Dead Works

It is  "All Souls day" and "All Saints day" once again and people are busy doing their own dead thing though  in biblical analysis this is not right.

Remember that the punishment for an evil work comes not quickly so the minds of the sons of men are fully given to doing evil or doing dead works.

We are talking of spirits here and no man has the power to stop death neither the dead has the power to know anything after his death.

Eccl 8:7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

Eccl 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

The righteous die to rescue him from the evil that will come.

Isa 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

The unrighteous die to stop him from doing more evil rescuing the righteous.

Lev 20:14 And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.

The spirit of the unrighteous and the disobedient will be put in prison like those who died in the days of Noah.

1 Pet 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

1 Pet 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

But the spirit of the righteous person goes back to God as seen by Saint John under the altar in heaven.

Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Rev 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

No amount of prayer then can save the unrighteous who died and in prison, more so with the righteous where their spirits are already in heaven with God.

Eccles 9:4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

Eccles 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

Eccles 9:6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

For they shall be judged according to their works while still living in the day the Lord will finally judge the living and the dead: In the day the dead will be risen to live an eternal life or to suffer eternal punishment.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

1 Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

If we are not allowed to pray for the sins committed unto death while they are still living, why pray for the souls of those who died unrighteous?

Ezek 18:24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

Yes to remembering your dead though to pay tribute in a lavish and extravagant way is not necessary. Celebrating therefore "All Souls Day" or "All Saints Day" is a waste of time, effort and money for the dead has no more day and there is no more reason to feast for the soul of the dead.

1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Multitude Of Sins

The soul that sins is the soul that dies.

Ezekiel 18:20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Let us therefore be wise in choosing whom to follow because following a blind leader does not exonerate the blind soul. Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?

Matthew 15:14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.

Do what is lawful and right, and must kept all God's statutes and observed them, that we may surely live.

Luke 9:25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

James 1:15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

But, Woe to the man that cause people to sin.

Matthew 18:6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Blessed is he who brought back someone who wanders away from the truth.

James 5:20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

The Unforgiven Sins

The prayer of the faithful will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.

If the sins are committed before we come to the knowledge of the truth, the sins can be forgiven.

Hebrews 5:13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

For even adults are considered babes in faith if they have no knowledge in the word of righteousness.

Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

For if anyone who come to the knowledge of the truth and again If we give up and turn our backs on all we've learned, all we've been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ's sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment

Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

Those are the sins leading to death - the unforgiven sins!

Servant

Serving the Lord is holiness. Lest we won't forget the condition, only if we sin not & when one endures persecution to the end then truly he is a servant.

Jn 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Whoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin.

Literally speaking, servants do not live in the house forever, they come and go.

Jn 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever, but the Son abideth for ever.

Jesus being in the house forever must be obeyed by the servant.

Lk 14:23 And the lord said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

For you to become servants of anybody, one must give himself to do what his master desire.

Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants in obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?

No servant therefore can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. We can not serve God and sin at the same time.

We serve in exchange of something. There is nobody in his righteous mind serving anybody in his whole life for free or in vain.

1 Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing gain to be godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

1 Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Tim 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Ignorance

Job is a man who is blameless and upright that fears God and shuns evil. The reason why he was tempted by the devil until his wife ask him to denounce his faith.

Job 2:10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job erroneously think that the adversity he accepted comes from God. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

James 1:14-15 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

God never gives his Children anything bad.

Luke 11:11-13 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Job mistakenly accused God of giving him the adversity but still committed no sin in the eyes of God for the sin is spoken out of ignorance.

It's the opposite of the law of man where ignorance of the law excuses no one.

Forfeited

Examine ourselves, whether we are still in the faith unless we are disqualified because of the temptation.

Jas 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Sin out of ignorance may be forgiven as Paul knowing Jews' religion as the truth persecuted the Church of God but later preached the faith which once he destroyed.

Heb 10:26-27 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful apprehension of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Once we receive therefore the salvation offered and we become abusive, careless and neglect His will then it's forfeited.

1 Chro 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou shalt seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou shalt forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Set our hope fully upon the grace stored for us at the coming of Jesus Christ.

1 Pet 1:14-16 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of deportment. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

So the next time we read below the first requirement of salvation which is believing in Him, think of the works expected of a believer.

Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Let us look to ourselves then, that we lose not those things which we have acquired that we may receive the full reward so as not to be marked "forfeited".

