Author: hillturnfs

Biblical truth: Everyone has received a knowledge of God.

This blog pertains to all those people who lived before the time of Jesus or never received the gospel of Christ. Everyone who has ever lived has had the same opportunity to look at the cosmos and the natural world and realize there must be a God who created it all. The intricate workings of the universe show an intelligent design. It literally screams out the existence of a Creator. In previous blogs I’ve listed the 23 physical proofs necessary for life to exist. If any one of these proofs were missing life couldn’t exist. Human life exists on the edge of a knife and only God put us there and sustains us.

Romans 1:20 – For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

A loving God has given this fruitful earth as our home. We have abundant water and rain to grow crops and animals we can harvest. Nowhere else in the universe is there a water planet like earth that can sustain life as we know it. The knowledge of God is all around us yet the unbeliever rejects it and uses false scientific knowledge to uphold their beliefs. The unbeliever’s heart has been hardened to the point no amount of evidence will convince them of the truth of God. Idolatry in our day doesn’t take the form of idol worship. Instead, the idolater today simply imagines things about God that are untrue and they will receive the wrath of God on the last day.

Acts 14:15-17 – (Paul speaking) – Men, why do you do these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Our God is a just God and He is not going to unjustly sentence someone to hell for rejecting a Christ of whom he has never heard. Let’s not forget God knows the hearts of all men and He knows what decision each of us will make and He judges us based on the knowledge given to us. Every person receives enough knowledge of God in order to seek Him out. If that person rejects the general knowledge of God given him through creation then he would not have accepted Christ had he received the gospel message and is therefore condemned. The occupants of hell are there because they rejected whatever knowledge of God they received whether it was general knowledge from creation or specific knowledge of Jesus Christ from the Bible or any other source.

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Biblical truth: No one is saved apart from faith in Jesus Christ.

This blog addresses the fate of all people living after the time of Jesus. Names are important to God and to us. Names represent the essence of a person’s being – his character, his deeds, his personality and his will. This is especially true of Jehovah God who goes by many names, all of which describe His many attributes. The name of Jesus Christ represents a specific Person at a specific point in history who came down from heaven to give His life for the sins of mankind so that those who believe on His name may have everlasting life.

While Jesus may share similar characteristics with Allah, Krishna, Buddha, or any number of human prophets or pagan deities, the Lord Jesus Christ is a distinctively different person. God makes it clear in Scripture that salvation is given under no other name but Jesus. All the world’s religions, except Hinduism, claim their god is the only path to heaven. Common sense tells us if all paths lead to heaven then none do. There can be only one exclusive path to God and only Christianity has a body of proof to support their claim. Those who say there are many paths to heaven have no proof and they are lying to you. Satan is lying to you. Who will you believe, God or man?

Acts 4:12 – Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

The Bible is God’s truth and it offers absolutely no hint that salvation is possible through any other means than by faith in the Person known by the name of Jesus Christ. God doesn’t want your salvation to be a mystery to you and it doesn’t have to be. God’s message to us, His beloved special creation, is clear. We can be sure of our eternal destiny in heaven if we place our faith in His Son Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. That means the vast majority of people on earth will ultimately wind up in hell because they don’t believe in the exclusivity of Jesus Christ. Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists and adherents of all the other fake religions are destined for an eternity in hell because they have not believed in the one true path to God that could have saved them. I understand people may not be comfortable with that message but the truth of God’s Word is clear no matter how we may feel about it. The judgment of God is perfect so who are we to judge God?

1 John 5:13 – These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Biblical truth: Everyone is guilty before God.

God hates sin and won’t allow it in heaven. Every person who has ever lived has a sin nature they inherited from Adam after his fall (sin) in the Garden of Eden. We’re all guilty before God because of that sin (disobeying God). Another spiritual truth is, “the wages (result) of sin is death,” both physical and spiritual death. What does that mean for us? It means a just God, who does not change, will not allow us into heaven because of our sin and is compelled to send us to hell for eternity because of our sin. As our transgressions (sins) continue to mount up against God the Lord is provoked to anger because of His abiding hatred of sin. The fierce and full wrath of a just God will fall on all sinners on the day of judgment and they will be sentenced to the lake of fire for eternity.

