A Study in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans – “On the Road of Righteousness” Introduction and Beginning in Ch. 1

This is an ongoing, expositional study in the book of Romans; it represents the second such series as found on TTUF and its associate site FROM the MIND of FIRE and will be posted on both sites for both sets of readers (in case some subscribe to one and not the other).

After seeking the LORD about which book to study and post articles on, I came down to two choices, either Romans or Hebrews (both are among my very favorite), and after some consideration and reflection, I decided on Romans (yet with the intention of getting into Hebrews, LORD willing, later on down the line).

Romans holds a very special place in my heart as this is the book that the LORD used to bring me into the Kingdom of God via the revelation of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 4: 1-5 was the specific passage that the LORD used to ‘turn on the Light’ for me!).

The book of Romans is considered the best and most thorough treatment of Christian doctrine in the entire New Testament. It logically, accurately, and with absolute biblical authority explains (1) how all are sinners and unrighteous before a Holy God, (2) how we may obtain righteousness via justification by grace and faith in the LORD Jesus Christ and His work of atonement on the cross, (3) how as Christians we may grow in Christ and Christ-likeness via that second aspect of salvation, sanctification, (4) the distinction between the church founded upon Jesus Christ and the nation of Israel, whose covenant with God has not been abolished or transferred to the church but will be fulfilled upon the return of the Messiah of Israel to Earth, (5) the service to and glorification of God in the life of the Christian, and (6) the primary motivation of such: the love for Jesus our LORD and SAVIOR.

Key verses are as follows:

Rom 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 5:1

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

To read this study (and all further articles) for this exposition on the book of Romans, links will be provided here that will bring you to the main site: The TRUTH Under FIRE - www.thetruthunderfire.com

A Study in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans – "On the Road of Righteousness"

GOD Bless you saints - - WAY TOO MUCH!!!

UPDATE - 9-12-11: (note: all further studies will be updated on this post; eventually the entire study on this epistle by Paul will be posted here for your edification)

Concluding Chapter One of the Book of Romans - On the Road of Righteousness

UPDATE: 10-1-11
A Study in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans – “On the Road of Righteousness” Chapter Two: Guilty as Charged.

UPDATE: 10-9-11
A Study in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans – “On the Road of Righteousness” Chapter Three: The Deeds of the Law vs. the Righteousness of God - Parts 1 & 2


UPDATE: 11-26-11
On the Road of Righteousness: Chapter Four

UPDATE 11-26-11
On the Road of Righteousness: Chapter Five

UPDATE 11-26-11
On the Road of Righteousness: Chapter Six

The Modus Operandi of Jesus Christ: Grace & Truth

Law enforcement and detective agencies often talk about the modus operandi of a criminal - the usual methods and practices that the perpetrator uses that help them to identify and arrest him or her. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, it means "a method of operating or functioning, and, or a person's manner of working."

When I'm on the job, and upon entering any given area, I can usually identify (without seeing who's assigned to work that area) who the worker is by the level of cleanliness; what gets the attention of the worker and what doesn't. What some specialize and focus on, others might completely ignore; they may instead focus on something else as their 'specialty'.

One's modus operandi could be considered a sort of 'trademark signature' that makes them distinct from others.

Revisiting the O.A.S.I.S.

As these days proceed, there is a never ending supply of 'doom and gloom' information and just plain bad news everywhere we look.

Many who have subscriptions to discernment ministries can get quite discouraged by what they read - what with ever increasing apostasy represented in once faithful ministries and churches, greater compromises of said ministries with globalist organizations and institutions intent upon a one world order with the subjugation of the masses under a power elite (oligarchy), etc. Add to this, our debilitating economy, increasing civil unrest with potential violence like a powder keg about to explode, corrupt governments and unseen men of illegitimate power manipulating and even toppling governments around the globe is also very worrisome.

As a writer for The TRUTH Under FIRE, FROM the MIND of FIRE, and The RED PILL Consortium I also endeavor to keep my head up, eyes open, heart listening and seeking God's will in uplifting the truth of His Word and exposing, denouncing and proving the falsehoods being promoted in this dark world. And it can get quite discouraging to see this wickedness growing stronger and deeper.

A TBC Perspective on Potential Persecution (with comments of my own)

As many of you are already familiar and aware, I have done a few articles in which I've borrowed (in context) the articles of other biblical and reputable sources, and have added my commentary in another color font.

This month's (July '11) article Seduction: A Primer for Persecution?
from The BEREAN CALL was so incredibly pertinent and necessary for the church here in America (not just the main article either; the Q & A, the letters, and other articles - were all magnificent encouragements and admonitions! Click on the link above [July '11] to access the links following the article to read these extra features) to hear, understand and obey.

Therefore please take time to read this article and my accompanying commentary in green.

May the LORD bless, encourage and prepare your hearts for this time of trial, and understand that His grace will prove MORE than sufficient when such days occur here in America!

T. A. McMahon

For the last three decades, Dave Hunt and I have addressed many trends and teachings that have influenced the evangelical church, particularly in the United States. Our concern has focused primarily on unbiblical beliefs and practices that were turning Christians away from the Word of God. Twenty-five years ago, we wrote The Seduction of Christianity, a rather controversial book that was motivated by feedback from those who had read Dave's earlier books and had watched the film documentaries to which I had contributed in the early eighties. Some dealt specifically with religious cults (Cult Explosion, The God Makers, etc.). Responses from Christians who read those books and watched the films, however, alerted us to the fact that the cult beliefs that we identified were also being taught in their churches, which were being influenced by leading Charismatic and Word/Faith teachers. Those same false teachers were also spreading cultish doctrines throughout the country on Christian television networks.

