September 10, 2008 by Shane Kastler.

“If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed.” (1 Corinthians 16:22 NASB)

Newsweek columnist Lisa Miller wrote a critical column this week with a headline that reads: “The Senior Pastor of Palin’s Former Church Preaches Hellfire to Anyone Who Isn’t Saved By Jesus.” In typical, high-brow, snotty, liberal fashion, she looks down upon Christians and bemoans the fact that Palin is so narrow-minded that she is a pit bull for the “religious right” and for those who oppose abortion. While Palin’s conservative political views are well known, why is Miller, and other liberals so concerned that Palin’s church believes in Hell? Undoubtedly Miller is trying to scare her readers into thinking Palin is an extremist who should be shunned. Yet what Miller, and other liberals, fail to realize is that beliefs such as this one, in Hell for the unrepentant, is embraced and believed by all Biblical Christians. Millions of Americans believe in Hell, because Jesus spoke of it often. The Bible is full of warnings to those apart from Christ who will perish in their sins unless they turn to the Lord. That may sound “old fashioned” and “radical” to people like Lisa Miller; but that just sounds like Christianity to those who believe the Bible.

This is where I believe the Political Left and the Mainstream Media are shooting themselves in the foot with regards to Sarah Palin. Since they spend most of their time hob-knobbing with uppity, liberal, elitists they fail to realize that the majority of the country is much more like Palin than they are them. I recently heard a liberal pastor complaining that Palin didn’t win office in Alaska by courting the “religious right”—she ACTUALLY IS apart of the religious right. He said it as a put down, but I rejoiced to hear it. And many other Americans do as well.

When you listen to clips of Wasilla Assembly of God Pastor Ed Kalnins preaching on Hell, it sounds very similar to what I myself, and scores of other pastors preach every Sunday. Preachers who preach “hellfire” actually have the audacity to proclaim an eternal reality that Jesus Himself proclaimed, and commanded us to likewise preach. We have the audacity to believe that if you call yourself a “Christian” then you should actually believe what Christ taught. We have the audacity to believe that there is an eternal world that awaits all people after they leave this life. We have the audacity to believe Jesus’ words that “No one comes to the Father except by me.” (John 14:6) And we have the audacity to believe that those who do not come to Christ in repentance and faith will perish in eternal Hell, just like Jesus said they would. When I hear that Sarah Palin attends churches that proclaim these eternal truths, I rejoice that at last a politician has arrived on the national scene who shares my beliefs, and I know that she will pay a dear price for it in the media.

But it doesn’t end with Hell. Pastor Ed Kalnins also apparently opposes homosexuality. Can’t you just hear the liberals shrieking!!! Imagine, a Christian minister who actually thinks homosexuality is a sin, and that unrepentant sinners go to Hell!!! Who knew???? Why it must just be an Alaska thing right???? No, my dear liberals, this is what all Biblical Christians believe…..and there are many of us in America today.

Kalnins says that people have a conscience that tells them what is right and wrong. And that homosexuals know their sin is wrong because their conscience tells them so. But in an effort to ease their conscience they try to pass laws supporting their sin. That way they can ease their conscience by saying the government approves of their behavior, even thought their conscience condemns them. To which I give a hearty AMEN!  That is exactly what Romans 1 teaches.

I’m not sure of everything Kalnins believes. He is an ordained Assembly of God, and I am an ordained Baptist so we probably would differ on some lesser issues. But on foundational issues, he teaches salvation through Christ alone, the reality of Hell, and the truthfulness of sin’s devastating effects. I commend him, and any Pastor, who has the backbone to speak out about Hell and Homosexuality since both issues will get you maligned in our world today. Incidentally, Kalnins and his wife also have 7 children, which no doubt drives liberals crazy as well. (Don’t those people in Alaska know we’re supposed to be KILLING babies, not HAVING babies??!!??)

I got to be honest…when I hear of Sarah Palin’s associations with “radicals” like Ed Kalnins, I rejoice rather than recoil. When I hear Barack Obama’s Pastor of 20 years, Jeremiah Wright shrieking “God-D–N” America” and calling America the “US of KKKA.” Then I hear Kalnins preaching the truth of the gospel and the reality of Hell; the choice for our country is clear. While these two Pastors are not running for office, it says a lot about the candidates when you examine the spiritual company they keep. While Newsweek liberal Lisa Miller tries to scare people by writing of Kalnins belief in Hell, all she’s doing is galvanizing the millions of Americans who agree with him, and Palin; and she’s motivating us even more to get out and vote come November.

Sarah Palin has an extremely rough couple of months ahead of her. Her enemies are numerous and powerful and they will unleash all they have to try and destroy and discredit her. So far their attempts have backfired, and I hope they continue to. What our nations needs from it’s government leaders is a deeply rooted, God-fearing, love for Jesus Christ. Palin seems to fit the bill. Lisa Miller calls her the “pit bull for the religious right”…I simply call her a breath of fresh air. Continue to pray for her as the liberals, reporters, and snobs of America seek to ruin her….and in the process, further ruin our country. And pray for Kalnins and other Biblical preachers. The tendency will be to go soft on the gospel in order to avoid political fallout, but the Great Commission leaves no room for reticence in the pulpit. We must speak boldly, faithfully, and truthfully about all things Christian, including eternal Hell. Bravo to Kalnins for doing it. Let’s hope and pray he keeps up the good work; and that the gospel of Christ is proclaimed in the midst of this political election season.

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August 8, 2008 by Shane Kastler.

(Note:  The following isn’t really a “blog” its more of a “paper” that I wrote on the conversion of Civil War General Nathan Bedford Forrest.  It’s pretty long, but its a very inspiring and true story of how God can change any sinner. I hope you enjoy it.  –Shane Kastler)

………

When The Devil Got Saved: The Christian Conversion of Nathan Bedford Forrest

By Shane E. Kastler

Nathan Bedford Forrest was not a man that Samuel Montgomery wanted his niece to marry. In the early 1840’s when this young Tennessean appeared in Hernando, Mississippi to court Mary Ann Montgomery, her Uncle Sam tried to discourage him. Mary Ann’s father had died and Samuel, a Presbyterian minister, was her closest male guardian, and no Christian would have wanted their loved one mixed up with Bedford Forrest. “Nathan, you don’t want to marry Mary Ann. She’s a sweet Christian girl and you curse and gamble.” Nathan replied, “I know she’s a sweet, Christian girl…that’s why I want to marry her.” A “Christian” Forrest was not, but a protective and chivalrous man, he could be.

