Masamang Balita: Prosperity Gospel Isang Heresiya! (Part 1)

Ano ang Prosperity Gospel?

Magandang araw mga kapatid kong Pilipino. Una sa lahat ang Blog na ito ay hinati po namin sa Tatlong Parte. Sana po’y mabasa ninyo ang mga ito. Layunin po naming tulungan ang mga kapatid nating nasa ilalim ng pamumuno ng mga Prosperity Preachers. Hindi po namin nais maging hati-hati ang Simbahan o magkawatak-watak ang mga Kristiyano. Ang ipinagdadasal lang po namin ay maihiwalay o maibukod ang Ebanghelyo ni Kristo sa Ebanghelyong mula sa tao, gawa sa tao, at para sa tao. Alam po naming may mga simbahan matatamaan sa Blog na ito subalit hindi kami nandirito para pasiyahin ang mga tao’t sumang-ayon sa kultura’t panahon.

Sapagkat hinihikayat ko ba ngayon ang mga tao o ang Diyos? Ako ba ay naghahangad upang magbigay-lugod sa mga tao? Ito ay sapagkat kung sa mga tao pa ako nagbibigay-lugod, hindi na ako dapat maging alipin ni Cristo. Galacia 1:10

Ito po ‘yung mga topics na susubukan naming tatalakayin. Sabayan niyo po kami sa pagdasal na sana po’y mamulat ang mga mata ng mga kapwa natin Pinoy at ng makawala sa makamundong kilusan tulad ng Prosperity Gospel.

Part 1: Ano ang Prosperity Gospel?

Part 2: Bakit Delikado ang Prosperity Gospel?

Part 3: The Gospel versus The Prosperity Gospel

Sino nga bang ayaw yumaman? Sino nga bang ayaw maging positibo sa buhay? Mali nga ba na ipahayag at ipalaganap ang Prosperity Gospel? Ito ang gusto ng mga tao – in fact – ito ang nais ng laman.

Ang Prosperity Gospel ay isang doktrina na ang “Financial Blessings’ ay isa sa mga pangako’t kagustuhan ng DIYOS sa BAWAT tao dito sa daigdig. Sa halip na ang DIYOS ang siyang nagbibigay utos sa tao, sa Prosperity Gospel, ang tao ang siyang nag uutos sa DIYOS kung anong dapat gawin at ano dapat ang ipamahagi. Declare! Claim! Word of Faith! Naniniwala silang kayang kontrolin ang Banal na Espirito sa kung ano man ang gusto mong ipagawa sa kanya – as longs as nasa Bibliya ito.

Ipinagdidiinan ng Prosperity Gospel a.k.a Word of Faith ang mga ito sa kanilang mga sermon:

1.    Personal Empowerment

2.    Positive Confession

3.    Importance of Wealth

4.    Name it! Claim it! Blab it! Grab it!

5.    Health and Wealth

6.    You do not have, because you did not ask

7.    GOD is able only when you want HIM to

8.    Your Best Life Now!

Basahin niyo po ang full History ng Prosperity Gospel dito: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology#History

Sa madaling salita ang Prosperity Gospel ay nagtuturo na ang gusto ng DIYOS ay ang yumaman at magkaroon ng magandang buhay ang bawat Kristiyano hindi lamang doon sa langit, pati na rin dito.  Yes, sa Earth.

Sabi pa nga ni Robert Tilton, isa sa mga sikat na miyembro ng Prosperity Gospel,

“I believe that it is the will of God for all to prosper because I see it in the Word, not because it has worked mightily for someone else. I do not put my eyes on men, but on God who gives me the power to get wealth.”

Ako mismo ay nanggaling sa simbahang na impluwensyahan ng mga “Prosperity Preachers” tulad nila: Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Copeland, Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, at Benny Hinn. Kada linggo ang sermon ay tungkol sa kung paano yumaman, paano magkaroon ng maraming pera, at mga Bible verse na nagsasabing nais talaga ng DIYOS na maging “prosperous” ang buhay natin dito sa mundo. Oo, lahat daw ng mga CHRISTIAN ay makakaasa sa pangakong ito.

Noong una ako’y parati akong sabik at mabilis rumesponde sa mga binibitawang deklarasyon ng aming Pastor.

