We visited a Brother in Hospital

After our Church service on Sunday March 1, 2015, in the late afternoon with a summer thunderstorm and torrential rain pouring down outside, the Living Hope eldership of Brothers Dave, Gavin and Les together with Gary sat in the visiting hall of the Northdale Hospital’s psychiatric ward, visiting a dear Brother in Christ named Hartmut, as we testified of our Lord Jesus Christ’s mercy and grace in saving wretched sinners.

Earlier upon arrival Gary had spoken to an Indian sister who had converted from Hinduism to Christianity and she was encouraged to steadfastly share her testimony of the hope that is within her with her remaining Hindu family. Gospel literature was given to her for this purpose. Whilst this conversation was taking place the elders had spent sometime with our Brother Hartmut in fellowship.

A while thereafter, Brother Dave gave his testimony of being an arrogant, white South African sinner who was miraculously saved at the Fynnlands Baptist Church on the Bluff in Durban when he attended a service when invited by his neighbour to solely get this neighbour off of his back! Since then he has been serving the LORD and you can read Dave’s testimony Here. Then Brother Dave handed over to Gary who then preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the African folk who had also joined us – one male patient and two sister staff members. The preaching was from the Gospel of Saint John chapter 3 – you must be born again!

After an hour of fellowship, testifying and preaching, we left Brother Hartmut encouraged and others challenged with the Word of Truth especially since the African male patient also engages in his cultural ancestral worship – wicked traditions of men. Pray for souls that heard the Gospel of the goodness and severity of God Almighty and that salvation can only be obtained through our Lord Jesus Christ alone by being born again! Our prayers are always for genuine repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (see Acts 20:21).

We are also happy to announce that our Abba Father has been merciful and gracious to our Brother Hartmut who has since been discharged from hospital and is at home with his family. Praise be to God alone!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Kirk Cameron’s “Saving Christmas” Film

It is with unhappiness and much sadness that I write this article as it relates to two men I came to respect and love in the ministry and had the privilege of meeting, labouring with and being instructed in the ways of open-air preaching and sharing the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. By the providence of our Great God and Saviour I was able to leave the shores of Africa and visit the United States of America in June 2008 and briefly attend the Ambassadors’ Academy 3, a ministry of Living Waters, under the leadership of the two brothers in the faith, namely Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron of The Way of the Master ministry.

Just recently I viewed Kirk Cameron’s Facebook page where he had been promoting his “Saving Christmas” film as depicted here-above. I had been made aware of this film through an article that appeared at Christian News Network where it is surprisingly quoted:

Was Santa Claus a Christian? A ‘defender of the faith’? Is this reason to sit on the lap of the bearded man at the mall who “knows if you’ve been naughty or nice”? That is what Kirk Cameron is claiming as proof why Christians should celebrate Christmas in a new documentary that opens this Friday [November 14, 2014] in theatres across the country—an assertion that is raising concerns over Cameron’s confusion of Roman Catholicism with Christianity.

Cameron, best known for his role as Mike Seaver on the 80’s TV sitcom “Growing Pains” and films such as “Fireproof” and “Left Behind,” has been promoting his new film “Saving Christmas,” in which the actor seeks to “keep Christ in Christmas,” stating that some holiday traditions aren’t so bad or pagan after all.

After recently asserting that Christians should celebrate Halloween, in a video clip released last week entitled “Do You Love Santa Claus,” Cameron stated that “maybe someone like Santa Claus is actually on our team.” He then released a second video providing the history of the figure of Santa Claus, who was actually the Roman Catholic Bishop Nicholas of Myra, Turkey under Pope Sylvester I.

“He was a devout Christian,” Cameron states, but not noting Nicholas’ Roman Catholic faith. Read more Here (Full Report)

Another Christian News Network article that should be read appears at this link: ‘Maybe the Grinch Had a Point’: Kirk Cameron’s ‘Saving Christmas’ Won’t Be Saved From Critics.

Whilst I have personally not viewed the film, and will not be viewing the same in its entirety, I have watched the trailer and read some reviews on it, and have also seen the comments on Kirk Cameron’s Facebook page – for the film vs. against the film; pro-Christmas vs. anti-Christmas; man’s pagan traditions vs. Biblical Historical Truth. It all makes for interesting reading, but there can be only one Truth. Just as our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ said:

31  . . . If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. ~ John 8:31,32 & 36

This is the saddest part of this blog posting. I had placed a comment on Kirk’s Facebook wall, including the birth chart to the left (click on it to enlarge in another tab), and my comment was deleted. You read right – D E L E T E D. It appears that when one confronts error with the literal Biblical Historical Truth you are summarily deleted and not allowed to “play in the play-group.” I am saddened and really disappointed by how professing Christians can censure Christians if they do not agree with their world view! It goes much deeper than that as it is a matter of Truth vs. error and those in error do not want to listen! Well argue with the Word of God then. When one reads the Holy Scriptures, are you able to find “Christmas Day” mentioned in YHVH’s Holy Feast Days in Leviticus 23? Or maybe it was instituted in the New Testament and I have just missed the Chapter and Verse! No, you can’t find it, because it doesn’t exist.

Surprisingly an initial comment with the chart also appears to have mysteriously disappeared on Ray Comfort’s Facebook wall, and this before I reposted three more comments randomly! It is also very surprisingly that Kirk Cameron who is attempting to evangelise the masses has also changed his comment settings and you have to “possibly like” his page before you can comment thereon; or is the comment feature only not available to me? Well, getting back to the initial comment on Kirk’s page which went something along these lines, not verbatim as the original one was deleted:

Christian, please read your Holy Bible and you will find out that Yeshua, our Lord Jesus Christ, was born on 15 Tishri (September/October) at the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) and He was born in a Sukkot (Booth) and not a stable/cave. If you know what to look for start reading: Luke 1 and 2; 1 Chronicles 24:10; Leviticus 23:33-44; Deuteronomy 16:16; and many other Scriptures.

