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CHAPTER FIVE
Later on that evening, Karen walks in the kitchen where her older brother Scott is sitting
at the kitchen table with his Mother, whom is helping him with his homework.
"Mom, why did those evil men shoot little Timothy's mom and kill her?", little Karen
asks in A sad tone of voice.
"Well sweetheart, I'm not sure I have an answer for that!", the Mother exclaims, "we will
just have to pray for Timothy and his Mother".
"Well I know the answer to that!", Scott exclaims hastily, "Those guys are scum!. They
run around mugging people, robbing stores, and shooting innocent men, women , and even
Children. Timothy was one of the Lucky ones!, last week A six year old boy was shot in
the Head while he was walking to the school bus, now he is in A coma, he will probably be
A vegetable for the rest of his life".
"SCOTT! ", the Mother shrieks out in an upset tone of voice, "don't you tell me that
Timmy is unquote, "one of the lucky ones!". That poor little boy watched his mothers life
pass right before his very eye's, her blood was splattered all over him and the pavement, it
is going to scar him for the rest of his life. That poor little boy is going to have nightmares
for the rest of his life, and on top of that he is not going to have his Mother to tuck him
into bed at night, or to hug and kiss him and tell him how much she loves him every day!.
Timothy is going to have to live without his Mother for the rest of his life!, so do not sit
there in that chair and try to tell me that he is one of the lucky ones!, there are no lucky
people when it comes to any kind of violence!".
"I'm sorry Mom, I did not mean for it to sound that way!. I just meant that he is really
lucky that all of those stray bullets missed him".
"I know son, and I am sorry too, I guess we are all on edge right now!" the Mother
exclaims. "Mom, I know that I probably shouldn't ask you this, I mean you being A
Christian and all, but if I don't ask you then, I wouldn't know whom else to ask" Scott
exclaims with hesitance in his voice.
"What is it son?", the Mother asks with great curiosity.
"Well Mom," Scott replies, "How do you know for A fact that there is A God and A
devil?, I mean I know that we have been raised to believe it, but you have never seen them
have you?"
"Well, first of all ", the Mother explains "let me tell you that there is A poem verse, it is
one of my favorite poems, and the verse says : I wanted you to Love me by Faith, not
Fear, That is why you couldn't see me but knew I was here! . What this means is that you
have to feel with your heart and soul, you must search deep within yourself for an answer
to that.
However, let me put it to you another way. Your A young Man!, yet how come when
you went shooting with your Dad, he shot old cans and bottles and you shot those innocent
little Birds?".
"Oh, Dad told you huh?", Scott replies with A look of guilt on his face, then he tries to
exonerate himself, "Well I, I felt bad afterwards, I felt dirty and wicked. In fact I felt guilty
for weeks!".
"Yes son, but if you felt that it was wrong to shoot them, then why did you do it?, why
did you shoot those innocent birds?", the Mother asks as Scott's little sister Karen gives him
A look of disqust.
"I don't know why I shot them Mom!, I got that gun in my hands and it was as if I were
A different person. Those birds came flying overhead, and I didn't think about how I
would feel if I were A little bird flying freely in the sky, doing harm to nobody, and then
was shot out of the sky, falling to the ground with A shotgun blast in my stomach. I didn't
think of the birds at all, I just felt tempted to shoot them out of the sky, so I did!, even
though I knew that it was A sin to kill anything that you were not going to eat!", Scott
replies as he looks downward and sighs deeply as if trying to push the guilt out of his lungs.
"YOU MURDERER!", Scott's little sister Karen screams out at him as she jumps up
from the table and runs out of the room crying.
"Mom, did you have to bring it up in front of her?", Scott asks in an embarrassed tone of
voice.
"Yes, maybe I did!, maybe now you see how wrong it really was!", the Mother exclaims.
"Yes, I know that it was wrong now, but I was tempted at the time!, I guess that I did not
think, I mean.." Scott replies as he is interrupted by his Mom.
"Yes, exactly!, you were tempted while the gun was in your hands. Ordinarily, you
would not dream of killing those poor little innocent birds!, but when A gun was in your
hands you were unquote, "A different person!", now whom do you think tempted you?"
the Mother asks.
"Well, I guess," Scott begins to reply and is once again interrupted by his Mother.
"And when you want to try and lose weight, yet you tell me no matter how hard you try,
you seem to just keep on eating all of the time, and overeat at meals, why do you think you
do that?".
"I don't know!", Scott exclaims with A slight shrug of his shoulders.
"In fact, you just told me last night that you did not know why you were eating again,
you said that you were not even hungry", the Mother exclaims "I'll tell you why, it is YOU
whom wants to lose weight, it is SATAN whom tempts you to keep eating, because the
Bible says that thou shalt not over indulge.
And no matter how hard you try to quit smoking weed, your friends come over to tempt
you and so you smoke it!".
A look of concern comes over Scott's face because he is shocked that his Mother knows
that he smokes weed. Questions race through his mind, "how long has she known about
this?", "Oh my God I am going to get it!" , "Oh no!, does dad know?, and if not is she
going to tell him?" , "how did she find out?".
"Yes Scott, I know that you and your friends have been smoking weed and we will talk
about that too!, but lets finish this conversation first!" the Mother exclaims.
"Yes Mother!", Scott exclaims in A defeated tone of voice.
"Scott, what I am trying to convey to you here is that if there is no Satan, then where
does all of this temptation come from?, I mean, you wouldn't ordinarily dream of hurting
any living thing, but once A gun is put into your hands, Satan comes along and tempts you
with his little voice of woe!. And when food is near you, Satan tempts you to eat it
whether you are hungry or not!. Not only because it is A sin to overindulge, but he does
this to weaken your self esteem, and make you feel like A failure, he likes to take away
your will power so that he can control you more easily. Even when you try to quit
smoking weed, Satan comes along and tempts you, he puts all the pressure on you that he
can, to weaken you, and try to win your Soul from Christ. It is like you are A pawn in A
game of chess, and the Lord is letting you make all of your own moves, so it is up to you
whether you win or lose".
Scott looks up at his Mother and replies, "You know, at first, when you started talking
about me shooting the Birds, I did not see the relationship to my question. But now I am
beginning to understand how you made your point!. If there is no Satan then why all of
the temptation and where does it come from?, and how come temptation always knows the
perfect time to strike?!?.
Like me smoking Weed Mom!" A tear rolls down Scott's cheek as he continues to speak
to his Mother, "I have tried to quit smoking weed Mom!, that is why I quit hanging around
Brad, and then Rodney, and even Ted! ", Scott exclaims as A few more tears escape from
their proud thresh-hold.
