It’s been a couple of months since my last Personal From… And, while others are
arguing over ‘whose right and whose wrong’ as to whether the prophesied ‘beginning
of sorrows’ has begun ── I would like to speak today concerning our Lord Jesus’
first recorded words at the beginning of His ministry, “’ The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’” – Mark 1:15.
Today I received some comments on our latest THINK ABOUT THIS… What is meant, ‘a synagogue of Satan’? A person who goes by the name frog of war wrote,
“An AI voice translating the voice of God is disgusting. It’s worse than the Talmud
which us [sic] the Rabbis translating the voice of God. So, it’s basically the same
thing.”
Well, first and foremost, let me just say that I’m sorry he/she feels that way. For the
Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries, we use AI for logical reasons.
It streamlines work, it enhances outreach by interpreting items in various languages,
and we’re trying to reach a broader, more modern audience by making it more
interesting to watch. Surely, not all videos will strike their target, but we fully rely
on Almighty God to place His messages where they will do the greatest of good. It
sounds as if the frog of war has great antipathy for the LORD God’s living word in any
format. AI is not evil in and of itself. Like any technology, it can be used for evil and
for good.
“Repent”
Like our Lord Jesus, the Apostle Peter ── filled with God’s Spirit ── standing with
the eleven would answer the men and brethren gathered together, “’ Repent, and let
every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;
and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” – Acts 2:38.
And here we are. Some of the greatest and deadliest of weapons have been
produced throughout these last centuries. The United States detonates the world’s
first thermonuclear weapon, the hydrogen bomb, on Eniwetok atoll in the Pacific, with a yield of 10.4 megatons and generates a fireball more than three miles wide –
November 1, 1950. Now, according to most, we have the single most physically
powerful device ever deployed on Earth, the Tsar Bomba, with a blast yield of 50 - 58 megatons of TNT. And our nations now have what is called germ warfare ──
such as COVID-19.
And here we are. In an age of worldwide terrorism on a scale unheard of before. In
fact, we just had a terrible terrorist truck attack in New Orleans, Louisiana. A United
States Military Veteran drove a rented pickup truck into a crowd celebrating New
Year's Day on Bourbon Street in New Orleans ── murdering 15 and injuring 57.
We’re in an age with approximately 5,552 known X-rated adult novelty stores in the
United States alone! They, like church buildings, appear to be on every street corner
in America!
Truly ── watching the unhinged Progressives in the U.S., you can surely see they,
as a people, would try and murder our Lord Jesus Christ should He suddenly appear
in human flesh and indict us for our sins!
Truly! Some 1,994 years ago, there was a generation very similar to ours that had
literally done this very thing. Yet, through the power of God, heartfelt preaching,
through miracles ── literally thousands began to realize how wretched and against
the LORD God their lives really were.
They, in that generation, began to see and hear clearly that their well “established”
religious and political (because like then, today’s religions appear to be closely tied
to politics), their “house of play” was nothing more than play acting ── like actress
Norma Desmond in the famous movie “Sunset Boulevard,” “Alright Mr. DeMille,
I'm Ready For My Close-up!” They, too, want their close-up ── they need to be
seen as righteous.
That generation had literally murdered our promised Messiah!
“’ Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus,
whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’” – Acts 2:36.
And certainly, just as our generation reacted to Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion
of Christ,” in which he accused the Jews of the murder of our Lord Jesus, the
Apostle Peter’s generation howled at this direct comment.
But several thousand people of that generation were rightly honest with
themselves. They were willing to face the fact that they, personally, had become
hardened of heart, sinful, and guilty before our God. And they wanted help and
forgiveness, as many do in this generation.
Many were “cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and
brethren, what shall we do?’” – vs. 37.
And our beloved Apostle Peter answered, “’ Repent, and let every one of you be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you will receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” – vs. 38.
These words of God sum up exactly what steps all of humanity needs to take
to become reconciled to Father God.
