Catholic's Question

The material on this page provides a good description of God consistent with the scriptures and quite different from the views of thousands of other “teachers.” The inventiveness of humanity in spiritual matters is the one place where invention is troublesome, really devastating. The things listed above and really many more are what people may think life is all about. These things are real, but temporary. Life is about something else and once you understand this you can put all these things in perspective and focus your life on what really matters.

What the world does: Get’s Life All Wrong
What religions do: Get’s Life All Wrong
Did you ever wonder why there are so many religions and they believe so differently? God claims to NOT be the author of confusion.

1 Corinthians 14.33

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace

One reasonable conclusion might be that none of the religions are right or that 99.9% of them are human-made, invented and that is probably right. I am “pretty sure” that there are many who do not care about being right in relation to life, maybe they want to be generally or directionally right. Someone, really many someone’s might say, “I can live my life as I please and that is life’s meaning for me.” I believe based on observation and discussions that this view is not unusual. Does it really matter about being right, how right must you be to achieve heaven? If God is as He describes Himself then humankind’s religions are of no value in helping you achieve final success. God’s purpose, properly understood is to determine those fit for eternity with Him. At the core of success are certain values, characteristics, which a person reveals during his/her lifetime.

All things are arranged by God to achieve that His purpose. There are rules, there are people pulling you away from God, there is pride/selfishness/envy and many more things that will participate in defining your character. In the world, there is truth and there is error and the religions of the world are very “flexible” in what is the truth. God is no way flexible in relation to what He says. There are those who love the truth and are humble, thoughtful, selfless and see God everywhere in creation and see God in the scriptures. They respect God and His word sufficiently to follow His truth and not in some casual manner, but take what God says seriously!

The Normal Process of Human-Based Religions or
Any Belief System – Avoiding Origins

The problem is always the foundation – is it solid? There is no need to have any discussions about a given belief system unless the foundation is truth. People enter a religion seeing something that came after the foundation. They may be interested in the method of worship, or the building, or the “friendly members” or the amenities, or the severity or of lack of it in terms of the teaching. It is possible that they never understood before “joining” or thereafter never question the foundation of the group’s beliefs.
Catholics have their Catechism and their history and their miracles and their pope and on and on. Catholicism, in all those things looks nothing like the church described in the bible and in fact it is the opposite – in EVERY WAY. All of humankind’s religions are this way as they emphasize their practices and rites versus their origins. In the case of Catholicism, there are about 70 years of opportunity for the Holy Spirit to lead the apostles to a pope, to a system that looks like Catholicism and it never happens. The Holy spirit does provide the truth and it is much different than the Catholic Church inventions. All the religions of the world follow a pattern of invention much different than the truth. All have started after the first century revelation, some many hundreds of years later up to the present. Of course, if the religion is aligned with the revelation delivered by the Holy spirit in the first century then its origin is validated.
Further obscuring the truth is the claim of humankind’s “Christian religions” to follow the scripture. Being from God, this adds robustness to the belief system, but this does not mean the doctrine that is taught is the truth. It is as Paul indicated there are those who twist the scripture to their own destruction and unfortunately the destruction of many others.

Two Principles That Make Believing Wrong Appear to Be Right

First principle of getting it all wrong:
People believe God needs our help, when all He wants is our faithfulness and that means doing things His way

Acts 17.24,25

24 “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

If people understood this simple principle from God and acted accordingly they would be getting some things right and respect God and honor Him as He directs. The God of the bible is the Creator of all things and over all things. Life comes from God. Humanity has generally recognized there is a God and devised diverse ways to honor or worship God. There are buildings, practices, ceremonies and all this dishonors God. Humankind has reached the conclusion that if they recognize God’s existence and give a heartfelt effort to do their best in whatever way they choose to honor God, it will be acceptable. Cain was wrong and there are a continual set of examples of people doing things their way and being rejected. God needs nothing of humankind’s inventions of religions and worship, but the one thing He requires is obedience and He seldom gets it. In this process each person exposes their character. Either the pride of their way, or humility in obedience and God’s purpose is being fulfilled in both cases.

Second principle of getting it all wrong:
People underestimate God’s power. It is really an infinitely gross underestimate of God’s power. It is easier to believe that all things exist including humanity because of some natural process than to believe there is a power that creates with a mere thought. The design of the universe and life is daunting accomplishment, yet it is a very minor example of what God can easily achieve. It is amazing how underestimating God’s power results in questioning much of what God has delivered in His word, even questioning Gods ability to get His word accurately to humankind. We do not understand our amazing existence, but nonetheless try to explain it. Our science is working with one piece of a billion-piece puzzle and telling us the details of the entire picture. Of course, we cannot understand creation nor was it ever in God’s plan for humanity to have such knowledge. It is not in any way important to God’s purpose, but serves as a means for people to waste their time on something that has no ultimate value.
God limited humankind by placing Him in a physical universe, in a physical body and in a time domain. Man is most certainly limited in knowing things beyond the laws they can discover – the laws built into creation by God. Understanding creation correctly is impossible. Humanity has no way of understanding their purpose or what if anything becomes of them after death. EXCEPT, if God reveals such things, which He has graciously done. Yet, humanity cannot perceive beyond what they can see, quite often beyond what they want to see. Interestingly, God has used His word, which was inspired to select individuals and people think His method cannot provide accurate information since people were involved (people make mistakes). They would be right, except it came from God and just as He creates by saying or thinking our physical world into existence, He can deliver His word in a way that we have it correctly. Even though at the appointed time the heavens and earth will pass away, God says His words will not pass away.

Matthew 24.35

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

The creation that we see and are a part of is no more than the stage and we are no more than the players in God’s grand purpose. That purpose is you and your success. People work very hard to reject God’s plan of eternal life (heaven) by their choices. God has left a trail emphasizing the importance of doing what He says as seen in His power to accomplish various things in support of His purpose. Now, there is more (just a few more events as He brings an end to this world) to be fulfilled and those things will also surely happen exactly as recorded.

One of the amazing things about life, about the existence of “things” is simply that ANYTHING EXISTS. NOTHING should exist, not even the most insignificant sub-atomic particle, much less a hydrogen atom or an electron. Then to believe that this “nothing” particle becomes the universes and life is nonsense, foolishness and we call it science. People get all excited that there may be an explanation other than God because they do not want God, fearing God is the God of the bible.

The Religions of Humankind Bring Confusion and Display Their Weak God’s

“Christian so-called churches” many times (not always) get involved in trying to stop the evil in the world. The hypocrisy is that those preaching “fire and brimstone” are often involved in sin, but it might be a more acceptable sin – no sin is acceptable to God and is equally condemned. The emphasis needs to be on the solution to sin. Admittedly, many sins lead people deeper and deeper into depravity and are more harmful than other sins. Lying is one of the most insidious sins as once a person accepts this sin as natural and/or of minor consequence it becomes a way of life. Depravity is associated with certain sins, which go against the moral fabric of decent people. The sins that harm others are particularly abhorred (for instance God hates hands that shed innocent blood, Proverbs 6.17). Some sins like envy can lead to other horrible actions. Sins destroy your eternity, but also can cause much misery during a person’s lifetime. Sins often bring temporary value, like a lie covers up a problem or immoral actions bring some satisfaction. God’s children do not campaign against this sin or that, but bring the gospel message so people can have God forgive their past sins. People must change their life and sin no more – this is repentance. Sins leave a person when they are baptized – in baptism they die to sin being buried with Christ and rise into a new life.

