Assurance of Salvation

     How we avoid hell is a topic Jesus referred to numerous times. Everyone should know there is a horrible eternity for minds, hearts/souls and emotions - whatever survives death of the body. Jesus spoke of "fear of the Lord." He made heaven and earth, and that includes hell. 

     In recent times preachers have focused on salvation, without addressing the alternative. It's in the Bible we claim to trust - in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Tomorrow and into Sunday we will list nine ways to be sure of eternal life, thanks to John. 

     John was one of Jesus' 12 disciples. While dying on the cross, Jesus gave John responsibility to care for his (virgin) mother. John ministered as well as other disciples, but he used letters in old age, 60 or more years after Jesus returned to heaven. 

    John wrote one of the four Gospels (good news). Read the awesome first 18 verses of chapter 1. He also wrote 1 John, emphasizing truth and righteousness, and repudiating errors by false teachers. 2 John's theme is walking in truth. And 3 John emphasizes acting faithfully.

     John also wrote Revelation. It begins with John's encounter with Jesus the king of kings (not the human), prophecy, letters, visions, truth, faith, and more. And the last three chapters: the thousand years, the new heaven and earth, and Satan's doom. 

     Tomorrow, we go to 1 John for nine ways to know that we are in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Our Views had over a thousand readers (a record) yesterday when the word "hell" was in our title. Friday, we will respond to this, and on the weekend, we will provide nine ways to assure salvation, directly from our Bible. 

Justified by Faith 

     We follow up on yesterday's faith of Abraham (Genesis chapter 22), who became "father of us all." There were no laws to obey. 

     Centuries later, the "Son of God" was born, grew up without sin in an unimportant town, began his teaching and healing, and finally gave his life in the most painful way. Religious rulers knew he miraculously healed people, but when Jesus declined to evict Roman soldiers and restore the nation (like David might?) they begged Pilate the governor to crucify him. Before he died, Jesus forgave them. 

     This occurred by divine providence. Jesus paid the price all humans in all history deserve, and when he returned to life, he instructed his disciples and appeared to others over 40 days. They saw him return to heaven. He sent the Holy Spirit to earth, and the "good news" has been spreading over the world ever since. 

     Jesus spoke from above to an intelligent Jewish leader named Saul, also called Paul, who was persecuting Christians. Paul became a believer and revised his thinking. Among his many letters, four written while he was in prisons, Paul addressed Christians in Rome in A.D. 57. 

     "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring - not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all." - Romans 4:16 

     "The words 'it was credited to him' were not for him alone, but also... for us who believe in him (God) who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." - Romans 4:23-25  

How We Avoid Hell 

     In the first book, Genesis, we find the answer in chapter 15-v. 6. Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 

     Is it that simple? When God promised Abram and his wife a child, and they both were beyond child-bearing years, Abram still believed God. Is that all? 

     Believe (Hebrew 'aman') means to persevere in trust and belief with obedient faithfulness. Abram trusted God. He was in a right relationship with God and his will. He received God as his shield and reward. So, no, belief isn't a one-time statement that carries us through to salvation. 

     In Genesis 22 Abraham's faith was tested when God told him to take his son Isaac to a mountain and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. When this father had raised his knife, an angel intervened, saying, "Now I know that you fear God..." Now, God knew that Abraham was a God-fearing man whose chief concern was to do God's will.   

     Abraham had many offspring, and today he is considered the "father of all who believe." - New Testament, Romans 4:11. 

     Has yours truly been tested? Yes, but I didn't have to threaten my kids to prove my faithfulness. Have you been tested? We recommend you read all of Genesis chapter 22.

           Jimmy

 Prayer to Celebrate July 4th 

     Most of us, we hope, know our 250th-year celebration is drawing near. Our president has called on Americans to pray for us to "rededicate ourselves to one nation under God." 

     Yesterday our blog on birds noted that 91 million Americans are bird watchers. If only 91 million of us prayed daily for "one nation under God" to forgive us and to give us favor and understanding. 

     Pastor Robert Jeffress said, "There is no more important service for Christians to provide for our country and its leaders than consistent, fervent prayers on their behalf."  

     The U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development asked, "What if one million people prayed for our country every week until July 4th? What if each believer got together with 10 people - friends, family, colleagues, work associates - 10 people each week to pray for our country and fellow citizens?" 

     This, the Lord has already called us to do. "Scripture directs us to pray for 'all who are in high positions' because this 'is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.'" - (1 Timothy 2:2-4) 

     Rep. Andy Harris, Maryland, said: "When our nation feels divided, when political violence and fear threaten to harden our hearts, prayer is exactly what we need. We can draft laws and cast votes, but only God can change hearts." 

                Jimmy

 

Flocks Attract Younger Flocks   

     My boyhood home was on a street well named Shady Avenue. There were large maple trees on both sides of the street. Two trees shaded our front yard...perfect limbs and branches for huge flocks of starlings. Spring or fall, I don't recall, but annually they flew down for a rest. 

     Their rest was a test. You see, bird "bathrooms" were the shady trees. Much of their mess fell on our shady properties. Dad took a board and banged it on the cement railing. Better yet, our neighbor two doors up used his gun. One bang, and off they flew. 

     My uncle Bill might not have approved. He was the first head of Everglades National Park, following the war. We drove from Pennsylvania to Florida when I was 10 to visit them and another uncle and aunt. Before Bill passed away, he claimed to have seen and identified 500 birds all over the country. 

     Today, Bill would be happy to know more Americans, and younger ones, have taken up bird watching. They see a world around them that they never really observed. Bird watching helps one appreciate nature, and it becomes a hobby. Upwards fly the birds, and upwards is the number of American birders, 91 million, and the average age, 49, down from 53 in 2011. 

     Yours truly isn't one of them, but we salute people who can leave the television for a while and do something else. 

           Jimmy 

Jesus said:

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. - Matthew 7:1-2

Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is good - except God alone. You know the commandments: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother. 

"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. One thing you lack, he said. Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then, come, follow me. - Mark 10:18-21 

Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all - he is the greatest. - Luke 9:48 

Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may 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 5:22-23   

U.S. Postal Service - Bankrupt?

     When this kid was very young, our mailbox was on our front porch. The mailman came off the sidewalk to deliver and to pick up any outgoing mail. A high school friend, Chuck, after the Army, became a mailman, his (Pennsylvania) walk sometimes freezing, snowy or rainy.  

     As for me, on our school's lunch hour I had a job bicycling mail from a factory to and from the post office. There were two other stops on my route. There is no part-time work for teenagers today. That factory and others no longer exist. Like so many northern businesses. 

     Today we seldom send mail, and most mail we receive is from organizations or politicians asking for money. With email, cellphones and such, the United States Postal Service is down from a high of 213 billion pieces annually to 109 billion...about half.  

     Last year the Service lost $9 billion, and it could go bankrupt in 2027. So said postmaster general David Steiner. 

     USPS has been funded by stamp sales and package fees, but two decades have passed without a profit. Steiner wants Congress to authorize borrowing more money so USPS can operate like an independent business. Really? USPS legally must deliver to all U.S. addresses. More than 70 percent of its routes are unprofitable.   

     USPS has a partnership with Amazon, more than 6% of its annual income. Any volunteer mail carriers out there?

            Jimmy