Mary Ann and her mother were on their way home one day when they got their horse and wagon stuck in a creek. While two young men sat laughing at them on the creek bank, another young man rode up into the creek on his horse, dismounted, carried the ladies to safety, and then pushed their wagon out of the creek. He then walked over to the young “no goods” and told them to stop laughing and move on or he would give them both a thrashing. They fled, and the “good Samaritan” went back and introduced himself to the damsels in distress. His name was Nathan Bedford Forrest, and he desperately wanted to see Mary Ann again.

The next week, Forrest rode out to the Montgomery place and began his quest to win the hand of Mary Ann. He promised her family that they would never have to worry about her safety because he would take good care of her. Six weeks later they were married and living their life in Mississippi.

Forrest must have seemed an odd match for the angelic Mary Ann Montgomery. Though raised by a Christian mother, Nathan was anything but a Christian himself. His father had died when he was 17, thus making him the “man of house” with a mother and ten younger siblings to care for. But Nathan arose to the challenge. He ran the family farm with a keen eye and a firm hand, and protected his family honorably. Life on the Tennessee frontier was rough and dangerous, proven by the fact that one day Nathan’s mother came home covered in blood having been attacked by a cougar. Nathan grabbed his gun and whistled at his two hunting dogs and off they went. He tracked and stalked the cougar until his dogs had it treed…..then waited until morning to get a clean shot. He cut off its ears and gave them to “Momma” as a trophy.

When Nathan was a teenager, he killed his first man. He was staying with his 65-year-old uncle when the four Matlock brothers, who were owed money by the elder Forrest, came calling. When they attacked, so did sixteen-year-old Nathan. He shot two of the brothers with a pistol, and stabbed the other two with a knife that was thrown to him by a witness during the brawl. Four Matlock brothers walked into the room that day to fight it out with “Old Man Forrest.” Three of them never walked back out, and one survived to tell the story. Even as a teenager, Nathan Bedford Forrest was not a man to be trifled with.

Nathan went on to become a very successful and wealthy businessman. Though uneducated and “backwoods” by nature, he was a skilled entrepreneur, albeit in an immoral trade. He made his fortune as a slave trader and as a plantation owner, and by the time the Civil War began in 1861, he was worth 1.5 million dollars, an astronomical figure, when considered by today’s standards. When his home state of Tennessee and his adopted home state of Mississippi both seceded from the Union, Nathan understandably sided with them. He enlisted along with his younger brother and his 15-year-old son Willie; and was made a Private in the Cavalry. By war’s end he would be a Lieutenant General, the only man to go from Private to Lieutenant General during the Civil War.

In 1861, Forrest was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and given the charge to raise a Cavalry regiment. He did so and soon garnered a reputation as the most skilled Cavalry man the Civil War would produce. Though completely untrained in military tactics, his natural instincts were uncanny, and he was an absolute nightmare to the Union destroying railroads, communications lines, and supply lines. William Tecumseh Sherman declared that Tennessee would never be safe as long as “that devil Forrest” was a live and that they had to kill him “even if it takes 10,000 men and bankrupts the Federal treasury.” Fierce in battle, Forrest would kill 31 men in hand to hand combat, and have 30 horses shot out from under him during the course of the war. He rightly joked that he ended up “one horse ahead” by war’s end. It was said that Ulysses S. Grant claimed to fear no man on earth….except Nathan Bedford Forrest. Once in a fierce battle, while encircled by Union troops, Forrest began running straight for a Union supply wagon, which he then jumped and escaped capture. Another time he was personally fighting four Union soldiers at one time, all of them intent on making their name famous for “killing Forest.” He whipped them all, and yet again managed to escape.

Forrest employed many clever tactics throughout the war. When traveling with his Cavalry, he would determine where the Union spies were observing his men, then he would have his men peel off, backtrack, and ride again in circles past the observation point, thus giving the appearance of having thousands of men, when in fact he had mere hundreds. Then he would send a rider under a flag of truce and tell the Union troops that they were hopelessly outnumbered and must surrender or face the sword. By doing so, he captured scores of Union troops without firing a shot. But eventually his bluff was called and the results were dreadful and controversial, both then and now. At a location on the Mississippi River called Fort Pillow, Forrest ordered a Union regiment to surrender with the promise of honorable treatment as prisoners of war, or to be attacked and likely killed. The Union commander at the time was Major William Bradford, who was a “Tennessee Yankee” from Bedford County, ironically the county of Forrest’s birth, and the county from which he got his middle name. Bradford was seen as a traitor to many of his fellow Tennesseans, and was certainly not a man Forrest respected. Undoubtedly Forrest’s legendary temper played a part as he ordered the Fort charged having concluded the bloodshed was to be laid at the feet of Bradford, a traitor who refused to surrender against overwhelming numbers.

What happened next is disputed and fuzzy. Clearly in the heat of battle there were surrendering soldiers wrongly shot on sight. Fort Pillow being made up of white soldiers seen as traitors, along with 300 black soldiers didn’t gain a lot of sympathy from Forrest’s men. It was called a massacre, and in many ways it appeared to be. Forrest arrived in the Fort twenty minutes after it was overtaken by Confederates and immediately rode his horse between the two sides with saber and pistol drawn ordering a cease-fire. But the damage was done. Forrest would forever be remembered as the man who ordered the massacre of Fort Pillow, though a Congressional hearing by the Union army would eventually find him personally innocent of wrong doing. He was hated and feared that much more by the Northern people.

The war would rage on for another year with Forrest’s army trying to distract Sherman in his march to Georgia and the sea. Eventually it became clear that the cause was lost, and after both Robert E. Lee and Joseph Johnston surrendered Forrest saw the handwriting on the wall. Forrest told his men, “any man who is in favor of a further prosecution of this war is a fit subject for a lunatic asylum.” Forrest surrendered, and went to be reunited with his wife in Tennessee.