Muslim’s invent the idea of dishonoring their God and requiring earthly retribution. Anyone in opposition to Islam’s ways is a heretic and need to be killed. God wants them dead – they say. It was also the Catholic way in centuries past and in both cases their hierarchies feared losing control, losing power.
These things indicate that god is weak – well, THEIR god is weak. Actually, they have no god. They have an invented entity and then in the weakness of their creation claim their god is offended requiring the believers to administer punishment, usually death. Pathetic religions destroying lives and much worse condemning their followers to eternal loss. If the truth sets you free (from sin), what do you think error, deceit does to you?

God’s children who are Christians preach the word and in the process point out evil. Look at First Corinthians. It is not the Christian’s job to stop occurrence of those sins, but to provide a spiritual solution to sin.
Which of the following sins from First Corinthians should be a project for God’s children.

1 Corinthians 6.9,10

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

I would not know which sin to focus my efforts and in fact I cannot keep people from sinning. I can point out sin, but each person must decide to leave that sin. I cannot force a person and God does not force people. Instead, there needs to be a free will decision to permanently leave sin and it is called repentance.

This list of sins and other lists defines the things people “get caught up in” and of their own choice. God’s children are in the same business as the Lord, their Lord. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19.10). People need to be taught to let go of their sins – and this is repenting and means leaving those things forever. It is important that sin is pointed out and there is no filtering of God’s word. God is crystal clear and the world wants to make exceptions, but there is no need for discussion. There is no need to carry on about this sin or that. Sin is sin and it will keep people from succeeding – any sin. The message from God’s children is that sin can be covered – all sin.
Various protestant preachers would “go crazy” in condemning this sin or that and create an atmosphere where those involved in those sins are hated. People need to have knowledge of sinful things and understand the certain end for those who participated in such things. God’s children know sin is sin and always destructive if not forgiven. Homosexuality is a terrible sin and so is abortion and so is lying and all sin can have an additive effect, some more than others. Some Protestant preachers moved the focus onto the sin itself and not onto solving the problem of sin. The depravity of humankind has no bounds and so it just gets worse and that usually means sin is accepted in the society. The acceptance is not the result of the obsessive condemnation of the sin, but that people did not take the cure. The sin grows and becomes commonplace and generation after generation participation increases. As one might expect God is rejected and in many cases, that includes His existence.

I always place Catholicism and Islam in the same boat named paranoia. Even though in modern times Catholicism lost it power over nations – it was every bit as outwardly evil as Islam remains to this day. To maintain control over their devotees and make converts they used extreme cruelties and brutalities. There was little free will choice in their beliefs. The gods they represent are exceedingly weak and apparently authorize these religions to inflict cruelties and often death on the opposition.

Note: One might say that Catholics for instance represent God and Jesus, but of course they do not since the scriptures make it clear if you do not have the doctrine of Christ you do not have God or Christ.

Mohammed’s inventiveness created soldiers promised highly sensual pleasures upon their deaths in service to Allah. Catholicism held out heaven for those protecting the will of Roman Catholicism. Both of these religions relied on force to maintain and grow their numbers. The EXACT opposite of God’s requirement to achieve His purpose – namely free will choices.

One thing that has brought great confusion and error is the efforts of “invented” religions to provide sophisticated defenses of their beliefs and thus give the appearance of validity. One aspect of this is the development of religious academic institutions. Most, if not all religions use this methodology to promote their belief system. These higher institutions provide leaders and usually an ongoing list of doctrinal changes – i.e. “to meet the needs of a modern world.” The history of these institutions is one of immorality, a pattern of supporting the adding to and taking away from the scriptures and oddly enough producing many in their ranks who doubt God’s existence and/or that God is the God of the bible. God has pointed out how the wisdom of the wise (wise in their own minds and the people they drag along) see God’s message as foolishness. All that learning and they miss the point – the message of the cross.

1 Corinthians 1.18,19

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

Note: It is possible to have an institution for learning that is religious in the background. It would be a place that never considered adding to or taking away from the word of God, that had no direct affiliation with a given church, that never provided honor to any person. It would require continuous scrutiny such that it did not become like the academic religious institutions of the world. It could never become the authority in religious matters – that authority resides with the word of God. It must not produce private interpretations of God’s word. It must never, never have oversight of a local church. Those who operate such an institution must in no way use the funds of a local church.
Religions of the world bring confusion and ultimately result in masses of people living a comfortable existence because they believe heaven is in their future. Religions exist instead of “THE RELIGION” because of invention and in many cases, accept each other. God, however accepts the truth and there is no heaven in the future for those of error. So, as always it comes down to taking God seriously and that is the same as taking His word seriously.

The Tendency to Look at The Scriptures and
Divide Them into What Is Important and What Is Not

No one can say this is important and this is not in relation to God’s word. Many believe they have this right, this ability. They are wrong. Jesus would say that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Adam and Eve had just this one little thing they were forbidden to do and it was in relation to not taking the fruit of the tree in the center of the garden. Cain was to bring a certain sacrifice and decided to do something different. Nadab and Abihu were to follow God’s rules in relation to the offering, but produced a strange fire (something they did their way) and God immediately sent fire to destroy them. Naaman was to dip in the Jordan river seven times to take away his leprosy. Naaman wanted to change the process that was required t cure his leprosy, but finally determined to obey exactly as directed. Ananias and Sapphira were deceptive about what they gave and God took their life’s. There are no “little things” but every command from God is to be taken seriously. The things God defines as sinful are clearly to be avoided, but the world frequently treats them as unimportant and changes them “just a little.” Sounds like Nadab and Abihu who just changed the fire a little and it was costly to them. You see it is not the human perception of being a little thing or a big thing, it is the heart that determines to do it differently than God requires. It is God’s way (honoring God) or Adam and Eve’s or Cain’s or Naaman’s or Ananias and Sapphira’s way (their way). This is God’s test so you should not get “caught up” in the magnitude of sin, in the magnitude of how you see God’s command as important or unimportant. Instead, you should say, “here is God’s way and here is my response, namely doing exactly as He directs for the reason He directs.”

The Truth Is So Simple, Easily Understood

It has taken a lot of work to mess up the message from God AND the cost is unfathomable!!!
Selfish people, proud, must have things their way and generally want to drag others down. Surely with enough people believing like they do, God will accept their sincerity, will appreciate their effort, BUT He will not! It is also simple to understand why God will not and cannot accept something different than the truth. We continually act as though God is some man, instead of deity. God’s way is so much higher. God has done all He can by providing an answer for humankind’s sin and then “laying out” how a person takes advantage of what was accomplished in Christ. The PERFECT CLARITY of God even provides the reasons He did things and the reasons we are to act how He directs.
How in the world can you have “before you” PERFECT CLARITY and get it so wrong? People who believe God creates all things by “thinking” them into existence, somehow cannot be sure His word got to us correctly. Additionally, even if we have the word of God as intended, we question that the concepts, the rules, the plan is correct. God in the scriptures is not considerate enough (for instance) of a person’s effort, of a person’s sincerity. People fail to realize the total perfection of God – there is no evil in God. God had a purpose and it is being fulfilled perfectly. Some person might argue all these people involved in getting the word to us might see things differently so how can we have God’s word. Human logic is very limited in comparison to Divine logic. We might say infinitely limited. Do you really think God did not know the issues that humankind would create in arguing against the accuracy of His word? Arguing by saying, “that is your interpretation and I see this differently.” God delivered His word and the selfish, prideful imagination of humankind becomes a roadblock to those who do not love the truth.

