Forever My LORD

Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!" 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" 14 Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

When man fell in the Garden of Eden, there were some tremendous repercussions. The choice made by man to be his own god allowed another god to rule.

Satan was ceded the Title Deed to the earth.

The method was lying temptation, which promised a greater return than God had promised. God had provided a beautiful and lush space for man to co-exist with his True God, and to come to Him for every decision. It was to be a Garden ruled by God in which man had freedom to roam and care for all the things God had provided. There was but one stipulation: Man was not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, lest man die.

Satan tempted Eve with “being like God,” and creating in her a sense of missing something, as if she had been short-changed. The consequence of the lie was learning the way of evil, as man had already learned the way of good by hanging out with God each day. How sad and cruel that man gave away headship over earth to Satan. Now Jesus, (Who has rightfully earned ownership by His sacrifice,) is taking it back for Himself!

-Pastor Bill

Happy New Year

Rev 4:3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

What is your plan for your life? Do you have one?

One of the great problems in the world today is a lack of planning – or, to say it even stronger – a lack of Godly planning.

We look at our government as a prime example. The design of the government should be to plan for our future according to God’s will for our lives. In the early days of our nation, this seems to be the course that was followed, and our nation was richly blessed. Despite all modern attempts of historical revisionism to teach us otherwise, the founding fathers, (in their own words – which still exist in writing,) indicated a desire to live according to God’s providential direction, and they built a government accordingly.

Now our government has strayed from Godly principles, and the nation is paying a steep price of violence and division – and uncertainty. It seems there really is nothing to be certain of, because we follow the leadings of political men, and not God. Political men make decisions, (apparently,) based upon what will keep them in a position of power; and not on what God has said, or what may best benefit the nation.

And so the result is uncertainty when certainty is called for. No one knows how to plan their investments, so no one invests. There is a fear of increasing taxes, and so tax shelters are sought, and less revenue flows into the government – when more is needed. Underneath it all we find men failing to make tough decisions about what needs to be done because they fear men and not God.

God’s rule is certain, and it is intentional. You are here by His design, according to His plan, and it doesn’t matter what anybody has to say about that. If we would only follow God’s plan for our lives, we would avoid the problems and pitfalls of following our own.

This, above all, should be our plan for the New Year.

-Pastor Bill

The Pearly Gate(s)

Rev 21:12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Christmas is a time when we consider points of entry. In Jesus’ life, at the fullness of time, He entered the world. He did not come in the usual way.

The Bible teaches us Jesus existed from eternity past with The Father in the kingdom of heaven, and it was only when the earth was at the exact moment of Divine preparation that He made His entry. Conceived of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was born of a virgin – that His life on earth would be sinless. He entered the world on a mission.

The name, ‘Jesus,’ was given, as instructed by the angel Gabriel. ‘Jesus’ means, “Jehovah is Salvation.” This would be the name above all names, because of what the name conveys.

The very fact heaven is a gated place tells us not all will gain entry. Some will choose to remain outside of heaven for all eternity.

The pass code for entry into heaven is an expression of faith in the work Jesus came to do. You see, Jesus came to live a sinless life – and then to die as a sacrifice for my sin. He completed His work. By simply believing in Him my name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. In this way, Jesus Himself becomes the Door.

-Pastor Bill

Remote Control

Rev 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

In most American households you can tell who holds the power by who holds the remote control. Oh, there may be exceptions, but I think they are probably very few. The one who holds the remote control is most often in the seat of power. You know it, and I know it.

Just a touch on a button, with smooth controller in hand, and the entire family is whisked away first to this location, then to that one…here there and everywhere, all at the beckon call of the small electronic device, and the one who holds it. Remote control is awesome in power, and no one can refute that.

Imagine the power to direct the universe. Not the universe of 600 channels, but the universe of the universe. What would that kind of power look like?

Here, John tells us in his own words. After spending the first three chapters of the Book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ writing down exactly what Jesus tells him to write, here we see John in his own hand, with a profound knee-knocking declaration of all he sees.

