According to Jesus, Who cannot lie (John 14:6; Titus 1:2), hell and heaven are real places to which people will go some day. For us to be saved from hell to heaven, we must know what the Gospel is and respond to it as God has commanded us. Sadly, most people won’t do this (John 3:16, 18, 36).
A person could know and believe the facts of the Gospel and still not be saved. Knowledge and mental/intellectual assent aren’t enough. There also must be a transfer of trust from our good works over to the Christ of the Scriptures (not the cults) and what He did for us. Learn more here –
Correct Formula – Grace + Faith = Salvation + Good Works
Incorrect Formula – Grace + Faith + Good Works = Salvation
Help. We’re here to assist those who are faithful, available, teachable, and willing to change and grow spiritually for the glory of God and the good of others. If you have questions and/or comments, we can be reached through our website: www.kelseypeach.com or through our FB page (Messenger).
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Everyone has faith in someone or in something. Some believe in themselves as the “master of their own fate, and the captain of their own souls.” Others have confidence in a person with a strong personality, in a church, in one of the Christs of the cults, or in a pagan god or goddess. Many people place their faith and trust in the government which has the power to take from the rich and give to the poor. The religions of man and the cults not only have faith as a requirement of entrance into heaven, but also require that good works be added to faith. Not so with true Christianity (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5). Our deliverance from hell to heaven is a gift from God that must be received gratefully by simple faith alone in the Christ of the Scriptures alone.
SINCERITY. One can be sincerely wrong when he goes to the medicine cabinet at night and takes the wrong medicine for his ailment. Getting on the wrong train, even though sincere, could end up in one’s arriving at the wrong destination. We’ve done this before. Many people are sincerely wrong and don’t even know it. Satan has blinded their spiritual eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4). How sad! What about you? How confident are you that you would go immediately to heaven if you were to die today? Do you believe that you’d have a go to Purgatory first? Why do you believe God should let you into His heaven?
POWER OF THE GOSPEL. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek [non-Jew] (Romans 1:16). He also wrote, “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:1, 2).
“BELIEVE IN VAIN.” Whenever a person adds the words “and…” or “but…” he is changing the Gospel message. A person is saved today by God’s grace alone (unmerited favor), through faith alone (not faith plus good works), in the Christ of the Scriptures alone (not in the Christ of the cults).
THEGOSPEL FOR OUR DELIVERANCE FROM HELL TO HEAVEN. It involves two facts: Christ died for our sins…and rose againbodily from the dead. It provides two proofs: He was buried, and after His bodily resurrection He was seen by over 500 witnesses, over a 40 day period of time, before He ascended back to heaven. His ascension into heaven was not in secret at night on a horse as one religion teaches, but it was gradual, literal, and in the presence of His disciples (1 Corinthians 15:3-5; See Luke 24:36-43; Acts 1:9-11).
WHAT’S REQUIRED FOR OUR SALVATION? Sadly, many who say they know and believe the facts of the Gospel (James 2:19) have never transferred their faith over to Christ alone to be saved. What about you? Consider this carefully – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9; See Titus 3:5).
ADDITIONS: Some preachers and teachers add other requirements for salvation. What have you been told? “Say the sinner’s prayer,” “Come forward and confess Christ publicly,” “Repent and be baptized,” “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Christ,” “Put Christ on the throne of your life,” “Turn from your sins to God,” “Pray to receive Christ,” etc. I used to be confused by such invitations. What about you?
LORDSHIP SALVATION. Do you know the difference between “Lordship in exchange for salvation,” and “Lordship because of salvation”? Sadly, the conditions for spiritual growth and maturity are often erroneously made the conditions for one to be saved instead of because one has been saved (Romans 12:1, 2; 1 Peter 3:15). Don’t make this mistake.
HELP. Having been confused myself for many years, I want to help you gain assurance of your salvation as I now have so you can effectively SHARE the Gospel with others and have the joy of leading others to Christ so they too can be saved (1 John 5:13; Romans 8:16).
CROWN. The “Crown of Rejoicing” awaits believers who lead others to Christ for salvation (1 Thessalonians 1:19, 20). But the greatest joy in life comes when we take those whom we have led to Christ and help them grow spiritually (3 John 4).
CONTACT. We can be reached here or through our website: www.kelseypeach.com. Contact us if you have questions and/or comments. To receive future articles as they come out, click on follow.
Friend, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone, Who died for all our sins (once and for all) …and rose again bodily on the third day, and you will be saved from hell to heaven (Acts 16:31; 1 Cor. 15;3, 4).
If you’ve never done this before, do it NOW! Once you’ve done this, contact us for more information so we can help you grow spiritually.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version
Copyright c. 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by Permission. All rights reserved
Heather came from a dysfunctional home where her parents fought often and where she was abused as a child. Needless to say, like a lot of other children, she didn’t grow up in a healthy or happy environment. But one day, when she was 10 years old, a friend invited her to a Bible Club for kids at her church. With her parents permission, she went to it. She had a great time with the other kids and the group leader was very friendly to her.