The Mother gets up out of her chair and walks over to Scott and hugs him, I know son, I
know that you have been trying to quit!".
"But how Mom?, how can you know?, especially with you being A Christian and all,
how can you know whom tempts me and how I feel?", Scott asks as he begins to cry.
Scott's Mother pulls back and looks into his eyes, as A tear also rolls down her right
cheek, and she replies, "I wasn't always A Christian son!" she exclaims as she tries to
smile at him, "I also have traveled the wrong road at your age!. I have fought some of the
same temptations that you are fighting now!".
Scott smiles at his Mother and wipes the tears from his eyes as he replies, "I am truly
sorry Mom. I quit hanging around alot of my friends to get rid of the temptation of
smoking, but then it seems like I would meet someone else whom smoked weed too!.
And that time I asked to stay with Grandma last Summer, well, my first week there I met A
neighbor down the street whom was hired to mow Grandmas lawn twice A month, and he
smoked weed too!. Before I knew it we were getting stoned almost every day in Grandmas
garage. But now I think that I understand, the point that you were trying to make was that
Satan is himself temptation, and you can't run from temptation, not even to Grandmas
house, because Satan is everywhere, so I will have to learn to be strong and say NO!",
Scott exclaims as he wipes his eyes.
"That's right son!", The Mother exclaims with A simplistic smile, "and I hope for your
sake that you get back on the right path before Christ returns!, because I love you and I
want to see this whole Family together again someday in Heaven, and you know that the
Bible says do not be drunken in the fields when Christ comes!, and do not forget that the
wages for sin is death!", she exclaims as she kisses her son on the forehead.
"Mom, does Dad know too?", Scott asks almost afraid to hear her reply.
"I don't know son!, your Dad works alot of hours, so he isn't here to see and hear the
things that I see and hear, but don't worry, I will not tell him if you promise to quit smoking
weed from this day forward, deal?", the Mother asks as she raises her hand for A
handshake.
Scott smiles and shakes her hand, "Deal!".
"I want you to think real hard about what the Bible says in Romans 7:15, it says -I do not
understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't. I do what I don't
want to-what I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad
conscience proves that I agree with these laws that I am breaking. But I can't help myself,
because I am no longer doing it. It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me
do these evil things".
"O.K. Mom, I will sleep on that tonight".
"By the way Scott, why all of these questions about God and Satan lately?", the Mother
asks.
"Well Mom, maybe I have been watching A little too much Television lately, but, well, if
it was you or any other member of my family that was shot, or injured in any way by one
of those Gang members, I would want to get A gun and go around killing every gang
member that I seen!", Scott replies.
The mother looks at Scott as she eases back into her chair, and replies, "Honey, I know
what you mean, and I do know exactly how you feel, I don't know if it is watching all of
these violent television shows like Deathwish, or if it is just A natural instinct, but almost
everyone whom loses A loved one to violence feels like getting revenge, and some of them
do!. But if everyone took the Law into their own hands, the World would be overturned
with violence. One man would kill another man for killing his wife, and then that mans
Brother would kill him, and so on. It would be A never ending scenario, that is why we
have Laws to live by. And lets not forget what the Bible says about these laws, and
obeying them. In Romans 13:1 the Bible says "Obey the government, for God is the one
whom has put it there". There are crooked cops, lawyers, and even Judges, but the Lord
will take care of them come Judgment day, so until then we are to obey the laws, because
for the most part, they are for our own good.
"But Mom!", Scott replies "everyone agrees that our soldiers were doing the right thing
going to the Gulf and fighting against Saddam Hussein, because he is evil!. They say that
he shot innocent people, raped women, murdered children, he and his troops robbed
people, and worse of all, he tortured people. In fact they even say that he plucked out A
mans eyeball while the man watched in pain. They say that he pushed red hot pokers
through A mans body, and even hung some women with A thin wire".
"That is exactly why our troops went over there Honey!", she replies "because our troops
are protecting those innocent people and trying to keep him from hurting anyone else, or
growing big enough to attack the United States itself!. Our soldiers have always fought
wars to stop people like him, and Hitler".
"So what you are saying is that it is all right for soldiers to kill?!?", Scott asks.
"Well, Yes, I guess so!", She exclaims in A confused tone of voice, and then she lets out
A short giggle and replies, "unless you want to live under A man like Hitler, or Saddam
Hussein!".
"So it is all right for A man to protect our Country, but not our Streets!?!", Scott
exclaims with great confusion.
Scott's Mother looks at him and replies, "I know that it is harder on you kids these days
Scott. I mean with all of these kids being in Gangs, and being killed every single day!, and
with rapists and murderers on our streets, and I'll bet that you are thinking an eye for an
eye and A tooth for A tooth, but do you know which gang member shot Timothy's
Mother, and do you remember that book that I gave you to read last week?".
"You mean that book that I read about three different men whom were in prison for gang
violence and Murder?" Scott asks.
"Yes dear, that one" she replies, "each of those three stories were true, and all three of
those boys lived rough lives as children, and they learned to fight and steal for what they
wanted. They were all three in and out of Juvenile halls, and Prisons all of their lives. But
all three of them found the Lord while they were in Prison, even the man whom murdered
his own Brother, and they are all three now Christians, and they have repented and are
now helping others like them to change . Now if someone would have killed them after
they committed A robbery or A murder, then they would not have had A chance to redeem
themselves and become Christians, and they would not have been able to convert other
gang members and criminals to Christianity. You must always remember that one of Jesus
Christ's Apostles killed Christians and threw others in prison, but the Lord forgave him and
showed him the way. He then became one of the Lords most important Apostles.
In fact Paul said this in one of his letters to A Church, "But God had mercy on me so that
Christ Jesus could use me as an example to show everyone how patient he is with even the
worst sinners, so that others will realize that they, too, can have everlasting life".
"I know Mom, and you are right!, but out of all of those murderers, and rapists, and
robbers, only A small percent of them are changed, and become an asset to the
community, and the rest hurt people every day, in and out of prison, and show no remorse,
and what about Timothy's Mom?, she was A drinker, what about her chance to redeem
herself, and what about her Children?", Scott asks.
"I know that it is all hard to understand my son, and I admit that I do not have all of the
answers. That is why we must live by the Bible, and go to church, because we never know
when it is our time to go, so we must always be ready to meet our maker!. Lord forbid
that he come for us when we are not ready, and are living in sin like Timothy's mother".
"Well Mom, I am glad that you brought me up to believe in God, and every one of those
worthless scum out there better thank God that most of us human beings believe in God
and want to go to Heaven, because I am pretty sure that I speak for alot of decent people
when I say that if it weren't for believing in God and wanting to be A part of paradise in
Heaven, we would probably be out there ridding the world of all of those earth scum!".