Notice most of all the control and the power of Almighty God. He says, “Come up here,” and John is immediately translated into the kingdom. What he sees are the most amazing things anyone at any time has ever attempted to describe. Awesome wonder! Awesome power! Total peace! Total love! Unimaginable beauty - completely beyond description, (as much as John tries.) And notice, all you scoffers…Who it is Who holds the universal remote. This is totally the seat of all power!

-Pastor Bill

The Undecided

Revelation 3:14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

We all know the history of recent political campaigns in this country. There is a firm opinion on one side, and an opposing firm opinion on the other, and then right in the middle, there are those the media and pollsters refer to as, “the undecideds.”

Another way to refer to this group of folks is to call them, “moderates.” We are preached-to about the ‘value’ of this group in the middle, and the reason is because these are the ones who determine the outcome of elections.

So those running for office cannot really say what they believe in, at risk of offending the undecided moderates, because who the undecided moderates decide to vote for determines who wins every election. Campaign consultants then water-down the message of their candidates, and so no one knows what they really believe in. Not knowing what they really believe in makes them a better candidate because they have a greater opportunity to reach the moderates – who are the ones who win the election for the guy no one is sure what they believe in.

And the ‘moderate’ viewpoint is encouraged - especially by moderates when they are speaking about themselves. After all, it is much better not to be so extreme. And isn’t a ‘moderate’ better than others because they weigh each decision without an extremist template, and are “open” to the issues as they come up?

The problem is, in truth the ‘moderates’ are undecided because they are indecisive. They remain in the middle because they are so concerned about what others may think of them, and they don’t want to cause offense. They wait to make a decision because they want to be on the winning side, and so they wait to make a decision until they know who is going to win. Even worse is when these people show up at church. Worse than that is when they run the church. These are the ‘Laodiceans.’

Jesus calls this sort of moderate indecisiveness “lukewarm.” Have you ever known anything you desired to be ‘lukewarm?’ If you are a moderate undecided lukewarm person, you are in danger of being vomited out by Jesus. Does this criticism make get you all hot? Good. Now we’re getting somewhere.

-Pastor Bill

Homecoming

Revelation 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Now we come to the Church Jesus can come home to. The Church of ‘brotherly love.’ The Church in Philadelphia.

Of the seven letters Jesus writes to the seven churches, surprisingly, only two of those churches escape His rebuke. One church, (the one we will study next week,) even denies Jesus entry.

The prior church which Jesus only had commendation for was the church in Smyrna, and this was due to the persecution and brutality they were undergoing while remaining firm in their faith in Christ. But that church has passed from the scene, and all its members which remained faithful to the end have had their homecoming and are in heaven.

The question is: Which presently-existing church is the church Jesus will choose to make His church home here on earth? What is Jesus looking for in a church?

We have the answer in the church in Philadelphia. The church of brotherly love, (which is what ‘Philadelphia’ means.)

This is the church where Jesus is in control. He has run of the place. What He opens remains open, and what He closes remains closed. There is a sense of desire for Jesus’ direction and instruction which has such priority that Jesus is sought after even more than He is welcomed. This is the church where Jesus’ presence is the difference between life and death, and people know it and desire it.

As a result of Jesus’ desperately-needed presence, the people have genuine love for one another, and the sacrifices of daily life and living bring glory to Jesus’ name. There is a patience for the things to come which allows all to see this church is eternal.

-Pastor Bill

Overcoming Death

Revelation 3:1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

The Reformation brought about drastic changes on the Church landscape. The question is: Were those changes really for the better?

It would certainly seem so. The events of Church history so far now culminated in the famous “95 Theses” of Martin Luther, nailed to the church door.

Martin Luther had become aware of the Word of God. The Bible. He had become convinced by what the Bible has to say about grace that the position of the Church system he was a part of was completely theologically and morally wrong. And with 95 choice items to state in protest, Martin Luther drove a stake in the ground of history as he nailed his theses to the door.

The chief problem with the Roman Catholic Church of history was its denial of God’s grace alone being the means of salvation for any man. The Bible had not been the sole source of the Roman Catholic perspective on salvation, and many grievous errors ensued.