Not long after attending this club, she heard “The Story of Hope” and put her faith and trust in Jesus as her personal Savior. Her life began to change dramatically and her parents noticed it. Not long after that her parents came to trust in Jesus as their Savior too. This made Heather very happy.
Shortly after she was saved, God began to work in Heather’s life and placed a burden on her heart to be a missionary teacher in Africa. Fast forward. The day finally came when she finished college. She had been approved by her church and a mission board, and had raised her support to go to Africa. Now she was on her way to be a fourth grade teacher. She had “high hopes” of making a significant difference in the lives of her students. She was there to teach them the basics, but her primary goal was to share God’s love and “The Story Of Hope” with her students so they could be saved. Once saved, she wanted to challenge them to be and do their best for God and follow His leading in their lives.
As might be expected, she was a little nervous about meeting her students for the first time. They were curious, but friendly. She began by telling them some things about herself and the dysfunctional home in which she grew up, and what had happened in her life. Some of them were able to identify with her in this area. She told them how she came to know Jesus as her Savior and shared how God had been working in her life and why she wanted to become a school teacher.
To learn more about them, she asked for volunteers to share with her and the others what their hopes and dreams were. One boy enthusiastically said, “I want to be a Doctor someday if my family can afford for me to go to college and medical school.” A little girl said, “I want to be a chemist like my dad.” Another student said, “I want and hope to be a politician someday to help people out of poverty.” A few others shared their dreams and hopes with the rest of the class. Heather was excited to see their enthusiasm.
But she noticed that there were a few students who didn’t respond. So she went over to one of them and said, “Would you like to share with us what your dreams and hopes are?” Reluctantly, one boy said with tears in his eyes, “I hope when I get home today that my dad won’t be drunk and start beating me and my mother again.” Somewhat surprised, Heather was taken off guard. Another student chimed in to say, “I hope my older brother won’t end up in prison for a long time for using illegal drugs.” Still another one said, “I hope I won’t have to go to bed hungry again tonight like I usually do.” Heather’s heart was broken. She didn’t realize the hurt that some of her students were feeling at the time.
While many young people today seem to be excited about life and living, there are others who are very depressed, and even suicidal. Some children, whose parents can afford it, are taking medically prescribed drugs to keep them calm so they don’t hurt themselves and others. Other young people are killing their pain with illegal drugs and alcohol or acting up to gain attention.
When young people or older people lose hope, bad things begin to happen. Dreams are shattered. Husbands and/or wives often give up on their marriages. Some parents give up and abandon their children. Millions of babies are aborted every year. Pastors and missionaries have been known to quit the ministry and leave the people that were entrusted to them. Disappointment, discouragement, and doubt (questioning God and His Word) have destroyed many people’s lives. [2]
Perhaps you are a relatively happy person right now. Or maybe you’re pretending to be alright on the outside, but deep down inside you are really hurting. Do you feel like your life is falling apart? Do you feel hopeless? Be honest.
If you feel this way, could it be because you don’t know (1) where you came from (your past), (2) why you’re here on earth (your present), or (3) where you will go when you die (your future)? Maybe you’ve been taught in school and led to believe in the theory of evolution [3] and that you’re nothing more than an animal. Does your race (skin color), your face (bodily features), or your place (status) in life make you feel inferior, or perhaps superior to others? If you could change some things, what would you change? Think about this – “What do you have that you didn’t receive” (1 Corinthians 4:7)? We have no reason to be proud. Furthermore, God hates it (Proverbs 6:17).
Maybe you feel hopeless at times because you have no clear purpose in life, and you aren’t sure if there is life after death. If you, like many other people, lack hope, I’d like to tell you another story. Unlike the fictitious story about Heather, the following story is a true story. It’s called –
“The Story Of Hope”
If you’ll come with me, I’d like to take you across a bridge. It’s been called “The Chronological Bridge To Life.” [1] It’s a true story that is found in the Bible. As we cross this bridge, I’d like for us to focus briefly on 8 topics: God-Man-Sin-Death-Christ-Cross-Faith-Life.
God. In the first verse of the Bible (God’s Word) we read,“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1; See John 1:3; Colossians 1:16, 17). God has always existed. He refers to Himself as the eternal “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). He created three heavens: the atmospheric heaven where the birds fly (Genesis 1:21; Revelation 19:17), the starry heaven where the angels dwell (Ephesians 6:12), and the third heaven where He currently resides (2 Corinthians 12:2). And, of course, we dwell on the earth that God created out of nothing. It is just at the right distance from the sun so we don’t burn up or freeze to death.
