AN HONORARY DOCTORATE?

I've written long enough on this blog about the apostasy in Christianity, and yeah even in Fundamentalists circles and even within the Indpendent Baptist Movement, that it is now time I start giving some definite and specific details of that apostasy. So I'll begin with something that really bothers me, and something that very few want to deal with. That is the subject of the "Honoray Doctorate."

There was a pastor in South Carolina that I really appreciated because of his stand against being a "doctor." He said once from the pulpit, "I don't ever want to be a Doctor, for it was the Pharisees and the DOCTORS of the Law that killed Jesus Christ! Why would I want to identify with that crowd?"

He further said, "And I tell you what I'd do if someone tried to give me an honorary doctorate from some Bible School somewhere. I'd go to their college to accept it in person, and then I'd tear it up right in their face, because I didn't earn it, and to give me something like that that I didn't earn is WRONG!"

I thought about that later, and really enjoyed hearing him say that. Because in modern Christianity today, there is a lot of MEN WORSHIP. And because of this, people believe that if a person has a high "degree," then he someone who is worthy of attention, esteem, and praise by other men.

But what does the Bible say about this? In Psalm 62:9, we read what God thinks of those with degrees: "Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity."

The way God looks at things is much different then how men look them. For in our world today, we view those who have "doctorates" as some of the smartest people in the world. But if you'll actually study their lives and teachings, the fact of the matter is they are some of the STUPIDEST and LOONIEST people who ever lived! The majority of them aren't even saved, and they buy into ridiculous theories such as "Evolution" and "The Big Bang." So from the get-go they are against God and everything to do with Bible.

This doesn't bother God much, as he's already written about them before they were even born:

Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

1 Cor 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1 Cor 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

1 Cor 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Cor 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 1 Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;1 Cor 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 1 Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

According to God, those who think they are smart in this world are FOOLS. And God says those who think they are wise are only VAIN. This is why God wants people to look to Him for knowledge and His precious, holy word, and not to men. God doesn't want men to glory in themselves. He wants all the Glory for Himself! (And let me just say, HE DESERVES IT ALL!)

So what about "Christian Doctorates" given out in so-called Christian Schools, Bible Institutes, and Colleges? If God is against athiestic, secualr doctors and degrees, wouldn't it stand to reason that he'd be against those who claim to be Christians, but who desire to receive praise for their acheivements as well?

I'll let you answer that question yourself! All I know is many people who claim to be Christians Scholars with "High Degrees," are often those who are the most adamant attackers of the King James Bible. They are the same ones who praise the Westcott and Hort texts, and the Vaticanus and Siniaticus, while they defend the Septuagint and the modernistic Nestle-Aland "Critical" Greek Texts. Their "education" has made them"critical" as they cast doubt on which Bible texts are the right ones, and this usually leads these "learned men" to becoming their own "authority" (because they think they know more than anyone else), instead of trusting solely in the word of God. Yep, a good education can often times ruin a fellow!

Now I'm not saying that all "doctors" are bad. I'm sure there are good doctors in both the secular world and in Christianity. But if you study the educational system that most of them receive, you'll see oftentimes it is bad, as it casts doubt on the TRUTH, replacing it with TRADITION.

Now let's move away from "earned" doctorates, which are something a person has worked hard to obtain through much study, and sacrifice, and look at the "honorary doctorate."

What think you? Is it okay for a university or college to grant a degree to someone who didn't earn it, all because THEY (the university faculty) deem that person has done something to merit it?

Well, you can think whatever you like. But here's what I see. First, that's giving someone something they didn't earn! Second, it's giving them something freely that others had to sacrifice and pay for! Third, it falsely gives a person a title that can further their career or standing in the community, and Fourth, it helps the university to brag on itself and those who have become "doctors" at their institution.

To me, all these are not good! And for a person to receive something he didn't earn, and then go around and brag about it, DOESN'T THAT MAKE HIM A HYPOCRITE??? And doesn't it give him the praise of MAN instead of giving all the praise and honor and glory to GOD?

I don't see how a Christian could want to have an honorary doctorate. I just don't see how they would want peope to call them something they are not. And I don't see how they would want people to view them as something they didn't earn!

I've seen a lot of Christians ministers obtain honorary doctorates. And I wish I could say good things about all of them who received that degree. But instead, what I have seen is a change in their mentality and in their attitude. They are no longer meek and humble. They are no longer approachable and courteous and easy to talk with. Instead they become lifted up with pride, and begin to walk with their heads higher than everyone else's, while they look down their noses at others.

