“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30).

You know what an IOU is, right? It’s a promise you make when someone has done something for you, and you can’t repay them for the kindness right then. You give an IOU, meaning that you appreciate what they did for you and at some future time you will repay what is owed. Depending upon how much integrity you have, you will repay your debt as soon as possible, or you will ignore the obligation entirely.

When you came to Christ, like every Christian who ever has lived, you understood that Christ paid a debt for you that you could never pay for yourself. He paid for your redemption from sin and gave you eternal life. Unless you really understand the debt He paid, you can never be grateful enough.

God created all things, but these days there is a very satanic push to question God’s truth. It’s really a no-brainer. If you think evolution is true, you believe that nothing exploded and created everything. Maybe you think a vacationing group of aliens stopped on earth to have a picnic and we evolved from the crumbs they left. Really? It’s amazing what can be imagined when people try to deny God.

You might ask, “Where did God come from?” That’s a good question, but you have to realize that God exists outside of time. When Moses saw the burning bush, he went to explore, and a voice from the bush gave him directions to approach Pharoh and ask him to set the Israelites free from slavery. Moses asked what to say if asked who sent him on this mission.

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you” (Exodus 3:14).

That seems a little confusing, but the truth is that God is eternal. He always was and will always be. He created heaven and earth and filled it with marvelous animals and plants. He created man and put him in a garden that provided for all his needs. God was pleased with His creation, and he cared for it. It was a perfect existence. There was a danger there, though. That danger was for Adam to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If he ate that fruit, he would die. To protect Him, God gave Adam the command to not eat that fruit. Just one command. He had plenty of food from all the other trees, so there was no need for disobedience. Then Adam realized all of the animals had a partner and asked God for a helpmate. God gave him Eve.

How long did this life of contentment and perfection go on?

Scripture doesn’t tell us, but things did go wrong. Eve chose to listen to the voice of deception, and Adam chose to listen to Eve. It turns out that God was correct, and they lost their place in Paradise. The serpent spoke words from Satan and convinced Eve that God was a liar and that she should eat the forbidden fruit. He focused on the one thing that God said not to do, and made it look very tempting. Eve was deceived. When Adam saw that Eve had made a choice to defy God, he made his own choice. He joined Eve in death. They didn’t fall down dead right then and there, but their immortal bodies were now mortal. They could no longer live in the Garden.

Adam’s sin has been passed down through the ages from one generation to the next. That sin has caused evil, death, and grief to be a part of life ever since. Sadly, when something bad happens to us, quite often we blame God. We ask why God allows death, illness, and other bad things to happen. Blame Satan, not God.

That sin separated humans from God. Sin will always be a debt that we have no ability to pay, but through the ages, God has opened the way for people to be reconciled to Him. God exists outside of time, and to human perception, it took ages for His plan of redemption to be fulfilled. Throughout time, Satan has been hard at work to continually deceive people into sin. The same lies he used with Eve he uses on people today. He had lied to Eve about the forbidden fruit; He twisted God’s words. God had told Adam that if he ate the fruit he would die.

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5).

What about today? Do you think that God is the one trying to ruin your life by telling you not to sin? Do you listen to satanic lies of the world and embrace sin? Disease riddles your body because you yield to the temptation of sexual impurity? Your liver is filled with disease because you choose to be a drunkard? The mind-altering drugs you take into your body have caused you to be demon-possessed? Still, you blame God for allowing your choice to sin to cause you trouble. That’s what sin does.

“The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a).

The death caused by our choices to live in opposition to God’s truth will bring physical death. The liver disease caused by alcoholism will cause your body to give out. The AIDS caused by homosexual activity will destroy your body and take your life. When you embrace sin, there are consequences. We can’t blame God for the choices we make. The sin of rejecting the forgiveness that comes from Christ will bring eternal death, but that’s a choice you make.

Jesus paid our sin debt. We owe Him more than an IOU.

God has never turned His back on His creation. First, He chose Abraham to be the father of the nation of Israel. It was through Abraham’s seed that the greatest blessing has come to all people. Abraham was told to leave idol worship behind, leave his pagan family, and go to a land that God would show him.

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:” Genesis 12:1.

Abram, whom God renamed Abraham, had to leave the temptation of idol worship behind and move away from the people who would draw him back to sin in that pagan culture. God hadn’t stopped loving humanity, and he was putting His plan into motion. Abraham would be the father of a great nation through his son Isaac. God showed Abraham the land that would be his, and his generations to come, forever.

“And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD who appeared unto him” (Genesis 12:7).

This land still belongs to Abraham’s descendants to this day. There are many disputes over it, but God will never revoke the ownership of Israel. The voice of Satan is being followed by people today who are trying to destroy Israel, and Israel is hated among many nations. Any Christian who is against Israel doesn’t understand Scripture. Bible prophecy tells us that the nation of Israel won’t be destroyed or removed from their God-given land.

