The misled and the misleader are His...

Job 12:16 "With Him are strength and sound wisdom, The misled and the misleader belong to Him. (NAS)

The NKJV and the ESV uses these words: “The deceived and the deceiver are His”

This verse brings some light on the extent of our Lord’s Sovereignty. I want to mention some other verses that seem to uncover the endless reach of the Sovereignty of God over all of His creatures or any persons within His Creation. I believe that Scripture interprets Scripture and seeing other references that bring out the truth of God’s Sovereignty over all beings will give a clearer picture of what is meant in Job 12:16. These are only a few of the multiple references regarding the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His Father.

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Col 1:16-17 -NAS)

Our souls will comprehend only that which God gives light to. I pray God will give light to our understanding of this passage of Scripture. This verse –speaking of Jesus Christ and His Power- covers all, everything, and everyone in any existence at any time without any exception including those things or beings yet to be created. What more is there to reign over than what has been summed up in those few words found in Colossians? “…, and in Him all things hold together”. This tells me that He has not only created all things but He maintains and rules over all He has created or that which He will yet create.

Now going back to my initial post of Obama is not on the throne...GOD IS!!! If we have any concerns about those in authority over us just know that God is ruling over them and we may go directly to the very Highest of all authorities -Jesus Christ Himself- to intercede and ask that justice and correction is served for the sake of righteousness.

“…now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? "I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:7-8 –NAS)

Consider this verse:

The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil. (Prov. 16:4 -NAS)

And this passage was penned by the Apostle Peter to those Christians of his time who were going through great difficulties:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. (1Pet 4:12-14 -NAS)

As this world closes in on true believers -in The One True and Only Christ Jesus- and demands that all join in with acceptance of sin, we must not compromise. True Christian (not those in name only) who wish to be salt and light to a world that is corrupt will hold fast to all the truths of God’s Word and let no one steal their reward through being forced to go against what God said is right and wrong. What God said is sin IS SIN! It is an offense against His unchanging Living and Eternal Character and Person. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb 13:8 –NAS) Men may work hard to insist that God has changed as they pervert His Holy Words through taking away, adding, or changing the meanings. But when His Power and Holiness is revealed from Heaven they will bow their knees with inconceivable shame on their faces. Their hardened hearts will be crushed as they realize too late that they have denied the only hope of salvation found through Christ Jesus. Those who practice and accept sins like homosexuality, fornication, adultery, murder of their own offspring, lying, or any other sin -clearly spoken by God through His Word as SIN- will no longer have a big month demanding their rights to sin full force in the face of others for they will not be able to speak then. They are load and boisterous now and they may have their way for a season and to a degree but God’s Wrath will come to them in fullness if their hearts are not softened and turned to Him with repentance and acceptance of the death Christ died for them and the New Life He offers them.

The misled and the misleader are His and they will stand before Him and give an account for the life they chose to live before His all-seeing Eyes. If they have rejected His Son and stubbornly held to their selfish sins they will know what it is like to see the One who has gracefully sustained their life suddenly pull back all support and protection that He has been so patiently giving to them through each breath of their life. They will know that Hell is for those who don’t choose Life. Hell is not something true Christians will bring to you but it is something you chose as you reject His Salvation. True followers of our Lord will pray for you and ask God to show them how to speak the truth in love but they will not compromise the true character of God's spoken Word. Christ Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! The Devil came to steal, kill, and destroy through lies of promising ease and pleasures without any obligation to a standard of morals. We each must choose Life or we will know the only alternative. Will your heart respond to Him before it is too late?

Obama will lead astray, if possible, even the elect...

Mt 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Obviously I haven’t been posting here for a very long time now. I am planning to spend some time blogging as I can in the near future but for now I wanted to place a link to share for whomever may happen to visit this blog.

With the upcoming elections next week in the USA I, as many other believers in Christ Jesus, have certain concerns about the man Barack Obama becoming president of our country. I know God is Sovereign and He will cause everything to work out in His will no matter who He sets in the White House. Yet I believe that through this government which God has ordained, as is clear in Romans 13, He has given all of us citizens a voice through a vote. This vote may be a drop in the bucket but a bucket does fill if drops are many. So, in essence, I see God has given the responsibility of this country's government into the citizen’s hands.

