Faith
by Paul Taylor

Faith

By Paul Taylor

How strong and steadfast is your Christian faith?

Could you, or would you stand against any and all odds?

Would you have the faith and fortitude of John Huss, who was burned at the stake in 1415 for preaching the truth in defiance of the Roman Catholic Pope. His dying words, as the flames encroached upon him, were, "Lord Jesus, it is for thee that I patiently endure this cruel death. I pray thee to have mercy on my enemies."

I want you to think about that before you answer.

Think about it each and every day, and as you dwell on the question, I encourage you to seek Devine guidance and strength through prayer and the study of God's Holy word. We are fast approaching the time when those that do not possess the truth and have the faith and patience, which comes from the diligent, daily study and adherence to the word of God as written in the Holy Bible will hear the most pitiful words spoken, "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity". Matthew 7:23

Those not prepared, will be as lost as the five vigins when the Bridegroom came and caught them asleep.

Your answer will determine your place in eternity; a peaceful loving environment in a heavenly paradise where there is no death, no sorrows, and no tears, of which our finite minds cannot comprehend, Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.; or an eternal death, as punishment for rejecting Jesus Christ.

Good old Peter was forever placing his mouth in motion before his brain engaged and he did exactly the opposite of what he declared he would not do.

Peter could not face the persecution and insults as Jesus was being beaten, ridiculed, mocked and finally crucified. Peter failed in his faith, denying Jesus 3 times that very night in order to save his own skin. Though Peter denied Christ with a fervent zeal, he later repented and became the greatest of the Disciples, demanding he be crucified upside down, unworthy to die upright, as Christ did.

37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 10:37-39

Study these three verses very carefully, and dwell on each word, letting it sink deep into your psyche, then look in your own heart and see if you are worthy. Are worldly things and materialistic things more relevant to you than your creator? If so, then you are a lost soul.

Jesus said in John 14:15, If ye love me, keep my commandments

Most Christians and Churches in today's world seem to be cruising along as though life is normal, peaceful and hunkie dory; believing that John 14:15 no longer apply; assuming they were all nailed to the cross with Jesus.

Much the same as the ones in Noah's day, the Christians today are oblivious to the signs as foretold in the Bible of the nearness of the coming of Jesus for his Bride, the Church, until the flood came and took them all away; They are in a sense, asleep at the wheel and about to go over the cliff, never realizing the danger that is fast approaching.

Most have never read or heard of the above quoted verse which was spoken by Jesus himself, as he gave his disciples instructions for spreading the gospel. Pastors and teachers shun such scripture, as they tend to uncover the nakedness of their own worldly and sinful ways.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 Gods word is powerful and the ungodly shun and avoid it by all means necessary and are as Jesus describes them in Matthew 15:8,9 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Isa 29:13 Mark 7:7

The consensus among most is that, "hey, I'm a member of such and such Church. I attend regularly, been baptized, and tithe when I have extra, therefore I'm in good standing." "Besides, I'm saved by grace, not works"

Friends, if this is your line of thought, you are in for a rude awakening.

You are the exact person Jesus is describing in Matthew 10. You love the world and its pleasures more than Christ, and as Jesus said, "you are not worthy of me"

As we fast approach the midnight hour of Earth's history, the Christian religion is becoming increasingly targeted as hate-mongers, homophobic, homegrown terrorist, the Bible as an instrument of hate, and a host of other irrelevant names to alienate the followers of Jesus Christ while at the same time attaching a stigma to the Christian faith akin to that attached to the KKK, the Skinheads, or the Nazi's of Hitler's Germany.

Sadly, most are capitulating and going along with the politically correct crowd, much as Peter did while they were torturing the one he declared he would never deny. When the heat begins rising, most will walk away for cooler quarters.

The recent decision by the Boy Scouts to allow gays, and the Southern Baptist Convention issuing a watered down weak apologetic comment of leaving it to the individual churches was not only an endorsement of the Boy Scouts new policy, but an insult to our creator God, who says such lifestyles are an abomination to him as recorded in Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them

By these actions, the Churches have shown their true allegiance in the acceptance of Satan's deceptions. The Christians and the organized Churches have become lukewarm and Jesus said he would spit you out of his mouth. Rev.3:15-17 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Every day, Christian employees, students, teachers and others are being singled out and punished for their faith in Jesus Christ. The Islamic nations are targeting Christians and their Churches on an ever increasing scale. The recent attack in Kenya on the shopping mall was reported that the attackers were singling out Christians to kill. All Muslims were released unharmed. Churches are being bombed with parishioners inside worshipping God. Christians are being killed and persecuted by the thousands on a daily basis and there is no out cry from the news media, governments or the Christian Church, but on the other hand if it were any other religion there would be a worldwide demand for the cessation of these atrocities. The Christian faith and the Holy Bible are hated above all religions because of the truth and moral lifestyle it endorses. As Hebrew 4:12 indicates it cuts to the marrow of the soul with its truth.

