WHAT Will You Do About JESUS?

We are ALL born to die -- it's guaranteed FACT. It's not an IF, but a WHEN.

JESUS came down from the Heavenlies -- born to die as sin-bearing GOD-Man. It's historical FACT that He existed and died on the Cross. Whether or not we believe that HE is GOD Who died for our sins will decide our personal Destiny -- for EVERY soul is resurrected to EVERlasting Life: to Hell or to Heaven. (John 5:28-29)

When we are asked, "Do you know JESUS CHRIST?" -- do we REALLY know the FACTs about Him?

JESUS alone FULFILLED 365 messianic prophecies.

JESUS alone performed countless MIRACLES -- SUPERnatural acts only GOD can do -- for the whole three years of His earthly ministry. (John 21:25)

JESUS appeared in bodily form to His disciples and to over 500 others after He rose from the tomb. (1 Corinthians 15:6)

If a court of law were to judge JESUS' veracity, His credentials as noted above would far exceed the needed evidence to validate His claim -- HE IS GOD Incarnate... The Great I AM... Sovereign LORD!

From His own mouth, JESUS said:

"No one has ascended to Heaven but He who came down from Heaven, that is, the SON of Man who is in Heaven." (John 3:13)

The (Samaritan) woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called CHRIST). "When He comes, He will tell us all things." "I who speak to you AM He." (John 4:25-26)

"My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." Therefore the Jews (the religious leaders) sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that GOD was His Father, making Himself equal with GOD. (John 5:17-18)

"For as The FATHER raises the dead and gives life to them, even so The SON gives life to whom He will." (John 5:21)

"But I have a greater witness than John's (the Baptist); for the works which The FATHER has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that The FATHER has sent Me. (John 5:36)

"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have ETERNAL Life; and these are they which testify of Me." (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Job, Psalms 2, 22, 23, 24, 27, 30, 31, 34, 35, 38, 40, 41, 45, 49, 55, 68, 69, 72, 78, 89, 90, 91, 97, 100, 102, 109, 110, 112, 118, 132, 138, 147, Proverbs 8, Song of Solomon, Isaiah 2, 25:8, 26, 28:16, 29, 32, 33, 35, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 59, 60-63, 65, 66, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Micah, Haggai, Amos, Habakkuk, Zechariah, Malachi.)

"Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19) Speaking of His BODY as a temple, JESUS prophesied His own Death and Resurrection.

"He who has seen ME has seen The FATHER..." (John 14:9)

"No one comes to The FATHER except THROUGH ME." (John 14:6)

"I AM the Bread of Life." (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51)
"I AM the Light of the world." (John 8:12)
"I AM the Door of the sheep." (John 10:7, 9)
"I AM the Good Shepherd." (John 10:11, 14)
"I AM the Resurrection and the Life." (John 11:25)
"I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6)
"I AM the True Vine." (John 15:1, 5)

After JESUS' Resurrection -- He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be UNbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My LORD and my GOD!" "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. BLESSED are those who have NOT seen and YET have BELIEVED." (John 20:27-29)

In the Gospel according to John, it is written: And there are also many other things that JESUS did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. (John 21:25)

JESUS' ministry lasted three years -- He FULFILLED over 300 Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah and performed countless miracles of healing (the blind, sick, lame, demon-possessed); feeding thousands; forgiving many; raising the dead.

Although John documented only seven miracles to represent the countless many that he saw JESUS perform, these seven SUPERNATURAL SIGNS give infallible proof of the Deity of JESUS as GOD the SON and Messiah. John MacArthur, explains John's written account of these seven particular miracles of JESUS that point to His deity (John MacArthur's Study Bible, p 1579):


"Turns water into wine -- JESUS is the Source of life. (John 2:1-12)
Heals a nobleman's son -- JESUS is Master over distance. (John 4:46-54)
Heals a lame man at the pool of Bethesda -- JESUS is Master over time. (John 5:1-17)
Feeds 5,000 -- JESUS is the Bread of life. (John 6:1-14)
Walks on water, stills a storm -- JESUS is Master over nature. (John 6:15-21)
Heals a man blind from birth -- JESUS is the Light of the world. (John 9:1-41)
Raises Lazarus from the dead -- JESUS has POWER over Death. (John 11:17-45)"

ONLY JESUS has DEFEATED Death -- His Resurrection is a FACT. ONLY JESUS has FULFILLED the prophecies of the coming Messiah. ONLY JESUS has claimed and proven that HE IS -- The Great I AM.

Those who praise Him as the greatest Teacher who ever lived, or as a Prophet sent from GOD, or as a Holy One are on the side of ERROR, for that would make JESUS a liar... the greatest liar who ever lived. And the apostles, the martyred disciples, the church -- ALL liars... OR lunatics.

JESUS claimed to be GOD. Is He a liar, lunatic or LORD?

The verdict came in 2,000 years ago -- the OVERWHELMING Evidence of FULFILLED prophecies and countless MIRACLES attest to it. JESUS IS The Holy One. HE IS The Messiah. CHRIST JESUS IS GOD -- SON of GOD.

But JESUS is not the one on trial -- WE are. When we are presented with the Gospel of Peace, the TRUTH about CHRIST JESUS, we must respond. Our very ETERNAL lives depend on our response.

WHAT will you DO about JESUS?

AGAPE Love -- 1 Corinthians 13

"To love or not to love...that is the question" -- NOT!
To love as CHRIST loves or not to love as CHRIST loves...THAT is the question. (The word love is in the present tense for JESUS lives.)

How does JESUS love? How does JESUS exemplify true love?

i am a painter of GOD-words (http://ad-for-god.blogspot.com). If i were to paint a portrait of JESUS, using words like brush strokes to describe Him and how He loves, i would find fitting words in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a -- the greatest description of true love ever penned.

The Holy SPIRIT of GOD was the inspiration behind the Apostle Paul's beautiful definition of agape -- unselfish, sacrificial love. GOD the SPIRIT painted a portrait of CHRIST in 1 Corinthians 13 -- the "love" chapter of the New Testament.

JESUS, the CHRIST, is GOD's perfect love manifested in sinless flesh. JESUS is perfect love personified. JESUS is 1 Corinthians 13.

JESUS is patient (with people) and is kind (gracious to people with generosity). JESUS does not envy; JESUS does not parade (brag about) Himself; He is not puffed up (arrogant); JESUS does not behave rudely (or is overbearing); He does not seek His own (but selflessly serves others), He is not provoked (or irritated or angered in personal offense), He thinks no evil -- keeps no record of wrongs; JESUS does not rejoice in iniquity (He finds no pleasure in someone else's sin, even the sin of an enemy), but He rejoices in the truth (He is devoted to the truth).

