Tag Archives: sin

The Escape Door for your Soul

Articles February 5, 2023 Leave a comment

“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’”

Billy Graham

What is the first thing you would think, if you suddenly fell into a dark and gloomy pit, and you do not see a way out of it at all. But suddenly you hear a voice like from heaven, when from above it tells you, “There is only one escape door, I will lead you.”

Salvation1Certainly, in my case, I would pay absolute attention to that miraculous voice that offers me help to find the only escape door, the only way to get out of that pit.

Well, our soul lives in a dark and gloomy pit until it finds “the escape door” – “the exit door” and that only escape door is Jesus Christ. There is no other way, there is no other exit, there is no other escape door – Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

Jesus Christ is the only way for the salvation of human being. Jesus Christ is salvation forSalvation2 the soul in depression, for the soul in slavery, for the soul in despair. Jesus Christ is salvation for the soul that longs to get out of the prison of hopelessness.

Referring to Jesus Christ, renowned evangelist and author Billy Graham stated: “God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’”

The everlasting love of the Creator God of heaven and earth, of the universe and of everything in it, is constantly telling the human being “there is only one escape door for your soul, I will lead you.”

Salvation3

I invite you to walk through the four steps, simple but profoundly significant steps that have been posted in this article (see the images). Pay absolute attention to the voice of God that today will lead you step by step so that you find salvation for your soul.

Salvation4

If you want to know more about salvation through Jesus Christ, do not hesitate to contact us.

May God your Creator speak deeply to your heart and lead you to salvation in Christ Jesus!

New Year – New Life!

Inspiration December 31, 2022 Leave a comment

“The life of the human being is so fleeting.”

 

2023 – is not just another number, it represents a new opportunity! Certainly, many around the world have started working on their “New Year’s resolutions”, resolutions that unfortunately will fade as the days go by and perhaps in a couple of months. Few are those who keep hope alive and their eyes set on reaching the goal.

But we should all go beyond poetically writing a couple of “New Year’s resolutions”; and we should take a prudential time to meditate in our hearts and evaluate our life in the light of our “life manual”. What is that “life manual”, some may ask? Well, the only “life manual” that every human being has and should have is the Bible.

For some, the Bible is unfortunately already an obsolete book, of yesteryear, worthless in the era in which we live. For others, the Bible is almost an “amulet”, they enjoy having it as a wonderful ornament and sign of “good luck” in one of their rooms. But happily, for many others, the Bible is truly the Word of God, it is the “life manual” that the Creator has given to His Creation and even more so to those who are His sons and daughters.

And the Word of God tells us  “ yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14 – ESV)

And yes, the life of the human being is so fleeting. It’s almost a dream as parents raise their little ones, watch them crawl, walk, run, and almost disappear into adulthood – their studies, their businesses, their commitments, their new families. “Time flies” say some; and in truth it is so. What is 70 – 80 years old? In some cases, perhaps much less or perhaps a few more years. But what are a few decades compared to eternity? Time flies, earthly life is really fleeting.

2023-engThe Psalmist David wisely tells us: “Teach us to understand the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 – NLT). And it is that no one has a guaranteed tomorrow; however, while the grace of our Creator allows us to be on this planet, we must yearn to live a life full of wisdom, love, grace and service to others.

And perhaps everyone who reads this article can say, I live that life! But I must be very clear, no one lives, nor will they live, a truly wise life, without having personally met the Giver of life and the Source of wisdom, Christ Jesus.

For this reason, at this beginning of the New Year 2023, I invite you to evaluate your life and refocus it if necessary, so that the Creator of Heaven and Earth, of the entire universe, may not be only Your Creator, but you may also allow Him to enter into your life and embrace you as only a Father knows how to do it.

And for this, you only need to recognize 3 simple but profound things at the same time:

  1. We are all sinners – None is righteous, no, not one, the Bible tells us (Romans 3:10).
  2. I can’t do anything on my own to cleanse myself of my sins. There is no human effort that can erase the evil that is in the heart of man (Jeremiah 17:9).
  3. I recognize that only the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross is the only thing that cleanses me from all sin and that by accepting Jesus as my only Savior, it is the only thing that brings me from death to life, from darkness to light. It is the only way to go from “creature” to “son or daughter of God” (John 1:12).

