For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
(Rom 10:13-15)
The Path To Salvation
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If you could check if your Salvation is genuine, would you? Are you Born Again? Do you possess a Faith that delivers you from Sin and Death? Is it even possible to accurately judge spiritual matters? Humbly, I will chart a path; this path has always existed, but distractions and distractors have made the path difficult to see. I will also help identify and remove any stumbling blocks that may have prevented free travel along this path. Christianity is true, is alive and is personal; if your have a mere "version" of Christianity, it will be lacking these traits. Incomplete or counterfeit Christianity cannot deliver you from Sin and Death; this page may also help you identify these paths to nowhere. The first part of this guide will help you realize your identity and where you stand in relation to GOD and the Heavenly realm. Next, it will help you understand what you can do, and what GOD has done, to restore peaceful relations unto reconciliation. The remaining steps will shift to an action plan; actions GOD is hoping you will take, and, once you are reconciled, the actions and lifestyle of a Saved Man.
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#1: Realize who you are:​
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You are a rebel and serve a false god. Rebellion makes you an enemy to GOD and Heaven.
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Romans 8:6-8 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
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James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
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If you want to check yourself, see the "Man Cannot Serve Two Masters:"​ tool.
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You are a sinner and cannot approach GOD.​ Read the Ten Commandments and be honest with yourself​​.
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The Ten Commandments show us the existence of "sin" physically (tablets of stone), but man already knows sin and how to sin. These stone tablets serve as an immovable object to man because they remind him of his sin nature that he inherited from his earthly father. Man can see what "good" is, but recognizing what is good makes sin more sinful and man, being born in sin, cannot rise to the level the Ten Commandments demand from him. Thus, it proves that If Good and Evil exists, and you (who is born of men) are judged according to the "Laws of Good", you are found guilty of being "Evil". This is true even of good men, as all are judged by their actions. One evil action puts you on the wrong side of this Law. GOD is both righteous and just, and must judge rightly. The Bible also states, "GOD loves the world, and does not desire that anybody should perish" and "Salvation is of the LORD". What we begin to see is a world that is for rebels of which you are a partaker; a standard test for goodness (Ten Commandments); and a GOD that does not want any man (or woman) to perish. So, why does GOD care about rebellious sinners?
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You are a fallen angel (the offspring of GOD) and do not belong here on earth.
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Your lost inheritance is the loss of eternal life.
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You are outside the direct reach of GOD because you are part of the world. If GOD wanted to save you, He would first need to identify any individuals who want to come home, and you must make yourself identifiable as one of these individuals. What can you do? you look and act like someone who belongs to the rebels and you live on their world. One option is to watch and wait for an olive branch, a plan from GOD for the restoration of peace with man. The ignorant don't have this option, so two messages could be sent by GOD, one for good men who have sinned and another for ignorant men who do not know any better. In the past, the Ten Commandments served this purpose for good men, these commandments allow men to see what good is so that men can attempt to conform to GOD's ways. Good men change their actions so GOD can identify them. The Ten Commandments were not the Olive Branch, they were given in preparation of the solution; as good men are still judged for their evil deeds. The ignorant men of the past did not have an obvious way forward; an ambiguous way existed: to be convinced by good men to conform to GOD's Commandments and to join in the watchful wait for the Olive Branch.
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Luke 15:1-7 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together [his] friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
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#2 Realize what you need to restore yourself:​​​
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You need a way to make yourself identifiable to GOD and a way to identify GOD.
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Drawing close to GOD's ways, drawing close to GOD's people, praying for the truth, pursuing good deeds and penance are all "blind actions" one could take when desiring to find GOD. These methods are all an attempt to convince GOD to make Himself know to you, it would be better if you knew what GOD was looking for, so that you could conform to His format.​
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Listening to the "Good News Message" of Christians is the better way forward, as this provides the map to GOD.
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Action still needs to be taken; you need to believe and act upon the information received.
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You need reconciliation, so you can return to Heaven, where you belong.
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GOD the Heavenly Father loves you and wants reconciliation with man; He wants to reconcile with you.
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Jesus Christ is GOD's plan for man's reconciliation with GOD the Father; Jesus Christ is your only path to reconciliation.