Romans 3:10 – There is none righteous, no, not one.

Romans 5:12 – Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Now that we fully understand our predicament, the bad news that all men past, present and future are sinners on the road to hell, we can appreciate the “good news” of Jesus Christ. While God’s justice will send all sinners to hell His love and mercy will save us through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. The result (wages) of our sin demanded a blood sacrifice (death) for atonement (forgiveness) of our sins. To be valid the sacrifice had to be a man without blemish (sin). Since no man could qualify as a suitable sacrifice there was only one way for the sins of man to be removed. Only God is without sin and only God could become a man. For this reason God came to earth in the incarnation of Jesus Christ for the express purpose of dying on the cross for our sins. Jesus experienced physical death in our place and he endured the fierce wrath of God so we wouldn’t have to. Our sin debt is paid in full. Through the spiritual law of imputation sin and death entered the world through one man (Adam) and through the sacrificial death of one man (Jesus Christ) those sins are forgiven resulting in eternal life for those who believe.

Romans 5:17 – For if by one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

The point is this, if you were born of a woman you’re guilty of your sin before God whether or not you hear the gospel of Christ or not. There is no free pass for ignorance or a “get out of jail” free card for lack of knowledge. If you’re physically alive the wrath of God abides on you and you’ll pay the ultimate penalty of going to hell forever when you die. Your only hope for salvation is to offload your sin through the one way provide by God in His love and mercy and that is by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The only exceptions God makes is for children too young to understand the gospel and those without the mental capacity to understand the gospel. All others have no valid excuse before God.

Romans 1:18 – For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

Romans 2:5 – But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.

John 3:36 – He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

Ephesians 5:6 – Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Satan is the god of this world and he has spread the lie that all faiths worship the same god but by different names. This inclusive message is so pervasive that 63% of Americans now believe it, including many Christians who should know better. If you’re a Christian who believes Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Bible is the unerring Word of God then you can’t reconcile that worldview with your faith. When you hear anyone, especially a fellow Christian, say that all faiths worship the same god push back immediately. Don’t let that statement stand without a defense. Don’t sin against God. You can disagree without being disagreeable. The three major figures of the Christian faith – Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul and the apostle Peter, all believed that faith in Christ alone was God’s exclusive way to heaven and they make that clear in the Scriptures. The apostle Paul makes it clear we are not saved by faith but through faith. God dispenses His saving grace through our faith in Jesus Christ and no other. When the righteousness of men is referred to in the Bible it means, “a right standing with God,” which is available exclusively to those who have faith in one name, Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:12 – (Peter speaking) – Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Romans 1:17 – (Paul speaking) – For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (God’s to ours; we receive God’s righteousness through our faith in Jesus); as it is written, “The just shall live by faith (to live means to have eternal life).”

Allah is not Jehovah. They don’t have the same name and they don’t have the same attributes. The gospel of Jesus Christ is specific to one person, with one name, and we worship one God whose name is Jehovah. Salvation is a gift of God to those who believe in the gospel of Christ and to no other. Saving faith is the currency of heaven. Most of the world doesn’t believe in our Christ and our God and they are lost because God says they are. Human beings recoil at the thought of billions of people going to hell so they try to rationalize that fact by finding a way to get more people to heaven. It’s our nature to be inclusive when the clear message of the Bible is the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the true path to God and eternal life in heaven. We’re trying to see heaven from our perspective and not God’s. God is perfect and so are His judgments so we must accept whatever God does as being in our best interests.

Romans 4:5 – (Paul speaking) – But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – (Paul speaking) – For by grace you have been saved, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Our eternal life is linked to our personal belief (faith) in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. By belief I don’t mean believing something is true. I mean trusting in something, clinging to something, resting in the knowledge of something as true. That something is the sacrificial death of Jesus winning for us eternal life in heaven. When you believe in Jesus it doesn’t matter whether you have a little faith or a lot of faith. God gives each of us enough faith to believe in Him. The important thing to remember is it’s not the amount of faith we have in Jesus that saves us. It’s Jesus, the object of our faith, that saves us. There is a huge gap between our desperate need for God’s forgiveness and His provision for our need. When we attempt to jump across the abyss to God it’s not our leap of faith that saves us. What saves us is being caught by God’s outstretched loving arms, and God never misses! Salvation has always been a two part deal. We exercise our faith and God grants us redemption. God wants us to exercise our free will to decide who we will serve, God or Satan.