Misguided Members

What is the purpose of Jesus Christ dying on the cross when after believing in Him one can not be saved because of sin. This is the question of one of my friend citing John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life and Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I call this belief elementary or just the basic because salvation is not just believing and presto, you're saved.

2 Peter 2:20-21 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

What was purchased by the blood of Christ is the sin from the pollutions of the World prior to the acceptance of Jesus as the Lord & Saviour like Mary Magdalene - the prostitute, whom Jesus had cast seven devils.

1 Timothy 1:13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

What was forgiven was the sin done ignorantly not the original sin of Adam & Eve as some quarters insisted.

Ezekiel 18:20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

When one lived in righteousness, there and only then that we can connect John 3:16 & Romans 8:38 to justify salvation.

Romans 8:35-36 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

With the exception of Mary Magdalene, who become faithful follower of Christ, let it be known that there are possibilities of not saved while inside the Church like what happened to Judas Iscariot & the couple Ananias & Sapphira, Hymenaeus and Alexander, disproving the belief that once saved always saved.

Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Can we judge those who are inside our Church?

1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife!

1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

The once saved always saved theory is not true after all.

An 8 Year Old Boy Punished For Stealing Bread

An 8 year old child was caught in a market in Iran for stealing bread.

In the name of Islam, he is being punished.

His arm was cut by a car and forever lost it.

Is this a religion of peace and love? or a religion of error and misinterpretation?

No religion can ever justify such crimes. What's happening in the name of Islam?

If tattooing is a sin against God, how much more with the cuttings of the arm?

Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.

This is the problem when someone literally interpret the Scriptures not on its context.

Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

It is more correct to interpret the verse as "stop viewing bold movies" or "stop peeping your beautiful neighbor when taking a bath".

Matthew 5:30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

It is more correct to interpret the verse as "stop stealing".

Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

If you cut the hands, how can anyone work?

For if we interpret the verses literally, we all become nations of no arms, no eyes, no sexual organs etc., for we are all sinners in the eyes of God.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.

Christians Are Not Allowed To Get Angry?

I scolded my young daughter of going home late. My wife said: I thought you found the true religion, why are you still like that?

She warned me because I almost hit my daughter with my belt for disrespectfully answering back.

Is it true that part of being holy is not to get angry at anybody?

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

How about the beating of a Child?

If it will help to direct his/her steps, why not? We have what we call in our vernacular "palu-paluan". It's a whipping not intended to kill.

Proverbs 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

Although some parts of the world, especially U.S.A., beating a child with a rod will report you to Call 911. I assumed, Americans are not biblical in this particular verse.

Apostle Paul also warned the members of the Church of God who is at Corinth.

1 Corinthians 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

Even Jesus Christ showed His anger when at the temple of God.

Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

In fact, we are commissioned by God as watchman to give warning to the wicked.

Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

Ezekiel 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Ezekiel 3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

And allowed by God to give warning to the righteous that commits iniquity.

Ezekiel 3:20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Ezekiel 3:21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

Can we now say, therefore, that Christians are not allowed to get angry?

The Gift Of The Knowledge Of The Truth

This is the first step to salvation - faith not on our works.

Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Why a gift? Because were dead in sin and previously here are some of us.

1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

But after receiving the knowledge of the truth, after we are washed (baptized), sanctified and justified, shall we sin willfully? Is it true that once saved always saved?

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

For when sinning willfully, we only received the grace of God in vain.

2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

As a man of God, then, we are expected to be perfect unto all good works.

3 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Don't you know that faith without works is dead?

James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Let us work out for our salvation, by doing good works, even when no one can see.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

And we shall reap our rewards when the time of the end comes.

Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Oh wait! The once saved always saved may be true when after receiving the gift of God today then death came after. How lucky is he/she will be.

Infidelity Training

There are two reasons mentioned in the Bible where divorce is authorized.

One reason is the death of either of the husband or a wife.

1 Corinthians 7:39 A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

The second reason is marital unfaithfulness.

Matthew 19:9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

Not all may accept this though many are divorced and many are still in a relationship where either the other partner or both are committing infidelity.

Jesus taught us to forgive those who sins against us.

Matthew 4:12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

He wants us to forgive those who sins against us not once or seven times but seventy times seven or 490 times.

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

At the same time He warned us not to make ourselves at home among those who indulges in sexual sin or the sexually promiscuous.

1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.

Be that as it may, there must be true repentance from the offender, prior to forgiveness, that it won't happen again. The marital unfaithfulness must not be committed even once, but when committed the forgiveness must be given only once, otherwise, You are allowing him/her to take the infidelity training hoping that he will graduate soon, after repetitive offenses, to finally know the difference between right and wrong.