JESUS bears (protects) all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (within GOD's righteous and gracious will). JESUS never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a in red; per John MacArthur in blue)

Back to the question, "To love or not to love" -- as CHRIST JESUS loves.

Love is the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets. Love is of GOD -- it is divine. Love is what makes life worth living. To NOT love is to miss out on the real and abundant life.

Love is a verb -- love is action. It's like faith -- good works is the result of faith in action. Sacrificial, unselfish deeds for others is the result of love in action. So how does one live out agape love?

One must honestly examine oneself. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, replace the word "love" with your name (as i did above, replacing "love" with JESUS). Can one truly and consistently live out all the above qualities of true Love -- agape love? Can one be Love as JESUS was the perfect portrait of Love...even to the death?

You can't and i can't...no one can -- except CHRIST JESUS.

But the Holy SPIRIT -- Omnipotent GOD -- can empower self-seeking mortals to love as JESUS loves. When a repentant sinner believes and trusts in JESUS as LORD and Savior, he receives the Holy SPIRIT to dwell within, empowering the believer to live out the Life of JESUS, which is love in action.

(Receiving the gift of the Holy SPIRIT is as simple as repenting -- changing one's mind about sin, truly seeing one's sin as GOD sees it, and turning to GOD for forgiveness, asking JESUS to come into his heart to be LORD and Master of his life. Or redemption may NOT be so simple if one's pride or self-righteousness blinds oneself to the need of the Redeemer.)

True love, agape, is from above -- from GOD the Father Who gave the Son, Who gave His life to redeem whosoever is willing to trust Him as LORD, Who sent the Holy SPIRIT to empower the believer to live out in actuality the new life of true Love.

To love JESUS or not to love JESUS, THAT is the question.

rLn's Last EXpression -- Her Last GAZILLION Words

HELLO, everyone! i hope you are not crying for me! WHY? WHAT FOR!?! Rejoice... and again, i say -- REJOICE!

i am in the very Presence of The Risen and Glorified LORD JESUS Himself -- face-to-face at long last! i am with GOD The SON, my Faithful Savior, my heart's Desire and Delight. HE is the Author and Finisher of my Faith and ETERNAL Salvation -- The Great AMEN in Person, the very LIFE of this twice-born soul! HE is my ULTIMATE Consolation, my WONDERFUL Counselor. HE is the LORD of Glory and the LORD of my Righteousness. HE is my Good Shepherd, the Sacrificial LAMB for my Passover. HE is my LIFE-Giver, Sustainer and Resurrection... the PRINCE of Peace -- full of GRACE and TRUTH!

i am in the very Presence of The Ancient of Days, our Thrice-Holy FATHER -- our Heavenly "ABBA"-FATHER -- the One who ALL-ways knows BEST always, and who ALL-ways acts perfectly RIGHTEOUS and JUST always! i am presenced with the SUPERnatural Holy SPIRIT -- the One who caused my being BORN AGAIN, the One who baptized me INto CHRIST, the One who NEVER forsook me as i lived out GOD's Plan for me on earth. (John 14:20-21,23,26; 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; 1 Corinthians 6:14)

As you hear (or read) these words, KNOW that i am in UNearthly, UNimaginable, almost UNcontainable BLISSful JOY -- in heavenly, rapturous, glorious DELIGHT  -- wrapped and immersed in INexpressible JOY that is a constant experience, my BEing totally enveloped and totally saturated with 'the JOY of The LORD' -- to the deepest recesses of my everlasting soul.

Don't weep, let go ALL sorrow -- REJOICE, kick up your heels, clap your hands and dance a jig! LET out a resounding whoop of GLADness -- make some "ooolaLAAAH" noise... no need to be SO somber... no need to sing the blues! Instead, shout out "HalleluJAH!"

i am glorified ALIVE! MORE alive than i ever was on earth... MORE vibrantly ALIVE... a gazillion more of 'the Heavenlies' MORE -- EXpressing MORE UNsurpassed vitality that is SO effervescent and SO invigorating, yet SO peacefully at ease and restful in this INdescribable ZESTfulness and UNmatched BEingness of ALIVEness. It's a GLORIOUS ALIVEness that fills to OVERflowing my very BEing -- that radiates from my deepest innermost BEing. i would be OVERwhelmed were it not for the REALITY of this NEW glorified body that is NOW the dwelling place of my enLIGHTened soul and quickened spirit.

Take off the long faces, put on your ear-to-ear smiles. i am MORE than just fine. i am made WHOLE at last -- body, soul and spirit United IN CHRIST -- a child of the GOD Divine -- beaming outwards the Light of CHRIST from withIN, HE who is The LIGHT of the Universe...my altogether Lovely Adonai, my utterly Precious Pearl of GREAT Price -- my LORD of Lords and KING of Kings -- CHRIST JESUS Himself, The SON of GOD.

Don't miss me, don't lament my physical absence. Rather, look forward with eager GLADness when we'll meet again... those of you who are my TRUE brothers and sisters IN CHRIST. (John 3:3,5-8; Romans 8:14)

Now i fully KNOW -- my time on earth was but Life 101 -- SPIRIT-led lessons on CHRISTlikeness. It was the life-long Process of PREPARATION for Eternity with GOD in His heavenly Kingdom. And physical DEATH -- the cessation of my earthly existence -- was but the blink-of-an-eye ENTRANCE to Eternal LIFE. (Romans 8:29,28)

Dearest family and friends -- those of you hearing (or reading) this last expression of rLn -- you ONLY live ONCE in that vulnerable body you now occupy. You ONLY have this VERY brief lifetime to CHOOSE which Way to go. You ONLY have this ONE chance to choose your ETERNAL Destiny. There are NO multiple reincarnations -- only GOD's Plan of RESURRECTION for ALL SOULS ever born -- either to Eternal SEPARATION from GOD (Hell) or to Eternal LIFE with GOD (Heaven). (Matthew 25:46; Luke 10:25-28; John 3:14-18,36; 5:24; 6:40,47; 17:2-3; Romans 6:23; Galatians 6:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:9)

Life EVERafter really is "Black and White." There are NO shades of grey. Your IMMEDIATE Life after this FLEETING one on earth depends on how you CHOOSE your "colors" -- "BLACK" or "WHITE." (Matthew 13:49, 25:32)

