Pillars 5: Repent

In my work, I have many occasion to ask certain people what the difference is between the rules of the organization and one or more of their own actions.  Over the years, I have developed a working theory that is surprisingly accurate.  Those who quickly identify that their actions are not compliant with the standards set for them; and demonstrate a genuine contrite attitude over their shortcoming are almost certain to not make those same mistakes in judgement again.  However, those who blame others, blame their circumstances, or deny any wrongdoing altogether, are the same individuals who are doomed to repeat said offense multiple times.  This pattern of action, then denial or excuse, continues until a consequence is necessary.  In short, people do not stop doing something wrong until they admit to the wrong, and are convicted in their own minds to change their own behavior.  This is the Biblical principle of repentance at work. 

In the book of 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says this:
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

I love this verse.  It illustrates the principle of repentance.  God says, first we must humble ourselves.  We must do battle with the pride that lies within ourselves and admit that we messed up.  Then we can turn away from the wickedness (sin) in our lives.  The turning away from is repentance.  In turning away, or repenting from sin, we are telling God that we agree with Him that we have sinned.  We are also making a real effort to do away with our sin.  Repentance does not mean we stop sinning--we cannot stop sinning.  We can change our mind about sin.  We can agree with God that some actions we may have been making excuses for, or believing were right actions are actually sinful actions.  That is repentance. 

You see, repentance is key to a relationship with God through Jesus because God is holy, and a holy God cannot abide in sin.  Therefore our sin is a barrier between ourselves and God.  Thus, repentance is critical.

Jesus said in Luke 13:3, "Except ye repent, ye shall all like-wise perish."  Perish does not mean die, because 100% of us will die.  Perish means that our souls with spend eternity in damnation.  So, you see here how serious it is that we all repent.  Let us all repent and agree with God that we are sinful and recognize that we need the salvation of the cross.

Pillars of the Faith: The Infallibility of Scripture

There are two types of biographies available on bookshelves today.  There are authorized biographies, and there are unauthorized biographies.  The authorized biographies are written in conjunction with the person whom the book is about.  The unauthorized version is not.  If you want the facts straight; which biography do you choose?

The argument that some people have, even some Christians, is that the Bible is an unauthorized biography because it was written by men.  However, the same critics, believe that Jesus existed, and they do not criticize his words. 

I would say to anyone who believes that the Bible is flawed, to closely examine the evidence on their own.  The Bible is comprised of 66 books, written over a period of 1400 years by 40 different authors.  Although so much time and so many different people were involved--the Bible never contradicts itself.  Now folks, you can't get two people who witnessed a purse snatched to agree on the facts.  These are 40 different men over 1400 years.  The reason the Bible is so consistent is because it is God speaking through men, and God is immutable, and so is His word. 

I did not write the next part, but it is interesting.

There were several secular historians who wrote about the events of the New Testament at the same time the Bible was being written. Josephus is the most well-known of them. He was a Jewish historian. Tacitus was a Roman historian who would have no benefit from not telling the truth. Both these men, as well as others, can be used to back up the historical accuracy of the Bible.


There are historical discoveries regularly coming to light that continue to support the accuracy of the Bible. Merrill Unger, who compiled a Bible dictionary wrote, “Old Testament archeology has rediscovered whole nations, resurrected important peoples, and in a most astonishing manner filled in historical gaps, adding immeasurably to the knowledge of Biblical backgrounds.”

There are more than 3,200 verses with fulfilled prophecy either within the Bible itself or since the Bible was written. But there are still more than 3,100 verses with unfulfilled prophecies.


Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-amazing-bible-facts/#ixzz2Hu9Org21

Ok, me again.

No other book can claim to have 3,200 verses of prophecy fulfilled.  If this is not proof that the Bible is the infallible word of God, I don't know what is. 

Lastly, Brothers and Sisters, Jesus.  If Jesus was who he said he was, and I believe he was, then we can never deny the infallibility of scripture.  Why?  Because Jesus quoted the Bible 78 times in the Gospels.  So, then, we have the man whom the book is about, quoting from the book which was written about Him before the book was finished.  Incidentally, we also have that man quoting scriptures about himself that were written hundreds of years before he was born.  The evidence in favor of the infallibility of scripture in the life and words of Jesus Christ alone is staggering.