Reference: The Evidence Bible (NKJV): Bridge-Logos Alachua, Florida, 32615. 2011. Commentary by Ray Comfort. Scripture quoted below is from this Bible.
If one does not believe in something, one will believe in anything. I BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD! In the Old Testament it is the story of the evolution of the Hebrews from Abraham, called by God to move to what eventually was called the Promised Land. There was mostly nothing but warfare and sin and turbulence until God sent his Son Jesus as a real person to be born, immaculately conceived, to walk in ministry for only three of the most important three years of recorded history, related in the New Testament, to be a living and breathing human to walk the earth to teach how one must live to achieve a fulfilling, good and balanced life. Since Adam and Eve, Satan, the serpent revealed in the Garden of Eden, has had power over the earth. But, God remained with power and comntrol over the spiritual world. Since the beginning of recorded history there has been constant evil reflected in humanity. The counter for earthly goodness and blessings has been humanity believing one by one that Jesus is Who He said He was, that He was crucified at Golgotha in Jerusalem, which established that humanity's sins were paid for by that sacrifice for all of us. With repentance we can be redeemed from our sins due to His death on the cross. When Jesus returned to the Father, he left the Holy Spirit to be our guide for life.
The challenge has been that one by one we accept the truth of the Gospel message that we can have eternal life by believing in Jesus, denouncing our personal sin nature, confessing our sins and receiving forgiveness. It sounds easy, but, in fact, it is challenging each day to be "good" and withstand the fleshly temptations thrown across our path to be controlled by the flesh rather than the spirit. Many, perhaps even most people, go about their days lying, cheating and stealing! Eternity with God will not be achieved by them. What are some of the "things" that are repugnant to God and if, not repented of, will preclude one's eternal address being on a street in Heaven.
Galatians 5:19-26 "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
We make these choices, flesh or Spirit each day. We must read the Revelation of Jesus Christ, last book in the New Testament, to become informed about the horror unfolding, when God pulls the plug and says, I suppose, "It is over, all have had their chance to enjoy a life directed by fleshly satisfaction or one directed by spiritual satisfaction."
One may question, "How can I move from flesh-directed to Spirit-directed.?" The above rendition of ill behavior or thoughts may be addressed by us with changes in attitudes and behavior; inner healing; or deliverance from the evil/demonic spirits that obtain control over us due to unconfessed and unforgiven sin. These three arenas of confronting issues that must be addressed are covered in a myriad of books, especially in recent decades. With attention to our personal state, we can become informed to effect positive and enduring change for our own benefit much less the benefit of those around us.
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