Man. On the sixth day of creation, God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. This involved physical life and spiritual life. He instructed Adam (who probably was “red skinned”) [4] to take care of the fruit and vegetable garden that was located eastward in Eden. He told him not to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. His disobedience to this command would result in death (separation) – in the spiritual and physical realm. On the same day God also took a rib from Adam’s side and formed a woman to be his helper (See Genesis 1; 2).
Sin. After Adam and Eve had been in the garden for some time, God’s enemy (the devil) used the serpent to deceive Eve into believing that if she ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that she would become like God (in one area), knowing the difference between good (what was beneficial) and evil (not beneficial). This part was true. But he lied when he said that she wouldn’t die. He is a liar and is called the father of lies (John 8:44). Being deceived by him, she ate the forbidden fruit and invited Adam to eat it too. Adam wasn’t deceived, but he ate the fruit anyway (1 Timothy 2:13, 14; See Genesis 3; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9). Sin is lawlessness – when we act like there are no laws/rules from God for us to obey (1 John 3:4).
Death. Adam’s disobedience resulted in both spiritual and physical death. As soon as they ate the forbidden fruit, they immediately became aware of the fact that their close and intimate relationship with God had been broken and they began to die physically (Genesis 5). They foolishly tried to hide from God Who knows everything. Their nature (disposition – natural tendency) became corrupted. They also realized that they were naked or had been stripped of something. So they sewed fig leaves to cover themselves (Genesis 3:7). But God graciously gave them animal skins instead to cover their nakedness. This is when sin (lawlessness) and death entered into the world (Romans 5:12; Hebrews 9:27) and why the theory of evolution [3] isn’t true. There was no physical death until Adam sinned.
Christ. For about the next 4,000 years men and women were given different “rules for living” to test their obedience to God. They were not different ways of salvation. [4] (Think about the different rules that govern sports – football, baseball, basketball, etc.) But, no matter what rules God gave to them, they kept failing to do what He told them to do. To demonstrate His love for the people who had rebelled (sinned) against Him, God the Father sent God the Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) down from heaven to earth to live among us for about 33 years (John 1:11, 12; 3:16; Hebrews 10:7, 9). His primary purpose was to make God known to us and to the angels (John 1:14; 17:3-5; 1 Peter 1:12). Jesus offered Himself as the promised Deliverer, the Messiah, and the rightful King of the Jews. He also came to seek and save lost sinners like you and me (Genesis 3:15; Matthew 2:2; 16:16; 27:11; John 1:29; See also Romans 3:10-23; 6:23; 5:8).
Cross. God doesn’t want (desire) that any of us, no matter how bad we’ve been, to end up forever in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels/demons (1 Timothy 2:4; Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 21:8). So Jesus Christ (the God-man), Who was born or the virgin, Mary, and Who never sinned (Hebrews 4:15), offered to die in our place for our sins to pay the debt that we owed to God (Romans 6:23; See Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46; John 19:30). When Jesus did this for us, God the Father was satisfied (1 John 2:2; 4:10). This made it possible for Him to save those who would believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior (Acts 16:31).
Faith. True Christians can know (be absolutely sure) that God has forgiven their sins and that they are no longer condemned (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 5:13; Romans 8:1). We know this is true because God the Father raised Jesus from the dead on the third day with a glorified body. It has flesh and bones, but no blood (Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4, 50; Luke 24:33-43; 1 John 3:2).
NOTE: The Gospel (Good News) that we must believe in order to be saved is that Christ died for our sins (once for all – Hebrews 10:10), was buried for three days and nights, and then rose again bodily on the third day (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). We are not saved by our good works, or by faith plus our good works (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5).
Life. When we place our faith and trust in Christ alone to save us, we receive eternal life (John 3:16, 18, 36; 5:24; Acts 16:31). It is God’s kind of life. We also receive a new nature from Him that is capable of pleasing God (2 Peter 1:2-4; Romans 8:8). But He also wants us to enjoy an abundant life as we think about our spiritual blessings and riches that He has given to us (John 10:10; Ephesians 1:3 ff).
Decision. You alone must decide whether you will believe on Him as your personal Savior, or reject Him and His offer of salvation. Your decision will determine whether you spend eternity with God or apart from Him in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels/demons (John 3:18; 14:1-3; Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 21:8). It’s not enough to just know and believe the facts of the Gospel; you must transfer your faith and trust from yourself and your good works over to the Christ of the Scriptures [5] alone if you are to be saved? Have you done this yet? If not, why not now?
Help. We’re here to help you if you want/need additional information to make a decision to become a “true Christian.” We want you to be assured of your salvation (1 John 5:13; Romans 8:16), to grow spiritually (2 Peter 3:18), so you can serve God and others effectively (1 Peter 4:10; Galatians 5:13). God also wants all Christins to reproduce themselves while they are here on earth (Matthew 28:19, 20). We can be reached through our website: www.kelseypeach.com. If this has helped you, please let us know how it has. And then would you please share this information with others so they can be helped too?
