How The Bible Protects Us

Apologetics is the ancient practice of defending the truth of the Bible against the many ways that people try to deny or twist it according to their own views. It comes from a Greek word that means "defense” or “answer" in 1 Peter 3:15. Peter said every believer should be ready to give a defense of our hope in Christ as Lord, yet to do it with gentleness and respect (I myself have failed many times to be gentle and respectful and have felt a lot of shame as a result).

The apostle Paul wrote one of his strongest defenses of the gospel against those who were teaching that they had to keep the Law and become Jewish to be saved. That's when he wrote the book of Galatians. He wrote in the introduction that he was astonished at the Christians in Galatia, because they were so soon being turned from God's message of grace to a different gospel. He said, "not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9)

This was perhaps the strongest condemnation Paul ever pronounced against anyone, and the reason he did so was because those false teachers had distorted the gospel so badly that they were teaching a different way of salvation than the way God had announced through Jesus to the apostles--which was complete salvation by grace alone apart from any good works that we could perform (Luke 18:9-17; Ephesians 2:1-10). So Paul was very upset because they were actually changing the message of salvation. And that is why we have the practice of apologetics today in the Church. As Jude 1:3 says, "Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." Jude also saw how it was necessary to contend for the faith and defend it against distortions, even though he would have rather written to them about something else.

Because of all this, we ought to watch out that people don’t influence us in the wrong ways. For example, the early Christians believed what Jesus taught about having the freedom to eat any kind of food as long as we give thanks to God for it. They also warned against the popular teaching of that time that said we must avoid eating certain things in order to be holy or pleasing to God. In 1 Timothy 4:1-5 Paul wrote: "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer."

Notice how Paul wrote that "the Spirit expressly” said these things. This means God really wanted us to know that in the last days people would start leaving the truth for other beliefs. Paul even said that false beliefs are from "the teachings of demons." One of those teachings was that people would forbid marriage. Another teaching was that they would require people not to eat certain foods, and he adds, "that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth." Obviously God knew these things would become a problem and so He warned us ahead of time in the Bible to protect us from error.

Another area that the New Testament makes really clear is our need to discern the difference between true and false teachers. Jesus warned that many false teachers would come in His name, but that we should not follow them. While they usually look good on the outside as “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” nevertheless there is a way to recognize them. The way Jesus taught us to tell the difference was by their message and their lifestyle. Hesaid you can judge a tree by its fruits. A good tree makes good fruit but a bad tree produces bad fruit. (Matthew chapter 7)

We don't have to be extremely educated or know a whole lot about everything to tell the difference between good and bad fruit. We just have to know what it is. As Christians, it is important that we learn as much as we can about what God's Word teaches, so that we will become better able to rightly judge between the good and the bad (Hebrews 5:12-14). A simple way to do that is to just know the gospel really well and know who Jesus is according to the Bible. The Bible shows that most deception involves a distortion of who Jesus is and what the message of the true gospel is. Since the it teaches that Jesus is God in human flesh (John 1:14), then most cults and false religions in the world today usually deny some aspect of His God-Man nature. Oneness Pentacostals, such as T. D. Jakes and others, deny the doctrine of the Trinity, which can be seen on almost every page of Scripture. The reason it is so important is because the letter of 1 John makes our belief about who Jesus is one of the tests of true faith. ohn also wrote in John 1:1 that He was both “with God” and “was God” (in His nature) at the same time, but that He is not the same as the Father or Spirit (John 16:13; 17:5). Some people don’t like the doctrine of the Trinity because it is hard to understand, but that shouldn’t discourage us from believing what He revealed about Himself in the Bible.

The other problem that comes up is the message of the gospel. It is solely by God's grace and goodness, and because of His own free will and love, that we are saved by faith in Jesus. We are made new in Christ, so that we live for Him and His eternal Kingdom now. But this simple message is often distorted when people say that we must do good works in order to be saved, such as circumcision (in the early church), or baptism, or the Lord's Supper, or obedience to the Law. All of those things are good and necessary when properly used. The Old Testament sign of the covenant was circumcision, and Jesus commanded baptism and the Lord's Supper, and also taught us to obey God's law (Matt 5:17-19). But none of those can make it possible for us to go to heaven, because that is a free gift. Yet that is precisely what many false teachers denied back then and still deny today. I used to go to a church in Pittsburgh that denied salvation by grace through faith alone. I felt terrible that I fell for that, because that’s what Paul was warning about in Galatians, as well as his other letters.