The question lies on how far can you tolerate your partner though one offense is permitted for a divorce in God's law.

Prodigal Son

Perhaps most of my readers, if not all, know the story of a prodigal son though the word prodigal son was never mentioned in the Bible. To cut the story short, this is the ending of the story;

Lk 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I am perishing with hunger!

Lk 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

Lk 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

Lk 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

The best part of the story is the joy that the repenting (not prodigal) son brings to heaven and to the angels of God.

Lk 15:7 I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance.

Lk 15:10 Likewise, I say to you, There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Note that it is the son returning, meaning he is already a son after he became a sinner. Completely different from one who is not yet a son and must yet to believe on Jesus to become a son.

Jn 1:12 But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Note also that the sins committed by the son is a sin not unto death. A sin committed only by the lust of the flesh for every man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful apprehension of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Don't Believe In God. You Are Not Alone.

It’s the controversial atheist sign in Philadelphia.

Due to their claim of great success in bus ad campaign they published a secular holiday cards which read:

Is belief in God necessary? Just be good for goodness' sake. Sponsored by the greater Philadelphia coalition of reason.

Another one good example of preaching with enticing words of man's wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

I just hope & pray that they may be enlightened for not wanting to hear an evangelist preaching them to repent or they may go to hell.

Mine is not to preach, for I am not a preacher, but to let them know the destiny of the unbelievers.

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Matthew 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

As a watchman, commissioned by God, I am obliged to give this warning to the wicked & to the righteous that commit iniquity.

Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

Ezekiel 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Ezekiel 3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Ezekiel 3:20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Ezekiel 3:21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

Pleasure

War, family dispute, grievance, controversy, quarrel, fighting are just the end result of the wars fought within our body.

Jas 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even from your lusts that war in your members?

In the above instance, evidently, the flesh won against the spirit.

Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Remember that the Children of God don't wrestle against flesh and blood nor use force to enforce personal interest.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Killing will not save the body from eternal punishment, it is the doing of the flesh that we are to get rid of or kill. 

Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; lewdness, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

1 Cor 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother is a lewd person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such person no not to eat.

The truth is, we must take wrong  and suffer ourselves to be defrauded by the so called brethren.

In a husband & wife relationship for example, each one has its own personal opinion unacceptable to the other. One has to give in for the issue to be resolved, otherwise something worst might happen. Giving in indeed is not a sign of being weak in the hope that he/she will realize later his/her wrong doings.

1 Cor 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

The resulting controversy however, grieve the Holy Spirit of God that might leave us groping in the dark.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption.

There is no better things done by man under the sun. Everything is done in satisfying the lusts of the flesh.

Eccles 8:15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

Saving for incoming birthday, blessing of the house, feast in honor of whomsoever & such other vainly provisions are for the lusts of the flesh.

Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the lusts of flesh.

Even at this instance alone we will know who is the children of God & who is not. For they that loveth pleasure are the children of the devil.

1 Jn 3:9 Whoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

1 Jn 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

God's Mercy

A question came to my mind. Were the two (2) thief who was crucified together with our Lord Jesus Christ exonerated from their sins since they died together for their own sins? Alas, the other one repented not.

We all know that Jesus died without sin when he was nailed on a tree.

1 Pet 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 Pet 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

And He pleaded guilty for our sins neither defended himself from the accusations hurled against Him.

1 Pet 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Many might think, there is injustice here but let me put it this way: Between a Janitor and a President of the Company; do you pity the janitor cleaning the toilet or would you rather have mercy on the President cleaning the toilet?

Or maybe you would doubt the scenario that a President of a certain Company can go down to that level of being a Janitor but Jesus did.

Phil 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Phil 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Though in the beginning He is God.

Jn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Jn 1:14 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.

What was magnified in the nailing of Jesus is the mercy He obtained from God thus made Him worthy to be called "the only mediator between God and men".

Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

All Souls Day

It's All Souls Day again for the devotees and I just want to mention few things to remember.

First, the prayers and offerings for the dead has nothing to do with their salvation.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.

Second, the dead don't have a day and visiting them to show your love and compassion is something the dead will never know.

Ecclesiastes 9:6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun.

Third, the dead shall be judged according to the works done while still living.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

Knowing that we shall be judged for our own sin, we can do nothing for the salvation of the dead.

Deuteronomy 24:16 “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.

