Jesus appeared many times in the Old Testament in various
manifestations such as the burning bush, the cloud by day, the fire by
night, the shekinah glory, the angel of the Lord and in several other
manifestations. He is and always has been the manifest person of the
Godhead. God the father is the unseen member of this Godhead and no
man has seen God at any time because he is a spirit and as spirit, he is
not in physical form. God the Father is the divine planner of all things
that have passed into history, things that are current and things that
will be in the infinite future. These actions have been defined as God’s
Divine Decrees. All that was, is and will be are in these decrees. God
thought it, saw it and it will be; He is the divine planner and his plans
are perfect because he is perfect. But those plans must be executed
and meted out in his time schedule. His marvelous plan of salvation is
executed by the manifest person of the Godhead and this revealed
member of the Godhead is Jesus Christ. God the Father plans, the Son
executes and the third member of the Godhead reveals this amazing
plan. The third member of this marvelous Godhead is God the Holy
Spirit. He graciously makes spiritual phenomena understandable and
real to those who may desire to know him. God does not leave mankind
in limbo or in a state of lostness without a means to come to know him.
This would be inequitable or unfair to limited human beings. He could
easily have created a barrier of blackness so thick that none in such
darkness could come to know him. The good news of the gospel is, he
did not hide himself, but imputed (passed along) to human kind a
formatted soul containing self-consciousness, mentality, volition,
emotion and conscience. This soul of man was alive at inception
because God imputed Soul life to biological life to provide human life.
What does he do to bring all of humanity to an understanding that his
son is the only way to heaven, the truth and the only source of eternal
life. God imputed self-consciousness in mankind for a reason. This
consciousness in human kind allows man to be aware of his own
existence, to see inside and outside himself and his many needs, and
even to the unknown edges of a vast eternity and spiritual inner needs
This unique ability in man makes him different from animals who simply
don’t see things in the same manner as humans. We love them and
they are mysterious and unknown in their own right, but they do not
have human attributes, that is why they are called animals and we are
called humans. Both are unique but we are much different. Since God is
Spirit and we are flesh, how may we know him? Jesus clearly stated,
come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you
rest and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. How may a
lowly and lost human being come to him? If we are lost, we must be
found! We are much like sheep in that we have no sense of direction
and do not know how we may return to our pasture. If we are outside
the sheep fold of protection, we indeed are lost. Jesus knows our lost
condition and extends an invitation to those who are within this needy
condition. So, what is a lost sheep to do since they do not know they
are lost and in their lostness don’t know they can be found, rescued or
saved? It is difficult to grasp, but multitudes of humanity are in this
deplorable, confused and lost condition. You may believe such a
person, in America, has no excuse since thousands of bibles are
available that describe this lost condition and the means of how a
person may be found. However, in a lost condition many are simply not
aware of the depths and consequences of this condition. They don’t
know they are lost and certainly don’t know how they can escape this
lost condition and be found. They don’t know, that they don’t know. So,
it is with thousands. These many souls are drawn away from the light of
truth and are walking in darkness but are not aware of it. Therefore,
they can’t see the need for light or truth or anything else that sends a
warning beacon of where they are or were they need to be. I have just
examined 27 New Testament scriptures that contain information about
various sources of light. These scriptures provide critical information as
to how a person may know God and escape the thick darkness and
unbelief that envelopes them. Having thousands of bibles in our homes,
hotels, motels and businesses does not mean everyone is aware of
bible truths concerning the issues of salvation. Holy and reliable truths
lie silently within the pages of this neglected book but unless opened
and read, its truths will not be discovered or understood. It is appalling
to realize the remedy for sinful man is so near, even at our fingertips,
and yet lie unread, unrealized and unheeded by lost and blind
humanity. To open and carefully read the words of life, that lie within
this holy book will enable the reader to realize an impassible barrier
exists between God and man. This barrier shows we have something in
common without any exceptions. The word of God has concluded all
are under sin and that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be
given to them that believe, Gal. 3:22. Under sin here means that God
will accept the merit of no person as a contributing factor in his so great
and perfect salvation. This statement, which eliminates all human merit,
is essential if Salvation is to be by grace alone. The essential issue is
how a Holy God may perfectly save those who are perfectly lost. God
disregards those things that man deems to be good and replaces this
relative goodness with the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. God
will accept the merit of no person as a contributing factor in his perfect
salvation that is centered exclusively in the person of Jesus Christ. What
is man to do since he cannot save himself and his best behavior is
unacceptable? If human kind is entrapped by himself and his inability to
contribute to his personal salvation is rejected, where can he go? He is
cut off by his own inability to produce perfect righteousness plus he is
under the power of Satan who blinds the mind lest the light of the
glorious Gospel should shine unto him, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. In this
confusion man may search, strain, and beat the air, but he is
admonished in Ephesians 2:1-3 that he is a child of disobedience since
his Adamic nature was passed down or imputed from Adam and
everyone in Adam is energized by Satan. Colossians 1:13, this scripture
points to the fact that a soul when saved is translated out of the power
of darkness, in which darkness it naturally dwells, 1 John 5:19. The
world, including all unbelievers, lieth in the wicked one. As the saved
are in Christ and secure, the unsaved lieth in the wicked one and are
damned. When the unsaved are saved it is from the curse of the law,
Gal 3:13, from wrath, 1 Thess 5:9, John 3:36, from death, 2 Corinthians
7:10, and from destruction, 2 Thess 1:9. We are standing behind an
insurmountable barrier with a sin laden old sin nature that cannot scale
this undefined and demanding separation between God and man.