Nathan Bedford Forrest, who was worth 1.5 million dollars in 1861, was now broke. The only money to be found was $10 that his dutiful wife had saved for a rainy day. Forrest sought to take the money to a poker game and increase it, but his wife begged him not to stating that it would be immoral and a sin against God. He asked his wife if she would consent to pray for him as he played poker, so that their money might increase. She refused, but Forrest went to the poker game anyway. That night he returned with $1500, though his wife was unimpressed.

Forrest’s post-war life further soiled his reputation. As Reconstruction commenced in the South, many Southerners resentfully fought against the Northern “carpet baggers” who came down, collected government contracts worth millions, then did little to fulfill obligations. Tensions were high between Northerners, Southerners, and many freed slaves. In 1867 a group of white men in Pulaski, Tennessee formed a group that was meant to be a “protective” squad for Southerners that they dubbed the Ku Klux Klan. A year and a half later, Forrest became a member and was promptly elected as their first “Grand Wizard” thus forever cementing his reputation as the epitome of Southern racism. In 1868, after Tennessee’s pro-Union Governor William Brownlow was defeated at the polls, Forrest resigned from the Klan and urged their disbanding saying their purposes had been fulfilled. His urgings were ignored and the Klan set off on a violent streak of atrocities that would cause them to live forever in infamy. They would eventually disband, only to be re-chartered in 1915 with an even more violent and racist agenda. But the story of Nathan Bedford Forrest doesn’t end with the Civil War, Fort Pillow, or the KKK. As Paul Harvey would say…. “Have you heard the REST of the story?”

Nathan Bedford Forrest had been raised by a godly Mother to be a man of hard work and honor. Though he did not adopt his Mother’s faith, he held a reverence for Christians throughout his life. Chapel services were encouraged in his army, and General Forrest frequently attended. And though Forrest was famous for his profanity when in the midst of a tirade, his speech was relatively clean when he was calm, and he abhorred “smutty or vulgar talk” as being disrespectful towards women. Forrest never drank alcohol, nor used tobacco in any form. And he was absolutely devoted to his wife Mary Ann, declaring on many occasions that it was because of the prayers of his wife and mother that he had lived through so many fierce battles. When enraged, it was said that Forrest’s face would glow so bright red that he appeared to be a different person. Yet it was also said that his Godly wife could calm him down with only a word. He forever adored, respected, and revered her.

As Fort Donelson was falling to U.S. Grant in 1864, Forrest called his second in command, a former Methodist minister named Major D.C. Kelly to his side and implored him, “For God’s sake Parson, Pray! Only God Almighty could save that Fort now.” And as the war, and his eventual capture and death seemed likely, Forrest wrote a letter to his only son Willie imploring him to take good care of his mother and to be careful not to emulate his sinful and wicked ways. Forrest was glad to have Christians in his family, but he confessed that he considered Christianity to be “a woman’s religion.” But all of that changed in the mid 1870’s.

Though Forrest was only in his 50’s, a lifetime of hard living and battle were beginning to take their toll on him. He began attending church with his beloved wife at the Court Avenue Presbyterian Church in Memphis where the gospel was preached faithfully by Rev. George Stainback. And he began to feel the Holy Spirit’s conviction for a lifetime of sin. One day he ran into an old army buddy who had been under his command named Raleigh White. Forrest exclaimed, “Why, Raleigh White, its you! I heard you’d gone down to South America or somewhere!” White replied that this was not true, but that he had in fact become a Christian, having been led to Christ by his wife after the war. After trying his hand in business, White succumbed to an overwhelming call to preach the gospel of Christ to sinners; and was now a Southern Baptist Pastor living in Texas. Forrest listened to White’s testimony with obvious excitement, and then asked White if he would pray for him. The two veterans went into a bank lobby and knelt together as White prayed for Forrest. Then they parted ways. Another gospel seed had been planted that would soon take permanent root.

In the Fall of 1875, Forrest found himself setting next to his wife listening to Rev. Stainback preach from Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27 NASB)

Forrest’s heart was crushed and his spiritual eyes were opened. After the service he pulled Rev. Stainback aside and as Rev. Stainback later recounted: “Forrest suddenly leaned against the wall and his eyes filled with tears. ‘Sir, your sermon has removed the last prop from under me,’ he said, ‘I am the fool that built on the sand; I am a poor miserable sinner.” Stainback told Forrest to go home and read and meditate on Psalm 51 and see where it led him.

“Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me.” (Psalms 51:1-3 NASB)

The next night, Rev. Stainback went by to visit with Forrest, and they fell to their knees and prayed together. Forrest said that he had put his trust in the Redeemer, and that his heart was finally at peace. The final two years of his life seemed to bear out the truth of his confession. Nathan Bedford Forrest the fierce fighter, gambler, racist, and sinner….was a changed man.

In 1875, Forrest was invited to speak to a black civil rights group called the “Pole-Bearers” Association, a forerunner for today’s NAACP. Though mocked by some white people for appearing, Forrest addressed the black people in love saying, “I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe I can exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do all in my power to elevate every man, to depress none. I want to elevate you to take positions in law offices, in stores, on farms, and wherever you are capable of going. I came to meet you as friends, and welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so. We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment. Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who stood by me through the war, can contradict. Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly, and when you are oppressed I’ll come to your relief. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this opportunity you have afforded me to be with you, and to assure you that I am with you in heart and in hand.”

At the end of his speech a young, black girl named Lou Lewis presented General Forrest with a bouquet of flowers as a sign of reconciliation between the two races. Forrest accepted the flowers, then leaned down and gently kissed the girl on the cheek, a public act of reverence and respect that was absolutely unheard of for a white man to do in that day. Indeed, Nathan Bedford Forrest, former Grand Wizard of the KKK, was a new creature in Christ.

Nathan Bedford Forrest died from complications from Diabetes on October 21, 1877, when he was 56 years old. He said on his deathbed that there was “not a cloud that separated him from his beloved Heavenly Father.” The lessons from the life of Nathan Bedford Forrest are legion. His battlefield tactics have been studied by military men the world over, and he has been called by many a strategic genius in the art of war. But his personal and spiritual life give us far greater lessons. He is a clear testimonial example of God’s overwhelming power to change even the hardest of sinners. Though sadly, Forrest today is mostly remembered for his sin.