James chapter 2 also warns us about those who say they have faith, but who do not have good works to back it up. He taught that our faith is rather proven to be genuine by our life of humble obedience, love for others, and good works, though they do not earn our salvation. There are other ways the truth is denied by false teachers, but these are some of the most important ways the Bible warns us about.

Peter and Jude, as well as John (known as “the apostle of love”), wrote specifically to help us tell good teachers from bad ones. Peter said that the "ignorant and unstable" distort the Scriptures (2 Peter 3:14-18). Jude said they pervert the grace of God into immorality and deny Jesus (Jude v.4). He later said, “Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones” (v.8). The glorious ones refers to angels, but is in the context of how such people aren’t afraid to speak blasphemously of authoritative powers. Jude may have had Exodus 22:8 in mind, which says, “"You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” Jude then said that even the angel Gabriel would not say anything slanderous of an authority, not even to the devil himself, but instead appealed to God as the Judge. That was because all authority is given by God. Even though many authorities might not be just or act rightly, they are still to be spoken of respectfully in fear of God. But false teachers usually reject the authority of good Christian pastors and teachers, and they speak badly of them, and often set themselves up as their own authority. They don’t like to do what God's Word says about humble submission to other faithful believers in obedience to Christ. Jude warned us about people like that so that we wouldn’t follow their example.

Most of the New Testament was written in response to these very problems. And thank God He gave us all this information ahead of time, so that we know exactly how we can please Him and bring glory to His name by an assured faith! It is so wonderful that we know these things, because the more we stand firm in the truth delivered to us, the harder it will be to distract us from glorifying the Lord Jesus by our lives, and God will be praised!

Some people are easily led astray by conspiracies, and we can all be affected by them if we are not careful. A verse that has been a good encouragement to me in confusing situations is Isaiah 8:11-13, “For the LORD spoke thus to me... and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: ‘Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.’” This is also a reason why I think it is just good for Christians to learn more about the Bible at a good church. Of course, no church is perfect, but neither are we. We are just glad to be in God’s grace and to learn with others who are standing firm, too!

So I wrote all this because I hope it will encourage you not to let many of the confusing things out there get you down. I also know of many other ways our hope in God and His Word can be hindered by Satan through false teachings, but I wanted to write to warn you of those things which can quickly make us forget how the Bible says we already have everything we need in Jesus Christ our Lord! (Colossians 1-2)

We Must Be Born Again video

Safe and Secure

This was a short message I gave in church on Sunday before the sermon. It was from Matthew chapter 7, focusing on the parable Jesus told about building one's house on the rock.

Matthew 7:12-29 (ESV):

12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord, ' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'

24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.


Jesus was teaching people about who would enter the kingdom of heaven, and how they must live in this present world (Matthew chapters 5-7). At the last section of his speech (Matthew chapter 7), Jesus warned of the importance of entering by the “strait gate” (i.e., the narrow gate). He tells them that there are many people who go through the wide gate and the broad way, which ultimately ends in destruction. Many people in our world are happy with the easy way out of getting things done. How many of you here have tried to do something in a way that you thought was easier than the correct way, but later found out you did it wrong and actually made it worse than what you thought would be hard? Well, Jesus warned these people in the Sermon on the Mount about following the way that seems wide, seems broad, seems to be the easy way, because it is wrong, and it leads to ruin and destruction.

Instead, Jesus exhorted the people to enter the way that is strait (meaning “narrow” and “hard”, not “straight”). It is narrow, which means that it is a more difficult gate to enter and a harder path to follow. He told them this is the way that leads to life, meaning eternal life, but that only a few find it. Enter by this gate, Jesus says.

Next, Jesus warned the people of false prophets, those who would try to keep them from entering the narrow path by telling them things that are untrue and deceitful concerning the kingdom of heaven. He warned them that they could tell them by their fruits, that is, by the results of their teaching and lifestyle. Those who teach false doctrine and live contrary to the Word of God, are evidently false prophets. They are the people on the broad way, leading others to destruction, and ultimately being rejected from entering the kingdom of heaven themselves.

