The Way, The Truth and The Life

In a local newspaper, the Sunday Times of November 1, 2009, an article was written titled 'Stop missionary work in schools' which can be viewed at the link. In response to this article the following was sent to the editor for publication.
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Dear Editor

In answering your article ‘Stop missionary work in schools’ (Sunday Times November 1, 2009) I respond as a born again Christian. To put this article in perspective it is important to have the Truth told and to have this complete response published in its entirety as is, capitalising the names and words as reflected.
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THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE

What is important is not what you believe in, but whether what you believe in is true. There are many religions in this world, but there is only one true way. To quantify this statement I will use a simple math test: What is the sum of 2+2? Most reasonable persons will agree the answer to be 4. Can the sum of 2+2 ever be 5? Or 7? Or maybe 57? The answer is no. The only answer to this sum is 4 and therefore there is only one correct and true answer.

The question posed in your article ‘Stop missionary work in schools’ (Sunday Times November 1, 2009) read: Should there be religious studies in public schools? First up I do not believe there should be religious studied in schools. Secondly, I don’t believe in religion. Religion is man’s attempt at trying to get close and right with God. And thirdly, I believe in the ultimate Truth being known. As there is only one true answer to the sum 2+2, so there is also only one true way of getting right before God. So, I wouldn’t go for religious studies – I would go for Biblical Studies. Before discounting this article, read further to see why I would encourage Christianity in schools. After all, does everyone not want to know the truth?

What matters in life is not what we believe in, but what really matters is whether what we believe in is really true. Let me ask you the most important question you will ever encounter in your life – What will happen to you the day you die? The day you die becomes the most important day of your life on earth. The reason is it is the day you move from this world into eternity. God’s inerrant, infallible, incorruptible Word, the Bible, states that it is appointed for man once to die and after this comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The ultimate statistic is 10 out of 10 people die and one day you, too, will stand before an infinitely Holy and Sovereign God and be judged by the only Lawgiver and Judge of the Universe. On that day will you be deemed good enough to enter into His presence in heaven? Or will your justice be eternity in hell? At this point some of you might say you don’t believe in there being a God, a heaven or a hell – remember, it doesn’t matter what you believe in, what matters is what is true.

To illustrate this point: If you said you don’t believe in trucks and in your quest to prove trucks don’t exist you jumped onto the highway in front of an oncoming truck, when is the moment that you will change from believing trucks do not exist to believing they do exist? The moment you make contact with the truck reality comes to pass and you will start believing. The same principle will apply when you die and stand before Almighty God – reality will come to pass and it will be too late to make amends.

Now that you know that reality will come to pass, in what state will you stand before God. The way you can see yourself as God sees you is by examining yourself against His perfect standard which He has commanded mankind to live by. This perfect standard is God’s perfect Law that restores the soul and makes wise the simple (Psalm 19:7) – it is The Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20). Let us see how you will do on that great and terrible Day. How many lies have you told in your lifetime? Have you ever stolen anything? The size and the value of the object is irrelevant. Have you committed adultery? Jesus said in Matthew 5:28, “but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Have you looked with lust? Do you fornicate (having sexual relations outside the bounds of marriage)? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, God sees you as a lying, thieving, adulterer and a fornicator – and you have only been examined by three of the Ten Commandments. By breaking any of His commandments will you be innocent or guilty? God’s Word will give you the justice of guilty. It reads: Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God (1Corinthians 6:9,10). So by God’s standard sinning lawbreakers will be damned in hell for eternity – does this concern you?

At this point think how evil and wicked mankind is and how God will see you in your sin. The Bible says that man has a deceitfully wicked heart who can know. Just turn to any other page in this newspaper and see the crime, violence, debauchery, corruption, fraud, mismanagement, hatred, wars, murders, blasphemy, thieving, rape, religious killings, abortions of innocent children, lying, adultery, idolatry (of the mind, possessions and false gods), pornography, and the list goes on and on. Turn on your television sets to newscasts and you will see the same decadence of society unfolding before your eyes. Go to the film theatres and game arcades and see the violence our children are being exposed to and then parents wonder why there are child rapes, murder, drug abuse, drunkenness, suicides and the like. These are all the results of people who do not want to live by God’s Commandments. This is truly the bad news – hell awaits the ungodly, lawless sinner.