Jeremiah 10.23

23 O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

If this verse is difficult for you to accept, it is no more than a sign of pride. You should consider who God is and who you are and then look at this verse as very reasonable. It is generally a good thing for a person to stand on their own two feet and direct their life. God would like this in a person and wants the courageous aspect of such a person. This verse being from God is true and correct and exceedingly helpful and necessary when it comes to your ultimate end. You cannot direct your steps into a successful ending, namely heaven. You do not know what is required. God provides the direction to eternal life and that is the walk you need to follow. Stand on your own two feet, be courageous and follow God’s way. God talks of pride as coming before destruction and it is so foolish. You need to see God as the almighty, as the one who within the scriptures provides you answers, hope and salvation.

Proud people will not be sharing eternity with God as they disqualify themselves by their arrogance. They like THEIR WAY better than God’s way. God says He is not the author of confusion and indeed His straightforward truth is easy to understand. The religions of humankind are intricate, complicated, ever-changing and in view of God’s message harmful, devastating and the WORST possible thing for a person to follow. It is the WORST thing you can do because LIFE IS ABOUT THE SOUL and absolutely about nothing else! Life SEEMS like it is about everything except the soul. After all, what we see is a physical world that requires our immediate attention to satisfy our necessities and then goes further to fulfill our other desires. Succeeding in our earthly existence is always before us. It turns out to be very temporary, but it is what fills our days and there is no time for our Creator. God is very direct in telling us that WHAT SEEMS TO US to be the way to live is the really getting life all wrong.

Proverbs 14.12

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Pretty powerful that what seems right to a man is the way of death – spiritual death. Of course, this is because God has provided a way to heaven that is not understood unless a person humbles himself/herself to God’s way versus their own way.

God further clarifies our life in terms of temporary value versus eternal value.

2 Corinthians 4.18

18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The “seems right” of Proverbs 14.12 are the things we see – the physical realities of life and they are always temporary. The unseen things are revealed as we see the Creator in His creation and then see God in the word that was delivered. In the scriptures we see God more clearly, we can see Jesus, God’s purpose for humankind and see heaven. These are unseen things and we learn they are the eternal things. This is where success truly exists. This is what Jesus spoke of as the (unseen) place to lay up your treasures as opposed to putting your hopes in the temporary things of life.

Matthew 6.19-21

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Foolish, Often Casual Choice to Believe / Follow
Someone
What Were We Thinking?

The single most crucial decision of our life will be who we believe and follow in life. We might think that we follow our own beliefs, but there have been influences. Our beliefs are usually a hybrid of the things that influenced us and perhaps there are some original thoughts or conclusions that direct our life’s.
Nonetheless, there are basically two choices in who we can believe:

Choice One: Believe God (the God of the bible)

This is the only good choice and leads to heaven. The idea of believe is not a mental acceptance of God, but a belief that is in action commensurate with the word of God.

Romans 11.33

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

God tells us about Himself in relation to humankind. Humankind is “infinitely insignificant in every way” except one and that is because God cares for His creation. His ways are past finding out in reference to things like creation, but the way for humankind to succeed He most carefully reveals.

Colossians 2.2,3

2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The mystery hidden has been revealed as we see in Ephesians as a result of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. The real treasures of wisdom and knowledge reside in God and within His word a great deal of wisdom and knowledge are revealed. You can know a great deal about God and life and this is what truth seekers will learn. Additionally, God’s children are told to ask for wisdom in James 1.5. Since that which is perfect has come (the word of God, completed) there is a powerful way to know God and your purpose, and how to please the Creator. Over and over, God points out humankind’s position in terms of knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

Isaiah 55.9

9 “For the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Here is the reason for choosing to believe God. You cannot be successful without God. God compares your ways and your thoughts to His and very gently suggests His ways, thoughts are higher.

Choice Two: Believe anybody else

In all honesty, what does anyone know about God, about creation, about living beings? People are full of guesses and quite different guesses. There are many theories, but no evidence. There can be no evidence as we were created lower than God. God has purposely limited humankind. Why? Because, it is consistent with God’s purpose of determining who will spend eternity with Him. Life is a test and God has made the rules AND how the test will be administered AND how one passes or fails. You can see how humankind is limited in trying to understand God, BY TIME. Science uses time to explain existence as possible. What would they do without lots of time in their explanation? Yet to God time is nothing. Time is the part of creation designed to provide humankind with a lifetime and that causes everything to go forward in time. God points out that He created time (Genesis 1.1, Titus 1.2) and is no way controlled by it, as He says a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day. The theories of how we exist are thus the best guesses of the most comparatively inferior beings – humankind. Science used to think of time as always existing, now they see a beginning to time. They have caught up with the first verse in the bible. In any case, within the confines of a limited human capability they piece together scenarios involving the beginning – a big bang. Followed by an unknown means of universes, galaxies, planets and in earth’s case a solar system “coming into existence gradually over billions of years.” Then living things appear eventually leading to intelligent living things. The driving force for all this invention is to have an alternative to the scriptures with its requirements for living, with its fear.
The bible says nothing about the age of the earth, but God graciously tells humankind about the creation – the way it happened. Humankind often ridicules the Genesis account because THEIR science (God’s science built into creation) finds all sorts of problems. Life is not about science discovering how we came into existence and as indicated we cannot understand scientifically how God creates by speaking things into existence. God’s purpose has nothing to do with the stage on which He is conducting His test. The physical aspect of creation is very much like a prop in a play. It is not what the play is about.
God can place something in existence that has the appearance of being old. For instance, when God created plant life, say a tree, did He plant seeds to create them or were trees full grown? When He created the universe including earth, did he use a series of events consistent with the laws science the world would eventually discover? Or did He just create them “full grown” and let them continue to “expand” from there? If you can get rid of the prejudices, the very strong desire to have an answer other than, “In the beginning God” you can realize humankind will never explain their existence. People spend all their life in an effort to discredit the scriptures and in the end their reward will be to fail in life. People want to know what “hell will be like” and there are indications – it is not good. Yet, I cannot imagine a more painful thing to exist for eternity realizing the obviousness of God and how you opposed the scriptures at every point. You opposed the one thing in pride that has placed you infinitely distant from God.

As just mentioned, did God plant seeds to create trees or did He just create trees and plants. Science wants to force creation to be according to a pattern they recognize. Did God have the universe evolve, expand and continue to expand into what it is today or did He just place the universes in existence with a thought and allow them to expand? God does not provide the details and we do not have to know nor do I think we could in our limitations. However, I believe what He says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.” God’s account of creation is accurate, but in ways we cannot fully appreciate.
Although God provided the rules, provided the stage and your existence as a living, thinking unique personality, there would be no “valid” test unless humankind could freely make choices. Ultimately, in the framework of creation you will make choices to reject God or accept Him and live accordingly.

The Futility of Science and Its Part in Confusing Humankind

About God’s existence

God:

Explains creation as simply, “In the beginning God.” Then there are very high-level details of the individual components of creation. Eventually, God creates living things including His special creation of humankind in His image.

