WHY JESUS COMMANDED PEOPLE TO BE BORN AGAIN

"You must be born again." --Jesus Christ, John 3:3

THE CHALLENGE:

Reading the entire book of Ezekiel for PERSONAL spiritual growth.

BUT FIRST READ THE SCRIPTURE BELOW.

When a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness, says the Lord GOD --Ezekiel 14:13-14

Question One.
What does the above passage mean to you?

Question Two.

Have you truly accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior or do you think you are a Christian because your parents are or because you attend church and are basically good?

THE REVELATION:

We must repent of our sins and receive a new heart and spirit to be truly born again.

The 36th chapter of Ezekiel reveals the essential born-again experience expounded by Jesus Christ and unbelievably unknown and totally strange to Nicodemus, the devout religious leader the Lord was talking to in John, chapter 3. And what's truly amazing, Ezekiel proclaims emphatically that the one true God takes no pleasure at all in the death of sinners, mentioning Noah, Daniel and Job four times in four verses as examples of the type of righteous individuals God expects His people to be like (chapter 14).

THE SINNER'S PLIGHT AND REMEDY:

If you carefully, slowly and prayerfully read all 48 chapters of Ezekiel, you will grow spiritually. But it's chapter 18 I'd like to expound on in this blog. Here are the highlights of chapter 18:

1. God declares that all souls are His (v. 4).

2. The soul who sins shall die (v. 4).

3. We die because of our individual sins, and not our father's, mother's, son's, daughters or friend's (v. 20).

4. God takes no pleasure in the fact that the wicked shall die (v. 23).

5. People complain that the way of the Lord isn't fair (vv. 25,30).

6. God reveals the remedy to nullifying sin and thus death because of those sins (v. 30).

7. The LORD reveals how individuals can be born again (v. 31).

8. God says it one more time--"I have no pleasure in the [eternal] death of one who dies. Therefore turn and live!" (V. 32).

THE CONCLUSION:

God declares that everyone is a sinner. Sinners must die. God takes no pleasure in the death of sinners. People will always complain that the way of the Lord isn't fair and that there just has to be diverse ways to get into Heaven other than by accepting Jesus Christ as personal Savior. But God declares that His way is fair, and reveals the only remedy for sin--the born again experience.

HERE'S HOW TO GET YOUR LIFE-TIME WARRANTY FOR THE SOUL:

1. Confess to God that you are a sinner.

2. Believe and confess that Jesus Christ took your place on the cross and died for your sins.

3. Ask God to give you a new spirit and a new heart.

4. Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.

5. Pledge to give God the opportunity to grow your spirit by praying, reading the Bible and finding a Bible-believing church to attend.

GOD'S PROMISE:

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a new heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. --Ezekiel 36:26

HEAVEN AND ETERNAL LIFE

A deaf mute was asked, "What is eternal life?" Grabbing a pencil and pad, he wrote down his answer: "Why it is the lifetime of the Almighty." What a great answer to anyone who wants some idea as to just how long eternity will last. As long as the eternal God is alive, eternal time will exist. And since God will never die, for most of us that's quite long enough.

WHAT DOES HEAVEN MEAN TO YOU?

Imagine There's A Heaven!

Heaven. Like eternal life, this word conjures up many thoughts and ideas in the minds of people, both religious and nonreligious. To Friedrich Niietzche, the father of the modern-day concept that God is dead, Heaven was just a figment of enslaved man's imagination. To John Lennon, a member of the popular 1960's music group The Beatles and deceased composer of the well-known song entitled Imagine, Heaven just doesn't exist and furthermore, as he implied in his song, the belief that it does exist is one of the reasons why the world's inhabitants cannot and do not live in peace.

Yet, to the atheist, agnostic, deist, freethinker, unbeliever, infidel, and believer -- and for the Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian -- the Christ who rose from the dead revealed and taught four primary things about Heaven: (1) it is not an imaginary place; (2) it is not unfathomable; (3) it is mysterious; and (4) it is attainable.

Until someone disproved it, intelligent men actually believed and argued for years that the world was flat. Columbus proved those intellectuals, philosophers and skeptics wrong. In effect, Jesus is our heavenly Columbus who not only spoke authoritatively about the reality of Heaven; He had actually been there, lived there, ruled there, and reigned there.