“Makukuha mo ang pinakagusto mong kotse!”

“Amen!”

“Magiging sa iyo na ‘yung bahay na pinapangarap mo!”

“Amen!”

“Promotions! Success! Wealth! Pera!

“Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.”

Kung gaano kalakas ang “Prosperity-Cry’ ng aming Pastor, doble ang lakas ng Amen ko! Kapatid, kung nakita mo lang ang zeal ko, ‘yung passion ko.

“Name it! Claim it!”

AMEN!

Biblical naman daw kase ang Prosperity eh. Ang daming verses na sumusuporta sa movement na ito. “In fact...” sabi ng leader namin, “...you should be blessed at Prosperity Church tayo at hindi tayo Poor Church.” 

Tanong ko sa sarili ko: Ha?

Ito ‘yung mga verses na naka-highlight parati sa mga Bibliya ng mga taong mahilig sa Prosperity.

Mark 10:29-30 — “No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age.”

James 4:2 — “You do not have because you do not ask God.”

At siyempre ang verse na pinakapaborito’t sikat na sikat:

Jeremiah 29:11 — “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

 Ilan lamang ito sa mga verses na ginagmait ng mga Prosperity Preachers. So nasa Bible naman pala ang mga salitang “prosperity”, “wellness”, “rich”, “fulness”, “hundred times”, anong problema dito? Una sa lahat gusto kong linawin na hindi ko dine-deny ang mga salitang ito. Totoong ito ay nasa Bibliya subalit alam niyo kung ano at saan ang problema? 

CONTEXT. KAHULUGAN.

Gamit ang mga pinost na mga verses sa itaas, halika’t sa tulong ng Banal na Espirito, ating himay-himayin ang mga bersikulo’t mas maliwanagan tayo sa katotohanan.

 Mark 10:29-30 

 -          Ang pinapangako ng verse na ito ay hindi yaman or hundred folds of money and wealth, ang reward na tinutukoy dito ay “hundred/thousand folds of fellowship” sa kapwa Krsitiyano! Na i-wewelcome ka ng mga kapatid mong Kristiyano sa kanilang lupain at sa kanilang bahay. Hindi ito pang personal na ganti – ang sumusunod na bersikulo (10:3) provides clarity. 

 James 4:2

 -          Ito ‘yung “name it, claim it” verse or kung-wala-sayo-yun-ay-dahil-hindi-mo-hiningi. Tanong: What should we ask? Material things, makamdunong mga bagay? Naaalala niyo ba ano ang hiningi ni Solomon sa DIYOS at ano ang reaksyon ng DIYOS sa dasal ni Solomon?

1Ki 3:11  And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,

1Ki 3:12  behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.

At isa pa, ano ba dapat ang hinahanap natin? Ano ba ang dapat hinihiling natin araw araw? Mat 6:33  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

 Jeremiah 29:11      

-           Ito ang isa sa “misused Bible verses” sa buong kalawakan. Ito ay pangakong ipinapangako ng Pastor sa mga Kristiyano. “Huwag kayong mag-alala, may Jeremiah 29:11 na man!” Subalit ang verse na ito ay sulat ni Jeremiah sa mga Exiles sa Babylon. Ito ay pangako sa mga Hudyo in a specific time and history – at totoong na fulfill ito pagkatapos ng 70 years. Di ba lahat ng pangako ng Bibliya ay para sa akin? Nope. Hindi. Isa sa maganda’t kinakailangan na paraan sa pagbasa ng Bibliya ay ang pagintindi sa sitwasyon, kasaysayan, manunulat, at sa mga sinusulatan. 

Kinakailangan ng Hermeneutics.