As 2023 begins, I encourage you to make the biggest decision of your life, if you haven’t already. God, your Creator is waiting for you with open arms – accept His invitation, don’t put it off until tomorrow, because tomorrow may already be too late.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:16-17)

New Year – new life in Christ Jesus!

hand holding wooden block with text 2023 NEW YEAR NEW YOU on tab

NOTE:  If you would like to learn more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please contact us.

 

God’s Mark of Excellence – His Image

Articles June 15, 2022 Leave a comment

The soul is precisely the one that was sealed with the mark of excellence of our Triune Creator God, because it was made in His image:

“And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female created He them” (Genesis 1:27).

Wernher von Braun, in fact, recognized the human soul as God’s masterpiece. And it is in the human soul that God has impregnated the image of Him:

“Scientists now believe that in nature, matter is never destroyed. Not even the smallest particle can disappear without a trace. Nature knows no extinction, only transformation. Would God have less respect for His masterpiece of creation, the human soul? Every person receives the gift of life on this earth…The knowledge that man can choose between good, and evil should bring him closer to his Creator…” (Federer 2016)

As true as Von Braun’s analysis is, great theologians and scholars throughout history have seriously and deeply studied what concerns the “image of God.” And the Word itself gives us some portions in both the Old and New Testaments.

We have previously quoted Genesis 1: 26-27, which fundamentally have to do with God’s intention to create the human being and, in fact, with His concrete action.

Also, in Genesis 9 we find another verse where the “image of God” is alluded to, thus:

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God is man made.” (Genesis 9:6)

Erickson comments that in Genesis 9 murder is prohibited on the grounds that the human being was created in the image of God. Although this passage does not mention that humans still bear the image of God, it is clear that what God has done before is still in effect, even after the fall.[1]

TongueLet us now quote a passage from the New Testament where the subject in question is also referred to; and through which the Scriptures evidence that the human being is created in the image of God, even after the fall.

“[The tongue] with it we bless the God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.” (James 3:9)

Erickson in his book “Christian Theology” presents some views about the nature of the image of God. However, he concludes by indicating that, since there are various interpretations, this is an indication that there is no direct statement in the Scriptures on the subject. Therefore, reasonable inferences must be drawn from what little the Bible says on this subject. And here we share the most relevant, according to Erickson’s analysis:[2]

  • The image of God is universal within the human race. If the passages Genesis 9:6 and James 3:9-10 are analyzed; we observe bans on killing and cursing, respectively. And these prohibitions apply without limitation to all mankind, on the basis that mankind was created in the image of God.
  • The image of God has not been lost as a result of sin or specifically the fall. Thus, returning to the analysis of the prohibitions on murder and the curse, they apply to both sinners and pious believers. Thus, the presence of the image and likeness in non-believers is assumed. If this is the case, it means that the image of God is something that is inseparably connected with humanity.
  • There are no indications that the image is present in one person to a greater degree than in another. Superior natural endowments such as a high level of intelligence; it is not evidence of the presence or of a certain degree of the image.
  • The image refers to the elements in the human composition that allow the fulfillment of human destiny. It is about the powers of the personality that somehow make humans like God, that is, beings capable of interacting with other people, of thinking, reflecting and having a will. God’s creation had a definite purpose: Humans were destined to know, love, and obey God, and to live in harmony with other human beings. And Erickson emphasizes that humans are most fully human when they are active in these relationships, fulfilling God’s purpose. He mentions here also that the attributes of God which are sometimes referred to as the communicable attributes constitute the image of God. And he points out:

“Humanity as humanity has a nature that encompasses everything that constitutes the personality or the self: intelligence, will, emotions. This is the image in which humans were created, allowing them to have the divinely intended relationship with God and with other humans, and exercise dominion. (Erickson 2003)

  • It is interesting that Erickson also mentions the thought of Karl Barth, who says that the image is present in the human as long as it is human. And he looks at the image of God not only consisting of the vertical relationship between the human and God, but also horizontally between human beings. The image is related to the fact that God created a being who, like Himself, can be a partner.
Mischievous boy covered with paints

As this boy is dirty, covered with paints; so does sin in us, the image of God. 