Scott exclaims.
"Well dear, just remember what it says in the Bible about revenge. "Vengeance is mine
saith the Lord", also, I Thessalonians 5:15 "See that no one pays back evil with evil".
I had better go upstairs and calm your sister down, you know I never did finish
answering her question!", the Mother exclaims as she rises from the table, kisses Scott on
the forehead and then leaves the room, and goes upstairs to Karen's room.
The Mother knocks on Karen's door. "Come in!", A voice shouts from the other side of
the door. The Mother opens the door, and notices little Karen laying on her Bed, reading
her Bible.
"Are you all right dear?", the Mother asks as she walks over to the bed and sits down
next to Karen.
"Yes, I just couldn't believe that he would kill A poor little innocent bird!", Karen
exclaims.
"Well dear, we all make mistakes. Sometimes we just don't think about the
consequences of our actions, until it is too late. The reason I came up here, is to answer
your question about Timothy's Mother. There are alot of evil People in this world dear.
There always has been, and always will be. But someday we will go to A better place, A
place where there is no crime, and People love one another. We will live among people
whom we can trust in Heaven. Remember that Christ told A man on A cross next to him
that he would join him in paradise?"
"Yes, mommy, Jesus told the man "today, you will be with me in Paradise! "Karen
replies.
"That's right dear, and we will have plenty of fine foods, fine homes and enjoyable work
for everyone, and there will be peace between the animals and humans. You will be able
to sit with the wolves, or even pet A lions beautiful Maine. There will be no more
sickness, aging or death, and no more greed or selfishness, and there will be no more
poverty, people will have whatever they need. And the most beautiful part of all, is that we
will once again be with our loved ones, those whom make it to Heaven. It will be A
beautiful place dear, more beautiful than any man can ever imagine.
In fact, Adam and Eve lived in such A place. There were plenty of fruits in the trees, and
animals all around.
But until that day comes honey, we will have to live for Jesus and remember that when we
are sad, that Jesus said "we can know A joy that runs so deep that no disappointment can
fully squelch it. I know that its hard to understand, but Tim's mom is in A better place
right now honey, so don't be sad, instead, be happy for her, I know that she wouldn't want
you to be sad. O.K. dear?".
"O.K. mommy!", Karen replies, then hugs her mom.
Meanwhile, at another house......
Two Women are sitting at the Kitchen table, and having their usual Bible study as Allen
and Ryan sit in the other room and watch A movie. Judy and Allen her husband are the
owners of the house, Ryan is Susan's boyfriend. Judy has just finished preparing snacks,
and is now starting A Bible study lesson with Susan. Judy is A fine host, as she has
prepared two nice trays with meats, cheese, celery, olives, and other snacks for the men
and themselves to snack on. Her friend, Susan, is listening intently, as she sits and eats an
olive Judy reads A verse from her Bible. "Keep away from every kind of evil ", then Judy
lowers her Bible and talks to Susan about what that verse meant.
"You see Susan, that is why I am against watching Television, as are most of the people
from my Church. When you turn on the television set these days, all that you hear is
cussing, and I mean some filthy words that our children should never hear, much less
speak.
There are A few movies, like Walt Disney movies that are all right, and the A&E channel
has some excellent shows called mysteries of the Bible, which show tremendous support
for the Bible. They show archeological digs that unearth proof that the Bible was accurate,
but other than that, television is A tool of the Devils, It teaches revenge, hatred, violence,
lying, cheating, stealing, and especially those daily soaps that women watch. Some women
watch those shows and they start believing that this is how they should live.
These shows show nothing but adultery, betrayal, sexual fantasies, murder, and so on,
these are the same sins that destroys Sodom and Gomorra. But television is not the only
wicked thing in the world these days, there are these video games that show nothing but
blood and guts, nudity on the internet, and local B.B.S ' s. But our Church does not make
you get rid of your television, the truth is that our Church, as any good Church would do,
just waits patiently for your own heart to convict you. As you sit and watch A television
show, one day the Holy Spirit will convict your heart, and your going to say, "This show is
pure filth, my goodness, I can't believe I never noticed all of this filth before!".
Besides that, whom really needs A television?, I mean, think of all the people in the
World whom just sit and watch television in their spare time, they get fat, and that causes
grief, because they constantly worry about their weight, and their health . So, I am not
saying that A person should get rid of their television, they should simply know when to
turn the channel and when to turn it off.
Also, families are not close together like they use to be years ago when there was no
television, and they have alot of problems because of the television. However, some of the
people in my Church do have A television, because we do not tell them that they cannot
have one, we just wait until the Lord convicts their heart, and they find out for themselves.
Because, one of the biggest mistakes some Christians make is to argue amongst themselves
about whom is right and whom is wrong!. In other words, do not argue with other people
about what you believe, this gives Satan the upper hand, and what better place is there for
him to cause dissension than the house of God, for this gives Satan the greatest pleasure of
all!.
The Bible says to remove the board from your own eye, before you complain about A
speck in somebody else's eye!. It says in the Bible that "Satan is A liar and murderer", and
so you should use this against him, knowing that he will make you doubt, and fail, and
fight amongst yourselves.
But as for watching television, wouldn't it be better to go out to A gym, and work out, and
talk to people, or take the family out to A nice picnic, or roller skating, or ice skating
together. There are alot of beautiful things to do in this world with your family, that
everyone would enjoy, and benefit from, both physically, and mentally".
"I agree with you there. But getting Ryan away from the Television, is like getting crazy
glue off of your fingers!" Susan replies with A smile.
"Yeah, I know what you mean, I can't even get Allen to come to Church with me yet ,
much less get him away from the television!" Judy exclaims . "So I just try to stay away
from the television when he watches it, and I wait patiently for the Lord to convict his
heart".
"But as far as knowing what to believe, always stick to the Bible, word for word.
Because alot of people and religions only hear the parts that they want to hear. It says in II
Timothy 4: 3-4 "For there is going to come A time when people wont listen to the truth,
but will go around looking for teachers whom will tell them just what they want to hear.
They wont listen to what the Bible says but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas".
So do not worry about giving up too much for God, it is better to give up too much, than
not enough" Judy exclaims.
Susan then gets A confused look on her face and asks, "let me ask you A question, I
have noticed A few books of the Bible are different, or say something that happened was A
little different than another book of the Bible says that it happened, so how do we know
which one is right?"
