(All referenced Scripture is found at the bottom of this document)

I have been wanting to write something for well over a week now, but I just didn't know what it was that I was supposed to write. To be honest, even as I sit here writing, I still don't know exactly what I'm going to say. 'Bout time I made these thoughts as random as I claim them to be, lol.

It's been a little over three months now since I quit fighting with God. Three months since I relinquished control of my life...three months in which I have continually pursued God. I cannot begin to tell you the harsh realities that these past few months have shown me. On the other side of the coin though, I've learned things that would have otherwise gone unnoticed by me, valuable lessons that will probably never fade. Some of these lessons, I may have already touched on. Others, I have not.

When I was faced with my repeated failures to produce happiness within my life, and I told God that only His way would work, I abstained from doing something that I tended to do every time I 'got right' with God...I did not get rid of all the sinful things in my life all at one time. I didn't recall every sermon I'd ever heard and then act upon them accordingly. No...this time around I decided to learn for myself what God's word says about various issues.

Because of my decision to do this, I have had no choice but to systematically dive into my Bible, talk to people, and do internet research on various issues that Christians (and non-believers) are faced with. As a result, not only has my life been progressively changing, but I've been able to know and defend all of my beliefs. I know that smoking is wrong, because as a child of God, our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19). I know that getting plastered is wrong (Ephesians 5:18), that pre-marital sex is wrong (1 Corinthians 6:18)...I know that there are certain movies, music, books, video games, and TV shows that glorify sin, and as a result are not appropriate for Christians to view/read/listen, etc (1 Corinthians 10:31). I know that there are things that are not sinful that Christians shouldn't do simply because of the way the world looks at us (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

More importantly, I have learned that every person that has ever reached the age of accountability has sinned and deserves nothing more than to spend an eternity in Hell suffering the wrath of a Just, Holy, Almighty God. (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23)

I know now that salvation from God's condemnation is a matter of faith in what Christ did on the cross...there are no works involved, there is nothing apart from simply believing in the work of Christ that will save us from God's judgment (Ephesians 2:8-9).

I know that once we're saved and become children of God, our entire life is a process of sanctification (holiness), and that we'll progressively become more and more Christ-like in our lifestyle (1 Peter 1:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 1:6)

I know that as a Christian, I (all believers) have been commanded by God to preach the Gospel...to tell everyone I can about why Christ came (Mark 16:15).

It is so incredibly simple, guys. We're born separated from God, and once we receive salvation by faith, we're to live in obedience to God's word, becoming more Christ-like in the process. Yes, God's word goes much, much deeper than that...but the Christian life is simple. Perhaps that is what Christ meant when He said that His yoke is easy, that His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).

Then came the scoffers, the ones who wanted to know why I believed that what my Bible said was Truth. I have talked to people who believe that many of the stories in the Bible are metaphors, and not true occurrences. To an extent, I agree. A parable certainly never happened; it was used by Christ to teach a principle. Speaking of Christ, it was He Himself that reaffirmed the fact that Jonah was in the belly of a whale for three days (Matthew 12:40). If the book of Jonah was metaphorical and there never was a fish, Jesus would have had no reason to agree that there was indeed a fish/whale.

I have had to explain to people that I know the Bible is God's word because God promised to preserve His word forever (Psalm 12:6-7). And yes, I have read the opposing and supporting commentaries on this passage of scripture. I have read the opposing and supporting views on every issue from abortion, homosexuality, pre-destination, textual preservation, modern v. old manuscripts, speaking in tongues, etc. I would be very surprised if someone can approach me with a current 'hot-topic' that I have not read about.

Let me interrupt myself here, lol. I do not claim to know everything, and I am not making myself out to be a super-scholar. I am merely explaining that I have spent numerous hours doing research on everything I've mentioned.

So after establishing that yes, God's word is still alive and well...I was asked why I preferred to read the KJV and not any of the more modern versions. My answer to that is simple: Out of all of the 200-odd English versions of the Bible, there can only be one that is the absolute closest to the original Greek and Hebrew. In my opinion, the only Bible that can fit that bill would have to be based off of the majority text, also known as the textus receptus.

