Not
so random, in no particular order....
- what kind of commercials predominate a typical evening
newscast?
- do you trust the media?
- do you trust the government?
- do you trust God?
- do you trust vaccines?
- what is your plan during "social distancing"
& quarantine?
- what are your spiritual beliefs?
- who is Jesus to you?
- do you believe in heaven & hell?
- if (God forbid) you died tonight, where would you go
and why?
OK,
I can only answer some of these, the rest you will have to answer for yourself.
Ads
during the news
The
typical evening newscast, which I make a point not to watch because of its
agenda driven stories, is interrupted numerous times with commercials for
products like Otezla, Taltz, Chantix, Farxiga, Flonase, Xarelto, Prevagen,
Humira, Neulasta, Repatha, Alleve, Claritin, Keytruda, Linzess, Prolia,
Trelegy, et al, ad nauseam. What are all these
oddly named products? Medications. Drugs. Marketed by
the various drug companies that comprise the pharmaceutical industry.
More on that later in the section on vaccines.
Trusting
the media
It
is generally accepted that an increasing number of Americans do not trust the
mainstream media. Problem is, during a health scare like this, where the
public makes itself a captive audience to the 24/7 news cycle, suddenly the
news is supposed to be trustworthy. But if they have an agenda about
other things, and can't be relied upon for accurate reporting, why is this any
different? Reasonable skepticism is healthy.
Trusting
the government
The
same applies to the government. Most Americans do not trust the
government, and for good reason. This is not conspiracy theory, but based
on history of government overreach. This quote from Daniel Webster, U.S.
Senator, politician, and orator (1782-1852) says it well (emphasis added)...
Good
intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It
is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people
against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who
mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to
be good masters, but they mean to be masters. Source: https://www.quotes.net/quote/18815
"It's
for your own good" is much better coming from well-meaning parents than
from anyone in government. There is a reason for the decades-old
tongue-in-cheek meme "we're from the government, and we're here to help
you."
Trusting
God
Unlike
the media and the government, which are both made up of flawed human beings
with all manner of personal foibles, axes to grind, and hidden agendas, God has
no hidden agenda, has proven Himself faithful time and time again, and can be
trusted. More on that later.
Trusting
vaccines
For
a few decades now, there has been a growing movement to educate people on the
truth about vaccines, and the origin and history of immunizations. It has
been largely dismissed by the medical profession as conspiracy theory and
quackery, despite the very legitimate concerns it raises. A good starting point
for doing your own research on the matter is http://vaccinetruth.org/index.html. If
more people knew the truth about vaccines and their risks, fewer people would
get them. A better approach to staying healthy and fighting disease is to
strengthen the immune system with, among other things, vitamin C. Dr.
Linus Pauling was awarded a Nobel Prize for his work on the benefits of vitamin
C in strengthening the immune system.
It
is not a stretch to suspect that one of the consequences of this pandemic is
the introduction of mandatory immunizations, "for the public
good." The government and its licensed media will vilify anyone
refusing the vaccine that is bound to be developed within the next few months,
when people will be unwittingly demanding it as a solution for the ongoing
misery and suffering being endured. (And of course, to create a
heightened demand, immediate shortages will be announced.)
Something
I learned years ago when I had the honor and privilege of being a backup Sunday
school teacher for my dear friend and brother Andy Dodgen, was while I was
preparing a lesson on Revelation chapter 9 in our study of that book. The
last verse in the chapter, verse 21, says "Neither repented they of their
murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of
their thefts." (emphasis added) Looking up the Greek word for
sorceries (pharmakeia) revealed an eye-opening truth that can be found
here: https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G5331&t=KJV
"Social
Distancing" and Quarantine
Someone
has astutely observed that we, as a hyperconnected society, have already been
practicing a subtle form of social distancing for a while now, with our
obsessive preference for our smartphones over face-to-face conversations and
normal social interactions. That's a sad commentary. Many people
confined to their homes will unfortunately stay glued to their television sets
(another form of isolation), relying on their favorite media outlet to keep
them updated on the latest "breaking news", none of which is going to
be positive. It is a recipe for loneliness, anxiety, and depression at a
time when those are already problems, even before coronavirus ever became a
thing.
It
would be better to, weather permitting, go outside and get some fresh air and
sunshine (a great source of vitamin D in short supply during winter months
when, connection alert, people stay inside and are more susceptible
to flu), and exercise. However, if you're going to stay inside, get your
news from alternative sources like Breitbart. I used
to suggest Drudge Report, but that has fallen out of favor with me to a large
extent. (I still check it in the morning, but am more leery of its
sources than I used to be.)