To help with the Scriptures quoted here-above please view the afore-stated Birth of Christ Chart together with the following powerpoint presentation: The Nativity of Yeshua HaMeshiach.

Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron receive literally thousands upon thousands of “hits/likes/shares/comments” on their Facebook accounts and it is mostly by idolising Christian folk. If a message is being proclaimed please make sure it is without error. In the past I too fell into the trap of “idolising” men such as Comfort and MacArthur, and I had to REPENT before God for being so caught up in men’s ministries in idolatry instead of listening to the leading Holy Spirit and walking with God. Don’t say it will never happen to you. For many of you it has already happened and you can’t see the woods for the trees!

The only conclusion I can arrive at is that the literal Biblical Historical Truth that I presented showed up the errors in Kirk Cameron’s “Saving Christmas.” My plea to ALL reading this is: Stop trying to put the Lord Jesus Christ into something He was never in to start off with! Do you think the “Christmas” practices that are undertaken every year were at His birth? Was there a Xmas tree and all the tinsel and trappings in the sukkot Yeshua, our Lord Jesus Christ was born in? Or do you think there is a Xmas tree in heaven before the throne of God Almighty every year to celebrate His Son’s birth? Obviously the first century believers never celebrated this way so why should you/we do so now? YES – certainly preach the Gospel at every opportunity including on December 25, but don’t be pagan like the rest of the heathen world. You can do so separated from the worldly system (see James 4:4). You are to be in the world, but not of the world, as it is written:

15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. ~ John 17:15-17

We are commanded to have unity in the Christian faith. Unfortunately we don’t see unity, but rather divisions. As it is written:

9  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? ~ 1 Corinthians 1:9-13

3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. ~ Ephesians 4:3-6

14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ~ Ephesians 4:14,15

Christ Jesus made it abundantly clear how we are to remember Him. It is recorded what we are to do in remembrance of Him until He returns for His spotless, unified Bride:

23  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. ~ 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; read with Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19,20. [my emphasis]

Maybe Chris Williams, movie reviewer for the Advisor and Source in Michigan has it right. At the second Christian News Network report above, quote: “Williams said that in the end, “Kirk Cameron hasn’t made a movie for Christians. He’s made a movie for Kirk Cameron.””  I would have thought Kirk would contend for the faith and would have told the literal Biblical Historical Truth and stood as a light in this dark wicked world, and “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). We read further in Romans 13:12  “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). The “Saving Christmas” film is not reproving the unfruitful works of darkness, but encouraging them. If this is so, then brother Kirk Cameron in sincere love I call you to repentance.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

_______________

P.S. This blog posting will be placed on my Facebook wall and Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron will be tagged accordingly.

Nelson Mandela’s Wake

After all that has been said and done over the last ten days of mourning from Nelson Mandela’s death on December 5, 2013 at Houghton, Gauteng until his state funeral at Qunu in the Eastern Cape on December 15, 2013, it is sad that South African’s and the world communities from all nations have been mislead into much idolizing and placing the man Mandela on a pedestal, reverencing him as an idol, a god that is worshiped.

Many secular unbelievers and religious persons, together with professing Christians, who say they do not worship him or commit idolatry towards him, the very persons have given Mandela during his life and even now in his death cultic reverence that far exceeds the worship of the Creator of the world. At no other time in history has the majority of people in this world given such reverence to a mere man than at this time, when the same majority of people cannot even worship the One True God in the same way. Not every religion worships the same God and we can even see that Mandela sold out to the Devil’s wiles by giving all people groups in South Africa freedom of religion that blasphemously encourages even the cultural ancestral worship and Satanic worship in terms of the Bill of Rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act No. 108 of 1996), and at the same time the preamble of the constitution reads “… May God protect our people. Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, God seën Suid Afrika, God bless South Africa, …”. Why would God bless a nation that has rebelled against Him with false, evil and wicked idolatrise worship of other gods through religious works and man-made customs, traditions, commandments and legislation? God’s Word says that if any person does not believe upon His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that person is condemned already, as we read:

John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. John 3:21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

We also read:

John 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The world at large as well as South Africans repeatedly said that Mandela is “resting in peace” and countless messages give the eulogy that he must “R.I.P.” If Mandela was not born-again of God (see John 3:3,5-7) then he would not see the Kingdom of God. We also heard from Mandela’s daughter Makaziwe, to quote from The Witness newspaper dated June 28, 2013, Madiba’s daughter said “her father had been unequivocal. He had repeatedly said that when he died he would look for the ANC branch in heaven and join it.” The truth be told, the Holy Word of God as contained in the Holy Bible does not say that there are man-made political parties in heaven. Any believer in the Lord Jesus Christ would realise that he would be before the throne of God worshipping the Lamb of God, His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and not looking for any man-made communist-ideology party. We also note that there was no public profession of faith by Mandela that he was a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, he was one who pampered to the masses and gave them carte blanche to worship any god they wished, when the Creator of the heavens and earth, YHVH (Yehovah, LORD), said He will not give His glory to any other, as we read:

Isaiah 42:8  I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Isa 48:11  For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. Isa 48:12  Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.