One of the principal false teachings at the time was the belief that godhood could be attained by created beings. Though that is foundational to Mormonism ("As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become") and Hinduism (self-realization is realizing that man is God), it had worked its way in various forms and methods into different "Christian" movements, teachings, and practices. Much of it was promoted by extreme Charismatics, but it was also finding its way into conservative evangelical churches through so-called Christian psychology (with its emphasis on self and self-esteem, leading to the exaltation and deification of self). Of course, the lie that man could become a god was the cornerstone of Satan's seduction of the human race (Genesis 3:1-5).

In current trends we have also observed the blatant infiltration of New Age and Emergent Movement leaders and teachings in the evangelical churches that once taught biblically sound doctrine which question and downplay the relevence and inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, while uplifting experiential practices, such as contemplative spirituality/prayer and even more obviously unbiblical practices such as yoga, TM and other Hindu meditative techniques.

In his war against those who have committed their lives to the true and living God, Satan, as God's chief adversary throughout history, has majored in seduction and persecution. Although persecution would seem to be more effective in its prohibition of Christianity than seduction (and it certainly generates more fear), it is far less productive for the Adversary in achieving his objective. The saying that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church" has been demonstrated throughout church history. Martyrdom and other forms of persecution have always increased and/or strengthened the body of Christ...

To verify the extent and extreme nature of persecution upon the church of Jesus Christ in today's 21st century world, please examine the contents of the following web site:
The VOICE of the MARTYRS
The same, however, cannot be said for seduction.

Believers in the United States have never experienced significant religious persecution--certainly nothing like what has taken place in China, India, or throughout countries controlled by Islam. Historically, true Christians in the West as far as Europe have suffered violence from the Caesars of Rome, the Church of Rome, and Communism, among others, but a comparable level of persecution has yet to reach the shores of North America. On the other hand, spiritual seduction has proliferated here and has shipwrecked the faith of many within Christendom.

Check out any discernment ministries web site, and you will be inundated with information regarding the enormous breadth and depth of spiritual seduction; three such web sites for your perusal which I submit here are:
Lighthouse Trails Ministry
Apprising Ministries

and of course, The Berean Call
Unlike persecution, there is not even a remote value associated with seduction; it is spiritually debilitating and deadly. Stories abound of those believers who have survived and been strengthened in their faith during the persecution they suffered in communist countries only to have their walk with the Lord devastated after they escaped to the West. They could endure persecution but they could not resist seduction.

The thesis of this article, which is that seduction will ultimately bring about persecution, is intimidating for me personally. Why? Partly because Dave and I have only rarely addressed the potential for persecution in the U.S. and partly because it's only beginning to show its nasty head here. Then why write about it now? From my observations, increasing signs point to a pending clash between the professing--and even true--Christians who will conform to the world by compromising biblical teachings and those who will remain steadfast in the faith. Nevertheless, I put little value in my observations unless I'm confident that they reflect what the Scriptures teach. Nor should anyone who reads this article.

Following are seven pertinent verses (among others that could be given) that have influenced my observations and this thesis:

In Matthew 24:4, Jesus warns that the last days prior to His return will be a time of religious deception: "Take heed that no man deceive you." He adds (v.24) that the deception will be so great that if it were possible the very elect could be deceived. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus refers to the "strait gate" and "narrow way" that leads to life and announces that "few there be that find it." Luke writes (18:8) the sobering words of our Lord regarding the time of His return: "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith upon the earth?" Since His Second Coming is for the purpose of judgment and to save Israel from annihilation, His words here seem better suited to His coming for His bride in the midst of a professing Christianity that has joined the apostasy. The Apostle Paul gives this insightful explanation as to how apostasy could manifest among those who call themselves Christians: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Sound doctrine will not be endured in the last days because many who have been fed the milk of scriptural truth have already been weaned away from it, i.e., seduced, by their own lusts and by false teachers. More than that, sound doctrine will become an issue that will foster division among Christians. Paul instructed the Roman believers to identify those who teach things "contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" (Romans 16:17). It's clear that believers who desire to stand firm for the teachings of God's Word will be at odds with Christians whose beliefs and lives are not conformed to the Scriptures.

Could division over doctrine result in persecution? Both history and the Word of God indicate as much. In the Book of Acts, we are told that "there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem" (Acts 8:1). It involved violent assaults, imprisonments, and deaths, and the issues were doctrinal--pitting those who fiercely defended the religious traditions of men against those who followed the teachings of Jesus the Messiah. Persecutions continued as Christians who stood firm in the doctrine of Christ refused to bow down to the deified Caesars or conform to the pagan rituals of Rome. They became vicious entertainment for those who packed the coliseums to see them burned and torn apart by animals. Later, a "Christianized" Rome persecuted those who attempted to reform Roman Catholicism. From there, doctrinal inquisitions and trials by torture proliferated against the "protestants" and other biblical non-Catholics. Today, persecution continues against believers in Islamic countries and in those places in the West where Roman Catholicism still controls the society, such as cities, villages, and even some states in Mexico and South America.

