At this time of year when we celebrate our freedom and independence, let us look at the True Freedom we have as born again, blood washed, believers. Living for Jesus, & accepting salvation through God's precious gift of grace is the only way we can possess freedom and independence in our lives.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36

Interest in Heaven

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Romans 13:11

Why is it so difficult for people to see their need for salvation? Do you ever wonder how this can be when the good news of salvation has been around for two thousand years. Yet myriads of people still live in spiritual darkness. You would think with all the teaching and preaching of the gospel, and all the lives changed, that by now the whole world would have become a place of spiritual bliss. But not so.

In the days of the Apostle Paul, he and the early disciples who lived in the first century took the news of Jesus Christ and eternal life to the known world of that day. But look at the world today. With radio, short wave radio, television, the internet, and modern travel you would think that everyone would have had the opportunity to hear the gospel, and would have trusted Jesus as their savior. I know there are possibly some tribes in secluded places in our world that still may not have heard the good news as of yet, but what about all the peoples that have heard it.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all who call upon him. Romans 10:10

America's Attitude

Let's take a look at just our own country now, and consider it for a moment. In the lifetime of a very well-known evangelist Billy Graham and his fifty years or more of preaching in the United States, it should be safe to say that most people would have at least heard of him during the time he was so active. He was on radio, television, movies, in the pulpits, sports arenas and other places telling the “Good News" of Jesus Christ, as well as in many other countries. So, why was it so few ever believed his message? No one has ever found anything to discredit him that I have ever seen, even up to and including this day and time. Yet, it seems not many were ever saved by his labor and efforts. Or by any other of God's faithful ministers, even though they all have made it very clear there is a heaven and a hell, and that Jesus Christ is the ONLY Savior! Why?

Most people when asked if they would like to go to heaven will likely say yes. And even though every one seems to want to go to heaven there are but few who are willing to make the necessary commitment, lay down the self-life and confess they have sinned. All those who do this will experience the joy of a new life in Christ. Unfortunately, few will ever get to this point I’m afraid, because they enjoy their sin too much.

Also, many believe if they accept a life in Christ that they will miss out on something or some great, important thing in their lives if they do. Those of us who are saved can assure you that this is not a correct way of thinking. Missing out on being saved would mean you have missed something great in life. A life in Christ is the best life anyone could ever achieve and it ends with eternal life in heaven with a loving Savior. So I can’t understand why don't people want to prepare, or make sure they will to go heaven when they die.

There is also another reason why so many reject the preaching of the gospel, from my point of view, and that is they just don't care. People today just don’t think about God, or the ways of God whatsoever. You may find this hard to believe, but sadly it is true. They don=t have, or show any interest in things related to Jesus Christ. Some people don't even believe there really is a heaven or a hell, because they have dismissed it from their mind as a fantasy. Truly believing this life is all there is. My friend, this thought process is so, so sad, to say the least, when you think about where so many people are going to end up one day.

The Evolutionary Theory
With our present worldwide educational system so engulfed in the evolutionary theorys lie about the beginning of life, this belief has deceived many into this present day disinterest in heaven or hell. Even so, there are still some people who really believe there is a heaven, and they hope they will go there when they die. They truly believe if they live right, or be good, they will go to heaven. Folks, there are a lot of people like this, but: the Word says not! Salvation is a GIFT from God! Good works will not take you to heaven!

For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

The other night I heard a man on television saying that is just what he believes. There is even one cult I know of that teaches this. They say there is a heaven, but no hell. If this is true then I have this question. Why do we have to live a good life in order to go to heaven if there is no hell to avoid by living good? To me this does not make sense. Why do I need to belong to their religion if there is no hell I might go to? If there is no hell as this cult teaches, and some people believe, why not live it up? What good is a good reputation if you die without having any “fun,” since there is no hell to be punished in! No, this “idea" should not make sense to anyone. The primary idea behind this evolutionary theory is that life has just sprung up over billions of years. Well, let us look at this for a moment. If life has come about by evolution, then why does anything die if everything is coming to life? Why is there death if evolution is giving life to everything? Now one cannot dismiss this as crazy talk folks. Yet this is the so called logic the evolutionist uses to manipulate and brainwash people into believing what they think is right. But it seems to me, according to what they are saying, that nothing should die if everything is evolving.

The theory that all things evolved allows the evolutionist to easily deny the Creator, saying there is no God or life after death. Therefore, there is no accountability after death. People that don't want to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ really seem to take to this idea. That way they can live only for the moment, doing and getting all they can in this life thinking that when they die they will not be held accountable for the lives they have led.

Another ridiculous claim that the evolutionist believes is that we are nothing more than another animal. We just happen to be at the higher end of the process of evolution. But let's see what the Holy Scriptures have to say about man being an animal.

But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
1 Corinthians 15:38-39

Did you notice that the scriptures made a distinction between a man and an animal? And man needs a savior while the animals DO NOT, by the way.