There is also an indictment against every nation that comes against God’s chosen people Israel (Jacob) and they do so at their own peril and demise. We also read about how God deals with those that worship false gods that He has not commanded nor will tolerate, as we read:

Judges 10:6  And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him. Judges 10:7  And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

Judges 10:10  And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim. Judges 10:11  And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? Judges 10:12  The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Judges 10:13  Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Judges 10:14  Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. Judges 10:15  And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.
Judges 10:16  And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel. [writer’s emphasis]

Nothing has changed since Mandela signed into law the practice of freedom of religion as we saw at the FNB Stadium Memorial that took place on December 10, 2013 before a world audience when proceedings were opened by the atheistic ANC regime who promotes all gods which in effect promotes no “God”, when an interfaith prayer session opened proceedings. This is ecumenical which is an affront to Almighty God, an abomination. When presidents of nations followed by their people say “God bless” after practicing such heinous debauchery against a Holy Sovereign Good and Perfect God, how can they even think the One and Only True God who revealed Himself as the Lord Jesus Christ, will bless them. In fact, the God you have blasphemed with your idolatrise practices and neglect of the good for the practice of the profane evil will not bless, but curse you and your earthly nations! The writing is on the wall and Judgment is at the door! The axe has been laid at the root of the people. The Lord Jesus Christ says:

John 8:24  I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

There is no resting in peace when people die in their sin outside the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Irrespective of what you believe through your religious practices  or lack thereof, God has made only ONE WAY of receiving peace between Him and you and therefore you can ONLY have a relationship with God through His only begotten Son Jesus. No other way exists! God’s Word tells us, as we read:

1 Timothy 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

and the Lord Jesus Christ said, as we read:

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

and we hear how we receive the righteousness of God, as we read:

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he [God] hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

It is with a grieved heart that we learn that up to the death of Mandela that the traditions and customs of men were still prevalent, which goes contrary to God’s Word. We also read in an article that appears online at MailOnline, where you can read the following, quote:

“During the last hours before his death at 8.50pm Johannesburg time, elders from Mandela’s native Thembu clan joined his relatives at his side.

“The elders would have performed, either at Mandela’s home or later in the mortuary, a traditional ceremony called ‘the closing of the eyes’, to herald the transition from life to the next stage.

“The ceremony would have involved the elders talking to Mandela, and also to his ancestors, to explain what was happening to his spirit during each stage as he passed from life on earth, CNN reported.” [end quote]

This description does not appear in God’s Word, but what God tells us in His Holy Word is that no-one is to speak to the dead, which is to be a necromancer. We read in Deuteronomy 18:10,11 as it is written:

Deu 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Deu 18:11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

From the preceding portion of Scripture we see that God orders that there should be no “consulters with familiar spirits” or a “necromancer” and it is evident that upon the “elders talking to Mandela, and also to his ancestors” it is a clear violation of God’s command. This obviously is what Mandela believed in for the Mandela family practiced their “custom, ritual and taboo” of his early childhood [Wikipedia]. From these practices it is clear that what Christian background Mandela might have engaged in in his early years, he mixed it with his traditions and customs, which the Word of God says makes God’s Word of none effect (see Matthew 15:6; Mark 7:13).

What is also sad, is that Satan wants the world to be deceived and we now see “everyone” wants to follow the legacy of Mandela, which goes against the Word of God. We also see that people are deceived by making such bold-faced statements that “God and Mandela will rule the universe” [a written note by a young mourner at a shrine outside Mandela’s Houghton home] or that “Mandela is the black man’s messiah.” The last statement was voiced quite brazenly by people waiting in lines during the empty corpse of Mandela laying in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria as brothers-in-Christ Ricky Springer (Full Proof Gospel Ministry) and Gary Crous (Repent and Believe South Africa) preached our Lord Jesus Christ to them, calling men, women and children to repentance and faith in Christ the Saviour, the Only True and living God who can justify you and forgive you of your sin. An earnest call was made to repent and turn from their idolatrise behaviours to a merciful God, and to worship Him alone. [Photos of Mandela’s Wake]

What is disturbing is that citizens of South Africa are being indoctrinated and brain-washed with a communism technique that keeps people in bondage and fearful. Following a democracy does not give people freedom, it just makes you a slave of another political system. The Lord Jesus Christ said that if you knew the truth it shall make you free, as we read:

John 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:33  They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? John 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
John 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
John 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:37  I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. John 8:38  I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

And “your father” that the Lord Jesus Christ refers to is Satan, the Devil, as we read:

John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

What the world needs now is not to follow the legacy of a dead man who could not resurrect himself, but to obey the commands of a living God who showed He is the Messiah by resurrecting Himself to life again, something Mandela could not do! Who you follow determines your eternal destiny. The Lord Jesus Christ said that you will know a man by his fruit – how he conducts his life. Is he living for Truth – which is a Person, not a set of rules and regulations – or is he deceived by lies? Whosoever committeth sin is a servant to sin (lawlessness – sin is the transgression of the law, see 1 John 3:4). What the world also sweeps away is the very conduct of Mandela. Sadly, after being released from prison, he did not leave his hatred behind in prison as the fable goes, as can be seen by him singing a “liberation” song from the heart, saying “we will kill the white man – amaBhulu.”