For the sake of those who might think that everyone who opposes Barack Obama is racist I will preface my vote against him with this. If Alan Keyes ran for President against Obama I would have ran to the booths and voted for him and likely more enthusiastically than I will vote for McCain. This is a fact that many would agree with as well proving that this play on saying so many are prejudiced is just propaganda to work to place in the office of President a man who is willing to see the death of the most voiceless and innocent people in the country… children who are still needing their mothers umbilical cord to survive. This is only one of the many evils this man will push upon Americans. If we really are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we will know and be sensitive to these facts and do what we can to prevent Obama from becoming the next President. If, however, too many Christians have become too numb to the voice of God and His Word in their lives God may permit such an evil leader over us to be used as Pharaoh was to move us into His will with Him. We are to be salt and light whatever comes of this election and believers should be serious and sober and intercede that God’s will is done on earth as in Heaven.

I leave it there and also leave this serious word from someone who deserves an ear from us.

Today is the Day!

That Your way may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.
Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You. Ps 67:2-3

The Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ is of One God with One Plan and One Single Mind. There is only One Way and that is through the true Person of Jesus Christ who is One with the Father God and His Holy Spirit. Many take the words of Holy Scriptures and then produce and promote their own ideas and understanding of them so as to have a following of their own. This taking of God’s Words out of context and true historical meaning and then forming other gods and saviors with other doctrines is a strong work of deception throughout this earth today. Jesus said the time will come that many will say to Him:

‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Mt 7:22-23

Knowing God in His Spirit and Truth is not the same as knowing many of the words in the Bible and finding an attractive way to appeal to others through deceptions or perversions by falsely using those words. Knowing God means having an intimate relationship with Him via His Holy Spirit as revealed through the true balance of His Holy Words. Zeal does not always fall in line with Truth and knowledge is not always based on the Love of God.

Jesus said this as well:

“And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. “But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. John 5:37-40

Are you willing and desiring to go directly to Jesus Christ the only mediator between God and man? If you are relying on the words of mere men for the Truth you will not find it there. For Jesus says this also:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

You need no man to see who Christ really is and the Salvation He calls you to for Hebrews speaks of Jesus this way:

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. Heb 8:6

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Heb 9:13-15


For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 1Tim 2:5-6

God is certainly Sovereign over all the affairs of men as it says here:

It is God who directs the lives of his creatures;
everyone’s life is in his power. Job 12:10 -TEV

A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps. Prov 16:9

“for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Acts 17:28

And if you are knowing a work inside your soul which is making you want to know the Truth and your Savior then here is a promise of God's supernatural help which applies to you right now:

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Heb 1:14

Respond to Him Today! For this is the Day of Salvation. Don't let your heart get more numb to the calling of God on your eternal soul. As the Apostle Paul said:

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says:

“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” 2Cor 6:1

If the Grace and Mercy of God is speaking to you Today, turn to Him, cry out in prayer, know His Words, and be saved!

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2Cor 6:2

Life has been granted by God

When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” Acts 11:18

In the early days of the Church of our Lord, believers consisted primarily of the Jews. But as God would have it, many of the Jews were hardened in their hearts towards believing in Jesus Christ’s only way to Salvation in God. This is where the Holy Spirit worked to draw the Gentiles (or those who were not of the Jewish nation) unto Himself for Salvation in His Son.

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Romans 11:25

God has said that He will bring in His chosen people from the Jewish nation before it’s all over and a new earth is made for the redeemed. But for now, it has been and is God’s will to draw people from every tribe, tongue, and nation unto Himself to have freedom from the bondage of sin and Satan. Consider God’s eternal knowledge of things to come when He speaks in the book of Revelation:

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” Rev 5:8-10

Do you realize your need for eternal Salvation in Christ? Have you thought seriously about your soul’s existence after your body looses it’s temporary life? God has made a way for man to return to Him and be cleansed of our rebellion and sin which keeps us from Him. Christ Jesus, God’s eternal Son has willingly given Himself to suffer the penalty of our turning aside from a Holy Creator. His death on the Cross has satisfied a Holy and Just God’s wrath against our sin. His resurrected Life has given us new life. He did this because He loved us, not because we deserved it. What we deserved is what Jesus got on the Cross which was the deep agony of not having the provision, protection, and Love of God in your life. Full blown Hell is simply being void of God’s sustaining life and peace yet existing to know this is missing. God’s temporary and partial grace at varying levels is on all of mankind as they live on this earth. All who dwell on earth in these mortal bodies know God’s provisions for life and protection to some extent but every one of us will one day pass through the gates of death unless we are blessed to be taken through Christ’s return. Of all the hellish things we hear reported to happen or that we may experience ourselves, none of this will be as horrible as eternally dwelling in a place where God removes His grace and lifts all protection and mercy and permits darkness and suffering to take it’s natural course as it does when God’s protective presence is 100% gone.