Those who have exposed the Emergent Church Movement's direction towards Roman Catholicism's beliefs, dogmas and practices (which themselves are Babylonish, thus derived from occultic beliefs) are able to prove how too many formerly biblical churches are cozying up to the 'Romish Church' and its leaders.
Its likewise disconcerting that in many churches the leadership is elevated to an almost 'priest-like' infallibility and whose word is not to be questioned or challenged, even upon the basis of scripture! Those that would do so are often chastened or dis-fellowshipped!

One such example of infiltration is the Calvary Chapel movement and how some of its leaders have allowed Emergent dogma as well as the notable association of a known (perhaps not to themselves at the time, but most surely now that the news is out!) Jesuit. See the following RED PILL -

Jesuit Infiltration

Although none of the above has manifested itself substantially in the United States, could such religious persecution take place here? Roman Catholicism has never been in a position to impose its dogmas on the American populace; Islam has only begun to control some neighborhoods here with its Sharia legalism ("Terror's Secret Weapon: Shariah," Townhall, 1/20/11). But what about a scenario of Bible-believing Christians being persecuted by other Christians who will "not endure sound doctrine"? Is that likely? Some who have previewed this article were doubtful that "Christians killing Christians over doctrines" would ever take place here, a law-abiding country where, for the most part, "doctrinal apathy" rules among evangelicals. I tend to agree, yet if someone told me 25 years ago that evangelicals would shift from the then highly influential moral majority/Christian Right to the socialism-oriented Christian Left--I would have laughed. No one is laughing at that reality now (Q&A 1/11). Only the Lord knows how extreme the oppression will become prior to His return for His bride, but there are many forms of persecution, short of martyrdom.

Its the assertion of some that internment camps that are supposedly built for the detainment of 'illegal aliens' are actually reserved for those who will not submit to governmental authority that would subjugate and oppress the rights and views of American citizens, among them most notably Bible believing Christians who will not submit to ecumenical and political unification with other religions and states (and supra-national organizations); I submit the following article, again from the RED PILL for your consideration to determine for yourself the validity (or not) of such claims -

In The Bad News Today

In previous TBC articles, we have addressed significant trends among evangelicals that have "weaned them off the Word," seducing them into following the ways, means, and agendas of man contrary to the Scriptures (See TBC 3/04; 2/05; 3/05; 2/07; 3/07; 9/07, et al.). In the midst of that process of compromise, increasing numbers of professing and true Christians have accepted the ideals of the world, including moral, social, and religious tolerance. "Intolerance" in thought, word, or deed of that which the world believes is good for humanity identifies a person as antisocial at least and as bigoted, prejudiced, or a practitioner of hate crimes* at worst. Furthermore, what if a social gospel that is based upon " doctrine?

*FROM the MIND of FIRE article
Sound doctrine, i.e., the teachings of the Bible, is what a true Christian is to abide by as one lives his life for Christ. Sound doctrine is the absolute criterion that dictates what beliefs, practices, and programs he can accept and what he must reject. Moreover, Scripture exhorts him to be discerning and steadfast in its teachings: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness....And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:13-14,17).

But would God allow persecution to take place within the church? That's what Peter seems to be acknowledging: "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17). Judgment, in the sense of correction and strengthening that results from God's allowing of persecution, as we've noted, has always been a part of Christianity. The Epistle to the Hebrews also indicates that persecution is one of the things that God has used as a spiritual pruning and purifying process for Hebrew Christians.

If you're not sure how (or why) persecution might take place within Christianity, consider these examples: When Promise Keepers enjoyed popularity among evangelical men, it became known that one of its goals was to "break down the walls" between Catholics and evangelicals. Part of that process involved turning churches against ministries that evangelized Roman Catholics (emphasis mine). When Rick Warren's "40 Days of Purpose" began to influence hundreds of thousands of churches throughout the U.S., long-time members who protested on doctrinal grounds were either disfellowshiped, or threatened with disfellowship, unless they submitted to Warren's program in their own churches (see TBC 10/04 and 9/08). To question a pastor or the elders' support for introducing yoga or "Christianized yoga" in a church has been grounds for disfellowship.

Although the above examples may seem marginal to some, they and other endeavors, including church-growth marketing programs, emerging church methods and mystical practices, ecumenical overtures to Muslims and Mormons, an ecumenical global P.E.A.C.E. plan that involves all the world's religions, movements aimed at solving the world's ecological, poverty, and social injustice problems, etc., have driven multitudes of believers to start home churches.

What if you were to preach against the various agendas mentioned above because they were a rejection of sound doctrine? Remember the Apostle Paul's admonition? "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ...Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine..." (2 Timothy 4:1-4). What would be the reaction among those within and without the church who were supportive of those agendas?

Or what if even without your preaching or protesting it simply becomes known that you are one of those biblical Christians who is intolerant toward other religions, who rejects evolution, who won't go along with psychology, who is anti-abortion, anti-genetic manipulation, and anti-euthanasia; that you view homosexuality as a sin rather than an alternative lifestyle, and that you are against gay rights and gay marriage? Furthermore, you seem to be out of touch with the acceptable morality of the day (marriage now being statistically a minority as a practice in the U.S.) by having a "problem" with cohabitation, and it's been said that you believe sexual abstinence should be practiced outside of marriage. You are suspicious about the alarm over "global warming." It's become known that you support Israel against the alleged right of the Palestinians to be restored to the land they believe is theirs. How will such a person be dealt with in Christendom--as well as by the world that champions everything that a believer opposes? The dark clouds of persecution appear to be gathering over the church in the U.S.; signs indicate that the seats of the "coliseum" are beginning to fill with a widely diverse audience (see TBC 1/11) that, at least in a figurative sense, has "a taste for the blood" of those who reject their programs and teachings on the basis of sound biblical doctrine.