TEN FOUNDATIONAL AND CORE TRUTHS ABOUT HEAVEN

                                                  1. Heaven is an abode -- a place to live.

I Can Only Imagine!

2. Heaven is a prepared abode -- a place of order and readiness.
3. Heaven is a peopled abode -- a place of resurrected individuals, including family and friends.
4. Heaven is a paternal abode -- a place where God our heavenly Father also lives.
5. Heaven is a palatial abode -- a magnificent palace adorned with God's pure light and glory.
6. Heaven is a pleasurable abode -- a place of great joy and happiness.
7. Heaven is a peaceful abode -- a place of undisturbed calm and tranquility void of war, death and disease.
8. Heaven is a perfect abode -- a place where there is no sin, fear, tear, woe or foe.
9. Heaven is a permanent abode -- a place that will last forever (the lifetime of the Almighty) and whose occupants will live for all eternity.
10. Heaven is a prescribed abode -- a place where, according to Jesus Christ, only those who believe He is the Way, the Truth and the Life can enter (John 14).

The One who is called the Resurrection and the Life, Heaven's Columbus, beckons anyone and everyone to enter into His peace concerning the reality of Heaven:

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it was not so, I would have told you. --John 14:1-2

MARIJUANA, MONEY AND MEDICINE

Money doesn't grow on trees; it grows on marijuana bushes.  --A marijuana cultivator

Marijuana is not a drug. It's like blue jeans -- just a part of life. --Teenage drug user

In almost 39 years of ministry I've had the opportunity to talk with some one million youth and their parents about the dangers of drug use, including marijuana. I've also seen the fight to legalize marijuana ebb and flow with the emergence of new generations of youth and young adults. Prodrug groups like NORML (National Organization for the Reformation Of Marijuana Laws) and Yes We Cannabis continue to do battle against parents and other concerned adults in their efforts to wear out civilized society and chemicalize our sons and daughters and grandsons and granddaughters.

MARIJUANA ISN'T HARMFUL

This was the first tactic the prodrug proponents used to deceive parents and youth. Of course, this tactic failed miserably, because we have known for a long time that marijuana is, indeed, a harmful drug. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active ingredient in pot that results in its psychoactive and hallucenogenic properties. THC damages chromosomes, alters the female menstrual cycle and adversely affects the reproduction system. Male users produce a greater number of abnormally-shaped sperm and a lower sperm count. THC also damages the respiratory system, including the lungs. The immune system is also affected by pot use.

The above are just a few of THC's physical adverse effects on the body.

MARIJUANA IS MEDICINAL

The latest tactic used by the chemical gurus, paid pipers and mind merchants is promoting the idea that marijuana is a good medicine. No one wants to see a family member suffer chronic pain, and if a medicine can be found that alleviates pain and suffering, then this medicine should be rigorously tested, approved by the FDA and then prescribed safely and in a controlled manner -- just like all the rest of America's approved and available medications. So far, the FDA has concluded that marijuana isn't a beneficial medicine and is, indeed, a dangerous drug.

So why do so many marijuana users swear that the drug heals them of their ailments and painful symptoms?

If you ever used marijuana, you know the answer to the above question. Like any drug, marijuana numbs pain. But the real reason marijuana users say it helps with their pain is that the drug gets them high -- to the point that you don't care if you have that pain. Of course, once the high is gone, you have to toke a joint or two again...and again...and again.

TWO REASONS WHY ATTEMPTS ARE BEING MADE TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

The number one reason is, of course, money, Like the quote above from the marijuana cultivator declares, money doesn't grow on trees; it grows on marijuana bushes. The second reason is, of course, marijuana users want their THC. They want their high. And they don't care that legalization will put all of America's gullible youth at risk.

A lot of youth are going to follow the chemical crowd when it says that marijuana is both legal and harmless. In fact, over one million American families will be hit by some type of drug problem for the first time this year. Marijuana use by kids will be one of  those drugs that slams into the family living room like a runaway vehicle.

DON'T THROW IN THE TOWEL

Kern County and the city of Bakersfield (California) are faced with a marijuana dilemma. In the coming months voters will probably be asked to approve or continue to ban marijuana collectives, which sell marijuana to medicinal marijuana users. Our Kern County Supervisors banned such "pharmacies" a month ago, and now the paid pipers, chemical gurus and mind merchants have succeeded in temporarily overriding the ordinance by collecting enough voter signatures to squash the ordinance for now.Our Board of Supervisors now face the decision to either repeal the ban entirely or take it to a special or general election in 2012.