The same applies with the radical songs “Shoot the Boer” and “Take up your machine gun” that even the South African president Jacob Zuma has openly sung even after taking up power after apartheid. We read the following in God’s Holy Word:

Ephesians 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

It is clear that the vast majority of the people do not sing and make melody in their heart to the Lord as set out in the preceding Scripture as they are not believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, what prevails in and amongst the secular world is the very opposite, and sadly in and amongst professing Christians and those that masquerade as Gospel singers,  many of them do the singing for filthy lucre’s sake, for self-enrichment and out of greed and self-honour.  What is also evident is that it is not just the singing of so-called liberation songs, but there is a sinister evil practice afoot that has South Africans grossly gullible, blinded by a smokescreen masquerading as democracy as they believe the lie that South Africa is better off today than the dark days of apartheid. Sadly it starts with the indoctrination of our children through a god-hating regime who keeps brain-washing the populace with the so-called evils of apartheid without painting the full picture of the communist terrorism that prevailed through the military wing MK with the killing of both black and white civilians and the present genocide (watch the video of Genocide Watch at the link) that is taking place with atrocities against predominately white Afrikaner Boers who are the growing statistics of farm-murders. South Africa is also the murder and rape capital of the world with crime totally out of control. The sad reality that even so-called Christians cannot see is the prevalence of apartheid being practiced in reverse in the form of BBBEE right in our very midst, and this after Mandela said that never, never, and never again will one group rule over another (at his swearing-in as president of South Africa in 1994).

In closing, in the tribute given at the funeral in Qunu on December 15, 2013, by Nelson Mandela’s friend Ahmed Kathrada, he addressed Mandela as “Madala” as if he could hear him by saying: “What do we say to you in these, the last final moments together, before you exit the public stage forever?” In response Mr Kathrada, Mr Mandela departed into eternity the night he died. He could not hear you at the funeral. Kathrada then ended off the speech with the following statement: “When Walter [Sisulu] died, I lost a father and now I have lost a brother. My life is in a void and I don’t know who to turn to.” In response to your predicament, and all those who find themselves in the same predicament, the answer is simple: You need to repent and turn your sinful life over to the Lord Jesus Christ; He is your only hope.

South Africa and the world communities have been warned. This is your only hope, as we read in Philippians 2:1-15:

Php 2:1  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Php 2:2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Php 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Php 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings: Php 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

The God of Creation is not tolerant – He is intolerant of your abominable blasphemous idolatrise sin! Repent today, before it is too late! Ukupenduka!

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

_______________

Related posts

Nelson Mandela Day 2011

The Face of Evil and Wicked South Africa

Nelson Mandela and the Iconic Man

The Mandelas, the ancestors, and a nation going to Hell

Nelson Mandela Day 2013

Eastern Cape Mission

Burry Stander ~ Obituary

BURRY WILLIE STANDER, son to Charles and Mandie Stander, brother, husband to Cherise Stander (nee Taylor), friend, competitor, entrepreneur, champion MTB rider, a double South African Olympian, was born September 16,  1987 – died January 3, 2013 aged 25.

It was saddening news that greeted many the world over that Burry Stander had been tragically killed by a collision with a mini-taxi on a training ride, cut down in what many determine to be the prime of his life, in his prowess. From learning of the news of his death much has been written in way of condolences that have steadily poured in from here at home and from abroad, and there has been many memorial rides organised at various places around South Africa in memory of his passing. Whilst many convey words of sympathy to his parents and Cherise, wife of Burry, it is heart rending that parents should be burying their son, and a married life was cut so tragically short after just six months – are there any words that can be spoken to ease the pain and heartache at this time? The bereavement of the loss of this life is painful just as many others have also experienced the loss of a family member, or a close friend at some other time before!

Whilst many messages pour in through the social networks and the public media, many obituaries have been written from specific points of view, most noticeably from the point of view celebrating Burry Stander – “humble celebrity, gentleman, world champion mountain-bike legend, athlete, icon, hero” – whilst these accolades describe this South African son known affectionately as Africanmtbkid, not much has been written about the normal man – the man Burry Stander.

While people the world over give much praise and homage to this celebrated life, many do not pause to ponder what lies ahead after one dies. If Burry could now speak from eternity, for death is not the end of a soul, what would he tell you? If he could speak to you, dear reader – the words would most probably be: “Repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ!” While many people live life fast, hard and large, they fail to examine themselves and see where they are ultimately headed. The question that should be posted to you, dear reader, is: “Are YOU Ready?” (Gospel tract). People tend to downplay what awaits them after death. Many truly believe that they will “go to a better place”, “go to heaven”, and many will even say in sympathy statements: “My prayers are with the family” and “God bless!” But what do these sentiments really mean? Do all believe in a Creator God? Do all believe in salvation through Jesus Christ alone? Are all living truly Christ-centred lives? Or, are people just trying to soften the impact of death – as they do not really want to offend people by speaking the Truth. Is it that they don’t want to deal with the real issues of the after-life, eternity? Jesus said what is in the abundance of the heart is what a man really is.

I do pray and hope that the pastors conducting the church service on Thursday January 10, 2013 will be faithful to Almighty God, YHVH, and proclaim the unadulterated Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (not the ear-tickling gospel of today in the Ecumenical system), and will not withhold the real TRUTH of what awaits a person once they die. There is bound to be many in attendance, some professing believers who need to be reminded of the surrendered life we are to live for our Lord Jesus Christ and many others who are unbelievers who need an urgent wake-up call to the frailty of life. Funerals are not for the deceased. The deceased’s soul has already departed and moved into eternity and the corpse is an empty shell that is lying there lifeless. Funerals are there for the family and friends that are left behind, who have been tardy or who have neglected to make preparation for the day when they too will die and meet their Creator. For God tells us in His Holy Word, the Bible, in Hebrews 9:27 ~

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

If God says there is a judgment after death, are you prepared to meet the Creator of all the universe at that judgment?

Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? (see Genesis 18:25)

We are also reminded ~

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

So: Are you ready? Are you prepared? And are you making preparation? Scripture warns that we are to prepare to meet our God (see Amos 4:12). Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (see John 3:3). If any person dies outside the covering of our Lord Jesus Christ they will not enter heaven. So then what happens to them?  So what do you think will happen to YOU when you die and stand naked before your Creator? Do you think God would find you innocent or guilty before His Judgment Seat? God tells us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith and whether we will pass the test, which is the judgment. You can examine yourself to see your condition before God Almighty by looking into the ‘mirror’ of God’s Holy and Moral Law, which are the Ten Commandments (the full version can be read at Exodus 20:1-17):

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me (v3)
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image [idols](vv4-6)
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain [blasphemy](v7)
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy (vv8-11)
5. Honour thy father and thy mother (v12)
6. Thou shalt not kill (v13)
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery (v14)
8. Thou shalt not steal (v15)
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour [lie](v16)
10. Thou shalt not covet (v17)

Now that you know God’s standard of holiness and perfection, “we know that the law is good, if a man  use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient” (see 1 Timothy 1:8-11) and we are reminded in Romans 3:23 that:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

So let us take a quick test to see your true condition. If you should die today, what will be your condition before God on Judgment Day? Listen to your conscience and answer honestly. The ninth commandment says you shall not tell lies (bear false witness) (Exodus 20:16). How many lies have you told in your lifetime? Fibs, half-truths, white lies – they are all lies. A lie is deception and someone always gets hurt by lying. Jesus tells us that if a person speaks lies he speaks the language of the devil, Satan, “for he is a liar, and the father of it” (see John 8:44). The eighth commandment says you shall not steal (Exodus 20:15). Irrespective of the size or value of the object, have you ever stolen something – taken it without someone’s permission. This also includes piracy which is buying, downloading or copying CDs and DVDs that belong to other people without their permission.

Then there is the seventh commandment that says you shall not commit adultery. Have you cheated on your spouse? But listen, you do not have to be married to commit adultery. Jesus said:

Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Have you looked with lust? Roving eyes, lustful intent, leering at pornography; have you broken this command? This command would also include fornication (sexual relations outside the bounds of marriage) either heterosexual (mf) or homosexual (mm / ff) sex. Are you ‘living together’ out of wedlock as partners?

What about murder? Have you broken the sixth commandment? Have you murdered anyone? You do not have to pick up a gun, or knife or rope to kill someone to commit murder. If you hate someone you have committed murder in the heart:

1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Gossip is also considered murder of the heart by God’s standard.

The second commandment deals with idols and idolatry. Do you worship and bow down to things made of wood, stone, plastic, gold, silver and any other material? God has warned that no person is to fashion or make any idols or “any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:” (Exodus 20:4). God also warns that those who worship and make these idols are just like them – DEAD! It also includes people who make a god to suite themselves in their own image, a god they are more comfortable with, someone who won’t punish sin. Idols can also be placing your love, devotion and worship in things of this world – money, material possessions, sports and their athletes, celebrities in the film and music industry, family members, sex and pornography, alcohol and drugs, your work, studies and all other manner of activities, even your religious practices including your idolised favourite pastor / teacher – these are all idolatries. Vanities of vanities.

God tells us in James 4:4 that any friend of the world is an enemy of God and according to His Word no enemy will R.I.P. (Rest In Peace) for any person that does not have the Son does not have life, but has the wrath of God abiding on him (see John 3:36).

Now consider that we have only looked at five of the Ten Commandments – and if God judged you by this Holy standard and sees you as a lying thief, adulterer, murderer and idolater, do you think you will be innocent? Or guilty? You see the law is a schoolmaster, a teacher that teaches us that we have transgressed God’s Holy Commandments; it shows that we are in need of a Saviour – Someone to save us from the wrath of God. Scripture tells us:

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

God’s Word tells us that transgressors of His law will be guilty and that:

1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Therefore you would be guilty and God warns that all guilty persons are condemned (see John 3:18) and will end up in Hell for all eternity. This is what Hell is described as in the Holy Words of God:

• A devouring fire and everlasting burnings – Isaiah 33:14
• A place of weeping and gnashing of teeth – Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 24:51, 25:30; Luke 13:28
• Where the fire is never quenched – Mark 9:44, 46, 48
• Where they can never repent – Matthew 12:32; Mark 3:29
• Where they don’t want their loved ones to come – Luke 16:28
• A bottomless pit – Revelation 9:1, 2, 11, 11:7, 17:8, 20:1, 3
• Where they scream for mercy – Luke 16:24
• A place of sorrows – Psalm 18:5
• A place of outer darkness – Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30
• A place of torments – Luke 16:23
• And many, many more verses …

On that Great Day at the Great White Throne Judgment, this is the Revelation of Jesus Christ of Judgment Day:

Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

If you should stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ know this that transgressors will end up in God’s prison – Hell for all eternity. On that Day there will be no Court of Appeal against your sentence, there will be no Constitutional Court to appeal to for a lesser sentence or an acquittal. There also will be no extenuating circumstantial pleas heard on your behalf. No, my friend, the judgment will be final and binding. Your only hope is – will you have the Lord Jesus Christ as your advocate (see 1 John 2:1) on that Day. If God is not your Father on Judgment Day, then He will certainly be your Judge. And Scripture warns that:

Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Matthews 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

The bad news is that Hell awaits all unrepentant evil and wicked sinners who have not repented towards God. But, O yea, there is Good News. And this is what a Good and Loving God did for you about two thousand years ago. God the Father took on human form – and became flesh (John 1:14) to take upon Himself the sins of the whole world so that redemption can be granted to His people. God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (see 2 Peter 3:9). Scripture tells us of God’s great love for us:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus Christ – God in human form – became the sin offering – the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world – for you when He went to the cross to die in your place taking the wrath of the Father upon Himself:

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

If God is speaking to you, do not harden your heart in the day of His visitation.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

John 6:39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Jesus Christ took your punishment upon Himself so that He can legally commute your death sentence upon the Day of Judgment if you would believe upon His Name and be clothed in His Righteousness.

