Walking With Jesus

You Are Welcome to Come to the Wedding!

“And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2 NLT)

In Matthew 22 Jesus used a wedding feast as the theme of one of His parables. Parables, as a rule, have one main point, and the point of the parable in Matthew 22 is that God wants the “banquet hall” to be filled for the “Wedding” of Jesus and His “Bride.”

Who is His Bride? The Church, comprised of everyone who is properly “attired.” What does that mean? In Matthew 22:12 Jesus asks one of the guests: “’Friend’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’”

In the previous verses servants of the king were sent to those who were originally invited, but when everything was ready, they refused to come. So, the Bible says that the servants were to invite: “everyone you see.” (vs. 9) That included some who were good and some who were bad.

The picture that is being painted here is what has been happening over the past two thousand years. The Jews were originally to be the main guests, for they were the ones to whom the Messiah was born. But they rejected Him, thus opening the “wedding feast” to everyone, both good and bad. Who does that include? You and me – Gentile and Jew – anyone who agrees to be properly “clothed” in wedding attire. What does that mean?

It means the only way to heaven, to participate in the wedding feast when Jesus and His Church are united for all eternity, is to be “clothed” in His righteousness. Good or bad is no longer the issue. The only issue is whether a person is willing to seek forgiveness of their sins, to repent (turn from their sins), and be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus through faith in Him and what He alone accomplished when He died and rose again. What does that look like in a practical way?

Imagine you’re preparing to go someplace – work, to the grocery store, anyplace – so you grab your keys, but when you open the door to your car, someone is already sitting in the driver’s seat with their hand reaching out to you asking for the key. You have a choice to either give them the key or ask them to step out of your car. It’s your choice.

That’s essentially what Jesus asks of us – to give Him control of our life! “Let Me (Jesus) determine the direction your life will take. Let Me guide in every decision, every thought, every motive, every detail of your life.” Why? Because He understands that He knows you and me better than we know ourselves. So, for us as believers the wedding “clothes” of His righteousness looks like the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)

Those kinds of characteristics are what identify us as God’s child. Can we fake them? We may be able to fool people for a while, but we won’t fool Jesus for a second. Authenticity and transparency are what enables Jesus to be seen in us and to work through us. No one will enter the wedding feast of the Lamb of God clothed in their own righteousness. The white robes of Jesus’ righteousness alone will grant us entrance.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Getting Dressed Up for Jesus

“Jesus replied, ‘You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote: “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.”’” (Mark 7:6 NLT)

In the above verse Jesus is responding to some Pharisees and teachers of religious law who criticized Jesus’ disciples because they didn’t perform the Jewish tradition of hand washing before they ate. Jesus wasn’t simply criticizing them for washing their hands before they ate, their hypocrisy surfaced because they were substituting their own “rules” in place of the clear instructions of God. We tend to do that today.

Each church, as least in America, has its own set of “rules.” Of course, most churches have written beliefs that guide their theological position, but what becomes an issue, especially for new people, is their “unwritten” rules. Because over time, at least for the older folks, these “rules” supersede their theology, which leads to legalism and hypocrisy.

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For the most part, proper dress isn’t nearly as strict as it used to be. Now the “rules” are more subtle, largely relating to how you come across relationally. For example, you want to be friendly, but not “too” friendly; you want to keep your kids in check and not let anyone know your marriage is in trouble; and for goodness’ sake, don’t be having a bad day at church.

Please understand, I’m being facetious, for often the people of the church don’t feel those ways at all, but new people coming in are afraid they do. So, what’s my point? God alone knows our heart and His alone is the only opinion that matters. On any given Sunday many, if not most of the people who attend church are on some level “having a bad day.” In my mind, that’s more reason TO come to church, than to stay away.

My grandparents, whom I called Mom and Papa John, were two of the godliest people I’ve ever known. When I was in my twenties, Papa John was very ill, unable to get out of bed. But one morning he got up showered, shaved, and put on his suit, as he would if he was dressing for church, and took a seat in his favorite chair. Mom Eley was busy in the kitchen fixing breakfast, so she let Papa John know it would just be a few minutes, and commented about how nice he looked and asked “Where are you going so dressed up?” Papa John just smiled.

A few minutes later she came to tell him his breakfast was ready, but he wasn’t there. He’d gone home to be with Jesus. He wanted to look his best for his Savior. That’s what I want in my life. Not only in how I dress, but in how I live and treat others. I believe that’s what Jesus desires of us.