Different Denominational Beliefs
Now let me ask my reader this question, if I may. Are you a Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Pentecostal, Assembly of God, Church of God, Jehovah Witness, Mormon, or one of the many other types of denominations in the world? Why? Or, why are you a member of some church? Are you faithful to that local assembly? Why? Do you think there is a heaven to go to? Do you think your church membership will get you there? There are many who do think so. Yes, it is very important to be in church, but it will not provide eternal life in heaven unless you have accepted Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior.

The Bible says this about going to church;

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

So, yes, we do need to be in a good Bible believing church where the congregation desires to get to know and love the Lord. Once we can fully do this the next natural progression should be a life of servitude. But today in a society where so many false doctrines create strife or disagreement among church families it can be difficult to even find a good Bible believing church.

For a great biblical example of the ideas and attitudes of different churches, you can look into the book of Revelation at the seven churches. You will find there are only two churches out of all seven that Jesus was pleased with. The reason for Jesus' displeasure is because of the people's attitude, folks, or lack of works among other things! Again, the same problem today.

Many churches can’t please the Lord because they are not following the true teachings of the scriptures. While that is important, the most important thing is whether or not you know Jesus as your Savior. Do you know him? Really know him? Or, do you know about him? There is a big difference in these two.

The Jews knew all about God and the Mosaic law, but many of them did not know God, although they brought sacrifices and offerings to the Temple regularly. Jesus told one of the teachers of Israel; Nicodemus, Ye must be born again. Why did Nicodemus need to be born again? He was a Jew. He observed all the rituals and ceremonies required by the Jewish religion. So why did he need to be born again? BECAUSE HE DID NOT KNOW GOD! You and I must know God before we are saved and we can only know God by trusting Jesus Christ as our savior. Why, because my friends, he is God!

The Deceit
There is a great deceit in evolution, and in the churches, and the one who planned it hates the souls of all of us. He hates God and he is working tirelessly to keep as many in his kingdom as he can. And I might add, he is doing a fantastic job. All of us are born into his kingdom and there is only one way out and it is by the new birth that Jesus spoke about to Nicodemus. All of us need a spiritual birth. This spiritual birth comes from above. That is what the term born again means. We have a physical birth, and we are born into a world of condemnation.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 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. 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 3:17-19

According to Jesus, before a person is born again they are already condemned. God has already judged the world and found all of us guilty of sin, and because he is holy we are condemned. The only way not to be condemned is to trust Jesus as our savior. Notice, Jesus said in the above scripture that he that believeth on him is not condemned. Yet, the Devil continues to deceive people into believing there is not a hell or an afterlife. My friend, those caught up in this trap will remain, and die condemned because when they die they are unprepared. This tool, or lie of Satan allows him over, and over to get back at God for throwing him out of heaven after he rebelled and tried to take over God's throne.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Another of Satan's deceits is getting people to think that belonging to just any church is alright as long as you belong to a church. Like we have stated earlier, Jesus was not pleased with just any church then, and he is definitely not today! Five of the seven churches in Revelation chapters two and three, he was not pleased with. Those are just a pattern, or symbolic of the kinds of churches in the world today. So we must be sure our church teaches and proclaims the Word of God. Some where people are united in getting out the gospel and sharing the message of the redeeming love of God with the world. A church with a good mission program which many today completely ignore. Some churches are not involved in any way in getting out the gospel. God have mercy upon such a congregation of people. Many of these types of churches have simply gone into entertaining gimmicks, like trips, and plate sales to raise money for their own pleasure within their fellowship. For heaven sakes my reader friends, if you truly believe in God’s Holy Word be involved in a Bible Church as we should be!

Personally, I believe the Bible is literally true. I believe it says what it means, and means what it says. God gave us his Word so we can understand it and know how to serve him. After He has saved us we are to do what he wants now, and not what we want. He gives us talents and gifts of the spirit to use to serve him with the purpose of sharing the saving message of our Lord and Savior with others. It disturbs me that so many churches take such a small interest in reaching out to people with the gospel. How much blood will we have on our hands of the souls forever lost because we failed in our responsibility to witness of the savior?

It is true that many such things have occurred in this world. But God has always been aware of all deeds. Whether they be good or bad. God sees the things done in the dark, as well as observed the things that are said or done in secret. People, you can't hide from the all seeing eye of the Creator. Those who CHOOSE to live this type of lifestyle will spend eternity in hell, unless they actually do see the Light of Jesus Christ.

And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5

The Road to Heaven Have you received God's offer of salvation? Are you on the road to heaven? Jesus told us of two roads in which people are traveling. Read what he said about those two roads;

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Unfortunately there are only a few on the narrow road, Jesus said. There are many more that are on the broad road that leads to destruction. My friends, please don't travel this road of regret, destruction and death! Instead, CHOOSE the SAVIOR and Eternal Life. There is only one way to heaven and it is by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. If you have not trusted him yet, accept him today.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for who you are, and for what you have done to secure our salvation. May some reader be saved today, I pray. Amen. "Loving the Savior" Preacher