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You need a way to approach GOD.​ This means you either need a way to clean yourself of sin, or you need an intercessor that has access to Heaven and the Throne.
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This is where the Commandments fail; they helped identify you to GOD and they helped you identify what offends GOD, but you still have the taint of sin's filth.
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Christians are Jesus' ministers of reconciliation; they can help you.​ This is the new way forward -these ministers of GOD are sent forth with a Good News Message:
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Reconciliation with GOD through a MAN. This MAN will take your sin upon himself and clean you of sin's filthy taint. This MAN has himself conquered death as evidence to His capacity to save you from death. Death is judgement's sentence for all sinners. Jesus Christ is that MAN! HE, alone, has access to Heaven and the Throne, and is willing to intercede for you.
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Read 2nd Corinthians 5:11-21 for more details.
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#3 Take Action: Repent for the remission of sins:
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Change course; from being self-serving to GOD serving.
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Repentance means being sorry enough to stop. If you are still actively living in the sin, or are still active in your pursuit of sinful lusts, you have not entered into a state of repentance.
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This is different than deliverance from sin: repentance is you stopping yourself in the act, deliverance is Jesus removing the urge to sin entirely.
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Repentance is active; you are attempting to put your sinning on hold, hoping that this pause will help you recognize the solution for sin when you see it.
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Repentance brings remission of sin. Think of sin being a cancer, this remission will help you realize who Jesus is.​
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#4 Take Action: Look:
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Look upon Jesus and witness what he did. You can do this by reading the Gospels or by hearing an evangelist.
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#5 Take Action: Believe the Testimony of the Apostles, found in the Bible, as true.
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The Apostle's testimony, summarized: Jesus is the Christ; Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures; Christ was buried. according to the Scriptures; Christ rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures; the resurrected Jesus was seen of Cephas (Peter), then of the twelve. After that, the ascended Jesus Christ was seen of above five-hundred brethren at once. After that, the ascended Jesus Christ was seen of James; then all the apostles. And last, the ascended Jesus Christ was seen of Paul on the road to Damascus, who became an apostle of Jesus Christ born out of due time.​
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Read 1st Corinthians 15:1-11 for the full testimony.
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#6 Take Action: Believe to the realization of who Jesus is:​
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Realize that Jesus is not merely a man. Realize that Jesus is the solution to sin and death. Realize that Jesus is the Son of God, that is, the Christ.​ This part cannot be forced, if you are convinced by what you have witnessed and by the testimony, you will realize and believe.
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Jesus is the only begotten Son of GOD. This declaration is our "first opportunity" for understanding Jesus. Believe this and you are on your way to believing the rest.
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Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
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John 3:3-21 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you [of] heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 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. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
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Witness Jesus' work, which includes his miracles and his resurrrection from the dead. This is our "second opportunity" for understanding Jesus. These miracles prove Jesus is from GOD the Father. Believe the accounts given in the Gospels and the rest will become clear to you with time.
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John 10:22-41 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand. 30 I and [my] Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father [is] in me, and I in him. 39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, 40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there.
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The Messiah (the Christ) was prophesied in the Law and the Prophets, Jesus lived his life in that day according to these prophesies and continues living to this day for the ongoing fulfilment of GOD's prophesies. No other man has done what Jesus Christ has done and His timing in accomplishing these achievements is perfect. This is the "Jewish opportunity" and brings a warning with it "Harden not your hearts in the day of visitation, Jesus is the fulfilment of prophesy; believe him."
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Luke 4:16-21 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
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Follow Him, because he is meek and humble, because he desires you to be his follower and invites you to follow him; follow him because he loves you. This is and always will be the "Best Opportunity". This is our personal invitation to follow Him without reservations, because he is the Good Shepherd.
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Mat 11:25-30 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him]. 28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.
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#7 Take Action: Accept:
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Accept the solution provided for salvation; that is, accept Jesus as the Christ, accept his sacrifice on the Cross for your sins, accept his conquering of the grave and death, accept his ascension to Heaven, accept his promised return as true, and accept his testimony (The Word of God). The acceptance of the Good News message (that Jesus did all these things) is what becomes your "saving faith", read Ephesians 2:8-9 for details.​
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This is a good time to say the Sinners Prayer. This prayer shows the Father that you are reaching out for help.