Let’s systematically go through this verse and break it down. Repent. What does it
mean to repent?
This present evil age is very religious. In fact, Satan the Devil is very religious. In
the Personal From… Some Prehistory Facts I speak of the fact that Satan has a
religion. Surely, this is something most people don’t consider. Millions do have a
deep interest in Christianity. And with this world’s new pope, many young people
are showing an interest in Catholicism.
Yet, you look around this world, and you see that these Christians are bearing
dubious fruits! Why?
Again, seems like with every city in America, there’s a church building on every
corner ── why isn’t our society becoming more law-respecting and law-abiding?
Why aren't the fruits of the Spirit being produced in all these “religious” people?
A great number of reports are out explaining that people have become disillusioned
with religion. Here’s one such report from 2024, by Omega Ukama ──
“A significant shift is underway in the global religious landscape. Recent studies reveal a persistent decline in religious affiliation, with an increasing number of individuals embracing atheism or identifying as “spiritual but not religious.” The Pew Research Center reports that in the U.S. alone, the religiously unaffiliated have risen from 16% in 2007 to 29% in 2021, highlighting a deep change in how people interact with faith and spirituality.” 1
A great many want God ── but they want God their way. Like my wife is famous
for saying, “I don’t need religion to believe in God.” At the same time, people don’t
want to pay the penalty for living a lifestyle that is against the LORD God. Then
there are those people ── possibly by the millions ── who go to their church each
week, donating their time and energy to help a worthy cause ALL IN VAIN. Hoping
that God will look upon their good deeds as worthy, in place of their obedience to
the holy and righteous commandments of God, summed up with the Ten
Commandments. They, like my oldest brother, believe ── just try and be the best
person you can be. Yet, for the majority, they are living a life that doesn’t change.
And for some, church attendance actually means a type of penance, rather than
repentance. Simplifying church attendance and interactions hasn’t seemed to make
any difference in our societies. Why bother going to a church if no one can tell from
your fruits if you are a Christian or an atheist?
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ distinctly says, “’ You will know them by their
fruits. …’” – Matthew 7:16. He speaks of a true Christian being ‘the light of the
world. A city that is set on a hill.’ Sadly, this world’s “Christianity” ── like the city
of Los Angeles-- is experiencing a rolling blackout! They cannot be seen from any hill.
It’s being reported that three in 10 U.S. adults attend religious services regularly, led
by Mormons at 67%. According to a Gallup poll, 21% of U.S. adults attend a church,
synagogue, mosque, or temple every week. 2 Today’s interest in God doesn’t go
very deep. And it’s affecting the way most people are living their lives. Why?
Well… it’s like what we experience here at the Church of Jesus Christ Online
Ministries, we receive dozens of messages a week inquiring an interest in “join your
teachings,” or “join your ministry” ── only to find out that they are only looking
for a hand out, or they want your WhatsApp number! They certainly don’t want to
learn how to live the Way our Lord Jesus commanded. There are a great many who
are willing to honor Him with their lips, but they don’t want a thing that He teaches.
Repentance means to stop sinning, and to turn around and go the other way ── to
completely change your life. Godly repentance must come from the heart.
Speaking to Ephraim, today identified as modern-day Britain, the LORD God says,
“’ Woe to them, for they have fled from Me! Destruction to them, Because they have
transgressed against Me! Though I redeemed them, Yet they have spoken lies against
Me. 14) They did not cry out to Me with their heart When they wailed upon their
beds.
‘They assemble together for grain and new wine [as in, slashing themselves, see 1
Kings 18:28] They rebel against Me; 15) Though I disciplined and strengthened their
arms, Yet they devise evil against Me; 16) They return, but not to the Most High;
They are like a treacherous bow. Their princes shall fall by the sword For the
cursing’s of their tongue. …’” – Hosea 7:13-15, 16.