Nothing from the old sin nature can please or be accepted by God. This
deplorable condition was imputed, passed into our bodies, and we had
nothing to do with it. Our sin did not generate it, we were born with a
full-blown sin nature that was imputed, passed down, from Adam and
is within our bodies. We produce sins because this Adamic nature was
imputed at birth and remains until death of the body. We don’t become
sinners because we sin, we sin because we are born with a sin nature
and are sinners. You may be thinking, then, I am not responsible and
you would be right. You are not responsible for the imputation of the
sin nature but that nature does not force you to sin, you produce sins
because you have this nature and by volition sin. The devil didn’t make
you do it! You ultimately choose to sin because it is your nature. So
where does this go or what is the impact of inheriting a sin nature and
then being personally responsible for committing sin from this nature.
Remember the word imputation? Yes, this is essential to know. It
means although the old sin nature was imputed and is the source of
personal sins; personal sins are produced from this nature because of
your choices. You are not forced to commit sins. Of course, you do, but
each committed sin emanates from this old nature as a result of the
choices you make. When you say yes to a sin the sin nature obeys,
when you say no to sin, the sin nature, may not like it, but obeys. Your
yesses are obeyed by it and so are your no’s. A missionary was
practicing in a dark and newly planted field of evangelism in Africa and
was discussing the power of the old sin nature with a new believer. The
infant believer explained to the missionary he had found a way to slow
down the sins that were happening in his life. The missionary asked,
“just what have you discovered that has helped you do such a thing?”
“Well, he said, I think in me are two dogs, one white and one black,
they fight all time, never, never, stop!” “Amazing, said the missionary,
which one wins?” The native responded, “which one I say sick-em’ to!”
So, it is with our never quiet and noisy sin natures. One of my first
memory verses, addressed this problem. It was recommended by
Chaplain Burke when I was confined to the Bridewell House of
Correction, in Chicago. 1 Corinthians 10:13, There hath no temptation
taken you but such as is common to man but God is faithful who will not
suffer, or allow you to be tempted above that which you are able and
will with the temptation make a way to escape that you may be able to
bear it. This scripture tells us God is aware we are weak and surely will
sin, but he has made a door through which we may walk when we are
temped or under pressures outside our weak bodies. This amazing door
is there, and if we maintain a constant vigil and become occupied with
Jesus Christ, we can walk through that door to victory over the corrupt
old sin nature. Hebrews 12:1-3, seeing we also are surrounded by those
who have gone on before us, whether, prophets, priests, kings,
deceased friends, loved ones, or angels. Let me share the verses with
you… “wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about (surrounded)
with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the
sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race
that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our
faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God. For consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners, lest
you be weary and faint in your minds. Further, Gal 6:9, And let us not
grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint
not. We may become weary, weak and may fall down, but we want to
avoid being a casualty on the spiritual battlefield of life… if we fall down
ten times, we must arise, get up ten times, go forward as conquerors
and not stay down as casualties and victims. The old Scottish soldier,
wounded on the battlefield and dying, said…lay me down and bleed
awhile, I am wounded but not slain, I shall rise to fight again…and he
did. Many years ago, as a rebellious Sailor, I had been thrown into the
brig (Navy Jail). I was lonely, dejected, feeling abused, and isolated.
Then, I received a short letter from my precious Father, he only needed
to express a few of his caring words to me and I’d regather strength and
go forward with renewed confidence. On this occasion, his words
pierced the inner sanctum of my soul and light began to illuminate my
pathway with hope and possibility. The words are very simple but they
were powerful…a quitter never wins and a winner never quits. I arose
from my self-induced penalties and advanced to the high hills of
growth, production and preparation for a better life. Thank God, the
encouragement from my dad helped me to see the old path was not a
good example to follow, it was rugged, slippery and well-worn with
mistakes and heartache. I received additional clarity and strength as the
word of God flooded my dark and unbelieving soul with previously
unknows truths. I began to look away from my failings, sins and
ignorance and looked to a source of strength I had never known or
wanted. I am persuaded, if you give more than a moment’s notice to
the unsurpassed power in God’s word you will become more impressed
with what that word has to say than you are with all you know that is
outside that magnificent source of power, edification, and
encouragement. Please allow this short Psalm to course through your
mind and consider the power and clarity that resides there which
surpasses any human power you have ever experienced.