They further become "political" as "allegience" to the school that bestowed to them such a great honor leads them to favoring other alumni of that educational institution. (They become "groupies). And most notably, the new "doctor" then feels because he has such an honor bestowed upon him that he must have something that people need to hear, so he goes on "speaking tours" in "conferences" which draw large crowds because he's such a "noted speaker."

But, how does this give honor and glory to Jesus Christ??? Instead, it gives honor and glory to the college, to the "honorary doctor initiate" and to man!

What ever happened to the old time days of people coming together under a tent for a REVIVAL MEETING? They went to hear PREACHING from the word of God! Those days are few and far between. Now a well-known name is what draws a crowd to come together. And the people go to hear him instead of to hear from God.

Is this apostasy? YOU BET YOUR BOOTS IT IS! It's a form of man worship. For men (the college faculty) give honor to a person in the form of a degree. This worships that person, who in return honors the institution by accepting their praise and esteem. And oftentimes the person who receives the "honorary doctorate" becomes full of himself and puffed up with pride, which leads to him becoming nothing more than a modern day PHARISEE, who the rest of his life seeks the praise of men. This man then begins to "compare himself" with others which is something God is very much against and which leads him on the road to apostasy:

2 Cor 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Thus, we find that even though MAN says an "honorary doctor" is SMART, as far as God is concerned, he's not wise at all!

You might not agree with all that's written here. I don't really care. But I would like to provoke you to thought and ask you a question. ARE YOU GUILTY OF FOLLOWING A MAN OR MEN JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE A DEGREE BEHIND THEIR NAME? Well, just because man says they are smart doesn't mean they really are. You should go to the word of God and check them out. Make sure they are telling you what the Bible says. For oftentimes, "honorary doctors" are guilty of just spewing out the traditions of their college or school, instead of just preaching plainly the word of God.

For truly:

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psa 118:8)

HISTORY AND BEYOND!

As I read the Bible and study history, I'm always amazed at how things follow a certain pattern and how history repeats itself. If one would only study history he would see how often things replay in a circle. Hence the saying, "The only thing men never learn from history, is that men never learn from history."

If a person will just study (2 Tim. 2:15), and learn more about history he would be able to figure out most likely what will happen next. Because everything follows what has already happened. Or as the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 1:9: "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."

According to the Bible, everything just happens all over again and again.

One a side note: Have you ever stopped to look at the word "History?" It's interesting, isn't it? Why if you say it slowly it sounds like two words:"His Story." Or God's Story of the world.

And as you read the Bible, you find an interesting book: It is HIStory past, present, and future! No other book in the world is like the Bible! It profecies and foretells the future!

So what does our future hold??? I can give you details from the book of Revelation on what exactly will happen after the rapture, and in the tribulation. But what will happen before the rapture is still a mystery. All we are told is it will be a time of great apostasy and a falling away from the truths of the word of God. (Which is what we are already seeing today).

But as I read the Bible, and look at history, I can make a few guesses on some things that will happen.

BLACKS FIRST AND THEN WOMEN

It's interesting that in America people have been reporting that we have our first BLACK President. This is funny to me, because he's not all black. He's half black and half white! And he's not an Afro-American. Um, well, unless you believe that stuff about him being born in Africa, and I still don't know about that whole birth certificate thing. But back to what I was saying. If you are an American, you are an American, period! There are no "Afro-Americans" or "Chinese Americans" or "Mexican Americans." You are either a citizen of the U.S. or you are not. How racist to use such terms! And how illogical. But I understand what they mean, and so do you.

But as we study the history of the United States, we see that it was the blacks who were freed first from slavery, and then it was later that women were given the right to vote. Later we saw the rise of "Civil Rights" for blacks and then later Women's rights for females. As I looked at this in history, I told my wife, "I'll bet there's a black president before there is a woman president." Why did I say this? Because blacks were given rights before the women. And as I look at the current political situation in America, I wonder if I'm not right on. For the next president very well may be a woman: either Hillary Clinton or Sarah Palin. Things work in cycles, patterns, and circles. And in history it was the blacks first and then the women.

JEWS FIRST AND THEN CHRISTIANS

As I read the Bible, and study the different covenants of God, and his chosen people, it's obvious we have two Testaments: The Old and the New. And it's in those Testaments that we read of the Jews first and then the Christians.

History tells us that the Jews went through persecutions many times, and later so did the Christians. And as we look at recent history, the Jews went through a holocaust, in which they were almost eradicated by evil men who hated them which were full of anti-semitism sentiment.

