Nobody’s Perfect

One of the rarest feats in baseball is a perfect game. This is when a pitcher retires all 27 batters he faces during a nine-inning game. Not only does the pitcher have to show exceptional skill but also his teammates. If one of them commits an error, that wipes away the perfect game. In major league history, only 23 perfect games have occurred. Another one would’ve made the record books if it weren’t for a blown call by an umpire.

On June 2, 2010, Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers retired the first 26 Cleveland Indians he faced. The 27th batter, Jason Donald, hit a ground ball to first base. Miguel Cabrera fielded it and threw it to Galarraga, whose foot hit the bag before Donald’s did. But umpire Jim Joyce, a 21-year veteran, ruled that Donald was safe. Replays clearly showed that Donald was out. Jim Joyce later acknowledged he missed the call and said, “I just cost that kid a perfect game.”

Last year, many ministers prophesied Donald Trump would be reelected President of the United States. A handful of them has since said they missed it. One named Jeremiah Johnson even shut down his ministry. However, others are still standing by their prophecies. One prophet who I consider a friend predicted the military would remove Joe Biden from the White House and reinstate Trump by April. That didn’t come to pass. Hopefully, my friend will issue some kind of retraction. I don’t want to see him branded a false prophet.

What happens when you mess up? Are you humble enough to say you made a mistake?

“A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.” - Proverbs 28:13 (Living Bible)

A Matter of Trust

There’s a well-known story involving Dutch holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom (pictured here) about the power of forgiveness. Shortly after being freed from a Nazi concentration camp, Corrie spoke about that experience at a church in Munich, Germany. A former camp guard that Corrie recognized approached her, extended his hand and asked for her forgiveness. Corrie struggled at first while she stood face-to-face with one of her former captors. Finally, Corrie shook the man’s hand and in her own words: “I had never known God’s love so intensely, as I did then.”

A few years ago, I experienced a forgiveness test at a revival meeting in the Minneapolis area. Around the time the preacher talked about forgiving others, I noticed a familiar-looking man leaning up against the wall. It turned out to be my former best friend whom I hadn’t seen in over a decade. “Stephen” betrayed me by getting into an adulterous relationship with my then-wife who separated from me and subsequently filed for divorce. Immediately, I reminded the Lord of my forgiving Stephen but had a feeling we would end up talking that night.

After responding to an altar call and doing some “carpet time”, I went to use the bathroom. Sure enough, Stephen was also in there. He asked to speak with me, and we moved out to the lobby. After a few minutes passed without him mentioning my ex-wife, I went ahead and told Stephen I had forgiven him for betraying me. He thanked me but didn’t apologize or say anything that sounded like genuine remorse. Stephen said something about contacting my ex-wife’s father again. He also wanted to stay in touch with me through the Internet. Although I later showed him my website on my laptop, I didn’t have peace about giving him my email address.  

Sometimes boundaries need to be set when a professing Christian breach their trust. Even Jesus didn’t have blind faith in people. John 2:24 (NLT) says, “But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature.” While we are to believe the best of every person (1 Corinthians 13:7), it’s unfortunate when a lifetime of trust gets broken in seconds.

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” - Psalm 118:8

Believing the Best

A few weeks ago, reports surfaced of immoral behavior involving Canadian-born evangelist Todd Bentley. Three of his former associates who I’m friends with on Facebook issued public warnings about him. Todd has denied most of these accusations. Meanwhile, a tribunal has been set up to investigate the charges. At the time of this writing, I’ve not heard of any legal action taken against Todd. 

Unless he is proven guilty, I’m choosing to believe the best about Todd Bentley (1 Corinthians 13:7). It was around 2002 when I started hearing about him. His name stood out to me because I had a junior high classmate also named Todd Bentley. 

The first time I heard evangelist Todd Bentley minister was at The River at Tampa Bay church in 2004. He wasn’t the scheduled speaker but Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne invited him to come up to the pulpit for a few minutes. Because he’s from Canada, I was surprised to hear Todd preach like an American Pentecostal.