Its worthy of noting that the LORD Jesus Christ Himself supported and endorsed, even commended intolerance where lies, deceptions and false practices are concerned:
Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: (see also Matt. 16:12)
King David likewise expressed such intolerance:
Psalms 119:104, 128 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

As did the apostle Paul:
Titus 3:10, 11 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. (see also Col. 2:8; Heb. 13:9a)
The seduction of Christianity has created a condition in which biblical discernment and steadfastness in the faith are the exception rather than the rule. Standing for the truth and righteousness of the Word of God while the opposition increases within and without the church can only result in some form of persecution. Paul makes that quite clear: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). Although that verse may distress some believers, it shouldn't. Why? Because the beginning of the verse gives a believer the key to receiving the grace to glorify God and to benefit others through persecution: living godly lives in Christ Jesus! That is a believer's only preparation and it is more than sufficient. Jesus, who is the Word made flesh, gave His disciples this astonishing word of encouragement regarding standing for His teachings:

"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven..." (emphasis mine; Luke 6:22-23). Our prayer is that the Lord Jesus will help us to live godly lives and by His grace remain steadfast in the faith as we look for His soon coming. ~~TBC

It is my utmost and sincerest prayer that the LORD Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, the Savior of the saints, He Who is coming to rule Israel and all the world with truth and justice, grace, mercy and peace, the One and Only Prince of Peace will lead His bride into these last days before His soon return and fulfill all His perfect will by standing for truth and righteousness in the face of abject persecution, suffering, tribulation and sorrows knowing that such "light afflictions" will bring about "an eternal weight of glory" to be directed to the LORD Who enables us to endure such things!
2 Cor 4:17, 18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Indeed, if ever there was a time and a campaign for spiritual warfare that the church is commanded to enter into by our Captain, IT IS NOW!!! We have published much in the way of spiritual warfare (On TTUF as well as on this blog). Consider the following quote regarding the boldness with which we can afford to confront the enemy and his enslaved servants (the lost souls of humanity that do his bidding) by the power of our LORD:

"Show me a warrior strong in the LORD, who laughs at temptation, who sneers at the power of the enemy, who exalts in the love of His LORD, and I will show you a warrior who is sanctified with the genuine work of the Holy Spirit in his life!"

taken from Are You a KNYHT in HIS Majesty's Sacred Service?

May we all stand fast and solid in these days upon the WORD of God, as soldiers of the cross who will do harm to no man; who dismisses wrestling with mere mortals in favor of more preferable prey - the principalities and powers of highest ranks in Satan's kingdom which is doomed to fall on bended knee and forced to declare that JESUS IS LORD TO THE GLORY OF GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER! AMEN!!
John 15:18, 19 ¶ If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Matt. 10:24-28 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matt 10:32, 33 ¶ Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Finally may I suggest you read this brief but powerful exhortation by pastor Jim Suttel of Calvary Chapel Roswell on VICTORY COMES THROUGH PRAYER
The LORD Jesus Christ bless you with Himself this Blessed Day!

Another Smoke Signal: An Insight on The Coming of the LORD

Hosea 5:15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

In this passage we have an interesting insight into the coming of the LORD. The "I" and the "my" in this verse is speaking of the LORD God; this is easily discernible when you consider this in its context, from chapter 5:1, all the way through chapter 6, especially vs. 1-3.

Verse 15 above speaks of God going (departing) and returning to His place. When did God return to His place? And what is His place?

We know that the LORD God inhabits eternity, or that realm of His eternal kingdom (Is. 57:15) and in this passage of Hosea it says that He would return to this (eternal) place, but of course that would have to mean that He at one time, left it, otherwise He couldn't "return" there, could He?

So when DID God leave heaven, and then return? Obviously this is referring to the LORD God, the Son, the LORD Jesus Christ! The LORD Jesus after having risen from the dead, and then ascended into heaven, where He would and still does, sit at the right hand of the Father.

"Til . . ." His Second Coming where He will rule and reign a thousand years as the Meschiach Nagid or the Messiah King. When will this occur? Of course at the end of the time of Jacob's Trouble as spoken of in Jeremiah 30: 7 -

Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Israel will be saved out of that dreadful time because they will be rescued from their enemies by the coming Messiah. And yet in this passage of Hosea, there is another indicator as to when the LORD will return.

". . . til they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face. . ."
Note that the word for 'offence' is in the singular; something singular in its transgression against the Holy God of which national Israel was guilty of.

I believe that this was the rejection of their Messiah, when nationally (but not individually, for His disciples certainly believed on Him, even to the giving up of their lives!) rejected their King.

"Affliction" here is speaking of Jacob's Trouble, Daniel's 70th week (as in Dan. 9: 24-27), also known as 'the Tribulation' and its at such a time that a remnant will seek the face of the LORD God and repent of their national sin.