John 3:16 – (Jesus speaking) – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 5:24 – (Jesus speaking) – Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My words and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 6:40 – (Jesus speaking) – And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 11:25-26 – (Jesus speaking) – I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?

In the Old Testament God illustrated how the process of salvation works so we can make the analogy with Jesus. Remember the story of Moses leading the Israelites in the wilderness. The Israelites sinned against God and He sent poisonous snakes among them and many died. The Israelites begged for mercy so God had Moses make a bronze serpent to put on a pole. Moses told the Israelites to look upon the bronze serpent whenever they were bitten and they would not die. Faith was believing they would not die if they looked upon what God had made for their salvation. The obvious New Testament parallel is all believers who look to Jesus for their salvation will be saved by their faith. They shall live and not die.

I’m absolutely stunned that 57% of evangelical Christians believe that there are multiple paths to heaven. Now, they either don’t believe the Bible or they haven’t read it. I tend to think it’s the latter since we know that only 10% of church-going Christians have read the entire Bible and fewer still have actually studied God’s Word. Most of the people you fellowship with in church believe that false narrative which is from Satan. No wonder we have so few witnesses for Christ. If you don’t believe in the exclusivity of Jesus as the only true path to eternal life you can’t be an effective witness for Christ and you also won’t be motivated to witness. We must start by educating our Christian brothers. Whenever you hear that garbage come out of their mouth don’t let them get away with it. Push back immediately, but with gentleness.

Ask them why they believe that. Ask them if they’ve read the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Tell them you’d love to sit down with them and search the gospels to see what Jesus has to say on the matter. Ask them why would a loving God send His only beloved Son to die a horrible death on the cross if there was any other way to bring salvation to mankind. Our common sense should tell us there was no other way to save us. Anyone who says there’s more than one way to heaven is showing their ignorance and revealing themselves as a fool. God says His Word is useful for correction so it’s our duty to be the instrument to educate our mistaken brothers with gentleness so as not to offend.

First, Jesus taught that after death there are only two possible eternal destinations. When people die their spirit will immediately go to either eternal life in heaven or to eternal punishment in hell. Jesus further emphasized this point with the story of the deaths of the rich man and the poor beggar, Lazarus, in Luke 20-31. The rich man went to Hades within the earth where he was in continuous torment whereas Lazarus went to Abraham’s bosom (Paradise within the earth). In a telling conversation with Abraham the rich man learned there was no way to leave hell or tell anyone what it was like. Second, Jesus taught that the vast majority of the human race will end up in hell. If there were many paths to heaven then Jesus would have said so in the Bible. Instead Jesus clearly states that only He is the the way, the truth and the life. We don’t have to guess about this message because it’s very clear and comes directly from the lips of Jesus Christ Himself, who is God in the flesh.

Matthew 7:13-14 – (Jesus speaking) – Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Satan is the god of this world and he is making progress convincing most of the world that belief in Jesus isn’t the exclusive path to heaven; that there are multiple paths to heaven. You know you’ve lost that battle when 57% of evangelical Christians agree with Satan. What are we Christians who know the truth to do when even our fellow Christians fall for this lie? Decide what is essential for our salvation and remain united and steadfast in its defense. Let’s review our essential core beliefs so far:

1. Acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior is the only path to heaven.
2. The Holy Bible is God’s Word and absolute truth. We are to obey God’s commands.
3. Same sex marriage is an abomination to God. It’s a fact of life but we don’t have to agree with it or accept it on a personal basis.

Let’s face it, good people have differences of opinion because we all have different life experiences. Always respect the opinions of others on nonessential questions that have no bearing on your eternal destiny. Agree to disagree without animosity. We should adopt the maxim of seventeenth century theologian Rupert Meldenius who said, “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.” When the topic of religion comes up everyone except atheists will fall into one of four categories. You need to be aware which group they fall into.