It hasn't gone to that extreme in the USA as of yet, but the hatred against the Christian faith and the Holy Bible is becoming increasingly vocal and violent. Our schools, government agencies, employers and others are demanding that all areas of Christianity are off limits and, students are being punished for mentioning God, for taking a moral stand against the immorality of the gay lifestyles, abortion and other forms of negative morals which are affecting our society as a whole. Those that are standing for God and his word are being singled out and severely persecuted.

The city of San Antonio Texas, recently passed an ordinance which would deny employment and contractual services to anyone believing in the sanctity of a one man, one woman marriage as instituted by our creator God. By not accepting the lies of Satan and his immoral ways you are considered an extremist, a hatemonger, and worthy of punishment at the whims of the state.

A Christian organization in Lake City Florida was told to remove their portraits of Jesus Christ, the Ten Commandments, not hand out Bibles and remove all and anything related to Christianity or the USDA would discontinue supplying foods for the needy that this organization is and has been helping to feed for over 30 years. The USDA only supplies about 30-40 %. The organization has refused to bow to the demands of the USDA and has continued to honor God rather than man.

Peter and the disciples were also confronted with these types of ultimatums. But, what did they do? Acts 5:28-29 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Emphasis mine)



Recent documents obtained from the U.S Homeland Security under the FOI act show a blatant hatred for Christianity. Christian Evangelicals, pro-life advocates, believers in the constitution and bill of rights are rated as extremist, possible terrorists, and should be monitored carefully.

Everyone and every organization, club, religion, fraternity, etc. seems to be offended by the mere mention of anything pertaining to the moral principles as outlined in the Holy Bible. But, there are no rules when it comes to offending the Christian faith through the use of foul language, using Gods name in vain, and the mockery of Jesus. There exists a major push for the abolition of prayer and anything pertaining to Christianity, but all other religions can be studied, and honored with every effort made to not offend them in any way, and it is considered a hate crime for any one offending them; but not the Christian faith.

The Bible is so amazingly accurate and truthful; that the society of today cannot accept its truth, as it cuts deep, exposing the evil and treacherous ways, as Hebrews 4:12 points out. Satan's deceptions have therefore, made good bad, immorality moral, truth as lies and hate as love. Go figure. As Hebrew 4:12 indicates, God's word is sharper than a two-edged sword cutting deep with the truth. Filthiness lies and roaches do not take kindly being exposed to the light.

The churches and the ones calling themselves Christian have compromised with Satan to the extent that it is impossible for the truth to be accepted by today's Christian community. When confronted with the truth, most become defensive and angry; never checking the Bible for the facts. Those exposing the truth are accused of being fanatics, extremists, cults, and a host of other names and labels.

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 1 Timothy 4:1,2

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2Timothy 4:3,4

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (Emphasis is mine)

True Christians and followers of Christ are about to become the most hated and hunted people on the face of the earth, simply because they espouse the truth as written in the Holy Bible. Now when I say Christians, I am alluding to the ones who keep the commandments and have the testimony of Jesus written in their minds, not the part time one day a week, when it's convenient type Christian

The average person claiming Christianity will succumb to the pressure of not being able to maintain their present lifestyle and follow the commandments of God. Many will fall and follow Satan rather than face the persecution and possible death for their belief in Jesus Christ. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.Rev.14:12

Do you have the patience and faith of Jesus?

Do you, and will you keep his commandments; all ten?

Either you're with Jesus now, or you will be as the five virgins that were not ready, they had not made preparations for the bridegroom. They were expecting a compromise with the bridegroom. Don't expect a second chance at redemption, in a fictitious seven year tribulation period as taught in most Churches. I have several studies on this subject which can be accessed free on the Faithwriters.com website. I would encourage you to check out these studies on the seven year tribulation and the rapture doctrine. God does not compromise or change to pacify the part time Christian or the politically correct crowds. Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not;

God gave each of us free will to choose our own destiny, he forces no one to love him or follow him, the choice is strictly yours alone; we can choose wisely to follow Jesus and inherit an eternal life, where there will be no more sorrow, no more death, no more hunger, only a peaceful eternal life with Jesus as our protector and friend. We can also choose foolishly, rejecting Gods offer of redemption, thereby being cast into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels, resulting in an eternal death.

11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Rev 22:11,12

Copyright 2013 all rights reserved worldwide by Paul Taylor 9/27/13

Paul Taylor a Christian writer attempting to get the truth out to the masses before it is too late

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com







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