The Good News – the Gospel – is that God has made one way, and one way only for sinners to be forgiven their sin. About 2000 years ago God – the Creator of the heavens and the earth and the seas and everything in them – revealed Himself and became a Man in the person of Jesus Christ. The Son of God was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin named Mary. The Messiah’s birth was supernatural – a birth never to be repeated ever. He was fully God and fully Man and without sin. Jesus, as John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). God in the flesh, Jesus, revealed Himself by performing miracles by healing the deaf, blind and lame, those who had illnesses like leprosy, He even exercised His authority over creation by calming the wind and waves and He also raised people from the dead. Jesus came to this world to do the will of His Father God. He went to the cross and was crucified taking upon Himself the sins of the world and received the full wrath of God that should rightly fall upon you and me. Jesus paid a fine He did not owe for crimes (sins) He did not commit. He died a sacrificial death in the place of sinners. He gave His life as is recorded in Scripture: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16-18).

Jesus is a Good God who took the punishment that you and I rightfully deserve. He lay down His life and took it up again when He was resurrected to life – overcoming sin, death and the grave. Jesus is the resurrection and the life; Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; Jesus is the doorway; Jesus is the bread of life; Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and last, the beginning and the end, the same yesterday, today and forever. For God has commanded men everywhere to repent (turn away from your sins and forsake them) and believe the Gospel of Grace (unmerited favour from God). It is by grace alone, by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone that a person is saved by God. You have to be reconciled back to God, not by any works of man so that he cannot boast. It is a supernatural work of God that you have to be born again to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

So to answer that question again to have religious studies in classrooms. A definite NO!! True Biblical Studies – A resounding YES!! Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with the One True God Jesus Christ. Religion is used by Satan to blind the eyes and understanding of the world. Why do you think Christians are persecuted the world over for our faith? The Truth cannot be silenced! As believers we are commissioned by God to preach the Good News in love to all nations.

Repent South Africa and put your trust in Jesus Christ alone. It is your only hope of glory.

Gary Crous
Pietermaritzburg
www.chroniclesofafisherofmen.blogspot.com
www.luke923evangelism.wordpress.com
www.NeedGod.com
[Jesus] saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” – Mark 1:15

Mandela Day - 67 minutes

On Saturday July 18th, 2009 the ex-President of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela celebrated his 91st birthday. From what was read in the local and international press and from watching the news of his birthday celebrations in certain places around the world, it can be seen that there were those secular persons that revere Mandela - as an icon and idol of social justice.

For me and other street evangelists, this particular day would be no different from any other Project Ezra day. It would be another day of proclaiming the Word of God to a dying world. Here in South Africa in our Lord's harvest field, Mandela Day would allow me to speak of the justice of God and the mercy of God in Church Street, Pietermaritzburg. There were no cameras and no back-up, but I am thankful for God's goodness and faithfulness - He allowed me to preach the Law and the Gospel of Grace twice.

My first reading was the Book of 1 John whereafter I held up the cover page of The Witness newspaper and made reference to the headline that read, quote -

"In recognition of the 67 years Nelson Mandela has devoted to social justice, Mandela Day is a call to people to spend 67 minutes doing good on Madiba's birthday tomorrow."

but Scripture tells another story... we are not called to give 67 minutes to our neighbours, but we are "to love thy neighbour as thyself". I then put the verse in context and read Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV) -

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Although the publishers of the list below might have had noble intent of getting people to do good to one's fellow man, they missed the Spiritual message of worshipping God everyday and loving their neighbour as themselves then we wouldn't have to fabricate ways that we should act for 67 minutes.