"BLACK" is utter Darkness and utter Depravity -- where utter Evil is the rule in this realm. "BLACK" is the TOTAL absence of Love and Light. Imagine a hellish place, then multiply it a gazillion times...that is "BLACK." (Matthew 13:41-42)

"WHITE" is blazing Light and utter Truth. "WHITE" is the TOTAL absence of Evil and Darkness. Imagine a PERFECT Paradise, then multiply it a gazillion times -- and it STILL won't even come close to the REALITY that IS Heaven... that is "WHITE." (1 Timothy 6:15-16)

And HEAVEN -- GOD's Kingdom -- is the MOST Wonder-FULL, INdescribable, amaZZZing, utterly fanTASTIC existence -- it's THE Place to experience Eternity... it's the ultimate REALITY of BEing IN CHRIST. 'And I heard a loud voice from the Throne, saying, “Behold, the Tabernacle of GOD is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and GOD Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away EVERY TEAR from their eyes; and there will NO LONGER be any DEATH; there will NO LONGER be any MOURNING, or CRYING, or PAIN; the first things have passed away.”' (Revelation 21:3-4)

HALLELUJAH! i'm here! Once a wretched SINNER of old, but NOW a wholly, completely NEW creation -- a MASTERPIECE of the heavenly Master -- NO words in the human language can describe BEing in the Presence of GOD! The hosts of angelic Beings utter amaZZZing UNearthly Heavenly JOY-full language of worship that perfectly honors the One True Living GOD -- The GOD Most High, The GOD Everlasting. But how can i put into earthly words the music of their heavenly worship? You have to be HERE to hear and enJOY and experience SUCH wondrous and glorious utterances.

i am in FatherGOD's very Presence -- GOD is SPIRIT and He dwells in UNapproachable Light -- yet i'm intact and whole -- and did not burst into a gazillion smithereens of JOY! IF i could physically return to earth (Luke 16:26 says, "Negative!") and tell you ALL that is here -- you'd NO LONGER even remotely desire ANY of that measly STUFF that masquerade as the world's Treasures... devilish Temptations -- fleeting Pleasures that are like the EMPTY calories of fluffy cotton candy -- just sickening Saccharin. EVERYthing here in Heaven is a gazillion times better in EVERY way -- it's SUPERlatively Wonder-FULL -- UNspeakable in earthly language.

Remember when GOD by the Holy SPIRIT raised JESUS from the dead and the Risen CHRIST manifested Himself in His GLORIFIED Body? THAT is the REAL Hope of EVERYone who are IN CHRIST -- boundless vitality and OVERflowing LOVE, heavenly JOY, and the UNfathomable PEACE of GOD that was but a tantalizing hint on earth compared to the REALITY  that is here in Heaven. (Hebrews 12:2; Isaiah 44:23; 1 Peter 1:8; Jude 1:24)

And BEST of all is this UNsurpassed DELIGHT of BEing with The LORD JESUS -- face-to-face at long last! -- in His Presence ALL the time and being conscious of it! His GLORIOUS Presence would OVERwhelm me with its OMNIpotent GLORY were it not clothed with His UNspeakable Loveliness and INfinite Graciousness. My whole BEing sings angelic harmonies -- in utmost reverence and childlike wonder... in AWEstruck amazement, in utmost gratefulness for the SUPERlative privilege of sharing Heaven with GOD Himself as one of His own.

So don't cry -- don't shed one more tear. REJOICE... and be utterly GLAD for me. i am totally FREE at last! FREED from decay and weakness and pain. FREED from the cursed earth -- the putrefying world that is soon to pass away. FREED from the hellish power and pollution of satan, SIN and SELF. ... ForEVERmore!

If you haven't yet reckoned which Way to go, which Master to serve, which "Color" to side with by your total allegiance -- please, for the sake of your EVERlasting SOUL -- choose "White." PURE, gloriously radiant WHITE for the color of The WORD made Flesh. PURE, cleansing spotless WHITE for the color of JESUS' shed BLOOD for our sins. PURE, UNapproachable blinding WHITE for the Infinite Perfection of our Most Holy GOD IN CHRIST.

REPENT -- turn from SIN, SELF and Satan. BELIEVE and TRUST in JESUS' LIFE of sinless Perfection, of His perfect BLOOD Sacrifice on The Cross, of His historical Resurrection and astounding Ascension back to GLORY with The FATHER. Acknowledge His rightful LORDship over your entire life -- body, soul and spirit. RECEIVE by GRACE alone, through FAITH alone, IN CHRIST alone -- GOD's gracious and merciful FREE Gift of Eternal LIFE with Him and the saints in His SON's Kingdom in Heaven -- for His SON CHRIST JESUS Himself said, "I AM The Way, and The Truth, and the LIFE. No one comes to The FATHER except through Me. I AM The LIFE and The Resurrection. You BELIEVE in GOD -- believe ALSO in Me." (John 14:6; 11:25; 14:1)

For 'it is APPOINTED for men to DIE once, but after this The JUDGMENT.' The cowardly, UNbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and ALL liars -- they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. THIS is the SECOND DEATH. (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 21:8)

'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. The sea gave up the DEAD who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the DEAD who were in them. And they were JUDGED, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is The SECOND Death.

'And ANYone not found written in the Book of LIFE was cast into the Lake of Fire.' (Revelation 20:12-15)

"Doulos" of CHRIST JESUS -- Slave of GOD

i was a fully devoted Follower of JESUS CHRIST. Today -- i am a fully devoted Slave of CHRIST JESUS.

After listening to John MacArthur's message "Slaves for JESUS CHRIST" -- i discovered that i am a Slave of JESUS CHRIST.

GOD's amazing Wisdom and unfathomable Patience is such that He did not allow this Revelation until i had fallen so deeply in love with JESUS, my Beloved LORD, that i was able to receive this TRUTH with JOYful acceptance.

When i was but a "baby" CHRISTian, i balked at the Bible passages that commanded SUBMISSION to the husband, meekness in dealing with people, turning the other cheek when attacked, going two miles when forced to do the one, forgiving 70 x 7 that same person, giving to every one who asks or borrows (and not hoping for anything in return), praying for and loving my enemy, even "washing feet."

But in GOD's perfect timing, i heard MacArthur's message with a HalleluJAH! bursting forth from my heart. It made perfect sense to me.

i "grew up" feeding on the New King James Version (John MacArthur's Study Bible); and today, the New Living Translation. All the years of my thus far, brief CHRISTian life, i digested "Well done, good and faithful servant." i lived as best as i could to please GOD with a servant heart. My understanding as a fully devoted follower of CHRIST JESUS was that of a devoted servant -- not as devoted slave.