Scripture tells us that when Jesus died He was laid in a tomb (grave) and on the third day raised to life. Jesus has overcome this world, death and sin for all those who would believe in Him.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Know this, that:

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for His mercy and grace for there is no other that can save you:

Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

And Jesus said you must be born again, born of the Spirit of God, not of man or his will:

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of 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 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

So this day, your repentance must be toward God and your faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (see Acts 20:21) and let God work repentance in you and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour by faith:

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Come to Jesus:

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Find a quiet place and go before the Lord God Almighty and do business with Him today, for you are not guaranteed of tomorrow. Then get yourself a KJ Bible, read and obey what is written in it. Live it out. Get into a Bible believing assembly of believers and follow Jesus. For God commands Perfection, Holiness and Obedience. What is the cost of being a disciple of Christ?

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luke 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

You never know when your time will be up and you will die. Are YOU Ready?

Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Mark 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Amen.

__________________

Related items

• MTB World Cup 2009 ~ Gospel Tract
• MTB World Cup 2009 ~ Day I, Day II & Day III

Obituary written by an evangelist who has attended at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships held in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal to reach competitors and spectators alike with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Possibly, you too, have received a Gospel Tract. Consider this – Are YOU Ready?

2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

The Face of Evil and Wicked South Africa

This is the sad face of evil and wicked South Africa. When a nation is sold out to the devil and serves no longer the Creator God exclusively, this is what you get – interfaith debauchery. On 28th November 2012 the President of South Africa met with the National Interfaith Council of South Africa (NICSA) which has been dissolved and is now known as the National Religious Leaders’ Council (NRLC). Here are two news articles for the NRLC meeting [(1) and (2)] that took place. They want to resolve “poverty and general social upliftment” together with other issues through an ecumenical system by bringing all faiths together – it will never work! God will not be mocked by having His Son Jesus Christ riduculed with such blasphemy! This is the type of debauchery that we are talking about. Look at some of the other websites here in South Africa that make a mockery of the One True Creator:

• Church Supports Interfaith Memorial Service for Marikana Deaths (24 August 2012)
• Cape Town Interfaith Initiative

I wonder if the “reverend” Ray McCauley seazed the opportunity at the Union Buildings in Pretoria and actually preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the unbelievers who were present at that meeting – or is that possibly asking too much? This is what our Lord Jesus Christ said:

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

It is an abomination in the sight of a Holy God that man can blaspheme the One True God who revealed Himself as the Lord Jesus Christ who is LORD of all:

Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Act 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Act 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Act 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Act 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

Act 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Act 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

Act 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

Act 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Here are the other blogposts (and a few historical posts) that have called on our President and peoples of South Africa to Repent and Believe the one and only Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ – the ONLY WAY God our Creator has given us:

• Mandela Day – 67 minutes (July 23, 2009)
• Open Letter to the South African President: Mr Jacob Zuma (February 26, 2010)
• Doctrines of Devils (September 1, 2010)
• The Ancestors Will Get You ~ Satan’s Lie (May 17, 2011)
• Serving Ancestral Spirits (June 6, 2011)
• Youth Day ~ June 16 (June 16, 2011)
• Nelson Mandela Day 2011 (July 16, 2011)
• 16th December The Day of The Vow (December 16, 2011)
• Are You Ready? (May 25, 2012)
• “Christian bias on calendar” – The Witness (June 13, 2012)
• Eastern Cape Mission (July 24, 2012)
• A Gospel Tract for Catholics (August 2, 2012)
• South Africa: Hillary Clinton pops in on Nelson Mandela for lunch (August 9, 2012)
• Ingabe Wena Usukulungele? (August 9, 2012)
• The Twelve Apostles’ Church in Christ Heresies (August 15, 2012)
• South Africa Oppressed (October 7, 2012)
• Anarchy (October 17, 2012)

Scripture warns us:

Proverb 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

And South Africa can learn from the Ugandan President who Publicly Repented! He did not just say he is sorry to the people – his prayer was directed to GOD!

The Vice of Sexual Immorality

By Harold S. Martin – A Bible Helps Tract No. 35

We are living in the midst of a tremendous moral revolution. New systems of belief are springing up everywhere. Most of our society is pleasure oriented. The mood is permissive and daring. There is an attitude of irreverence toward God and toward sacred things. There has been a very definite change from the standards accepted just a few decades ago. Our age is reeking with sexual immorality.

The Bible speaks clearly about the sins of sexual impurity and emphatically condemns them (1 Corinthians 6:9), while at the same time it holds forth the hope that those who have been guilty of practicing immorality can be saved (1 Corinthians 6:11). The 7th Commandment says, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). These are God’s negative words of prohibition. The Lord states the positive side in Proverbs 5:18-19 when He says that we should rejoice with the wife of our youth and that her affection should fill us at all times with delight. The key Bible passage on the subject of sexual purity says, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled, but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

Why is the sexual relationship only proper within marriage? One answer is that God knew that a physical relationship between a man and a woman might lead to the birth of a child, and God knew that the child would need the loving tender care of a father and mother – and therefore He has given His blessing to the sex relationship only within the family situation of marriage where the children will most likely get that loving care. And thus any sexual activity outside the honourable bond of marriage is immoral and impure. It is a wicked and shameful sin.

