The Evangel

DEAR READER: This message is directed to you, whether you are religious or not religious, and it is a message from God’s own Word. I am not interested in giving you conclusions of my own or of any other MAN, for I know of no one whose authority is equal to the precious truths contained in God’s Word. In 1 Timothy 2:4, we read, “God will have all mankind to be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth.” The creeds of men have changed this to read, “God WISHES all mankind to be saved.” What a shame that the religious world has left the plain Word of GOD for the theories of MAN! Turning to Eph. 1:11, we find that God is not limited to a wish, but that “He is actually operating the universe in accord with the counsel of His will,” and we surely know that neither demons nor men can defeat the One Who created the universe. I love to think, yes, to KNOW, that my God is not a weakling, TRYING to do something for man, if man will let Him, as is almost universally believed. No, my friend, the God of the Scriptures is not only able, but He IS operating the universe (the all) as HE wills. All in Love.

But, I hear someone say, “Man is a free moral agent.” This is just another theory of man. God’s Word states the very opposite. “It is not of him who is willing, nor of him who is running, but of God, the merciful” (Rom. 9:16), and, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). This is what God says, not what some false teacher thinks, be he in the pew or pulpit. God’s Word should be final.

BELIEVE GOD

What a motto, or guiding rule of life, to follow! What wonderful simplicity! BELIEVE GOD! That should not be hard for you to do, if you realize that “all is of God” -- all power, all wisdom, all love. In Romans 11:36 we read that ALL is out of God, and FOR Him (2 Cor. 5:18-21 Concordant Version).

Now if you will believe the following statements of Scripture, you will evade many deceptions and snares of Satan, who has twisted the Word of God, resulting in the theories of man. Why not let the theories go and BELIEVE GOD? What did our Lord Jesus Christ say, when Satan tried to twist Scripture for Him? The reply which caused Satan to flee from His presence was, “It is WRITTEN”, “It is WRITTEN”, “It is WRITTEN.” How I wish I could burn that motto, BELIEVE GOD, into your mind and heart, so that you would never forget it!

In 2 Timothy 3:16 we read, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is beneficial for teaching, for exposure, for correction, for discipline in righteousness, that the man of God may be equipped, fitted out for EVERY good act.” Then that is all we need. (see Jer.10:23; 1 John 2:2; Rom.10:20)

Colossians 1:20 is another Scripture, right to the point, “And through Him to reconcile ALL (the universe) to Himself, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens.” This speaks of the universality of God’s power, love, and wisdom, but it is not believed, as far as I know, by any who hold to man-made creeds. There are many other Scriptures, just as true and just as precious as the foregoing, which are neglected by the religious world of today. But, are not the ones quoted sufficient to awaken every reader, who loves what God has really said, more than the traditions and teachings of man? And should not God’s words be loved and honored by all who profess to be Christians?

Now a question for you, dear reader, to answer -- Kindly tell me, do you know of any creed in Christendom, which embraces or contains these precious statements of God’s Word, which I have quoted for you? On the other hand, kindly tell me of any man-made creed which does not DENY them! We should pray for all who have been so blinded as to deny God’s Word for the traditions of men.

In John 12:32 we are told by Christ, Himself, “And I, if I be exalted out of the earth, shall be drawing ALL to Myself. Now this He said, signifying by what manner of death He was about to be dying” (v.33). Why change our Lord’s statement to the theological conclusions, that if we, Christians, exalt Christ by our faithful preaching and zealous work, He will draw some to Himself? Now, do not conclude that I am belittling preaching, for the believer is “an ambassador of Christ.” I am urging the preaching of the Word of God in its purity and simplicity including the Scriptures I have quoted. God’s methods will draw ALL ultimately to His Beloved Son. He Who is all wisdom, love, and power, is able to subject ALL to Himself, as Philippians 3:21 asserts. Remember that text, and know we have a God who is not only ABLE, but intends to ultimately draw ALL to Himself, and will, and all the power of Satan and his minions, together with blinded teachers and preachers, cannot successfully thwart Him.

The reason is clearly stated, namely: because “HE is operating ALL in accord with the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11), and He “WILLS that ALL shall be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). Keeping Ephesians 1:11 always in mind, holds us calm and sane in the midst of the world’s confusion and unbelief.

Have we not heard earnest men, ignorant of the Scriptures, imploring, even begging God to save lost souls. God has no need of man to tell Him what to do! He is more interested in humanity than you or I could possibly be. When did He ever commission us to beg Him to save souls? 1 Timothy 4:10 says He is the Savior of ALL MANKIND and will draw ALL unto Himself in His own good time and way. We are commissioned to preach the evangel, the “good news” of what God has done for us, through Christ, and He will attend to the DRAWING, and the saving of ALL.

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