God has offered to us Gentiles Life in His Son. We must realize our sinfulness before a Holy God and our dire need for Salvation or we will ignore God all the way to Hell where it will be too late then. Do you hear the Holy Spirit? Is He making you know your need? Call out to Him! Pray to Him with all your heart. Ask Him to come and redeem your soul from the curse of sin on this earth.

Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. “I am the bread of life. John 6:43-48

The Way, The Truth, and The Life

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. “And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:1-6)

If we read the Bible in context --so that we may be sure to whom Jesus was speaking of-- we find it was to His faithful followers, His few disciples and not to just anyone who reads of this account. Many believe that just saying you are a believer means that you are truly born-again and made ready for Heaven. But reality is that you must go through The Way and see The Truth in order to know and have The Life of Eternity with God in you.

The Way

God’s Word tells us of a way that seems right but is not:

There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25)

It is simplified down to just one of two eternal ways that each man will take in the sight of God. The narrow way which leads to Heaven forever, or the broad way which leads to a dark and dreadful eternal place called Hell.

“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. “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Mt 7:13-14)

And Jesus tells us of the right way here:

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. “All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:7-10)

To enter the Door of Life or the narrow gate we must realize that we cannot enter on our own terms but only by the terms set by God Himself. We must see our need of God's Son the Savior, believe on the Him, repent and be completely cleansed from our sins before we can enter into Life Eternal with God. The only Way that this is done is through the Lamb of God who take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). This Lamb was and is Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of God whom the Bible says was slain from the foundation of the world for the sins of His called and chosen people.

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. (Rev 13:8-9)

If you are of the called and chosen you have or will come to know this Salvation by the conviction of the Holy Spirit in your soul telling you that you must repent and believe in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission and removal of your sins and accept His work which was finished on the Cross for the penalty of your sins as they were placed on Him there. The True Jesus is the only Way to Eternal Life.

The Truth

As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:30-32)

There are many lies and partial truths out in the world but only one Truth which will pass the test of entering Eternity with God in Heaven. The True Jesus is the only Truth which sets each believer Free from sin, self, and Satan when they come to the Savior in the faith which is inspired by the Holy Spirit's work in the soul. The True Jesus came to set the captives free. The Bible also tells us that there are other Jesus' and other gospels out in the world. Many will come in His name saying they are the Christ and that they have the Gospel which leads to Heaven. But they are all lies except for the One True Son of God and His inspired Word sent by the Father God Himself. Jesus said that you will know them by their fruits and that we are to test the spirits to see if they are of the Truth because many anti-Christs have gone out into the world.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. (1John 4:1-3)

The Life

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:1-5)

Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. “I am the bread of life. “Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. “This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” (John 6:43-51)

Do you personally know this Life in Christ? Is His Life dwelling in your mortal body so that when your body dies you will take your home in Heaven with Christ? If you have Christ Jesus living in you He is preparing a place for you to go and live with Him forever. Be sure that you know this is so before it is too late.

This is Good News!

I began a study in the Bible about the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I found so many places in the Scriptures which speak of this directly. Here are just a few of the words God has left us there and I do pray that the Living Holy Spirit will speak to your heart through the reading of them. I have taken some time to search out specific relevant passages of Scripture to look through and think about. Lord willing, I anticipate going into more depth though these passages one at a time over the next few posts. But for now I place them here for you to read as, hopefully, your heart is seeking God.