Hermeneutics

Biblical hermeneutics is perhaps summarized best by 2 Timothy 2:15

, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Biblical hermeneutics is the science of properly interpreting the various types of literature found in the Bible. For example, a psalm should often be interpreted differently from a prophecy. A proverb should be understood and applied differently from a law. This is the purpose of biblical hermeneutics—to help us to know how to interpret, understand, and apply the Bible.  - www.gotquestions.org

May mga pangako sa Bibliya na specific sa isang Karacter, Grupo ng mga tao, at Kasaysayan. Tulad ng pangako ng DIYOS kay Abraham sa Sodom at Gomorrah. Pangako ng DIYOS kay Elisha’t Elijah sa panahon ni Jezebel. Pangako ng DIYOS kay Samuel noong panahon ni David at Saul. Pangako kung kailan magagawa ‘yung templo niya sa Panahon ni Solomon. Kumbaga, basahin natin ang Bibliya sa paraang pinapahiwatig ng Bibliya. Kung gagamitin natin ang Jeremiah 29:11 sa ating buhay o sa mga buhay na hindi naman inexile sa Babylon, then we shall have lots of contradictions in the Bible and promises unfulfilled! Plans to prosper you and not to harm you? Anong nangyari sa lahat 12 Apostles at sa mga Martyrs at sa mga Santong namatay na walang bahay at walang makain? They died bad, and I mean really really bad! Most of them did not die prosperous! Depensa naman ng isa sa mga Prosperity Preacher na si Joel Osteen:

“Prosperity isn’t just about money. It’s about having health and peace in your mind. It’s being able to sleep at night and having good relationships. There are many things that money cannot buy that represent prosperity, but having monetary provision is also a part of prosperity. You’ll never find one place in the Scripture where we are supposed to drag around not having enough, not able to afford what we want, and living off the leftovers of others. […] We should be so blessed, so prosperous, so generous, so full of joy that other people want what we have. You don’t prove God is good when you live a defeated life.”

Joel Osteen: You don’t prove God is good when you live a defeated life.

JESUS:  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Magtiwala ka kapatid, narinig ko na rin ‘tong linyang ito sa kapwa Pilipino. Naaalala ko pa noong may pinost kaming larawan tungkol sa “Dangers of Prosperity Gospel” sabi ng isang Pinay, “Huh! Baka di mo lang alam kung ano ibig sabihin ng word na prosperity”. At sabay unfollow sa page na ito.

Nakakalungkot. Totoong nakakadismaya. Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang bigat ng nararamdaman ko sa tuwing may Pinoy na di man lang tayo binigyan ng oras at panahon upang ipaliwanag ang totoong laman ng Ebanghelyo – walang tsansa para ipahayag ang depensang naka-ugat sa Salita ng DIYOS. Nagsisirado agad ang mga puso’t utak nila. Mga mahal kong kapatid, sana’y buksan ng Panginoon ang inyong mga mata’t puso at sana’y pagbigyan niyo ang hamak na isang tulad ko.

Bakit delikado ang Prosperity Gospel? Sasagutin ko ang mga ito sa susunod na blog.....

May JESUS bless your day kapatid and thank you for your time and patience.

JESUS, The Living Water

In Jesus’ times the Jews and the Samaritan has a long history of animosity towards each other. The main reason why the Samaritans were despised by the Jews is because they were half-breeds, meaning they have practiced inter-racial marriages. The Samaritans were foreigners who intermarried with the Israelites, and they adopted an idolatrous religion. (see 2 Kings 17). In the book of John chapter 4, it tells about Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman.

 

In John 4 we see Jesus speaking with a Samaritan woman, and even asking the woman for a drink. The Samaritan woman was surprised for Jesus was asking her for a drink. The Jewish people have no dealings with the Samaritans. (There is a legislation that forbids Jews to eat or drink with the Samaritans while, the Samaritans are not that strict in terms of ritual cleanliness as practiced by the Jews.) 

 

In the gospels, the disciples of Jesus depicted him as the lover of the unlovely, the despised, and the outcast. As Christians we were taught, and are always reminded to never ‘yoke with unbelievers’, 2 Corinthians 6:14. Maybe, some take this reminder to the extreme that we do not realize that we have become like these Pharisees (They are men of the Scriptures, they were committed to memorized all the 39 books of the Old Testament, but in doing so they fail to practice the greatest commandment of God which is love.). 

 

Jesus reached out to the outcast, to the friendless, to the unloved. The same goes for the apostle Paul, from an article of John MacArthur, in his sermon with regards to 2 Corinthians, let me quote, “Paul didn’t leave the world.  He didn’t run from it.  He got right in the middle of it for the purpose of leading people to the knowledge of Christ.  He is not calling for isolation.  There’s no place for isolation from unbelievers.  If God wanted us isolated from unbelievers, He would have saved us and instantly catapulted us into heaven.  He’s not calling for isolation.  In fact, we are mandated to intersect with the unsaved all the time.  Now let’s follow this and see where Paul really sets his limits.” 

