Hi Kent, You wrote, " I just remembered a real winner. Fellow in town-- Coos Bay- opened up "Integrity Motors" He was a Christian "
I have a question for you. How do you know he was a Christian? Joining a Christian church doesn't make a person a Christian, Going to church doesn't make a person a Christian. Being born of parents who are Christians, doesn't make one a Christian. Being baptised, doesn't make one a Christian. The only thing that makes one a Christian is when he/she is born(recreated, regenerated) by The Holy Spirit of God. This second birth into God's family, makes he/she a Christian. The birth into the flesh is the first birth and we all know the destiny of the flesh, death. The second birth into God's family makes one a child of God. As such when the flesh dies, He goes to live with his/her Heavenly Father. This is eternal life.
Please read the words of Jesus about the two births, "John 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
John 3:2 this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:4 Nicodemus said^ to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?"
John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
John 3:8 "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"
John 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things?
John 3:11 "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and you do not receive our witness.
John 3:12 "If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
Concerning the manipulation of people using the church and scriptures, consider Jesus' warning, "Mat 7:15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Mat 7:16 "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they?
Mat 7:17 "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
Mat 7:18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
Mat 7:19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Mat 7:20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits.
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
Mat 7:23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
This is a little long but it's the truth.
God bless, David |