Science:

Science uses the enormity of the universe and the very supposedly lengthy period of time involved to explain it is possible that we/things exist, “naturally.” Meaning processes that are totally void of intelligence are behind existence. Of course, their imagination sprinkled with suggestions of how this could happen are just their wishful speculations. Why are their speculations, WISHFUL? People do not want God, especially the God of the bible because He is limiting and to be feared. There is no reason why anything should exist or why time exists. Science devises a “big-bang,” but why does anything exist to “bang.” Only God’s simple explanation is reasonable, “In the beginning God.”

About Life – the existence of living things:

God:

Life, human life is at the core of God’s purpose. YOU are at the center of creation, the reason for creation.

The Theory of Organic Evolution

Science MUST explain life and along comes Charles Darwin and provides a theory of how it could have happened. It is very poor science when it comes to one fundamental species changing into a new species. Living things are highly unlikely to occur from inanimate matter, but even more of a problem would be why does anything exist. Interestingly, Darwin would stand in opposition to those who misuse what he taught on the most fundamental issue.

It is all deception and falls rightly under the category of theory and yet it only qualifies as bad theory. How can this be? The deceit exists and is accepted because there is a pattern of denying God and an effort to carry as many as possible to believe the same.
Science is “out of its league” when it comes to explaining things where God did not provide them the tools to understand. Along with creation came the various laws built into the stage where the test is being conducted. Gravity is perhaps the best known law, since we experience it continuously every day. Due to the relative masses associated with the earth there can be an assigned value for the acceleration of gravity. It will be different on other planets, in planets in other universes. It is within the capability of humankind’s science to know the gravitational constant on other planets when sufficient data is available. Humankind is limited to the laws God has provided with the creation. Exceedingly above the science “that comes along with creation” are the things described in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. There is no science to explain what happened there. Creating time and speaking things into existence and then living things, especially His special creation of humankind as a living soul are not things capable of humankind’s understanding. Certainly, God could have allowed humankind to understand the how’s of what He did, but that would not seem to be consistent with His purpose. Life was not to be about humankind understanding creation, but is about the soul, your soul, eternal life! God has provided “plenty” for us to understand what is truly important. In God’s perfection, He placed the line of demarcation of humankind’s understanding in exactly the place that supports determining the separation of those who follow God and those who follow their own way. In other words, God says you can know of Him as He described in Romans or you can find a way to explain existence by another means.

Romans 1.20

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse

Throughout the scriptures God is revealing Himself. God says that His word is perfect in conversion. As we study, we see how EVERYTHING (in God’s word) FITS PERFECTLY TOGETHER and always toward a singular purpose. There is only one conclusion and that is, “God is the God of the bible.”

Another Aspect of Getting It All Wrong

I am not sure what characteristic of a person brings them to believe that, “if they did not know the truth, if they did not know what to do” then they cannot be “held” responsible for not knowing it, not doing it.
First there are no excuses (Romans 1.18-20), but more importantly your life, your eternal soul REQUIRES something for you to succeed. If you do not have air to breathe you die regardless of the reason you got into the predicament. If you do not find the truth, obey it and live it you will be lost. So, hiding your head in the sand only allows you “momentary comfort” before your certain failure. Where is finding out the truth about life and God in your priorities? Sadly, for most it is not even on their list of things to do.

The Record of Getting It All Wrong

It begins with God’s existence – you need to get this right so you can get on the right road. The scriptures point to something quite different than what humanity envisions as to how God will judge. Instead of God “saving” the vast majority of humankind, there will be just those who do what God says to be saved. That number Jesus suggests will be FEW and in fact the history of those obedient is just a few. A quick observation of the world in relation to sin and the religions that have added to and taken away from God’s word substantiates a very FEW. It is important to understand that God does not want a FEW. The verses below point this out.

2 Peter 3.8,9

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

1 Timothy 2.3,4

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The decision however is not God’s, but yours. God has devised His plan for humankind to make choices and your correct choices are the very center of your opportunity to succeed. God’s Son is the author of your salvation if you obey Him and His word is absolute – He cannot lie! In order to have a meaningful relationship with God there must be a free-will decision to choose God. God gave up control in order to fulfill His purpose. The consequences of this free will period (a person’s lifetime) brings things like human suffering into the world. There is a direct connection between sin and suffering and it began with Adam and Eve and continues as people act sinfully bringing in all sorts of additional suffering.
God completed His part as first described in Genesis 3.15 and Jesus fulfilled His part in His death, burial, resurrection. Then Jesus left the earth to be at the right hand of God until He returns removing His church, bringing the destruction of all things and the final judgment. Following Jesus going to the Father, the promise Jesus made to the apostles to send them a helper (The Holy Spirit) was fulfilled as the apostles were guided into all truth (John 16.13) and the word of God was confirmed with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Humanity goes forward with the word of truth of the gospel or that which God refers to as that which is perfect. As the first century is coming to an end we have that which is perfect and confirmed and thus the work of the Holy Spirit has been completed. It is fair to say God’s work is complete. God still interacts with His children via Jesus’ advocacy in prayer. God’s children are the ones who sought, found and obeyed God and consequently this avenue of prayer is there to help them grow and continue to be faithful.
The good news is that we have something better than all the things that came before, for instance all those miraculous things from the beginning of time, which God wrought through various human beings. Yes, better than the miracles of Jesus, which validated who He was, but provided little mass “staying power.” Jesus Himself being rejected and even murdered by the Jews. Like Jesus was rejected, so the world rejects the word of God. The world typically does not know that the word of God is that which is perfect and it is very much like Jesus told the Jews in Matthew.

Matthew 12:39

But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Like Jonah who was three days in the belly of a large fish, so would be the Son of Man in the grave three days. Jonah would be tossed to the ground from within the fish after he repented and the Lord was arisen the third day and following this, men would repent because of what God in Christ did for them. People want evidence and want that evidence displayed before them in some incredible way so they can believe. That is what they want; that is, they want it their way. Some religions claim miracles and gain converts in this manner. The one thing you can know for certain about such religions is that they are not of God – but false. Somewhere near the end of the first century, miracles ceased as the word had been confirmed – that which is perfect had arrived. It is not the perfection men and women want as they still want signs and miracles, but it is God’s way and it is better than signs and miracles. Those who understand God as He has revealed himself can see how this is true. There remains much confusion about miracles, prayer and you can go to “Miracles, Healing and Prayer” for a scriptural understanding of these things.

The Wrong Perspective on Life

Although it is the wrong perspective of life, it is the common and natural (as humankind replaces God with nature in explaining many things) perspective. The modern world, and much of the modern media cannot use the word God. So when referring to things out of our control, yet needing to fix a reason for “whatever” the idea of Mother Nature, Mother Earth or others are used. This idea carries over into schools and in general to the population. The reasoning frequently used to support this is separation of church and state. Whenever you build a doctrine (not mentioning God) on something you do not understand or want to understand then it is for the wrong reason. A nation like the United State of America built on principles like “in God we trust” is having its foundation shaken when they turn away from God. The right perspective of life has God at its center and as generations are “brought up” in a godless world there will be consequences for nations. The God in whom America trusted was the God of the bible. It does no good to have any other God. What good is it to trust in some god that was invented by humankind – that is, one of the many religions of the world? You might as well have Mother Nature. How does this work with the idea of freedom of religion? There is no conflict with this concept. God wants people to chose Him, it just turns out that the right choice is that God is the God of the bible. It is a spiritual choice and it is in relation to heaven. The idea that we were “One Nation Under God”
served the growth of America well as it provided a moral foundation. That does not mean all the people were moral – far from it! People will always be self-centered, greedy, immoral – but not all and directing their steps was something higher. Directionally there was this foundation setting guidelines for the country. Thus the idea of God appeared in the documents defining America’s character. When there was a reference to God, it was not to some human invented deity, but to the Creator.