 

Jesus didn’t isolate himself instead He reached out to them, and He preached the truth. He tells them about Himself, He came that we may have life, and that we may live it in abudance (John 10:10)

I am not writing this so as to justify that it is okay to be friends or to even have a relationship with unbelievers. While it is not wrong to be friends with them, we are urge to make a stand when it comes to the sinful and wrong practices of unbelievers. Do not participate in their wrongdoings, and be influenced by them. Instead we should teach them the truth, and of course share the good news with them. If we isolate ourselves with the unbelievers, how can we share to them the good news! 

 

The Samaritan woman’s problem, is not mainly because she’s a sinner. Her problem as Jonathan Parnell writes in his article, is that she doesn’t know Jesus, similar with all the unbelievers out there. The Samaritan woman was leaving an immoral life, and what she needs is hope in what it seems to be hopeless situation of hers. There is hope in Jesus.

 

Jesus is the light, in the dark, and the hope of the hopeless, the love that the unloved needs. 

Jesus talks about Himself as the living water. Those who drinks the water that He will give will never be thirsty again. (John 4:13-14). Jesus differentiates the earthly temporary satisfaction with eternal satisfaction. All earthly pleasures will fade, but the eternal life He gives is everlasting, and in Him can we find the only satisfaction and contentment that our unsatisfied hearts long for. 

 

Are you tired of everything?, is life suddenly has become meaningless to you, and are you longing for something to fill the void in your heart? Are you longing for the eternal water that He is offering? It is never too late, Come to Jesus!

In closing, let me quote a very short but powerful statement, “Be in the world, but don’t be of the world.” 

 

 

GOD Sovereignty in Times of Trials and Storms

“I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity,
    I am the Lord, who does all these things.” – Isaiah 45:7

As Christians we learned and we believe in the sovereignty of GOD. This means that GOD is sovereign over all things, He is in control be the event is good or bad. But it is sad to know that some people or even Christians deny or doesn’t believe in the sovereignty of GOD. Take for example the case of Rabbi Kushner who said that GOD has no full control over the world that He created. Rabbi Kushner came to talk about suffering, when he faced the loss of his own son, and came to this conclusion that GOD is powerless over ‘some’ things’.

Our Pastor said that our understanding and response to the sovereignty of GOD is especially tested when face with difficulty like calamities and tragedies. I know that it is hard to make sense of unfortunate events if we are faced with it. I can attest that it is easy to give a sound and biblical advise to someone who’s struggling over something but if we ourselves are confronted by it, we fell helpless, and at times we lose hope.


In times of calamities and disasters, we can see that both rich and the poor are affected. “For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45. As Ptr. John Piper writes, “There is truth that in every calamity is a merciful call from GOD to the living for repent. It is double grief when lives are lost and lessons are not learned.” I am reminded by a friend’s statement saying, “It is never wrong to ask a question to GOD, but it is always wrong to question GOD.” 

In the storms of life and in calamities we should always keep in mind that. All things happen by GOD’s divine decree. There is no thing hidden in His sight, He knows everything, and He controls everything, even the bad things, “All things works together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”Romans 8:28

Satan can only be the secondary cause but never the first cause (calamity/disaster). Whatever happens around it is GOD’s call. Also, in this storms, and trials, we are humbled knowing that we are powerless, and we become aware of GOD’s power and control. It is also a time wherein our faith is tested. Even these bad weather that we are experiencing, we read in the bible, that GOD is always in control of the weather- in fact in all things, great and small.

“Not one of the sparrows will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. “ Matthew 10:29:33

What a beautiful reminder to us that even the cross, the suffering and resurrection of our Lord Jesus was according to GOD’s predetermined plan.
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” - Ephesians 1:11

GOD is Sovereign

Usong uso ito sa mga simbahan ngayon! Nakakalungkot na may mga Pastor na nagsasabing hindi makakagawa ng wonders, calamities, history, at mga eventa si GOD not unless pinapayagan natin SIYA. Huwag nating paliitin ang DIYOS.