Jesus also revealed in verses 21-23 that many people who professed him as their Lord, will not be allowed to enter the kingdom of heaven, because Jesus did not know them and they were workers of iniquity (lawlessness).

After thoroughly warning his listeners of the judgment to come, and of the importance of having a genuine, good, and fruit-bearing life of doing the will of His Father in heaven, Jesus then told them one of the most memorable parables ever.

In verses 24-27, he made it clear that those who build their house on the rock will be the only ones left standing after the storm of judgment when it passes by. Those who build their house on the wrong foundation of sand will be destroyed when the storm of judgment comes. So let’s consider, what does Jesus want people (including us here today) to rest the foundation of their lives on? It is actually quite simple. He tells us. (But I must warn you, it is hard, it is narrow, it is difficult, and very few people actually do it.) What is it?

Well, look at verse 24... Jesus wants people to rest the foundation of their lives on... what?... on his words. He wants people, including us, to actually do what he said, to put his teachings into practice. This is the only sure and certain way to be unmoved, safe and secure from the storm of judgment.

Jesus said it was hard, and that few find it, but there it is, given to us in a parable that concludes all of what he had been teaching during the Sermon on the Mount. A parable that tells of a wise man and a foolish man. A man who built his house on the rock, practicing the words of Jesus, and a man who built his house on the sand, hearing but not doing what Jesus had said. One was swept away in the storm, the other was left standing sturdy and strong.

How many of us will take this teaching of Jesus seriously? How many of us will not just listen to what Jesus has to say, but will actually do what he said? How many of us will diligently read the Bible and seek to put it into practice with wisdom?

Let me add that Jesus never taught people that their good works would get them into heaven. He always taught this: ”The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; [therefore] repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15). Jesus wanted people to follow him, to listen to him, to believe in him and to obey him. In one word, we call that “faith.” Jesus came to give his life as a ransom for all who trust in him. He went to the cross, carried our sins and our sorrows, suffered the extreme punishment for sin, and rose again from the grave on the third day. Because of this we are justified by faith alone in him. But if we have been justified by faith alone in Christ Jesus, and if he truly is our Lord, as we call him, then let us show our faith by our works, and prayerfully seek to do exactly what our Father wants us to do, putting into practice all that Jesus taught.

We need the Holy Spirit to do that, and we need God’s grace, but nevertheless, that is what Jesus said, and that is what we must strive to do. Let us not take confidence in our works, but in our Savior, and let us show our love toward our Savior by our works, by carefully listening, studying, and putting the words of Christ into practice. In this way, we show that we are resting on the right foundation, the foundation laid down for us by the one who has taken away our sins with his own blood, and provided eternal righteousness and life for us who believe by his resurrection from the dead.

How We Already Know

Think about it... Why does anything exist rather than nothing? For some people, the only answer they can give to this question is simply, “I don’t know.” But for others, the obvious answer may simply be that “God created something rather than nothing.” Whatever your answer may be, that question is one philosophers and scientists have wrestled with for centuries trying to answer.

If you don’t know why something exists rather than nothing, then ask yourself (or allow me to ask you), why don’t you know? Why don’t we know the reason for why things like a universe, light, matter, water, plants, dogs and cats, bacteria and humans with brains that can build space craft, exist? Can we know?

I believe we can and here’s why...
We already know there is a Creator, that God exists. We know that, because if God did not exist, there would be no ultimate cause for why things (including us) exist, which would mean that there would be no ultimate reason for existence. Then our intelligence would be a product of a causeless, reasonless world. If we claimed to know anything apart from the existence of a Creator, we could know no more than if we knew nothing, because we could never know everything all at once. We would simply have no reason to trust our own reasoning. Why should we trust the unchanging laws of logic, if everything is subject to change, with no intelligent Creator upholding those laws? Yet if we do acknowledge the existence of a Creator, then we have a reason to trust our ability to know, and to reason, because what we do know is what our Creator has made us to know. In short, we know what we know, because God has given it to us to know.