Many efforts have been made by civil rights leaders to have his name removed from parks and schools all across the South because of his being the epitome of racism. And yet, when the complete story of Nathan Bedford Forrest is known, we see him as being the very example of what we would hope to see from all racial bigots: a transformed and changed life. Though he was once the black man’s enemy, he became one of their dearest friends and defenders. His desire to see black people serving in politics and professional occupations was a clarion call for equality that was way ahead of its time. In fact, this “Southern racist” called for greater civil rights than most Northern abolitionists would have been comfortable with. Forrest had once owned and sold slaves for his business. Now his business was to see that they were treated fairly. It reminds me of another slave-trader turned Christian by the name of John Newton, who wrote a hymn you might have heard of: “Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.”

To hold a grudge against Nathan Bedford Forrest is to deny one of the greatest truths Christ teaches us; that the power of the gospel can change anyone. And that we should ask the Lord to “forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” (Matthew 6:12) Nathan Bedford Forrest was a sinner par excellence. So am I. And so are you, if you would be humble enough to admit it. For the Bible teaches us that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Nathan Bedford Forrest was despised in his day, as he is in most circles today, though Christians should forgive him just as Christ has forgiven us. Union General William T. Sherman vowed to catch “that devil Forrest.” But Sherman never was able to do it. In the end, it was Jesus Christ who finally caught up with him. And rather than kill him….Jesus changed him and on a glorious and providential day in 1875, the unthinkable and impossible actually happened: “that devil” got saved. Let us hope and pray that the Lord Jesus Christ would save many more “devils” like Nathan Bedford Forrest and transfer them from “the domain of darkness to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” (Colossians 1:13)

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July 18, 2008 by Shane Kastler.

“For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:9 NASB) There once lived a man who was so vicious, mean-spirited, and hateful that most thought he was incapable of change.  There were a lot of things he hated in life, but the thing he hated most was Christianity.  This man lived in a day and age in which Christians could be prosecuted, jailed, and even executed for their faith; and he did all he could to rid the world of them.  He would chase them down and have them imprisoned and gender made no difference to him.  Men and women alike were in mortal danger if he was near.  At that time he was known as Saul of Tarsus.  But you probably know him by his other name, The Apostle Paul.

            Paul is remembered as one of the greatest Christians who ever lived.  His love for Jesus led him to embrace a life of suffering and persecution for the gospel.  But he started out as the persecutor, before he became the persecuted.  Jesus changed his life forever when he encountered Paul on the road to

            Perhaps you don’t see yourself as wicked as Saul of Tarsus was.  Yet, you are a sinner just the same.  The Bible tells us “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)  And the only remedy for this sin is faith in Christ as Supreme Lord and Savior.  Will you turn from sin, and place your faith in Him as Lord?  Do you believe in His death, burial, and resurrection?  Do you believe He is coming again?  Are you living for Him daily?

            Saul of Tarsus is proof that God can indeed save anyone.  And Saul is also proof that no one can save themselves.  Saul thought he was working his way to Heaven by being a good Jew by persecuting Christians.  But no matter how good we think we are….we’re never really good enough.  Only Jesus was good enough.  Therefore it’s only through Him that we can be granted eternal life. 

            If you’ve never turned to Christ in full repentance, I encourage you to do it today.  Give Him your life, and He will give you eternal life.  After all, if Saul can be saved, anyone can be saved.  Even you.

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November 18, 2007 by Shane Kastler.

Are you perfect?  I can answer that question for you, even if I don’t know you.  The Bible teaches that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)  If you believe yourself to be above sin’s reach, then you’re living in a dream world according to the Apostle John. “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)  The sad reality is that all people are affected by the dreaded sin curse that afflicts mankind.  The question is not whether or not you are a sinner.  The question is:  what will you do about your sin?

            Ultimately, there are only two options.  You will either continue on in your sin, and eternally perish.  Or you will turn from your sin in repentance, place your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and be saved.  This is the glorious promise of 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

            If we will confess.  If we will turn.  If we will repent.  God promises not only to forgive us…but to cleanse us.  In other words He promises to remove the guilt…and also scrub the filthy heart clean.  In fact, He promises to indwell us by His Holy Spirit.  The sin that once enticed us now becomes disgusting to us.  And though the spiritual battle rages on, and we continue to stumble and sin…..our lives and our nature have been forever changed.

            Have you experienced that change yet?  Jesus called it being “born again by the Spirit” (John 3:3) Perhaps you think that you’ll make it to Heaven by your good deeds.   But you’re wrong.  Dead wrong.  Eternally wrong.  All sinners must throw themselves upon the mercy of the Lord, give their life to Jesus Christ, and accept God’s forgiveness.  On the cross, Jesus paid the eternal price for sinners who would trust in Him, and it was there that the debt for sin was paid.

            Trust in Christ today.  Follow Christ today.  Live for Christ today.  Accept the eternal forgiveness that only He can give.  Be spiritually cleansed.  Be graciously forgiven.  And be eternally saved. 

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August 24, 2007 by Shane Kastler.

The Second of God’s TEN COMMANDMENTS says:  “Thou Shalt Not Make a Graven Image.” (Exodus 20:4-6) Obviously, it’s a “no-brainer” to most Christians that we should not make any statues that we bow down to and worship.  This brand of idolatry was fairly common in Biblical times….and is still common in many parts of the world today.  But the commandment is not simply against making images of “false gods”….it also includes making images of the REAL God, since part of the commandment forbids us to  make “any likeness of what is in heaven above.” (Exodus 20:4) 

            GOD is all powerful, all knowing, supremely sovereign….and UNSEEN.  He is invisible to our physical eyes, because He has chosen to be that way.  Indeed, God has ordained that it is only with “spiritual eyes of faith” that we are allowed to “see” Him in anyway.