God’s plan of redemption would take years to complete. First, the Law was given. This was a visual aid to understand how much God hates sin but loves people. There were animal sacrifices put in place that would cover sin. They couldn’t take sin away, but for a moment, the sin was covered. Never, ever was human sacrifice acceptable. Only the shedding of animal blood was a way to cover the sins of people.

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4).

Animal blood was only a temporary covering. God’s plan was for a perfect sacrifice, once for all. That sacrifice would come through the shed blood of God Himself. Many Bible prophecies told of God being born in Bethlehem and becoming the perfect sacrifice to take our sin away.

“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. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).

Faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ will save you from eternal death, not works of any kind. He paid the debt of sin that Adam incurred.

That brings me to my question, “Did you give God an IOU?” We’ve seen that sin entered because of Adam’s choice to sin and that God still loved him. We’ve seen that the Law of Moses was a way of teaching about sin and that shedding animal blood covered it. Animal blood cannot take sin away, but only the pure blood of God can take away sin.

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).

Jesus was the perfect Kinsman Redeemer. His mother was human. Mary was a willing servant of God but nothing more than human. In that way, Jesus was a Kinsman of humans. Human blood is tainted by sin passed down through Adam. That’s why human blood can never be shed to take away sin. That would be like using a dirty, greasy cloth to clean up a grease spill. It just wouldn’t work. Jesus was conceived by God the Holy Spirit, so there was no sin in His blood; He was fully God and fully human.

In the letter to the Romans, Paul wrote that the wages of sin is death, but there is more to that verse. “… but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23b). If someone gives you a gift but you choose to reject it, that gift does you no good. God has given you a gift, so don’t reject it. Accept Christ’s sacrifice to bring you eternal life.

When you realized that you are a sinner and need Jesus for salvation, did you give God an IOU? Did you accept His payment but decided to pay Him back sometime in the future?

Forgiveness of sin should be a life-changing experience. The sin you thought brought you pleasure should no longer be embraced. Jesus died for you, and He paid your sin debt. Jesus paid a huge price for you. Have you accepted His free gift of salvation but choose to hold on to your sin? That’s giving him an IOU. You want the benefit of God’s grace while you continue sinning. Do you intend to eventually stop lying, gossiping, and living in open opposition to His word? Will you someday stop having one-night stands? Now is the time to turn away from the sin that brought the wages of death and turn to Christ who gives the gift of eternal life.

If you care at all about Scripture, you just might look at prophecy and see that we are rapidly coming to the end of chances to repay the IOU. Time is running out. The final seven years of life as we know it are about to be a reality. That reality will only be faced by people who have rejected Christ for salvation.

If you’ve decided to live life by the ways of the world, then you need to accept Christ now. Let Him change you from a sinner bound for Hell to a sinner saved by grace. If you claim to have accepted His gift but have given Him an IOU instead of changing your life, it’s time to repay Him in the only way you can. That’s by living your life to honor Him. He didn’t give you an IOU. He paid your debt in full.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

Times are rough and getting rougher. The entire world is facing horrendous turmoil, but Christians have answers. Or, should I say, we have access to the answers. Scripture is filled with prophecy, but too many Christians don’t bother to study. We seem more concerned with denominational teachings than what Scripture teaches, and we forget that we have a bond that is far beyond human understanding. We are bound together with our love for Christ. More importantly than that, we are bound by His love for us.

At first, there were just a few believers, but the numbers grew quickly. It was Peter who stood up on the day of Pentecost and gave a sermon that brought 3,000 men to faith in Jesus. Peter didn’t tickle any ears but spoke truth, and the results were amazing.

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).

What would you tell them? This was all new ground for the Apostles. None of them had attended a denominational seminary, so they hadn’t been taught how to twist Scripture to make everybody happy. Peter and the others had been taught by Jesus, and now that people wanted to join the group, Peter needed guidance from the Holy Spirit. Peter’s words would set a precedent for generations to come.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:38-39).

These were the first of many who have come to faith in Christ over nearly 2,000 years. Those years were filled with much persecution and turmoil as well as joy and hope.

The early Christians coped with difficulties because they pulled together more than modern Christians. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers…. And all that believed were together and had all things in common. And sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men as every man had need” (Acts 2:42 & 44-45).

They needed each other, and modern Christians could learn from them. Many Christians in this world are facing tremendous persecution. Their lives are in danger, and they have great need of our prayers. Even if we live in relative safety, there are still needs. There are brothers and sisters in your congregation who have lost loved ones and need someone to show compassion. I can tell you that from my own experience when my husband died. He knew how to repair the roof and fix the plumbing, but I’m unable to make those repairs, and it would be helpful to have a Christian step in and help. There are many others with similar problems. To many, just a friendly smile would mean a lot.