It is a well documented fact of history that Jesus Christ died on a cross as predicted in the Scriptures (Psalm 22; Philippians 2:8; Matthew 27:40-42). But why? To pay the penalty for all of our sins once and for all (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 10:10).
But thankfully He rose again bodily from the grave after being in the tomb for three days and nights. His resurrected body was different in that it had flesh and bones but no blood (Luke 24:33-43; 1 Corinthians 15:50).
It’s possible that many people who attend church and celebrate His resurrection haven’t been born again from above (John 3:3-6; 1 Peter 1:23).
But sadder still, many people “believe in vain.” They’re trusting in a false Christ or another way of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:2; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Ephesians 2:8, 9).
Many benefits are extended to true believers. They include –
A N_____ Life In Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13).
The believer’s eternal life. – A free gift from God. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8, 9
Application – Do others see any change in your life? James 2:18
New Potentials
A Vi___________________ Life. (1 John 2:1; Romans 6:14)
Three spiritual enemies – Devil, our sin nature, present world system. 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 1:8; 2:15-17
The provision – a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Application: Are you living a defeated or a victorious Christian life? ____
An Ab______________ Life. (John 10:10; 15:1-8)
The works of the flesh – perversions of good things. Galatians 5:19-21
The “Fruit of the Spirit” – Christlikeness. Galatians 5:22, 23; John. 15:8
Application: Are you displaying this fruit toward the right objects? _____
A Us__________ Life. (1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Timothy 2:21)
Serving and loving self. 2 Timothy 3:2; John 3:19
Glorifying and serving God and others. Galatians 5:13; 6:10; 1 Peter 4:10
Application: Do you find joy in serving God and others? ____
Conclusion – If you’ve never placed your faith and trust in Christ alone, Who died for your sins…and rose again bodily for the dead, why not now?
If you have been saved, but aren’t living out your new life in Christ, or aren’t living a victorious, abundant, and useful life, why not confess your sins to the Father, claim His forgiveness, and begin a new chapter of your life for the glory of God and the good of others?
Help We’re here to assist those who are teachable, willing to change, and grow spiritually (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 3:18). For additional help, we invite you to visit our website: www.kelseypeach.com
Most people fail to realize the treasure they have if they own a Bible or have access to the Scriptures, which most of us do in this country. Sadly, many people around the world know little or nothing about the true and living God, and don’t have a Bible to read. Some people can’t read.
Within the 66 books of the Bible, that make up the Old and New Testaments, we have all that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3, 4). We don’t need to turn to the philosophies of sinful men to learn how to be saved or how to live a victorious Christian life (Colossians 2:8). God’s Word is “theocentric.” This means that it’s centered around God. By contrast, an anthropocentric life puts man at the center. “Unfortunately, living for the moment often leads to misery in the form of addiction, unwanted pregnancies, broken relationships, and other regrets. Living for humanistic, anthropocentric goals also has its problems—if the advancement of man is the highest good, ambitious leaders can justify almost anything to ensure the progress of humanity—even, ironically, genocide and ethnic cleansing.” [1]
The Scriptures teach us the truth about God (John 17:17), our sinful condition (Romans 3:10-23; Jeremiah 17:9), how to be saved from the lake of fire and enter into heaven to spend eternity with the One Who laid down His life to save us sinners (1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Acts 16:31). Such love should prompt us to live a life that pleases Him at all times (John 15:1-8; 2 Corinthians 5:9). Ten major themes include: The Bible, God, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Man, Sin, Salvation, The Church, and Future Things. How familiar are you with these topics?
All Scripture is God breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man / woman of God (a believer) may be complete / thoroughly equipped to do the work God pre-planned for us to do (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; See Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10). Question: If you’re saved, do you know what your spiritual gift is, and are you using it with love for the benefit of others (1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:13)? [2]
While all the Bible is for us, not all of it is addressed to us as New Testament believers. All the doctrines (teachings) of the Bible are to be believed, but not all of it is to be believed and practiced (Titus 1:9). God has given different rules for different people at different times known as “Dispensations – Rules for Living.” (They are NOT separate ways of salvation.) Three major ones are Law, Grace, and Kingdom. (See our Bible Study Book Marker with a Dispensations Chart on our website.) [3]
The devil[4] doesn’t want people to have access to the Scriptures and/or to read it. During the Middle Ages it was virtually inaccessible to the common man. But thanks to the printing press and the Protestant Reformation that began around A.D. 1500, mankind has had access to God’s Word in many languages of the world.
“Natural Revelation” (i.e., the things we can learn from nature) tells us that there is a God Who is powerful (Romans 1:20). But we need “Special Revelation” from God to learn other vital information including how we can be saved / delivered from everlasting condemnation to spend eternity with God.
