"Does God Choose Us or Do We Choose God?"

To choose or not to choose--who really does the choosing?

Let's face it gang, the Bible says "many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). The word called in this instance refers to being 'invited'. Tragically, not all those invited will be among the chosen of God.

Romans 8:29 says, "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son."

Wow. Does that mean that God "foreknew" certain people? And what about predestination? Are we to understand that only certain individuals are picked out beforehand to be saved?

 Jesus says in John 15:16, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should bear fruit." Apparently, the doctrine of election, or being especially chosen by God, is woven throughout the Bible.

It is also one of the most hotly debated mysteries of the Christian life.

There are two basic positions (excerpted from pg. 1984 of the Nelson Study Bible) :

• Some understand foreknowledge to mean God's knowledge in advance of those who would repent of their sin and believe the Gospel. In other words, in eternity past, God looked down the corridors of time to see all who would one day accept the offer of salvation through Christ. Those who accept salvation are the elect. The fact that they would eventually believe in Christ was the condition that prompted God to choose them or predestine them to eternal life.
• Others understand foreknowledge as a 'relational' term. In other words, foreknowledge refers to God's intimate knowledge of and love for His elect before they came into existence. It is God's sovereign choice, and not a person's exercised faith, that determines who the elect are.

Got that? In the first view (known as Arminianism), election is defined as: the conditional choice of God that is the result of our faith. In the second view (known as Calvinism), election is defined as: the unconditional choice of God that is the cause of our faith.

Regardless of one's stance on the matter of election, this much is clear: God is infinitely wise, powerful, and good. We cannot accuse Him of being unfair in His dealings with humans. It was our own sinfulness that has entrapped us and condemned us. Yet God, out of His infinite mercy, chooses to save those of us who believe.

The ultimate inconvenient truth is still this: "Many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14).

Go back and reread Romans 8:29, "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son" (emphasis added).

If we are not being conformed to the image of His Son, odds are we haven't been chosen. If our "salvation" hasn't had a profound impact in the way we live our life here on earth, it probably hasn't actually taken place. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me 'Lord, Lord', shall enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father" (Matthew 7:21). What is the will of the Father? That we be conformed to the image of His Son.

Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:1). If we don't know the Scripture, we can't know Jesus. We can't be conformed to His image if we have no knowledge of who He is. In other words: Knowing Jesus = Knowing His word. Because Jesus said, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should bear fruit", shouldn't we be careful 'fruit inspectors'? The fruit of the Spirit is: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These attributes describe Jesus. And over a lifetime, they should begin to describe us, too, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in us. In other words: No Spirit = No salvation (Romans 8:9).

"So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. Obey God because you are His children. Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God--who chose you to be His children--is holy. For He Himself has said, "You must be holy because I am holy" (1 Peter 1:13-16).

A wise man once said: "If you haven't chosen God, He probably hasn't chosen you. But if you want God to choose you, then choose Him." -- Chuck Smith, founder of Calvary Chapel

find out "How To Go To Heaven"--click here

News:

• Reuters: "Israel will hit Tehran if Iran attacks Tel Aviv" warns Defense Minister following unprecedented surge of threats from Iran.
• Yahoo!: Iran's Khomeini urges Muslim nations to unite against U.S.
• Zero Hedge: Iranian Naval Commander threatens to sink U.S. ships, create "Catastrophic Situation If Trump Kills Nuke Deal".

"Will There Be Tears In Heaven?"

"Although Christians have been justified by faith, Christ will still judge them for the 'deeds done in the body...whether good or bad' (2 Corinthians 5:10). How well or poorly we do here might indeed determine our status in heaven for all eternity," warns Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, Th.M, author and Bible scholar.

In his classic book, Your Eternal Reward, Dr. Lutzer asks the questions inquiring minds want to know:

• Does our behavior as Christians matter once we are assured of our salvation?
• Will eternity be the same for those believers who follow Christ faithfully and those who live a carnal life style?

According to Lutzer, "everything we do in this life matters. We all struggle with the concept of negative consequences at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Our sins have been washed away and God cannot judge us for our carnality, selfishness, and wasted lives,we think. Because we are not under condemnation, we feel secure that any loss we suffer cannot be too serious."

Not so fast. Lutzer points out that God sometimes judges His people while they are still alive even though they are forgiven and justified. Ananias and Sapphira were judged by death for their dishonesty (Acts 5:1-11). Carnal believers in Corinth died because of their disrespect for the Lord's Table (1 Corinthians 11:30).

"I can't lose my salvation," says Lutzer, "but there is something I can lose--the highest privileges available for all eternity. Let's not live in such a way that we'll be given a rebuke from Christ and have "shame at His Coming" (1 John 2:28)."

In other words, how we live our lives has eternal consequences. Charles Stanley (pastor, radio preacher and author of over 45 books) agrees:

"Will eternity be the same for everybody? Not a chance. Our God is a God of justice as well as grace. His offer of grace is continually extended to even the most vile sinner. But His justice moves Him to keep a careful record of those who remain faithful and those who do not. His grace moved Him to sacrifice His only Son to provide a way for our salvation. But His justice causes Him to take special note of those believers who are willing to sacrifice for His Son."