The truth is, if you can’t be yourself in the presence of Jesus and Jesus followers, where on earth can you be. As Jesus lovers and followers, our “job” is to be salt and light, loving and inviting, not judging, and demanding. And none of us are perfect – yet! Hopefully, every day, inch by inch, we’re growing to become more and more like Jesus, because “dressing up” for Him is more internal than external. We don’t have to where formal attire, just be “dressed” in kindness and loving acceptance, not necessarily of how someone is living, but treating them like we wanted to be treated before we met Jesus.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Why Do We Suffer?

“Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law.” (Mark 8:31a NLT)

As human beings living on this planet, we will suffer, but have you ever stopped to wonder why? All people share suffering in common. No one, rich or poor, young or old, saved or lost, escapes life on this earth without suffering in some way.

The short answer for “why” is SIN! When Adam and Eve were ejected from the Garden they left behind perfection and a sin-free life, and traded it for heartache and pain, not only for themselves, but for each person who would ever be born. But I believe there’s another very vital reason the Lord allows us to suffer, especially those of us who know, love, and desire to honor Him.

Have you ever delayed visiting someone who was ill or injured because you weren’t sure how to comfort them or what to say? When I was new in ministry, young and very “green,” I visited a young man who had been shot in the face. What do you say to someone who has a hole in their cheek from a gunshot wound? I didn’t have a clue. So, I asked what I always asked: “How are you doing?” To which the young man responded: “I’ve been shot in the face, how do you think I’m doing?”

I don’t remember much more about that visit except how I felt as I left his room. It was almost like someone had punched me hard in the stomach. I was hurting, wondering why God would allow me to fail so miserably when my intentions were so good.

Today, as I remember that visit, I wish I could have a “do-over.” Today I would say something like: “It’s unfortunate that you have to endure this painful and traumatic experience, but I’m grateful you’re alive. If the bullet had gone a few inches in another direction we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

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Often, I’m convinced that God allows suffering to get unbeliever’s attention and to draw them to Himself. And, as believers, we suffer not necessarily for our benefit alone, but for those in our family and our spheres of influence. And you may wonder why I use the term “benefit.” Is suffering designed for our benefit? On some levels, absolutely yes!

C.S. Lewis, among others, believed that suffering creates an environment in which we can learn things about God and ourselves that we can learn in no other setting. And it then offers a platform from which we can speak life into people’s lives who are suffering in a similar way.

Rick Warren says, “God never wastes a problem.” If the Lord allows something to enter our life, He has a reason. It’s either to enable us to see Him more clearly and be drawn to Him more closely, and/or to give us an avenue of witness that will be powerfully effective as we trust Him to use us despite what’s happening in our lives.

None of us knows what the future will bring, but I can tell you this with certainty – I want what God wants for me even if it causes me suffering and pain. Regardless of the condition of my body or mind, if I’m alive, I have purpose. And, often, that purpose has little or nothing to do with us directly. It’s for the benefit of those the Lord will bring to us who expect us to be complaining, when in fact, we’re praising and lifting honor and glory to our Risen Savior.

He suffered more than any other, and now billions will be in heaven who would have had no hope if He hadn’t suffered. Why should we not embrace and give thanks for the privilege of suffering if we can influence even one person to see Jesus more clearly and to not miss heaven?

Blessings, Ed 😊

While the Cement Is Soft

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of our Lord, about His power and His mighty works.” (Psalm 78:4 NLT)

As I walk my dogs each morning there’s a section of the sidewalk that has been replaced. There are bicycle tire tracks across that section and a few names from some of the neighbor kids. Those tracks and initials would be nearly impossible to etch into that concrete once it’s dried. They had to have been made while the cement was soft, before it had completely set up.

Statistics reveal that the vast majority of people who know Jesus as Savior and Lord, make their decision to follow Him before age 19. Why is that? Largely because that’s about the time many go off to college or start their first full-time job. They begin their journey into adulthood, with all of it’s pitfalls and stumbling blocks. Why is that so vital for us to know?

Parents in greater numbers today are waiting until their children are old enough to decide whether they will attend church or children’s and youth activities, not realizing that few will opt to go unless their parents are already investing themselves in the church’s ministries. The parents believe it’s not fair to “make” their children go.

I realize there are exceptions, but under most circumstances, when children are babies or toddlers, we take them wherever we go whether they “want” to go or not. We take them to their pediatrician, sometimes literally kicking and screaming. Why? Because we know it’s in their best interest. Knowing Jesus is definitely in their best interest.

