; in the minds of these two groups, the media and many US citizens, anyone who says they’re a Christian must be Christian. Otherwise why would anyone make such an outlandish claim? Why would anyone want to be something many Americans, as well as much of the news media, deplore? In Obama’s case, claiming to be Christian influences people; better stated, he gained the votes of the uninformed Christians through his false assertion that he is one.



Friends, Obama is not a Christian, and those 24% of American’s who were surveyed recently saying he’s Muslim are 100% correct. Will we in this country be forced to live under the regime of this socialist, Marxist, Muslim president for two full terms? God forbid it. After all America may not survive one term under Obama. If you are a Christian, a true born again believer in Christ, and you don’t see the truth about this man yet, hold onto your hats, you soon will.



There is a curse on this Nation, my friends, and its name is Barack Hussein Obama. Pray for God’s intervention in this matter, and soon.



God bless you all,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

All scripture is KJV and God breathed

PULLING THE WOOL OVER GOD EYES

Pulling the Wool over God’s Eyes



“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28. Paul clearly states the obvious, punctuated by the true fact that we, who are born again believers, are all one in Christ. How can this verse be so widely misinterpreted? In response to a commentary I wrote on women pastors many have used this particular verse to contradict Paul’s teachings. As we all know, God’s word never contradicts itself. So in this commentary I’ll show what Paul was clearly teaching while addressing the Galatians.



It’s interesting, if we go back and read from the beginning of this chapter we see that Paul is disturbed by what’s going on in Galatia and his blood pressure must be more than just slightly elevated as he refers to the Galatians as fools. “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth…” Galatians 3:1. Paul is speaking to the Galatians as believers who, by all accounts, knew the truth. They had been taught well and the knowledge and understanding was there. So what went wrong? The doctrines of men, the pride of life, the rebellion to the simple truth of the scriptures, and we see the same thing has happened today in many of our Christian Churches. Perhaps not the same deceptions as the Galatians were entertaining but deception none the less. Letting down our guard allows Satan a foothold and erroneous doctrines will creep in, most of the time unawares.



“… who hath bewitched you…” Galatians 3:1a. Paul is speaking to the Galatians as though they are under some kind of a spell. Paul knows the Galatians and what they’ve been taught, but something has changed. He sees the Gospel of Christ, having been previously accepted by them, being supplanted with a huge error. The Galatians were in the process of adding to the simple gift of salvation with the Old Testament Law of Moses.



Jesus Christ came to fulfill the law and the prophets and the Galatians were taught that truth. But they were bewitched in their thinking and became disobedient to that truth. The Galatians were heading off course and Paul had to help them get their sights back on Jesus Christ, and Him alone for salvation.



Unbiblical doctrines have once again permeated the Church, and strangely enough, these lies have become the norm and widely accepted by those in leadership. It’s as though no one pays attention to all the warnings against such doctrines. Jesus Himself addresses seven churches in the book of Revelation and most of them have strayed way off the correct path. Only two were still hanging onto the truth of the Gospel, and that was way back in the first century AD. Like the Galatians, much of the Christian Church has moved way off base.



Man’s perception of the Bible has changed over the years. It’s now seen as allegorical, erroneous, mythological and in many instances quite controversial. When man determines the Bible contains errors, or when verses are interpreted in a controversial way, some simply prefer to delete those supposed errors and stubborn contradictions so their agenda may be easier to achieve. If this procedure is continued for any length of time we can be assured many false doctrines will infiltrate our Christian Churches. Oh yeah, they already have. When people are blindly led by the rings in their noses instead of studying the scriptures for themselves these errors will fester into huge doctrinal issues which no one will want to deal with so they’re systematically ignored. Finally, erroneous doctrines become the new truth, and as we can now see are well entrenched in present day Christendom.



Paul saw this coming and he tried to head it off at the pass. The Galatians were being foolish in their attempts to yoke the Law of Moses with salvation, and Paul knew where this would lead. Our Christian Churches today have wandered off course; sadly there does not seem to be enough men with true biblical knowledge around to affect the change needed to get the Church back on course.



Over the past few decades there has been a huge lack of spiritual maturity among Christians. They’ve grown lax in how they deal with erroneous teaching. They’ve allowed new ideas and concepts that are unbiblical to filter in among the sheep, and in the end God’s truth has suffered greatly.