A wise man once said: "Entrance into heaven is gained by accepting Christ's sacrifice for justification, but a person's rewards in heaven will be determined by what they did for Christ here on earth. There are consequences to a careless Christian life." -- Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, author of The Complete Word Study New Testament (With Parallel Greek)

Jesus said, "...I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds." (Revelation 2:23)

"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done." (Revelation 22:12)

"...there are some who have not soiled their garments with evil deeds. They will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before My Father and His angels that they are Mine. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches." (Revelation 3:4-6)

How To Go To Heaven...click here

News:

• Breitbart: Iranian commander: "Date has been set" for Israel's destruction as tensions continue to mount along Israel's northern border.
• BBC News: 250 priests from 50 countries arrive in Rome for exorcism training; 1/2 million seek relief through exorcism every year in Italy.
• DEBKAfile: Moscow now ready to give Syria S-300 air defense missiles 'to curb further aggression'. 

 

"The Bible Predicts The Future Of: Russia, Iran, Turkey. But What About Syria?"

The Bible gives us detailed descriptions of what will happen in the future in the Middle East, events that will be the catalyst of the End Times scenario. What it doesn't give us is the exact timing or order of these events.

For instance, we know that sometime in 'the latter days' or 'the time of the end' after Israel is re-established as a nation (1948) and the city of Jerusalem is back under Israeli control (1967), they will be attacked by a vast multitude of people who want to annihilate them.

Detailed in Ezekiel 38 & 39--The Battle of Gog and Magog--5 nations, enemies of God (Ez. 39:1) will try to destroy God's people (Ez. 36:28). Their ancient tribal names correspond to their modern-day names:

• Magog = Russia
• Persia = Iran
• Cush = Sudan (not modern-day Ethiopia)
• Put = Libya
• Gomer & Togarmah = Turkey

Gog, the head of Magog, is the leader of this great invasion against Israel. God addresses him directly in Ezekiel 39, (and believe us, you wouldn't want to be in his shoes), describing the judgment God will bring on the invaders.

Most of these nations are amassed in Syria right now and remember, gang, Syria borders on Israel.

The Big Question? Why isn't Syria mentioned in the prophecy? 

Logically, they would join in the invasion against Israel if they could, wouldn't you think? After all, they hate Israel as much as the others.

We don't know why Syria isn't among the nations that attack Israel, but the prophecy in Isaiah 17 might offer a clue: "Look, Damascus will disappear! It will become a heap of ruins." The Bible doesn't tell us when the destruction of Damascus will take place. Our guess? Sometime before the invasion detailed in Ezekiel 38.

To hear Amir Tsarfati's take on Syria, click here

"And you will live in Israel, the land I gave your ancestors long ago. You will be My people, and I will be your God."  Ezekiel 36:28

        "Look to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."
          Isaiah 45:22

A wise man once said: "More now than ever before, put your trust in the God who tells the future and recorded it in the Bible to prove to us He is real." -- Jack Hibbs, pastor Calvary Chapel Chino Hills

How to go to heaven...

News:

• DEBKAfile: Moscow and Tehran link up to strike Israeli targets in response for U.S.-led operation in Syria
• Newsweek: Russia TV mockingly prepares for war with U.S., instructing citizens to buy water and gas masks; claimed "real panic" is across the ocean
• Fox News Channel: Mattis: "Still assessing military option in Syria; meanwhile U.S. and French destroyers already in place off Syrian coast; UK assets en route.

"Pope Francis: Is The Pope Catholic?"

In a recent interview, Pope Francis allegedly claimed that hell doesn't exist.

So where do unbelievers go when they die? According to the interview, the Pope said they just "disappear."

Hmmmm...apparently the Catholic Church never got the memo.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1035:

"The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, "eternal fire". The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs."

The Bible teaches that all sin is deadly.

"The Father gave His unique and beloved Son," says biblical scholar John MacArthur, "to die on behalf of sinful men because the consequences of sin is death (Romans 6:23). "Jesus paid the consequences for all those who believe Him and put their faith in Him. True faith in Christ is the only way to heaven."

Scripture says:

"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. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13).

"Christ continually emphasized the difficulty of following Him," said MacArthur. "Salvation is by grace alone through faith, but it is not easy. It calls for knowledge of the truth, repentance, submission to Christ as Lord, and a willingness to obey His will and Word."

Pope Francis' view seems to be at odds with Scripture as well as other popes.

For instance, Pope Benedict XVI said in a 2007 sermon, "Jesus came to tells us that He wants us all in Heaven and that hell, of which so little is said in our time, exists and is eternal for those who close their hearts to His love."

The Vatican has been back-pedaling ever since Pope Francis' statement on hell went viral last week, dismissing the interview as "unofficial." Hopefully the Pope will give his followers an official statement soon because the Bible clearly warns:

"If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life (heaven) maimed than with two hands go to hell, where the fire never goes out" (Mark 9:43).

It's official: Hell is real and there is only One Way out of going there. How To Go To Heaven

A wise man once said: "For those who follow Jesus, death is a coronation. This world is not our home; our citizenship is in heaven. To those who are faithful, Christ will give a crown of Life."         
-- Billy Graham

News:

• DEBKAfile: (EXCLUSIVE) U.S. Marines Head To Syria As Reinforcements Against Turkey; Joined By French Special Ops Forces
• Newsweek: China's military pledged support to Russia as tensions with U.S. mount
• The Washington Free Beacon: Russia Tested Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missile Twice; Nuclear Fallout Feared.