Our children’s and grandchildren’s eternal destiny is literally at risk when we leave such a major decision up to them without proper counsel. We must give them training, not only by taking them to church, but by reading the Bible or Bible stories and/or telling them stories of our own pilgrimage as a believer. We must also take every opportunity to pray with them. Much of our faith is more “caught” than taught.

When our children are young, they are like the cement when it’s first poured, very impressionable. Those early years before they become a teen are the best years to let them “catch” our faith, but if your children or grandchildren are already into their teens or beyond is there still something you can do?

Yes, absolutely. Three things that all of us can do: (1) pray for them, (2) live for Jesus consistently before them, and (3) love them in age-appropriate ways and inviting ways, creating in them a desire for the One whom you love and serve.

One other thing that comes to mind is to encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to touch the lives of children in your spheres of influence: at church, in your neighborhood, or in your extended family. Love is contagious, so if you love Jesus and He loves the children to whom you have access, His Spirit will work in ways that are humanly impossible.

I sensed God’s presence when I was very young at one of the few church services we attended, but I didn’t understand what it was. We rarely went to church, so for me, it wasn’t until I was 15 when I finally invited Jesus into my life.

If you haven’t yet met Jesus, please watch the brief video below to learn how you can allow the Lord to become the Savior of your life. You will never regret it. https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god

If you know children or teens who need Jesus, please pray and do whatever you can to help them meet Him while the “cement” of their heart is still soft.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Is God Good?

“’Why do you call Me good?’ Jesus asked him. ‘Only God is truly good.” (Luke 18:19 NLT)

When you think of someone or something “good,” what do you think of? I tend to think of pinto beans and cornbread or cherry pie, but what about you? When you think of God, do you think of Him as good?

David Jeremiah wrote in a recent Turning Point devotional: “Think about the wars, acts of terror, onslaughts of savagery against innocent people, government-sponsored acts of genocide throughout history—it’s almost more than our sensibilities can bear when we consider how humanity has broken the heart of God over millennia. And we have to include our own failures to glorify God in thought, word, and deed. And yet God is ‘longsuffering toward [humanity], not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.’”

Depending on what we choose to focus our attention, it’s easy to conclude that God isn’t good. Because we don’t see Him moving in power to eliminate the cruel effects of sin, in the world and/or in our own individual lives. Would it be safe to assume, at least on some levels, God defines “good” differently than we do? However, on many other levels, He sees “good” exactly like we do.

The truth is, God is the source of all that is good. Without His presence in our world there would be nothing good – in people or in nature. The fact that we recognize that something is “good” is evidence in and of itself that God exists. But I ask the question in the title because in light of all that isn’t good in our world, it’s easy for God to either be left out of the equation, or for people to assume He can’t be good – i.e. the evil and badness in our world is His fault.

I’m not going to lie to you, there are things that bother me – a lot! Suffering children, hunger, such depravity revealed in and through how we as human beings treat each other. It’s discouraging and heart-breaking. Yet, the closer I get to the Lord, the more I realize, as much as it breaks His heart, He’s allowing it for a time, but He’s not ignoring or forgetting it exists.

Historically, to this day, when tragedy strikes, good people, and very often God’s people, are at the head of the lines of people wanting to help. Many hospitals, schools, orphanages, ministries to address hunger, slavery, trafficking, homelessness, fostering programs, adoption, and on and on are instituted by good people prompted by God’s love and mercy.

Just as there are people filled with the Holy Spirit, who love God and others, and who are seeking to live out their faith everyday in every way they possibly can, there are also people filled and ruled by Satan. Is Satan a defeated foe? Yes, of course, but until Jesus returns and puts Satan in his rightful place, we’re left in a spiritual “war-zone.”

This should catch no believer in Jesus by surprise. In His Word, the Bible, there are many statements by Jesus warning us that we will suffer in this world. Yes, some more than others, but all of us will experience things on earth that won’t be any part of heaven.

Someone has rightly said: “Earth is all the hell that believers in Jesus will experience and all the heaven those who don’t know Him will experience.” We can focus on the horrible things that are happening in our world and in our personal lives, and let them turn us away from God. Or we can focus on Jesus and all that He has done for us, all the cruelty He endured on our behalf, and let Him guide us to ways that we can become a part of the solution to some of the evil in our world.

The choice is ours. I’ve made my choice to love and serve Jesus and seek to bring as much help and hope to those who struggle as I possibly can. I pray you’ll join me.