             I think many people in our society struggle with this because we put such a premium on appearance.  Living in the technology age as we do, we expect someone to look a certain way, if we are to give them our praise or support.  Politicians spend a fortune hiring consultants who will help them project the right image.  They concern themselves with the right suit, the right hair style, the right voice inflection….all so they can appear to be fearless leaders, when in fact they may not be.  Richard Nixon lost the 1960 Presidential election to John Kennedy in large part because Kennedy looked so much more polished in their television debate, which was the first such debate ever televised nationwide.  Ironically, a man like Abraham Lincoln, who many consider our greatest President, would have no chance of being elected in our day and age.  He was tall, gangly, bearded, and ugly.  We wouldn’t like his “appearance.”  And the fact is, we might not like God’s appearance either.  Let me explain.

            God cannot be seen by man….unless God chooses to manifest Himself to man, which is exactly what He did.  In fact, God BECAME a man and “dwelt among us” in the person of Jesus Christ.  And we were so impressed with His appearance that we killed Him.  But Jesus did not come to dazzle us with His Physical appearance….He came to dazzle us with the GLORY OF GOD.  By His own choice, He came humbly and unimpressive in appearance. 

            So what did Jesus look like?  Well, He certainly wasn’t a blond haired, blue eyed Anglo-Saxon in a 3-piece suit.  He was born as a Middle Eastern Jew, who worked as a carpenter.  The closest thing we have to a physical description comes from Isaiah.  “He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”  (Isaiah 53:2-3 NASB)  Incidentally, the only other physical characteristic we know of Him is that he had a beard (Isaiah 50:6), which will be a disappointment to the obsessive “clean cut” crowd among us.  Make no mistake; if you are impressed by physical appearance, then you would have been disappointed in Jesus.  BUT, if you’re impressed by DIVINE POWER…..then you would have worshipped Him for the God that He was and is. 

            We don’t really know what GOD looks like…..yet.   But one day we will.  The day is approaching in which He will be “coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him.”  Revelation 1:7 (NASB)  On that day we will ALL see Him….but we won’t all be happy to see Him.  Some will see Him as their Savior, and they will rejoice to behold the Lord in all of His Majestic Glory.  He will take us unto Himself and welcome us into His Perfect Pardise.  Others will see Him as the Divine Judge, who has come to shell out the final, eternal reckoning.  They rejected Him on Earth….and they shall suffer forever in Eternity.

            So, what does God look like?  You had better seek the answer with “spiritual eyes” rather than “physical eyes.”  God is Holy, Perfect, Righteous and Just.  But we are woefully sinful creatures.  Yet, God in His Infinite Holiness, is also Gracious and Merciful; inviting us to His table and promising our adoption if we will but repent and place our faith in Christ Jesus as Lord.  You cannot SEE Him…but you CAN have Him as your eternal King and Savior.  We will see Him soon enough, for the day is coming when His people will worship Him, bowing before His throne, at His very feet.  Then we shall see Him…..and our imaginations will be forever satisfied in Him Alone.

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August 2, 2007 by Shane Kastler.

Simon & Garfunkel once sang a song about “a bridge over troubled waters”, yet the tragedy that has befallen Minneapolis, Minnesota this week causes us all to pause and wonder, “What if the bridge is more troubled than the waters?” When it’s all said and done, this is just another reminder that all is not perfect in the cursed world in which we live.

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July 23, 2007 by Shane Kastler.

I love to read American History, especially if it is American “Civil War” History.  And one of my favorite practices as I read history is to see how God used various people to carry out His plan.  God is ultimately sovereign over all things…and orchestrates events to serve His eternal purposes.  Not all Christians believe that.  And certainly not all soldiers believe that.  But there once lived a man, who was both a Christian and a Soldier…and he wholeheartedly believed in God’s providential rule over all things, even his own death.  That soldier was Tom Jackson.  Better known as Stonewall Jackson.           

My interest in Jackson has spanned most of my life.  I’ve always been told that I was related to him, albeit as a “distant relative.”  My Great-Great Grandpa (also named Tom Jackson) was a first cousin to Stonewall, so I read my first book about the great Confederate General when I was boy.  I recently read another biography of Jackson and relished what I discovered.            

Stonewall Jackson was not born into a devout Christian family.  In fact, the Jacksons of Virginia were a pretty rowdy bunch.  Both of his parents died when he was fairly young, so Stonewall and his sister lived most of their growing up years with an uncle who was a little on the shady side.  It wasn’t until he was in his early twenties, and serving in the Army, that Jackson believed the gospel of Christ, and was radically saved.  Eventually Stonewall would marry a Presbyterian minister’s daughter, and become a Deacon in the church.  But make no mistake; Stonewall wasn’t acting religious to get a girl.  He took his relationship with Christ very seriously. 

From the time of his conversion, he began trying to share the gospel with others.  In the letters he wrote to his sister, he frequently told her that he was concerned for her soul and that he was praying for her.  Stonewall’s faith was as solid as a rock…and it would have to be.  While delivering their first child, his wife and newborn daughter both died.  It jolted him to his core.  Though he wasn’t the type to share his feelings, it was obvious to anyone paying attention that this loss affected Jackson deeply.  At the time, he was an Instructor at the Virginia Military Institute, and for over a year, he wore a black armband in memory of his beloved wife.  But time marches on and eventually, Jackson re-married; once again, to a Presbyterian minister’s daughter.            

When the Civil War broke out, Jackson sided with his native Virginia and seceded from the Union.  The funny thing about the Civil War is that everyone assumes the South was racist, and the North was not.  But this simply isn’t true.  In fact, by today’s standards, both sides would have been considered racist.  But, with that said, it surprises people to know that Confederate General Robert E. Lee abhorred the practice of slavery.  Yet he sided with the South because of State loyalties.  Likewise, Stonewall Jackson had a deep love for black children and for many years he taught a special Sunday School outreach to the black children of Lexington, Virginia.  Even after he was fighting the Civil War, he would faithfully send a monthly financial gift to his pastor to support the black children’s Sunday School. 

In addition to this, Jackson would always take off his hat and bow in the presence of a lady.  Of course this was a very common practice in the Old South…but Jackson would show this courtesy to both white and black women.  That was unheard of.  During the course of his life, he bought 2 slaves, both of whom he purchased so that he could set them free.  If you try to paint Stonewall Jackson as the stero-typical Southern bigot, it simply won’t work.  He was a Godly man, who showed great respect to the black people of his day.              