John MacArthur's exposition was exceptional -- it was TRUTH clarified in words that my mind could grasp and my heart could receive with JOY. It was an Aha! moment for me.

In the original language of the Scriptures (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek), the New Testament was written in Greek. The Greek word doulos appears 130 times -- yet in the NKJV, it appears but once in the true English translation: doulos of CHRIST -- slave of CHRIST (1 Corinthians 7:22). The word doulos is translated in English to "slave" when actual slaves are mentioned, or when it describes a slave of someone or to something (i.e., slave of Philemon, slave to SIN) -- but not as a personal relationship to JESUS CHRIST (i.e., slave of JESUS CHRIST). The original Greek word doulos when translated to English (in the 20 authorized Bible translations) is changed to "servant" (or "bondservant" -- someone bound to labor without wages -- still a "slave," though not seemingly as abrasive). MacArthur contends that there are six words in Greek for "servant" -- none of them doulos, and yet doulos (slave) is translated as "servant" in almost all the English Bible translations.

In the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), doulos is consistently translated in English as slave, as well as E. J. Goodspeed's translation. The American Standard Bible translates doulos as "slave" (in the context of a personal relationship to JESUS CHRIST) when there was no getting around it (per MacArthur), as does the New Living Translation. (Compare English translations of doulos in Romans 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Galatians 1:10, Colossians 1:7, Titus 1:1, James 1:1, Jude 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1)

The word slave is such a distasteful word, with all its evil connotations and dark historical attachments. Slavery means oppression, subjugation, evil done to others. To be called a slave of someone or to something could mean NOthing good -- talk to any African-American or Israeli Jew (or anyone who was ever enslaved by someone or by something). It is totally vile... like an unmitigated hurt, with its associated scars that may still be tender and oozing with bitterness and unforgiveness.

What is a doulos -- a slave?

A slave is exclusively OWNED by one master -- bought with a price.
A slave is in complete and constant availability and OBEDIENCE to that one master.
A slave is SUBJECT to one alien will -- the will of that master.
A slave is to live ONLY for the singular purpose of pleasing that master.
A slave is completely DEPENDENT on that master for absolutely EVERYthing.
A slave is DISCIPLINED and REWARDED at that master's discretion.

In other words, a slave has NO independence, NO freedom, NO rights of any kind! He is OWNED, controlled, subjected -- made to serve -- to do anything required, whether he likes it or not. Slaves (in Roman times) had no rights, no legal recourse, didn't own anything, had no citizenship, couldn't give testimony in a court case, no choice about anything -- they were totally dependent on the master who owned them. And if a slave ran away, he was flogged or even crucified.

All that said, why do i DELIGHT in being a doulos, a Slave of JESUS CHRIST? Why is this not a repugnant word to me? Why does it ring TRUE in my heart of hearts -- my soul? Why does it ascertain Oswald Chambers' "It matters not What GOD does -- it matters only WHO He is"?

Because of WHO The Master is -- GOD the SON, CHRIST JESUS -- Faithful and True, Prince of Peace, Lamb of GOD, Lion of Judah, Light of the world...OMNIpotent, OMNIscient, OMNIpresent, ETERNAL and Righteous Judge. The I AM WHO I AM is my LORD! HE is the Creator and Owner of ALL things seen and UNseen. This Master is INfinitely kind and benevolent, utterly gracious and compassionate. HE IS LOVE Incarnate. My Master is The GOD Who LOVED the world SO much (you and me) that He GAVE His ONLY Begotten SON (The LORD JESUS) to atone for the SINs of ALL who would REPENT -- turning from their sin TO GOD for FULL forgiveness, fully TRUSTING that CHRIST JESUS has fully paid for their SIN-debt by His BLOOD shed at Calvary's Cross. (John 3:16) And because HE is a Holy GOD, EVERYthing He wills is ALLways JUST and RIGHTEOUS.

Wasn't i bought with His own BLOOD? His Precious BLOOD was shed in agony on The Cross that i may be washed clean by it... my SINs blotted out by it... and my place in the Kingdom of GOD GUARANTEED by it.

JESUS' SACRIFICIAL, SUBSTITUTIONARY Death on The Cross bought my FREEDOM. i am owned by CHRIST. i am His doulos -- i am a slave of JESUS CHRIST.

When i received JESUS as my CHRIST... as my Savior and LORD -- did i realize the full extent of His LORDship in my life? No. Did i know that i would be His doulos for eternity, not a servant who can choose to quit? No. Did it occur to me that when i confessed Him as LORD, that i was also confessing myself as slave of GOD? No.

TOday -- more than ever, i fully understand the TRUE meaning of "LORD." When JESUS IS LORD and Master of me -- i am under His absolute ownership and control (through the Holy SPIRIT); subject and obedient to His will; loyal and devoted ONLY to Him; and totally dependent on Him for absolutely EVERYthing -- ALL my material, emotional and spiritual needs. HE is the Provider, the Protector, the Comforter of this doulos. Rather than being an oppressed slave, i am a lovingly cared for peculiar Possession of the most glorious Master of the heavens and earth.

JESUS, my Master, has made me a daughter of GOD and joint-heirs with Himself; adopted me into His family; will take me to Heaven, and now pours out all the SPIRITual riches in His possession for my JOY and for His GLORY. i was a slave to Death, Hell and Sin -- under satan's authority -- but TOday, i am slave to GOD and His Righteousness, Creator and Master of the Universe!

HalleluJAH! i am no longer a slave to the god of this world or to SELF -- i am a fully devoted slave of JESUS CHRIST!

Paul, Peter, Timothy, Jude, James (the brother of JESUS) called themselves doulos of GOD and of JESUS CHRIST. They were CALLED to be more than servants -- they were called by CHRIST to be His doulos -- His very own. Even the virgin Mary, mother of JESUS, called herself The LORD's slave. "I am The LORD's slave," said Mary. "May it be done to me according to Your WORD." (Luke 1:38, HCSB).

And The SON of GOD Himself -- existing in the EXACT Form of GOD -- assumed the form of a SLAVE! HE (JESUS) made Himself NOthing; He took the HUMBLE position of a SLAVE and appeared in human form. (Philippians 2:7)

And ALL who have received JESUS as their LORD and Master, have been bought, redeemed, purchased by GOD Himself. What a VERY GREAT Privilege to be owned by the GOD of the Universe!