God’s living word says that people have made ── and are continuing to make ──
an outward show of returning to Him, but they haven’t done so with their hearts. Not
just Ephraim’s repentance ── but the whole of the world, for that matter ── is
showing an outward and superficial repentance with no sincerity of heart.
What Should We Repent From?
In this modern world of its “love who you wanna love” and “do whatever your heart
desires,” ── sin to them is antiquated or nonexistent. Which is possibly why our
THINK ABOUT THIS… What is Sin? wasn’t well received. Sin doesn’t appear to
occupy many people’s minds these days ── they claim, “I am guilty of nothing!”
It can be said, and surely has in one form or another ── this modern world, which
denies any personal guilt, admitting social crimes, has no place in any personal
repentance; they too have “divorced” God.
It is sin that we are commanded to repent of ──
“ … ‘ repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem.’” – Luke 24:47.
What is sin?
“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” – 1 John
3:4.
Sin is the breaking of God’s commandments, summed up in the Ten
Commandments!
Any time that you break or disobey one of the holy and righteous
commandments of the LORD God, you have sinned. And, you must repent.
According to the LORD God, “’ There is none righteous, no, not one; … for all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’” – Romans 3:10, 23. Therefore, every man
and woman needs to repent deeply with all their heart. Turn to the LORD God for
forgiveness of transgressions. To obey the LORD God and keep the Ten
Commandments, Statutes, Ordinances, and Judgments. “Now by this we know that
we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4) He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and
does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” – 1 John
2:3-4.
And, it’s the LORD God that gifts us repentance.
“And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and
doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4) Or do you despise the
riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the
goodness of God leads you to repentance?” – Romans 2:3-4.
We are told by the LORD God, “in humility correcting those who are in opposition,
IF God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.” – 2
Timothy 2:25.
It is the LORD God – the Elohim, the family of God, which at this time consists of
God the Father and our Lord Jesus – that helps us see and hear clearly our own
wretchedness and shortcomings. They open up our minds and begin us on the Way
towards true repentance.
Now… certain steps must be taken. There is no disorder in God. Yet,
they are simple steps. Anyone who follows these simple steps is guaranteed to find
God ── the true God ── with deep, meaningful, and heartfelt repentance.
The LORD God forever be praised! Your Bible lists for us dozens of names of people
who will be in the glorious kingdom of God! Such as King David, the Prophet
Daniel, the Patriarch Abraham, along with all the other prophets ── even including
the Prophet Jonah ── the LORD God promised salvation and a “mansion” in Christ’s kingdom. They were blessed with the Way that allowed them to reach our
great and merciful Father of the universe! And their example will help us to stay on
the narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7:14).
All of these godly brethren had one essential thing in common. Led by God’s Spirit,
as soon as they realized God was displeased with them or their nation, they
immediately corrected it. But, how can you know if and when our righteous Father
is displeased? Well… let’s think of our human father. How do you know when he is
displeased with you?
The episode “Opie the Birdman” on the Andy Griffith Show came to life for me when
I was about 11 years old. One bright and beautiful morning in Florida, with my Daisy
BB Rifle Model 105B in hand, I adventured into the woods next to our home ──
shooting at anything on the other end of my sight. Including a poor, defenseless
American Robin. Unlike in the episode, I had only wounded it. Immediately, I went
to my father with tears streaming down my face, and told him what I had done. He
looked at me solemnly and said, “I know you’re sorry, son. But you mustn’t let that
bird suffer. You must finish the job.” Greatly distraught and sobbing, I was forced to
confront a consequence of violence. It has deeply affected me
all my life. I never did it again.
“Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.” – Proverbs
19:18, NAS.
Our heavenly Father will many times bring us to repentance through discipline. He
will often allow family problems, sicknesses, financial problems, or even other more
serious issues to arise to guide us or even force us to realize our great need for our
LORD God. Maybe some of these very things have happened in your life. I hope
and pray that you appreciated what the LORD God was trying to get through to you.