Universalism – Everyone who has ever lived goes to heaven no matter what they believe or what they have done in their life. That means Genghis Khan, Adolph Hitler and Joseph Stalin are in heaven after killing millions of innocent people. That means Jesus died on the cross for no reason.

Pluralism – All religious people go to heaven regardless of which religion it is. This group doesn’t clarify who gets to decide what a religion is and what is not.

Inclusivism – They believe Jesus is the only means to salvation but they accept the gods of other religions to be only Jesus by another name. The key element is everyone is not required to personally accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Satan and his demons also believe Jesus is the way to salvation but they cannot accept Him as Lord and Savior.

Exclusivism – This is we Christians who exercise personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as the only true path to heaven and eternal life in the presence of Jehovah God. We believe most people will be condemned to hell including all the sincere followers of other religions. Personal faith (trust) in Jesus is all that’s required for our salvation. Every other world religion, except Hinduism, is also exclusive. They all declare that they’re also the one and only true path to heaven. Everyone cannot be right. There can be only one true path to God and that is through Jesus Christ and the Christianity faith. Only Christianity has a body of irrefutable proof where all others religions do not.

The United States was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and God blessed this country because we were a Christian nation. Christianity is slowly being eroded in this country and the signs are evident in every facet of American life. The secular world is becoming more and more progressive (liberal) and godless. Our education system has now successfully removed God from the classroom and the media has further indoctrinated the masses to the point where Christianity has been marginalized by declaring there are multiple paths to God and all religions are relevant. Our culture now demands we be more inclusive of the beliefs of others and states there is no such thing as absolute truth. Political correctness is pushed to damp down any dissent from the masses.

God made us spiritual beings with a need to seek our Creator. Satan is aware of our need and seeks to lead people away from the truth of God by sponsoring many alternative fake religions. If Satan can convince you there are many paths to God then fewer will find the true path to salvation. If Satan can convince you absolute truth is a moving target that means whatever you want it to mean then you’re less likely to find the absolute truth of God’s Word. If Satan can shame you or brainwash you into believing you should be inclusive of the beliefs of others you will be less likely to believe that Jesus is the only path to eternal life. If Satan can harass and intimidate you into becoming politically correct he will have silenced you and the truth of God’s Word.

Matthew 7:14-14 – (Jesus speaking) – Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Let’s be clear. If Jesus isn’t the only way to heaven Christianity is a fraud. All the world’s religions, except Hinduism, also claim their faith is the only path to heaven. We can’t be inclusive and claim there are multiple paths to heaven when virtually every religion makes their own exclusive claim to be the one true path to God and heaven. We can’t include every religion as a path to heaven without excluding our own. If every path is true then none are. Common sense will tell you either all paths to God are false or there is only one true path. The trick is to study the evidence and determine which faith is true. Only Christianity has a body of irrefutable evidence that Jehovah is God.

Christianity has already lost the battle for the soul of America. We knew it was going to happen because the Bible said that would be the case in the end times which we are currently in. 70% of Americans who attend church believe many religions lead to eternal life and even among evangelical Christians 57% believe all religions lead to heaven. Many church leaders have thrown in the towel by disavowing the exclusivity of the gospel message of Christ as the only path to heaven and it breaks my heart. Christianity has caved from the outside pressure of the secular world and also from within our own ranks. Christianity has been routed but not annihilated. Take heart in the fact that while we’ve lost the battle we’ll eventually win the war because God’s Word assures us the ultimate victory is ours if we stand fast in the face of sure defeat and never surrender the field of battle.

2 Corinthians 11:15 – Therefore it is no great thing if his (Satan’s) ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Americans of all stripes have accepted same sex marriage as okay and the Supreme Court has made it the law of the land. God calls homosexuality an abomination. The country as a whole no longer believes Jesus is the only way to heaven but God’s Word says otherwise. While we must obey the laws of our country, our core beliefs must align with God’s Word. We shouldn’t seek confrontation but neither should we back away from our beliefs. If you want to win the spiritual battle with Satan you must be aware of the spiritual warfare going on all around us for the souls of men otherwise you’re a, “dead man walking,” and already defeated. You must understand and accept the exclusivity of Christ as our core belief and to lose it is to lose our soul. It’s ground zero in our war with satanic forces. If we lose this war billions will go to hell. We must fight on. As foot soldiers for Jesus we need to reach out to the unsaved with compelling reasoning (logic) based on our study of the Bible plus we need to have unwavering resolve in the face of stiff resistance from the secular world.