God is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo GOOD!

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Is Propitiation? (Part 3)

“But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9 NLT)

It occurred to me that yesterday’s article may have raised more questions than it answered, so let me see if I can explain a couple of things that, hopefully, will make what I’m trying to get across more understandable.

My position is, I don’t believe when we come to Christ, all our sins – past, present, and future – are all forgiven. The penalty for all our sins has been paid and forgiveness for all our sins has been appropriated by the blood of Jesus, but we don’t receive forgiveness for sin until it’s confessed. The verse above says: “But IF I confess…” I can’t confess sins I haven’t yet committed; therefore, I don’t yet have forgiveness for them.

Why is that important to understand? Because if someone believes that all their future sins are forgiven and believing that leads them to think they no longer have any need to confess and seek forgiveness for their sin, they can go into eternity with unconfessed and unforgiven sin. They can then become like the man in the parable of the wedding feast that Jesus told in Matthew 22 who wasn’t dressed in a wedding garment. Jesus will not wrap us in His holy robe of righteousness while we’re living in unconfessed sin.

And please don’t “hear” what I’m not saying. I’m not speaking of people who love Jesus and are seeking with everything within them to live a life for Christ’s honor. Their faith is squarely placed in what Jesus accomplished for them on the Cross and are daily walking in submission to His authority in their life, yet sin on occasion.

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My concern is for someone who professes faith in Jesus but still lives in darkness. Someone who may have “prayed the prayer” of salvation but has not walked in obedience to God’s commands. Thus, there’s no evidence of repentance. They haven’t nurtured a personal relationship with Jesus because their only desire is to not go to hell. Their faith isn’t based on what Jesus has done on their behalf, it’s based on a misunderstanding of the doctrine of grace, that they believe let’s them follow their will, rather than God’s.

It’s those to whom the verse from Hebrews 10:26 applies: “Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume His enemies.”

Why is their no longer any sacrifice? Isn’t the price Jesus paid sufficient? Of course, it is! But the frightening implication of this verse is, there’s no sacrifice for sin for which no forgiveness has been sought. The blood of Jesus has covered the sins which we’ve confessed, and appropriation has been made for our every sin, but John says in the verse at the top of the page that Christ’s faithfulness to forgive is contingent upon our willingness to confess.

Confession is essential because it means we come into alignment with God’s estimation of our sin – that it’s deadly if not forgiven. The context of 1 John chapter 1 is we’re either walking in light or darkness. Verse 6 says: “So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.” In other words, we profess faith, but continue to live in habitual sin.

This is a critical issue! If someone thinks they are walking in harmony with the will of God yet are continuing to live in sin patterns that are clearly opposed to Biblical truth, they have no relationship with God and are not heading to heaven as they suppose. If they want to be saved, they must repent (turn from their sin) and seek forgiveness before it’s eternally too late.

Blessings, Ed

What Is Propitiation? (Part 2)

“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin.” (1 John 2:1a NLT)

We’re picking up here where we left off yesterday.

I can’t speak for you, but after following the Lord for nearly 60 years, my sin is more intolerable to me than ever before. I long to walk more closely to the Lord in every second, trusting His Spirit to protect me and keep me from anything that is unlike Him.

Our unrighteousness/sin is cleansed, and we come to Christ as a brand-new species of being, one that has never existed before. But that doesn’t mean our struggle with sin has ended. There’s a sense in which it’s just begun. Yes, of course, we’re clothed in the righteousness of Christ, so the Father doesn’t see our sin, but only Christ’s righteousness, but does that give us liberty to continue to ignore sin in our lives? Not according to Paul.

Romans 6:1 says: “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” And if we’re not to continue to sin, how should we deal with our ongoing wrongful desires and actions? Forgiveness and cleansing are triggered by confession.

John spells it out for us in 1 John 2:1-2a: “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He Himself is the sacrifice (propitiation) that atones for our sins…” To me, if every sin – past, present, and future – has been forgiven, what’s the fuss? Why should I concern myself with something with which Jesus has already dealt? Because paying for something and receiving something are two different things.

Yes, of course, His atonement paid the penalty for all my sin, but that payment isn’t “activated” in my life until the debt is made. Forgiveness isn’t needed until the sin is committed. Cleansing isn’t needed if every sin to this moment has been forgiven.

