What I Believe
Some people may wonder why I read books by "a bunch of dead guys". My reply is, "If I did, I would read books by Richard Dawkins (a professed atheist), Howard Stern (radio personality), or Ron Jeremy (a pornographer) who are still on this earth and walk amongst us." Men like Charles Spurgeon, A. W. Pink, and Jonathan Edwards wrote messages that are more alive today than many of the evangelicals that roam this land. Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, and He was on this earth 2,007 years ago. Does he change? Does the truth? If I'm reading a book by a man who went to sleep in Christ in 1692, was that not only 1,692 years since Christ has been on the earth? Is not the truth the same in 1692 as it was 2,007 years ago as it is today? Jesus Christ never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb. 13:8) If we distinguish truth only to those who still walk among us today, then we make the Bible itself obsolete and of none effect. Jesus, the truth Himself, is alive forever, never to die again, and is seated at the right hand of God this very moment to make intercession for those coming to God through Him. (Rom. 8:34, Heb. 12:2)
With all the talk in the world about which denomination has it right, or what's right: a Mega church or traditional, there's something that dawned on me that I'm sure not many people know: There is a temple talked about in the New Testament. This temple presented doctrine preaching against sin and for repentance. This temple used the law to convict people of sin. This temple taught that Jesus is the Christ, and is the Son of God. This temple taught to believe only in Jesus Christ. This temple taught eternal condemnation is for the people who do not. The doctrine of this temple taught justification by faith alone. This temple taught remission of sins for everyone who believes and repents. This temple taught to take NO thought for what you're going to wear, whether it be choir robes, Jesus T-shirts, business suits, North Face stuff, or rock and roll t-shirts, because who can add one cubit to their stature doing so, anyway? This temple taught to only serve God and not money so you should take no thought for tomorrow, what you're going to eat, or what you're going to drink; that the people that take thought for these things are called Gentiles and don't know God. The doctrine of this temple held that many are going to come up to Jesus at the last day and call him Lord, but He’s going to tell them to depart because He never knew them. This temple taught that traditions of man are worth nothing; that salvation comes by realizing that you’ve broken God’s law, believing in Jesus and repenting of your transgression of the law because there is no other way to the Father than through the Son. This temple taught that if you do, you’ll never die. This temple taught that Jesus didn't come to destroy the law or the prophesies, but he came to fulfill them. This temple taught that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Well, what did the people do to this temple? They mocked it. They hated it. They cursed it. They reviled it. They said it and the doctrine it taught was Satanic. There were very learned men in other temples; some could even recite the Scriptures and said this temple taught nothing that was of God, and that it presented some of the most ungodly doctrine they had ever heard. These men said that only ignorant people could believe such "nonsense". They were so filled with envy and rage by the doctrine being presented by this temple that several times they attempted to destroy it, but they were not able to. The day came, though, and finally they succeeded. Well, do you know what happened? After three days, this temple was rebuilt and can never be destroyed again.