"Yes, there may be A few minor discrepancies in the Bible, but if ten people seen A car
accident and A police officer got A statement from each of those people, their stories
would each differ slightly. There would be no doubt that the accident happened, but the
rest of their stories would differ slightly . Also, you must remember that the Bible wasn't
written right away, it was written years later. The people whom wrote the Bible, wrote alot
of it from memory years after the events actually took place, therefore they probably forgot
the exact circumstances, but regardless, you know that these things happened".
Susan exclaims, "Yes, that is true. Well, I wish I never mentioned that sometimes people
speak in tongues in your church, because that really turned Ryan off!, he said that people
whom speak in tongues are devil worshippers".
"Well, you have to remember that these people stand and praise God, and constantly say
things like PRAISE GOD, HALLELUJAH, and BLESSED JESUS!. So how can
anything that praises God be of Satan?, it simply can't. Remember that when Jesus was
accused of being of Satan, for healing A man on the Sabbath, Jesus said, how can anything
that's good be of Satan?. Because if Satan did good than he would simply be fighting
himself.
Then Susan opens her Bible and turns the pages until she gets to Mark 16:16 and says to
Judy, "I read these Bible verses to Allen this morning, but he just shrugged it off, "those
whom believe and are Baptized will be saved. But those whom refuse to believe will be
condemned. And those whom believe shall use my authority to cast out demons, and they
shall speak new languages".
Then Judy replies, "Yes, that is true, when People receive the Holy Spirit, some of them
speak in tongue, but not all. It says in the Bible that different people will be given different
gifts, some will be given the gift of speaking in Tongues, yet others will be given the gift of
Prophecy, or the gift of writing.
It tells about these things in the book of I Corinthians, for example "Judy turns her Bible
to I Corinthians Chapter 14, verse 1, ( I Corinthians 14:1) "In first Corinthians, Chapter
fourteen, verse one, it reads....
Let love be your greatest aim; nevertheless, ask also for the special abilities that the Holy
Spirit gives, and especially the gift of Prophesy, being able to preach the messages of God.
But if your gift is that of being able to "speak in tongues", that is, to speak in languages that
you haven't learned, you will be talking to God but not to others, since they wont be able to
understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the spirit but it will all be A secret.
But one whom prophesies, preaching the messages of God, is helping others to grow in
the Lord, encouraging and comforting them.
So A person "speaking in tongues" helps himself grow spiritually, but one whom
Prophesies, preaching messages from God, helps the entire Church grow in holiness and
happiness.
I wish you all had the gift of "speaking in tongues" but, even more, I wish that you were
all able to Prophesy, preaching Gods messages, for that is A greater and more useful power
than to speak in unknown languages - unless, of course, you can tell everyone afterwards
what you were saying, so that they can get some good out of it too.
Dear friends, even if I myself should come to you talking in some language that you do
not understand, how would that help you ? but if I speak plainly what God has revealed to
me, and tell you things that I know, and what is going to happen, and the great truths of
Gods word - that is what you need; that is what will help you.
Even musical instruments - the flute, for instance, or the harp - are examples for the need
for speaking in plain, simple English rather than in unknown languages. For no one will
recognize the tune the flute is playing unless each note is sounded clearly.
And if the Army bugler doesn't play the right notes, how will the soldiers know that they
are being called into battle?
In the same way, if you talk to A person in some language he doesn't understand, how
will he know what you mean? you might as well be talking to an empty room.
I suppose that there are hundreds of different languages in the world, and all are excellent
for those whom understand them, but to me they mean nothing. A person talking to me in
one of these languages will be A stranger to me and I will be A stranger to him.
Since you are so anxious to have special gifts from the Holy Spirit, ask him for the very
best, for those that will be of real help to the whole Church.
If someone is given the gift of speaking in unknown tongues, he should pray also for the
gift of knowing what he has said, so that he can tell people afterwards, plainly.
For if I pray in A language that I do not understand, my spirit is praying but I don't know
what I am saying.
Well then, what shall I do? I will do both. I will pray in unknown tongues and also
ordinary language that everyone understands. I will sing in unknown tongues and also in
ordinary language, so that I can understand the praise that I am giving; for if you praise and
thank God with the spirit alone, speaking in another language, how can those whom do not
understand you be praising God along with you? how can they join you in giving thanks
when they don't know what you are saying?
You will be giving thanks very nicely, no doubt, but the other people present wont be
helped.
I thank God that I "speak in tongues" privately more than any of the rest of you.
But in public worship I would much rather speak five words that people can understand
and be helped by, than ten thousand words while "speaking in tongues"
in an unknown language.
Dear brothers, don't be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent babies
when it comes to planning evil, but be men of intelligence in understanding matters of this
kind.
We are told in the ancient scriptures that God would send men from other lands to speak
in foreign languages to his people, but even then they would not listen.
So you see that being able to "speak in tongues" is not A help to Gods children, but is to
interest the unsaved. However, prophesy (preaching the deep truths of God)
is what the Christians need, and unbelievers aren't yet ready for it.
Even so, if an unsaved person, or someone whom doesn't have these gifts, comes to
Church and hears you all talking in other languages, he is likely to think that you are crazy.
But if you prophesy, preaching God's word and an unsaved person or A new Christian
comes in whom does not understand about these things, all these sermons will convince
him of the fact that he is A sinner, and his conscience will be pricked by everything that he
hears.
As he listens, his secret thoughts will be laid bare and he will fall down on his knees and
worship God, declaring that God is really there among you.
Well, my brothers, lets add up what I am saying. When you meet together some will
sing, another will teach, or tell some special information that God has given him, or speak
in an unknown language, but everything that is done must be useful to all, and build them
up in the Lord.
No more than two or three should speak in an unknown language, and they must speak
one at A time, and someone must be ready to interpret what they are saying.
But if no one is present whom can interpret, they must not speak out loud. They must
talk silently to themselves and to God in the unknown language but not publicly.
Judy sits her Bible down on the table and then begins to explain what she has just read to
Susan, "You see, it is A well known fact that people are afraid of things that they do not
understand, so, YES!, speaking in tongue is A gift, and A beautiful gift at that, and it is A
gift from the Holy Spirit. And it says in the Bible that you should never speak bad of the
Holy Spirit or of speaking in tongues.
So people whom claim that Christians whom speak in tongue at A Church are devil
Worshippers are wrong, they just don't understand it, and that is why they are afraid of it.
However, you must use common sense when speaking in tongue, because, though it will
raise the spirits of those in Church whom understand it, it will frighten, and perhaps chase
away those whom do not.
So, if someone in the Church claims to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but they do not
speak in tongue, this does not mean that the Holy Spirit is not with them at all, they may
have simply been given A different gift, perhaps even A better gift that will help others to
see their mistakes, or to help A newcomer.