Luther had become convinced, (upon exposure to God’s Word,) that the Papal Church was in error, and that the system of priestly confession and purgatory and indulgences were an offense to God, and harmful to man. (Let alone the tragedies involved with putting to death all those deemed to be heretical by the hierarchy of the Church.)

Luther staked his life, and the future life of the Church, on God’s Word rather than man’s design. How could THIS church then, be regarded by Christ as, “dead?” It would seem everything pertaining to life and grace would be found here.

The question is possibly answered by the nature of grace as they perceived it - and as it continues to be perceived to this day by the Reformed Church - as completely a matter of Divine Authority and God’s sovereignty. But, is God entirely sovereign in His dissemination of grace - to the extent His grace is irresistible – OR - is man responsible by God's grace to choose to enter into loving relationship with God?

This theological question has raged on without definitive conclusion since the time of The Reformation. Could the answer be found in Jesus’ admonition to the Church in Sardis?

-Pastor Bill

Social Gospel

Rev 2:18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'-- as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

What does God think about the so-called ‘social gospel’ which is so prevalent in the church and in the world today? (This is the gospel of helping others less-fortunate than ourselves, with our goods, and with our time.)

The Church in Thyatira, among other things, is an example of this social gospel in action. To this church, Jesus comes as Judge. It is very interesting this is the only church to which Jesus refers to Himself as, “The Son of God.” And His mode is of judgment, as for this church He has, “eyes like a flame of fire,” and, “feet like fine brass.”

The overall message we can understand is if your salvation is to be by works, than your judgment will be according to your works.

Works are a fine reflection of a personal relationship with Christ - as an outward manifestation of the New Man living within - but they are no basis whatsoever for any hope of salvation.

While doing good things for your fellow man is commendable, (and Jesus does commend them,) it does not meet the need of the person being served. It only presents a sham of the true potential for the development of culture.

Of course, we all feel better about ourselves when we help each other out. It is part of how we are designed. We resonate with, (as Jesus said,) “It is better to give, than it is to receive.”

The problem is, what is the need being met? If a person is well-fed and well-clothed, sheltered, no longer an alcoholic or drug addict – and is bound for an eternity in hell; have we served their greatest need?

-Pastor Bill

Church and State

Revelation 2:12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."

Can you imagine a Christian nation with Christianity as the official state religion?

What if Christianity could be protected from all forms of religious persecution, and protected by law from any sort of discrimination?

Wouldn’t the church flourish in such a political environment?

It was October 28, 312AD, and Constantine was confronted by the massive army of Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge, which crossed the Tiber River just north of Rome. Constantine was visited by a dream the night before the battle, wherein he was advised "to mark the heavenly sign of God on the shields of his soldiers...by means of a slanted letter X with the top of its head bent round, he marked Christ on their shields."

Eusebius describes another version, where, while marching at midday, "he saw with his own eyes in the heavens a trophy of the cross arising from the light of the sun, carrying the message, In Hoc Signo Vinces or "with this sign, you will conquer"; in Eusebius's account, Constantine had a dream the following night, in which Christ appeared with the same heavenly sign, and told him to make a standard, the labarum, for his army in that form.

By appearance anyway, Constantine became a Christian as a result of the visions he received, and with his upset victory over Maxentius, (whose army was twice the size of Constantine’s,) Constantine entered Rome and as emperor proclaimed Christianity to be free from all types of religious intolerance.

Finally, all forms of persecution suffered under the ‘ten days of tribulation,’ were ended. Christians were free to move about the building…

And then Christianity began a long, slow, downward spiral of official acceptance and spiritual compromise which Jesus notes and predicts here, in His letter to the Church in Pergamos. The reign of Constantine began with the merger of church and state. Was the church strengthened by political acceptance?

-Pastor Bill

Roses and Thorns

Revelation 2:8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."

As the Lenny LeBlanc song goes, “Like a rose, trampled on the ground, He took the fall, and He thought of me…above all.”

While a beautiful, poetic lyric, it also defines exactly Who Christ was - in a form we can all relate to. Jesus WAS a rose.

Gentle and beautiful, fragile yet strong, wonderfully made, wonderfully aromatic - and -  crushed.

Who would crush a rose?