But a most awesome and most amazing TRUTH is this -- that JESUS no longer calls us slaves -- doulos -- but friends! SAVED SINNERS, once fit only for the dung heap -- bound for HELL -- are now friends with GOD. This is the UNbelievable, UNfathomable, INdescribable LOVE of GOD... manifested IN CHRIST.

"No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his Master is doing; but I have called you friends, for ALL things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15)

JESUS -- the sweetest Name i know!

The MINISTRY of the Holy SPIRIT in Believers

When i received the LORD JESUS as the CHRIST of my life in 2003, i was ignorant of the AWEsome ministry of the Holy SPIRIT in my life, in my person. i remained clueless for some time because although i was saved from eternal hell, i remained but a baby CHRISTian, barely crawling on my hands and knees, still operating from the flesh -- the old "ME.rl.I.n" nature -- not able to discern the small, still voice of the SPIRIT, for my own self-seeking voice was yet too dominant and too loud.

GOD's grace is such that He did not allow me to remain a baby CHRISTian, but through His merciful orchestration, He gave me the necessary tools so that i may be better equipped for the growth process. In 2009, upon my return to San Diego from Fiji, He provided the "Foundations" Bible study at Ocean View Church which gave me insight to the powerful ministry of the Holy SPIRIT in the lives of followers of CHRIST.

And recently, through Jim Cymbala, Zac Poonen (CFC, Bangalore) Zola Levitt (Zola Levitt Ministries), John Yates (Faith Bible Institute, Willmington's Guide to the Bible), fellowship with other CHRISTians, daily Bible reading and study, and SPIRIT-engineered circumstances -- i came to know the Person of the Holy SPIRIT Who was GOD's gift to me (and to all believers in CHRIST) at the moment of redemption.

The following are excerpts from Willmington's Guide to the Bible which clearly define the fantastic ministry of the Holy SPIRIT in the believer's life. Dr Harold Willmington describes the GODhead with this illustration:

"Consider an important executive who determines to build a spacious and expensive home. He thus employs an architect to design the necessary plans for this home. The architect thereupon secures a competent contractor to follow his blueprints. In this illustration, the Executive is the FATHER, the Architect is the SON, and the Divine Contractor is the Holy SPIRIT." (Willmington's Guide to the Bible, page 645.)

The SPIRIT has eleven ministries concerning the universe, the Scriptures, the nation of Israel, the devil, the Savior, the sinner, the church, the day of Pentecost, the believer, the spiritual gifts and the fruit of the SPIRIT (for those in CHRIST).

As a believing child of GOD, a follower of JESUS, when i learned about the powerful ministry of the SPIRIT working within me, the Person of the Holy SPIRIT became real to me. No longer was He just a doctrine to internalize and share with others, He became a real Presence in my life. His titles of Helper, Comforter, Counselor, Teacher of ALL truth became Reality to me... no longer confined to my finite mind as mere head-knowledge, but REAL in a physical sense. Though i don't see Him with my physical eyes, i know by experience His Presence in my daily life.

So for those who may still be somewhat confused (as i was) about the ALL-powerful hand of GOD in the Person of the Holy SPIRIT, it's my prayer that these excerpts from Dr Willmington's Doctrine of the Holy SPIRIT (in blue italics) will further clarify the AMAZING gracious gift of GOD's SPIRIT to those who have put their faith in CHRIST JESUS.

The instant an unsaved person prays "GOD be merciful to me, a sinner," (genuinely repents -- turns from sin and turns to GOD -- asks for forgiveness and sincerely receives in his heart JESUS as Savior and LORD of his life) -- the Holy SPIRIT immediately effects a five-fold work in him.
1. The Holy SPIRIT regenerates the believing sinner. He literally recreates him and gives him the nature of GOD. (Titus 3:5, John 3:3-7, 1 Peter 1:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

2. The Holy SPIRIT baptizes the believing sinner. (This is not water baptism, but spiritual placement.) He places the believer into the body of CHRIST --the church. (1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27, Ephesians 4:4-5, Colossians 2:12)

3. The Holy SPIRIT indwells the believing sinner. He not only joins us to the Savior (through the baptism -- #2 above), but He joins Himself to us. He literally lives on the inside of each believer. (John 14:20, 7:37-39; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:16-18; Ephesians 3:16)

4. The Holy SPIRIT seals the believing sinner. The presence of the Holy SPIRIT Himself is the Seal, Who is given by the Father to assure the believer of his eternal salvation. The Seal is also referred to as the Earnest or Guarantee, or Deposit. (2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30)

5. The Holy SPIRIT fills the believing sinner. (Acts 2:4) The Holy SPIRIT controls and reigns over the SURRENDERED believer.

It was at the Foundations Bible study at Ocean View Church that i first learned the difference between the indwelling and the filling of the Holy SPIRIT. Dr Willmington's illustration further clarifies the difference:

A guest is invited into a home. But upon entering that home he is immediately confined to a small room somewhere near the front door. For a while, he may even be forgotten by his host. Finally, however, the owner of the house is convicted concerning his shabby treatment of the house guest. He thereupon gives his guest free access to every room in the house.

The Holy SPIRIT is the invited Guest. The host is the believing sinner, and the house stands for his life. The difference then between the indwellling and the filling is the difference between being confined in a small room somewhere and being given free access to all the rooms.

The filling, therefore, does not mean the believer gets more of the Holy SPIRIT, but rather the Holy SPIRIT gets more of the believer.
All five of these ministries happen instantaneously to the believing sinner. They all occur by faith (not by any sum of good works) and are not in the least dependent upon one's personal emotional feelings at the time.

The first four ministries can never be lost, and therefore need not be and should not be asked for again... IF a man has accepted CHRIST, he has for all eternity been regenerated, indwelled, baptized, and sealed by the Holy SPIRIT.

The fifth ministry, however, can be lost (by disobedience -- by sin) and therefore should be asked for as many times as needed. (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16; Acts 2:4, 4:8, 6:3, 7:55, 9:17, 11:24, 13:9, 52)

The first four ministries give us peace WITH GOD (Romans 5:1). But the fifth ministry assures us the peace OF GOD. (Philippians 4:7) Thus, all CHRISTians, regardless of how backslidden they might be, enjoy peace WITH GOD, but only SPIRIT-controlled believers can know that blessed peace OF GOD.

Being filled by the Holy SPIRIT is being controlled by Him -- being surrendered to His guidance, to His leading, to His protection, to His empowerment, to His wisdom...to His sovereign rule in every aspect of the believer's life, inner and outer. As a young child trusts and obeys his/her earthly father, so a child of GOD trusts and obeys his/her heavenly Father.