First of all this passage has the Good News of which I speak here. And as this passage is read with the others I would pray that God opens your understanding to The Good News of the Truth of the Gospel…

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:44

The following passages primarily speak of the sharing of the Good News…

Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. 1 Chr 16:23

I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness
In the great assembly;
Indeed, I do not restrain my lips,
O LORD, You Yourself know.
I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth
From the great assembly. Ps 40:9-10


Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens. Ps 96:2-5


Therefore My people shall know My name;
Therefore they shall know in that day
That I am He who speaks:
‘Behold, it is I.’ ”
How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
“Your God reigns!” Is 52:6-7

O Zion,
You who bring good tidings,
Get up into the high mountain;
O Jerusalem,
You who bring good tidings,
Lift up your voice with strength,
Lift it up, be not afraid;
Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand,
And His arm shall rule for Him;
Behold, His reward is with Him,
And His work before Him.
He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young. Is 40:9-11


“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” Is 61:1-3


Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!” Rom 10:8-15

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). John 1:40-41

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” John 1:45

“Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” John 4:29

And this passage tells us of the work of the Holy Spirit and His redeemed in calling men to desire and come to receive this offer of the Good News of Salvation which is offered to all who thirst for this...

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Rev 22:16-17

Does the Living God know you? Are you truly yet a “Christian”?

A very important part of coming to know the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is understanding that God knows us as we come to know Him through the work of His Son.

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish. Ps 1:6

There are many people throughout the world today and especially in the USA which have adopted the idea that they are “Christian”. This is not much different than believing that because you are in the water for a long time you can call yourself a fish. The term “Christian” has been labeled onto many who may not at all realize what this term means coming from a Bible view. For truly being a “Christian” means being willing to live and die for the name of Christ because Christ died for our sins so that we may have eternal life and in this He calls us to glorify His Holy name as a Christian. Is Christ's resurrected Life glorified in your life? Have you died to the old ways to live in His new way for His purposes? Are you a true Christian?

Some newer translations of Holy Scripture have more liberally used the word Christian and probably in the right sense of the Bible meaning of this word. But there are some key places where it shows up in the translations which are considered more accurate such as the NASB, NKJV, and the KJV. The following verses come from the NKJV and reveal --through their context-- just what the Biblical meaning of the term “Christian” is as opposed to the worldly definition accepted by those who haven’t received God’s Word on this yet. The worldly definition mixes worldly ideas with it and takes out the purity of what a Biblical Christian is to be like. In other words, many who think they are Christian are not so according to God Himself as is seen in His Word.

After the time of Christ’s death and resurrection, those who believed all that Christ had said were saved and following the teachings of Jesus wholeheartedly. From doing this they were often severely persecuted for expressly believing and acting like Jesus called them to through His Words. For they were now the Light of Christ on the earth of which those who hated this Light and loved the sinfulness wished to extinguish by killing Jesus Christ on the Cross. After the stoning and resulting death of Stephen --one of the outspoken disciples who stood up for Christ’s Light of Truth-- many of these true followers were scattered to other locations. Consider the context of Scripture below and see where the Bible says “the disciples were first called Christians”.


Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:19-26

As Biblical and true “Christians” we will have to endure some of the same sufferings Christ endured. If we endure nothing at all for being named a Christian then we may not be a true Christian yet according to the word’s of the Apostle Peter in Holy Scripture. And we should glorify God if we are really following all of His Truth without any perversions for this is confirmation to our souls in Him that we are saved and our names are recorded in the Book of eternal life which is now in the hand of God.


Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 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?
Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. 1Peter 4:12-19

If you are a Christian in the Biblical sense of the word then you will also find grace from God to have your roots in Him deep enough to hold fast to your faith and bear good fruit from Him even when difficulties and troubles come. This is another test of the assurance of your faith being genuine and real.

“The sower sows the word. “And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. “These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; “and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. “Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, “and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. “But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” Mark 4:14-20

Do you really want to know God’s voice in your life? If you do you will want to look well into the Words He has left for His true Christian followers. You won’t play games with His words by being partial or twisting what God has said, as many do, but you will desire to know Him and you will come to see that He knows you very well and longs to restore your life from the grip of sin and unbelief.

“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:14-16

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. “I and My Father are one.” John 10:27-30

Are you really His? Do you want to be His? Consider this solid foundation of true faith.

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2Tim 2:19

At the beginning of the Truth of the Gospel we must see that we can not call ourselves “Christian” --using the name of Christ-- and avoid the departure from sin in our lives. God offers His Grace to help for those who truly desire to live in and for His Son Jesus Christ. Being a real Christian means acknowledging our dire need for Christ’s Salvation from our sin and self and accepting the new life Christ commands us to know in the joy and peace which can only come through Him.

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2Cor 5:14-19