The trial and crucifixion of Jesus was the greatest act of evil in the history of mankind. That man could murder their Loving God come in the flesh is appalling, disgusting, embarrassing and shameful.

In committing deicide, (the murder of God,) men revealed themselves to be thorns. What a stark contrast…between the rose, and its thorns.

Prior to the commission of the crucifixion, Jesus looked very much like any other man. It was through the crucifixion Jesus was finally seen as the Rose.

And then…He rose indeed!

No one desires trial and tribulation. In fact, we hate it with every fiber of our being. But there is a necessary separation that takes place in the crucible, and this is what Jesus is saying to the church in Smyrna.

Jesus foresees 10 separate waves of persecution which will take place under ten proceeding Roman emperors. (“You will have tribulation ten days.”) Hundreds of thousands of Christians would be killed prior to Christianity becoming the accepted faith of the Roman dynasty.

Only those who were genuine in their faith were martyred. (Roses.) Also present in the church during those days were those who claimed faith but were actually followers of Satan. (Thorns.) Only tribulation would truly reveal the distinction.

-Pastor Bill

Church History Revised

Revelation 2:1 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."

There should be no doubt the Church has a very special place in this world. Historically, the Church has accomplished what could not have been accomplished by any other organization or entity. Entire cultures and societies have been changed for the better by the influence of the Church.

We see this as powerful evidence of Jesus Christ working directly in the only organization He founded in His earthly ministry, the Church. The TRUE church, IS Jesus Christ working in the world. (This is why the Church is often referred to as the Body of Christ.)

And so we have greater personal freedom following in the wake of the Church. We have equality following in the wake of the Church, both by race and by gender. We see greater opportunity for education for all following in the wake of the Church, and we see the incorporation of impartial judgment of criminal and civil activities. We see charity and hospitals and care for the less-fortunate being a prominent example of the influence of the Church. We even see government structure following patterns of benevolent welfare practiced by the Church.

Indeed, it is difficult to imagine what this world may have become by now without the influence of the Church for the good of mankind.

I understand the Church has its flaws. Always has, always will. The main problem with the Church is the men who fill it. They are imperfect. And so the Church, even while serving as the best example of prospering benevolence and loving embrace of differences in the history of the world, has its problems. It is an imperfect institution populated by imperfect people. Sometimes, perhaps many times, we see the Church failing in its mission even with the best of intentions.

Who is in a better position to offer constructive criticism to the Church than its Founder, Jesus Christ? Who should listen to the constructive criticism He has to offer? Who has a greater interest in the SUCCESS of the Church than Christ?

-Pastor Bill

The Centrality of Christ

Revelation 1:9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

This letter to the churches from Jesus, the Founder of the Church, as transcribed by John, is an amazing anticipation of the development and the suffering the church will endure down through the ages. It is also an amazing anticipation of the excesses and gross departures the church will take with the essentials of the faith.

If this passage reminds us of nothing else, it should be this: Jesus must be at the VERY CENTER of the church.

What does it mean that Jesus must be at the center of the church? What happens when He is not?

Having Jesus at the center of the church means seeing Him (and desiring to see Him,) as He truly is rather than imagining a version of Christ for yourself.

Here, we have an eyewitness account of Jesus in Heaven, as He presently is. Is this how you imagined Him? Does what you imagine have any bearing at all upon reality? Should you adjust your imagining based upon the freshly-presented reality?

Now imagine the danger of moving Jesus away from the center of the church, where no attempt is legitimately made to see Jesus as He is, to a place where an imaginary Jesus is all anybody has.

This has indeed been the position of the church down through the centuries, and only the church which presents Jesus as He is and holds to His Word as it is escapes His rebuke. Where does Jesus stand in your church?

-Pastor Bill

Who is Your God?

Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

It is interesting to think about the character and the nature of God. It is also interesting to realize what we think about God does not change Who He is or how He is.

Many, maybe even most people in the world today - and perhaps it has always been this way - act as though their concept of who and what God is makes some kind of difference.

Many times you will hear someone exclaim, “Well, MY God would never do that!” (And this will be in the midst of some sort of discussion about the kinds of sin God will tolerate, or something of the like.) “Well, MY God would never judge me for that!”

