Grant Phillips

Why Should I? :: by Grant Phillips

Published on: by RR2

We have developed a mindset in today’s society which says we need to adjust our thinking and lifestyle to fit what is commonly accepted. In doing so, we have those who wish to change the Constitution; the foundation of this country, to fit what we think it should say, instead of what it plainly says and does not say. No less is also attributed to God’s Word, the Bible.

When an apostate, Christian in name only, society applies this liberal thinking to the Holy Scriptures, religious chaos raises its ugly head and reigns supreme. Churches become watered down social gatherings with no real power from God. I am convinced that more and more true Christians are seeing this and becoming alarmed at what is happening to most of the local churches that were once bastions of Truth. From what I hear from others, and from my own experience, it is becoming nigh to impossible to find a Bible believing, Bible teaching local church, and expository Bible teaching is all but extinct.

The local churches of America, despite their differences of opinion on non-critical issues, should be light houses for their respective communities. For an example, there was once a time when the Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians were in sync with the doctrine of salvation. (Now I’m not saying that no one else got it right on the doctrine of salvation. I’m just using these three as an example.) Now all three of these denominations are having problems in some areas that aren’t just a disagreement among themselves on minor issues, but is an attack on God by dishonoring His Word. Of these three denominations, and others who claim the name of Jesus Christ, some have strayed further than others. This ought not so to be.

Expanding this thought to all churches who claim Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, there may be a difference of opinion on lesser issues, for example, but there should be no disagreement on issues such as; support of Israel, the virgin birth, salvation through Jesus only, Christ death burial and resurrection, homosexuality, same sex marriage, pedophilia, sex before marriage, living together apart from marriage, prosperity preaching, and probably a hundred other matters of great importance. What has happened?

Over time the true Gospel has been so watered down by self-serving people, society has developed an attitude of “Why should I concern myself with religious matters? If there is a God, he is supposed to be a God of love. So everything will work out fine.” Think so?

“Why should I listen to preachers? That’s their opinion, and they just want my money anyway.” They’re not all that way.

“Why should I go to church? They’re all hypocrites.” Not all of them.

“Church people don’t know how to have fun.” What kind of “fun” are you talking about?

“Church people are so depressing.” Only a few.

“Why should I read the Bible? It’s just an outdated old book.” Have you ever read it? I didn’t think so.

“Church people are too judgmental.” Feeling guilty are you? What are you doing?

Let’s just hit one issue: Why should I read the Bible? It is common knowledge from the Scriptures, at least among those who actually study the Scriptures, that if you are not a child of God, the Scriptures are not going to make much sense to you.

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

“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;” (1 Corinthians 1:23)

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

So why read the Bible? I’ll give you two reasons.

(1) You have listened to what everyone else has to say; from your family, friends, teachers, celebrities, politicians, TV shows, movies, etc. Hundreds of people have influenced your thinking about God.

 

(2) Have you ever actually listened to what God has to say? You mean to say that you will condemn God and all He says based on what other people say, but never listen to what He has to say? That’s amazing!

How would you like it if everyone formed their opinion about you based on what everyone else said instead of what you have to say?

Is it not true, that the best place to obtain the facts is at the source and from those who are acquainted with the source? I know it’s true. In my secular occupation, I have spent many years having to obtain the facts, and that’s the only way to get them.

If I did not know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, I would at least want to know what HE has to say about my eternal destiny.

Others say there is no eternity. You die. That’s it. Just nothingness. Is that true? Since the subject of eternity after death has been brought up, wouldn’t it be logical to want to know who is correct on this most important issue? Why would I just listen to one side and not the other? That makes no sense!

Many people in our society say; it’s okay to live together and not be married, abortion is a woman’s right, homosexuality is all about love. Okay, you have listened to what society says. Have you actually listened to what God has to say about it? It doesn’t matter what someone TOLD you was in the Bible, the question is; have YOU read it for yourself? If you have read it, do you just “pick and choose?” Have you actually read it all?

I truly believe that if anyone will go before God with a sincere attitude of wanting to know the truth, He will reveal it.

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)

But if you go before Him with your mind made up, or with an attitude of proving Him wrong, you will miss the mark. He will reveal nothing to you. You will die in your sin, and then face Him in judgment.

Why don’t we just toss aside the “Why should I” remarks, and replace it with, “Why not?”

Grant Phillips

Life Can Change In An Instant :: by Grant Phillips

Published on: by RR2

Over an approximately 45 year span I have been involved in three car accidents where the other driver has rammed into the vehicle I was driving.