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Note: To pray effectively, confess the words with your mouth and believe in your heart that GOD and Jesus are capable of fulfilling the requests contained in the prayer. You are adopting the prayers, below, as your own and trusting that GOD can and will fulfill them. Also, you may end in an "Amen", this is Christian shorthand for "I believe that You can fulfill these requests and I believe that You will answer this prayer".​
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Luke 18:9-14 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. ​
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This is a good time to say a Salvation Prayer. This prayer takes on many forms but it's purpose remains consistent, it is your invitation to Jesus Christ to come into your heart as your personal savior, and for Him to become the Lord of your life. Note that some churches and evangelists combine the "Sinners" and "Salvation" prayers.
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Example: "My Lord, Jesus Christ, I know that I am a sinner; I know deserve to go to Hell. But, I believe You died for my sins, were buried, rose again, and ascended to Heaven to prepare a place for me. Please come into my heart, so that I may have eternal life with You. I place all my faith in you. Amen."​ (excerpt from our Life Saving Quiz).
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After this, you are now Saved from the judgement of sin. The sentence for sin is death, so you are saved from death.
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Also, Jesus becomes your intercessor, he approaches the Throne of GOD for you and reconciles you to GOD and His Kingdom. This clears you from the charge of rebellion.
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Also, Jesus becomes your brother, he calls you family and gives you a new name; this secures your place in Heaven and makes you a son of GOD. This is fully realized after your body dies on earth.
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Also, you are put into the Lord Jesus' service as a minister of reconciliation.
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Jesus does other things for you, but those will be made known as you grow, in due time.
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#8 Take Action: Forsake sin and evil:
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The is a good time to say the Lord's Prayer.
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Luke 11:1-4 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. ​
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There is also an expanded version of this prayer in Matthew's Gospel.​
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Give up your sins and transgressions to Jesus, He will help you break free from their chains.
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This is where deliverance from sin becomes a major part of the Christian's walk.
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Deliverance is very often sin-by-sin; in these case, you need to target each sin and work through them one-by-one with Jesus empowering you.
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#9 Take Action: Put on righteousness:
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Jesus Christ is righteousness, so you need to put on Jesus -- this is more than emulation, John the Baptist said "I must decrease and He must increase". Read Colossians 3:1-17 for details.
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This is where deliverance takes you, it includes conquering sin by the strength of Jesus Christ through His indwelling Holy Spirit and leads to sinless perfection.
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#10 Stay Strong: Remember the first things:
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Read the Sermon on the Mount, it is the foundation of the New Testament.
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Keep yourself in Christ's Faith, Hope and Love. This is what keeps you ready for Christ's return.
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This remembrance protects you from lies and false teachings.
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#11 Stay Strong: Associate:
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Find some Christians for fellowship; a Church or Christian friends.​
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See the "Church" page for more information.
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#12 Grow: Study Scripture:​
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Scripture is for the preparation of the Christian for Kingdom service and can provide answers for all his questions.​
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#13 Grow: Trust Jesus:
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Trust Him to deliver you from the big things.​
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​Trust Him to clean you of the little things.​
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Trust Him through trials and tribulation.
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Trust Him when you are made a witness before men for His glory.
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#14 Your Reasonable Service: Praise:
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Sing praises to His Name.
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Sing praises to His actions.
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Sing praises to His promises.
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Sing praises to His deliverance.
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#15 Your Reasonable Service: Share:​
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Share the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News message of Jesus Christ.​
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Share your personal testimony. This is your sermon. Baptism is tied to this.