And in I Corinthians 12:8 it reads, To one person the spirit gives the ability to give wise
advise; someone else may be especially good at studying and teaching, and this is his gift
from the same spirit.
The Holy spirit gives special faith to another, and to someone else the power to heal the
sick.
He gives power for doing miracles to some, and to others the power to prophesy and
preach. He gives someone else the power to know whether evil spirits are speaking through
those whom claim to be giving God's messages-or whether it is really the Spirit of God
whom is speaking. Still another person is able to speak in languages he never learned; and
others, whom do not know the language either, are given the power to understand what he
is saying.
It is the same and only Holy Spirit whom gives all of these gifts and powers, deciding
which one each of us should have.
You notice that it said some are given the gift of knowing whether the message A
Christian claims to be of God really is or not?, well Brandon, the young man at our Church
is A good example of that, for example, one day I asked him his opinion of A certain
matter, and he said, "just A minute", then he looked up to the sky and said, "What God?,
yes, O.K., I'll tell her!", then he looked at me and said "God said that it was all right!"
Now, I do not doubt that if God wanted to tell someone something, especially A new
Christian, that he would use A fellow Christian to deliver his message, however, I do not
think that he just speaks in A plain voice, as Brandon pretended.
I am not one to judge, but this guy curses several times A day, I have even heard him use
God's name in vain, many, many times A day. He is full of anger deep down inside, and I
knew for A fact that he was not worthy enough to speak to God directly.
Also, just A couple of weeks ago, we were driving on our way to Church, and I was
saying that I hoped and prayed that Bob Dole won the presidential election, and he said
"Oh, Dole is going to win, God told me so!", and I told him, "Brandon, you had better quit
saying that God tells you these things all of the time, when in fact I doubt that he does. I
mean, it is possible, so I will not judge you, that would be wrong! but what I am saying is
that if you put words in God's mouth, and tell people that he made promises to you, you
had better make sure, beyond A shadow of A doubt that you are right, or I would not want
the punishment that you would most likely receive".
And he replied, "No, I am serious, God told me that Dole is going to win, and that I do
not even need to vote, hold on I'll ask him again!", then as he drove down the road, he
looked up towards the sky, and again said. "God, didn't you tell me that Dole was going to
win this election?, uhhuh, and so he is going to win, beyond A doubt ?!?", then he looked
at me and said, "see, I told you, Dole is going to win".
So I simply said, "O.K., if you say so, then I am no one to doubt you, seeing how I am A
new Christian myself, but just remember, if Dole does not win the election, you'd better
get on your knees and beg for his forgiveness, because then you will have made God look
like A liar, when in fact it will have been you whom lied!".
And he replied, "I am not lying, God told me that Dole was going to win, and he is!".
Well, we both know that Dole lost the election, so I told him, "O.K., Brandon, you had
better go straight home and beg God's forgiveness, because you put words in his mouth
that he did not say, and had I been A weak newcomer, perhaps this would have angered
me enough to leave your Church, but since I know that you are the only one in your
Church like this, I will remain where I am."
Then he said, "well, I just misunderstood God, that's all!, he was probably saying that
Dole was going to win the Holy Spirit and be saved!".
Beware of Hypocrites like this!, stay away from them if at all possible, unless you feel
strong enough to help them realize that they are headed for trouble, and think that perhaps
you can show them where and how they went wrong, and put them back on the right path.
Like I said, I try not to Judge others, for the Bible says "Judge not, less ye be judged!",
however, the Holy Spirit gives us this gift of wisdom, so that we do not fall victim to such
A hypocrite as this. Lord forbid that we start believing false Prophets such as this whom
put words in the mouth of our very God.
Not to mention that I have seen this so-called "Christian", yell and scream at his mother,
and he has even went as far as to physically abuse his mother, even as we drove to Church.
The Bible says, "Honor thy mother and thy Father!", yet he cusses at his mother, pushes
her, points his finger in her face as he yells at her, and even told her when she asked him to
move out, "I don't have to move out!, you can't make me!", Lord have mercy on this mans
soul, because he is headed for A judgment that I would never want to bear!.
He also talks about others and even worries about weather or not they pay their tithes and
offerings, something that is none of his business. And he brags to everyone about loaning
someone money, or buying them something they need, or even about bringing A
newcomer to Church. He drags them from person to person like A trophy.
In I Thessalonians 4:11-13 it says -This should be your ambition: to live A quiet life,
minding your own business and doing your own work, just as we told you before. As A
result, people whom are not Christians will trust and respect you.
Just be sure to use the wisdom that the Lord gives you, and to realize A person like this is
A hypocrite, and that he does not represent the Church that he goes to, no, not A single
person in that Church is like him, and so , it would be wrong to leave that Church because
of this ones actions, for this is what Satan is trying to do, he is trying to use A weak
Christian, to chase you off.
Also, the Bible speaks about these things in Matthew 6:1 to 7:23" She then turns the
pages in her Bible to those scriptures and begin to read them
"Take care! don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, for then you will lose your
reward from your Father in heaven. When you give A gift to A beggar, don't shout about
it as the hypocrites do, blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to
their acts of charity! I tell you in all earnestness, they have received all the reward that they
will ever get.
But when you do A kindness to someone, do it secretly, don't tell your left hand what
your right hand is doing. And your Father whom knows all secrets will reward you. And
now about fasting. When you fast, declining your food for A spiritual purpose, don't do it
publicly, as the hypocrites do, whom try to look wan and disheveled so people will feel
sorry for them! truly, that is the only reward that they will ever get. But when you fast put
on festive clothing, so that no one will suspect that you are hungry, except your Father
whom knows every secret. And he will reward you. Do not store your profits here on earth
where they can erode away or be stolen.
Store them in heaven where they will never lose their value, and are safe from thieves!
If your profits are in heaven then your heart will be there too.
If your eye is pure, there will be sunshine in your soul. But if your eye is clouded with evil
thoughts and desires, you are in deep spiritual darkness. And oh, how deep that darkness
can be!
You cannot serve two masters: God and money. For you will hate one and love the other,
or else the other way around.
Don't criticize, and then you wont be criticized! , for others will treat you as you treat them.
And why worry about A speck in someone else's eye when you have A board in your own?
Should you say "friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye"
when you can't even see because of the board in your own ?
Hypocrite! first get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother.
Don't give pearls to A swine! for they will trample the pearls and turn to attack you!
Do for others what you would want them to do for you. This is the teaching of the laws of
Moses in A nutshell.
Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to hell is broad, and
it's gate is wide enough for all the multitudes whom choose it's easy way.