(Please note: I am not saying that those who do not believe in God cannot, or do not know anything. Clearly they do. But that is not because our existence is purposeless or without an ultimate cause and ultimate reason. The reason believers and unbelievers know what we know, must be because we were designed to have the ability to know things. If we were not, we would have no reason to trust our own mental capabilities, or the truth or falsehood of any belief. The only reason we can have knowledge, is because God made us to have knowledge.)

Also notice that I did not say we know everything there is to know. Only that what we do know, we know it because God made it known to us. This is called “revelation”. Revelation is God communicating things to humans so that we may know things about Him. We can know that God is great and powerful, since He created the stars and galaxies and put our planet in perfect orbit around the sun. We can know that God cares about His creation, because we receive rain and sunshine to provide us with food. We can know that God is creative and that His glory is splendid, because we can see it in all of creation. We also know God is intelligent and that He communicates, because He designed humans to have certain intellectual abilities and the power to communicate. We also can know God, because we were created by Him. That may sound strange, but think about it first, if we were created by God, then it is possible He has made us to know that we are created, that we are His creatures. This is, in fact, what I believe to be the case.

The Bible is made up of a collection of the best attested historical writings in the world. It speaks of these very things that you have just spent a few moments reading and thinking about. The Bible says (in regard to the fact that we know God as a result of His revelation), “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them” (Romans 1:19 ESV). In other words, we can know God, because God has plainly shown things about Himself to us.

Consider what else the Bible says about this, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20 ESV). This verse of the Bible is saying that we have no excuse for not knowing God, because His invisible attributes of power and divinity are clear through nature.

Far from being an old irrelevant book of the past, the Bible deals with very crucial questions, providing very acute answers. It speaks of our world in very real terms. It speaks of evil and suffering, providing the very answer to those problems. It also tells of the miraculous and prophetic manifestation of Jesus Christ as “God with us”, God in human form. The Bible provides a way to know God more personally than knowing He exists, it speaks of reconciliation to peace with God through Jesus.

So think about it, if God is our Creator and we are His creatures, then we should know Him already, and if the Bible is His special revelation, then we should be able to know that as well. While the Bible has a remarkable history, and has a mountain of proof in its favor, it should be enough for us to be able to read it for ourselves, knowing we know God, and knowing that He is able to communicate His will to us through His own special revelation. If this is so, we could know it. I believe we do know it, and I hope you will move from reading this short tract to something far greater...

Consider what the apostle Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:16-21 concerning the Bible:
“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:16-21 ESV)

That is to say, that God has revealed His word to eye-witnesses through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Scriptures are His revelation to us, given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We will do well to pay attention to the Bible, as to a lamp that brings light to a dark room, like a great star that gives bright light to our hearts.

Sin - What is it? Part 3

This is the third and final post on "Sin - What is it?" Here was part 1 and part 2.

The Result

The payment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). The Bible says that we are born spiritually dead by nature because of sin (Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1). Jesus often warned that sin leads to the “lake of fire,” “the fire of hell,” “everlasting fire,” where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth,” “where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” Clearly God’s judgment for sin is eternal and full of wrath (Matthew 5:22; 10:28; 18:8,9; 23:51; 25:41; Mark 9:48; Luke 16:23; Revelation 20:13; etc.).

The Love of God for Sinners

But that is the very reason why God sent His Son into the world, “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” (John 3:16). God does not desire to punish sinners, but He sent Jesus to be born of a virgin without any sin in Himself, so that He would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21; 2Corinthians 5:21).

A Change of Mind

The first thing Jesus preached was “repent, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Repentance is a broken-hearted sorrow and hatred for sin. It is to change your mind toward God and turn from your sins, humbly learning what is right from His will in the Bible. Scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Humble repentance is turning to Jesus empty of all self-righteousness and without faith in one’s self. It is calling out to God for mercy. It is an open-hearted confession before God that you are guilty and worthy of eternal judgment. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1John 1:9,10). Jesus warned very strongly that you must repent or perish (Luke 13:3,5).

Salvation is Free

The Bible says that God shows His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus did not die on the cross for good people, but only for ungodly sinners (Romans 5:6; 1 Timothy 1:15). He died for those who would repent and believe that God raised Him from the dead, and who would trust in God through Him as Savior. This salvation is a free gift through faith, apart from any good works that we could perform (Romans 4:5,23-25; 5:9,10; Ephesians 2:8-10).