During our life we accumulate all these things, like friends, wealth, awards, recognition, authority and so on and then believe these have some lasting value. Even after we die we believe in some way these things will carry on such as in earthly inheritances for loved ones, as in on-going honor or even in some way we will be able to take our human achievements with us. This is not the case as this was not God’s purpose. The lost will have no glory, no honor and in some way when God points out the end of all physical things, He also mentions that the “works therein” shall also be destroyed.

2 Peter 3.10

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

That fast-approaching last day of our lives had many days before it. Those days were filled with the good and bad of life. Yet, there is only the day you live in – the previous days are gone. Suddenly, it is just about this day and how you lived those previous days in terms of good or evil. We look forward to days with anticipation or sometimes with dread. The days come and go and are gone forever. If we lived for a long while there have been thousands of events that stand-out in our memory. Gradually, even those will be gone (forgotten). What was our life? God says your life is like a vapor that appears and then is gone. Life can seem long as you meander through it and then as you get older it seems so short and on your last day of a long life you fully understand that life is indeed like a vapor. There is great eternal value in the realization of life’s brevity. You can live knowing it will not be long before your end and what that means – in this awareness there can be value. You probably know you came from dust and to dust you will return and that you came with nothing and will leave with nothing. You see that the days go quickly as you no more than get up, then shortly you are preparing for the time to sleep and then up again the next morning. “Suddenly” you are older than you thought you might ever be and the days continue. Some people “wake up” in life’s process and want to know “what is life all about.” A few of those will accept “only truth” and want to know if there is a way they should be living.

Since we do not know when our life will end or when Christ will return and bring an end to all things – what manner of person should we be?

2 Peter 3.10-12

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

Life is filled with all these THINGS that seem so important. Some people’s daily goal is to put food on the table, others are looking for things that will help with some ailment. The more affluent are concerned about their home’s appearance, vacations and accumulating money for retirement. Yet others are seeking personal fulfillment in terms of education and/or careers. There can be an obsessive attachment that drains us of our time, things like hobbies and sports. There is a full spectrum of important “stuff” that fills our waking hours. The struggles vary in real importance with food, clothing and shelter being truly important. Suddenly, your life is gone and NONE of those important things that filled your life are important. The earthly things we achieved mean NOTHING. What is important? First, a relationship with God through Christ. If we want an assessment of our life, we might ask, “did I live my life for Christ and the gospel or for what I wanted.” Did I treat others fairly, did I lie to “get ahead,” did I support sinful things even if I did not participate? Did I see the needy and help? Did I help others to the truth? There is a race in progress, a war and it is a spiritual race and a spiritual war. There is no value in assessing ourselves in things like kindness, honesty unless we are a child of God. Indeed your “DAY” will come and if that day was understood as not the end of your existence, but as the beginning of an eternal existence dependent on your choices – you might decide to live quite differently.

How the Present World Promotes Error

There is an undercurrent in the world that everything is casual in its character. Nothing is serious, there is nothing firm, but all can be seen from different perspectives and be valid. You can view things God defines as sin as serious things, or you can see them as normal and valued (e.g. in fulfilling your desires). There is little concern about being truthful in public reporting. The real motives of the “media” are hidden and the public, especially the younger public believes the lie. This is pretty much the pattern and not only is the deceit accepted, but the concept of lying is accepted as a method to achieve a goal. The critical distinction between truth and error is never made or blurred. This carries over into the area of religion and suddenly everything is relative. Religion should be about truth, but that does not matter. Instead of honoring God, it is more important to find a place of comfort, both earthly and eternal. Investigation into origins, into the validity of the beliefs is non-existent. The technique that is used by many religions is accepting all religions as valid. Religions should be “nice and friendly and helpful.” Thus, it seems right to accept all beliefs even though the scriptures emphasize a very narrow way to heaven and so once again it is truth versus error, God’s way versus men’s/women’s way. This is God’s test and it produces exactly the kind of person God is seeking to spend eternity with Him. The “world” is happy in the rejection of God and sin and where truth is relative, because this life is all there is, no hereafter. The way Jesus describes the world is unfavorable, the opposite of good, spiritually speaking. He would say to His disciples that they would be hated by the world as was He. This is a clear principle and demonstrated in 1 John. There is again a clear choice between loving God or loving the world.

1 John 2.15-17

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

The world is passing away, where is the value for, “all that is in the world?” There is no larger error than the world offering all these temporary things misleading people in relation to the truth. The truth is, “Those Who Do The Will Of God Abide Forever.”

Contributing Factors to, “Getting Life All Wrong” and Keeping You There

Selfishness and pride are powerful elements that keep you far from God and the truth. The thing that brings people so often to the religions of the world is emotion. There is an emotional appeal and some of it can be the truth. The truth has emotion attached to it, but that is not the foundation. The staying power is THE TRUTH, a love of THE TRUTH. There is an effort to maintain emotion in the religions of the world and the more effective religions mix in some “biblical” or doctrinal studies. It can be emotional to realize God’s interest in you, personally in you. The price for your “salvation” was the terrible suffering and death of Jesus. Now, you have a dedication to Jesus in a very special way – or do you? Those who love the truth will want to be certain. Those totally convinced largely due to how they feel will usually continue down the road of the one who taught them or that organization. There will be emotional aspects that support your initial feeling. 99.9% of the teaching provided at the beginning on how to become a child of God is false. So, why did you respond? If you became a so-called Christian it was because of what you are told is the gospel message and the emotional impact it had on you. However, were you told the truth about what you had to do? There are all these people in the Protestant Denominations teaching different things, but all with their basis in Jesus. Very few people can get past this emotional beginning, except for those who love the truth. It takes a strong person, dedicated to the truth – the kind of person God wants for heaven.

There is a parallel in the world of the media and politics. Lies are told with an emotional connection and people are aghast and accept the deceit. In the present world, climate change is a powerful topic because it is tied to the life of future generations – your children and grandchildren. The motives of the people behind the deceit are hidden and few if any care about the truth and after a while there is acceptance. All you must do to sell your idea is to make it emotional, or associate it with fear or both and evidence of truth is less important. The media and their associates in politics build their success on the destruction of others – they live in the negative. Basically, they do nothing unless it benefits them and there is little personal risk. Beware of those who are always attacking others, who focus on the emotional aspect and say things like, “everybody knows this is true.”

