Have you ever heard anyone say, “I believe the Bible from cover to cover?” Have you ever said that? I have. If we really do believe the Bible from cover to cover, does it show in our lives? I find myself coming up short so many times. Do you?

The Bible is not just a history lesson from Moses or a group of letters from Paul. It is not only biographies or a list of commands and prophetic sayings. Neither is it only a songbook or a long list of wise sayings. The Bible is so much more. It is the very Word of God.

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:15-16)

“He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:25-27)

The Bible, God’s Word, says we are saved by grace through faith plus nothing. Yet, entire denominations teach that something must be added to be saved. God says, “…that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.” (Galatians 5:2) Circumcision is just one example among a long list of works that “profit you nothing.”

The Bible, God’s Word, says we are to love the brethren. (Consider 1 John) How much honest-to-goodness, real, selfless agape love is actually demonstrated in most churches?

The Bible, God’s Word, says that Jesus will soon return and remove His Church before He pours out His wrath on this world, but you would never know it by observing most Christians. Is there anyone in the Church looking for the soon return of Jesus for His bride? Oh yes, there are many earnestly looking for that day while they serve Him on this earth, but how many? I cannot provide a number and would even be hesitant to guess at a percentage. However, I believe I would be safe in saying that most Christians don’t give it much thought.

If we really believed the Bible from cover to cover, don’t you think most of us would be living much differently than we do at present? By the way, I most certainly am not excluding myself from these soul searching questions.

The Bible tells us how to be saved and how we are kept by the power of God. It tells us how to live a life for Jesus Christ. It tells us about God and the eternal state. The Bible has been 100% accurate on hundreds of prophesies, of which some are being fulfilled today, in our lifetime. Over 7,000 promises are within its pages, and God always keeps His word.

Where is the sleeping Church? Where is the Bride, who should be looking daily for her Bridegroom’s return?

In my opinion, the worst thing that could happen to the Church is to live in an affluent society. We, in the United States of America, are cursed with this malady, because it has made so many of us lazy and apathetic.

There is nothing wrong in being affluent. There is nothing wrong with money. We can like and enjoy living in an affluent society and we can enjoy money, but let us as Christians never love either. The “niceties” of life are fine, but have they replaced the time we once spent with Christ in His Word? Our priority should always be Jesus, our Savior and Lord, over any and everything else. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case with many folks. How do I know that? Their lives broadcast it.

The churches throughout this great country of ours are spiritually sick. Many are spiritually dead. How many of our churches actually emphasize the Bible in all they teach and do? How many are just “playing church” as a little girl would play with her doll house? In too many of our churches the Bible has been replaced with man’s opinions and the social hour.

If all true believers really believe the Bible from cover to cover, then why do we sit back and not stand up for the Truth? Why do we rely on just a few to carry the load? Why have we allowed the filth of our society to worm its way into our homes, our lives and our churches? Why have we become comfortable with that which is not of God? Why do we give more credence to what Oprah has to say than Almighty God? How much time do we spend in the Bible and prayer?

No true Christian is perfect (mature), but we should always be maturing as Christians. We should be growing, but yet there is so much immaturity displayed among Christians. If we are growing in the Word, there will be more love for others, and less criticizing, jealousy and pride. Sad but true is the fact that gossip is just as prevalent in the local church as it is over the neighborhood fence. Why? There is no knowledge and acceptance of the Word.

The Bible is the holy Word of God, every page, from cover to cover. Ignorance of what is between those covers is a major problem with those who are called Christians. Since it takes a great deal of work to study the Bible, laziness has encouraged many to take the word of man and form their own opinions.

We know more about sports and celebrities than what is contained in the Bible. Now why is that? The answer is obvious. There is no interest in the Bible by many Christians. We want someone else to feed us our baby food while we pretend we are eating a steak.

If we really do believe the Bible, from cover to cover no less, maybe it is time we actually read it to verify what we say we believe.

Every true Christian should be a full-time disciple of Jesus. The first thing we reach for should be our Bible, not the remote or smart phone. The fruit of our lips should be, “Have you heard about Jesus?” The desire of our heart should be to know and follow Him above and beyond anything else. Until this is the case, I doubt we truly believe the Bible from cover to cover.

Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

 

 

I’m not sure whether a hairdryer or a liar blows out more hot air.

We currently have a moderate repair problem at our house that needs to be addressed. In speaking to one contractor who has done work for us in the past, he told me that they are really busy, but if they can find an hour or two free they would come over and take care of it (In other words, I needn’t look for him).

Now I have dealt with contractors for many years, personally and on the job, and know they are not super busy during the winter months in this area. Most are actually looking for something to do. However, there are exceptions, and I know that. Also, if it only takes an hour or two, what is the problem?