Once the Civil War began and Jackson attained the rank of General, he continued to be a tremendous witness and example of Godly living.  He surrounded himself with other Christians and frequently led the troops in prayer.  He appointed Robert L. Dabney, who is widely considered one of America’s greatest theologians, as his Chief of Staff, and part time chaplain.  Dabney’s hard-hitting gospel sermons became a norm in Stonewall Jackson’s brigade.  And after Jackson’s death, Dabney wrote the first biography of his friend, detailing Jackson’s spiritual walk with Christ, through the horrors of a violent war.            

Stonewall Jackson was a devout Christian in an atmosphere that wasn’t always favorable towards religion.  When his men used profanity, Jackson would rebuke them.  When offered a drink of whiskey, Jackson always refused, stating:  “I never drink intoxicating beverages.”  Once, when he was pressed to have a shot of whiskey on a cold rainy night, Jackson told his colleague that before he was a Christian he drank quite frequently and rather enjoyed it, and because of the fact he enjoyed the taste of liquor so much, he knew he must never touch it….and he never did.            

But I would like to talk specifically about Jackson’s rock-solid belief in the Sovereignty of God, because it’s that belief that led to his bravery…and his nickname.  At the first battle of Bull Run, while being bombarded by the Union, Jackson stayed mounted upon his horse and defiantly raised his face toward the enemy.  Jackson’s brigade withstood the onslaught, and Brigadier General Bernard Bee, exhorted his own troops saying:  “There stands Jackson like a Stonewall.  Men, let’s determine to die here with him.”  Ironically, Bee was killed, but Jackson lived.  And his brigade became known as the Stonewall Brigade.  The Confederate Army even “officially” changed their name to the Stonewall Brigade…and from that day on, Tom Jackson became known as Stonewall.  Though Jackson maintained until his dying day that the nickname “Stonewall” belonged to the Brigade and not him personally.

It was also during this battle that Jackson’s calm shone through.  In the heat of a relenting assault, Jackson was brought a message from a courier.  Jackson opened the envelope, read the message, and turned it over and began writing his reply.  All the while, shells were going off all around him.  One shell blew up a tree not far from Jackson, peppering him with wood chips.  He calmly brushed the chips off of his paper and continued writing.  Then re-mounted his horse as though nothing happened. 

Those who witnessed the event were shocked, and after the battle a Captain enquired as to how Jackson could always appear so calm in the midst of the fiercest battles.  Jackson’s response is deeply profound and thoroughly Biblical.  If you have a loved one in the military, then take comfort in Jackson’s words.  If you have a loved one on the mission field, then take comfort in Jackson’s words.  If you fear YOUR future, then take comfort in Jackson’s words.  Jackson responded:  “Captain, my religious belief teaches me that I’m just as safe on the battlefield as I am in my bed.  The Lord has already appointed the day of my death (Psalm 139:16) so I need not worry about that.  I live my life and prepare myself so I will always be ready to meet my Lord, when death does overtake me.”  Jackson’s high view of God was astounding to the young Captain.  But Jackson wasn’t finished.  He wasn’t content with a theology lesson; he had an evangelistic motive as well.  Jackson continued:  “Captain, my religion is one that ALL MEN should follow.  If they did, then ALL MEN would be equally brave.”

Without question, Jackson was devout…but don’t make the mistake of thinking he was soft.  He was as tough as nails and had an uncanny discipline.  He pushed his men hard as they hiked the rugged hills of Virginia.  They jokingly became known as the “foot cavalry” because of the speed at which they could travel.  Once, one of his Colonels approached him asking his advice about what to do concerning a handful of deserters.  Jackson was shocked the Colonel had to ask:  “Why Colonel, you should have shot them right where they stood.”  However, Jackson cooled a little and instead had the men bound and marched to the firing line where riflemen took aim at them.  Jackson then gave them a choice:  they could either return to their unit…or be shot.  Amazingly, they all chose to return to their unit (surprise, surprise).  When Jackson gave the command to his artillery man at Bull Run, he gave the order to fire with these words:  “May the Lord have mercy on their wicked souls…NOW FIRE!”  In another battle, Jackson was surprised to meet some of his troops retreating from the front.  When he asked why, they said they were out of ammunition.  “Gentlemen, a bayonet makes for a fine weapon…now turn around and fight!”

I don’t think Jackson was a mean man at all….He just believed firmly in rules and insisted that they be followed.  He also had a strong belief in right and wrong; and he was willing to stand for what he believed to be right at any cost.  But make no mistake, he had his faults.  For example, he had little patience for anyone who lacked the amazing discipline he had.  He wouldn’t hesitate to bring court martial charges against anyone who stepped out of line, including his senior officers.  He could be very bull-headed, overly confident, and set in his ways….but that was largely because he believed firmly in the Confederate cause…and the Sovereignty of God.  But, surprising to some, Jackson had a soft side as well. One account, which is included in the movie “Gods & Generals” tells of Jackson spending Christmas with a family during the days surrounding the Battle of Fredericksburg.  The family had a 5 year old daughter who befriended Jackson, and everyone was amazed to watch the tough and gritty General speak so kind and sweetly to the little girl.  Several days later, Jackson got word that the girl had died of scarlet fever.  He walked to the edge of camp, knelt down within sight of his men, and began to weep uncontrollably.   His men were astonished.  He had witnessed the violent death of numerous soldiers and scarcely batted an eye.  Yet the untimely death of this little girl brought the warrior to his knees.It’s one thing to SAY you believe in God’s perfect providence over your life.  It’s another thing all together to LIVE it, when life deals you a hard blow.  By an amazing twist of fate (or more specifically, providence), Jackson, whose days were appointed by God, died a tragic and freakish death.  In the midst of victory at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Jackson rode to the front to personally examine the situation.  As he rode back towards his troops, right after sundown, he was fired upon, being mistaken for the enemy.  He was immediately taken to a field hospital where his left arm was amputated.  Upon hearing of the incident, General Robert E. Lee, Commander of the Confederate Army remarked famously:  “Jackson has lost his left arm, and I have lost my right.”  Though Jackson had a difficult time getting along with many people, he had a very close relationship with Lee, and the accident came as a severe jolt.  But, the initial reports were promising.  Though an amputee, Jackson was expected to make a full recovery….that is, until the pneumonia set in.  Eight days after being shot, Jackson died, at the age of 39. 