Note: There is an important distinction in relation to attacking others and attacking other organizations. A part of the truth – THE TRUTH – requires pointing out sin and error. The emphasis is always on providing people with information that is true in view of the error they are embracing. This is done with every consideration for the person and total lack of consideration for the false doctrine they have “fallen prey to.” The PERFECT way to do this is to avoid specific attacks on people and religions – just preach the truth. However, there can be legitimate debates, answering questions in relation to many subjects and the bible admonishes one to be ready to provide answers. There is absolutely nothing more important than the truth and one effective way of helping is to show how the teachings of men and women are in direct opposition to the truth. The quality of indoctrination frequently requires taking on error as they say, “head-on.” Again, the best way to help others is to preach the word, preach the gospel.

The religions of the world are similar in their attacks on one another – but in some cases their motives are much less self-serving than the media and politicians.
If you go a little deeper there is something evil in the background of most of, many of the media and politicians. It is an outright pattern of denial of God and His very existence and very specifically the God of the bible. It is no wonder that Jesus pointed to the world as being in opposition to Him. There is a dramatic separation between God and the world. You cannot live in both.
You have all this help getting you to “having life all wrong.” Then it continues including a never-ending bombardment of indoctrination and propaganda that keeps you solidly planted in error.

Hoping Things Will Turn Out Well

If you believe that after you die there is a good chance that you will be allowed into heaven (assuming you are one that believes in God and heaven). You would be wrong – there is no chance. Heaven is not something you just fall into or that you might luckily realize. In order for you to be in contention for heaven, you need to be in the race – you need to be “in Christ” having gotten there in the manner He provides in His word. Then if you live according to the doctrine of Christ you will spend eternity in heaven. If you are in Christ, you realize you need to do everything God commanded and bear fruit. So, even in this case (“in Christ”) you might be concerned that you satisfied the requirement. You were in the race, but did you succeed? God puts it this way:

1 Peter 4.17,18

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 Now, “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

There is a way to go confidently through life and that is to live with dedication to Christ every day. Jesus will see you as an obedient servant continually exhibiting the character God seeks. The point is at the other end of the spectrum are people far from God, some involved in various religions and thinking, “I will just have to wait to see how it turns out.” You do not have to wait because you have defined your failed life by your “wait and see attitude.”
How incredibly different is God’s way than the way of humankind. Look at the verses from James below and the requirement to submit yourself to God and how God directs a person (a child of God, “in Christ”) to live.

James 4.7-10

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

We seek laughter, joy but God gives value to mourning and gloom. Life is about the soul and always seeking pleasure, irresponsibility, rowdiness and a partying lifestyle will not provide you a successful ending. It would be better to live with mourning and gloom. These are not things you seek, but better than living for the next great exciting thing that brings you temporary happiness. Take God seriously. Mourning for the part you played in the death of Christ is a good thing. Looking around the world, like for instance Paul, and seeing the spiritual condition of humankind and the ultimate sad ending for all those souls would lead him to say, “knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men.” Certainly, a gloomy prospect ahead for humankind. Pointing to mourning and gloom does not mean that God does not want you happy. The opposite is correct. True happiness will not be found on earth, so live this life without excess. As you draw close to God, you will be drawing away from the world. God knows that to live for Christ and the gospel instead of for yourself (laughter, joy) requires a humble person. Throughout the entirety of the scriptures acceptable persons required humility and then they could say not my will, but THINE.

Rules, Rules, Rules, Understand the Rules Are from God

One thing so many get wrong is that the rules are from God. Who likes rules? Few people like rules, but most people understand their necessity. Rules bring order and with that (at a high-level) comes peace, security and safety. The rules of humankind can be helpful or hurtful and often are relative to the rule-makers’ motives. Humankind’s rules can be fair or unfair and people can benefit or suffer as a result.

God’s rules are not arbitrary, but perfect for achieving His purpose. His rules are consistent with His creation. In the background of the rules is the test to determine your worthiness to spend eternity with God. You are God’s purpose and your success is at the center of all things. We can see a continuum of problems that humankind has experienced in relation to the Creator. Adam and Eve, Cain and throughout history there is disobedience and thus failure, yet God provided a single opportunity for His purpose to be fulfilled and He described it in Genesis 3.15. If you do not have a scriptural, correct understanding of Genesis 3.15 read this page, “Adam, Eve, the Devil and the Purpose of Life.”

The fulfillment of Genesis 3.15 covers about 4000 years until Christ. Since the fulfillment, there has been another approximately 2000 years with the doctrine of Christ in effect. The revelation of God to men and women is perfect and complete since sometime late in the first century (about 60 years after the death, burial and resurrection of Christ). People question its authenticity since men were used to transcribe it and to copy it. There are many translations and so many possibilities for error, but GOD WAS BEHIND IT BEING DELIVERED CORRECTLY. There were about 40 writers of the bible over about 1600 years and there is a single theme, a sole purpose. Anyone interested can discern between what men have done to change its meaning and what was delivered through the Holy Spirit. God says there is no private interpretation – truth is truth and it is consistent and everything fits perfectly together. The scriptures are clear and as mentioned God’s rules are perfect to achieve His purpose. It seems clear that the rules from God are there to expose the character of a person and specifically differentiate the proud person from the humble, the selfish person from the selfless person, the coward from the courageous and in general evil from good. In no sense is God like some men or women who make rules. Yet, we speak and act as though we might question and disrespect that which is perfect.
If you reject God’s word, you reject eternal life. To blaspheme the Holy Spirit, you are rejecting the word of God, which He delivered and in that rejection, you do not know what to do and how to live. Thus, eternal loss is your end.

Mark 3.28,29

28 “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter;
29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”

God is serious about YOU succeeding and thus His word is there telling you what to do. However, there is a world of things pulling you to reject the bible. Thus, God points to your need to have a love of the truth that you might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2.8-10

10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

If there is one thing that we get wrong over and over it is that God is not a man. He is not a man in any way. The scriptures tell us that God is a spirit, Jesus who is also God became a man for a period of time in obedience to the Father. The difference we need to understand is that God is perfect and describing God’s perfection is difficult. It might be better to say God is infinitely perfect, perfect beyond our comprehension. He does not make mistakes, He cannot lie, He is the absence of evil. God cannot be questioned in a way that you might be right, yet in your free will you can question Him. Everything that is yet to happen that God has indicated, will come to pass. There is not a lot left to happen. All that remains is for Christ to return, to remove His body (the church}, and then bring an end to all things physical (and the works therein) and finally the judgment. It will all happen exactly as God has provided in His word. Not a single thing you NOW believe to be important will have any value except your soul and perhaps the souls of your friends and family. It is like Solomon said:

Ecclesiastes 12.13,14

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

This is where your mind needs to be NOW, “Fear God and keep His commandments.” In your life, there will be good and evil and evil will not allow you to succeed in life, but it can be forgiven.

Things We Cannot Control

It is common for people to realize that being worried about things they cannot control is unwise. If you take on all the concerns of the world, of your friends and family, of all aspects of your business you will be overwhelmed and not accomplish the things that are important that you could affect. These can be tough decisions as we would like to work to make many things better. We might say it is prudent to follow such a philosophy. Unfortunately, a great deal of the world believes that they have no control over their final post-death outcome or they simply believe there is nothing after death. It turns out you are in control of your eternity. Your choices will determine your success or failure. You may not understand that until you “pass.” If you do not understand this you will fail in life. The scriptures are clear throughout regarding making the right choices in relation to your success. There are a specific commands from God in relation to salvation and how to live and all involve you choosing to follow God’s way or not. God has done His part in love of His creation. Now you need to do your part in love of God. This is never only a mental acceptance. Your part is to love God by DOING the will of God.