If we were to somehow conjure up Paul today and allow him ability to see for himself what has happened to the Church he would be both appalled and deeply saddened. His teachings are being treated with distain each time they stand in disagreement with or contradict a person’s personal stance on a certain issue. When someone doesn’t want to agree with the Apostle Paul because his words contradict their own manipulation of scriptures, they simply say “Although I respect Paul as a man of God he certainly didn’t speak for God in all instances”. This proves their own ignorance and deceitfulness. Of course since all scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) we know that it’s not Paul’s words that are being tortured and manipulated, but God’s.



There’s an old adage that goes something like this, “If you torture the text long enough you can make it say whatever you want.” I’ve seen this many times, especially when someone disagrees with my commentaries. No matter how I try to explain various Scriptures in context and from the original Greek or Hebrew meanings, there are those who have been taught a skewed doctrine for so long that they cannot accept Biblical truth. Or Biblical truth doesn’t fit into their concept of how God should be doing things.



The Galatians were moving away from the pure teaching of salvation by grace through faith and trying to incorporate the Law of Moses into the salvation mixture. Paul basically resorts to teaching them all over again. This is what we learn as we read the entire 3rd chapter of Galatians.



In today’s world, a common occurrence is to manipulate the scriptures by taking them out of context. This misguided approach to the scriptures has proved quite successful for those who wish to further their own agendas. This erroneous and misguided manipulation of scriptures has led many people to believe these false interpretations while completely ignoring the exegetical process of studying scriptures. This ill conceived and satanic approach to the scriptures is what’s referred to as torturing the text. If you take a pair of scissors and cut the Bible into many pieces you can put it back together to read however you want it to read. Of course that would be cheating, and there are many who revel in this deceptive process.



“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:26-27. Paul’s admonition through these verses is for one purpose, to get the Galatians back on the track. To the traditional Jewish way of thinking you’re standing before God was predicated on whether or not you keep the Law. Paul says we can be considered sons of God in a different way: through faith in Christ Jesus. The Galatians were heading toward instituting a major error by attempting to add the Law of Moses to salvation, and ultimately by forcing the gentiles to adhere to the rudiments of the law, thankfully along came Paul to set them straight.



“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28. Now we’re getting to the fundamental reason for this commentary. I sort of went the long way around the barn as it were, but it was a necessary route because of the misinterpretation, and erroneous manipulation of the above verse.



There is an old adage that states “The only barrier to receiving the truth is the belief you already have it”. Consequently I purposely explained the substance of the entire chapter of Galatians 3 so when I got to this verse those who might disagree wouldn’t just run away at this point. So keep reading and learn what Paul was really getting at.



You see, the problem that arose in the Church at Galatia was that some of the folks wanted the dividing line that once stood between the Jews and the Greeks to remain. It was Paul’s mission to open their eyes to the fact that in Christ Jesus no such line exists. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. We are all one in Christ, so according to Paul what does “one in Christ” mean? There is no longer a dividing line between the three characteristics he mentions because when we become born again we are all “In Christ.” Greeks, slaves, and females are all the same when it comes to our inheritance of the Kingdom of Christ. We are all “In Christ”, one body, a group of people set apart for God’s good pleasure.



This doesn’t mean that there are no longer any differences. Paul knew that there was still a difference between Jew and Greek, and his evangelistic approach might differ to each group. “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-22.



The slave still had a daily obligation to obey his master , though they might be equal in Jesus “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” Ephesians 6:5-8. The whole book of Philemon addresses this same thing.



There is neither male nor female? Of course there are still differences that no one can dispute, and there are still roles for male and female in the home and in the Church “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?”1 Timothy 2:1-5.



“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body” Ephesians 5:22-33. Though they are equal in standing before God there is still a chain of command set forth by God for all who belong to Him to follow. There are differences in role and in function, but none in standing before God through faith in Jesus.



“When we say that Christ has abolished these distinctions, we mean not that they do not exist, but that they no longer create any barriers to fellowship.” – John Stott



“He is not writing about a unity that comes about as a result of human achievement. He is saying that when people are saved by Jesus Christ they are brought into a marvelous unity, a unity between the saved and the Saviour and a unity that binds together all the saved.” – Henry Morris www.icr.org



“And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29. This concluding verse of Paul’s ties it all together as to just what correcting was going on with the Galatians. This chapter of Galatians and in particular the verse that states we are all one in Christ has nothing whatsoever to do with women pastors or teachers; it’s about fellowship and our inheritance. Clearly Paul is addressing the Galatians erroneous view that adhering to the Law of Moses was a part of salvation. Paul uses this chapter to set the Galatians straight.