Quick history lesson--there are approximately 5,200 existing Greek manuscripts that have been found containing God's word (this is the New Testament I'm referring to, and not the Old Testament, which was written in Hebrew). About 99% of these agree with each other. This 99% is what Erasmus used while compiling his Greek New Testament. The other 1% either had copyist errors in them, or they disagreed with the other 99%. Some of this other 1% also came from Alexandria, as opposed to Syria. Godly scholars hundreds of years ago were able to weed out the 'counterfeit' manuscripts. The approved scrolls are the basis of the King James Version, as the KJV drew most of its work from Erasmus's New Testament. (I could go on for hours about the immaculate job the KJV translators put into their mission. And yes...I have read the contradictory accounts of King James and his translators.)

Long story short, I trust a Bible based on the 99% of the scrolls that agree with each other. I do not use a Catholic Bible, which is based on Jerome's fourth Century compilation of God's Word that still included the other 1%. I don't like using modern versions, because the vast majority of them are based on the manuscripts that Westcott and Hort compiled and translated. A quick Google search will reveal surprising information about these two 'men of God' who deemed it necessary to provide a more contemporized version of God's word.

Quick statastic--the New International Version has about 64,000 less words than the KJV, and the NIV is based on the Westcott-Hort texts. So no...I don't care much for the modern versions. That's not to say that the KJV is the only English Bible that anyone should ever read...I just believe that due to its history and the work that went into its translating, I can reasonably say that it is indeed currently the closest English Bible we have to the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.

I realize that I've officially gone into the world of rabbit trails and rambling...my bad. I'm just trying to iterate the time and effort I have gone into in my search for the 'right way'. I do not believe what I believe simply because I heard it growing up. I believe what I believe because of the guidance and instruction of the Holy Spirit in my life (John 14:26). Incidentally, history confirms everything that I have been led to believe, lol. Godly pastors are extremely valuable, and I'm thankful that I have been under the pastor-ship of true men of God who preach nothing but the Truth. I’m telling you, though--science and history have done nothing but verify everything that's in your Bible. Christian scientific research and historical literature is often buried beneath the garbage that the world piles on top of it, but it's out there.

The most important lesson that I've learned throughout the past couple months is this: I cannot make anyone believe anything. It does not matter how logical I am, it does not matter how scripturally sound my words and ideas are. I can show a person where the Bible says "flee youthful lusts" (2 Timothy 2:22), and they still cannot understand why it's wrong for a Christian to go to a "anything but clothes" party, or to a toga party. They simply cannot or will not understand why I choose not to go.

Sadly enough, this goes for Christians, too. Or at least, people that call themselves Christians. I know 'believers' that will go to their grave arguing that we should legalize abortion and same-sex marriages. That's not to say that a Christian cannot hold these views...I'm just saying that abortion is murder and homosexuality is abomination to God. As Christians, I don't think we have any right in trying to legalize actions that God Himself has deemed to be sinful.

Which brings me into another tough lesson that I've learned. One that I'm currently still learning, to be honest with ya. I have learned that there is a difference between personal conviction and God-declared sin. And because of this, I'm finding that in the "grey" areas of sin (if such an animal exists)...I make more progress when I use scripture and reason to explain my actions, or lack thereof. A perfect example is smoking. I've yet to find in the Bible where God says "thou shalt not smoke"...but I have found passages dealing with how we're to treat our body. Because of this, we know that smoking is sinful. (There are many other verses/approaches that would also attest to the sinfulness of smoking, but I'll not get into a lesson on it).

However, if I were to go to a Christian and say "Smoking's a sin! Quit!"...I don't think I would have anywhere near the effectiveness that I would if I were to tell that person the Bible verses that support my claim. Likewise, I can share with someone how I don't drink because of how it makes the world view me as a Christian. I can explain how we're told to not conform to this world (Roman 12:2), how we're to abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). It's not about proving them wrong...it's about providing support for my own actions and allowing God to do the convicting.