What is All Souls Day then? Perhaps, a picnic, a gatherings or a family get together that can be done with or without the dead under.

Into Temptations

The Scripture has this story to tell.

Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. He was seduced by his master's wife.

Genesis 39:7 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

The master's wife is not pleased with Joseph for being righteous & trustworthy. She invented lies to get even with Joseph for rejecting her.

Genesis 39:20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison.

Joseph was hated for doing the right thing.

Matthew 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

Life is full of temptations. When one is given the chance to commit sin while nobody is looking and not fall into that temptation, he is a man who fear God.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

God of Justice

This article has something to do with accusing finger. Truth or fabricated accusations, the accused must prove his innocence. Accusations are common in a relationship either between employer and employee, husband and wife, master and servants etc.

A follower is a person who accepts the teachings of another. The follower is a disciple serving his master in everything it pleases him.

In layman's term, never a master did served his followers for it is the other way around.

Jn 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Jn 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

But Jesus is also a servant of God working day and night.

Jn 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

King David sinned against the Lord when he took the wife of his soldier Uriah named Bathsheba.

2 Sam 12:1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2 Sam 12:2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

2 Sam 12:3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

2 Sam 12:4 And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

2 Sam 12:5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:

2 Sam 12:6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

2 Sam 12:7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

2 Sam 12:8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

2 Sam 12:9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

He is a God of justice so he must punish David for his inequities but spared his life for a sin not leading to death.

2 Pet 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

2 Pet 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

2 Pet 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

Just imagine the work to be done when one sinned against God. He makes sure that Satan can not accused him of injustice. Satan accused us night and day presenting to God even the smallest sin we had committed. God acted accordingly and made the holy sacrifice.  He sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Tattoo Is A Sin Against God

The practice of tattoos and tattooing has different meaning depending on what culture you belong. In early years the most common reason for getting a tattoo is for decoration purposes only.

In some cultures tattoos were used as an identification of the wearer's status in a group. This is still done today by most tribes in Africa, Australia and the South Seas. In certain cultures you can't get a tattoo just because you want one. You will have to earn it. Boys reaching manhood receive one to mark that special occasion. Different styles are applied when men get married and so on. Mokos, Polynesian and Maori facial tattoos, are just applied on Warriors after they did something brave and heroic for the tribe.

The ancient Romans for example used to tattoo their slaves and criminals to recognize them easier, the same with most of the Jews in World War II.

The tattoo culture we have now in the western hemisphere began with sailors traveling to exotic foreign lands. The different tattoo motives they were carrying showed the different places they were stationed. A dragon, for instance, meant the wearer served on a station in China or Japan.

This is the commandment from God regarding such practice.

Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.

This practice of tattoos and tattooing is a sin against God and must not be entertained by Christians. Body piercing which is a modern trend amongst youngsters (and some oldsters) is also included. It involves the inserting of metal objects anywhere in the body which are not necessary.

Who needs a tattoo or identification? We already have finger prints to differentiate one from the rest or better let the Angels of God do the sealing on the forehead.

Revelation 9:2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:

Revelation 9:2 Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."

A Waste Of Time

I wrote in my previous post on how do I justify my belief in God which is likened to the relationship of a husband & wife, not doing what the other hated.

Our life is full of temptations, that sometimes our measure of doing it is the answer to a question, Are you happy? Womanizing for example is satisfying the lust of the husband but unacceptable to the wife. Robbery augment the needs of the robbers but injustice to the people they robbed.

What do I mean? For we to know God is to know His commandments that we may walk in the path of righteousness.

Looking at the herd of people attending the wake of the late President Corazon Aquino, I remember this verse from Jesus regarding the burying of dead.

Luke 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

Meaning, Anyone who is alive but has no faith is dead in the eyes of God.

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Dead Faith No. 1:

The Catholic Priests are urging the nation to pray for the soul of the President. Is this possible?

Ecclesiates 9:5-6 For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun.

Deuteronomy 24:16 “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.

A conserted effort for a national prayer can not anymore reward the President for she will be judged according to his own sin works.

Dead Faith No. 2:

Kris Aquino, the daughter, is saying on national television that her father Ninoy Aquino might fetch her mother and together go up to heaven. Is this also possible?

John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

With the verse above, even the Apostles who died with Jesus are not yet in heaven.

Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—

Hebrews 11:38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

Hebrews 11:39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,

Hebrews 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Not until the coming of Jesus where the dead will be raised. Who knows but God, President Corazon Aquino and Ninoy Aquino might be part of the first resurrection.

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.