1. THE KINDS OF ADULTERY

The word “adultery” means “to corrupt, to make impure” – and thus adultery is a broad term that refers to a variety of perversions and illicit activities. Adultery (in its broadest sense) includes any violation of the sanctity of sex. It includes incest and rape and seduction and fornication and lewdness and lasciviousness and unfaithfulness and promiscuity and homosexuality and harlotry and whoredom and a whole realm of related impurities.

a) Physical adultery – is the act of having sexual intercourse with someone other than one’s own married partner. Leviticus 18:20 spells it out plainly: “Thou shall not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife.” That is physical adultery.

David, in the Old Testament, committed adultery, and while he was forgiven, he carried his sorrow down to the grave. Some of you may have committed the sin of immorality. You husbands may actually have gone to bed with another woman, and have been unfaithful to your wife. Or perhaps some of you wives may have had illicit relations with another man and have been unfaithful to your husbands. Unless you have confessed your sin and righted things with God and man, someday you will find yourself a sinner in the hands of an angry God. God will judge all forms of impurity – fornication, adultery, lesbianism, sodomy, etc. No one can get away with it, no matter how hidden the bedroom is!

b) Legalized adultery – is possible because the laws of many countries permit divorce and remarriage. Divorce is legal for most causes in the U.S.A. [South Africa and most countries around the world]. But Jesus plainly states, “Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, commits adultery against her” (Mark 10:11). The same words are spoken about the woman who divorces her husband.

It was legal to divorce and remarry in Paul’s day (and in John the Baptist’s day) under Roman law. But John the Baptist plainly told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother Philip’s wife” (Mark 6:18). In God’s law, the marriage vows unite a man and a woman for life, and only death can separate the union. The remarriage of a divorced person constitutes a state of adultery, and while it is often legal according to the laws of the country, it is sinful in the eyes of God.

c) Mental adultery – is the kind of adultery resulting from the lustful look. It is possible not to touch a woman, and yet at the same time, dwell on books and pictures and magazines and TV shows in such a way that the imagination runs wild. Many dream of sin, and imagine sin, and if granted the opportunity would indulge in sin; all they lack is the occasion of sin.

We must never allow sinful imaginations to accumulate in our minds, any more than we would permit garbage to pile up in the living rooms of our houses. Jesus not only forbids outward acts of filthiness, but He also condemns un-chastity of heart. He says that anyone who looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matthew 5:28). The word “looks” speaks of continuous action. Jesus is not talking about the momentary involuntary glance which might arouse a wrong desire, but He is condemning the act of habitually preoccupied with illicit sex. Most physical adultery is an act that begins with a lustful look.

d) Provoked adultery – is the adultery that results when someone makes it easy for another to commit adultery. In Matthew 5:32, Jesus speaks about divorce and says that one who puts away his wife “causeth her to commit adultery.” Or, some delight in stirring up the passions of others by telling dirty stories, showing filthy pictures, and dwelling upon the unclean. Still others dress immodestly, parading themselves in shorts, transparent, form-fitting clothes – seemingly purposely to accentuate parts of the body to attract the opposite sex.

If a person is a partner in a crime, or helps plan a crime, or if he provokes the crime – he stands as guilty as the one who committed the crime – even though he himself did not actually commit the wrong act. Just so, the one who by actions or dress, incites wrong passions in others – is just as guilty of immorality as is the person who is wrongly attracted. For example, the jeans and slacks that the girls wear are often so tight-fitting in the right places, that they are clearly immodest and thus provoke adultery in the minds of men. The man who is wrongly attracted, as well as the girl who dresses in a sinfully attractive way – both are equally guilty before God.

These have been various kinds of adultery.

2. THE RESULTS OF ADULTERY

Adultery is wrong for a number of reasons. It violates God’s law. It hurts people. It affects future generations. Adultery is a serious sin.

a) Adultery destroys society. Immorality and licentiousness have swept nation after nation out of existence. The sins of impurity brought fire and brimstone upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The sin of adultery strikes at the heart of the social order. It strikes at the home, and when the home is weakened, society crumbles. The Roman Empire and other great nations of the past toppled because sexual immorality ran wild.

b) Adultery brings guilt to the individual. Illicit sex brings feelings of guilt and shame. It robs a person of peace. It makes the conscience hurt. In Psalm 51 we find the Psalmist David seeking God’s forgiveness because of the sting of guilt which his adultery with Bathsheba had brought upon him. David reaped what he sowed, because after his escapade with Bathsheba, things were never quiet the same. He would gladly have traded the tragic later years of his life, for the innocence he had once known when he was still a shepherd boy tending his father’s sheep.

c) Adultery harms other persons. A man who commits certain kinds of sins can say, “This is my own private business.” But sexual sins are different; they harm other people. Many say that sex is a function of the body just like eating and sleeping and drinking, and thus it is a bodily demand that must be satisfied. They reason that if one does not satisfy the demand it will cause all kinds of emotional problems. But we must remember that eating and sleeping and drinking are individual actions – whereas sex by its very nature is an inter-personal relationship. More than one person is involved. Therefore, when it is misused, it has far-reaching effects. It harms not only one individual, but also the partner in the act.

