JUST THE FACTS, MISTER

                                                            JUST THE FACTS, MISTER

When most people hear a story, they form an almost immediate  opinion, based on their knowledge of the subject (if any), their previous opinion (if any), and their understanding of the subject. This is true in religion and politics, and these subjects are usually entwined. There are two sides to everything--right and wrong. The answer must be based on facts and truth. Sadly, there is little of either today. People watch or listen almost exclusively to media

and personnel who base their information on biased information rather than facts. If you don't watch or listen to both sides, you are in serious error. God knows what you watch and who you listen to. You are accountable. If you have wrong information, you are guilty of false testimony.

When a religious denomination issues a set of rules and procedures not based on Christian scripture, it is apostate. Christian rules are found only in the gospels. If you believe the Epistles are part of the gospel, you need to study much more. If you follow the rules from the Old Testament, you are a Jew, and don't receive salvation through Christ's blood. Maybe you can receive salvation through the Jewish practice of blood sacrifice. On the other hand, Christ tells us in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME." That clearly states there is only one WAY to be a Christian. That is by following John 12:36-40. Christ directs us to follow the Ten Commandments plus His addition: love thy neighbor.

The worst forgivable sin is not murder; it is false witness. That includes most gossip and rumors, which are also identified as expressing your opinion not based on facts. By the way, in case you didn't know, denying the Holy Spirit is the only sin that is not forgivable. You can't argue religion at all. Your statements must be provable by scripture. Either Christ taught the subject or He didn't. You can't put words in His mouth. You can't slant His declaration to suit your opinion. If your denomination adds or subtracts anything at all from scripture, it is APOSTATE. Revelation 22:18-19, warns us about adding and subtracting. You see from this honest assessment of the Christian church in America, the church people are leading the tide of falling away from Christ. They are attempting to "improve" the son of God, and earth's only perfect man.

Denominational church people won't want to hear this message, but people didn't want to hear John the Baptist's message, either. Missing the boat on Christ's teaching has eternal consequences. The lack of research and the impulse to go along with the opinions of people who do selective or no research can have a double impact on the lazy "Christian." Not only will eternity be impacted, but your life on earth will also suffer if you follow politicians who preach they are Christians or have "faith." At least they aren't lying if they don't claim Christian faith.There are all kinds of faith, and most people have faith in money and position.

How do you know which preacher or politician is telling the truth and being honest? The answer is simple, but it requires you to do a little work. It's called research. A Christian should conduct research about the subject of religion to understand the differences, and to

discover good and helpful facts. Most religions have some type of prophets, and they usually do have words of wisdom. You will find none with the power of the Holy Spirit. You will find supernatural power exists in some of these beliefs. You learn from scripture that Satan's people also have supernatural powers--see Revelation. None, however, have the power of the Holy Spirit. Scripture has several examples where God's power overcame Satan's priests. The rods used by Egyptian priests became snakes, but were swallowed by the rod of Moses. See Exodus, chapter seven. More evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit is found in 1 Kings, chapter 18, and read about Elijah.

Notice something? People heard and saw miracles by the power of the Living God, but refused to believe it. This repeats itself over and over until God has to do something drastic. Christ performed miracle after miracle, and people still didn't believe. Prophets and disciples performed miracles, and people didn't believe. Understand this, those of you with starry eyes: God's power through the Holy Spirit actually performs the miracle. Miracles can happen today, and don't believe any preacher who disagrees. He needs more study. He needs to know that no human can cause miracles. He also needs to know about the Holy Spirit, which he probably has never received. Miracles are created by faith as strong as a mustard seed. See Matt. 13:31-32. We make little use of our faith because we don't study much after receiving salvation. If you don't study diligently to gain entry to heaven, what will you be able to do to serve God there? Do you think it's an eternal vacation?

Works are not salvation. Lots of good people of other faiths or no faith do good works. Stop patting yourself on the back. If you don't know and practice the words of Christ, you're a good person who is unsaved. You may have trouble believing this, but the same applies to your political walk. America abounds in fake Christians, and the biggest fakes have the loudest voices, mimicking the church. Satan is having a merry time with a huge bunch of anti-Christ campaigners filling the airways and news media with repeated lies and character assassination. Even with several sources of information, it's difficult to find truth. If you rely on one media source, you will likely be unable to understand truth. This unwillingness to examine material for truth crosses racial, economic and educational lines.

I'm going to cite an example based on current events. If you read just one side of our political spectrum, you will frequently announce your support that is unresearched by YOU. An individual frequently quoted in national media authored an article of national import

highly critical of public officials. The next day, his claims and  comments were exposed as false and lies. This is not the first time  this has happened. Research uncovered the truth the following day, and it was widely published. But the liar and supporters still will not accept the truth. This is caused by a spiritual condition called  "reprobate," and is slangily referred to in scripture as a "hardened heart." Pharaoh was thus described in Exodus. When you refuse to check the facts, you place yourself in jeopardy of falling away PERMANENTLY. Worse yet, you bear responsibility for misleading others. If you've read this, you have been warned. This applies both to the church and politics.

One of Satan's favorite ploys is the lynch mob mentality. This is very quick and easy. All Satan needs is a subject that is emotional. Add a leader with a very loud, vile mouth, and a few followers, and you can organize an energized group. This movement is sprung upon people in a rapid manner, giving them little time to consider what they are doing. Once the ball is rolling, it becomes very difficult to stop. Satan has used one of his disciples to snare people, including well-meaning, but lazy "Christians." Satan's followers never have peace, and are never permitted to rest. That results in frequent victory for Satan's workers because Christians tend to "relax" from the word of God way too often and too much.

If you are a JOINER of these quick emotional movements, your  salvation may be suspect. Did you investigate the movement? Did you carefully consider the source (person) of the "claim?" Did you listen to one biased side because it seemed to be comfortable and agreed with your incomplete summary of the issue? Did you pray about your decision? Would you be willing to explain your decision to Jesus Christ? How did Christ teach His followers to treat other people of different races or "faiths?" Did He ever preach hate? Did He ever preach gender superiority? To sum up this entire mess you may find yourself in, do you REALLY know what Christ taught, and what it takes to be a Christian?

If you are following any preacher or politician who tells you to hate anyone, that person is a dangerous apostate. God hates sin, but He loves mankind. He made us in His image. It's in scripture. He gave us His Son to give us the opportunity to correct our mad rush to a future in Hell. Are you all stirred up about emotional issues? Perhaps you're worried about the rapture and events in Revelation. You need to know the vital information you don't realize is missing in that Book. There are many prominent people talking about what is missing. If you diligently study scripture and use common sense, the Holy Spirit will lead you to the answer.

Salvation through Jesus Christ is an eternal contract. We know He is true and faithful. He died for us. How much proof do you require? He performed miracles to help people. Did He do anything to harm people? Good works do not save you. They are evidence of a good heart that may be present in non Christians. Real Christians have good works as evidence of their faith. If your works include bigotry, greed, envy, false witness, or division, you should understand you have violated your contract with Christ. If you don't repent, your mansion will not be in a preferred neighborhood.

Rev. Walbear