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June 21, 2007 by Shane Kastler.

Knowing Jesus with your head won’t save you. You must know Him with your heart. One of the most brilliant Jewish scholars of the 1^st century was a young man named Saul of Tarsus. By his own admission, he was advancing in Judaism “beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen , being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.” (Galatians 1:14 NASB) Not only was Saul bright and zealous, he was also educated by the best Rabbi in all of Jerusalem. Gamaliel poured his vast Hebrew knowledge into his protégé Saul, and no doubt longed to see Saul reach the pinnacle of Judaism. Gamaliel was so highly respected in Jerusalem that he had earned a nickname among the Jews. They called him, “The Rabbi.” Not “A Rabbi” mind you, but “THE Rabbi.”

For a young Jewish man to be educated at the feet of Gamaliel would have been the 21^st century American equivalent of having a Ph.D. from Harvard. Just as the Old Testament King Saul was “head and shoulders” above his cohorts, so this New Testament Saul, was “head and shoulders” above his contemporaries in a Jewish intellectual sense. In fact, Saul may have even reached that pinnacle of Judaism by serving as a member of the ruling group of 70 men, known as the Sanhedrin. And it was about this time, when Saul was around 30 years of age…that he first became acquainted with the Name of Jesus.

Stephen was a Christian. And not just any Christian, he was a faithful, and you might even say, zealous Christian. In fact, he was to be the first Christian martyr, stoned for his faith by the 1^st century Jews. Saul was there when they killed him…and he couldn’t wait to see Stephen die. Saul hated Stephen, and everything Stephen stood for. When it came time to vote on his execution, Saul heartily cast his vote against him. (see Acts 26:10) But Stephen wasn’t quite ready to die. Though his death was imminent, he was going to go down in a blaze of glory. He would die preaching the very gospel that led to his fate. In Acts 7, we read Stephen’s final sermon. In an amazing combination of Old Testament history, reasoned argumentation, and Spirit empowered zeal, Stephen starts with Father Abraham and goes all the way to Jesus. As the Spirit inspired Stephen, his rapid-fire dialogue became more and more bold. With one final pronouncement of judgment upon the Jews, Stephen rails, “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.” Acts 7:51-53 (NASB)

And now…Stephen must die. To say the Jews were livid would be the understatement of the millennium. They gnashed their teeth and charged him. Like any good thug, they first took off their coats. It wouldn’t do to get blood on the cashmere jacket. Saul, guarded their coats for them, while they furiously flung rocks at Stephen’s head and torso, until he was savagely bludgeoned to death. But Stephen’s final sentence was chilling: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” (Acts 7:60 NASB)

Saul was now, not only enraged…he was also inspired. Young men can be very dangerous, if they believe in a cause. Many have been willing to kill and be killed for something they believe in……even if they’re wrong. And so it was with Saul. He made it his life’s work to destroy these followers of Christ. He would chase them down. He would imprison them. If need be, he would see to their death. And yet, what was it about this message that SO ENRAGED Saul? Perhaps, it was because, way down deep within Saul…if he was honest…he had to admit, that Stephen’s gospel…………made sense. Saul HATED even thinking that…and would have never said it aloud. But that message stuck with him. That witness. That boldness of Stephen. Saul knew the Old Testament as well as anyone. And if he were honest, he had to admit, that Stephen’s sermon was right on. The Jews REALLY HAD killed the prophets sent to them. The Old Testament REALLY DID speak of a coming Messiah. And Jesus Christ fit the description down to the tiniest detail. Saul’s HEAD was starting to believe Stephen’s message……but his hardened heart, cried out against it. And at least for now, Saul’s emotion triumphed over his reason. He would destroy this Christian threat to his brand of Judaism.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Today, some people know the gospel, with their head. If you tell them of their sin and God’s forgiveness through Christ…they know that. If you tell them they deserve Hell, but can go to Heaven…they know that. If you point out that they’re life doesn’t show any commitment to Christ…they know that. They know ALL OF THIS, with their head….but Jesus must be bowed to…with the heart. The responses can be varied. Some people know they’re not living right and simply put off change. They plan to get right with God sometime before they die. Of course 99% of them NEVER WILL. Others, don’t seem to have plans of turning to Christ. They know the truth of the gospel with their heads……and it infuriates them. The more they hear it, the angrier they get! Any talk of Jesus, causes the blasphemy and insults to fly. They don’t want to hear about it! They want to destroy this message that is a threat to their sinful pleasures. They are……just like Saul.

Do you know what causes this anger? The Holy Spirit does. Conviction stings, and they want none of it. Jesus finally had enough of Saul’s antics. On a murderous rampage to Damascus, Saul is knocked off his horse, and flat on his back by none other than Jesus Christ Himself. The biggest problem (from Saul’s standpoint at least) was that Jesus had died. Everyone knew he had been crucified by the Romans, on behalf of the Jews. And yet this blinding figure, towering over the flattened Saul identified Himself, clearly: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9:5) And then Jesus says something, very telling. Jesus reveals to Saul, and to every reader of the Bible, that the vicious killer Saul, had in fact, been mulling over the claims of the gospel. Saul had, in fact, been convicted by the Holy Spirit. Saul, had in fact, begun to see the truth of the gospel. Jesus said to Saul, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (Acts 26:14)

Just like a stubborn cow that refuses to adhere to the shoot…Saul refused to submit to the gospel. His head could see that it was true. But his wicked heart refused to believe……until now. Saul, NOW, would be forever changed. “You are My chosen instrument,” Jesus said. And so it was. Finally Saul’s head and Saul’s heart converged at the feet of Jesus. There was no denying the resurrection, when the risen Christ is standing over you talking. And if the resurrection is true, then the gospel must also be true. Deep down, Saul knew this. His Old Testament knowledge clearly pointed to this Jesus of Nazareth as the long awaited Messiah. At last, Saul was saved.