There is another significant "til" in scripture related to this; a verse in the book of Romans:

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Yet this blindness will begin to lift once the 'fulness of the Gentiles' is completed; which speaks of the church of Jesus Christ, His Gentile bride comprised of all nations (which itself is addressed in the Council in Jerusalem in Acts 15 as "a people called out for His name among the Gentiles").

In the book of Zechariah we have further insight into the coming of the LORD -

Zech 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

And at such a time Y'shua will be received as the rightful King of Israel, and reign in the righteousness of the LORD; this was a promise made to Mary, by the Messianic messenger, the angel Gabriel in Luke 1: 30-33, esp. vs. 32-33! This is in fulfillment of 2 Sam. ch 7 and Ps. 89 where the Davidic Covenant is spoken of, and speaks of the greater Son of David (a Messianic title of JESUS CHRIST) and His reign over Israel as well as the Gentile nations.

This is why the enemy Satan is working so diligently to wipe out Israel, using the nations of the world to come against her; we are seeing this transpire with greater intensity every day in our daily news broadcasts!

Nevertheless the Word of God stands sure and steadfast, and no weapon formed against Israel will prosper; God is her protector and will be diligent to keep His eye upon His beloved people -

Check out Psalm 122, and particularly vs. 6

Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

And -

Psalm 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

What we are praying for is in all actuality for the Prince of Peace, the LORD Jesus Christ, to inaugurate His reign; until that happens, no peace in Israel will be possible in a world whose god is the devil, chief adversary of Israel!

So let us remain vigilant in our prayers for this nation, and for God to raise up a remnant who will proclaim the LORD Jesus Christ as their own and faithfully stand for the truth of God's Word. Though all the world should come against her (Zech 12:3), let the true bride of Christ stand with her and serve God's people with our intercessions and petitions! Baruch HaShem and maranatha!


James 5:7 ¶ Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Hosea 6:1-3 ¶ Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

2nd CHRONICLES 7:14 - Is It Also for the Church?

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE IN "If My People"?

We are all witnessing on a daily basis the slide of morality in our nation and biblical Christianity with its alarming velocity towards utter ruin. We who are concerned are seeking God's face, turning away from known sin, and desirous in encouraging the saints to live whole heartedly for the LORD Jesus Christ and to warn others, both sinners and saints of the impending judgment should this nation (and the church)refuse to repent of her wicked ways.

Abortion with its tens of millions of babies murdered. Sexual promiscuity. Homosexual death-styles promoted and endorsed. Illegal drug usage (not to mention the 'legal' variety used in illegal ways). Wanton violence. Evolution taught as science fact (no longer a theory?). The deterioration of the sanctity of biblical marriage and the family relationship. The list can go on and on.

A very common verse that's used to express our prayerful hope in the restoration of our nation is found in:

2 CHRONICLES 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

And while I believe this verse is applicable on some fundamental, rudimentary basis for our situation here in America and among us Christian believers, who indeed are the people of "If My people. . . "?

Of course these words spoken by the LORD God to Solomon at the dedication of the newly built Temple in Jerusalem were addressed to the King himself, and his kingdom comprised of God's people, the Hebrew nation.

We read that should the LORD send judgment upon a wayward, rebellious Israel, He would restore that which the judgment destroyed if His people did four things:

1) Humble themselves - be broken of their pride and sin.
2) Pray - to petition God from a penitent heart.
3) Seek His face - To long after God until He is found.
4) Turn from their wicked ways - to repent.

And if Israel did these things from a sincere and broken heart, the LORD God promised to do three things:

1) He would hear from heaven - Acceptance of their prayer.
2) He would forgive their sin - Grace bestowed in restoring their relationship to Himself.
3) He would heal their land - restoration of the land.

Along with this "If . . . then" declaration by God found here, there are a number of others that preceded it found in chapter 6 (among other passages) in Solomon's prayer of dedication: verses 22-31, and 34-42. Even in vs. 32-33 is speaks of "the stranger" and if they "for Thy great Name's sake" if they come to the House of the LORD and pray, that they may indeed be heard by God in heaven!

Yet Israel enjoyed a special relationship with God, above all other nations in the Earth. After the Flood of Noah, God told the people of the Earth to go forth and multiply on the face of His world, but rather than obey God, they 'huddled together' and built a city and a tower "lest we be scattered abroad on the face of the whole Earth" (GEN 11:4). They were in blatant defiance of God's command! So because no one was obedient to the LORD God, He decided of His own volition to choose a man for Himself and establish by grace a relationship with Abram (later named Abraham) of the city of Ur.

From Abraham God built the nation of Israel and to this nation, through Moses, the Law of God and His covenants were given, as well as the holy oracles -

ROMANS 3:1-2
What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit [is there] of circumcision?
Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

ROMANS 9:4
Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God and the promises;

In Deuteronomy we read the following: 

DEUTERONOMY 4:4-8 
But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.
Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

God's promises and covenants to Israel will be fulfilled precisely as He declared; Israel still has a future and a destiny as laid out plainly in scripture, and by no means were these abrogated, superseded or granted to another nation (including the church! Replacement Theology, Dominion and Kingdom Now are all biblically erroneous and are addressed later in this article). The Abrahamic and Davidic covenants are both unconditional, that is, God holds only Himself, not Israel, accountable to see to it that these covenants are fulfilled (See GEN 15:1-21; 2 SAM 7:10-16).