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Share your Christian conversation. The Christian conversation is how you live and conduct yourself. This becomes a second testimony.​
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#16 Your Reasonable Service: Engage:​
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When the Holy Spirit compels you to take action, take action.​​
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Initially, Jesus wants you to serve where you are called, this means seeing what you can do for Jesus in your normal occupation and around your normal company. You will feel an urge to do or say something and you will feel some amount of fear or shame against taking godly action; this is a spiritual battle happening within you; first, the Holy Spirit gives you an idea; second, your spirit concedes that it is good and you should proceed; third, your flesh fights back through either fear or shame (sometimes disguised as indifference), and you are left with a choice: Serve GOD or Ignore GOD. If you choose to serve, you are volunteering to be an avenue for GOD's Spirit to affect the room, what happens next will effectively be a spiritual "surprise attack" led by Jesus Christ through you and is more effective than anything you could have done, alone. This proves that you did not act according to your own devices, because you are not capable and you lack the capacity, yet something happened and you happen to be the only "visible" agent of the spiritual "operation" that just took place. This gives you another opportunity to give Jesus Christ the glory, as He is your Lord and you did what He asked you to do; the room will try to find logic or reason in the happenings and you can offer an explanation, "Jesus has done this for you through me, his loyal servant."
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Scripture and References:
Bible Passage: The Ten Commandments:
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Exo 20:1-17 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates: 11 For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.
Bible Passage: The Ministry of Reconciliation:
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2nd Corinthians 5:11-21 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to [answer] them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we be beside ourselves, [it is] to God: or whether we be sober, [it is] for your cause. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more. 17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Bible Passage: The Apostle's Testimony:
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1st Corinthians 15:1-11 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether [it were] I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
Bible Passage: How You Are Saved, By Grace Through Faith:
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Ephesians 2:1-22 And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11 Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone;] 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Bible Passage: Put On the New Self:
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Colossians 3:1-17 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision [nor] uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ [is] all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. 14 And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Bible Passage: Paul Preaches to the Men of Athens:
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Acts 17:22-31 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, [Ye] men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 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: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Bible Passage: The Reasonable Service:
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Romans 12:1-21 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of [himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 [Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 [Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 [Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
An example of the Sinner's Prayer and the Salvation Prayer from John Bunyan:
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This is an excerpt from John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, a Christian allegory, and contains an early example of an English "Salvation Prayer", it is delivered to us by the character "Hopeful":
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Hopeful: He bid me go to him and see. Then I said it was presumption. He said, No; for I was invited to come. (Matthew 11:28) Then he gave me a book of Jesus' inditing, to encourage me the more freely to come; and he said concerning that book, that every jot and tittle thereof stood firmer than heaven and earth. (Matthew 24:35) Then I asked him what I must do when I came; and he told me I must entreat upon my knees, (Psalm 95:6; Daniel 6:10) with all my heart and soul, (Jeremiah 29:12,13) the Father to reveal him to me. Then I asked him further, how I must make my supplications to him; and he said, Go, and thou shalt find him upon a mercy-seat, where he sits all the year long to give pardon and forgiveness to them that come.(Exodus 25:21-22) I told him, that I knew not what to say when I came; and he bid say to this effect: God be merciful to me a sinner, and make me to know and believe in Jesus Christ; for I see, that if his righteousness had not been, or I have not faith in that righteousness, I am utterly cast away. Lord, I have heard that thou art a merciful God, and hast ordained that thy Son Jesus Christ should be the Savior of the world; and moreover, that thou art willing to bestow him upon such a poor sinner as I am—and I am a sinner indeed. Lord, take therefore this opportunity, and magnify thy grace in the salvation of my soul, through thy Son Jesus Christ. Amen.​
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This example contains a "Sinner's Prayer", an "I Believe, Help My Unbelief" prayer, and a "Salvation Prayer".
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An example of the Sinner's Prayer and the Salvation Prayer from our Life Saving Quiz:
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This is the Sinner's and Salvation Prayer as it is found in our M.O.G. Life Saving Quiz.
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My Lord, Jesus Christ, I know that I am a sinner; I know deserve to go to Hell. But, I believe You died for my sins, were buried, rose again, and ascended to Heaven to prepare a place for me. Please come into my heart, so that I may have eternal life with You. I place all my faith in you. Amen.
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The expanded Lord's Prayer from Matthews Gospel:
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Mathew 6:5-15 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
​Man Cannot Serve Two Masters: A Cult Card for the West (and the rest):​
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Man and Modern Idolatry: A chain of thought exercise:
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GOD as man's god:
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GOD is above man; GOD is above nature; GOD is above the heavenly bodies:
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Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them...
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Identify: Who is your god?