Part of the confusion seems to stem from a misunderstanding of what sin is. According to Scripture, sin is a known violation of a directive of God. In other words, it’s something I knowingly and intentionally DO that God says not to do. Or it’s something I DON’T DO that He clearly says to do. Sins of commission and omission.

In this season of my life, I don’t sin “more or less” every day. I keep very short accounts with God, so when I realize I’ve disobeyed Him, I seek to be made right. I appropriate the grace for His forgiveness of that sin in that moment.

Why is this a big deal? Because there are too many professing believers who, in their carnal mind, see no reason to not sin. Why should they? It’s already been forgiven, right? WRONG! Forgiveness has been appropriated and when needed is available, but God isn’t going to ignore blatant disobedience and habitual, unconfessed sin for which there’s no evidence of repentance.

The writer of the Hebrew letter says in 10:26: “Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume His enemies.”

In the words of the author of the Hebrew letter: “It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31) I believe those words are written not only to pre-repentant sinners, but post-professing “believers” who ignore God’s grace and treat it as if it’s a license to follow THEIR will rather than GOD’S will. To me, it closely borders the sin against the Holy Spirit for which there is no forgiveness.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed

What Is Propitiation?

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV)

It never ceases to amaze me and ignite my spirit when I see someone open their heart and life to Jesus for the first time. To find forgiveness of sin and the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit to enable them to turn from their old ways and learn to walk in newness of life. Jesus’ willingness “to be the propitiation of our sins” is the only thing that makes new life in Christ an option for those willing to repent and believe.

Mark 1:15 records Jesus’ first words as He began His earthly ministry when He said: “’The time promised by God has come at last!’ He announced. ‘The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!’” Repentance means to turn from your sin and begin to walk in a new direction as you learn to follow Jesus. Believe means to place your full trust in Jesus, as you’re freed from the shackles of your sin, with faith and commitment to live a life of righteousness and obedience to your new Lord.

Propitiation is Jesus’ willingness to lay down His life as a means of making atonement, to pay the penalty for our sin, and to suffer in our place on the Cross. Jesus’ sacrifice paid the penalty for every sin that would ever be committed by anyone who would at any point in history, prior to His return, repent and place their trust in Him as Savior and Lord. There seems to be some confusion as to what that means.

Some believe and teach that when we’re saved, every sin – past, present, and future – is cleansed and we’re sealed in our new life in Christ forever. In my mind and heart that seems to flow against the current of Scripture.

Jesus is God, so He knew, even as He hung on the Cross, every person who would ever yield their life to Him. He paid the penalty for every sin all of us collectively would ever commit. But not one of my sins, or yours, was forgiven until we sought His forgiveness. And even then, as I understand Scripture, what was forgiven were all our sins to that point.

In 1 John chapter 1, John writes in no uncertain terms that Jesus is eternal life. He doesn’t give eternal life; He IS eternal life. To know Him is to have life, to NOT know Him is to NOT have life. What is the evidence of His life in us? “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” My understanding is “all” in this context means “all for which we’ve sought forgiveness.” Why would I believe that?

The same thought expressed in 1 John 1:7 is continued in verse 8: “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” When we become a Christ follower, are we immediately “cleansed,” in the sense that we no longer have to deal with any “wickedness” in our lives?

Let’s pick this up tomorrow.

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Joy of the Lord

“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!” (Psalm 100:1 NLT)

What brings you joy?

The term “joy” is used nearly 300 times in Scripture and the most common meaning is “gladness.” As we look at the joy of the Lord today, I’d like to approach it from a couple perspectives. First, the joy we bring to the Lord. Then, second, the joy the Lord brings to us.

How can we bring joy to the Lord? The Psalms, especially King David’s writings, are filled with joyful expressions of praise and adoration of the Lord. Psalm 100 is one of my favorites and outlines several ways our hearts and lives can bring joy to the Lord.

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For example, the first verse of Psalm 100 instructs us to “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!” The KJV translates verse one as “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” The implication is that you’re so filled with gladness that you’re just making noise, similarly as you would when your favorite team scores the winning point.

There are times when things go so unexpectedly well that it’s as though our body can’t contain all the joy. We don’t have words to give expression to our elation. That’s the kind of joy-filled shouts of praise and thanksgiving that honor and bring joy to our Lord. But, on the other hand, there are times our hearts are so deeply burdened we’re unable to describe the heartache, sadness, and deep, unfulfilled longings that seem they will never be met. In those painful times, while it may only be a whisper, the Father’s heart is filled with joy when we convey our trust in Him even in the darkest valley.

