Ironworks

          How do I know if I am right with God? The question is simple, but it requires us to put some effort into figuring out an answer.  Since this takes effort, many people will ask the question and never look for the answer. This is an extremely dangerous way to live as you may be blissfully ignorant, but being blissfully ignorant of God’s word can lead to terrible eternal consequences. So, let’s answer the question in short. How do we know if we are right with God? To answer this we should ask ourselves some simple questions. Have You Heard?              The first step in the process is hearing the word of God. I know this seems like taking a step back from answering our serious question, but we have to address the fact that we need to hear God’s word. Logically speaking it all starts here, but as we move forward we need to continue to hear God’s word.           Romans 10:17 (K...

          Experiences and knowledge are the things that shape your outlook on life. It’s one thing to know something, but it is another thing to experience it. Take parenting for example. Have you ever met the single person who knows how to rear children better than someone who actually has children? Sure you have. There is a difference between theoretically knowing something and actually doing it. Going through experiences helps our knowledge of various circumstances, which is really called wisdom.           Continuing with the thought from previous weeks, after our wreck our perspectives changed. Most of our knowledge had not changed, but we had a new way to look at things. Let me share with you  a few lessons we have learned. Hold Tight to the Ones You Love           You never know when the last moment will be that you get to spend time with the ones you love. We are not promised a tomorrow...

     The five previous weeks we have discussed how to become saved and stay saved. While this subject is fresh in our minds, let us reflect and seek to understand what forgiveness is. The need for forgiveness necessitates the perfect sacrifice of the Messiah, Jesus. Without forgiveness of sins, we remain in sin and hopeless. So with regard to forgiveness, how must we as Christians forgive those who have sinned against us? Some have attempted to look at Matthew 6:14-15 to justify forgiveness as a purely one-sided transaction. The text reads,  “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Does this mean that one forgives regardless of repentance or is forgiveness unconditional?  Repentance is Always a Prerequisite of Forgiveness There has been an error taught in the world including many denominational groups, that has begu...

“And it came to pass, that he was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17 “They're going to hell, and you’re glad they’re going there.” I have mentioned this comment made to me by a brother from a liberal congregation once before, but I have to tell you, it bothers me. It should bother you, too, because this is a common tactic used against New Testament Christians who still ask for the old paths (cf.Jer. 6:16-17). If you teach the exclusivity of the church, people assume that you absolutely hate the lost among the r...

  This is an older post that never was published from last October.    I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3  Fifteen years ago next month a young man named Shannon Hoon died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 28. If the name is not familiar to you, then perhaps you know the name of the band he fronted, Blind Melon. The band was most famous for the song "No Rain,” which blew up in 1993 and led to much success for their freshman self-titled album. However, as his band enjoyed this success, Mr. Hoon fought addiction of both alcohol and harder drugs, namely cocaine. One morning his band mates found him unresponsive on their tour bus. This story is so very sad but is often repeated, especially among the young, rich, and famous. What is even more telling is that Mr. Hoon desired to change, one of the less known songs he wrote is entitled as such. He wanted to stop and so he went to rehab. He wanted to be a better fath...