(Of course the general idea is to escape the sense of pending judgment we are created with WITHOUT having to alter behavior in light of the pending judgment we perceive.)

So we attempt to escape the sense of what we know to be true by the creation of what is patently false. We create a God of our own making and in our own image.

It could be a statue or some kind of idol, but it is important to realize idolatry is not primarily physical. A statue is only an outward manifestation of the god that has been created for the wicked human heart to tangibly worship.

Who your God IS is the most important question you will ever answer. It will make a profound difference in your life. We can choose to worship the True and Living God – or not.

In an unavoidable pursuit of the True and Living God, John finds and identifies some of the key characteristics of Who He is. The fascinating thing is John wasn’t necessarily looking for God, he was just busy loving God. The next thing he knows, he finds himself in the presence of the Living God in all His glory.

We have a marvelously wonderful revelation of God the Father, The Holy Spirit, and of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior - our Triune God.  As you examine this text, ask yourself, “Is this what MY God looks like?”

If it isn’t then you’ve created one of your own. Probably looks and thinks a lot like you.

-Pastor Bill

The Unveiling

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. 4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

There comes a time in every deep and growing relationship when an unveiling takes place. This is referred to as “intimacy,” and it has everything to do with developing trust.

How fascinating that as we arrive at the very end of God’s Word to us and for us, a complete unveiling takes place. The Revelation of Jesus Christ is the book where we learn of the, “…things we have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.” (This is indeed the outline of the Book.) (Rev 1:19)

All of it, every bit of it, is revealed. Unveiled. Laid bare for those in relationship with Jesus to see.

The word ‘apocalypse’ is often misused and misunderstood. People speak of an ‘apocalypse’ as if the meaning of the word is some sort of great cataclysmic event. That is simply not true. The definition of the word ‘apocalypse’ is ‘unveiling.’

Thus the English translation of the Greek ‘apokalypsis’ is: ‘revelation.’ Everything is ‘revealed’ to those who are willing to look.

Note that all we are shown here in the Book of Revelation is a single, unified revelation, and so it is not correct to speak of this as, “the Book of Revelation(s).”

What exactly is revealed to those willing to look? (By the way, the Book promises a blessing to all who DO look. See Rev 1:3)

I believe the blessing is the complete understanding of Who God in Christ IS, and what God in Christ is going to accomplish on behalf of His people. One of the greatest understandings to come from this unveiling is: God is in control. Total control. The events of this world have not spun out wildly, they have spun out as God has directed and will direct, and we who are in Christ may have perfect peace even in the midst of all the events described even as they are literally taking place because we know God is driving, and He promises to protect (bless) all those who “hear” the words of this book.

-Pastor Bill

Those Left Standing

Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. 12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

Those who speak falsely, or speak falsehoods, have no fear of God.

The record of those who do speak falsely is not good. Jude, (most likely Jesus’ half-brother,) relates the less-than-hopeful future of those who do. To see that more clearly, all we need to do is look to the past to see how God has dealt with those who have brazenly opposed His message, or His messenger.

Sometimes we may think those who oppose God somehow escape His notice. They do not. Jude writes an important reminder of that fact. If nothing else is made clear here – and there is plenty made clear - it is that God is watching men’s hearts, and that He opposes those who oppose Him.

It has often been said, (and it is a true saying,) that you plus God is a majority opinion. It may not seem like it, and it may not feel like it, but it is true and always has been. Pleasing God must be our only motivation, even when, (especially when,) all the world is against us.

Jude speaks to the observable fact the world is a battleground for Christians. Of this world he exhorts we who believe to contend for the faith, which can only mean at some point we have to stand for it.

-Pastor Bill

Discerning Love

2 John 1 The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. 12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

What is love? Where is love to be found? Is it only in your family or only among those who know you best, or know you at all?

John wrote in an era of itinerant preachers, when the church of Jesus Christ was in its earliest days. Those traveling preachers and teachers, (such as John himself - who was the last of the apostles who had walked with Jesus Christ - and others who were Spiritual descendants of the original disciples and the apostle Paul,) depended upon the kindness of others as they spread the Gospel throughout the known world.