The fifth ministry is lost whenever disobedience is found in the life of the believer. Disobedience is the sin of quenching the Holy SPIRIT -- which involves not doing that which the Holy SPIRIT would have us do (1 Thessalonians 5:19); and the sin of grieving the Holy SPIRIT -- which involves doing that which the Holy SPIRIT would not have us do (Ephesians 4:30).

The fifth ministry may (and should be) instantly regained by:
-- By knowing GOD's means of forgiveness and cleansing -- the blood of CHRIST. (1 John 1:7)

-- By knowing GOD's method of forgiveness and cleansing -- the confession of the CHRISTian. (1 John 1:9) The confession is absolutely vital, for while CHRIST's blood will cleanse us from all sin, it will not cleanse us from a single excuse.

GOD does not demand golden vessels, nor does He require silver ones, but He must have clean ones. Thus the union with the SPIRIT is so strong that NOthing can break it, but the communion with the SPIRIT is so fragile that the smallest sin can shatter it.

The fifth ministry assures the believer of the following priceless blessings:

The Holy SPIRIT will pray for him. (Romans 8:26)
The Holy SPIRIT will guide him. (John 16:13, Romans 8:14)
The Holy SPIRIT will teach him. (1 John 2:27)
The Holy SPIRIT will empower him for witnessing. (Acts 1:8)
The Holy SPIRIT will impart the love of CHRIST to him and through him. (Romans 5:5)
The Holy SPIRIT will conform him to the image of CHRIST. (2 Corinthians 3:18) The ultimate goal and stated intention of the Father is to conform the believer throughout eternity into the image of CHRIST. (Romans 8:29, Philippians 3:21, 1 John 3:2) But GOD the SPIRIT desires to start this glorious work in each child of GOD at the moment of salvation. (Philippians 3:10)
The Holy SPIRIT will strengthen his new nature. (Ephesians 3:16) This He does through Bible study (1 Peter 2:2) and prayer (Jude 1:20)
The Holy SPIRIT will reveal Biblical truth to him. (1 Corinthians 2:10)
The Holy SPIRIT will assure him concerning salvation and service. (Romans 8:16, 1 John 3:24)
The Holy SPIRIT will give him liberty. (Romans 8:2, 2 Corinthians 3:17)
The Holy SPIRIT will fill his mouth with appropriate things. (Mark 13:11; Acts 4:8-22, 5:29-33, 7:55) "...take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate; but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy SPIRIT." (Mark 13:11)

The privilege of being adopted into GOD's family comes ONLY through the shed blood of CHRIST JESUS -- by faith ALONE -- believing in the Fact that GOD the Son died on the cross as the Substitutionary Sacrificial Lamb to atone for my sin-debt, the penalty which is death... eternal separation from GOD and all the supreme good that He is.

The indescribable gift of the Holy SPIRIT -- His ministries, His fruit, His blessings -- are mine now and for all eternity as a child of GOD, for i have trusted in the saving work of JESUS CHRIST on the Cross. The incomprehensible love of GOD the Father in sacrificing GOD His Son as payment for my sins is STILL beyond my comprehension.

So i simply and humbly received GOD's gift of Amazing Grace in the Person of JESUS CHRIST, fully knowing that i'm unworthy and undeserving -- but utterly grateful for GOD's grace. i received the gift of the Holy SPIRIT and all that He is. He is all THAT that my Father Creator is. He is all THAT that my Savior JESUS is. Since He is GOD... and GOD of all of me -- "It matters not what He does, it matters only Who He is!" (Oswald Chambers)

So to add to Willmington's illustration -- the SPIRIT of CHRIST has free access to all the rooms of this house -- my body (eyes, ears, mouth), heart (affections, desires, motives), mind/will/thoughts, soul (personality), talents/skills, money/stuff -- ALL are His to use for whatever pleases my LORD JESUS and whatever my heavenly Father purposes to further His Kingdom. He has the keys to the front and back doors, the closets, even the safe. In fact (TOday -- 5/13/2015), He has the deed to my whole house!

The POOR In SPIRIT And The 7 Deadly SINS

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:3)

WRATH

Murderers, adulterers, thieves, whoremongers, prostitutes, liars, cheaters...all who have ever committed any of the seven deadly sins -- wrath, avarice, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony -- are all sinners. We are all sinners.

AVARICE

But all sinners who have come to the realization of their sinfulness, their utter worthlessness -- and have truly repented, have asked for forgiveness, and have received and trusted JESUS as their CHRIST and Savior -- are freely forgiven and set free from GOD's condemnation and wrath for their sins. They are assured peace with GOD -- and their rightful place in the Kingdom of Heaven.

This amazing grace from GOD anger those who protest, "What about the good and moral people who have not believed in JESUS CHRIST? How about Mahatma Gandhi...an icon of non-violence and goodness? Or the Dalai Lama of Tibet -- His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso? Will they go to Hell because they did not put their faith in JESUS -- did not believe that CHRIST is the Son of GOD, sent by Him to die for sinners?"
Gandhi, the Dalai Lama...and all those who seem righteous in the eyes of men (or in their own eyes) and believe that their righteousness is truly righteous in GOD's sight, do not realize that their righteousness are but filthy rags compared to GOD's blinding holiness. But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

SLOTH

Pride blinds a man to his true condition -- the condition of his heart -- that no matter the many good works he has done or the great accomplishments he has contributed to the "advancement" of mankind -- his good (or even great) works will not get him into Heaven. For who will judge man's good works to be good enough in GOD's sight? What is the standard for good works "good enough" to get into Heaven? Faith in GOD is the standard by which we will be judged by the giver of faith Himself -- GOD, Creator of Heaven and Earth...and Hell.

Jesus told them, "This is what GOD wants you to do: Believe in the One He has sent." (John 6:29) Without faith in Him, it is impossible to please GOD. (Hebrews 11:6)

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith is the substance, and it is a reality. GOD wants to bring us to the fact of it. He wants us to know that we have something greater than we can see or handle, because everything we can see and handle is going to pass away. (Smith Wigglesworth, Faith, p. 19)

Faith is believing in Love so great, so unfathomable, and so incomprehensible that a person who has committed the most heinous crime can be forgiven by GOD. Faith is standing firm on GOD's Word that the most religious, most upstanding person will not be forgiven for wilfully rejecting the Son whom GOD sent to die for all mankind -- whether a Mother Teresa or a man on death row, whether Jew or Gentile, man or woman, heterosexual or homosexual.

