Just a note before I get into today’s posting. Last evening I heard a discussion concerning gay marriage, the definition of marriage and who should decide which sex one should marry–one’s own or the opposite. Consensus held that this was a decision that should be made by the local municipality. Others contend that the individual should decide. Still others want the state or the U.S. Supreme Court to make the decision. The ruling as to which sex one should marry HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE AND PROCLAIMED IN THE HOLY BIBLE–one man, one woman–period. Nowhere does God condone gay marriage. Rather, He condemns homosexuality in general as an upcoming posting will prove. Also, God never condoned polygamy, though some of His people practiced it. Notice that in the beginning He created Adam and Eve to populate the world, not Adam and Steve. Nor did He create Adam and Eve, Sue and Jane. The moral of this mini-posting is that this nation, which claims allegiance to God on its currency and its public buildings, must adhere to His rules when it comes to marriage. “Thus saith the Lord” overrules all other considerations. We all realize that I am engaging in wishful thinking. Which is why God has rejected the United States, turned His back on her and is allowing her to rot from within. Ten years from now (I’m being optimistic) the U.S. will be unrecognizable. The government will try to rule with an iron fist but will be helpless when dealing with national anarchy. The Institutional Church will be even less relevant than it is today, if that is possible. The police will be helpless in the face of the millions of anarchists who will rule the streets. The military will be so discouraged and decimated that it can no longer fight. God will be the only answer–all of which is prophesied to take place in the last days. But only a few will turn to Him. Now let us return to the faith versus works theme.

First Corinthians 3:13–God tells us that each saint’s WORKS will be manifested to the world and he/she will be REWARDED ACCORDING TO HIS/HER WORKS (Mat. 16:27). This Corinthian passage has been grossly misrepresented by the professing church in a vain attempt to legitimize disobedience toward God–sin. Claiming that they are already saved and therefore do not need to obey Him, church members have pointed to this passage as “proof”of their theological doctrine relative to works. They contend that, due to their guaranteed salvation, the works mentioned in this passage will determine the quality of their heavenly reward. The theory is that the reward God will bestow upon them will depend on whether they produce works on the gold, or silver, or precious stones, or wood, or hay, or stubble level during their earthly lives. THIS IS TRUE. HOWEVER, IT APPLIES ONLY TO THE PEOPLE TO WHOM PAUL WAS WRITING–GOD’S SAINTS–HIS TRUE CHURCH. The Scripture does not apply to those who accuse Him of being an inveterate liar and have embraced heathenism while rejecting most of His Word. It applies only to those who have made Him their LORD and MASTER, not merely their savior. This passage does not apply to the Counterfeit Church (Catholicism/Protestantism) whose works, God declares, are all in vain: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. In vain do they worship Me, teaching as (My) doctrines the commandments of men” (Mat. 15:8,9). “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not what I say? (Lk 6:46). “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who DOES (works) the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord,’ have we not prophesied (preached and taught) 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 work iniquity (Lawlessness)” (Mat. 7:21-23). The ten virgins all had works, but only five produced good fruit and were welcomed by the Bridegroom. Cain and Abel both had works, but only Abel pleased God. In both cases each person involved was absolutely certain that he/she was pleasing God.  The Counterfeit Church has works but no acceptable fruit due to her rejection of God and His Word. Unless she recognizes her iniquity, repents and is converted, Jesus will declare to her on judgment day, “I never knew you; depart from Me you workers of iniquity.” To be continued. L.J.