In a day when there were no motels, or inns to speak of, these traveling itinerant preachers and teachers would stay in local homes, often for extended periods of time. They would be fed and sheltered by those they previously had not known, graciously.

In what Jesus had called the “greatest commandment,” He stated that, “to love the Lord Your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” was the first and greatest commandment, but that the second was like it, “to love your neighbor as yourself.”

At this point in his ministry life, John has personally realized how important Jesus’ commands had been to the spread of the church, and even the very life of the church. Everything the early church accomplished had to be based upon love. Not the emotional kind, but the servant kind.

On the other hand, John warns, there will also be those who will exploit that love in an attempt to undermine the true church. Be careful your love for people is informed by your love for truth, and reject those whose goal is to deceitfully destroy.

-Pastor Bill

Ask and Receive

1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

When I was a child, I was sometimes asked, “If you had three wishes – what would you wish for?”

Another question sometimes asked, (and very much like the first,) “If you could have anything you wanted – what would it be?”

Of course, as a child, those kinds of questions caused my mind to dance. Visions of ‘sugar-plums’ fill the mind. What would it be…what could it be…Oh the flood of the excited thinking! (As a child I could think of a LOT of things I really wanted, most of it from a VERY selfish perspective.)

But what was it that I needed most of all? Was it a new gigantic toy of some kind? Was it my favorite food? (Fried chicken.) Was it a new house, of course a mansion? Was it new friends, or fame, or fortune?

The idea of God as a genie is very popular these days. ‘Ask and you shall receive,’ is a very fortunate doctrine to proclaim.

But what do I need most of all?

This is the confidence I have in Jesus. That He alone is capable of meeting my need.

What I need most is forgiveness of sins.

I ask for forgiveness of sins knowing Jesus has already paid the price for my forgiveness, and so it would be foolish of me NOT to ask Jesus to forgive me. I may be humbled by asking, but there are many things in this world which humble me.

In fact, not asking for forgiveness of sins is THE single sin I will not be forgiven of - should I fail to ask - because I have not asked. Not asking is the sin which leads to death.

Satan may come along and tell me I am not forgiven, but I know that I am forgiven simply because I have asked to be.

-Pastor Bill

The Certainty of Salvation

1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

When you hear someone say they are absolutely certain they are saved, what do you think? Do you think they are arrogant – or do you think, “That’s great, me too!”

I’ve always found those who ARE saved love to talk about the gift of salvation by faith in Christ, and those who are not saved do not.

And not only that, those who are not saved think it arrogant of someone who is saved to say they are certain they are saved.

Is it arrogance – or is it trust? To trust in truth is not arrogance, any more than trusting in the sun to rise tomorrow and saying so is. It is not arrogant to say you are certain of gravity. This is because there is more than an assertion involved. There is faith based upon experience which leads to initial trust - followed by absolute trust when the object of trust proves itself, (in this case, Himself,) absolutely worthy of the trust which has been placed.

The sun will rise in the morning. Gravity will hold me to the ground. I know that I am saved by having placed my faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

The reason I know I am saved is the Bible says so, and the Bible has proven itself absolutely trustworthy to me. The reason I know I am saved is because Jesus says so, and Jesus has proven Himself absolutely trustworthy to me. Ultimately, we could say this is the purpose of God’s Word, that we may know that we know that we know…Jesus…and by knowing Jesus we know we are saved. John tells us this is why he writes.

-Pastor Bill

The CONFIDENCE of God

1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

The Son of God has come in the flesh to make Himself the price paid to redeem your immortal soul. His death on the cross satisfied the total debt owed for your sin, which has kept you separated from God.

This is why Jesus had to come in the flesh. The debt for the sin of flesh had to be paid by the sacrifice of flesh, and Jesus came to offer Himself in your place, that this sacrifice be accomplished. No one else could perform this substitutionary role on your behalf. Only Jesus was without sin. The debt of that which is imperfect can only be paid by that which is perfect.

All other solutions fall short. You cannot earn your salvation by works, no matter how numerous or how wonderful they may be. Salvation is by grace alone, it is the gift of God, in the Person of Jesus Christ.