Gabriel, an angel who always seems to be delivering a Messianic message, appeared to Mary and declared that she would give birth to the King of Israel, the Messiah, and that God would grant to Him the throne of His father, David and would rule the nation Israel forever (See LUKE 1:30-33).

In ACTS 15 there was a council at Jerusalem to determine whether or not Gentile believers would be required to observe the Law and circumcision in order to be saved. Another issue brought up at that council was whether or not Israel had a future in light of the current dealings by God with the church, and the answer, as given by James the elder of the Jerusalem church was an emphatic YES!

See ACTS 15:7-11,13-17; note especially vs. 16 "build again the tabernacle of David . . . and will set it up" which follows after vs. 14 "God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His Name [i.e. the church]".

And of course there is Paul's indisputable treatment of God's plan for Israel as recorded in ROMANS chapters 9, 10,  and 11. Again, please note:

ROMANS 11:25-29 
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Note especially vs. 25 where it states that "blindness in part is happened to Israel, UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in"

The "fulness of the Gentiles" is an expression describing the church of Jesus Christ; when once the church is complete (something that only the Father knows), the LORD will bring us to heaven, and once again God's full attention to fulfilling the covenants and promises of Israel will commence.

So we see that 2 CHRON 7:14 has an explicit meaning for Israel as a nation that God has elected for a special relationship. Does this mean that the church cannot apply the truth of this passage for herself?

Or what about any of the other nations in the world?

Remember the preaching of Jonah in the dreaded city of Ninevah:

JONAH 3:3-4
So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.
And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

The Hebrew word used for "overthrown" is haphak, and it means "to turn about, over, return, pervert, to change, tumbled, turn back".
Obviously the Ninevites understood the message and what it entailed. Yet notice there was no "if . . . then" clause; no mention of God altering His pronouncement should this wicked Assyrian city repent of her sins. Basically its "forty days and you guys are toast!"

Ninevah's response?

JONAH 3:5, 9
So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

The Ninevites apparently had no guarantee that God would hear their prayer and spare them.

They were a particularly barbaric and cruel people who commonly brought their prisoners of war back as slaves, dragging them by hooks in their jaws; people they left behind after the conquest were typically maimed by them as they sawed off opposing hands and feet.
Nations that were doomed by the assaults of these Assyrian soliders often committed suicide, rather than face fierce treatment as their prisoners.
The Ninevites were also in the habit of taking their new borns and burying them alive in the walls of their houses so that the gods would bless their dwellings.

So, with no amending proposal by God that He might indeed spare them "if . . ." they fasted and prayed and sought the LORD God, from the King, down to the least of his subjects and citizens; likewise even the animals were made to fast and dressed in sackcloth!

As we know, God indeed spared the city. Did that make Jonah a false prophet? Because he said that they would be destroyed in 40 days, and yet when the day of their destruction arrived, they were still alive and unjudged by God (until the days of Nahum, who came preaching the same message as Jonah, but Ninevah did not at that time repent). God made a declaration to Jeremiah the prophet:

JEREMIAH 18:7-10 
At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;
If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;
If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

And so here we have precedent that if any nation would repent of their sin, God would turn from the judgment He intended for them, just as He did for Ninevah. Likewise if a formerly righteous nation commit evil and not repent, God would judge them!

This does not however mean that God would establish a covenant with them as He has done with Israel, nor would they enjoy the same depth and breadth of blessings as Israel has had and will have again (even now we can see how the nation is been transformed from the wasteland it was a little over fifty years ago into the fertile beauty it is today that sells vegetables to Europe, flowers to Holland, electronics to Japan!). All the nations will one day be blessed by Israel when the Messiah comes and reigns over that nation, as well as the Gentile world, enjoying the Millennial age with all its benefits.

America has a chance, albeit a very slim chance - if a wicked nation like Ninevah could repent and be heard of God, then so can our nation: what is required are those righteous saints who will declare without compromise a message like Jonah; let us pray that God would raise up such a one in this late hour.

What the king of Ninevah said, I can echoe: "Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?" Of course we are far more accountable as a nation than Ninevah was, as we as America have received far more revelation from God in the Scriptures, thus we have far more to repent for!As for the church, should we humble ourselves and pray, and seek Gods face, and turn from our wicked ways, what can we expect? Lest any one claim that the church has nothing that serious to repent of, let me refer you to this warning from Understand the Times, with Roger Oakland, particularly for pastors, but also for the church at large -

RE: Open Letter To Evangelical and Protestant Pastors WorldwideNow is the Day to Turn Back to God’s Word

He will certainly forgive our sins -
1 JOHN 1:9 
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And He will raise us up in restoration if we will humble ourselves -
1 PETER 5:5-6 
. . . and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

And will He heal our land? But we have no land or sure dwelling place here on this Earth; we are pilgrims here, just passing through this world of sin looking forward to our eternal home in heaven!

1 PETER 2:9-11 
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (See also JOHN 17:14-16; 18:36).

If not a 'land' then a heart condition and spiritual blessing and vitality is what God will restore to a repentant church.

In closing let me also emphasize that if America repents, it MUST be on the biblical basis of REPENTING from our sin, and TURNING AWAY from our wickedness and pledging our allegiance to the LORD God.