God’s purpose is to glorify Himself (John 17:1-8). He wants to make Himself known to His creatures – human beings and spirit beings. His attributes include: goodness, righteousness, omnipotence, omniscience, truthfulness, holiness, and love. Man’s purpose is/should be to glorify God by making Him know to those around us (1 Corinthians 10:31). Question: What are others learning about God by your life and lip?
In the end every creature will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is LORD (i.e., that He is the God-man, Who died for our sins…and rose again bodily from the dead. See Philippians 2:11; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4.) He is the One in Whom our faith and trust must rest if we are to be saved. We are NOT saved by our good works, or by our faith PLUS our good works lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5). The Scriptures do not teach the “universal salvation” of all men and fallen angels.
We’re here to assist those who would like to be assured of spending eternity in heaven with God rather than in hell with the devil and his angels/demons (1 John 5:13; Romans 8:16; Matthew 25:41, 46). We also want to help believers grow spiritually, serve God joyfully, and reproduce themselves (2 Peter 3:18; Matthew 28:19, 20).
We can be reached here or through our website: www.kelseypeach.com. To receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.”
“If you don’t know the date you were saved, then you’re not saved.” “When you miss an opportunity to share Christ with someone, it’s your fault if that person goes to hell.” “You shouldn’t keep company with sinners.” “If you want to be saved, just invite Jesus into your heart.” “Not true,” says veteran evangelist and teacher Dr. R. Larry Moyer in his book, “21 Things God Never Said.”[1]
Dr. Ron Shea wrote, “…before [an individual] is ever won to Christ, the gospel must first be proclaimed [clearly to him/her]. We believe that the greatest weakness in the church thwarting the fulfillment of the great commission is the prevalence of false gospels within the church that have perverted or distorted the true gospel of the Bible….If the gospel is unclear, it cannot point men toward the Savior. “For if the trumpet give an unclear sound, who shall prepare himself for battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8). We seek not only to be accurate in our presentation of the gospel, but clear! If the lost cannot understand the message of the evangelist [or the believer who shares the gospel], how can he place his faith in the Savior?” [2] [3] Which Jesus saves? [4]
“Do We Really Know The Gospel” is the title of an excellent article that Dr. Manfred Kober wrote which shows us Christians how we can share the precise Gospel with a person who is very near death by using 24 words: “Friend: You have sinned. But Christ died for sinners and rose again. Trust Him alone and He will save you eternally. Do it now!” [5]
Sharing the Gospel with lost people, which can deliver them from everlasting suffering in the lake of fire and enable them to enter heaven, should be considered as a privilege, not a burdensome duty done out of guilt.
The “Crown of Rejoicing” awaits faithful believers who direct lost people to Christ for salvation (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20). The greatest joy in life comes to believers who lead unbelievers to Christ and then help them go on to spiritual maturity as they walk in truth (3 John 1:4).
We’re here to show unbelievers how to be saved, and to help prepare Christians so they can share the Gospel with lost people at a moments notice as God opens doors of opportunity for us (1 Peter 3:15).
Most of us know a lot more people than we realize. We may not know their names, but we are acquainted with some of them. God has brought these people into our lives for a reason. Many of them are struggling physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. They are people for whose sins Christ died and rose again so they can be saved from hell to heaven. Ask God to make you a blessing to someone today.
As Christians, our main purpose in life is / should be to glorify God by making Him known to others (1 Corinthians 10:31). We should desire the salvation of all mankind (1 Timothy 2:1-4), help new believers growspiritually (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18), encourage them to use their spiritual gift with love (1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:13). Then help them reproduce themselves (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8).
Think about what your life would be like if you went to a store to purchase something and the people who worked there didn’t show up for work to serve you? It has happened to us. It’s sad when people are paid more (by the government) not to work, than for them to work? Did you know that we can / should intercede for or against others, including our politicians (1 Timothy 2:1-4; Romans 11:2).
When I go to a store, I try to thank the people for their service, and share a “Gospel tract” with them if I can. (It’s usually the tract I wrote about “Our Son’s Death.”) Many of them identify with a loss of a loved one or a friend. I ask them to read it when they get home or are on their lunch break. The Gospel is the power of God unto people’s salvation (Romans 1:16). It’s the same message for Jews and non-Jews.
Here is a list of some of the people who serve us:
Mailman/UPS Driver – Paperboy/Editor – Physician/Nurse – Chiropractor – Optometrist – Pharmacist – Mortician/Funeral Director – Insurance Agent – Stock Broker – Barber/Beautician – Salesman/Clerk – Tax Advisor – Babysitter – President of PTA – Banker/Credit Manager – T.V. Repair Man – Plumber/Electrician – Heating/AC Man – Florist/Gardener – Painter/Welder – Pet Shop Owner – Real Estate Broker – Policeman/Fireman – Dry Cleaner – Auto Mechanic – Travel Agent – Pilot/Flight Attendant – Bus Driver – Piano Teacher – Carpenter – Lab Technician – Computer Programer – Chef/Waitress – Social Worker – Secretary/Librarian – Air Traffic Controller – Grocery Store Clerk – Others.