By His entry into the world He created.

To think about God entering into His creation is about the most wonderful thought a person could think. (Why it is GOOD to think of it often, and why those who choose not to think of it at all seem the most miserable of all.)

God has created man in His image, capable of love. Man is capable of giving love, and capable of receiving love. On a strictly physical plane - in which observable matter is all there is – and there is no God - how can love be explained?

Love exists because God IS love. Love is the most precious commodity in God’s creation, because God IS love. We are at our greatest point of weakness when we are separated from love. Alternately, our greatest sense of strength is found in the knowledge of His love.

It is interesting that on a human level we ‘feel’ love. It is an emotion. When it comes to the love of God, we know it. God’s love is received by the knowledge of God, through His Word, and by His Spirit. That the loving sacrifice of Jesus has been accepted by The Father, (as proven by Jesus’ resurrection,) is the greatest source of confidence any man can have because it places all confidence in the knowledge of the love of God.

-Pastor Bill

The SPIRIT of God

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

It should come as no surprise to us there would be and will be deceptive spirits in this world. As John has told us in chapter 2 of his epistle, the world is filled with the spirit of anti-Christ, and all the world stands for is in opposition to Christ.

More surprising is to find the spirit of anti-Christ in me.

Every time I become involved in an argument, and my flesh becomes fully engaged in the battle of proving itself right, I am evidencing the spirit of anti-Christ. Every time I tell a lie or shade of the truth under the pressure of self-preservation, I am evidencing the spirit of anti-Christ. Every time I allow myself to be led by emotion rather than the truth of God’s Word, I am evidencing the spirit of anti-Christ.

Every time I fall prey to temptation, I sense the spirit of anti-Christ in me. This would be more than troublesome – it would be ruinous – if I could not also likewise sense the presence of the Spirit of God in me.

I am still apt to fall victim to the spirit of anti-Christ, because yielding to that spirit takes place so fast, and sometimes so unexpectedly. I may be attempting to witness the Gospel in one moment, and in the next find myself engaged in a heated discussion about Who Jesus is!

Guess who prompted the heat of the discussion? Guess what the basis of the heat was?

If the spirit of anti-Christ can make me appear hateful, (even when I AM right,) he has won the battle. The battle however, is being waged in me, not in the world. I must learn to yield the flesh to the Spirit of God and not the spirit of anti-Christ.

I find this to be a prayerful, pre-meditated process. Allowing the Holy Spirit to teach me about myself through His Word is critical. Practicing His presence is powerful. Learning to yield the flesh rather than allowing it to bow-up is immense. Even if I lose the argument, I win.  I find He Who is in me to be greater than he who is in the world, but I must allow this to be.

-Pastor Bill

Have You Seen Him?

1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

What are we to think of a ruler who rules without rules? Is this what grace does?

For some, this is the case. Grace is an allowance rather than a conformance - or better yet – a transformance.

John continues to vehemently argue against the construct of grace as an allowance because Jesus was so… graceful. Grace. Full.

After all, the Bible says there is NO sin which will not be forgiven by Christ. There is NO sin which Jesus did not die for and pay the price of. (Excepting the sin of unbelief that Jesus forgives sin.)

“Okay, I believe Jesus forgives all sin. What am I to do with this sense of forgiveness, so freely given?”

Now we come to the issue of conformance/transformance rather than allowance. Certainly, I remain a free moral agent, capable of making decisions for sin and away from righteousness. I remain capable of sin. I can even deceive myself into thinking I am allowed to sin on the basis of the anticipated forgiveness I will receive from Christ.

But John says this is not the way I will choose to live IF I am in Christ, because this is not the way Christ lives. The question is: Do I see Him? Have I seen Him? And the amazing statement John makes is that when I see Him, (when He has been revealed,) I will be like Him – because I will see Him as He IS.

I like most agree this primarily speaks of literally seeing Christ in heaven. But there is something to seeing Christ in our hearts as well, and ‘seeing’ Christ in our hearts transforms us. The “How?” question is answered by the simple statement, “If you have seen Him, you already know.” Have you seen Jesus?

-Pastor Bill