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The Christian GOD is above all things and creator of all things.​
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Nature can be your god:
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Nature leaves no room for GOD, as nature becomes your creator.
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Heavenly bodies can be your god:
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Heavenly bodies leave no room for GOD, as this sets man up as a rebel against GOD.
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Man can be your god:
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​Man leaves no room for GOD, as he removes GOD from the world around him:
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Science says there is no God.
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Logic says there is no God.
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Government lets men act like gods.
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Invention promises to make men gods.
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Heavenly bodies as man's god:
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The heavenly bodies are above man; the heavenly bodies are below GOD:
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Man serves heavenly bodies in hope of receiving favor from heavenly bodies.
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Satan (a heavenly body) is worshipped as God.
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Man/Humanity as man's god:
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Man is created by a god, either GOD or Heavenly Bodies; or Man is created by Nature:
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If created by GOD:
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Expected to serve GOD.
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Given rule over nature by GOD.
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If created by heavenly bodies:
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Expected to serve and obey heavenly bodies.
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If created by nature:
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Expected to serve nature.
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If rebellious:
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Serves himself and/or his tribe.
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(Man) Instinct and base desire as man's god:
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Man's survival as man's idol:
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Food, shelter, reproduction.
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Dominance.
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Man can be challenged.
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Man can be defeated
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Man has limited capacity to save himself and is easily overwhelmed.
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(Man) Tribe or Country as man's god:
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Created by man:
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Men united.
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Men can save each other as long as man is alive.
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Men can turn on man, thus bringing death to man.
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Forms out of instinct and base desires.
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(Man) Government as man's god:
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Created by man:
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If government came from GOD, stolen/borrowed from GOD.
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Created from Laws and Morals of man.
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Created to control and protect Tribes/Countries of men.
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Created for the survival of man.
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Run by the "strong".
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Promises rights to the "weak".
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(Man) Money as man's god:
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Created by man:
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According to God: The love of money is the root of all evil.
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Represents time and effort spent and/or the value of goods.
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Fake money means fake representation.
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Money becomes a representation of power and control, as money can purchase almost anything.
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Money, by definition is not real, it represents "value". Because of this, it is the very definition of an idol, as value is in the eye of the beholder. This god cannot save you as it is only a shadow.
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(Money) Consumerism as man's god:
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Created by man:
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Overconsumption by the people for the development of a nation.
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The growth of the nation is tied directly to the consumption of it's citizens.
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This is a trick of government to build national wealth.
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Promises happiness through possessions, possessions through wealth.
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This happiness is fleeting and is controlled by the so-called "law" of diminishing returns.
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Living a good life is only a part of true happiness, it is worthless without the fear of God, and the keeping of His commandments. Wealth should come after these first things; true wealth is not merely money and possessions, but blessing from GOD.
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Read Ecclesiastes and Job for the understanding of the relationship between man, wealth, and GOD.
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Remember Jesus' words on money and blessing; money leads man away from GOD; GOD blesses his children and provides for their needs.
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(Man) Imagination of man, e.g. constructs/idols as man's god:
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Created by man:
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Usually created to cover the failures of man, as an ideal or something holy.
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Physical idols are created for the weak.
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Ideas are the idols of the strong.
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Religion as man's god:
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Created by man; or, revealed to man:
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Religion is the structure built around belief.
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It is how man reaches god, or man's system created to help man reach god.
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It is defined as repetition.
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It is only effective at reaching God when done according to GOD's guidelines.
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If it is not to GOD's guidelines, it exists merely to control the instincts and base desire of man.
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The "gods" of men each have unique guidelines, this means men will form many religions.
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Science as man's god:
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Either discovered by man or divine revelation, includes Formal Science; Natural Science; Social Science:
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Science is the process of discovery and the process of cataloging discoveries and the process of identifying use-cases for the discoveries with the purpose of inventions in mind.
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Information from discoveries is processed through a framework of man, if the information withstands the process, the information is set up as an unshakeable pillar of truth. New discoveries provide new information, the end result is a complete archive of the operations of the world.
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The catalogue is used to "invent" something new.
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Science is discovering something that already exists, especially it's operation and function.
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If science is discovery, can discovery alone save the man?