All of these people have an eternal destiny. Their lives and your life on earth could end today. Make every day count. Don’t boast about tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1; James 4;14).
If they are wearing a name tag say, “Thank you ________. I appreciate your service today.”
“Remember that a person’s name is to that person
the sweetest sound in any language.” – Dale Carnegie
Gospel Tracts – Make sure, if you use them, that they clearly present the Good News of Christ’s death for our sins...and His bodily resurrection from the dead. And make sure that it makes faith (believing in/on Christ alone) as the only condition for salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 16:31).
What’s the difference between ignorance and apathy? Don’t know; don’t care. Think about that for a few moments. There are many things about which we know little or nothing. And even if we knew about them, we wouldn’t really care one way or another because we believe other things are far more important to us – the pebble in our shoe. But ignorance and indifference can harm or kill us. (Examples: electricity, gravity, chemicals, etc.)
It’s sad that many people, including children, are being stupefied with all kinds of legitimate and illegitimate drugs instead of with natural remedies that have fewer side effects. This problem will intensify during the upcoming seven years of “The Tribulation.” [1] (See Revelation 9:21; 18:23)
Many people are also mesmerized and lulled into spiritual sleep by the devil and are apathetic toward God and His Word (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19). Many are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people [we’re to] turn away! (2 Timothy 3:2-5).
Maybe the apathetic person you meet has an irritating pebble in his shoe that keeps him distracted so that he rarely, if ever, thinks about God. Perhaps the devil put it there (2 Corinthians 12:7).
A. W. Tozer wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us…Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God….For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always God Himself, and the most portentous [amazing or intriguing] fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like.” – TheKnowledge of the Holy
Here are a few basic perspectives on the question of God’s existence. [2] Which one of these beliefs describes you the best?
Atheism, Agnosticism, Theism, Deism, and Apatheism
1) atheism: the belief that God (or gods) do not exist
2) agnosticism: the belief that there is not enough evidence to prove or disprove the existence of God – ‘we just don’t know’
3) theism: the belief that there is a God (or gods) with whom we may relate
4) deism: belief in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator who does not intervene in the universe.
But here is another one that should be added to this list.
5) apatheism. It is the view that whether or not God (or gods) exist is not that important. An ‘apatheist’ doesn’t take a position on the question of God—he or she simply doesn’t care.
It’s important to note that your belief will affect the way you talk or don’t talk to others about God. Are you a “Professing Christian” who is quite content and comfortable in the life you are now living? Perhaps you expect the “professionals” (Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Deacons) to do the work of evangelism rather than your getting involved in it yourself.
The early Jewish Christians knew what Jesus had told them to do – “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
But for a long time they hesitated to reach out to non-Jews with the Gospel until God put “a fire under them” in the person of Saul, the persecutor of Christians (Acts 9:1 ff; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13), who later became the Apostle Paul (Acts 13:9), and the steward (household manager) of the “Dispensation of Grace” in which we now live (Ephesians 3:1 ff). [3]
Carnal Christians, who are manifesting “the works of the flesh,” (which are all perversions of good things – Galatians 5:19-21), usually won’t be interested in being obedient to the Lord’s command. In fact, they shouldn’twitness to lost people until they’ve confessed their known sins to God the Father and have claimed His forgiveness (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13; James 5:16). Failure to confess all our known sins to Him can result in severe discipline (1 Corinthians 11:27-32; Hebrews 10:31; 12:5 ff; James 5:19, 20; 1 John 5:16).
Once we’ve made things right with God and others whom we’ve offended (James 5:16; Romans 12:18), we need to walk by means of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25), and be “filled with the Spirit” by allowing Him to make up where we are lacking in Christ likeness (Ephesians 5:18). When we’re rightly related to God the Holy Spirit, He will produce “The Fruit of the Spirit” in our lives (Galatians 5:22, 23). Then we become responsible to direct it toward the right objects, for the right reasons, and at the right time. [4]
Sometimes, when we’re dealing with unsaved people, they will show little or no interest in spiritual things. They’re apathetic. I also have encountered people who were hostile to me when I tried to talk to them about God and the Gospel. If they’re offended, I want them to be offended by the Gospel (1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 2:14) rather than with me because of my ineptness or carelessness.
Perhaps they’ve had a bad experience with “religion” and “religious people.” Rather than trying to “cram the Gospel down their throat,” showing “agape” love and kindness to them might open up a future opportunity to talk to them about God’s amazing grace and the salvation He provides for all mankind (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). After all, it’s the goodness [kindness] of God [that] leads [people] to repentance [i.e., a change of mind] (Romans 2:4). [5] Do you love people as God does (John 3:16)?
Sometimes I like to leave a clear Gospel tract with people. (It can be like a “pebble in a shoe.”) I often use a tract that I wrote about the death of our late son, Bill, as an “ice breaker.”[6] I’ve found many people who have had similar circumstances with the loss of a loved one or friend.