Nearly 45 years ago I was going home from work, stopped at a red light and when it turned green proceeded ahead. At that instant a young man ran his red light and rammed into my car. Thankfully, neither of us was injured.

Nearly 40 years ago, I lived in a different area, but was returning home from work, when a young man came around a mountain curve on my side. There was no where to go, and no time to do so if there were. Before I knew it, he rammed the front of my truck. I had to get out on the passenger side, which was tricky, because there was not much there but a sharp bank and a river below. Thankfully, neither of us was injured.

On April 16th of 2013 another one finds me. I’m living in a different area again, but can’t seem to get away from these people. I was returning home from Wal-Mart, stopped at the red lights, proceeded forward in the left turn lane after they turned green and was hit by a woman who ran her red lights. Thankfully, neither of us was injured.

This third time brought it all home with me. I should have been killed and probably the lady too, but we weren’t. Without going into all the details of the wreck, there were just too many things that happened and didn’t happen that could have taken me out. As I look back on all three of the wrecks, I actually shouldn’t have survived any of them. I pray there are no others awaiting me.

In all three instances no one was injured, not even a scratch, but someone should have been, considering the circumstances of each accident.

This week I read of two nineteen year old boys who were killed in a car crash. They first hit a road sign, then a dumpster, then a rock and then lastly a tree before stopping at the bottom of an embankment. Their vehicle, with them in it, was not found until hours later by two fishermen.

Wrecks happen all the time. Usually they’re caused by inattention or just plain stupidity. Regardless, they happen far more often than they should. The roads are dangerous and cars are not toys. If I were a left-wing liberal, I would ban all cars along with the guns, but since I’m not, I know cars nor guns kill people. Those driving the cars or holding the guns are the problem. But forgive me, I am diverting from the issue at hand.

The issue is that our life, as so many have discovered, can change in an instant. I am again undergoing a minor inconvenience of waiting for my vehicle, a van in this case, to be repaired. That is nothing to what could have been.

Thousands of people have been severely injured or have lost their lives from car accidents. But car accidents are only one way among so many, that our earthly lives can change or be gone forever.

Why was I saved from injury or death in these three car mishaps, and so many others were not? On the other hand, it may happen again and I be called home.

I think of Terry James of Rapture Ready and his experience on April 22nd, 2011. In his book, Heaven Vision, he reiterates his experience of suddenly dying from a heart attack and returning to life, not once but three times in the same day. That experience happened in an instant and he was permitted by Almighty God to live and tell about it. Enjoy the book. It’s an eye-opener.

But again, others have survived heart attacks while others have died suddenly. Why was Terry granted life and a revelation from his experience? Why have I and others escaped the cold hands of death while others have been called out into eternity? I don’t know, and that isn’t important. What is important is this. Are we ready for what life or death has to offer?

Jesus said in the book of Matthew that He will always be with us. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20)

Surely, we have all read the 23rd Psalms. If not, please do so, because here rests the answer we are looking for.

Most people go through life never thinking that their life could change with a snap of the fingers. When I was leaving Wal-Mart a few weeks ago, I was only thinking about stopping briefly at Kroger and then going on home. Yet within an instant, it all changed. I pulled out onto the road, and then saw her car in my peripheral vision on my left. Then her vehicle hit mine.

It amazes me what can go through our mind within a second’s breath. I thought of three things, all within that instant. I just knew that this time I was dead and would be with Jesus shortly. I could see myself bloodied and lying over the seats, and then I think, “Crap, my van has had it.”

The most important thing is that I was ready to be with Jesus, not as my Judge but as my Savior and Lord. Can you say that? I pray you can, because that is the most important issue in your life.

As apostasy reigns supreme in this fallen world and the Church age winds down, millions are running to and fro with not a thought of tomorrow, let alone the next instant.  Our next breath is never a guarantee, but so many live as though they will live forever. Actually, we will all live forever, either with Jesus Christ in Heaven or apart from Him in hell.

Don’t take your life for granted. It is a gift from God, but some day there will be a reckoning for what we have done with that life. If our life has been given to Jesus the Savior by faith, we are assured a home in Heaven with Him for eternity. We are also assured, as the verses above state that He is with us through all we may go through while upon this earth. He is not only our Redeemer, but He is also our Strength. He is our Life.

If you are a child of God, you have nothing to fear of the next instant, but without Him, where can you turn?

 

Grant Phillips