But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only A few ever find it.
Beware false teachers whom come disguised as harmless sheep, but are wolves and will
tear you apart. You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify A tree by
it's fruit. You need never confuse grapevines with thorn bushes! or figs with thistles!
Different kinds of fruit trees can quickly be identified by examining their fruit. A variety
that produces delicious fruit never produces an inedible kind!
And A tree producing an inedible kind can't produce what is good!
SO, THE TREES HAVING THE INEDIBLE FRUIT ARE CHOPPED DOWN AND
THROWN INTO THE FIRE!
Yes, the way to identify A person is by the kind of fruit produced.
Not all whom talk like Godly people are. They may refer to me as "LORD", but they still
will not get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in
heaven.
AT THE JUDGMENT MANY WILL TELL ME, "LORD, LORD, WE TOLD OTHERS
ABOUT YOU AND USED YOUR NAME TO CAST OUT DEMONS AND TO DO
MANY OTHER GREAT MIRACLES"
BUT I WILL REPLY "YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN MINE. GO AWAY, FOR YOUR
DEEDS ARE EVIL".
So you see, the Bible clearly warns against people like these, and you must be careful not
to become like them.
In Jeremiah 23:24 the Bible reads "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not
see him?", in other words, this man pretends to be A good Christian while he is at Church,
then away from the Church he is A total different person, whom does not obey Gods
written commandments. But whom does he think he is fooling? He can't hide from God,
because God knows everything.
I have to admit that I thought about leaving this Church several times because of this one
mans actions, and some of the things he had put me through, but I knew that nobody else
from that Church was like him, and besides, I have never seen so many people show
they're love for God as the people in this church do!"
Susan exclaims, "That's for sure, they sure do have alot of energy at this Church, at first
it bothered me, the way they jump up and down and praise the Lord, until I realized that
they were just showing an over abundance of joy!"
"Well," Judy replies, "I was skeptic at first myself, but let me tell you what changed my
mind. You see, I used to go to other Churches in the past, and I am ashamed to admit it,
but I sat there bored alot of the time, just watching the time, and I could not wait to get out
of Church and go about my business. But now that I am going to this Church, I feel such
energy, that I do not even want Church to end.
Think of it this way, if you take A car battery and sit it in A corner, it will eventually lose
its juices, and that battery will not be of much use, but if you keep that battery hooked up
to the car and keep the juices flowing, the battery will be strong, and always doing you
much good.
So, it is good that these people jump with joy and praise the Lord, for this gets there
juices flowing, and keeps them glowing with energy, and they never become bored or sit in
Church like A bump on A log. No, they are not crazy at all, never have I seen and felt
such harmony, and love for the Lord as I have seen in this Church.
If your child's team wins at A ballgame, doesn't everyone cheer and jump with joy?
and is not the Lord worth even more praise than they?
Yes, people are afraid of things that they do not understand, but if they have an open
mind, and investigate, then they will become ever so wise. If you ever doubt anyone's
word about A religion, open your Bible and investigate, read about speaking in tongues, or
read about whatever question is on your mind, for the Bible does have the answers".
"I heard you mention fasting earlier, why do people fast? I mean, I could stand to lose
about thirty pounds, but, other than that, why do they fast?" Susan asks.
"Well," Judy replies "The main reason for fasting is that it teaches you strength, as well
as will power. It also helps to build character, and self esteem. The disciples once tried to
cast A demon out of an individual, and they were unsuccessful. But when Jesus came, he
was able to cast the demon out. So the disciples asked him why they were not able to cast
the demon out, and his reply was that it took alot of prayer and fasting for such A hard
case as this.
So, you see, fasting has nothing but good potential. Satan uses this against many people
too!, because it is an easy way to destroy their self-esteem, and will power.
Some people would say that's absurd, but to them I would simply challenge them to take
this simple test: Try to fast for one day, and listen to the voices deep in your mind.
The voices will try to tell you that what you are doing is stupid!, they'll tell you "You don't
need to do this, I mean, your hungry, so eat!, you can try fasting another time!
Or better yet, pick any particular habit you have, whether it be watching soap opera's, or
playing games, or smoking, ect. And tell yourself that you will not do that particular thing
for one whole week. Then listen to all the excuses and foolish reasons that flash through
your mind.
These can't be your thoughts, because you really want to stop. And you know you do!,
so whose voices, or thoughts are they? Satan's of course! whom else has something to
gain from breaking you down, and demoralizing you?
You see, Satan loves to demoralize you, and weaken your spirit, this is how he keeps
control of you. Have you ever told yourself that you were never going to do something
again, only to turn around and do it anyway's? You were serious when you said that you
would never do it again!.
Or have you ever said that potato chips give you heart burn, or perhaps spicy foods of
some sort, so you swore to never eat them again? so, why did you eat them again?
Or have you ever said "Just one more doughnut, or candy bar", then went back for more?
There is A little voice that says "oh, one more wont kill you!", whose little voice do you
think that is?
Satan puts those excuses in your mind, so that he can break you, like A trainer must break
in A horse before it is ridden. And you know what the Bible says about these excuses, in
Ephesians 5:6 it reads "don't be fooled by those whom try to excuse these sins, for the
terrible wrath of God is upon all those whom do them"
Then Susan says "Well, I am still concerned about one more thing. I want to get married
again, but the Bible speaks against remarriage, so does that mean that I can never be
married again?"
Susan asks with A slight frown on her face.
"First of all, remember that you caught Rick with another woman several times and then
you finally gave up on him and left him. So it wasn't quite your fault. And it says in the
Bible, should any man divorce his wife, except for fornication, he may not marry again.
Now I may be wrong, but I personally believe that this was A clause, because you can't be
expected to suffer due to your mates fornication's.
You were raised by A step-dad, and so, divorce and remarriage was A normal part of life
to you. You were raised to believe that it was all right to divorce and remarry, anyway's, it
is best if you do not marry again, however, it is better to remarry than to fornicate, and live
A continuous life of sex sin.
"It reads in I Corinthians 7: 1, " Judy says as she turns her Bible to first Corinthians,
verse one and begins to read "Now my answer about those questions that you asked in
your last letter: My answer is that if you do not marry it is good. But usually it is best to
be married, each man having his own wife, and each woman having her own husband,
because otherwise you might fall back into sin.
And, in first Corinthians 7:8, the Paul wrote, "So I say to those whom aren't married, and
to widows : Better to stay unmarried if you can, just as I am. But, if you can't control
yourselves, go ahead and marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with lust.
Now, for those whom are married I have A command, not just A suggestion.