If you distribute “Gospel tracts,”[7] make sure that they include the facts of the Gospel – that Christ died for our sins…and rose again bodily on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). Don’t use those that leave out Christ’s bodily resurrection as many Gospel tracts do. Make sure that they clearly state that the only condition for their salvation / deliverance from hell to heaven is for them to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone, through the Gospel…” so they can/will be saved (Acts 16:31). When a person believes, he repents (i.e., changes his mind about God, himself, and how he must be saved). Our “good works” have no part in our being saved (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5; Isaiah 64:6).
If you have been saved by God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, through the message of the Gospel, but have been involved in “apatheism,” confess this to God and then, with His help, become a F.A.T.F.R.E.E. Christian. (Faithful, Available, Teachable, Flexible, Evangelistic, and Enthusiastic). [8]
We’re here to assist those who are teachable, willing to change, and who want to grow spiritually. If you’d like additional spiritual help, we can be reached here or through our website: www.kelseypeach.com.
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For further study to show yourself approved to God (2 Timothy 2:15), we invite you to read the following articles:
Most people fear death because they aren’t sure what might happen to them after they die. Is this your concern? If it is, please keep reading. Otherwise, give this to someone who might be interested or near death.
Some people believe that all of us will be annihilated when we die. Others believe in “reincarnation” and hope they will have another chance to “get it right” so they eventually can get to “Nirvana.”
Going to “Purgatory” first, before one can enter heaven, is taught in some churches because they don’t believe that Christ’s work on the cross was sufficient to cover all their sins. What do you believe?
Is it possible for us to know for sure that we will go to heaven immediately when we die? Yes, if we believe that Jesus and the Bible are truthful / trustworthy sources of information (John 14:6; 17:17).
The Bad News
We’ve all sinned / acted lawlessly. God’s Word tells us that “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” “… all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (See Romans 3:10-12, 23).
“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). It is acting defiantly toward God Who has placed helpful restraints on us. It entails the attitude, “I’ll do whatever I want to do.”
We all deserve to die spiritually and physically. Death means separation, not annihilation. When Eve and then Adam ate the forbidden fruit they were immediately separated spiritually from intimate fellowship with God, and they began to die physically (Genesis 2:16, 17; 5:5). This is when sin and death entered into the world (Romans 5:12). And “…the wages [i.e., payment] of sin isdeath…” (Romans 6:23a).
Therefore “… it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Death is a “general rule.” (Note some exceptions: Genesis 5:24; 2 Kings 2:1, 11; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52)
The Gospel (Good News)
Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4a). Why? To pay the debt that we all owed to God (Romans 6:23a). “He was buried…” Why? To prove that He really died and didn’t just swoon / faint.
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by [God] the [Holy] Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).
Christ rose again bodily on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4b-6; Luke 24:36-43). “… He was seen by [Peter], then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present [as the Apostle Paul was writing this], but some have fallen asleep [i.e., died physically].”
The Solution To Our Problem
What must we do to be saved from hell and enter heaven?
(Matthew 25:30, 41, 46; John 14:1-3)
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ [alone, Who died for ours sins…and rose again bodily], and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
“For God [the Father] so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son [the Lord Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have [eternal] life.” “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16, 18). Are you currently an unbeliever or a believer?
Our salvation is not by works. “For by grace [unmerited favor] you [are] saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”(Ephesians 2:8, 9).
Time To Decide
My Friend, If you want to be saved from hell to heaven, but haven’t transferred your faith and trust from yourself and your good works over to Christ alone, let me encourage you to do so NOW! We have no guarantee that we will be alive at the end of today (Proverbs 27:1; James 4:14).
True believers can have assurance of their salvation as they rest their faith in Christ and the trustworthiness of God’s Word (John 17:17).
“[God] the [Holy] Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that [believers] are children of God,” and no longer the children of the devil (Romans 8:16; John 8:44; 1 John 3:9, 10). “These things I [the Apostle John] have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life…” [as a present possession] (1 John 5:13).
Christians, who are abiding [feeling at ease] in Christ (John 15:1-8), and who have their known sins confessed to God (1 John 1:9), don’t need to fear death. Death is only a shadow that can’t hurt us (Psalm 23:4). And “…to be absent from the body [means being] present with the Lord [which is far better]” (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23).
* * * * *
Once we’ve been saved, God wants His children to share this Good News (Gospel) with others so they can be saved too.
“…you shall be [My] witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). “And [Jesus] said to [His disciples], ‘Go into all the world and [proclaim] the gospel to every creature’” (Mark 16:15). If you’ve been saved, will you do this?