Over the next two years, I listened to more messages by Todd Bentley. Cuts from his albums “Soaking in the Secret Place” and “Marinating” were played on my Internet station Signs & Wonders Radio. I also read his testimony book “Journey Into the Miraculous.” Admittedly, I was somewhat jealous of Todd’s rapid progression in ministry but respected his spiritual hunger and passion for the lost.

In 2007, I attended a Todd Bentley conference in London, Ontario. One night in a prayer line, Todd laid hands on me without looking me in the eye. I thought that was odd. Another time, I stood by his book table while he was talking with someone. I hoped to at least say “hello” to him but that didn’t happen.

A year later, a series of Todd Bentley meetings in Lakeland, Florida quickly erupted into a revival that lasted several months. I went there for a few days in May. During my first night at the revival, Todd offered to pray for all the missionaries. Just before I reached the platform, Todd sent his associates to pray for the rest of us waiting in line. That caused me to question if God didn’t want me having contact with Todd. Nevertheless, he laid hands on me again at an anointing service three nights later. We also became friends on Facebook.

Throughout the summer of 2008, I watched more revival meetings on GodTV. I appreciated what God was doing through Todd Bentley but perceived not everything was okay in Lakeland. The revival soon cooled off when Todd’s marriage problems became public knowledge. Since I had gone through a divorce that year, I could relate to the flak Todd experienced. It’s sad when Christians judge others without knowing all the facts.

In 2009, I watched videos of Todd Bentley going through a restoration process with Rick Joyner of MorningStar Ministries. In one of them, Todd’s new wife Jessa explained how they came together while Todd was getting a divorce. Jessa clarified that no adultery occurred but got too emotionally involved with Todd before his divorce was finalized. It was also revealed Todd and his first wife Shonnah had marital difficulties before Jessa came into the picture.

In February 2010, the Lord led me to Charlotte, North Carolina to attend meetings at MorningStar. By this time Rick released Todd Bentley to do public ministry again. Just before one evening service, I got to meet with the Bentleys for a couple of minutes. Todd prayed a blessing over my ministry without me asking him to. Since a brief return to MorningStar later that year, I haven’t attended any of Todd’s meetings but often read his Facebook posts.

In response to the recent allegations, many Todd Bentley meetings were canceled and partners have withdrawn their support. A few Christians insist he should no longer be behind the pulpit. I disagree as long as Todd has repented of all wrongdoing. Romans 11:29 says, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Televangelist Jim Bakker had a moral failure and was divorced by his wife Tammy while behind bars. God still brought him back into ministry. Jim didn’t even want to go on TV again but was led to start a program he now hosts with his current wife Lori.

Friends of mine in Massachusetts are hosting a Todd Bentley meeting in their home next weekend. I pray that heaven’s purposes will be fulfilled there. No matter how many times someone may mess up, God will use anyone who humbles himself and is repentant.

“For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.” - Proverbs 24:16

UPDATE: Dr. Michael L. Brown released two statements regarding a Leadership Panel that investigated Todd Bentley's recent actions. The statements were posted on Dr. Brown's Facebook pages in early January 2020. I encourage everyone interested in reading them to do so prayerfully.

The Danger of Unforgiveness

Those of you who know me are probably aware I frequently go to McDonald’s to drink coffee and work online with my laptop. You may be surprised to learn I once had a long standing grudge against the restaurant. 

Back in 1976 as a twelve-year-old, I went inside McDonald’s one day to pick up dinner for my family. Initially, there were many other customers waiting to order. Over the next 45 minutes, everybody had been waited on except me! For some reason, employees asked people in line behind me for their orders. I didn’t speak up because I thought I was doing the right thing by being patient. By the time someone finally asked for my order, I was extremely upset. Back home I ate my McDonald’s food but then vowed never to eat there again.