It is good to highlight here a synthesis of the study by Miguel Núñez, who states that the image of God has not been lost. Yes upset, disfigured, trampled, distorted; but it definitely has not been lost. By definition, he says, the image of God cannot be lost because God exists permanently. What distorted it is sin. As human beings we have a mind with which we think, just like God; emotions we feel; one intelligence, one spirit, existence, all this just like God. And in terms of soul destruction, we are not going to die, just like God. The human being will go to hell or to the presence of God, depending on whether he is a believer or not; but he will continue to exist, just like God. So, what distorts the image of God is the sin that entered man. The sinful nature affected as long as the mind was darkened, it distorts the perception of the reality of what the human being sees. Likewise, the feelings were affected, the human being has become egocentric, tries to satisfy his own needs selfishly. Before the fall, we would have lived in the presence of God, and we would not have had the deviations that we now have.

Dr. Núñez refers to two biblical passages that were also mentioned earlier in this chapter, Genesis 9:6 and James 3:9. Both passages, he says, occur after the fall. And God continues to affirm through them about the existence of the image of God in man. The image of God remains in us, and the seriousness of a crime, domestic violence or abortion basically lies in the fact that human beings are bearers of the image of God; if it were not in us, we could die just like the animals and nothing would have any consequence, he concludes.[3]

[1] Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003), 519.

[2] Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003), 519-533.

[3] Miguel Núñez, “¿Es el hombre pecador aun la imagen de Dios?” Edificando,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaKE_9n-G_M

A Week full of Victory!

Articles, Inspiration April 20, 2019 Leave a comment

The Holy Week, as we know begins with the well-known “Palm Sunday”, which is nothing but the “triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.” Yes, triumphal entry because all the people received Him with joy, excitement, offering palms, spreading their coats for the King to enter the city. “Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD;
Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9) Hosanna is truly a plea for salvation, as it is said in Psalm 118: 25: “O LORD, do save, we beseech You; O LORD, we beseech You, do send prosperity!”

The people longed for salvation. But, what kind of salvation? Probably, salvation from the conflictive social state of those days. But Jesus came to bring us even deeper salvation, salvation to our souls. A week later, Jesus dies on the cross. The acclaimed one is insulted, mistreated and reviled. Hope dies. The Man dies.

Yes, Jesus died in His human essence; but, His divine power was revealed 3 days later, when He rose in victory. When He overcame death, because Jesus Himself is the giver of life, He is the Life itself!

Jesus Christ is the only one who can rescue you from death, from the spiritual death that is the most serious! Do you know where you will spend eternity? Do you think that when you physically die, everything is over? Jesus tells you, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) Do not wait longer. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. There is no other way to ensure a life full of peace here on earth and of hope of eternity in the very presence of the Creator of the universe, where there will no longer be crying or pain. Where Jesus Himself will wipe away our tears and give us eternal peace on his lap, as a true loving Father.

For many, the Holy Week began in victory, but ended in despair, in pain, in tragedy, in death. But, the Holy Week began in Victory and ended in even greater Victory. Because Jesus Christ rose from the death and lives forever and ever! God is not dead, and He can transform your life…open your heart to Jesus today!

 

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The Only Reason for Christmas!

Inspiration December 25, 2018 Leave a comment

Christmas…

Over 2,000 years ago, humankind celebrated the first Christmas in history. ¡The only and true Savior was born! The one whose main purpose was to release this planet from the worse exterminator…sin.

The wages of sin is death. But, Jesus, the Savior came to give us life and life to the full.

“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.                (Romans 10:9-10)

 

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