Although I understand how when taken out of context some might think by referring to there is neither male nor female that they’ve achieved their vindication for women pastors and teachers, clearly the opposite is true. “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” 1 Timothy 2:12-14. As for the word of God, it’s clear and thus it still stands.



Women who have taken on a teaching role or pastoral role by usurping the authority God gave only to men are in direct contradiction God’s word. But I’m sure these women, as well as many mislead men, will find another way to torture the text so they can continue in their attempt at pulling the wool over God’s eyes.



God bless you all,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

All scripture is from the KJV

ON BROADWAY

On Broadway



Bright lights, adult theaters, jumping hot spots for socializing (among other things), fast cars, high rollers lots of fun and excitement to be had “On Broadway”. Now that’s the life, huh? “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” Matthew 7:13.



There’s a Broadway in every town, in every community, in every nation. And I’m not talking about the street called Broadway, although many have become trapped and lost on that street. No, what I’m talking about is the Broadway Jesus speaks of as a particular path that each of us must choose to walk or avoid. It’s actually a simple path to follow. That’s why so many end up there. Fun, thrills, games of all kinds. A plethora of perversions and distractions from the woes of life can be found “On Broadway”.



What is the Broadway? It’s interesting when we look at the Greek word it actually means spacious, there seems to be no limitations on just how many people Broadway will accommodate. Any decision we make or any path we take which opposes Jesus Christ is the Broad-way that leadeth to destruction, and that my friends is just a simple fact.



There are many cults circulating the globe which teach their followers concepts that are diametrically opposed to God’s inerrant word, and those teachings culminate “On Broadway”. When someone says “There are many paths that lead to Heaven”, that’s Broadway. “All religions claim their own path to Heaven, Christianity is no different,” that’s Broadway. “I’m basically a good person; God won’t send me to Hell”, Broadway. “I don’t believe in God, or Satan, or Heaven and Hell”, okay, everybody say it together, Broadway.



Even in Christian colleges there are those who conspire with Satan to lead their students to Broadway. Anyone who teaches contrary to God’s word is conspiring with Satan. Satan, the father of all lies, invented the lie “…ye shall not surely die ” Genesis 3:4. In other words he called God a liar. That is precisely what we see happening whenever a pastor or college professor tells their parishioners or young impressionable students God didn’t really mean what He said. I’ve received letters from students confirming this to be the case. Be careful where you send your children for a Christian education. Many Christian colleges have successfully robbed that name from God and are currently well entrenched on Broadway.



A dear sister in the Lord recently wrote to me about the co-pastor “a woman” at her Church who line item vetoes verses from God’s word which she doesn’t like – Broadway.



Many Christian denominations come close to Broadway because they won’t recognize Israel’s legitimate claim to the land God gave them. “The Church has replaced Israel in God’s eyes”, that’s Broadway. God never reneges on a covenant. Those covenants He made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David are binding. Refusing to accept the truth of those covenants and thinking the Church has now replaced Israel in God’s eyes is just another way to call God a liar – Broaaadwaaay.



“Jesus is not God” – Broadway. “Jesus was a good teacher but He didn’t die on a cross or arise from the grave”, do you get the feeling Broadway’s filling up fast? Are we beginning to see why the Broadway is so easily followed yet so destructive? And why Jesus says many will enter thereat? There are so many lies infiltrating the minds of men that over time the truth of God’s word becomes diluted, and of non-effect.



“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8. The word “spoil” above actually means to give place to. In other words, when man gives place to the doctrines of men instead of adhering to God’s word – Broadway.



Today we see many doctrines of men being adhered to in the church. One which is a sure path to Broadway is by adding to the sufficiency of the cross. This concept, in effect, is saying Jesus didn’t pay the whole price for my sins so I must perform my own works, such as being baptized to complete the process, or I must speak in tongues, or be a member of a certain congregation… these doctrines of men (lies) go on and on. Instead of being saved by grace through faith, according to man’s doctrines , faith alone just won’t do. This lie will lead people away from believing that through faith in Jesus Christ are we saved by God’s grace. Ultimately many who go to Church to find the truth only find Broadway.



When believers in Christ fail in their assigned task of spreading the Gospel of Christ, Satan will take full advantage of that failure, and he has. Besides all the Christian cults, and demon possessed professors, many of our Christian leaders are vacillating when it comes to standing firm on the word of God. When the scriptures are allegorized, marginalized, or even discounted as mere fables by pastors and teachers, Satan gets elevated. This very real satanic promotion has and will in the future lead many to – Broadway.