I believe there are enough sane people in this county to keep marijuana collectives shut down for good. The attorney for the promarijuana people said that, if the ban was upheld, 300 people would lose their jobs. Do we really care that 300 "drug dealers" will lose their jobs? I hope not.

For these 300 drug dealers to lose their jobs and join the legal economy by getting ligitimate jobs is a good and moral thing for our county. As for the marijuana users who consider pot a medicine, there are other legal and sanctioned medicines they can use instead -- even though they swear these other drugs don't help. The truth is, they simply want their THC.

In the coming months, remember to keep your Kern County Supervisors in prayer as the medicinal marijuana controversy comes to a head and we either throw in the towel or fight this drug battle to its end.

GRACE LIKE RAIN FALLING DOWN

Showers of Blessings
From God's Holy Spirit.

As I walk the cross throughout California cities and talk with and pray for so many people, it's very apparent that we all need God's grace in our lives -- both saved sinners and unsaved sinners. After all, the Bible declares that we all come short of God's glory, and that when we finally do come to Jesus we are saved by grace alone--and nothing else. Our good works will not save us. Our good looks won't get us into God's Heaven. Our good heart is still dirty as far as God and salvation are concerned.

Even when we become a believer, we aren't good enough to get into God's Heaven. We might be able to get into man's heaven or religion's heaven or good works heaven, but not into God's Heaven. The truth is: man's heaven and religion's heaven and good works' heaven are figments of fallen man's imagination. They don't really exist. And that could be a real problem as far as God is concerned and as far as precious souls are concerned as well.

SAVED BY GRACE ALONE

When I talk with precious souls on the streets, I let them know just how much God loves them. I also make sure they know what God requires of them to be forgiven of sins and to get into His Heaven. I'm always amazed that street people understand their plight more than most other people -- people who go to church and think they'll get into God's Heaven just because they attend church, people who have never actually confessed that they are sinners and asked God to forgive them and then asked Jesus Christ to be their Savior, and people who are religious but who do not follow Jesus Christ in every way.

The truth is, God calls all people to confess that they are sinners and to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, the One who died on the cross for their sins. I don't care how good I am or even how bad I am. I can only get into God's Heaven by confessing my sins and believing that Jesus Christ took my place on the cross. My righteousness isn't good enough to get me into God's Heaven.

The gift of eternal life in Jesus is a free gift. It cannot be earned  by good works or bought with gold and silver.  The Bible declares "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

THE DEFINITION OF GOD'S GRACE

The literal meaning of God's grace is "unmerited favor." This simply means that we cannot earn any type of favor with God that will give us access into His Heaven and His kingdom. It is undeserved favor. God knows we are sinners and we can't ascend into any degree of sustained holiness. I might do great in one point, but in another area of my life I might fail miserably when it comes to keeping the Ten Commandments.  God's remedy for our plight is His unmerited favor!

All we have to do is accept the free gift! Here is what God says about His free gift of salvation: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). God's free gift of salvation is all about His grace--His unmerited favor. Think of God's grace as G.R.A.C.E -- God's Riches At Christ's Expense. And think about this amazing grace as a type of spiritual rain that gently yet powerfully falls down from Heaven and cleanses us from our sins like water washes away dirt.

THE SINNER'S PRAYER

Salvation and forgiveness of sins is a free gift. We receive this gift when we simply confess to God that we are  sinners, ask Him to forgive us of our sins, and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. This might go against the grain of everything you've been taught, but this is God's way. Admitting that we are sinners, repenting from our sins and asking Jesus Christ to be our Savior is the only way we can get into God's Heaven. This is how we become "born again," a vital topic Jesus talked about in the third chapter of John.

If you want God's grace, His unmerited favor, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life, repeat out loud the prayer below.

God, I am a sinner. I ask you to forgive me of my sins. I believe that Jesus Christ took my place and died on the cross for my sins. I accept Your Son as my Savior and ask Him to come into my life, to be my Lord and my Helper. I ask You to help me become the person you want me to be. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. 

If you have any questions, write me at Tom@WalkTheCross.com. God's grace abound in your life through Christ Jesus!