Matthew 7.21

21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

John 14.15

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Summarizing the Ingredients of “Getting Life All Wrong”

These are some of the critically important things that people fail to understand correctly.

• The existence of God
• God is the God of the bible
• The absolute certainty of God’s word
• The meaning of God’s love
• The true value of the religions of humankind
• The perfection of God in all the things
• The purpose of God
• The plan of God
• How to succeed in life
• The true value of earthly treasures

In general, does the world have the correct understanding of anything truly important? The short answer is no. Some do, but you need to understand all things consistent with God’s revelation. God has revealed Himself in a way that He can be understood to the extent humankind needs to know. A person can know God’s purpose and see how everything else (for instance on the list above) relates to His purpose. Once a person obeys the gospel and is a devoted servant to God’s Son (living their life for Christ and the gospel) that person can grow to understand life in a most excellent way.
There is such a gap between what the world thinks about life and its purpose that many believe that some small gesture in their life favoring God and religion will be helpful in their final fate. The gap is this minimalistic effort versus the gargantuan effort required to achieve heaven. Protestants oppose this idea of having to do things to, they say, “earn their salvation.” Their extremism in this area of works is the highest level of blasphemy. How in the world is doing the commands of God something wherein a person can glory? God’s commands must be kept and your life needs to be in accordance with the scriptures and that takes effort, dedication.

It Is Difficult to Believe That the World Is So Wrong

The most important thing to every person is their success or failure in life. Somehow, most of, much of the world has it all wrong. There is one “solid thing” in the process of coming to this conclusion and it is the word of God, which God refers to as that which is perfect. By observation it is apparent that people do not like the word of God and the reason is clear – it is God’s laws, or His rules. Even those who realize it is the word of God often do not respect it (and thus do not respect God) by changing it. The Protestants change the plan of salvation and then gradually about everything else. The Catholics simply claim God gave them the right to change and make the rules, while still claiming they follow the scriptures. The Mormons write their own books and change the bible where it is problematic. The Muslims say some portions of the bible are correct including the Old Testament or most of it and parts of the New Testament. Then they (beginning with Mohammed) write a new book to suit their needs. Many, who in no way accept the scriptures, nonetheless will mention the rules of God as problematic for them.
At every turn, we allow ourselves to be fooled. One way is by seeing all that man has accomplished and thinking humankind has it right. Look at all the science – unbelievable accomplishments. God has an uncomplicated way of expressing His power versus that of humankind.

Hebrews 3.4

4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.

All the inventions of humankind were possible because of God. All the building blocks come from God’s creation including the laws of Chemistry, Physics, Thermodynamics, Biology and all the others.

Blaming Those Who Get It Right

Unfortunately, there is no respect for those who get it right. “Right” exposes all else as wrong and that “conjures up” all sorts of animosity. It is pride at work. Instead of attacking the issue, it is the person who is attacked and it might be physically violent or more often “name calling,” innuendo’s, hatred, but always hurtful. The question to one who has it right, might be why do you hate all “name of the religion.” Those who you are accused of hating are usually the ones most loved, enough so to risk your personal well-being to point out error. Paul’s prayer for Israel was that they might be saved.

Romans 10.1-3

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

Paul went everywhere preaching the gospel, which was in frequent and obvious opposition to those to whom he spoke. He often paid the penalty, but never relented.
Paul’s heart’s desire and prayer for Israel to God was for them to be saved. Yet, Paul would receive the worst of treatment, torture and attempted murder from the Jews (as well as others to whom he brought the message).

2 Corinthians 11.23-27

23 ……in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness

After all that, Paul would continue and seemed to be motivated by four things.

• First, Christ who was directing Paul.
  

  Galatians 1.11.12

  11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
  12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

• His love and concern for souls
  You can see Paul’s concern and love for the brethren throughout his letters and particularly in first and second Philippians. Paul had a commitment to follow-up with the churches. He was very much aware of the dangers facing the churches and the encouragement that was needed. The dangers were the things that could result in being pulled back into sin – thus great advice from God through Paul.

  1 Philippians 2.17

  17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.

  Philippians 2.3

  3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

  Philippians 4.8

  8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

• His awareness of the seriousness of God’s message and how every person needs THAT MESSAGE more than anything else!
  

  2 Corinthians 5.10,11

  10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
  11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; ….

• His very real concern that he could fail if not vigilant. He was aware that it was not just what he had done, but needed to spend his time actively on the mission. It is fair to say that it is not how long you have been in the kingdom, but what you do with the time you are there.
  

  1 Corinthians 9.27

  27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

God’s children are likewise motivated by the word of truth of the gospel, the doctrine of Christ and now called, “that which is perfect” as well as being the final revelation from God. They (those “in-Christ”) are concerned about souls and it is their mission, which they must not neglect. Of course, every child of God is still vulnerable to sin and must do exactly as Paul mentioned above in 1 Corinthians 9.27.
God’s children or could be referred to as sons of God or those “In Christ” or Christians are in that condition by faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3.26,27

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

These sons of God can fall away and thus there are these warnings and all this advice on how to live to remain faithful. The people who got it right, but have fallen away have an end worse than if they had never known the truth.

2 Peter 2.20,21

20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

It is worse because they were so close to the goal, now for eternity they face their foolishness.

Why 99.99% of The So-Called Christian World Get LIFE All Wrong

The simple answer is a disrespect for God as shown in disregarding and changing His word. It might help to be more specific.
The theme of the so-called Christian world might be the love of God toward us, or praising Jesus, or this is how God can help you NOW, or you can personally be guided by the Holy Spirit and on and on. These are very positive and desirable thoughts regarding love, security and connectivity with God. These things are like “sound-bites” or cliches and heard often without ever understanding them. The truth is quite different and in no way lessens God’s love, but puts life in perspective as God has revealed. You see all the bible verses are true and can be understand and are not in opposition to one another. God is perfect in love, in justice, in His desire that all be saved. There is the certainty of an unsuccessful life for failing to obey the truth and live it. The overview of all that God has delivered is that the world is evil and those who follow the course of the world including false religious teaching, results in a failed life. Even for the one “in Christ” security is only found in a life of faithfulness. Let’s look at a verse that many use extolling God’s love and an easy road to heaven.

John 3.16

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The problem is you can use the word “believe” to mean something different than what the bible defines. It is much more than a mental acceptance and throughout the scriptures this is clear. The suggestion would be to understand what “believe” means as God uses it.
Sometimes we look at God’s love and fail to see the balancing act with God’s justice. God informs us regarding His seriousness about seeking Him and following His ways. If you want to understand God look at all the scriptures and in Proverbs below God is providing how He will see those who reject Him and today that means rejecting His Son.

Proverbs 1:24-29

24 Because I have called and you refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
25 Because you disdained all my counsel,
And would have none of my rebuke,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your terror comes,
27 When your terror comes like a storm,
And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD,

You can be sure this will be how God will deal with those who reject Him. They reject God’s plan to reconcile the sinner back to Him, which was made possible by the suffering and death of His Son. It is clear these did not care to seek the Lord during their lifetimes and now it is too late. God perfectly provided through His Son the solution to sin. In Christ, we see God’s love and in warnings such as the one above in Proverbs we see His resolve. People may take what God says in the scriptures “lightly” and there can be no bigger mistake in your life. God in His perfection cannot lie and thus when God speaks through the scriptures it is true, not to be debated, not to be compromised and that means His promises will be kept. It is wrong to think of God as a man or a woman, since they can be flawed in what they say, what they mean and even be deceitful. God is accurate and that is good for those that love the truth and a terror for those who reject His Son. God is very blunt and perfect in all He says and with those thoughts look at Romans 3.4 below.