3. THE REMEDY FOR ADULTERY

Today every one of us is living in a world full of suggestions to commit sexual immorality. And so each of us needs a defence system that is strong in order to withstand the temptations to become lascivious.

a) Dare to be different from the world about you. Fix it clearly in your mind that Christians should be different. The world around us – unsaved people (perhaps our neighbours, our associates at work, our classmates in school) – we love them; there is much to admire in them; we want them to come out on the Lord’s side; we need to pray for them and be kind to them – but those who are unconverted live in a different world and are headed for a different destination. They are slaves to a different master. The way we live, the kinds of company we keep, our manner of speech, the way we dress – must be different from the sinful practices of the world.

b) Avoid circumstances that may lead to problems. God tells those who seek purity to “flee.” We are to “flee fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:18) and to “depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19). We must steadfastly avoid any person or activity or occasion which might cause us to fall. Make a covenant with your eyes (Job 31:1). Stop your ears from all filthy conversation. Limit television viewing. Read nothing that defiles the imagination. Stay out of places and away from people who lean toward immoral activities. If you don’t want to do business with the devil, then stay out of his shop!

c) Turn to Christ for the gift of moral strength. One who receives Christ as Master and Director of his life, has One who helps him face temptation, and gives him power to say “yes” to purity and to say “no” to the frightening pull of sin. One who receives Christ, receives also the gift of the Holy Spirit – a Custodian who helps us keep the body pure and clean. We must cultivate a sense of the presence of God, realizing that the eyes of the Lord “are in every place beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). We need to pray often the words of the hymn, “Pure in heart, O God, help me to be.”

To those who have trifled with fornication and adultery and homosexuality there is good news. Mary Magdalene had been immoral, but Jesus changed her life. Jesus told the woman who was caught in the very act of adultery, “Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more.” Jesus never once condoned sins of immorality. He always condemned sexual impurity, but for those who acknowledge their sin, and make the appropriate confession, and break up wrong relationships, and resolve to live a clean life – there is complete forgiveness and total cleansing. You may very well carry scars of your sin down to the grave, but Jesus Christ can save you if you are willing to meet the conditions. Why not turn your life over to Him?

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Additional copies of this tract sent free on request. Ask for our sample packet of Bible Helps.

BIBLE HELPS

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Live Bait

Live Bait for the Devil’s Hook – furnished by blinded mothers.

We wish that every woman in our land would read the following which was written by a Godly mother, Mrs. Sybil Hoxworth.

Why are your little girls kidnapped, shamefully treated and murdered?

In the old days little girls were taught modesty from infancy, that it was disgraceful to expose the body. The mothers dressed them accordingly, with long sleeves, high necks, sensible length skirts and full length stockings. “Old fashioned,” you say? That is the kind of people that are going to populate Heaven, people who live according to the Word of God; and the Bible says that women should dress in modest apparel. 1 Timothy 2:9, “In like manner, also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”

The devil is the author of many fashions today and they are inspired by him to destroy the souls of men and women.

When God clothed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, because they had eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3), He meant for the human body to be covered from that time on, and because people are disregarding the laws of God, crime is rampant all over the world today. The beast nature is stirred in man until they revel in crime and lust.

After God had created man and they began to multiply on the earth, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually, and it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth.” He said He would destroy man from the face of the earth. (Genesis 6) God sent the flood and destroyed every living creature on the face of the earth except eight souls, Noah and his family, and the living creatures that God told Noah to take into the ark.

The Bible says, “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be; For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark and knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be,” Matthew 24:37, 39.

Mothers, you go out in public half naked and stir up the lust of man, then send your innocent little girl out half naked, at the mercy of the beast of man. Whose fault is it if she is kidnapped, brutally treated and murdered? Not the child’s fault, for she knows no better because she has not been taught.

God will hold the parents of this generation accountable for not training their children in the Word of God.

God made man the head of the woman and the head of the house, and commanded that wives should be in subjection to their own husbands and He will hold them responsible as they disobey His Word for He says in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Word shall not pass away”.

22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. ~ Ephesians 5:22, 23 

18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. ~ Colossians 3:18-20

Reader, will you be ready “… when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8).

Therefore the fathers are responsible before God for their household and equally responsible for the conditions in the world today.

Joshua said, “[… but] [a]s for me and my house we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

The time has come when we have to choose whom we will serve, whether God or mammon.

Mothers, if you love and regard the lives of your girls, you will dress decently and respectably and see that your girls are dressed mostly, and do all you can to eliminate the cause of all this crime.

If you have a boy how do you know that he may not meet the same fate as Hickman and others who have raped and murdered little innocent girls? It is almost impossible for a young man to keep a pure mind and see the things he has to look on at every turn, wherever he goes and even in his own home.

The judgment of God will surely fall on the women of this day for the souls they send to perdition by their ungodly dress and immodesty; and I am sorry to say it is not the women of the world alone, but many whom God has saved and filled with the Spirit are still holding on to the world and not living up to God’s Word as they know it, and are more guilty before God, for He says in His Word, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

He says if we love the world and the things that are in the world, the love of the Father is not in us; and the friendship of the world is enmity against God.

4Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. ~ James 4:4

15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ~ 1 John 2:15

Therefore if we do not come out from the world and the things of the world and live according to the Word of God, we are enemies of God, a reproach to Him and a stumbling block to the world.

For the sake of the boys and girls who are going down to perdition by the thousands, let us awake to our responsibility to God for the existing conditions.

Thousands upon thousands of young girls are disappearing in our land every year and the number is increasing rapidly; thousands upon thousands of our boys are going to perdition, destroyed, body and soul.

What a record for a land that is called a Christian nation.

May God help us to wake up and blow the trumpet in Zion.

MRS. SYBIL HOXWORTH (Free Tract Society)

WHY INVITE GOD’S WRATH?

Why is it that otherwise sensible women will dress in such a manner today, as to actually invite God’s wrath, by wearing men’s apparel? God says that they are an abomination in His sight. See Deuteronomy 22:5; Joshua 1:8.

Friend, are you wearing the garment of Christ? “Christ died for our sins … and rose again” (see 1 Corinthians 15). By trusting Him, you are clothed with ‘eternal life’.

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ~ John 3:16

2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) ~ 2 Corinthians 6:2

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Pilgrim Tract Society

Randleman

NC 27317