“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15. Basically liars, these are men and women who have perfected the skill of lying to an art. They’ve made their father the devil proud. The only way any of us can keep from participating in their dance, “the Broadway shuffle”, is by being ever diligent in our studies of and believing in God’s inerrant word. God warns us again and again about liars. Sadly many just don’t pay attention or they don’t believe Him, and of course yet another path to Broadway.



“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. Of course this claim by the Creator of the universe is widely disputed among false religions, and even many so called Christian college professors; thus this disputed truth has been responsible for more people wondering onto Broadway than almost any other lie promoted by Satan.



Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14. Here Jesus drives home a fact. “Few” is His word when referring to just how many will eventually follow Him. The Greek word “oligos” can be translated as: little, small, few, or slight. In other words we’re looking at a Greek word which, when used in the above context, represents a very slight numerical value. God is telling us in no uncertain terms that huge multitudes of folks will find Broadway much more advantageous than to accept the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just who are these people? Well, some of them you know. Some may even be related to you.



I don’t know about the rest of you but when I read God’s word about how few enter in through the narrow way (Jesus Christ) vs. the many that will go through the broad way (the path that leads to Hell) it’s not only sad but depressing. But imagine how our Creator God must feel when even one of His creation rejects His Son? God offers all of humanity a free gift of salvation, yet He tells us that Broadway will be packed. What a sad commentary as we see multitudes upon multitudes of deceived folks looking to Broadway (Hell) for their eternal future.



God knows something none of the rest of us can ever know. He, being outside of the restraints of time and space, has a unique advantage over us. He can see the beginning of all things as well as the end of all things simultaneously. This unique advantage allows Him to make statements such as “few there be that find it” (that is the narrow way – Jesus Christ), and “broad is the way that leads to destruction” (Satan’s way – Hell). God knew, even before He created the universe, who would believe in and follow His only begotten Son, and who would take the Broadway turnoff. This in no way diminishes our responsibility to choose for ourselves which path to take.



Yep, Broadway is a turnoff in more ways than one. It means going against the truth. It’s a deliberate choice that folks make to stand in complete rebellion against their Creator. The lies which the enemy supplies to all humanity are damning and he knows it. Satan cannot see the beginning from the end and thus all he can do is work day and night to corrupt God’s creation. Satan is a very powerful and intelligent supernatural being but he can’t hold a candle to God; as hard as the enemy tries to usurp God, God never loses control. But He, being the loving gracious God He is, will never force anyone to avoid Broadway. He gives us direction through His word and has placed the Holy Spirit on earth to guide us to Jesus Christ, but the final choice to follow Christ or to jump “the Broadway train” is entirely our domain.



Jesus gave us those verses in Matthew 7 as a warning to all who wish to occupy eternity with Him. He’s telling us that there will be much obstruction ahead (that’s another commentary), but the simple way will be the Broad way. The narrow way, which is only through Jesus Christ, leads to life, “and few there be that find it”.



Should we think that the more the lost see Christians being persecuted for their faith the better Broadway will look to them? Not hardly. Foxe’s “Book of Martyrs” tells of millions of early Christians being persecuted and executed, but they remained steadfast in their faith. He describes many scenes of Christians as they are being eaten by beast or burned at the stake all the while their faces resembled angels. It was as though they were looking at Jesus and He had given them a peace to endure the pain. These martyrs, by holding fast to their faith, are prime examples of how the Church, though hugely persecuted, grew to the size it is today.



The lies which permeate our current Christian culture are, on many occasions, voiced by those who over the years have gained our trust. During the dark times of persecution which are surely coming what can we expect from these fearless leaders? A new mantra of political correctness. The old adage “if you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen” is changing. Many of our Christian leaders today simply turn down the heat (water down the word of God). Christianity is currently perceived as politically incorrect; therefore many Christian leaders are simply falling in line with what society wants. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4. And what will those itching ears, and fables get them? Broadway.



Salvation through Jesus Christ alone is becoming more and more unpopular. The Muslims hate us for what we preach, and yes I mean all Muslims. There is no such thing as a moderate Muslim. They wish to inculcate Sharia Law across the globe and here in America the religion of Islam is spreading like wildfire. One main obstruction to their achieving their goal is Christianity; it must be eliminated so they can proceed with their agenda. Oh, and by the way, Islam and it’s 1.5 billion adherents – Broadway!!