You might ask yourself, “So what’s the big deal? If you receive terrible service, don’t go back there.” I took my resentment towards McDonald’s to the extreme. Whenever my parents bought me food from there, I refused to eat it even if that meant going hungry for the night. One time I was about to ride with my dad and noticed McDonald’s wrappers in the car. I grabbed some paper towels to avoid contact with those wrappers while throwing them in the trash. If I rode with someone who decided to stop at McDonald’s, I usually waited in the car. If I had to sit inside the restaurant, I refused to touch French fries offered to me.

During my sophomore year in high school, my best friend David got hired by McDonald’s and suggested I work with him there. Even though I wanted a job, I wouldn’t consider his idea. The following June, I went on a week-long field trip with my Sunday school class. Occasionally, the pastor stopped at McDonald’s. Because I still refused to eat there, he gave me money so I could get food someplace else. It wasn’t until a decade later when I finally ended my McDonald’s boycott and bought myself an eggnog shake. What did I accomplish by holding onto a fourteen year grudge? Nothing!

Because we live in a fallen world, we will occasionally get mistreated. We can respond by forgiving the offenders or continue pondering the mistreatment and let it build inside our heart. That can have dangerous consequences. Hebrews 12:15 says, “looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.”

Many times I’ve heard it said the only sin that stops people from receiving eternal life is rejecting Jesus. There is actually one more hindrance to heaven: unforgiveness. Look at what Jesus said in Mark 11:25-26…

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

One pastor I recently exchanged emails with contested the idea that unforgiveness prevents a Christian from going to heaven. God confirms His word by the mouth of two or three witnesses. In the Reinhard Bonnke video “Raised From the Dead”, a Nigerian pastor named Daniel Ekechukwu testified of being resurrected three days after dying from injuries suffered in a car accident. Before coming back to life, Daniel briefly stood outside the gates of heaven and learned he would’ve gone to hell for having unforgiveness towards his wife.

There’s also an eye-opening testimony in John Bevere’s book “The Bait of Satan.” John wrote about a man from the Philippines who briefly died on the operating table and was shown a vision of hell. This Filipino was amazed to see his wife’s mother burning in flames. She had said the “sinner’s prayer,” confessed to being a Christian, and had attended church. 

“Why is she in hell?” the Filipino asked the Lord.

The Lord told him that she had refused to forgive a relative and therefore could not be forgiven.

Forgiving others is not an option. Jesus makes it clear in His word…If we don’t forgive those who wronged us, God won’t forgive us of the wrongs we’ve done to Him.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire” - Matthew 5:21-22

Obeying God vs. Man

Burger King once used the advertising slogan, “Sometimes, you gotta break the rules.” If you’re truly living for the Lord, He will occasionally lead you to do things that may seem risky and go against man-made laws. Sometimes I have evangelized in shopping malls even though security people will try to stop that because they consider it “soliciting.”

A recent exchange of emails with a Facebook friend about illegal immigration reminded me of a situation that happened fifteen years ago. In April 2003, I flew to Berlin to share the gospel in Germany. Originally I was scheduled to fly back to the U. S. a month later but opted not to despite my return ticket classified “non-refundable.” The Lord told me my leaving Germany then would be in His permissive will but not His perfect will. Eventually, He led me to visit other European nations.

By September I was in Spain and perceived it was time to come home. One day I went to the Madrid airport hoping the airline would let me use my old return ticket. The representative I talked to put a reservation into her computer, which was denied by the airline’s home office. But when I returned to the place I was staying, a friend had called saying the Lord instructed him to buy me another airline ticket!

When I started my flight back to the Washington, DC area, one concern I had was what to say while going through customs. I found out an American could legally stay in the European Union without a visa for only 90 days every six months. After changing planes in Amsterdam, I was given a customs declaration form to fill out. One question that needed to be answered was which foreign countries I visited. The form had space to write down only two but I had been in seven on this trip. I asked a flight attendant what I should do. She told me to put down the last two countries I’d been in. 

Later at Dulles Airport, the customs official examined my declaration form and asked me how long I was in Spain and the Netherlands (the total time for both was just over a month). He didn’t inquire about any other countries I visited. The only thing that raised his eyebrows was my post office box listed as a permanent address. I explained that I’m a missionary who lives in various places for short periods of time but uses a PO Box in Virginia to collect my mail. The man shook his head and waved me through.

