“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

This is described as “the greatest offer ever made by the greatest person who ever lived.” We cannot overlook the fact that this greatest Bible verse on God’s love also contains a warning of judgment—should not perish—because God’s love and justice cannot be separated. His love will hound you to your dying day, but you still must choose Him.

On the cross, Jesus hung between two thieves. One thief believed on Him and went with Him that day to Paradise. The other railed on Him, mocking: “If you are really the Son of God, save yourself and us to.” (Luke 23:39). Hardened by sin and unrepentant, he had no remorse, even in the face of death! Between them was the cross of redemption, but they each had to choose, and so do we. God will never violate our right to choose, even if we choose to perish. This is why He sends so many warnings.

April 15 marks the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. The builders of this great ship boasted that she was unsinkable. Their reckless thinking resulted in the deaths of over 1500 passengers. Even after she had hit the iceberg and was quickly going down with many perishing, the New York Times newspaper printed: “all on titanic safe.” Western Union telegrams were also stating that all was okay. Continue reading The Titanic Delusion →

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Jesus was born into a Jewish family. His name in Hebrew is yeshua. Its root word means salvation. It is derived from yehoshua—joshua in English—which includes the abbreviation of God’s sacred name—yah (jah in English). Thus, it means God’s salvation. Continue reading Jesus-Emmanuel-What’s in the Name? →

Recently a Facebook friend asked me about Matthew 10:34-35. She said that she has read these Scriptures several times and needed a better understanding of it. Her specific question: “Is Christ speaking of Himself?”

Jesus is speaking: “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” Continue reading Four People the World Does Not Know →

In His final post-resurrection appearance, Jesus issued “the Great Commission” to His followers to take His Gospel to all the world: “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).

“He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Notice He did not say: “He who believes not and is not baptized shall be damned,” because only believers were baptized!

The emphasis is on believing — not on being baptized. The point is: Only believers are candidates for baptism. Continue reading Water Baptism – Believe & Be Baptized →

I remember as a girl in Sunday School singing this song, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world: Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight”” It’s hard not to love children; although there are some people who are evil toward children, and they are controlled by the nature of the evil one. But this simple song contains a greater and absolute truth: No matter what color, all men are one blood.

This is what the Bible states: “God has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:26-27). Continue reading All Men Are One Blood—But Not One Spirit →