Broadway is Satan’s undisputed path. Is it easy? Is it comfortable? Is it fun? Some may think so, but it’s actually deadly and Satan knows it. Satan hates humans, he even hates those who openly worship him as their god. It is not in his character to be benevolent. He is determined to lead and guide, through whatever deception seems to fly, as many people as he can down – to Broadway.



Jesus admonishes us to enter through the straight gate and narrow way which at this point in time obviously remains open. If this were not the case He would have shut the door and taken us home by now. Consequently there must still be time and room for anyone who chooses Him, albeit precious little time remaining.



Therefore we, as His followers, still have work to do. We are to hold fast to the faith ‘til He comes. We are to spread the good news of His Gospel to the world. We are to make disciples of all nations. And we are to do all this no matter how much persecution comes our way.



Question: Is the straight gate and the narrow way the only path to Heaven? Give that some real thought before you answer. Are there other roads that lead to the Father? If you believe, as many do, that there are many roads that lead to Heaven then you’ve just called Jesus Christ a liar and your future is secure – On Broadway.



May God bless and change lives,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmai.com

All scripture is from the KJV

AMERICA'S DEGENERACY IS FLOURISHING

America’s Degeneracy is Flourishing



“Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?” Jeremiah 2:21. In this verse God is speaking to Israel through the prophet Jeremiah, but is He saying the same thing to the people of America today?



There can be no doubt that the U.S. is floundering. I don’t mean just financially, although that is certainly a very real concern. No, what I’m talking about is the moral and spiritual degeneracy currently permeating our land.



Down we go, down to new depths of depravity. Most people in America haven’t a clue of what’s just around the next bend in the river concerning this nation, still, to some it obvious. America is currently wallowing in total depravity, but too many Americans see only what they want to see. Instead of a united nation, America is horribly fragmented. Increasingly we’re seen as a populous of “What’s in it for me” and “The devil take ya” attitudes. Something’s rotten in America , people, and I don’t think it’s oily fish.



Since America has given God the boot, American’s no longer give God the glory as the provider of their needs. Being thankful for what they’ve received from God has become a foreign concept. Americans have kicked God out of every aspect of life, even many churches no longer allow Him in. Is there still a question in anyone’s mind as to why America is riding the toilet rim?



Because these days are filled with bad news and economic down turns people keep turning to one political figure after another as a cure-all to fix everything, Instead we should be turning to the only One whose great pleasure it is to heal and restore. This One is mankind’s Savior, Jesus the Christ. According to a recent poll taken in America approximately 80% of Americans profess they are Christian. If that be the case, then we need to ask ourselves two very serious questions: First why, if 80% of America is Christian is there a Muslim determining America ’s fate? Second, as a nation that claims its foundation stone was the rock Jesus Christ, why have we done a 180 degree turn away from Him and His teachings? America would not be in the toilet today spiritually and morally if we hadn’t turned our backs on God some decades ago.



Since 80% of American’s claim they are Christians, it tells me many are either lying or they don’t really have a clue as to what it means to be born again. It’s impossible to be a Christian without being born again. A person can’t just claim to be Christian yet have no knowledge of what that designation entails. They can play Christian but we can all see where that gets us.



“Ye are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14. God surely planted a noble vine when He planted America , a light to a lost world. But that once very influential light has diminished and is now in jeopardy of going completely dark. Many theologians say America never was a Christian nation, only that God, for a time in the past, could claim a much larger portion of the American populous as His children. After doing extensive research into America ’s past I’ve come to the conclusion those theologians may be correct. I don’t doubt 80% of Americans claim to be Christian, but I do doubt their spiritual conversion. And it’s as plain as day as to why I have my doubts.



“Ye are the salt of the earth:” Matthew 5:13a. To be a Christian means we adhere, as best we can, to the percepts put forth in the Bible. In the past we made it known to the world that America was a nation of Christ’s followers. If Americans as a majority are Christian, then they certainly aren’t following the Bible as their guide to living that Christ filled life. “...but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matthew 5:13b.



God gave us everything we need in His word, and by that I mean He’s given us His commandments which are to be our guide in all life’s endeavors. But how many of the American’s polled who make up that 80 percentile group above actually read and study their Bibles? Or for that matter, how many even believe the Bible to be God’s inerrant word? It’s only my educated guess, but I would guess that only a small minority of those who claim to be born again (Christian) actually study and believe what they learn from God’s word, and even less actually apply what they’ve learned to their lives.



