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All mankind are sinners at conception. Psalm 51:5 (CSB), “Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.” Adamic sin and its penalty, death, are inherited. Romans 5:12 (CSB), “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned.” Thus, we are all dead. Jesus amplified on the thought when He said, “Let the dead bury the dead.” (Matthew 8:22.) A young man, who wanted to follow Jesus, asked if he could first bury his family. To his request, Jesus explained that the dead (people who were still living and not yet lifeless) should bury the completely dead relatives. From God’s perspective, all sentenced to death are surely dead. No one condemned to death could have life. The first time the Book of Life is mentioned in the Bible is in Philippians 4:3 (NKJV). “And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.” After Jesus ransomed Adam (and all his children) through His death on the cross, the invitation to everlasting life was opened. 2 Timothy 1:9-10 (CSB), “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling,…made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Presently, the world of mankind does not respond to the holy calling. They will remain under the curse until Jesus’s blood is applied to them in the resurrection. However, some do accept Jesus as their Savior and consecrate their lives to obey God’s will. These blessed ones are forgiven. The Holy Spirit begets them to new spiritual lives. At that point, the person is no longer considered dead by God. Instead, his name is written in the Book of Life. The rest of mankind will be resurrected during Christ’s reign on earth. Then they will receive forgiveness with the opportunity to gain perfect, everlasting human life. Then their names will be in the Book of Life. (See Jeremiah 31:33 and Isaiah 35.) Will a person’s name stay in the Book of Life? Not necessarily. If a person hardens his heart, denies the precious blood of Jesus, and goes into second death, that person’s name is blotted out of the Book of Life. He will never exist anywhere again. Revelation 3:5 (NKJV), “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.”

The first time believers are referred to is in Acts 9:2 (NKJV), “and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” Here believers were ?of the Way. Acts 5:14 (NKJV), “And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.” Believers includes the consecrated followers of Jesus and the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10) Acts 11:26 (NKJV), “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Romans 15:14 (NKJV), “Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” 1 Corinthians 15:1 (NKJV), “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand.” Please note that “brethren” can refer to brethren in Christ, Jewish brethren, or natural brothers. The quoted scriptures are two examples where believers are called brethren. 1 Corinthians 1:2 (NKJV), “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” “Saints” means holy ones. So the name saints may be applied to holy men of old, not only to consecrated believers in Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NKJV), “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” Revelation 14:4 (NKJV), “These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins ?(2 Corinthians 11:12. virgins are not involved with the world, but waiting for their bridegroom, Jesus?). These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.” Revelation 17:14 (NIV), “They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 21:9 (NKJV), “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”

No, God does not condone nor bless gambling. The soldiers at the cross crucified, beat and mocked Jesus. Their behaviors were cruel and unrighteous. Their gambling was vulgar. Those soldiers are not examples of God’s holy will. God intended there to be only 12 Apostles of the Lamb. Revelation 21:14 (NKJV), “Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” However, God never authorized the eleven apostles to choose a replacement for Judas. As recorded in Acts 1:15-26. they pursued this course as they saw fit as natural men. The Holy Spirit had not yet begotten them to be new creatures in Christ. (See Acts 2.) Thus, God’s power and influence was not yet guiding them. Additionally, the man they chose, Matthias, was no doubt a good man, but he was never mentioned again in the New Testament. In this case, casting lots to choose the correct replacement was not gambling. They made a human decision by using the Jewish tradition in the Old Testament of casting lots, because they did not yet have the discernment of the holy spirit to guide them. Jesus was not involved in the decision. The apostles decided that two men would be good choices. (They were the wrong two men.) Then they cast lots to see which one was God’s choice, but neither were suitable replacements. Instead, Jesus chose Saul (who became the great Apostle Paul) to be his twelfth apostle. Acts 26:15-17 (NKJV), “So I (Saul) said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ‘But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.” Paul identified himself as an apostle. Galatians 1:1 (NKJV), “Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)”. So, the casting of lots to find a replacement for Judas was not God’s will. Nowhere in the Bible is gambling a holy or loving act. By gambling, would you take someone’s rent money? or precious piece of jewelry? or week’s wages? Many gamble with money they cannot afford to lose. In fact, they may need that money to pay their bills. Would Jesus gamble and hurt people this way? No. Instead God told us to work to support ourselves. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NKJV), “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Working – not gambling – for money is God’s will.