2 Corinthians 5:20 – Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

We live in an increasingly inclusive world where absolute truth is becoming relative. Don’t be fooled. God’s Word is truth and wisdom and it’s eternal. There is only one road to heaven. Christianity is exclusive. The gospel of Christ is exclusive. Stand firmly on this truth. In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” to which Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In the gospels Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Jesus also said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” These three statements are exclusive. They are either all true or they are all false. You need to study God’s Word for yourself and decide which it is. Eternity is too long to be wrong! There’s great danger in waiting for the answer to fall into your lap.

If you believe the statements made by Jesus are false then you have your reward here on this earth. However, if you believe Jesus is telling the truth you need to accept Him as your Lord and Savior and you will be saved unto eternal life. I’m hoping anyone reading this blog has already accepted God’s grace but if you haven’t, accept salvation immediately! The fires of hell are too painful to be wrong! The joys of heaven are too great to be wrong! The love of God is too great to be wrong!

As Bible-believing Christians, we must be prepared and willing to share the exclusive gospel of Christ in an inclusive world. The secular world is controlled by Satan so push-back and confrontation is inevitable. However, there is no way to sugar-coat it because the truth is the truth and all who are lost need to hear the message even if they don’t know it. We need to throw out the lifeline of salvation because if we don’t, who will. Our burden is great but so is our reward for obeying the Great Commission Jesus has given to all His disciples which is to preach the gospel of Christ to all who are unsaved.

1 Corinthians 3:9 – For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

This is why I’m so passionate about studying God’s Word and urging others to do the same. I live in fear. I’m scared to death when I witness to the unsaved that I won’t be good enough to convince them to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. You cannot “do” until you “know” which is why I’m constantly searching the mysteries of God. I understand that most people don’t come to Christ the first time they hear the gospel message. For most people it takes multiple exposures to the gospel message before becoming saved. Witnessing is a step by step process of sowing the gospel seed to all who will listen until eventually a believer harvests that soul for the kingdom of heaven. But what if my witness is the last one they hear before they face eternity and it’s not good enough? All I can do is press on and pray that God will give me the strength and the right words to reach them.

Matthew 9:37-38 & Luke 10:2 – (Jesus speaking) – The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Many Catholics claim to be Christians because the church tells them they are. Most haven’t confessed their sins directly to God or personally accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Instead, they’ve been baptized in the Catholic church and accepted the church’s word they’re saved. God’s Word says you aren’t saved without faith in Christ as your Lord and Savior and the church can’t do that for you. You must confess your sins to God with your own mouth and ask Jesus directly to come dwell inside you as your personal Lord and Savior. Baptism, praying to Mary and confessing your sins to a Priest gain you nothing. Only God can forgive your sins. Your own common sense should tell you that. You should believe God’s Word over the traditions of men.

2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

Ephesians 5:11 – And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Galatians 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

We say the Bible is alive because it contains God’s wisdom which is applicable to all people, all situations and at any point in history. God’s Word has specific messages for certain groups of people at certain points in time. For example, Revelation is specifically for those living in the end times and Revelation 2:10, is a message of hope specifically for those who become Christians during the tribulation and face the prospect of martyrdom. There are several messages in the Bible specifically warning Catholics about false teachings and false prophets. God pleads with Catholics to come out of the Roman Catholic faith because it has been corrupted by Satan.

Revelation 18:4 – And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive her plagues.”

2 Corinthians 6:17 – Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.

Matthew 7:22-23 – (Jesus speaking) – Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And I will then declare to them, “I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

Scripture says those who are first shall be last and the the last first. God was specifically talking about church leaders like the Catholic clergy. Most Catholic clergy, including the Popes, will wind up in hell. Those few who do make it to heaven will be on the bottom rung of heaven for leading people away from the truth of God’s Word.