If I’m correct in my assumption, then as a nation we’re in real trouble, and we have been for some time. Our Liberties, those basic freedoms most take for granted have begun to deteriorate and are in danger of reaching levels not previously seen on the US’s portion of this continent. For this reason, the scarcity of true born again believers in Christ, America may well be beyond help when it comes to re-establishing our once revered republic.



How did the United States of America ever go so long without slipping into a totalitarian run country before now you might ask? I believe the numbers of those who actually placed their faith and their lives in Christ’s hands and allowed Him to have dominion over all aspects concerning their lives as well as their families was at one time much higher than the artificially inflated numbers we see today. In years past there were many more truly born again Christians who stood firm on the morals and precepts proclaimed in God’s word. They are the ones who did the voting and they placed their vote for individuals who had morals and were of good character. This just is not the case today; morals of the majority of American government officials are at an all time low. If we are voting for these folks as Christians, we are voting with our eyes closed.



Morals and character are two forgotten godly characteristics relegated to a by-gone era. These two lost biblical concepts are no longer taught in our public schools nor, I would gather by the evidence, in most American homes today. America ’s school children are now taught more about sex than any other subject previously taught in those once hallowed halls. Why? It is and has been the agenda with the sexual revolution crowd for many years. It’s the old “anything goes mindset” the current mantra is “Let’s get today’s children indoctrinated in all manner of sexual practices and perversions at the earliest of ages possible” (in Montana sex education now begins with kindergarteners).



At some point in the not so distant future Americans will be living in a society where everything goes and immorality will be overwhelmingly practiced. Promiscuity will no longer be taboo but demanded from every child and applauded when they’ve reached the pinnacle of sexual depravation. “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” Matthew 18:6, 7.



Evil is ever present, and when not held in check spreads like cancer. Who holds evil in check? Holy Spirit filled Christians. The degeneracy of America has been coming for some time now, which tells me Christianity has been diminishing right along. So when we read of polls taken proclaiming an 80 percentile range of Christians in this country know this, something is amiss.



With little or no moral or spiritual education as children, and even less discipline, crime flourishes in America . Thus the national crime rates are continually rising; hence America builds more prisons to accommodate the ever increasing criminal population.



A very real and current danger arising from an over taxed populous is that many local and state principalities can no longer afford to hold onto their prison population. For example, the duration of court assigned sentences are being drastically cut because of a lack of funding to increase the size of county jails and for the jailers who supervise the criminals. This carries over on a larger scale when related to state and federal prisons. So criminals are being released back into the unsuspecting law abiding population long before they’ve paid their debt to society and where they may, with impunity, continue their lives of crime. That old adage of “If you can’t do the time don’t do the crime” is no longer relevant.



So criminals are turned back out on the streets and it becomes a never ending cycle of crimes leading to more crimes leading to more regulations which also become just as impossible to enforce because of the lack of enforcers. And it’s all because America has turned from being a nation made up of moral Christ followers, to a majority of followers of the religion of secular humanism where anything goes. The truth of God’s word is no longer embraced but debased.



The fault for the flourishing degeneracy of America lies with all Americans, but even more so with those who profess to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We allowed this evil to progress by what we allowed to be taught to our children in public schools. When our children, while attending public schools for twelve years, are taught that there is no God, that humans evolved from pond scum, and that our prehistoric ancestors were primates, we must expect and accept the consequences of those teachings.



Ultimately what happens to human beings indoctrinated with the lie of evolution, which is pure satanic, is a migration toward animalistic tendencies. Since those who are taught this lie are being convinced they evolved from an animal with no moral restrictions, they no longer perceive any moral absolutes, and the sky’s the limit when it comes to depravation.



When degeneracy is allowed to flourish in any society, all too soon that society will be transformed into a wasteland no longer fit for human occupancy. A nation that continues to loosen its morals and discards its character will, before long, end up as did the people that existed in the days of Noah just prior to the great deluge. And we all know what happened to those sick and depraved individuals, or do we? The Bible must be believed and interpreted literally to understand the account of Genesis 6 properly and to understand why God sent that worldwide flood. Those who don’t believe history, or who allow history to be changed to fit a more civil concept or even forgotten for that matter, are doomed to repeat it. “But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:37.



The key to a moral society is to live by God’s word. When His word is disparaged, or eliminated completely as it has been in our public school system, as well as in many homes in America , moral decay inevitably moves in. How can degeneracy and moral decay be abated? It can’t. At least not without God. Personally, I don’t see God being embraced by the majority of Americans any time soon.