67 Ways to help your neighbour

1. Adopt one of SA’s 1,5 million orphans.
2. Ask some neighbours over to dinner.
3. Baby-sit to give some parents a break.
4. Bake a cake for a person who needs it.
5. Be an Angel in the mayor’s “Angel Appeal”.
6. Be a Big Brother or Sister to a needy child.
7. Be a neighbour and help someone.
8. Be polite and greet the people you meet.
9. Celebrate silence and cut down noise.
10. Clean Symmonds Stream in Howick.
11. Clean out your cupboards for charity.
12. Cook a meal for a person who needs it.
13. Cover for a colleague who needs a break.
14. Crochet or knit a comfort doll for a kid.
15. Cuddle a cat at the Woodhouse Road SPCA.
16. Cut snares in the forest or open veld.
17. Do the shopping for someone housebound.
18. Donate food to the Community Chest.
19. Don’t do crime - it hurts your community.
20. Drive safely and obey the road rules.
21. Feed the birds in the garden with a bird table.
22. Foster a child for PMB Child Welfare.
23. Get to know your neighbours if you don’t.
24. Give a lift to someone with no transport.
25. Give blood and save a life, maybe three.
26. Give R67 to PMB Community Chest.
27. Help the wild animals: clean up green areas.
28. ‘Help Rob do his Job’ - clean up the city.
29. Help Cindi plant a garden in France.
30. Hold a tea party to your neighbours.
31. Honour an elderly person like Mandela.
32. Hug someone that needs a warm touch.
33. Ideas for kids: tidy your room, do chores.
34. Join the local Community Policing Forum.
35. Keep the PMB Children’s Home open.
36. Knit squares for SPCA blankets.
37. Know your status: get a free HIV test.
38. Start learning one of the 11 official languages.
39. Make peace by settling a dispute.
40. Organise a work party to fix a community place.
41. Paint a wall at Lifeline’s house in the city.
42. Pay your school fees. The school needs them.
43. Pick up litter to clean up the rivers.
44. Plant a tree to beautify your community.
45. Prepare refreshments for those who serve.
46. Pretend it’s the last 67 minutes of your life.
47. Raise funds for charities that need them.
48. Recycle your rubbish to help the planet.
49. Remember apartheid, share the memories.
50. Remember those in prison - help NICRO.
51. Save the planet from plastic, it’s a no-no.
52. Say ‘thank you’ to community workers.
53. Share cuttings and plants from your garden.
54. Smile at people you encounter tomorrow.
55. Stand in line at a govt office for someone.
56. ‘Stop crime, say hello’ - join the move.
57. Talk about Nelson Mandela’s example.
58. Teach someone a skill or hobby you have.
59. Tell your ‘struggle’ stories to the children.
60. Tip someone, esp. if you don’t often.
61. Use your voice on audio-books for the blind.
62. Visit the Mandela Monument near Howick.
63. Visit someone who needs a visitor.
64. Volunteer to help a community group.
65. Walk a dog at the Woodhouse Road SPCA.
66. Wash a car, soccer club’s kit or church linen.
67. Write a will and leave money to charity.
Compiled by The Witness newspaper, Friday, July 17, 2009

I also referred to item #46 and then went through the Ten Commandments, which is the perfect Law that converts the soul (Psalm 19:7).

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) is the only moral standard we need to adhere to - God's Law:

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make yourself any graven image (idols).
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain (blasphemy).
4. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy.
5. Honour your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour (lie).
10. You shall not covet your neighbour's house nor his wife and his possessions.

During the preaching of the Law and the Gospel of Grace that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) I told the hearers that if people love men - like Mr Mandela - more than God, then they are idolaters and they need to repent of their evil and wicked sins against a Holy and Just God.

The Bible says that it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27) and like each one of us, Mr Mandela will also stand before God Almighty on the Day of Judgment and give an account of his life. The only way we can receive eternal life is by repenting (turning from and forsaking evil and wicked sin) and throwing ourselves upon the mercy of Jesus Christ. He will return and judge this world in righteousness (Acts 17:30,31).

The second reading was the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and again a plea was made to the inhabitants of South Africa...

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

There is one Lawgiver and Judge - Almighty God. We do pray for Mr Mandela, and every other person still breathing, that they will truly repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Them that are born again are given a new heart, spirit and mind and will think Christ-like. Remember: "Over 700,000 babies have been killed by abortion in South Africa – officially, legally, often with tax payers’ money – since Nelson Mandela legalised abortion on demand, 1 February 1997. As head of the ANC Mandela didn’t even allow his parliamentarians a conscience vote, they were forced to vote for abortion" (The Battle for South Africa - Frontline Fellowship). According to God's standards - that is MURDER.