And it is not A command from me, for this is what the Lord himself said: A wife must not
leave her husband. But if she is separated from him, let her remain single or else go back
to him. And the husband must not divorce his wife.
Here I want to add some suggestions of my own. These are not direct commands from
the Lord, but they seem right to me: If A Christian has A wife whom is not A Christian,
but she wants to stay with him anyway, he must not leave her or divorce her. And if A
Christian woman has A husband whom isn't A Christian, and he wants her to stay with
him, she must not leave him.
For perhaps the husband whom isn't A Christian may become A Christian with the help
of his Christian wife. And the wife whom isn't A Christian may become A Christian with
the help of her Christian husband. Otherwise, if the family separates, the children might
never come to know the Lord; whereas A united family may, in God's plan, result in the
children's salvation.
But, if the husband or wife whom isn't A Christian is eager to leave, it is permitted. In
such cases the Christian husband or wife should not insist that the other stay, for God
wants his children to live in peace and harmony.
For, after all, there is no assurance to you wives that your husbands will be converted if
they stay; and the same may be said to you husbands concerning your wives.
So, you see Susan, I personally believe that you are not condemned for not living A
Christian life in the past, because you have been forgiven, but once you have been saved,
in other words, Baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, then, from there, there is no
turning back. If you forsake our Lord after having the Holy spirit dwell in you to maturity,
then there is little hope, but even then I would not give up.
For instance, when I was young, my mother was divorced from my real dad when I was
four years old. So I also was raised by A step dad, and I also was raised believing that
divorce and remarriage was A normal part of life.
Then, when I was eighteen years old, I was not going to Church, nor were my parents,
whom by the way did not raise us as Christians, though they did believe in the Lord, they
did not live Christian lives. They fought, and drank, and cursed, and all those sort of
things.
So at eighteen years old, I was married to A man, and within two weeks I caught him
with another woman, I left him, but then I forgave him and took him back. Then A few
weeks later I caught him lying to me and cheating again!. So again I left him.
All together I left him, and came back to him several times until, finally, I had no love left
for him. So we finally got A divorce.
Then, years later, I began going to Church, and I have to tell you that when I married
him, I was young, and did not read the Bible, so to me I was making A commitment to
him, and not to the Lord. But now I am A Christian, and I have read the Bible, so I now
know that when you are married, you are making A promise to God, and promises to him
should never be broken.
So, was it all right for me to marry again? I believe that the answer to that question is
yes! Because in the Bible it says that A person is not held responsible for A crime, if he did
not know that it was A crime. So, since I did not realize the importance of A marriage,
and did not realize that it was A binding contract with God, then I was not held to that
contract.
But, now that I am married again, and I do realize that it is an oath made to God, I must
remain in this marriage , and never marry again. It says in Mark 10:9 "And no man may
separate what God has joined together", so I will make sure that this relationship does not
fail.
My Pastor said that if you were divorced before you were Baptized and Holy Spirit
filled, that you may marry one more time, because you are no longer A sinner, and your
past was washed away when you began your new life as A Christian!.
So, we feel that you may marry now that you are A Christian, but make sure it is the
right person, because once you have been saved, and holy Spirit filled, you may never
again remarry. Also, in Deuteronomy 24:1-2 the Bible says "When a man hath taken a
wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favor in his eyes, because he
hath found some uncleanness in her: Then let him write her A bill of divorcement, and give
it in her hand, and send her out of his house. And when she is departed out of his house,
she may go and be another mans wife."
"I sure do hope that you are right, because I do not believe that I could live the rest of my
life alone!.
Anyway, let me ask you A very serious question" Susan says in A concerned tone of voice
"I have been real worried about my Uncle, because even though he claims to be A
Christian, he is rich, and I have heard that rich people will not make it to heaven.
I am in Church now, and I personally think that I am doing good. I am studying my Bible
everyday, and trying to live like Jesus did, and have compassion for everyone.
I pay my tithes and offerings, just like the Bible says that we should do, I work hard, and
love God with all of my Heart, Soul, and Mind. Because I know that the most important
command of all is that you should love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
And I know that it says in Romans 13:9, that all ten commandments could be wrapped
up in one commandment, to love your neighbor as you would love yourself.
And I believe that my uncle lives that way as well. So will he go to Heaven?"
"Well it says in the Bible that It would be easier for A camel to go through the eye of A
needle, than for A rich man to go to heaven. Does that mean that no rich people will make
it to Heaven? , I do not know the answer to that. Lets turn our Bibles to I Timothy 6:8".
They both turn their Bibles, and then Judy begins to read outloud .
"Some may deny these things, but they are sound, wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus
Christ and are the foundation for A Godly life. Anyone whom says anything different is
both proud and stupid. He is quibbling over the meaning of Christ's words and stirring up
arguments ending in jealousy and anger, which only lead to name-calling, accusations, and
evil suspicions.
These arguers, their minds warped by sin, don't know how to tell the truth; to them the
good news is just A means of making money. Keep away from them.
Do you want to be rich? You already are if you are happy and good. After all, we didn't
bring any money with us when we came into the world, and we can't carry away A single
penny when we die.
So we should be well satisfied without money if we have enough food and clothing.
But people whom long to be rich soon begin to do all kinds of wrong things to get money,
things that hurt them and make them evil-minded and finally send them to Hell itself.
For the love of money is the first step toward all kinds of sin. Some people have even
turned away from God because of their love for it, and as A result have pierced themselves
with many sorrows.
Then in I Timothy 6:17 it reads "Tell those whom are rich not to be proud and not to
trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the
living God whom always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should
give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has
given them. By doing this they will be storing up real treasures for themselves in Heaven,
it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living A fruitful Christian life
down here as well.
And then in Matthew 23:13 the Bible says "Woe to you, Pharisee's, and you other
leaders. Hypocrites! For you won't let others enter the Kingdom of Heaven and you wont
go in yourselves. And you pretend to be holy, with all your long, public prayers in the
streets, while you are evicting widows from their homes. Hypocrites!
Yes, woe upon you hypocrites. For you go to all the lengths to make one convert, and
then turn him into twice the son of hell that you are yourselves.
Blind guides! Woe upon you! For your rule is that to swear "by Gods Temple" means
nothing, you can break that oath, but to swear "By the gold in the temple" is binding Blind
fools! which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
and verse 23 reads " Yes, woe upon you, Pharisee's, and other religious
leaders-Hypocrites! For you tithe down to the last mint leaf in your garden, but ignore the
important things, justice, and mercy, and faith. Yes you should tithe, but you shouldn't
leave the more important things undone.
Then in Matthew 16:24 it reads "If anyone wants to be A follower of mine, let him deny
himself and take up his cross and follow me.