This testimony is not to encourage anyone to purposely overstay their visit to a foreign nation. Whenever possible, we should obey the laws of the land that don’t violate Scripture. Still, God will give grace and favor to those obedient to the Great Commission. 

The laws of man are superseded by the higher laws of God.

“But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’” - Acts 5:29 

Conviction vs. Condemnation

Two nights ago I briefly listened to an online church service. I logged off after hearing a young preacher say, “You’re not going to come here [to his church] and feel condemned…or convicted.” I believe he meant well since he talked about mistakes the church made generations before him. Unfortunately, many ministers who emphasize grace disregard the Bible’s warnings on not obeying God’s commandments.

Certainly God doesn’t want us feeling condemned. One dictionary defines condemn as “officially declare (something, especially a building) to be unfit for use.” That same dictionary defines condemnation as “the action of condemning someone to a punishment; sentencing.” Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” As long as we stay in communion with the Lord, we shouldn’t fear condemnation. There is always hope for redemption.

On the other hand, Jesus told a woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)  Grace was extended to this woman but she was also commanded not to commit adultery again. Like any good earthly parent, our Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally but won’t allow continued disobedience to His commandments. Ephesians 5:6 in the New Living Translation says, “Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.”

Jesus said in John 16:8 regarding the Holy Spirit, “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” The Holy Spirit brings conviction upon sinners so that hopefully they become born again. For the believer, our own heart convicts us when we mess up (1 John 3:20 AMP). That kind of conviction should be welcomed if we’re missing it somewhere so we can repent. That’s one way we grow in our relationship with Him and become more Christlike.

“holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” - Titus 1:9

Productive Public Preaching

When people hear the term street evangelist, some think of men and women standing in public places shouting out Bible verses. That’s one way of reaching multitudes who might not hear the gospel otherwise. Romans 10:14 says, “And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” All the prophets of old as well as Jesus and the Apostle Paul preached in the marketplace. 

Unfortunately, many open-air preachers I’ve seen lack compassion and do not speak the truth in love. They preach more about God’s judgment than His mercy. Some call women “whores” because (in their opinion) they don’t wear enough clothing. Jesus didn’t talk like that to the woman caught in adultery. Rude preaching repels sinners instead of drawing them closer to God. 2 Timothy 2:24-25 says, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth”

My mentor Nick Kinn talked about a time he approached one Bible-thumping preacher who had been doing that on the streets of Minneapolis for 27 years. Pastor Nick asked this man how many people he led to Christ with his method of ministry. He answered, “None.” James 1:20 says, “for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” It’s often been said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Normally when evangelizing I approach people one-on-one with gospel tracts. However, I’ve preached in the open square a few times…usually on the spur of the moment. One time in Washington, DC, I encountered a man sitting on a park bench blurting Scripture with a condemning tone in his voice. I also noticed some young people a few feet away listening to this man. At that moment, I felt a stirring in my spirit and hollered out loud: “Yes, God is a god of judgment but he is also a god of love...He has made a way for your sins to be forgiven so you can know for sure you will be in heaven!” After I quoted Romans 10:9, this “preacher” yelled wicked insults at me. Since I couldn’t reason with him, I walked away and resumed one-on-one evangelizing.

Another time in Charleston, South Carolina, I went to a fishing pier with three other men. There we met a Christian couple that ended up joining us in “fishing for men.” First, we sang praise songs while passing out tracts. Then I was inspired to stand on a bench and do some open-air preaching. As people walked by, I delivered a short message emphasizing the love of God and explained why none of us are good enough to go to heaven. Later that year in New York City, I was walking through the Times Square area and ran into a group of Christians open-air preaching. They let me have the microphone for a few minutes.

Recently I've studied YouTube videos of various open-air preachers especially those who engage people in conversations instead of just preaching at them. Ray Comfort (pictured above) uses clever tactics such as asking trivia questions and giving away stuff to attract a crowd. Then he focuses on ministering to one person at a time standing on a box. Although I don’t agree with some of his teachings, I like how Ray handles hecklers without demeaning them and avoids being distracted from the main mission: showing sinners why they need a savior.