PRIDE

Moses killed a man, Rahab was a harlot, David committed adultery, Paul murdered many CHRISTians, Mary Magdalene had seven demons, the Treasurer of Ethiopia was a eunuch -- all divested themselves of pride and self-righteousness...all came to repentance...all were forgiven their sins. The Father, and all the angels in Heaven, are overjoyed for each repentant sinner, for each prodigal son (or daughter) who returns to GOD.

Peace with GOD does not come from faith in one's own goodness: "GOD will accept me for i've done many good works in His name. i have not committed adultery -- or killed or cheated or stole. i am a good provider for my family, i go to church, i tithe, i serve my community -- all my good works will get me into Heaven. i am good...i am righteous." (Matthew 18:10-14)

No one but GOD is good. No one but GOD is holy. No one but GOD is righteous.

When a person righteous in his own eyes stand before GOD in His blinding holiness, and the person's righteousness is put to the exceedingly piercing light of GOD's scrutiny -- will he outshine GOD's purity and holiness? Never.

LUST

In man's inner heart are sins not seen on the outside. But GOD who sees clearly to the innermost core of a man's soul sees all -- to the farthest nook and cranny of a man's heart -- his lusts, motives, self-aggrandisement, and pride.

Only by the shed blood of JESUS is one made righteous in GOD's sight. Covered by His blood, pure and holy -- GOD sees the righteousness of JESUS in the believer -- for CHRIST, by the indwelling Holy SPIRIT, is on the inside. He is the One GOD sees, the personal Advocate who will stand in front of the Judge on the Day of Judgment. He will say, "This person goes free. I have already paid his debt in full."
By faith, believers receive JESUS as their Savior and Advocate. By faith they stand boldly in front of Almighty GOD who sees all their dirtiest deeds -- past, present and future. And He judges the believers righteous because JESUS has imparted to them His righteousness... for our form of righteousness is but filthy rags and will not stand up to GOD's standard of holy righteousness, no matter the good works we've done.

i know i have no good thing in me. i know that whatever good that comes out of me is not my own doing, but of the SPIRIT who does the work of the Father through me. i know i am nothing but filthy rags without CHRIST.

ENVY

Pride in man is when he believes (despite all the evidence before his very eyes) that GOD does not have the power or intelligence to create man. Pride in man makes him believe that he is good enough to stand and be counted righteous in front of the most righteous and holy GOD. Pride in man is one who continues in his sin, knowing GOD hates sin.

GOD loves the sinner -- you and me. He sent JESUS to die for all sinners. (John 3:16)

GLUTTONY

But GOD hates sin...in every shape and form.

GOD hates pride...the pride that puts oneself above the Creator...pride that puts the student above the Teacher...pride that puts the servant above the Master.

GOD blesses those who recognize their bankruptcy of spirit. GOD blesses those who acknowledge that apart from the True Vine, they are nothing and can do nothing. GOD blesses those who come to Him broken and repentant, devoid of self-righteousness and pride.

Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What were his experiences concerning this question of being saved by faith? Was it because of his good deeds that GOD accepted him? If so, he would have had something to boast about. But from GOD's point of view Abraham had no basis at all for pride. For the Scriptures tell us, "Abraham believed GOD, so GOD declared him to be righteous." (Romans 4:1-3)

Location, Location, LOCATION! WHERE is your ETERNAL Real Estate?

EVERY LIFE conceived will follow its natural cycle. EVERY PERSON BORN WILL DIE. As soon as a LIFE -- a human BEing -- is formed in the mother's womb, the process of Life to Death begins. (Though there are those countless millions of lives that were terminated through Abortion -- LEGALIZED MURDER -- their right to live out that natural process violated... their choice to live nullified. They were the silent ones -- lambs to the slaughter.)

"In the Bible, there are TWO kinds of DEATH and both can be defined by a single word. The word is SEPARATION. The two kinds of death are PHYSICAL and SPIRITUAL. When a person dies physically, his soul is separated from his body. The soul-less body is put in the ground (or cremated, as Jazmyn was -- and placed in this painted box), but the SOUL lives on. It can NEVER die. The more serious kind of death, however, is spiritual death. This will occur when the UNsaved sinner will someday be forEVER separated from GOD. This is called the SECOND DEATH." (Dr. Harold L. Willmington - Willmington's Guide to the Bible, page 23)

i saw the dead, both great and small, standing before GOD's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the DEAD were JUDGED according to the things written in the books, according to what they had done. The sea gave up the dead in it, and death and the grave gave up the dead in them. They were ALL JUDGED according to their DEEDS. (Revelation 20:12-13)

And death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the SECOND death -- the lake of fire. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15)

EVERY person will live on in Eternity, for ALL human beings have a SOUL, which NEVER dies. The body dies physically, but the soul will be assigned his (or her) ETERNAL real estate -- HEAVEN or HELL.

Either blissful and priceless, or horrific and fearsome, is that LOCATION where EACH person will spend his (or her) ETERNITY.

In HEAVEN -- He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever. (Revelation 21:4)

In HELL -- In that location, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:51b)

In HEAVEN -- is the very Presence of GOD, with CHRIST JESUS! The home of GOD is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. GOD Himself will be with them. (Revelation 21:3) When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I AM. (John 14:3)

In HELL -- is the outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 22:13)

In HEAVEN -- is the believer's personal home, created for the follower by our LORD Himself.

There are many rooms in My Father's home, and I AM going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. (John 14:2)

In HELL -- is `where the worm never dies and the fire never goes out.' (Mark 9:48)

In HEAVEN -- is where all BELIEVERS in CHRIST will gather for the marriage feast of the Lamb, where we will unite with our SAVED loved ones, and all the saints, prophets and apostles -- Abraham, Moses, Paul, John, David, Peter, Daniel, Joseph, Isaiah, Job, Rahab, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Noah, Jacob, Nehemiah, Jonah... all the Marys... mother Theresa... the boy with the five loaves of bread and two fish... ALL the SAVED -- great and small, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, men and women.

For IF we BELIEVE that JESUS died and rose again, even so GOD will bring with Him those who sleep in JESUS. (I Thessalonians 4:14)

In HELL -- will reside the unforgiven, the unrepentant, those who rejected GOD's WORD... His SON... those who willfully rejected the calling of the Holy SPIRIT to GOD's plan of Salvation -- CHRIST JESUS... GOD from Heaven clothed in human flesh.