Check out these verses tungkol sa Sovereignty ni GOD:

Psalm 115:3 -  Our God is in the heavens;  he does all that he pleases.  

Proverbs 16:9 -  The heart of man plans his way,  but the Lord establishes his steps.  

Isaiah 40:21-23 -  Do you not know? Do you not hear?  Has it not been told you from the beginning?  Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?   It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,  and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;  who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,  and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;   who brings princes to nothing,  and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.   

Romans 9:15-16 - For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

Romans 9:21 - Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 

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As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to know GOD.

When I was still a kid, every time I went home from school, I almost always check the afternoon sky. At that time I have no concrete idea or logical speculation as to why I was doing that – maybe in awe or instinct? I don’t know. I was obsessed with something which my elementary brain cannot process or verily refine.

The afternoon sky…

Saffron, rarely I see crimson. Have you ever seen such afternoon sky? You know, when the ocean waves are flipped vertically to that glorious ceiling? When the sun paints that canvas with color beams that are not found in your 64 Crayolas? Those cirrus clouds that were like cotton candies scattered on a faded-vast-aerial-cartolina?!

I am a kid whose delight is found not only in the anatomy of toys but also in the configuration of creation. I tell you, I was not able to comprehend that “great sea in the sky” at that time but somehow I know it was bliss! I was a kid. Yes.

And I find this very interesting; as my kiddy-hiking from school to home culminates, these sky spectacle also ends – the night commences. This I have figured out, but the question still lingers.

Why do I do this?

Why is it that my happiness is found in a place where I cannot hold it nor embrace it (with all the limbs in me) and say “this is mine, this is mine!”?

After 20 years, GOD opened my eyes.

Meaning. Purpose. Destiny. Truth

These are the four words that solidified my CHRISTIANITY. However let me make it clear, through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT working in me, I was humbled to have been taught the difference between General Revelation and Special Revelation. Thus, I was not saved because of this experience since a person can only be saved through the Gospel and apart from it there can be no salvation.

Romans 10:14 - How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

General Revelation - is the knowledge of God as well as the knowledge of right and wrong that can be obtained through nature

Special Revelation -  is the revelation of God that is mainly known as the Bible, which is the inspired word.

I am not an atheist because meaning is true in life. There’s always a meaning to everything! An atheist might say, “Nah, we’re all like twigs…floating above random sea waves.” Even to this statement a meaning can be extracted!

ndsa#@kure45434&%*#@&    <— even this random characters mean something; either my keyboard is not properly working or my eyes are too tired or I am just implying that things can be meaningless when you don’t understand it – which by the way still means something.

I work and would like to get married because I believe in purpose. How can you live without a purpose? Even if you insist that life has no purpose you still go to work and sleep for the purpose of working again tomorrow. Even evil has a purpose. There’s no such thing as purposeless evil!

Everything has a destination. All life forms shall die. If you go all the way North to the map you’ll end up in the North Pole. If you add 1 + 1, its destiny is two! Now, I’ve heard atheist saying “Nah, even Mathematics is just a theory.” Or relativist saying “Well for me 2+2 = 5!” Well here’s the news my brother, the fare inside this jeepney is based on Mathematics, not to mention its machinery is computed by Mathematics – see the building we just passed by? If it wasn’t for “fix” Mathematics we would have been squashed! Yea, that would have been our destiny.

So what’s the connection of that “afternoon sky” to this meaning, purpose, destiny, and truth?

Answer: answer.

Yep, the answer is ANSWER in indeed.

Because of JESUS, I found the answer to my question.

Meaning.

If I could draw out any meaning from such recollection it is this: that there is beauty in creation, and if there is a creation there is a creator. I, as a human, was formed to respond to such operation because I am part of the operation. Some might say “Well, it’s just the chemicals in your brain.” My respond would be “Well, what made these chemicals produced such response and how did we arrived to name and define things?” Creator. There is a creator and HIS design is absolutely astonishing! Majestic!

Psalms 19:1-6

The heavens declare the glory of God,
   and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
   and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
   whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
   and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
   which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
   and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
   and its circuit to the end of them,
   and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Purpose.

The purpose of that beautiful memory is for me to acknowledge, honor, and glorify that Creator! Because I find such view very beautiful, it is just right to honor the maker behind it. We humans are familiar in giving honor and praise to whatever/whoever that is worthy of value.