If you’re willing to go outside your comfort zone and do some open-air preaching, find someone to partner with so you can take turns ministering and keep each other covered in prayer. But always remember…it’s Christ’s love (and not finger-pointing with a faultfinding attitude) that draw sinners to Him.

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” - John 3:17

Future Forgiveness

Thank God for grace! None of us deserve eternal life but God made that available through the death and resurrection of His Son. We need to continue receiving that grace to fulfill His plans and purposes for us on this earth.

A doctrine I’ve heard taught by some modern grace teachers is that once you’re saved, all your past, present, and future sins are forgiven. For a while I kept thinking, something isn’t right about the future part. Then I read Michael Brown’s book “Hyper-Grace” in which he shares this powerful analogy…

“It’s as if you have a debit card with a prepaid amount of one million dollars, but the account is not charged until you go out and use it. In the same way, the forgiveness of all of our sins has been prepaid, but that forgiveness is not applied in advance. It is applied as needed.”

The Lord also gave me this illustration. If you’re married, there have been times you said or did things that hurt your spouse. Your marriage didn’t suddenly end but that relationship was strained until you apologized and asked for forgiveness. No one has ever been a perfect husband or wife.

Likewise, anyone who is part of the Bride of Christ will occasionally say or do things that are wrong. Any believer who claims he never sins is a liar. 1 John 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Fortunately, the next verse mentions the forgiveness available for when we blow it: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Yes, forgiveness for future sins is available but is to be received when needed. Jesus may have said on the cross “it is finished” but every believer is a work in progress. A Christian serious about his walk with the Lord won’t practice sin but still misses it from time to time. We all have room for improvement. 

So the next time you feel convicted when messing up, don’t live in condemnation. Confess it before the Lord (and others when necessary) and then move on.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” - Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

Obey the Gospel

Doctrinal debates sometimes result from comments I post on my Facebook page. I don’t mind this as long as our discussions remain civil and don’t promote heresy. Isaiah 1:18 encourages us to “reason together.” Yesterday I modified and reposted a powerful statement seen on another friend’s wall: “Grace alone did not save Noah and his family...obedience did.”

One friend wrote in response, “It’s Christ's obedience that saved us.” It’s true Christ did His part to make salvation available to everyone but a covenant involves two parties in agreement. A couple doesn’t become married if only one partner says, “I do.” Likewise, someone cannot become part of the Bride of Christ unless he or she says “I do” to Jesus. 

As I pondered my friend’s statement, I recalled how the New Testament talks about obeying the gospel...

“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’” - Romans 10:16

“in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 2 Thessalonians 1:8

“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?” - 1 Peter 4:17 

To elaborate on my original comment, Noah could have basked in God’s grace and goodness but would've drowned with the rest of the world if he hadn’t obeyed God’s command to build the ark. Under the New Covenant, sinners can avoid drowning in the lake of fire if they hear the gospel and then decide to obey it. That can happen if more believers do their part in obeying the Great Commission.

“Whoever says, I know Him [I perceive, recognize, understand, and am acquainted with Him] but fails to keep and obey His commandments (teachings) is a liar, and the Truth [of the Gospel] is not in him.” - 1 John 2:4 (Amplified Bible)

The Flesh Profits Nothing

Probably the most common reason people erroneously think they will spend eternity in heaven is for being a good person. Certainly, we are to be doers of God’s word. Yet Jesus did not base His worthiness on the good works He did on earth but simply followed the Father’s instructions. The gospel of John in particular has many Scriptures emphasizing this truth...

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” - John 5:19

“I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” - John 5:30

“When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.” - John 8:28 

“If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God.” - John 8:54

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5 

Jesus also said in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.” Many times people do seemingly good things out of their own strength without seeing positive results. One example in the Bible can be found in John 21...

3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 

4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 

5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”

They answered Him, “No.”