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If you recreate the operation and function of a discovery using the knowledge from said discovery, how are you superior to the science?
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If Science comes from GOD, it is borrowed glory, it does not belong to man as man merely discovers.
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Invention promises eternal life through transhumanism and world peace through technocracy.
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Science becomes a deceiver to man, as science cannot save.
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Science becomes a god after enough becomes known, as man's importance is reduced by the vastness of discoveries. Man will then become a servant to science whose duty is to continually discover, without any moral restraint or concern for what may happen because of these discoveries.
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(Science) Law as man's god:
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Created by man; or created by God:
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Law is how to deal with wrong.
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Law is for man; animals and nature are exempt.
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If this is true, then man makes law and law is relative; or God created law for man and law is absolute.
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(Law) Morality as man's god:
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Created by man; or divine revelation:
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Morality is what is right.
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Is morality actually morality?
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On whose authority?
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If on God's authority, how do you know God's morality?
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Revelation​.
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Through GOD's account of man, i.e., the Bible.
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If on Man's authority, which man?
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Man's morality is as shifting sand.​
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Trusting in the goodness of man is the religion of Humanism.
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Man's morality is borrowed from GOD.
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Man's morality becomes vanity, as it gives man permission to rule over his fellow man.
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Man's morality becomes a construct of man, an idol.​
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(Law) Logic as man's god:
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Created by man:
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Logic is to govern information through rules.
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Logic is considered a formal science.
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Information is processed through a mental framework of man, if the information withstands the process, the information is set up as a pillar of truth.
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Supposed to work hand-in-hand with philosophy.
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Limited by man, as it comes from man.
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Limited by the earth, as it cannot discern spiritual things.
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Vanity, as man thinks he can figure out how creation works.
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If the Lord God is not recognized, becomes a construct of man, an idol.
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(Law) Philosophy as man's god:
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Created by man:
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Philosophy is to love wisdom; the study of concepts and ideas.
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Philosophy works hand-in-hand with logic.
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Philosophy is the driving force to logic's restraint.
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Limited by man as it comes from man.​
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Becomes vanity, as man thinks he can truly understand wisdom.
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The Bible reveals to us that there are two versions of wisdom, man's wisdom and God's wisdom.
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The Bible reveals that the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of man.
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If the Lord God is not recognized, becomes a construct of man, an idol.
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Nature/The Earth as man's god:
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Created alongside man; or, according to science, gave birth to man:
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If God exists, nature is below man, below heavenly bodies, below God.
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Genesis chapter 1 shows us nature was created for man and that man was created to rule over nature.​
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If God does not exist, nature is above man. See Zen below...​​
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(Nature) Harmony/Zen/Tao as man's god:
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Created by man; or discovered by man:
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Zen is supposed to be the religion of the Earth, e.g. the One Religion of all nature.
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Tao is supposed to be perfect balance with the world.
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Man's attempt to become unified with the creation instead of the Creator.
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Turns the creation into an idol, as man sees himself as something less than the creation and begins to serve the creation over himself, over other men, and over God.
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This thinking debases man, and destroys the mentality of man, as he becomes worthless and destructive in the grand scheme of the world. Man must prove himself to be more "giver" than "taker". Man becomes the problem and man must sacrifice for the greater good, that is, the well-being of the Earth and her creatures.
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This "god" has it's own set of priests and doctrines, these are the mystics that tell you to balance yourself against nature, and scientists who preach how "The earth is dying and that only by great sacrifice can she be save."
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Questions for the Reader (with answers from a Christian):
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Does your god suffer lack without your provisions? (The Christian says: No.)
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Is your god weakened if you do not provide care? (The Christian says: No.)
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What kind of god needs the help of weak man? (The Christian says: Not one worth serving.)
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Can your master save you? (The Christian says: Yes.)
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Do you need to save your master? (The Christian says: No.)
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Does your master care enough to even save you? (The Christian says: Yes.)
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Will your master save you? (The Christian says: Yes.)
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How does your master change your behavior? For the better or for the worse? (The Christian says: For the better.)
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The Christian GOD is more capable than your god, why do you refrain from approaching Him?
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​Matthew 7:13-27 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: 14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.