Spiritual
beliefs
In
troubled times, people seek to find meaning and purpose in life, and comfort
for their souls. It often takes bad times to get people's attention,
unfortunately. The Sunday after 9/11, churches were filled to
overflowing, when the week before, attendance was likely lackluster.
Since none of us is guaranteed tomorrow, or even being able to finish reading
this sentence, it is a matter of utmost importance that you be able to answer
the remaining questions correctly and with conviction.
Who
is Jesus to you?
Answers
to this question can vary widely, and each, in itself, can be correct. He was a
historical figure. He was a great teacher. He was a great
man. He was a religious leader. He founded Christianity. He
performed miracles.
Settling
on any of these question in isolation misses the bigger picture. Why was
He part of history? Why (and what) did He
teach? What was the purpose of founding Christianity? Why did
He perform miracles?
His
birth, death, burial, and resurrection were all prophesied in the Old
Testament. All of these events happened, were witnessed by multiple people
independently, and are accepted as historical fact.
No
other religious leader in history has ever risen from the dead; not
Mohammed, not Buddha, not anyone can make this claim. Those two are still
dead, and are still buried in their respective tombs.
Jesus,
however, is no longer in the tomb where He was buried. The purpose of
so-called religion, for most, is to help them have some assurance of an
afterlife. Question is, would you trust someone who himself could not
conquer death to help you transcend it?
When
Jesus said to HIs disciples in John 14:6, "I am the Way, the Truth, and
the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me", He had the credibility to
back up the claim when, on the third day after His brutal crucifixion, He rose
and left the tomb where He was buried, just as He said He would.
Why
was He crucified? Because, as Romans 3:23 & 6:23 say, respectively,
"all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God", and "for
the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord." A verse with which all Christians should be
familiar, and is perhaps more recognizable than any other, is John 3:16, which
says "for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life."
Heaven
and hell
The
gospel is often referred to as the Good News, because that's what it means, and
that's what it is. And normally good news is either preceded or followed
by bad news. The bad news is that, hell is a real place, and apart from
the shedding of blood, there is no remission of (i.e. adequate payment for)
sins. You can't do enough good works, or be a good enough person to earn
your way into heaven. Not even Billy Graham or Mother Teresa could get
into heaven with all the great things they did. This is what Ephesians
2:8-9 means when it says
For
by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, for it is the
gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.
If
we could get into heaven to the Father on our own, Jesus would not have had to
die for us on the cross; that would have been entirely unnecessary.
It
is a common misconception that heaven is a place where angels will be flitting
about in the clouds, playing harps, etc., and all manner of other very boring
things. Doesn't sound all that appealing does it? And hell is just
described as a place filled with debauchery, which is enjoyed by many here on
earth in this life. It can't be all that bad, right?
Truth
is, both places are one-way destinations of no return. Heaven isn't a
place you'd ever want to leave, even if you could, and hell is a place you
can't ever leave, no matter how badly you want to. Hell is eternal
separation from God. Heaven is being eternally in the presence of
God. Human descriptions of both places do neither place justice.
Hell will be far worse than anyone could ever imagine, and heaven will be far
better than anyone could ever imagine.
The
ultimate decision
People
often say they want to continue to live their lives as they always have, and
then, when they get close to the end, they'll repent and ask for
forgiveness. Sounds good, but the obvious problem with that is that we
may not have the luxury of knowing when or how we are going to die.
Better to settle that question and not have to worry about the regret that
comes with avoiding it, the regret that will never end.
The
following verses, in addition to the ones already mentioned, pretty clearly
outline the decision we must all make before we die.
"But
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His
blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were
enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more,
having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." - Romans 5:8-10
"Repent
therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of
refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." - Acts 3:19
"If
we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
"That
if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart
one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation." - Romans 10:9-10
"For
whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:13
"Nor
is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given
among men by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:12
"For
there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus." - 1 Timothy 2:5
It
is for these reasons that I am content in knowing that, if I die tonight, I
will be with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for eternity. I can say as
Paul did, "for me to live is Christ, to die is gain." (Philippians
1:21)
I
pray that, if you have not already made this most important of decisions, while
you still can, you do. Though there is no prescribed formula for the
prayer, the elements of salvation are repentance (admitting you are a sinner,
as we all are), belief in Jesus as the risen Savior, and confession of Him as
Lord. God neither rewards eloquence nor penalizes lack thereof; the
sincere prayer from a contrite heart, He will honor.
Now
what?
If
you made this decision as a result of the Holy Spirit using this email to
convict you, I'd love to hear from you; you are now my brother or sister
in Christ.
Whether
you are already a believer, or just became one, please share this with others,
because the Gospel needs to spread faster and with more urgency than either a
pandemic or news of one (real or fake).
God
bless you.
In
Christ,
Fred