6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

Peter was called to preach the gospel but briefly went back into fishing after denying the Lord. Jesus still helped him make a miraculous catch of 153 fish. Peter was soon restored and later on the Day of Pentecost preached a sermon that resulted in 3,000 salvations (Acts 2:41).

A few times I’ve been in financial need on the mission field and attempted to do things to bring in money without success. One night I found myself stranded in San Antonio and tried contacting a friend who had recently offered to send a donation towards my next Germany trip. I wanted to use the money instead to get me out of Texas. Despite making several phone calls, I couldn’t reach my friend. To make a long story short, God kept me in San Antonio for a couple of more weeks to do street ministry there until donations came in from other sources that enabled me to leave town.

I’ve met fellow missionaries who were heavily in debt at the time the Lord instructed them to walk away from their jobs but eventually became debt-free. One of them is a former chiropractor who has carried a wooden cross in various cities (à la Arthur Blessitt). At one point this man briefly returned to secular work wanting to make payments towards his debts. None of those jobs he landed worked out. Not long after making a firm decision to resume carrying the cross, a couple approached him offering to pay off all his debts. In an instant, this missionary was cleared of a $167,000 debt load. 

Smith Wigglesworth once said, “You must come to see how wonderful you are in God and how helpless you are in yourself.” Philippians 4:13 tells us we can do “all things through Christ” who strengthens us. Colossians 1:10 says we are to be “fruitful in every good work.” So if your life isn’t progressing like it should, ask the Lord where you may be missing it. A simple act of obedience can bring the sudden breakthrough you’ve been believing for.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” - Psalm 127:1

The Law is Good

Some Christians get really defensive when they hear about the need to obey God’s word. This past Wednesday I witnessed to a dollar store employee who was taking a smoke break outside. She claimed to know the Lord but wasn’t going to church anywhere. When I tried pointing out how Hebrews 10:25 commands us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, she walked away saying, “I have my own beliefs!” 

Part of the problem is ministers not presenting a balanced perspective of God. Just as some preach too much about God’s judgment, others totally disregard (and in some cases distort) the Bible’s warnings on disobeying His commandments. l frequently hear believers who defiantly boast, “I am not under law but under grace.” They associate obedience with legalism. 

There are numerous Scriptures that talk about treasuring God’s laws. Let’s look at a few from the largest chapter in the Bible...

“I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.” - Psalm 119:16

“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” - Psalm 119:18

“And I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love.” - Psalm 119:47

“The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.” - Psalm 119:72

“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies.” - Psalm 119:97-98

“Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!” - Psalm 119:127

“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” - Psalm 119:165

Even the New Testament recognizes the value of the law...

“Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.” - Romans 7:12

“Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.” - 1 Corinthians 7:19

“But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,” - 1 Timothy 1:8 

Fellow evangelist Daniel K. Norris says, “I have found that grace doesn't render the law irrelevant to me but actually makes it even more relevant for me.” 

It is possible to delight in God's law and still be under grace.

“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” - James 1:25 (NIV)

In the Nick of Time

Someone once asked if I believe in deathbed salvations. I most certainly do. The thief on the cross is an excellent example. He had just enough time to call on the Lord before dying with Him at Calvary. Jesus told the thief, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) 

I’ve heard numerous testimonies of people coming to know the Lord moments before dying. One evangelist I know saw this happen with a family member. A few years ago, Nick Kinn received a call from his sister nudging him to meet with their 86-year-old uncle about getting right with God. John Kinn had attended a Lutheran church but didn’t know if he was going to heaven. Nick prayed with his uncle to get born again. Five days later, Nick’s sister called again informing him Uncle John had died.

On the other hand, I’ve witnessed to individuals who think they can continue “living it up” but then get saved at the last minute. That’s a dangerous idea to entertain. Every day people suddenly die from car accidents, drive-by shootings, terrorist bombings, heart attacks, storms, and other tragedies. Those that didn’t have time to make peace with God are now suffering the eternal consequences.