Faith in God

Faith is not blind, but trusts Him who alone is faithful and trust-worthy. The Bible claims that Jesus Christ is the faithful God revealed in human flesh (John 1:1,14; Revelation 19:11,13).

How to be Set Free

Christ came to set us free so that we would live to obey God from the heart: “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people [i.e. his own special people], zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). Jesus invites you to come to Him for rest from the burden of your sins, “Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... For I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28,29).

Conclusion

The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). This means that God is calling you to repent today and believe His message of hope by submitting your life to Jesus as your God and Master, that you may find forgiveness of all your sins and a brand new life by the power of His Holy Spirit! Begin reading the Bible today to know all that God Himself has spoken. God gave us the Holy Bible so that we would know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ, and that by knowing Him we would have eternal life (John 17:3). Will you read the Bible to know the Lord Jesus Christ and His love for sinners who trust Him? You can begin by reading the Gospel of John and then Romans in the New Testament.

Sin - What is it? Part 2

This is the second part of a short series on defining sin and learning about the answer to it. Here was Part 1.)

How You Have Sinned

This means that every time in your life when you told a lie or said something false about someone, you sinned. Every time you disrespected your parents or refused to obey them as a child, you sinned. Every time you gave your whole heart and soul to something while neglecting obedience to God’s Word, you sinned. Every time you spoke of God in vain or lived in a way that would dishonor His name, you sinned. (See Exodus 20:3-17).

Sinful Desires

Sin includes corrupt attitudes and desires of the heart (Genesis 6:5; Mark 7:21). To covet, desiring something that belongs to another person, is sin. To lust, desiring sexual pleasure with someone outside of marriage, is adultery in the heart. Hatred and unjust anger are considered murder (Matthew 5:22; 1John 3:15). Sin says, “My way is better than God’s way. I will do what I want... whatever pleases myself.” Rather than saying, “The things that I want must be governed by God’s Word, or they are not right at all.” As Jesus prayed to His Father, “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Sin is Against God

God considers sin to be enmity against Himself (Romans 8:7). Which means that if you sin, God is your enemy and you are His enemy (Isaiah 33:14; Romans 5:10). Sin is rebellion (1 Samuel 15:23). It is an unwillingness to submit to what the Creator has revealed in His Word. It is a form of self-righteousness, thinking it is justified in doing what God hates.
Lying to Yourself
Sin is deceptive, ensnaring and will lead you astray (Proverbs 5:22,23). It makes you lie to yourself, telling yourself that you are not really that bad. It is a deadly form of pride which stubbornly refuses to be corrected or rebuked. Sin will make you blame anyone except yourself, saying, “It was her fault... his mistake... their problem... not mine!” But it is your problem!

Causing Harm

Sin makes you love what you should hate and hate what you should love. It will rob you and others of everything truly good in life and will poison every relationship. Sin causes people to fight and quarrel and kill. It is a warfare of pleasures battling within you (James 4:1). It is deceptive, destructive and disastrous. In fact, all the suffering we experience in this world began with Adam and Eve’s original sin in the garden (Genesis chapter 3; Romans 5:12).

God is Holy and Just

Because God is perfectly holy and just, He cannot allow sin to go unpunished. Therefore God has promised one day to judge the world with righteousness (Psalm 98:9).

(To be continued...)

Sin - What is it? Part 1

What is sin? We as Christians hear that Jesus died for it, but what does that mean? I'm publishing the first part of a series of simple posts that seek to briefly explain this important topic from Scripture.


The Bible says Jesus died for people’s sins. So what is sin?

Definition

The definition of sin is lawlessness: “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4).

The Law of God

God created the universe with natural law and order. The Bible teaches us that mankind was made with a moral law, which is contained in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). All ten commandments are summed up in these two commands: 1) “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” and 2) “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:36-40).

Our Problem

Our problem is that we have each broken that standard. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would come to convict the world of sin (John 16:8,9), and the Spirit reveals to us in the Bible that “there is none righteous, no, not one... there is none that does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10,12).