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Have you ever given much thought about who might be your “next door neighbors” in heaven (provided you’re a true Christian)? I hadn’t. But one author made an interesting observation about them. He pointed out that some of them might be those who once were fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners, cowards, abominable, murderers, sorcerers, or liars. Be honest. Have you ever engaged in such sinful behavior yourself? We all have a dark side of us that we don’t want others to see. Right? [1]
Lawlessness. We’ve all sinned (acted lawlessly – 1 John 3:4) and deserve physical death and spiritual death – to be eternally separated from God in hell (Romans 3:10-23; 6:23). But there is hope for us sinners, if we’re still alive physically. We don’t pray for or to the dead as some cults and religions do. Read on.
Carnality. In his letter to the carnal Christians in the church of Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote these words, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Sinless Perfection? Does this mean that Christians, once saved, can’t engage in such sins anymore? No. But they can’t keep onpracticing such things without severe consequences in this life alone (1 John 3:9, 10). God the Father disciplines and chastens His own children (Hebrews 10:30; 31; 12:5 ff).
Because of their carnality, many of the Corinthians Christians were weak and sick, and many of them had died physically (1 Corinthians 11:30; See also James 5:19, 20; 1 John 5:16). “It is a fearful thing [for a carnal Christian] to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Are you one of them? Beware! If you are, you could die prematurely and painfully.
Confession. When we sin as Christians, we need to quickly confess our sins to our heavenly Father and then claim His forgiveness (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13). Being omniscient, He can’t / won’t forget our sins, but He won’t hold them against us (Ezekiel 33:16). Sometime in the days ahead He will allow us to be tempted in that same area again to give another opportunity to demonstrate our love for Him or our love for the passing pleasures we derive for engaging in sin (James 1:12; Hebrews 11:25; 1 John 2:15-17). Think about this. If sin weren’t pleasurable to us, we wouldn’t engage in it. Right?
Danger. “Sin (lawlessness) will take us farther than we want to go, keep us longer than we want to stay, and cost us more than we want to pay.” Discover how Christians can live victoriously over our three spiritual enemies: the devil, the present world system, and our own sin nature. [2]
How Bad? You and I haven’t been as bad as we could be. We could be a lot worse. Right? But every unbeliever is as “bad off” as he/she can be. Those who die physically without the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior will spend eternity with the devil and his angels in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 21:8).
Suffering. The unbeliever’s degree of suffering there will be determined at the Great White Throne Judgement by the RighteousJudge Jesus (John 5:22; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 20:11-15). What about the condition of those who die before that day? Click below. [3]
Righteousness / Love. God is not unjust even though He didn’t / doesn’t provide salvation for the fallen angels / demons. He didn’t have to provide salvation for us either. But God the Father wanted to show His love for sinful human beings who were His enemies (Romans 5:10). So He gave us His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16). He became the virgin born God-man (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Philippians 2:5-11). He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), and then died as a Substitute for all our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19). But a dead Savior can’t help or save anyone.
Bodily Resurrection. To prove to us that God the Father was fullysatisfied with Christ’s death and payment for all our sins, He raised Him from the dead (Romans 4:25; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). His bodily resurrection guarantees other bodily resurrections of all those who have died (1 Corinthians 15:21-24; Daniel 12:2; Revelation 11:11; 20:11-15). The Scriptures teach the resurrections of the justified ones and the unjustified ones at different times. There is no annihilation of the wicked dead, or reincarnation taught in the Scriptures. “… it is appointed for men to die once, but [sometime] after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). In which one will you participate?
Forgiveness. We (Christians) are judicially forgiven of our sins when we place our faith and trust in Christ alone (Ephesians 1:7; 2:8, 9; Acts 16:31) through the message of the Gospel. Christians have been justified (Romans 5:1) and are no longer under condemnation (Romans 8:1). We are eternally secure in God’s hands (John 10:28, 29; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). These things are but a few of the benefits believer’s receive at the moment of salvation. (See Ephesians 1:3 ff) [4]
Questions: Be honest. Are you 100% certain that you will go to heaven the moment you die? Why should God let you into His heaven? If you believe you’re saved, is there any thing you could do or fail to do that would cause you to lose your salvation? If so, what would that be? [5] If you are saved and know it (Romans 8:16; 1 John 5:13), how much spiritual growth has taken place in your life (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18)? How much “spiritual fruit” is evident in your life for others to see (John 15:1-8)? “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).
Fruit. “This fruitcan be seen in Christlike character(2 Peter 1:5-8; Galatians 5:22, 23),a life characterized by good works (Colossians 1:10), a faithful witness(1 Corinthians 16:15),a pair of lips that praise God(Hebrews 13:15), and throughgenerous giving of one’s money (Romans 15:28; Philippians 4:17). – Dr. Charles C. Ryrie “So Great Salvation” p. 50.
Limited. We’ll only be here for just a little while longer (2 Timothy 4:6; James 4:14; 2 Peter 1:12-15) to assist you and others who are teachable, willing to change, and who want to growspiritually (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 3:18).
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