For anyone whom keeps his life for himself shall lose it; and anyone whom loses his life for
me shall find it again.
What profit is there if you gain the whole world, and lose eternal life? What can be
compared to the value of eternal life?
For I, the son of mankind, shall come with my Angels in the glory of my father and judge
each person according to his deeds.
Then in mark 12:38 the Bible says "Beware of the teachers of religion! For they love to
wear the robes of the rich and scholarly, and to have everyone bow to them as they walk
through the markets. They love to sit in the best seats in the synagogues, and in the places
of honor in banquets, but they shamelessly cheat widows out of their homes and then, to
cover up the kind of men that they really are, they pretend to be pious by praying long
prayers in public. Because of this, their punishment will be greater!
Then Jesus went over to the collection boxes in the temple and sat and watched as the
crowds dropped in their money. Some whom were rich put in large amounts.
Then A poor widow came and dropped in two pennies.
Jesus called his disciples to him and remarked, "That poor widow has given more than all
of those rich men put together! for they gave A little of their extra fat, while she gave up
her last penny."
So, you see, the point here is to worship God, and not the almighty dollar.
However, there are some better answers yet, lets turn to Luke 16:19, it says "There was
once A certain rich man," Jesus said, "whom was splendidly clothed and lived each day in
mirth and luxury. One day Lazarus, A diseased beggar, was laid at his door.
As he lay there longing for scraps from the rich mans table, the dogs would come and
lick his open sores.
Finally the beggar died and was carried by the Angels to be with Abraham in the place of
the righteous dead. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went into Hell.
There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham.
"Father Abraham," he shouted, "Have some pity! send Lazarus over here if only to dip the
tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in these flames."
But Abraham said to him, "Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything
that you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted and you
are in anguish.
And besides, there is A great chasm separating us, and anyone wanting to come over to
you is stopped at it's edge; and no one over there can cross to us."
Then the rich man said, "O Father Abraham, then please send him to my Fathers home,
for I have five brothers, to warn them about this place of torment lest they come here when
they die."
But Abraham said, "The scriptures have warned them again and again. Your brothers
can read them any time they want to."
The rich man replied, "No Father Abraham, they wont bother to read them. But if
someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins."
But Abraham said, "If they Won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they wont listen even
though someone rises from the dead".
"man, that is frightening!", Susan exclaims.
Judy replies "Yes, but it gets worse, lets turn to James 5:1", then Judy begins to read
outloud again. "Look here, you rich men, now is the time to cry and groan with anguished
grief because of all of the terrible troubles ahead of you.
Your wealth is even now rotting away, and your fine clothes are becoming mere
moth-eaten rags.
The value of your gold and silver is dropping fast, yet it will stand as evidence against
you, and eat your flesh like fire. That is what you have stored up for yourselves, to receive
on that coming day of judgment.
For listen! hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay.
Their cries have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have spent your years here on earth having fun, satisfying your every whim, and
now your fat hearts are ready for the slaughter. You have condemned and killed good men
whom had no power to defend themselves against you.
Then in James 1:10 it says "But A rich man should be glad that his riches mean nothing to
the Lord, for he will soon be gone, like A flower that has lost its beauty and fades away,
withered, killed by the scorching summer sun. So it is with rich men.
They will soon die and leave behind all of their busy activities".
And again in James 2:1 it tells about the favoritism some people give to the rich, it says
"Dear brothers, how can you claim that you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of
glory, if you show favoritism to the rich people and look down on the poor people? If A
man comes into your church dressed in expensive clothes and with valuable gold rings on
his fingers, and at the same moment another man comes in whom is poor and dressed in
thread-bare clothes, and you make alot of fuss over the rich man and give him the best seat
in the house and say to the poor man, "You can stand over there if you like, or else sit on
the floor", well, this kind of action casts A question mark across your faith - are you really
A Christian at all? - and shows that you are guided by wrong motives.
Listen to me, dear brothers: God has chosen the poor people to be rich in faith, and the
kingdom of heaven is theirs, for that is the gift God has promised to all those whom love
him. And yet, of the two strangers, you have despised the poor man.
Don't you realize that it is usually the rich men whom pick on you and drag you into court?
And all too often they are the ones whom laugh at Jesus Christ, whomse noble name you
bare. Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lords command, "You must love
and help your neighbors just as much as you love and take care of yourselves".
But you are breaking this law of our Lord when you favor the rich and fawn all over
them; it is A sin.
And the person whom keeps every law of God, but makes one little slip, is just as guilty
as the person whom has broken every law there is. For the God whom said you must not
marry A woman whom already has A husband, also said you must not murder, so even
though you have not broken the marriage laws by committing adultery, but have murdered
someone, you have entirely broken God's laws and stand utterly guilty before him.
You will be judged on whether or not you are doing what Christ wants you to do. So
watch what you do and what you think; for there will be no mercy to those whom have
showed no mercy. But if you have been merciful, then Gods mercy toward you will win
out over his judgment against you.
Dear brothers, what's the use of saying that you have faith and are Christians if you aren't
proving it by helping others? will that kind of faith save anyone?
If you have A friend whom is in need of food and clothing, and you say to him, "Well,
good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat hearty", and you do not give him clothes
or food, what good does that do?
So, what this is saying is that faith without works is dead. And rich people usually stay rich
by being greedy, and pinching their money, and passing up beggars, and even relatives
whom are less fortunate. In fact, verse twenty six says "Just as the body is dead when
there is no spirit in it, so faith is dead if it is not the kind that results in good deeds".
You want to know what is beautiful?, in acts 4:34 the Bible tells about Christians helping
each other, now that's the way it should be. It says For all whom owned houses sold them
and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need.
And it tells in other parts of the Bible about Christians whom sold things, like if they had
two suits, or two houses, they sold them and gave the money to others whom needed it,
everyone in the Church shared, and had plenty. They all worked together and no one was
without. That is so beautiful!".
"So, there is A real good chance that my Uncle will not make it to Heaven, right? I mean
he has all kinds of money, but he does not even try to help the poor in his own family, in
fact when his Dad passed away, he even cheated his other brother out of most of his share
of the inheritance!" Susan exclaims.
"Yes, I would have to agree with you! Unless your uncle changes his ways real soon, he
is likely to burn in hell for eternity. And lets not forget that he will end up like scrooge
someday. He will end up old and all alone, because those whom he refused to help, won't
be there when he is too old to care for himself, and needs help.
And people that are rich usually worship money so much, that all they do is work, and
work, so they do not spend time with their loved ones, their children, or brothers and
sisters, and that alone is A sin.
Click here for chapter six---->