These trials and the wisdom … and I pray that you will understand that my father
wasn’t trying to be cruel ── and even if I didn’t fully realize it then, he was trying
to teach me about obedience, moral cognition, and the shaping of my conscience …
from our heavenly Father is proof that He dearly loves us. Notice Hebrews 12:5-8
──
“ … ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD Nor be discouraged when
you are rebuked by Him; 6) For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges
every son whom He receives.’
7) If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there
whom a father does not chasten? 8) But if you are without chastening, of which all
have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.”
“Be Baptized”
Walking through Truck World in Ohio – the largest truck stop in Ohio – with truck
drivers in their casual wear, reflecting their practical, comfortable, and road-ready
lifestyle.
Dinner time in the restaurant. Truck drivers sipping on their coffees. Some visibly
enthralled by four young women wearing the same color dress, wearing plain
white caps on their heads, walking modestly along together. These young women
wearing a kind of austere and uninviting religious clothing that seemed utterly
incongruous to the truck driving atmosphere.
It's true. They don’t fit. They looked completely out of place.
How can one know whether any costume or custom is nothing more than a “carry
over” or a founder’s rule of dress, based upon human ideas, or what the Creator of
the universe truly wants you to practice?
Thankfully, most of our readers have proved beyond any shadow of doubt that there
is a great Creator of the heavens working out a most glorious Plan for all mankind
down here below.
The Apostle Paul said, “for in Him we live and move and have our being, …” –
Acts 17:28.
The LORD God should be “the beginning” and the “end” of our lives. The very
reason and authority for how we live.
The Lord Jesus said, “ … ‘the Scripture cannot be broken.’” – John 10:35.
So then, the ultimate criterion for determining the importance or validity of anything
── including what you wear ── is THE HOLY BIBLE.
And this is also true of water baptism. With our sermon “Baptism,” I had a person
want to argue that it is no longer water baptism, but Spirit baptism. Maybe part of
that belief stems from a sentimental or emotional feeling that people get ── those
who truly aren’t being called by Father God, and are full of this world’s culture and
religious education. Frankly, however, most of this stems primarily from simple
ignorance of what God’s living word actually teaches.
Ignorance?
Yes. Ignorance. It’s not a bad word ── it just simply means that you don’t know.
And, you don’t know that you don’t know. Because the overall majority of our
peoples assume that the ministers of this world know what the Bible teaches ── yet,
very few take the time to really study God’s living word and prove what it does say
or doesn’t say on any given subject.
The Apostle James – under divine inspiration – wrote, “ … be DOERS of the word,
and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22.
Go ahead and read and study the LORD God’s most direct and vital of all passages
concerning baptism – Acts 2:36-42. I’ll wait…
In this inspired message to the crowd on this most monumental Day of Pentecost in
the year 31, the Apostle Peter did indeed indict many of his listeners for their part in
murdering the Messiah!
And as we went over earlier, many were “cut to the heart” with guilt and shame,
asking, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
One of the most profound, meaningful, and moving articles from the Good News
magazine that I have ever read is Paul Royer’s “Who Killed Jesus Christ?” It had
been reprinted in one of their 80s editions, and I was reading it for the first time
at the age of 27. I recall when coming to the words he had written, “YOU KILLED
JESUS CHRIST!” I felt, welling up inside, an overwhelming sense of guilt and
shame, and I literally cried out unto God. That article has, from that time,
stayed close to me.
What does one do when, individually, you come to realize that you have been in
rebellion against the LORD God and have been going against the very purpose for
which you were created?
In part II, I will cover with you this next step that the LORD God specifically says to
do. □
1) Ukama, O., 15 Reasons People Are Moving Away from Organized Religion, Interesting Facts, 5 Sept. 2024.
2) Jones, J.M., Church Attendance Has Declined in Most U.S. Religious Groups, GALLUP, 25 March 2024.
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