Romans 3.4

4 ….. let God be true but every man a liar ….

So, how do you avoid being a liar (in spiritual matters)? Love the truth and as God says if any man speak let Him speak as the oracles of God (that is God-breathed speech). This does not allow a person to take a verse from here or there and teach what they want, but understand God’s meaning consistent with all scripture.

The foundation for success is something God delivered very specifically in 2 Thessalonians that emphasized obeying the gospel and having a love of the truth that you might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2.7-12

7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

These verses are powerful and perfectly consistent with all scripture. Seeking God, loving the truth and obeying it are needed to avoid being rejected by God for an eternity. Jesus became the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5.9). Every person needs to move their focus from “getting all they can” during their short lifetime to what Jesus said was required. Specifically,the message that you ought to receive is what Jesus said in relation to LOSING YOUR LIFE TO SAVE IT.

Mark 8.35,36

35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

You would be right to conclude as Jesus stated that FEW will achieve eternal life.

Matthew 7.13,14

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

There are so many fundamental problems in the so-called Christian world and yet they are attractive since they “temper” the word of God to be more along the lines of what people want to believe. Their churches offer people something, often many somethings of a worldly nature – apparently harmless such as “a family,” a community of similar believers, fellowship, entertainment and maybe healing. Of course, there is also the promise of heaven based on following THEIR teaching. It is amazing how people trust others with their eternity. The Lord’s church is quite different and centered around pleasing God as He has defined – worship in spirit and truth. The Lord’s people show their respect for God by respecting His word. The emphasis is bringing the message to the lost, building up the members in the knowledge of God and the focus of fellowship is NOT spending enjoyable time with others, but in doing God’s will.

It Happens Every Time

God’s truth for you is simple, but when humankind begins to adjust it to suit themselves, sometimes “innocently” thinking this would be better – something goes very wrong. It is like having a leak in your boat. You think that is not too bad, but the boat takes on more and more water until it is sinking. When people allow error into their beliefs, it will not be long before there is more error and the damage grows and many will be hurt. By observation the religions of the world are continually changing. In the case of Protestantism, they decided to change the plan of salvation and hundreds of new doctrines followed. The character of the Protestant churches looks nothing like what God intended. It happens every time as error is introduced that there will be more error to follow. This is the condition of the world of religion, namely of no eternal value.
There are at least two common characteristics associated with the initiation and proliferation of error.
1) The carelessness of handling the word of God. God refers to being diligent in order to get it right and searching the scriptures, testing all things and faith comes from seeking God diligently.

2 Timothy 2.15

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Acts 17.11

11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Test all things; hold fast what is good.

Hebrews 11.6

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

2) Error can be said to be very sneaky, deceptive in nature and especially so when it is supported with “surrounding” things that are true. Human-made religions claim the bible as their source of truth and may only be wrong in one point. There may be the appearance that this one point is also correct. Unfortunately, that one point in the Protestant belief is critical to salvation. The reality is there will always be many more changes to God’s word. As mentioned error produces more error and this is because that first error was due to a disrespect for God’s word, which then continues. In Protestantism, it can be referred to as denominations. Divisions can only be avoided with a dedication to handling the word of God with respect.

Conclusion

People, “get life all wrong” because they do not have a love of the truth, but find something they like and it becomes how they live. This is a million miles from those who “get life right” that is, they love the truth. Such people absolutely will not compromise themselves with anything less than the truth. These people having found the truth are willing to live the truth. Why? Because this is what God wants, so you can have eternal life. This is why, Jesus instructed the apostles to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit would come to them and as He told them to lead them into all truth. Jesus, knew that His death, burial and resurrection made the reconciliation possible, but the people needed the message – the gospel message. As the scriptures say, “the word of truth of the gospel.” Protestants would like God’s revelation to stop after the gospel of John, since they can easily live with only John 3.16. Jesus pointed to John 3.16 as the thing that was going to be the basis of salvation, namely belief in Jesus as God’s Son. Of course, Jesus could not reveal what would be required since the message required His death, burial and resurrection. The core of the gospel message and the starting point for each person’s salvation is belief in Jesus. However, no one is saved by mentally accepting Jesus, but by obeying the savior as indeed we learn in Hebrews 5.9 and the conversions of the New Testament. Those who obey the gospel will have their past sins forgiven and then must live faithfully.

Getting Life All Wrong to the Very End

I want to make the most of the time I have left. There are all these things I want to see and want to accomplish. Sounds like a very common way that people look as they approach the end of their life. Something has happened and you sense the end is near maybe because of age or illness or perhaps some dangerous activity they will be involved; There is this concern that I have missed out on some, maybe many things. They have a pattern of getting life all wrong and even now that pattern will continue. What do they think these last “activities” will do for them? They might know that they will not take such things with them, of course, they may not even believe there is a “hereafter.” I would suggest a person who correctly understands life will be thinking about spending their time in service to God. If they are not in a relationship with God through Christ then getting into a position to succeed in life would have great value. There is a certain shallowness in getting all you can at a time when eternity is around the corner. The things God offers to His children are INFINITELY BETTER than what a person wants to see, or experience as they approach the end of their life. There is the liklihood when you have spent your life in opposition to God that anything will change as your end approaches. It is the “story of people” that they are overwhelmed by what they see, by their desires, by getting all they can and there STILL is no time for God, for truth and preparation for the next life.

There is a saying, “Its later than you think.” It’s from an old song (published in 1949), Enjoy Yourself (its later than you think). People typically know their lives are passing by quickly and like the song, they never have time to do the things they would like to do. So, enjoy yourself while you are still around. It is very true and widely accepted, but it is also getting life all wrong. It is the wrong philosophy because life is about the soul and absolutely about nothing else. The true part is, “that is later than you think” because life goes by very quickly and instead of a focus on enjoying yourself; Make your focus on seeking and finding truth, obeying it and living it.

One of the strange reasons we believe what we believe is because the deceit is so thorough. There may be many people who believe similarly, there is usually some logic, there is usually some people we respect and we close our minds once we are satisfied. We have life all wrong and it is so wrong that we cannot comprehend the extent of the lies and thus it must be right. How obvious is Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Mormonism and 99.99% of the others in terms of their human creation and yet the unbelievable is believed. One might say, “but faith is without sight,” however faith is not a mystery, but revealed by God in His word. It is NOT man-devised in any way. Indeed, “faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God.” This verse from Romans 10.17 is God telling you the source of faith. Is there another source of faith? Again, God is not respected if you think there is another place from which faith originates. The gospel message is what saves a person, it is God’s power to save. That message was what Jesus had the Holy Spirit deliver and there is no other way to be successful in life. The details of the message could not be revealed in totality before Jesus death, burial and resurrection as those are the elements of the gospel. Obeying the gospel is obeying the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. You can overcome the deceit that is religion, if you love the truth, if you want heaven badly enough. Getting life all wrong amounts to losing your soul.