Judas planned his betrayal of Jesus. Matthew 26:14-16 (NKJV), 14 “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?’ And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 16 So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” The Gospel of Luke adds that Satan entered Judas. Luke 22:1-6 (NKJV), 1 “Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. 4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.” At the Last Supper, Jesus announced that one of the disciples would betray Him. Those at the table asked who would be the betrayer. Judas knew what he was about to do, but he pretended to be a loyal disciple. Matthew 26:25 (NKJV), “Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, ‘Rabbi, is it I?’ He (Jesus) said to him, ‘You have said it.’ ” Judas betrayed Jesus with a lying kiss. Betrayal is very painful; however, Judas used a kiss to inflict even more pain. Matthew 26:47-49 (NKJV), 47 “And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.’ 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him.” Thus, Judas permitted Satan to enter him, planned the betrayal, pretended to be loyal, took 30 pieces of silver as payment, and intentionally inflicted pain by Jesus by an evil kiss. Peter’s denial was completely different. Peter loved Jesus but Jesus’s arrest and trial took him by surprise. Peter followed the soldiers into the high priest’s courtyard and was shocked when Jesus had been found guilty and beaten. Matthew 26:67-68 (NKJV), 67 “Then they spat in His (Jesus’s) face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, 68 saying, ‘Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?’” It was then that three different people identified Peter as a follower of our Lord. Peter denied knowing Jesus, because he was unprepared for these events and was probably afraid for his own safety. (See Matthew 26:57-75 for the full account.) After his denials, Peter wept with grief.

First we need to make a whole-hearted commitment to be separate from the sin and selfishness in the world and our own fallen flesh. 2 Corinthians 6:16  “And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.’” John 15:1-13 explains what “to dwell” or “to abide” means (Greek – to stay, continue, dwell, tarry, be present) in Christ. In this illustration, Christ is the vine and believers are the branches. The branches need the sap of the vine in order to develop. The sap is the power of the Holy Spirit working in the hearts believers, and the fruits are the graces of the spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5:22, 23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…” The purging in verse 2 is the pruning of the vine – cutting off sucker vines that produce no fruitage. This pruning of the vine is done through the Lord’s words. (verse 3)  As we compare our lives with the scriptures we see where we need to improve, ask forgiveness, and strive to do better. The attitude of the Christian has much to do with God’s presence with us. If we are proud or self-confident we will not see our need of the Lord. We should be humble and realize our need of Christ’s influence in our lives, “for without me you can do nothing.” (verse 5) An important part of being in the presence of God is studying His word. “If ye abide in me AND my words abide in you, you shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you ” (verse 7) As we study God’s word, we then learn what we are to pray for. We do not want to pray amiss. (James 4:3) We can pray for wisdom (James 1:5, 6), the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13), stronger faith (Mark 9:24), a clean heart (Psalm 19:13, 14) and forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Verse 10 in John 15 has another important element of being in God’s presence – obedience. “If you keep my commandments you shall abide in my love..” What are those commandments? “That you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (verses 12, 13) Jesus was obedient to His Father. When anticipating the difficulties of his last day on earth he prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39  We too should have the attitude of total obedience to the Father’s will to continue to abide in his presence.

Sin and Satan’s influence has made everyone miserable for thousands of years. There is war, pain, hate, and death. But God has a plan that allows these things to only be TEMPORARILY permitted for a certain amount of time and not a day longer. We are all learning a powerful lesson: sin only brings sorrow and pain. God’s plan, the establishment of His righteous kingdom – the one Jesus taught us to pray for – (see Matthew 6:10) has many parts that happen in multiple stages. When there is trouble in the world, we are comforted by the fact that God is in full control of His plan, which will eventually bring blessings to you and everyone you know. The Bible says there will be no crying or pain in His kingdom (see Revelation 21:4). Jesus will raise to life every human who has ever died, (see John 5:28) and because of his sacrifice on the cross, humankind will have the opportunity to restore their relationship with God. The prophet Isaiah describes the earth being transformed into a beautiful paradise, (see Isaiah 35), where most people will live. Eventually, after humankind has enjoyed God’s righteous and fair government, they will remember the lesson from the past of what sin brought. This will make it easier to choose the RIGHT way, because GOD’S way brings happiness and blessings! Later on, Satan will be destroyed. (see Revelation 20:10) Always remember that God is not uncaringly sitting back as people get hurt or hurt others because He loves the world and ALL people! John says, (3:16, NKJ) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Are you excited for God’s kingdom to come? To our imperfect, human minds and limited knowledge of God’s timing, it can seem like His plan is moving slowly, but we have to be patient! The prophet Habakkuk (2:3, NLT) was shown a vision of God’s future plan. God said, “…It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” So, why does God let bad things happen? Because it’s part of a plan that will ensure everyone’s best eternal welfare. The bad things caused by Satan and sin are helping us all learn a powerful lesson: sin brings sorrow and pain. In time, humankind will realize that obedience to God’s righteous laws brings happiness and blessings. God will eventually remove ALL “bad things” and His plan will be fulfilled…and YOU and EVERY person you know will be a part of it!