It’s the words of Job when he said: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” (Job 13:15a) Anytime we worship the Lord with genuine, heartfelt praise and expressions of joy-filled adoration, we put a smile on our Savior’s beautiful face.

David reminds us that singing with joy blesses the Lord, as well as acknowledging that the Lord is God. Realizing and remembering that “He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” Posturing ourselves as “sheep” is to humble ourselves in our own estimation and by so doing, exalt and honor the Lord for His willingness to even take notice of us.

There are dozens of ways to bring joy to the Lord, but I’d like for us to consider a few ways the Lord brings joy to us. Certainly, answered prayer gives rise to praise, thanksgiving, and gladness. When a loved one or friend yields their life and allegiance to Jesus our hearts are full and it’s easy to sense God’s closeness and to experience joy.

But what about when our prayers aren’t answered? We’ve prayed so diligently and with what we believe to be complete faith, yet our loved one dies, the bills aren’t paid, the job doesn’t come through. Again, there are dozens of things that can cause the proverbial bottom to drop out, but are we to conclude when those things happen that God has abandoned us?

One source of great joy to me is the fact that God has promised us that no matter what happens: “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5) I love to worship, whether I’m by myself or among many others. And sometimes those times of worship have been when I’m alone and in deep pain. Those are the moments I cherish the closeness of my Savior. Those are the moments a smile may cross my face in spite of the tears, not because my circumstances have changed, but because my Lord has stationed Himself by my side. HE is my joy! HE is my cause for celebration! His presence means everything, in every moment!

Blessings, Ed 😊

In What Is Your Faith Rooted? (Part 2)

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NLT)

In yesterday’s post we began investigating the “roots” of faith in which many today place their trust for eternal life. We looked briefly at a doctrinal statement that many misunderstand and/or misinterpret as the foundation of their confidence they’re going to heaven. We also looked at Baptism, which does not save anyone at any point in their lives.

Today I’d like to look at a few more ways that many today are being deceived into believing they’re “safe” from judgment, when in fact, they are not.

Another common misunderstanding that leads to deception is our “good works.” There are at least two categories of people who fall prey to Satan’s lies. First, there are many who don’t attend church or even profess faith but believe God will allow them to enter heaven because they are a “good person.” Their goodness is often based on things like being supportive of good causes, paying their bills, not breaking the law, etc. “Good” is essentially defined as not being “bad.” And, honestly, there are some very good people, who do a lot of good things that are still not going to heaven.

Secondly, churches are filled with people who believe their “good works” are gaining them favor with God. Their faith is rooted, not in Christ and all that He accomplished on our behalf, but on their investment in their church. Their schedules are filled with activity – very good activity, helpful, God-honoring activity – but their hearts are far from God. It’s not about Him, it’s about them.

Faith is never produced by good works. Good works are produced by believing faith. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of God’s presence in our lives because our faith is rooted in Jesus, not in ourselves.

Closely related to this deception is what I think of as “celebrity” worship. Many churches are packed, not because of Jesus, but because of a “celebrity” preacher. The ministry isn’t built on a solid, Biblical foundation, but on the popularity of the church’s “superstar” pastor. Honestly, this isn’t always the pastor’s fault. Pastors should be loved, but not worshiped.

Some people’s devotion isn’t to the Lord, it’s to their pastor/leader. If you asked them if they “worshiped” their pastor, it would be offensive to them, but their heart is tuned to how they can please the pastor more than how they can please and honor the Lord.

Am I being critical or judgmental? As God is my witness, that isn’t my desire. What I’m seeking to do is be God’s voice to people who are dearly loved by God and who believe they’re going to heaven, when in fact their faith is a mile wide and an inch deep. They have no spiritual root system because their faith is misplaced.

And I can “hear” someone saying: “How can that be? I pray, I tithe, I’m faithful to serve my church, etc.” So did the Pharisees and Sadducees while Jesus walked this earth, but they were also the ones who had Him nailed to the Cross. That’s the terrifying aspect of misplaced faith. It leads us to believe we’re 100% right when we’re actually 100% wrong.

Folks, there is salvation in no other name but Jesus. If you’re trusting anything or anyone else to get you to heaven, your faith is misdirected and you’re heading into a Christless eternity. Please get on your face before almighty God and seek Jesus before it’s eternally too late.

Click on the link below and learn what you need to do to find the only One who can give you what you’re seeking. https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god

Blessings, Ed