There has been, for many years now, a growing movement of nationalism in America that's riding on the coat tails of Christendom in our nation. That we are somehow a more godly, more Christian people if we obtain and maintain a patriotism for America and that we cannot truly be Christian unless such patriotism is adhered to. Some such declarations are made by the Tea Party leaders of today -

There are many ministries and movements that are part of what's called 'Dominion' and 'Kingdom Now' theology which expresses its belief that the church will take over the world and if not convert ALL the souls within it, at the very least 'Christianize' it with high moral principles and that the LORD Jesus Christ CAN'T (??!) return until we achieve this goal.

Obviously an unbiblical, to say nothing of an untenable objective; to learn where Dominionism is today, please follow this link:

Dominionism Today
For more information re: this movement here is a two part series by The Berean Call (note: while these articles are more than 20 yrs old, they are remarkably relevent and still viable in their treatment of this heresy) -

Kingdom/Dominion Theology - Part 1
Kingdom/Dominion Theology - Part 2

I will close with the following quote from the web site: The Cross Church - (American Patriotism and Biblical Christianity: Are They The Same Thing?)

"Christianity in culture does have impact and does produce change. But it only does so as long as Christianity doesn’t become a political organization and remains at its very core deeply gospel-centered. Is it wrong for believers to enter politics? Of course not. Is it wrong for Christians in politics to use their office, driven by a biblical worldview, for the good of society and their fellow man as say, Wilberforce did on the issue of slavery? Absolutely not. But the church itself is not driven by the brilliance of U.S. Constitutional ethics, but by the Scriptures of the living God (emphasis mine).

"So again, what is the solution to the plight our nation finds itself in? The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. And that brief answer is not about offering cultural reform back to an era of family values and more virtuous days. Jesus Christ did not come to transform America, but to transform Americans. The gospel is not the new nationalism for the conservative, but the hope for any sinner (like me and you) who by God’s sovereign electing love trusts that eternal life and salvation is attained only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord alone.
[In other words] beloved, in this hour in our nations history may I propose a simple mandate: it is time for the church to be the church."

Let us continue to pray for America, her people as well as the saints of the church of the LORD Jesus Christ - both are in need of repentance and restoration. Will they be? As for America "who can tell?"; as for the church - I am confident that every true believer will be completed until the day of Christ Jesus:

PHILLIPIANS 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

This Is Not A Game

The TRUE GOSPEL (Accept No Imitations!)

Since I have already dealt with a biblical examination and explanation of the Gospel on The TRUTH Under FIRE:

The Simple and Serious Gospel of Salvation, part 1, and re-posted this series of articles on this vital subject here on FROM the MIND of FIRE, one might rightly ask the question - Why another article?

Its rather simple really; the previous treatment was a series, and it was rather comprehensive; it delved somewhat deeply into the various aspects of the Gospel and Salvation.

This is an abbreviated, 'user friendly' but faithful expression of the Gospel, and I hope to be succinct and sharp in this presentation.
In this day and age, we see many different Gospels - the Social Gospel, the Green Gospel, the Prosperity Gospel, the Kingdom Now Gospel - and so many others!

The same goes for different Christs - the New Age Christ, the Hindu Christ, the Islamic version of Christ, and many Christ impersonators and charlatans across our contemporary landscape.

The Bible warns us about these imitation Gospels in GAL 1:6-9; it warns us as well against Jesus imposters, also in 2 COR 11:4:

2 CORINTHIANS 11:4
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

These other Gospels can be quite complicated with lots of rules, regulations, rites and reason, appealing to the intellect and the flesh, but all of these detract from the simplicity that is in Christ: such simplicity that even a small child can understand and accept the Gospel of Salvation (my grand niece received salvation in Jesus Christ at just 3 years of age! Her hearts desire has been and remains to be a missionary):

2 CORINTHIANS 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

So what is the Gospel all about? Of course most of us realize that 'Gospel' means "good news" and it most certainly is! The best news one could possibly imagine, but not! I recall in sharing the Gospel last week end among some of our city's homeless, one man ("Eli") grew hot and irate when we tried to bring the Gospel to him when all he wanted was a dollar - he would prefer a dollar to eternal life!

Remember these 'R's: Realize, Repent, Receive, Regenerate, and Righteous:

First, REALIZE: We must first of all realize Who God is, and who we are - God is the Almighty Creator Who has every right to do with His creation what He wants, including you and I.

ISAIAH 45:18 
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

God is also purely holy and cannot as the KING of all creation, and the Judge of all living, tolerate sin. For simplicity's sake, let's just say that sin is disobedience to God's perfect, holy will.

Adam and Eve had only one command from God - don't eat the forbidden fruit, because the day that you do, you will surely die!

Simple, right? But what did they do? They disobeyed God and sinned.

When this happened, our First Parents received a sinful nature that was passed on to their children (Abel, Cain, Seth, etc.) and they likewise passed that same sinful nature onto their children, and so on, until today, we have several billion sinners on this planet.

Any who would doubt their own sinfulness and say, "Oh, I'm not that bad; I haven't murdered any body!" has to ask themselves, "Have I ever hated any one in my life?" According to Jesus Christ, if you ever hated (KJV "angry") anyone, you committed murder in your heart (MATT 5:21-22)!

Have you ever committed adultery? That's disobedience to the will of God who desires that we all have a monogamous relationship with a singular spouse; but even if you haven't actually committed the act, Jesus said if you look on (someone) with lust, you already committed adultery in your heart (MATT 5:27-28)!