THE BOOK OF "PRO VERBS"

Notice the title--it's The Book of Pro Verbs, not The Book of Proverbs. Although this blog is about the book of Proverbs, when we dig a little deeper spiritually inside this book of pithy sayings, we'll soon discover that Proverbs is, indeed, a book of pro verbs.

Pro means "right" or "proper." A verb is any word that denotes an action. Put together, a pro verb is "a right or proper action." And this is exactly what the Holy Spirit is stressing throughout the book of Proverbs: how to live right, how to act right, and how to be right in all our choices and decision-making.

But don't take my word for it. Read the book of Proverbs for yourself and see how many "pro verbs" you can find. Proverbs even tells us why we need these pro verbs--these right and proper actions--in  our lives.

Why Even Believers Need "Pro Verbs" In Their Lives

I think we all can say that each of us needs more wisdom. Regardless our years of service for Christ or our station in life, we are still sinners, howbeit saved sinners (in contrast to unsaved sinners). So we are going to make mistakes at times. We will sometimes act foolish in our decisions, even though we may be the wisest person in our church or in our Bible study.

In fact, the Hebrew language uses five different words to reveal the five types of fools mentioned in the book of Proverbs: (1) the simple fool, who is without biblical knowledge and easily seduced; (2) the reactionary fool, who simply wants his way all the time; (3) the silly fool, who is only interested in a good time; (4) the scorning fool, who has rejected God's truth and delights in mocking believers and their standards; and (5) the committed fool, who is a chronic victim of his own passions.

There is one other type of fool mentioned in the Bible. But this is the type of fool God wants His people to be: "We are fools for Christ's sake" (1 Corinthians 4:10). This type of fool is full of God's wisdom and utilizes wisdom's seven essential pillars which are necessary to keep our human "temple" firmly standing strong and upright on the solid rock of our spiritual foundation in Christ.

Pro verb living, or doing what is right and proper, will help keep us from becoming one or more of the five types of   worldly, earthly, fleshly, sensual and soulical fools mentioned in Proverbs, and motivate and help us to become a fool for Christ, the King of kings, Lord of lords and God of gods.

Wisdom's Seven Essential Pillars

In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is likened to a majestic palace. This grand and majestic palace is said to be built upon and supported by seven essential pillars.

Wisdom has built her house. She has hewn out her seven pillars. --Proverbs 9:1

Biblical wisdom's essential seven pillars are: (1) the Fear of the LORD (which is also the central theme of Proverbs); (2) Knowledge; (3) Understanding; (4) Prudence ("practical wisdom"); (5) Discretion; (6) Justice; and (7) Righteousness. These seven pillars uphold God's wisdom and makes it supreme over all other wisdom.

Why Read The Book Of Proverbs And Follow It's Pro Verbs?

Proverbs have been described as "short sentences based on long experiences." The main author of Proverbs is King Solomon of ancient Israel. Read Solomon's life-story in the Bible and it won't take long to discover that his short sentences and personal declarations comprising the book of Proverbs as well as his personal exasperations and woes expressed in the book of Ecclesiastes are, indeed, based on his long and oftentimes trying and failing life-experiences.

As you read the book of Proverbs ( or "Pro Verbs" ), here are some of the things you can discover about wisdom:

1. Wisdom comes from three sources.
Trial and error. Counsel from others. God and His Word.

2. God's wisdom is available to all.
To the general public. To political and judicial leaders. 3. To courtroom judges. 4. To the nation as a whole.

3. God's wisdom has seven essential pillars.
These have already been mentioned, but can you find them as you read Proverbs?

4. Foolishness also has its seven pillars.
These are mentioned in Proverbs as well.

5. Satan offers individuals what the Bible calls demonic and sensual wisdom.

In summary, there are many essential reasons why we should be reading and re-reading and taking in as spiritual food the book of Proverbs each day. These reasons are given in the very first book of Proverbs, Proverbs One.

Can you find them?

If so, you should have no problem at all understanding the importance of making the book of Proverbs and its many "pro verbs" your way of living in Christ.

A SPECIAL WORD.

Next month I will release a booklet entitled "THE BOOK OF PRO VERBS." This booklet will go into much greater detail than this blog does. All FaceBook friends will have the opportunity to receive a free copy. --Street Evangelist Tom Alexander