Some might complain it’s not fair for one to get saved just before dying while others were faithful Christians for years. This reminds me of the Parable of the Vineyard Workers in Matthew chapter 20. All the laborers who began working during the eleventh hour received the same wages as those starting earlier in the day. Remember God is merciful and doesn’t want anymore to perish (2 Peter 3:9). 

It’s better for one to get saved late in life than not at all. So if you don’t know the Lord, I urge you to receive His free gift of salvation right now. Don’t put it off! You may not have another opportunity.

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 

- 2 Corinthians 6:2

Receiving the Gift of Salvation

Numerous denominations have formed due to conflicting doctrines but one thing that unites all believers is our knowing Jesus Christ as Lord. Still there are disagreements regarding how one is saved. Two days ago outside a McDonald’s, I witnessed to three young people smoking. One of the women wasn’t sure of her eternal destiny but later admitted to be backslidden. She was raised in a church that teaches one must “repent, be baptized and speak in tongues” in order to be saved. Strangely enough, this woman defended that doctrine after praying along with her two friends to get born again. Nevertheless, Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

A few days before that, I exchanged emails with a man who thinks just believing Jesus is the Savior is sufficient for salvation. This belief is solely based on 1 Corinthians 15…

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,

2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures

While this passage gives a good overview of the gospel, one must “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) by comparing this with other Scriptures. James 2:19 says that even the demons believe there is a God...and tremble! Certainly they won’t spend eternity in heaven. 

Notice in 1 Corinthians 15 verses 1 and 3 talk about receivingthe gospel. The verse in between says we are saved if we “hold fast” to the word. Believing is simply the first step towards the manifestation of God’s promises whether it’s salvation or healing. In Mark 10:51-52, blind Bartimaeus believed Jesus could heal him but didn’t receive his sight until he called out to Him and specifically asked for that. James 4:2 (KJV) says, “…ye have not, because ye ask not.”

Whenever I go out evangelizing, I often meet people who believe the gospel but hadn't yet received the gift of salvation. Romans 10:9-10 says that one must believe in his heart and confess with his mouth that Jesus is Lord in order to be saved. Jesus said He would not confess us before the Father if we don’t confess Him before man (Matthew 10:32-33). 

Jesus died for the sins of all mankind. But just like a present sitting underneath a Christmas tree, one must open up that gift to reap its benefits. Have you received God’s free gift of salvation?

"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” - Matthew 21:22

Bad Evangelism

Back in 2000 while visiting Calvary Campground for the first time, I discussed evangelism methods with another man staying there. He compared my survey technique to Ray Comfort, an evangelist who later became known for co-hosting “The Way of the Master” television series with Kirk Cameron. At the time I didn’t know who Ray was. I had simply adopted a witnessing approach that quickly helps me determine someone’s spiritual beliefs.

Some Christians don’t like The Way of the Master evangelism method because they see that as too condemning. In almost every video I’ve seen of Ray or Kirk ministering to others, people are asked if they ever lied, stolen, taken God’s name in vain, and lusted after someone. One Scripture often quoted to support this type of witnessing is Galatians 3:24: “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

One minister in Florida didn’t want me handing out cards from his church because he thought my style of evangelism was too similar to The Way of the Master. Normally I use the law only when witnessing to individuals who think they are going to heaven for being a good person. Otherwise I usually just quote Romans 10:9 and then review the gospel with them. I don’t believe it’s necessary to go over a list of sins with people who already recognize their need for a savior. 

Nevertheless, some Christians seem to thrive on pointing out the bad things people do. Perhaps you have seen street preachers calling everyone sinners and saying they are all on their way to hell. Timothy Keller once said, “Bad evangelism says: I'm right, you're wrong, and I would love to tell you about it.” Negative preachers need to remember it’s the goodness of God that leads one to repentance (Romans 2:4). The word gospel itself means “good news”, not bad news.

While I don’t agree with everything taught by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, I applaud them for encouraging Christians to share their faith more. Jesus said in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” If every believer obeyed the Great Commission, we might see the return of Christ that much sooner. Regardless of how we witness to people, our labor in the Lord is not in vain as long as we speak the truth in love.

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” – John 3:17