Psalm 121, I
will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My
help cometh from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth. He will not
suffer your foot to be moved; he that keepeth thee will not slumber. He
that keepeth Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your
keeper, the Lord is the shade upon your right hand. The sun shall not
smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee
from all evil, he shall preserve thy soul. The lord shall preserve thy
going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for forever
more.
As a former sailor who has navigated many stormy and dangerous seas
the watch tower beacon is a welcomed site as it illuminates the way for
ships to find safe harbors in times of distress. I suggest at least two
other scriptures that have lifted me from certain peril to safe and solid
ground. From solid ground we have the opportunity to advance
forward on the spiritual battlefield of life as opposed to being a casualty
under the fiery assault of Satan and his doomed fallen angels. Isa 41:10,
Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I
will strengthen thee; yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the
right hand of my righteousness.
The second powerful scripture is found in Psalm 27:1-2, The Lord is my
light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my
life of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even my enemies and
my foes came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Amazing! Within these verses is unassailable power, protection and
assurance.
Many years ago, I was facing horrific challenges and found myself in a
helpless condition, it was a marital problem and I felt my family
disintegrating. I was tormented with the prospect of loss and damage
to every family member.
I escaped to a quiet place and quoted this powerful verse I had
memorized years earlier. My body felt the attack and oppression of
demonic forces. It was a scary and strange feeling. I was a very young
believer and could only say, Oh God, please help me. Please preserve
our family unit and the mother they need so desperately. This powerful
verse began to circulate to the forefront of my mind and I quoted it
over and over again. The oppressed and strange feeling I was
experiencing subsided ever so slightly every time I quoted this powerful
verse. Each time I quoted the verse the feeling of evil forces in my chest
diminished. I ran to my troubled wife and recounted the experience;
she remarked that a strange presence had come over her while I was
away and she was stiff and trembling with fear. The discussion
continued and we wondered what may have been behind this strange
experience. After considerable discussions regarding the issues of
salvation, my wife conveyed to me she thought she had just gone
through the motions and was never actually saved. We reviewed many
scriptures but she felt strongly that she had never been born again. On
that strange evening we prayed together in solemn prayer and she
placed all of her faith and trust in Jesus Christ as savior. Is this what the
strange and demonic oppression was all about? I don’t know of a
certainty, but I hope this profession of faith in Jesus was real and
necessary. This I will leave up to God to be sorted out in the annals of
eternity. The issues of what is involved in possessing eternal life
through Jesus Christ have been unnecessarily compromised and
complicated. It is by the sure mercies of God that a person can clearly
understand the essential issues in procuring salvation. Is it simple?
Absolutely! How simple is it? Jesus himself, personally and
unequivocally provides the answer! It is not hidden in secret and is
only meant for a rare and select few. It is a call to whosoever!
Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord Shall be saved. Romans
10:13, and from the mouth of Jesus Christ himself; Verily, Verily I say
unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. John 6:47. How
is this for clarity and certainty? It can’t be any clearer! But man has no
problem in trafficking ambiguity, uncertainty and the absence of clarity
in presenting the Gospel. Misguided human kind seem to believe that
man by man’s effort is required in proclaiming or securing the Gospel.
This is a false and deceptive message. The grace equation is Jesus Christ
plus anything, from man, equals minus salvation and Jesus Christ plus
nothing equals plus salvation. This may appear complicated but it is
not. The message from our savior and the Apostle Paul is identical. He
that believeth on me and whosoever shall call on Jesus Christ to save
possesses eternal life, in an instant, in a moment of time. You can
believe this simple message and in believing it you place all of your
Faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the object of your faith you will be the
possessor of eternal life. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will
have everlasting life. It’s all him and none of you. He gives and saves;
you receive and take the gift of eternal life from his Holy hands. This is
how eternal life is received it’s in a person, it is a gift and Jesus Christ is
the gift… it is not earned or deserved by your works…the gift he offers
must be received. You must believe on him to do what he said he will
do and that is save your eternal soul by trusting totally in him. Yes, this
is sure and it is true. There should never be any ambiguity or confusion
in receiving the gift of eternal life that resides exclusively in, THE LORD
JESUS CHRIST.