Outside the city are the dogs -- the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. (Revelation 22:15)

Location, location, LOCATION! In the real estate market, LOCATION is the key to the value of the property. For all those who have put their TRUST in CHRIST JESUS, their guaranteed ETERNAL Real Estate is the Kingdom of GOD in heaven... face to face with JESUS in all His Glory.

A person can't buy into that priceless eternal REAL estate -- it's FREE -- because it cost the Father SO infinitely! It cost GOD the Father His SON's LIFE -- but to ALL sinners (and we are ALL sinners... NO one, NOT one is good -- only GOD is truly good) who truly REPENT and ask for forgiveness and receive GOD's Gift of Redemption -- he is FREELY given the most valuable piece of REAL estate -- an INdescribable, INcomprehensible, UNimaginable Garden of Eden... TRUE Paradise.

Location, Location, LOCATION! Where have you invested your ETERNAL tomorrow? For TOday may be your last breath. CHOOSE -- this very moment, where you will live your ETERNAL LIFE -- with GOD in His ETERNAL Heaven with His loving Presence...

Or in Hell -- TOTALLY SEPARATED from GOD's MERCY and GRACE and LOVE, totally devoid of the Presence of GOD...and without GOD's Presence is total darkness, total depravity, total evil... unimaginable suffering to the nth degree.

Location...Location...LOCATION...prime Reality is through The WAY, The TRUTH and The LIFE -- The WORD Himself -- JESUS, The CHRIST...the Messiah. The LORD JESUS Himself has declared: "NO ONE comes to The FATHER except THROUGH Me." (John 14:6b)

The GOOD News -- The Gospel of GOD

What is the GOOD News -- the Gospel of GOD? The definition, according to John MacArthur's Study Bible, is this: "GOD will forgive sins, deliver from sin's power, and give eternal hope." (Page 1691, Note on Romans 1:1)

Those who believe and follow the writings of the Bible, the Torah, the Qur'an (where all three books include the Pentateuch, the Five Books of Moses) -- understand that GOD, as a holy and righteous Judge, hates sin, cannot and will not tolerate sin; and therefore, must judge the doer of sin. Because of man's gift of free will, sin abounds today as it has throughout history. Sin created enmity between GOD, the Creator, and His creation, man.

But GOD, in His omniscience and loving wisdom, provided a substitutionary payment to atone for the sinner through the blood of the sinless Person of CHRIST JESUS. In 739 B.C., the prophet Isaiah foretold this act of grace from GOD. (Isaiah 9:6,7 and 53:1-12) In A.D. 30, the Reality of the Gospel of GOD became Actuality -- payment was made for all mankind, on the cross, by the blood of the promised Substitute -- JESUS, the CHRIST... the MESSIAH.

GOD, the ultimate Judge, in His holiness and righteousness, requires justice for sin. JESUS, the GOD-Man, GOD's own only Son, was the ultimate payment that satisfied the Holy One's wrathful vengeance against sin. JESUS took upon Himself all of mankind's sins -- past, present and future -- and incurred the full brunt of GOD's unfathomable wrath against sin.

Can i even grasp this thought: the excruciating agony at the cross -- yet physical torture was "less painful" compared to the emotional, mental, soulful, spiritual anguish of total separation from the fellowship of One-ness which the Father and Son shared before time began. That moment when the Father executed His own Son at the cross -- venting His holy anger at the sinless One who became sin -- could that moment have been like a thousand years to JESUS? (With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 2 Peter 3:8)

This is why believers in CHRIST throughout history have died for their faith and others have left all to do GOD's will -- their faithful allegiance to JESUS as the crucified CHRIST who took on Himself the sin of the world and as the risen Savior who has promised eternal life to those who trust in Him.

No other leader in all the world's major religions (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese and African traditional religions), has died and risen -- yes, risen!

Secular scholars and researchers who have diligently investigated JESUS' history and the Bible's accuracy have concluded to the veracity of the Bible and it's sacred writings about JESUS. (i.e., Simon Greenleaf, Royal Professor of Law at Harvard University, considered by many to be the greatest authority on legal evidences; Josh McDowell, who wrote Evidence That Demands a Verdict to disprove the resurrection of CHRIST believed the evidence he found and converted; Frank Morrison, a British lawyer who went to Palestine to disprove the resurrection ended up writing the book, Who Moved the Stone? to prove the resurrection; Lew Wallace, wrote Ben Hur, to prove the reality of the resurrection of CHRIST -- from Faith Bible Institute workbook; C. S. Lewis, author, who questioned his own religious roots, re-embraced CHRISTianity after fully examining and taking it apart.)

No other Person has fulfilled GOD's Word as prophesied in the Holy Scriptures. No other Man has performed the countless (witnessed and documented) miracles that confirmed His deity... and the most outright visible sign from GOD to authenticate JESUS as His Son -- was the empty tomb... the fact of the resurrection.

CHRIST JESUS is the only way to receive GOD's forgiveness of sin -- to make peace with GOD -- to be justified before the holy Judge's blinding purity.

JESUS Himself said plainly, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)

Only JESUS' own pure righteousness can withstand GOD's laser beam scrutiny. Only the CHRIST can stand between GOD's holy wrath against a sinner on Judgment Day. JESUS is the reason for the confidence of peace before GOD's holy and righteous judgment -- He is the believer's personal Defender -- the holy Advocate.

No religious leader, teacher or prophet -- past or present -- no man, can survive GOD's righteous and holy and perfect judgment. Only the totally pure and perfect, holy and righteous GOD-Man, CHRIST JESUS, has accomplished what no mortal ever could -- victory over death... salvation... redemption... atonement for the sinner -- so that all who believe in Him may receive His gift of eternal life and peace with GOD, the Almighty Creator.

GOD so loved the world, His creation, that He sent His only Son to be killed, as the Lamb to the slaughter -- and all that GOD asks of each sinner is acceptance of His most precious gift -- His very own Son.

GOD's promise is this: whosoever believes in CHRIST JESUS will be saved. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. (John 3:36)

Here is the $1,000,000 question: Will you go to Heaven when you die? Your fate is in your own hands. It's not your sin that closes up the gates of Heaven for you, but your rejection of the GOOD News -- the Gospel of GOD, which is the Revelation of CHRIST JESUS.

i have claimed the promise of the GOOD News from the GOD who cannot lie, who never ever breaks promises, who is ever faithful and true to His Word. i am saved...Hallelujah!

Have you claimed GOD's promise of the GOOD News of JESUS CHRIST?