The new "One Billion Rand" Gospel Tract was put to good use on Mandela Day. It reads as follows:

These days, we celebrate many freedoms... but are you really free? The Bible says that we are slaves... slaves to sin. What is sin? Sin is violating God's law... the Ten Commandments. Need proof you are a slave to sin? Ever told a lie? The ninth commandment says, "You shall not lie." Ever stolen anything? Have you ever used God's name in vain? That's called Blasphemy. Have you looked with lust (sexual desire) after another person? Jesus said, "Whosoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in his heart." How many times have you been guilty of any of these serious violations? You, like the rest of us are a slave to sin. God's word tells us that all liars, blasphemers, the sexually immoral, thieves, etc. will end up in the lake of fire... for eternity.

The Bible makes it clear that we have to be holy to go to heaven. The problem is "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We also read: "There is none righteous, no, not one... There is none who does good, no, not one." God will justly judge you when you die and none who are unholy will enter heaven. We have to be holy to go to heaven.

But there is hope! God lowered Himself and became a man, Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect (sinless) life. Then, He died on the cross for you paying the penalty for sin. After three days he rose from the dead defeating death. Only His blood can make us holy! In order to have this holiness, you must repent (turn from your sin) and put your faith in Jesus Christ. Humble yourself, and start living for God. Realize you are created to give God all the glory! True freedom is only found in Jesus Christ. Read your Bible daily and obey what you read. www.TheGoodPersonTest.net

Abandoned by God ~ Dr. John MacArthur

What does a society look like that has been abandoned by God?

Year 2009 was an election year in South Africa. At the following link "Criminalization of South Africa" which was posted by brother Dr Peter Hammond of Frontline Fellowship we can see the lawlessness in a society that professes to know God, but has rejected His commands of living righteous lives.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

Dr Peter Hammond also wrote at Africa Christian Action ~

Over 77% of South Africans claim to be Christian. Yet the escalating crime wave, pervasive corruption and prevalent decadence in South Africa testifies to the painful ineffectiveness of most churches. Pornography, prostitution, rape, gambling, drug abuse, theft and murder are destroying our country. (To read the whole article click Here.)

As we can see from the results of the recent election less than 1% of the "professing 77% Christian community" voted with their consciences and placed their mark for Christian parties. Do these professing christians realise that they are blaspheming God's Holy Name by professing one thing and going against His standards? The results can be viewed at the following Map.

It leaves one conclusion ... the people of South Africa (including the 77%) have spoken and the vast majority were not for God. How free are they really under this democracy? Not at all - they remain slaves to their sin. And sin leads to death; eternal damnation! To be free indeed read Galatians 5:1-26.



Now there has even been talk in some quarters of legalising prostitution before the 2010 World Cup. Repent sinners and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ ~ The True Gospel According to Jesus.

The Babel Conspiracy, 9/11 and Beyond

The original Babel Conspiracy presentation by pastor Michael Hoggard. He explains a dark conspiracy exists that will one day lead to global domination by none other than Lucifer himself. The terror events on September 11, 2001 were a major part of that conspiracy (911 conspiracy). The roots of this conspiracy are found in the Scriptures, with the story of the Tower of Babel as its focus. See how events and Biblical prophecies given thousands of years ago are being fulfilled right in front of our very eyes.



Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. ... even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4,9-12.

God always wins - Repent and believe the Gospel and be on God's side when He returns.

The King James Code

Amazing numerical patterns in the King James Bible Revealed! Discover how to understand numbers in the Bible and their relation to Bible Prophecy.

What the King James Code is NOT.

The King James Code does not have anything to do with equidistant letter sequences. Much debate centers around ELS because of its controversial, and sometimes rather subjective nature. Some feel that, even though, there may well be letter sequences in the Hebrew scriptures, there meanings and interpretations are most often obscure.

Presented by Michael Hoggard, Part 1


Presented by Michael Hoggard, Part 2


Kindly view more at MikeHoggard.com : The Hog Blog. And do watch for further blogs on When Your Money Fails and The New World Order.