See, it's not about me. It's not about what I can say, it's not about the logic I can generate...it's about the power that comes from God's word through the Holy Spirit. Only God can change hearts. All I can do is live in obedience to God's word and be able to scripturally verify any opinion I might have on my own personal convictions. And I think that this might be the key to preaching...we know that only God can convict a person, and it's by the presentation of the gospel that people are made aware of their depravity (1 Corinthians 1:18), or any sin that is currently residing in their lives.

On that same token though, I am also aware that there are things that I don't do because to me, they're not good. This doesn't necessarily mean that it's a sin for me, or a sin for anyone, for that matter. If watching a particular channel on TV is going to do nothing but provide temptations for me, than I won't watch it. That doesn't mean that watching the channel itself is sinful. Just because it may cause me to sin doesn't mean it will cause everyone to. There is a difference between a stumbling block and a sin. I'm not a legalist, and I don't really go about pointing fingers. Granted, I think that at times, all of us have at some point put ourselves on a pedestal. I don't peruse Scriptures, looking for another set of rules I can adhere to and gloat over when others fail. I am well aware that as a Christian, I am no longer under condemnation for breaking God's Law. I just try to obey His word the best I can, as we're told repeatedly to.

Finally, I've had to learn and adjust to the hardest lesson of all...the world hates God. They hate me. And if you're a true believer, they hate you, too (John 15:18). Not only is the Truth rejected, but we will be mocked for proclaiming it. Read carefully Luke 6:22-23. This is Jesus Christ talking: "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in Heaven; for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."

Christ continues in verse 26: "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets."

Do you understand, guys? We are never gonna be liked, popularized, or respected by the world. No matter how hard we try, we simply are not going to win them all for Christ. Jesus told us that the gate was narrow, and that only few people find it (Matthew 7:14). God loved us so much that He gave us a choice to accept Him...and it's a choice that few people make. Because of this, we all always come under opposition. There will always be people trying to corrupt the Gospel. There will be people telling you that you're wrong, trying to shake your faith. Don't let them do it, guys. Don't quit speaking the Truth because your classmates, co-workers, friends, and even family shun you for it. I don't care how hard you think your life gets. God wants the best for your life, and He'll give it to you, too...but only if you're in His will, living the way He wants you to (Romans 8:28).

I am not advocating turning your back on the world and living under a rock. Some of my close friends are lost. Without interaction with them, I can have no positive influence on their life, which may subsequently lead them to Christ. I'm saying that overall, the un-saved world is opposed to Christianity.

I just want to leave you with two thoughts:

1. Do you know what you believe? I mean, truly believe. Do you know why? I'm not saying that anyone has to be a scholar to be able to believe anything. We're told in God's word to have the faith of a child. But I also think that it's important to know why you believe whatever it is you believe. Explore these things. In the process, your own beliefs will be strengthened, or even changed though God's influence. Because of this, we can be a more effective Christian when someone asks us critical questions about our faith that require valid answers.

2. If you're a child of God, purchased through the blood of Jesus Christ...do you make any attempts to live the Godly life that we're told to? Are you letting the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts and decisions, or have you become callous to His prompting? Do you still grab every opportunity you can to share your faith with others? Is your number one goal in life to please God...or it is to please yourself?

For those of y'all in school, good luck with finals this upcoming week. I love y'all, guys.


Verses referenced:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20--"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

Ephesians 5:18--"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"

1 Corinthians 6:18--"Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body."

1 Corinthians 10:31--"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Thessalonians 5:22--"Abstain from all appearance of evil."

Romans 3:23--"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

Romans 6:23--"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Ephesians 2:8-9--"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

1 Peter 1:16--"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

2 Corinthians 5:17--"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Philippians 1:6--"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

Matthew 11:30--"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Matthew 12:40--"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

Psalm 12:6-7--"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."

John 14:26--"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

2 Timothy 2:22--"Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

Romans 12:2--"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

1 Thessalonians 5:22--"Abstain from all appearance of evil."

1 Corinthians 1:18--"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

John 15:18--"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."

Matthew 7:14--"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Romans 8:28--"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Previous editions of this series:
* - Edition 5--Nov. 15
* - Edition 4--Nov. 2
* - Edition 3--Oct. 24
* - Edition 2--Oct. 13
* - Edition 1--Oct. 4

Photo Credit: Blake Fought