I have become a witness to HIS handiwork and it is just right to give HIM thanks and praise.

Isaiah 43:7-10

Everyone who is called by my name,
   whom I created for my glory,
   whom I formed and made.”

Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes,
   who are deaf, yet have ears!
All the nations gather together,
   and the peoples assemble.
Who among them can declare this,
   and show us the former things?
Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right,
   and let them hear and say, It is true.

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
   “and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me
   and understand that I am he.

Some may say, “Well I am an artist, and yes perhaps I might love your afternoon sky, but why is it that it doesn’t point me to your GOD or why is it that I was not inclined to praise Him.” Well my answer would be, “Destiny.”

“General revelation does not provide sufficient information for the Gospel message.”

Destiny.

Let us understand first that GOD is HOLY and BEAUTIFUL, HE is the standard among all things and we humans are the number one enemy of GOD. We hate GOD, we always find ways consciously and subconsciously to defy GOD. As one of the great Reformers, Martin Luther stated:

“Love God, sometimes I hate Him.” a strange quote indeed from a respected religious man. “ Sometimes Christ seems to me nothing more than an angry judge who comes to me with a sword in His hand.” He added.

This is true to every man. People hate GOD, I hate GOD! Because HIS standard tramples my worldly entertainments.

We naturally love The Great Transgression rather than The Great Commandment. Our very heart and mind can’t stand HIM. We detest, despise, and loathe HIM. We are extremely allergic to GOD.

Romans 8:7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Romans 3:10-18

“None is righteous, no, not one;
   no one understands;
   no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
   no one does good,
   not even one.”
“Their throat is an open grave;
   they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
   “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
   in their paths are ruin and misery,
and the way of peace they have not known.”
   “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Because of the Fall (Adam and Eve) we became sinners and sinners are naturally born to disobey or to not recognize GOD. Sin has affected all parts of man. The heart, emotions, will, mind, and body are all affected by sin. Our humanity is the very definition of sin!

Mark 7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

My brothers and sisters, we whole-heartedly don’t want GOD – we are born to hate GOD. So it just makes sense that most of us does not and will not give credit to the Creator.

We are destined to act sinful and we are destined for hell, all of us…but wait…there’s a good news – The Gospel.

Truth.

As simple as it is, that afternoon sky lead me to the Truth. All my life I was baffled with questions of meaning, purpose, and destiny – and it lead me to the Truth.

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

By GOD’s grace and by HIS doing alone, not by my “free-will”, I was born again.

“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

If you want to avoid your destination towards hell and have an everlasting life, know the Truth, love the Truth. Believe in the Truth.

John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Romans 10:8-13 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for,“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

After GOD opened my eyes, the LORD gave me a new life. Creation becomes logically beautiful. Now I understand real beauty, the true beauty, the Truth of this beauty. I can now set my eyes upon the heavens and say, I know the answer. I know the answer!

Why do I do this?

-       Because I am GOD’s witness.

Why is it that my happiness is found in a place where I cannot hold it nor embrace it (with all the limbs in me) and say “this is mine, this is mine!”?

-       Because GOD planted eternity in my heart. Because there is a much better place – an everlasting joy and peace – a place where bright angel feet have trod. Where saints gather…that flows from the throne of GOD. GOD promised heaven. Its crystal tides are forever! I will worship ever! All of my days.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 - He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

The night might commence a thousand times more, but soon our hiking shall cease - we shall all go home - this is our destiny. The question is where? 

To a far more divine afternoon sky or to a total darkness? 

Even to that question, JESUS is still the answer.

My afternoon sky was like the first step for me in knowing GOD but it won’t save anyone  General Revelation cannot save anyone. We need a Special Revelation, the Bible – the Gospel. The gospel is the most important communication or revelation of GOD to man. In JESUS, who is God the Son, we have the revelation of God’s love and sacrifice that saves us from God’s righteous judgment upon sinners.

Brothers and sisters, repent. See the beauty that is in JESUS. Come with us! Not in this world’s afternoon sky, but in that everlasting sky. We pray that may JESUS show mercy to you and to your family. We pray that GOD will open your eyes and that your vision shall be fixed upon HIM.