When we hear the word “despicable,” one or more images come to our minds. One is used in a political sense, where those who have opposing views see the other side as despicable. Another is where someone has actually caused or tried to cause us harm. Another that is popular today is a cartoon series that has small yellow beings that carry on in very odd ways, and they mumble to each other in a language that only they understand. The “Minions,” as they are called, are fun to watch as they interact with certain humans. There’s even a website with single-frame cartoon clips of them. (any emphasis mine)
Sometimes, I imagine that our Heavenly Father would view many of us as “minions” with some of the antics we pull. For anyone who believes that our God does not have a sense of humor, explain to me why He gave us laughter. Even though I have reached my 70’s, I still enjoy a good “clean” cartoon or comedy act, as long as all vulgarity and sexual innuendos are left out. As I mentioned in a previous message, “Dennis the Menace” was always a favorite, followed by the “Peanuts” cartoons. Both artists/authors were good to give us entertainment the whole family could enjoy.
What is not humorous, and is truly despicable, is how many humans believe Jesus is a myth and that what the Bible says about Him being our Savior is a lie. Sadly, the day will come when they will realize Philippians 2:9-11 is absolute truth; “Therefore, God has highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name; so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” The day is coming where this will even apply to Satan bowing his knee.
As we can plainly see, there’s no mumbling in any way so that no one will misunderstand. True versions of God’s word – King James Version; New King James Version; American Standard Version; New International Version; New English Translation; and English Standard Version – are some of the ones that historically have been very accurate. Whichever version of the true word of God that gives the same information in words that are easy for the reader to understand is what we need to study.
There are some “new – man edited” so-called bibles today that fit the agendas of false prophets and are used to draw people away from the true word of God. One version actually depicts the Heavenly Father as “gender-neutral,” and others change wording to fit teachings designed to fill seats and collection plates, yet are unbiblical.
The “ear-tickling” messages will come back in full force one day for all the false prophets and antichrists, and they will be forced to acknowledge that they blasphemed the true word of God. They will spend eternity in the lake of fire with their leader, Satan. It is possible for them to repent and confess that they have sinned, and call out to Jesus to save them, if they do so before taking their last breath on this earth. However, it’s sad that many would rather be on that long road that places things of this earth ahead of anything pertaining to Jesus. Their “broad pathway” leads to destruction, as given in Matthew 7:13-14.
Paul has told us in his numerous epistles that evil is of this world, and each one must choose for themselves which path we will follow. Jesus said in John 3:16 that the Father loves us so much that He sent His “only Son” to be our perfect sacrifice. John 3:18 sums up what happens to those who don’t believe this; “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned; but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he/she has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:36 concludes this chapter with, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the Wrath of God remains on him/her.”
Ephesians 2:8-9; “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
There will be a large number of people that will receive eternal condemnation, as spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 25:41-46. They will try to say they did many things in the name of Jesus, but their motives were selfish and about themselves, not about Jesus. They are truly despicable. It’s called the “Me” syndrome and is prevalent in today’s world.
Galatians 6:7-8 plainly states that God is not mocked. Satan has done everything in his power to pull souls away from the Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. His self-pride (Ezekiel 28:17) has been his downfall, and he uses pride to convince others they don’t really need a savior but will have heaven through many other ways. We must remember he is the father of all lies (John 8:44).
Here, we need to look at some “Truths.” John 8:32;36 – “and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free… So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Those who truly seek the Truth and study God’s word will find Him. First and foremost, all who truly call on Jesus to be their Savior will be saved (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13).
In John 18:37-38a, Pilate was given the opportunity to understand who it was that stood before him. “Then Pilate said to Him, ‘so you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say I am a king. For this purpose I was born (as a human), and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth listens to My voice’. Pilate said to Him, ‘What is Truth?'”
The absolute verse about “Truth” is John 14:6; “Jesus said to him [Philip], I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” This verse alone dispels any thoughts that there are “many ways” to Heaven without Jesus.
Twice a voice from Heaven declared that “This is My Beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” First, Matthew 3:17 at the “baptism” of Jesus, and Matthew 17:5 at His transfiguration. This acknowledges that Jesus is a part of the Holy Trinity, and anyone who blasphemes against Him has blasphemed the Holy Spirit. This is the unforgivable sin.
The tribulation’s unforgivable sin will be to take the “mark” of the antichrist, which will be done willingly by those who will worship him (Revelation 13:16-17). All who do so will “drink the wine of God’s wrath,” and for this, they are condemned forever with “fire and sulfur” (Revelation 14:10).
Our Heavenly Father, through His Son Jesus who provided a pure and Holy sacrifice, is willing to forgive all our sins and not remember them again (Psalm 103:12). Jesus bought our “privilege” to ask forgiveness through His pure sinless blood, shed on a cruel cross at Calvary. This punishment should have been ours – Mine! Once again, Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, and Romans 10:13 all say that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Those who refuse to seek the gift from our Savior will eventually be required to answer for every sin, large or small, that they ever committed on this earth. Their degree of eternal punishment will be determined by the total of all these. There will be no advocate to stand in their place. God is pure and Holy and can tolerate no sin whatsoever. This is exactly why He had to provide us with a substitute that He could accept. No sin-filled human could ever meet His standard of perfection. Anyone who denies Jesus is truly despicable in God’s sight.
It’s very simple to gain forgiveness and have an eternal home with Jesus. The hard part is to believe it is so, and there’s nothing we can do to earn or buy our own Salvation. First and foremost, Admit we’re all sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23). Second, Believe Jesus died for our sins and was the only sacrifice God could have accepted because of the sinless life He led here (Romans 10:9-12). Finally, Call on the name of the Lord to be saved (Romans 10:13).
It should be the easiest decision we could ever make, but there will be many who will not do so (Matthew 7:13-14). Today, right now, make the best decision, and the most important decision, to become a part of the Savior’s flock. All who truly call on Him will not be turned away, yet He will force no one to accept Him. For those of us who do, we will receive eternal rewards that He paid for in full for us. Go from being “despicable” to “commendable” through the grace and mercy of our Savior.
Come, Lord Jesus!