First and foremost, we pray directly to God in Jesus’s name, because we have faith in His Son, Jesus, as our Redeemer. When we respectfully talk to God, we remember Jesus’s words in John 14:14, “If you ask anything in My (Jesus’s) name, I will do it.” Jesus taught his followers to pray to God in his name. Additionally, the only way that we have access to the supreme Creator is through the merit of Jesus’s sacrifice. In John 14:6, Jesus taught us, “…I am the way, the truth… the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Our prayers of praise, thanksgiving, and requests can only be made acceptable by faith in Jesus. Furthermore, we know that Jesus was resurrected with the divine nature and is sitting at the right of God. God wants us to honor His Son. Jesus said, “all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” John 5:23 (NKJV). Therefore, we could also appropriately speak directly to Jesus alone. Many scriptures teach us to focus on Jesus’s perfect example. Hebrews 12:2 says,  “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Ephesians 5:2 (NLT), “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” As we consider this bond between Jesus and his followers, we recognize Jesus as the head of his spiritual body. Colossians 1:18 (NKJV), “And He (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church,…” Therefore, as one’s natural body is directed by a person’s head, it is appropriate to talk to and praise our spiritual head, Jesus. Devoted followers may certainly talk to Jesus.

The question comes from John 8:2-11: “Early in the morning he (Jesus) came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’” There is considerable controversy regarding the authenticity of the passage.  The earliest and most respected ancient manuscripts (Sinaticus and Vaticanus) omit the passage.  Numerous Greek manuscripts dating from the 300’s AD onward do contain the passage. The fragment has been discussed and interpreted from the earliest ages of Christian commentary.  There is enough debate, to safely conclude that Jesus did encounter some situation similar to that outlined in John 8. Jesus used it to teach at least two valuable lessons of good Christian conduct, namely: ‘Do not readily accuse others when you are yourself a sinner’ and ‘repent and sin no more’. The question of what Jesus wrote on the ground has been debated as much as the authenticity of the passage itself.  However, there does seem to be a simple solution. Jesus directly quoted from the Law in Deuteronomy 22:22. It reads, “If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.” Jesus may have begun to write this passage on the ground. As He did so, every Jew would have realized that they had omitted some of the words in that law. They were too ashamed to admit that while condemning the woman, they had ignored the man’s adulterous sin. These accusing Jews were not following that law.  Essentially, Jesus could easily have written “WHERE IS THE MAN”

To know the mind of God, one must first “believe that He is” (Hebrews 11:6), and that the reverence or fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10). The greatest expression of love from the Father is the precious gift of his own dear Son, Jesus, to be the redeemer of mankind. In both word and action, Jesus revealed the mind of God. Jesus was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). He spoke not of himself but as he received from his Father. John 12:49,” …the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment what I should say and what I should speak” (Also see John 8:28). As one confesses his faith in God, and consecrates himself to do God’s will, only then is one prepared to receive the God’s truths. Jesus spoke clearly to his disciples, but to the vast majority of the people, he spoke in parables. Matthew 13:10-11 (NKJV) “And the disciples came and said to him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’ He answered and said to them, ‘Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.’” Many scriptures reveal our heavenly Father’s intentions toward his human family. For example, we read in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork.”  The creation shows the mind and heart of our Creator. There is the beauty of the starry heavens and the warmth of the sun. The glorious natural world is for all to enjoy – the animal life, and the infinite variety of plants, flowers and vegetation. This can only be the work of a being of great wisdom, mighty power, whose foundation is justice, and is surely a God of love. The Apostle Paul states that the invisible attributes of God (love, wisdom, justice and power) are “clearly seen” and understood by his creation (Romans 1:20). We also see that God purposed from the very beginning of creation to have a family of sons who would share His divine nature.  This would begin with His only begotten Son and those who would be his faithful disciples. After the body of Christ is complete, then the glory of the Lord will be revealed to all mankind. We all pray “Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).  “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).

Proverbs (17:17, Bible in Basic English) says, “A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times of trouble.” This means that a true friend has love and concern for us in all aspects of our life, but especially when we are in trouble, just like a loving brother would. Friendly people don’t exclude one group or another. Jesus is our best example of this, because he loved everyone and spent time with all different kinds of people: rich and poor, healthy and sick, those with lots of friends, but also those who had no one. So if you see someone sitting alone, introduce yourself with a smile, and let your light shine! True friends look out for each other. If we see a friend doing something that might be hurting themselves or others, we should kindly speak up because we care. If WE are the one being corrected, we should have an open heart and a listening ear, knowing that when someone cares about us, they want what is best for us. When King David was corrected by God through the prophet Nathan, he listened, realized his mistake, asked God for forgiveness, and then tried to do better. Friends are not judgmental. We should avoid putting others down or harshly criticizing if they make mistakes. Matthew (7:1,2 NIV) says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Of course, if you or someone you know is being bullied or mistreated, it’s good to ask a parent, family members or teachers for help. We should never try to get back at the person hurting us. True friends can depend on each other because they keep their promises. If we say we’re going to do something, we should do it to the best of our ability. God always keeps His promises, so we know it pleases Him when we keep ours! Lastly, true friends don’t “evil speak,” or gossip about each other behind their backs. Titus (3:2, ESV) advises us “To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Proverbs (21:23, God’s Word Translation) says, “Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” Remember 1 Thessalonians: (5:11, NLT) “So encourage each other and build each other up,…” So, what makes a true friend? Someone who lets their light shine with everyone (regardless of their social status), looks out for others, has a heart that is open to constructive criticism, keeps their promises, and avoids gossip and evil speaking.