My experience with another contractor has resulted in, “I’ll be there,” or “I’ll call you,” but he would not show up and would not call. This has happened with this guy on several occasions, even though he has made a lot of money over the years for work at our place. I finally resolved to never contact him again, because he simply will not keep his word.

My wife and I had another experience with a tree trimming and removal contactor. This fellow took over the business from his dad, who was super dependable. However, junior was nothing like his dad. They had trimmed some trees for us, then left all the limbs in the yard and went to another job (No, we had not paid him yet). I finally had to call the man’s dad to make the son come gather up all the limbs. He did so within one day, and of course wanted paid on the spot. I felt like making him wait the same amount of time we had stared at those limbs in our backyard, but I didn’t. Needless to say, his business card has long been removed from our rolodex.

After saying all that, I would be remiss if I did not include the fact that we have dealt with other contractors who are very dependable. I’m thinking of one in particular who has never failed to respond immediately and get the job done. I’ve even told him now and then, “No hurry,” because I know he stays very busy, but he always comes right out.

We all know that most politicians would not speak the truth if you put a gun to their head. They are so prone to lies, it is just commonly accepted (by those with half a brain) that they are so full of it they could blow up an onion sack. The liberal media is also on par with most politicians.

I realize that none of us are perfect, but why have lies become so commonplace?

Going back to the contractors, it would be much easier and respectful to say something like, “I just can’t do the job right now. You probably need to call someone else. I would if I could, but I just can’t right now.” I could and would respect that. It would not anger me. I totally understand that if you see a twenty dollar bill lying on the sidewalk and a dime next to it, you are going to pick up the twenty dollar bill first, especially if you are in business to make money. It would also save me the time of waiting on someone who is not going to show up or even call. I would not be inclined to label that person as one shuns the truth, and is not to be trusted.

Most of you have probably had similar experiences with those who will promise you the moon and not keep their word, or have kept you hanging, knowing they are not going to help you.

I have determined over the years that there are some folks in our lives who will be there for us, most will not. There are some we can depend on, but there is only one who has never lies to us and always, without exception, speaks the truth. His name is Jesus. As human beings with an old sin nature, we cannot be perfect even under the best of circumstances, but that cannot be said of Jesus.

Jesus is fully God and fully man. He understands our weaknesses. He understands the temptations that come our way. He was also tempted, but He never sinned.

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

You and I have let others down, because the truth is often not in us. We may have told our child we would be there for their game and didn’t show up. We may have told a friend, “I’ll bring the socket wrench right back,” but reneged. We may have told our spouse that we would take them to dinner, but failed to get home on time. We may have told someone, “I’ll pray for you,” but didn’t. Someone told you some juicy gossip you promised you would not repeat, but you did (You shouldn’t have listened to it in the first place). Well, you get the point.

It can be understood (but that doesn’t make it acceptable) when a non-Christian is loose with the truth since their father is the devil (see verse below), but a true Christian should always at least try to speak the truth because our Father is Almighty God.

“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

Most of you will probably not recall, but for those who have been around awhile perhaps you can remember when a man’s word was his bond. A simple hand shake was sufficient. To the contrary, we all know that is not the case today.

Now I return to the only totally truthful man who ever walked the earth, Jesus, the God-Man. Jesus has given us so much in His Word, the Bible, but let me name just four promises He made (out of many, many, many more).

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

“…I come quickly…” (Revelation 3:11; 22:7; 22:12; 22:20)

Jesus said:

1. We can only be saved through Him.
2. If we are His, we are always His.
3. He is preparing a place for us, and will return.
4. He is coming back.

Jesus will not lie to us because He cannot lie. He is God. Every word He spoke directly or through others (in the Bible) is Truth. Every promise He gives us will come true. Men lie. Jesus (God) does not.

How good is your word? It’s probably about as good as mine … lacking perfection. If God does not lie, but men do, why do so many believe man but not God?

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

We cannot always believe everything that comes from the lips of man, but there is one who will never lie to us, and that is Jesus. So, if Jesus is telling the truth, and He always does, and you believe man instead of Jesus, you apparently enjoy the darkness and your deeds are evil, because your father the devil is the father of lies.

The Bible is the only source we have for absolute Truth because it is the Word of God. Believe it and put your faith in Jesus, and you will have eternal life. Ignore it or disbelieve it, and you will spend eternity in hell. It’s a choice we all have to make. I pray you make the right one.

Jesus has told us nothing but the Truth. His Word is Truth. Believe it.

In these last days lying has become so widespread I am convinced that Satan is working at full throttle because he knows his days are running out.

Jesus told us He is coming back and for us to be watching for Him while we serve Him. Even though we cannot always get the truth from each other, we can trust Him to always tell us the truth.

Maybe this will be the year. If not, keep looking. He will return.

Grant Phillips

Email: grantphillips@windstream.net

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html