America – 80% Christian? Not hardly. America – flourishing in degeneracy? Now we’re getting to the truth. America – willing to make changes and head back toward God? Not so you’d notice. America – a nation headed for self-destruction? Likely, very likely.



God save us from our own foolishness,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

All scripture is from the KJV

Doctrines of Demons

Doctrines of Demons



“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,” 1 Timothy 4:1. Basically, doctrine is teaching or giving instruction, and in certain cases it wholly conforms to a teacher’s accumulated knowledge. Whether or not that knowledge is correct and biblical is for the student to ascertain. (Acts 17:11) Some, in the latter times, will depart from the faith. Why? Keep reading.



When it comes to our Bibles there are basically two doctrines available to all humanity: God’s doctrines or precepts, and man’s interpretations of God’s doctrines and precepts. Throughout history, man in many cases has made it clear that he believes he is wiser than God. Whenever this insanity occurs, he inevitably changes God’s doctrines to fit his own ideas. Then he goes a step further and he instructs others in the doctrine he has invented. Of course, man’s truth, when derived from demons, will always be contradictory of God’s truth.



The men who intrude into God’s sphere of truth with the express desire to change God’s word are only following the lead of a demon. Since the beginning of time man has disparaged God’s word, usurped God’s authority, and supplanted God’s truth and God’s will for his own. Man has been attempting to replace God for thousands of years. Man has relentlessly pursued teaching the simple minded how to think. There can be no doubt that behind every divergence from the truth is a demon orchestrating and choreographing man’s every step.



The list of doctrines of demons is long and, in the minds of those who follow such tripe, distinguished. Every misguided approach to God’s word, which ultimately leads people away from Jesus Christ, is a doctrine that can be laid in the lap of a demon. “They even sacrificed their sons And their daughters to demons,” Psalm 106:37. Throughout the Bible we can read how man has been enthralled by demons (devils in the KJV). Even to the point that they were convinced sacrificing their children to a demon was a positive thing. That’s called abortion today.



What is it that gives rise to the doctrines of demons which are responsible for leading man astray? “For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:10. God our Savior? Paul, in his writing to Timothy, is making the statement that Jesus Christ is the living God. But if you talk to some of the followers of the different Christian cults and false religions they will profess no belief in Jesus Christ as God, some believe Jesus is God’s son, yes, but not God Almighty. This denial of the deity of Jesus Christ is a doctrine of demons which has been taught throughout the last two thousand years. Moreover, that teaching is growing and becoming quite the pervasive teaching today.



“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8. Here Jesus Himself is speaking. Jesus states quite emphatically that He is the Almighty. The Greek word used here is “pantokrator” and can also be translated Omnipotent. We know only God Almighty is Omnipotent.



Doctrines that teach Jesus is not God will have profound consequences on the people who follow and believe such teaching as truth. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are a good example of this demonic doctrine. Suffice it to say every doctrine that denies Christ as the Savior of the world, or that places Him in a subordinate position such as that of some kind of lesser god, is demonic. The JW’s wrote a book that counters the Bible. Why? Because of the demonic influence that took up residence in that organization as anti-Christ. They flat out deny that Jesus Christ is God. “...even now are there many antichrists;...” 1 John 2:18. There are many more anti-Christ and Christian cults’ fully established and operating openly professing to be true Christian believers, but in all actuality they are all condemned because they follow the doctrine of demons.



Then there are the doctrines that teach falsely that one can only be saved if one is baptized, or a member a particular church, or that one must speak in tongues, or worship only on Saturday, or pray for Mary’s intervention in their lives, or that one can lose their salvation. This list goes on and on, men promoting their own erroneous Bible interpretations as the truth even though the Bible, God’s inerrant word, teaches quite the opposite. They are demonic doctrines instituted to add to or even take away from the finished work of Jesus Christ.



Anything that man does to add to the sufficiency of the work that Jesus Christ fully accomplished on the cross is a doctrine of demons. The Bible is clear on that point, and adding to or taking away from the propitiation of Christ for the sin of the world is evil and demonic to say the least. False teachers are teaching what a demon has taught them.



Be assured even the demons know the scriptures and those who follow false doctrines will never hear the whole truth. They will only be taught a portion of truth and a whole plethora of lies so that the demons can hold sway over the biblical illiterate. Many people simply refuse to search the scriptures to ascertain whether or not they are being lied to. This is a very dangerous path to take. It would be akin to crossing a ravine which drops a thousand feet to the bottom by walking across on a tightrope of knitting yarn. Foolish to say the least yet many are currently standing on that very yarn (pun intended).