The first Christians truly cared for each other, but we seem to have lost the agape love that they had for one another. What has happened to make us stop caring? Life is very busy for most of us, and we don’t have time to think of other people. If we look at the above verses, we see that they didn’t stray from the truth. There were no best-selling books with new ideas that contradicted what the Apostles taught; no purpose-driven or new-age teachings infiltrated the congregation. Those early Christians lost a lot by embracing Christ. Many were shunned by family and friends, and their businesses failed because their customers wouldn’t use their services. Their fellow Christians made sure everybody had what they needed to survive. We need each other today, just as our forefathers in the faith needed each other.

Most of those early believers came from the Jewish community and had heard Jesus speak, saw His miracles, and had also seen Him crucified; they couldn’t un-hear or un-see what He had done. Some had seen the risen Christ.

“And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 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” (1 Corinthians 15:5-6).

Paul wrote those words many years after the day Peter spoke on Pentecost, so those listening to Peter may have witnessed the risen Christ. The testimony the first believers had was tremendous, and their faith was unshakable. Those first believers learned directly from the Apostles. Peter had risen to leadership of the believers, and life was challenging for all who chose to follow the new Christian faith.

The Temple had been the hub of life for the Jewish people. Friends were there, business deals were made, and widows and orphans were cared for. Once Christ was embraced, they were no longer as welcome in the Temple, and many were rejected by family and friends. What could they do? Persecution was making life unbearable for anyone who professed Christ for salvation. Many were driven out of Jerusalem, but whether they fled or stayed, they needed each other.

How did they survive? They depended on each other. They took care of each other, and if there was a need, they made sure it was taken care of. Do we see that kind of brotherly love today? How many people in your congregation are hurting from the loss of a loved one? Do you take care of widows and orphans? If you sit in a Baptist church, do you care about the needs of people who sit in a Lutheran church? We are all one in the love of Jesus.

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

As Christians, we all belong to the family of God. Most people will help their own family members because they love them. That’s not a bad thing, but Christians are family, and we need each other. I’m not promoting that we continually help someone who doesn’t even try to help themselves, but a smile will cost you nothing financially and just might help a lonely Christian feel as if someone cares.

Looking back to Acts 2:42, we see that the Christians didn’t deviate at all from the Apostles’ teachings. This is a huge problem today. How many times do you hear someone say, “My Jesus wouldn’t…” or “My Jesus understands why I….” There is only one Jesus, and His words and actions are found in Scripture. There isn’t a Jesus for me and a different Jesus for you. Those early Christians didn’t “go to” church. There was no church to go to! They met together daily and at home and prayed together. Since they were steadfast in following the Apostles’ teachings, there were no denominational issues. There were no liberal congregations, and not even the Apostles were lifted up above laity. Only Christ was worshipped.

No, Peter wasn’t a pope, and nobody was venerated more than anyone else. Early on, there was concern that some people weren’t cared for equally. “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration” (Acts 6:1).

Believers were multiplying, and it seems there was some neglect. It was decided that seven men would be chosen, men who were full of the Holy Ghost and were wise, to be sure all were treated equally and received the help they needed. There had to be organization, but it was all done only after praying for guidance. I’m not sure how often today a pastor will pray about a need in the congregation and seek God’s guidance. Do they first seek their denomination’s blessing, or do they seek God’s will first? I’ve also seen that many congregations spend much time and money caring for non-believers while fellow Christians are left in need.

In this day and age, much of the needs of people are turned over to the government. Welfare, food stamps, and other government programs fill the physical needs of people, but the spiritual needs are sorely neglected. Christians shouldn’t have to depend upon the government for care, but Christians should also be the example of working for what we have and helping our brothers and sisters who are in need.

Christians need to exhort one another to be steadfast in following Scripture. In order to do that, we must fellowship with believers. Too many Christians think church on Sunday morning is enough fellowship with fellow Christians, and the really pious believers even attend Sunday evening and Wednesday services. That’s only man’s traditions. If you re-examine the verses in Acts 2, you’ll see a better picture of their fellowship.

“And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:46).

They did go to the Temple, but they stayed together and weren’t drawn back into old ways. They needed each other. The writer of Hebrews addresses this issue.

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for he is faithful that promised:) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another and so much the more as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23-25).

Assemble together with fellow Christians. Instead of spending your time with secular friends, share a meal with brothers and sisters. Instead of fellowshipping with CNN or ESPN, fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ. This verse says, “as ye see the day approaching.” What day? The day we will all be called Home. That day is approaching quickly.

Things will continue to become more wicked, and it will become more difficult to remain steadfast in our Christian walk. Public schools are the devil’s playground, and it’s becoming illegal to voice a Christian point of view. That day is approaching, and we need each other more and more.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.