The Lord’s conviction is a sheer gift of grace. So often, we kick against the very thing we know to be true and saving. God might let us continue on in that rebellion, and many do. They have rejected the truth and will pay for it in an Eternal Hell. Others submit to Christ. If you have come to Christ, be thankful for His Grace that saved you. It wasn’t your brilliance, nor your character…it was HIS GRACE. If you’re feeling that conviction right now…that’s also grace. Stop running. Bow before Him. Find forgiveness. Commit your life to Him. And be forever changed. Saul was. In fact he even changed his name. As a Jew, he went by Saul. But as a Christian he went by Paul. As in “The Apostle Paul.” He’s remembered to this day as one of the greatest followers of Christ.  He wrote half of the New Testament. And just as Gamaliel was known as “THE Rabbi.” Paul is often know as “THE Apostle.” He loved Jesus more than anything. He lived for Him, and He died for Him. And now…he worships Him forever, in Heaven. All true followers of Jesus will one day worship Him there too. Will you?

………

And Paul said, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief.” (1 Timothy 1:12-13 NASB)

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June 15, 2007 by Shane Kastler.

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June 15, 2007 by Shane Kastler.

In Acts 19:17-20, we are told of a group of people in Ephesus who appear to have been saved. After the incident with the demon possessed man and the failed exorcism of the Sceva boys—we read that “Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices.” (Acts 19:18 NASB) Magicians were being saved and (it appears) were repenting and turning to Christ. 

I think this is very important to point out—-We are NOT saved by ADMITTING we are sinners and “asking Jesus into our hearts.” I have heard evangelism pleas numerous times that say things to this affect. As a case in point, perhaps you’ve heard that salvation is as easy as A-B-C. Admit you’re a sinner, Believe in Christ, and Confess your sins and ask Jesus into your heart. Sounds good doesn’t it? Its clever, its cute….but it doesn’t go far enough in sharing the true Biblical gospel. Here’s the problem. 

Admitting you’re a sinner is a far cry from repenting of your sin nature. I can catch my son picking on his sister and force him to admit his guilt, and even force him to give her a mock apology….but is he REALLY sorry? Of course not. The same is true of us spiritually. Anyone can admit they’re a sinner. But Jesus said,  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 3:2 NASB) AND “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5 NASB)  

… 

Here are some differences between ADMITTANCE and REPENTANCE. Admittance requires only head knowledge. You tell someone what they did is wrong, and they agree with you. Repentance requires head knowledge AND heart affection. To repent means you genuinely feel bad (towards GOD) because of your sin. Admittance requires no conviction. Repentance requires Holy Spirit conviction. Admittance requires no change in behavior. Repentance leads to a changed life. Admittance has no saving power (contrary to the cute gospel presentation above)— Repentance is required for salvation. Unless you turn from your sins in REPENTANCE and place your faith in Christ as Lord…you will perish. 

The ABC gospel is a very “American” type gospel. Many Americans don’t want to be told they must turn from their sin to be saved. They want to continue in their sin and get eternal Heaven to boot. The problem is you can’t reconcile that with what Jesus continually taught. But many preachers (some naively) have taught that all you must do is Admit, Believe, and Confess. Its scary to think that Hell may be running over with people who “admitted sin” and prayed a “sinner’s prayer” yet had NO TRUE change of heart—which is proven by NO TRUE change in behavior. 

What about “believing?” We must believe to be saved right? Yes, but we must be sure to tell the lost (and understand ourselves) that “believe” means more than simply believing the truth or validity of a statement. Believe means to “put your faith in.” Saving faith (belief) involves NOT ONLY believing the “facts” about Jesus. But bowing to Him as the One and Only, Supreme LORD of your life. One of the saddest statements you’ll ever hear is to hear someone who just lost a loved one say, “I know they’re in Heaven because they ‘believed in Jesus.’” Sometimes you’ll hear this said of people who clearly were NOT followers of Christ on earth. Yet they and they’re loved ones are deluded into thinking salvation comes by mere “intellectual belief.” It doesn’t. Jesus never said it did. 

Confess. What does it mean to confess. Some would say it means to “agree with God about your sin.” Some would say it means to publicly confess your sins. Both could be true. But once again we must realize that mere confession (taking to a priest or pastor, etc.) does not save. We must confess Christ as Lord to be saved. This means our faith MUST be public. Incidentally Biblical public confession NEVER means coming forward at an altar call. They didn’t have altar calls in the Bible–and we don’t have to have them today. People are saved by turning from sin (repentance) and turning to Christ as Lord (faith). The church ordinance we are called to do to publicly “confess Christ” is baptism. Of course if you’re not “confessing” Christ with your life, then your baptism didn’t amount to much anyway but a public dunking. Baptism is required for obedience, but not for salvation. (Don’t forget–saved by grace, NOT works…but true salvation leads to works, such as baptism). Baptism is scriptural, altar calls aren’t (but that’s a blog for another day). Which is why when we do the invitation, I NEVER say, “come forward and be saved.” You’re not saved by changing locations in a building. I do invite people to come and pray with me, or to come and make a public “decision.” Oh well, I’ve chased that rabbit far enough… 

Salvation involves more than “Admit, Believe, Confess.” Salvation involves REPENTANCE and FAITH and it leads to a changed life. The Ephesian magicians gathered up all their magic books and burned them publicly. That seems to be an evidence of genuine salvation. Of course some of them could have been caught up in the excitement and acting rashly. How do you know if they were really saved? You look at their life one year, five years, ten years down the road. Are they following Christ, or are they pulling rabbits out of their hat? Acts 19:18 says they “kept coming” and disclosing their evil deeds. It was continuous. So is true saving faith. We are NOT called to make “converts” who admit, believe, and confess. We are called to make “disciples” who deny themselves, persevere, follow, and if necessary die for their King. Do you want to be a convert or a disciple? Do you want to admit or repent? Do you want to go to Hell or Heaven? Do you want Jesus as your Lord, or do you only want Him as eternal “fire insurance?” If you don’t REALLY love Him, and follow Him, then you won’t REALLY go to Heaven…because you’re not REALLY saved. Sound harsh? Sometimes the truth hurts. But not as bad as eternal judgment does. Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles ?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me you workers of iniquity.” (Matt 7:21-23)  

So who are the one’s who are saved? Those who “repented.” Who are the one’s who are deluded? Those who “admitted.” ……. Which one are you? 

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