I continually receive letters from folks who quote scripture and then proceed to give me the translation of a scripture verse or verses which are completely out of context and therefore quite wrong. The Bible does not contradict its self but it must be studied exegesis. Most of these folks will quote a person who has been their Bible teacher for years. If a Bible teacher starts off with a wrong interpretation of scripture and after many years in the ministry hasn’t made a correcting adjustment to their erroneous teaching they’re still wrong. All those years of teaching doesn’t make them right, it only makes them followers of demonic doctrines. Simply put, they can’t see the truth because they are blinded by the lies they themselves have been taught. All attributed to demons.



People are being led down that primrose path that leads to their destruction all because they follow the teachings of an individual or cult/false religion that is ordained of demons. Today demonic doctrines are infiltrating and taking over our Christian churches like wild fire. The airwaves are full of doctrines of devils and even the most subtle of messages that seem so innocent and true can be doctrines designed by the enemy to corrupt and lead people astray.



A perfect example of “Doctrines of Demons” are the proponents of the feel good preaching techniques, and the prosperity gospel’s get rich schemes which come from those whose purpose is self gain. They are many and they are demonic as are the emergent movement and those who promote contemplative spirituality.



If a pastor stands before a congregation week in and week out and only speaks of God as love, never venturing into the realm of God’s judgment, then that pastor is thoroughly neglecting those tough, sometimes evil, churned up waters of sin where we find most people actually live. He would be a pastor who resides only within the boundaries of political correctness; his congregation isn’t being taught the whole council of God.



If lost folks only hear messages which peacefully tickle their ears sure they’re going to return for more tickling, but they will never become convicted of their sins. But let that pastor place them in the middle of their sin and he’ll be assured of a mass exodus.



The truth hurts; lost people don’t want to hear the truth. Think about it, they’ve been inundated with lies for so long they’ve grown accustomed to accepting lies as truth. An ear tickled congregation having been saturated with warm fuzzies might even revolt against a pastor who suddenly drops the doctrines of demons and reverts to God’s truth while delivering his weekly message. Then again some might just get saved.



Our enemy (Satan) doesn’t want his followers to hear the truth so he has devised a message that, if used by enough Bible teachers and pastors, will keep those who belong to him from ever becoming born again. Remember, Satan will lead you as close as possible to the truth without losing you to salvation. Once a person is born from God and they become a new creation “In Christ”, Satan loses. Satan doesn’t like losing and he will not go down without a fight.



“Christians aren’t perfect just forgiven”. But the crux of the matter is, to become a born again believer people must be convicted of their sin. That’s basically the first step. If that conviction is never forthcoming then repentance will also remain a nonevent. Doctrines of demons will see to that.



How do we stave off the influence of doctrines of demons? We must know God’s word. Did you get that? Let me reiterate, we must know God’s word. Not just a superficial knowledge of our Bible, but a solid understanding gained through Christ centered Bible teachings and much fervent prayer. God will give the diligent Bible studier all the discernment necessary to obtain a firm foundation and to proceed through life with understanding on how to avoid the doctrines of demons. Without that God given foundation there’s no telling what doctrines one might follow, Mormon, JW’s, Islam, Catholicism and the rest – doctrines of demons the lot.



Erroneous teachings and doctrines spread like the plague and after a while people will begin to see and perceive truth in a bald-faced lie. This is very dangerous and a perfect example of how cults are started, as well as how they flourish.



God tells us how to go about studying His word and even how to teach it to others. “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” Isaiah 28:9-10. Go through the Bible line upon line and study God’s word like you’re eternal life depended on it. Why? Because it does. Use a concordance and look up any word that may be difficult for you to grasp. Look up the Greek words that stump you in a “Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament words”. Search your concordance as the Old Testament brings forth words you may find confusing. Our God is not a God of confusion so there is always an answer. There are so many ways to learn God’s word today that a true believer is without excuse. Following the many doctrines of demons can be avoided with just a little due diligence and prayer.



If you follow demonic teaching it is to your own peril. A born again believer will do everything possible to find out if what they are being taught from the pulpit or from a Bible teacher is the truth as God has designated it, or if they are following doctrines of devils. Which is it with you?



God bless you all,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Both the KJV and the NKJV Bible translations were used in compiling this commentary