A careful examination of the Ten Commandments (EXODUS 20) all on their own (there are many more commandments besides just these!) will prove that we all have sinned against God, without exception! See ROMANS 3:23.

We must REALIZE that God is Holy and that He has no choice but to judge and condemn us to an eternity of hell for our willful rebellion and sin against our Holy and Almighty King - Sin is spiritual treason against the LORD God!

We must also REALIZE that without God, we have no hope of eternal life, as He is the ONLY source of this life! Sin separates souls from the Living God!

EZEKIEL 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. (see also vs. 20)

ISAIAH 59:2
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that he will not hear.

Once the Law of God convicts our hearts of sin (GAL 3:22-24; ROM 7:14), we then must understand that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 PET 3:9).

Once we REALIZE Who God is, and who we are, and what we have done against the Holy God of Creation, we must then REPENT.

What does it mean to "repent"? It means a change of mind or heart or purpose,to reconsider morally; it involves three basic steps:

1) Receiving new knowledge, that is the Holy Law and then, afterwards the Gospel message itself.

2) Regret for previous course, and displeasure with one self, that is the conviction of sin.

3) A change involving action - believing the Gospel and committing oneself and life to the LORD for salvation.

With so many Gospels today, and Gospel messages in our churches, the often overlooked or ignored aspect which is an essential part of the Gospel is repentance.

If we don't acknowledge that our sin is something that would worthily send us to hell for having offended the holy God, and that this is something we must turn away from so that we may have a right attitude in approaching God meekly and in the spirit of remorse and broken-heartedness, we are left with a Gospel where God 'forgives anyway' and sin becomes less dangerous and not something to be avoided as it should be!

The words "repent" and "repentance" occurs sixty nine times in the Bible; the prophets of old preached repentance, John the Baptist preached repentance, our LORD Jesus preached it as well as the apostles, but today's pulpits aren't approaching this needful truth for fear of offending people!
Let's not worry about offending God with our sin, we're too busy worrying about offending our congregations! Is it any wonder why our fellowships are filled with false converts and 'half-way Christians'?

MATTHEW 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

REVELATION 2:5
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Once we REALIZE our situation, and REPENT we must then RECEIVE the Gospel of our Salvation which God has accomplished for us through the Person of Jesus Christ!

2 CORINTHIANS 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The Old Testament is very eloquent and precise in the explanation of the Gospel; two primary sources are PSALM 22 and ISAIAH 53. Both explain different aspects of the Gospel message at the heart of the work of salvation: the cross!

PSALM 22 portrays in vivid detail the events during the crucifixion of Christ with such clarity, the obvious reference to the LORD Jesus cannot be denied except by the most spiritually blind of this world (2 COR 4:4).

ISAIAH 53 gets into the spiritual aspects of the cross and the Lamb of God, slain for our iniquities!

ISAIAH 53:5-6
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

And also:

ISAIAH 53:10
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Understanding that God's wrath was taken out on His own Son, who paid the penalty for our sins (remember, the soul that sins, it shall surely die - and Christ Jesus is our sin bearer; therefore He became sin for us, He Who knew no sin, and died in our place!) and yet He also rose from the dead!

We will be celebrating the Resurrection of our LORD in just a couple days from now (commonly called Easter, a pagan holiday, but that's another story!) and we have every cause to celebrate! It's because He rose from the dead that He proved He conquered over sin and death, and is now able to bring eternal life to all who will RECEIVE His salvation!

Once you understand that JESUS CHRIST died for your sins, and is able to free you from the penalty of sin, and judgment by the Holy Hand of God; once you turn from your sinful life and surrender your heart to the LORD God as His own, bought by the blood of Jesus, and receive Him (JOHN 1:12), He grants to you the GIFT (read that, "free" as all gifts are free to those who receive them!) of Eternal Life, the Holy Spirit then enters your heart, which has been cleansed of all sin and made a proper place for the Spirit of God; you then become a child of God!

This is what it means to be REGENERATE!

TITUS 3:3-7
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

ROMANS 6:23 
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Your life is no longer your own if you belong to Christ Jesus; you are now the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, who has brought you back to spiritual life!

1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

ACTS 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Incidentally, this is an awesome proof text verse to show that Jesus is God, for it states that GOD purchased with HIS OWN blood!)

And finally as a result of REALIZING, REPENTING, RECEIVING and REGENERATING, there is then RIGHTEOUSNESS, that is RIGHT LIVING, approved by God and in a RIGHT relationship with Him as we yield ourselves over to His Spirit and the power of the Cross - to allow ourselves to die to our sinful nature, daily, and thereby 'making room' for the Spirit of God to empower us to live holy, RIGHTEOUS lives, to the Glory of God!

ROMANS 6:13
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

And why would God go through all this bother for the sake of sinners like us, and not simply destroy this rebel planet and start over?

JOHN 3:16-17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Also -

EPHESIANS 2:7
That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

May the LORD bless any who read this, that don't as yet KNOW the LORD Jesus as THE LORD and SAVIOR of all those that call upon the Most Holy Name of JESUS CHRIST!

HIS LOVE FOR YOU IS DEMONSTRATED BY THE CROSS AND EMPTY TOMB OF THE LORD JESUS the CHRIST!

For more details about this, see the TTUF article, REPENTANCE: What Is It And Is It Necessary?

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