Today, I see that same hatred against Christians by an evil world. And I'm certain that a soon coming holocaust for Christians is not far away. I've already read of "concentration camps" , "railroad cars with chains for shipping away people," and "underground facilities for detainees" which have already been set up here in America. And it seems it's only a matter of time before they will be used. I only hope the Lord will come back first, but I've often wondered if there won't be a great persecution first, and then there would be so few Christians left that when the rapture does happen, the world as a whole would hardly know it.

DESTRUCTION OF NATIONS

In the Bible, God allowed certain nations to rule for certain periods of time. But as those nations plummeted into pride and eventually unbridles passions, God sent another nation to destroy them because of their wickedness. All throughout history we read of one nation destroying another. And all throughout the Bible we read of God bringing this to pass as a JUDGMENT against those nations that forgot Him!

I've already written an article/blog here about Plato's republic and how he speaks of the way governments start out well as republics, but end up in democracies and then in utter dictatorships over and over. History has taught us this vicious circle always works in the same way. Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Italy, Germany, France, have all gone through the stages that Plato prophecied would destroy a nation. And now we see that same exact thing happening in Europe and here in America. The stage is set for the governments of the world (and the economies of the world) to fail, and make room for a one-world leader. The Bible calls him the anti-christ, and his coming is not far off. In fact, he's probably even alive today!

But one thing is certain. Nations will fall and be brought under his control and be ruled by him. Why? Because the Bible says so, and history proves it!

THE SINFULNESS OF MAN

Another thing history proves that the Bible dogmatically teaches is the depravity of man. (Now I'm not a Calvinist, so don't get your panties in a bundle when I use that word. But it's a good word to describe how wicked men really are).

History shows us that man are capable of outrageous atrocities and unthinkable cruelty. Through plunder, politics, piracy, and wars, men have used vicious and extreme means to get what they want. And they will continue to do so. Man has a sinful nature and if he continues to sear his conscience, there is no limit to how much evil he's capable of!

As we see the way the world is headed, and the lack of morals all throughout the planet, it's not hard to imagine the soon coming impending doom which awaits each one of us if the Lord tarries.

The Bible speaks of horrendous times, of famines, of plagues, of seiges, and wars. It also tells of people who were left so hopeless and destitute they often times had to eat their own dung, and some times even turn to cannibalism and their own babies.

Although those were horrible times, I'm convinced the world has yet to see the worst of it. Maybe the atrocities of World War I and World War II come close, but I believe during the tribulation period (and maybe even just before it), the world will see the worst depravity imagineable. The Bible tells us there will not only be rampant sin, and even sacrifices where people drink the blood and eat the flesh of others, but it further tells us of plagues that will come upon the land, of trees and foliage being burned, of water turning to blood, and of even the moon and sun turning to darkness. What a horrible time that will be!

But you don't have to pass through that. You can be saved today and go to heaven! I'm glad I'm saved!

I know Christians might go through some suffering before the Lord comes at the rapture, but at least I won't have to go through the tribulation, which will be the most horrible time in human history!

What about you? Do you know your Bible? Do you know your history? Why not?

HOW I PREACHED MYSELF OUT OF THE MINISTRY

Sometimes I feel like I've preached myself out of the ministry completely. Used to be, that pastors would call me up and ask me to come preach for them. But now they avoid me like the plague. Why? What evil have I done? Well, I haven't fallen into any sexual sins. Nor do I drink, smoke, cuss, chew, fornicate, or anything like that. And I've not fallen into any heresies. As a matter of fact, I'm no different today then I was right after I was saved, except for the fact that I know a lot more Bible now then I did then.

I wish I could say that what God has taught me over my 18 years as a Christian and what I've seen in Christianity has been joyous and uplifting, but oftentimes the truth is it's left me very sorrowful and despondent, as I see so much Christian apathy to the things of God, so much apostasy in Fundamentalist ranks, and so much autocrasy in Chrisitan circles it makes me sick.

Ecclesiastes 1:18 says it best: "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."

As I serve the Lord, I've seen too many things that don't sit well with me, and so I decided to speak up and speak out against those things that are anti-biblical that I see gaining ground in apostate fundamentalist circles. I've simply tried to do what Isa 58:1 says, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."

Because of this I've found I'm not a very popular guy. And it seems nobody likes me. (Except Jesus, and that's good enough for me!).

When I finished Bible school and started deputation for the field of Honduras, I was told by many other missionaries, "You need to say less and only tell people what you have to in order to get their financial support. Don't rock the boat, and don't say any more than you absolutely have to! And don't preach so hard that you offend anyone!"

That always sat wrong with me, and was nothing short of devious COMPROMISE! Thus, I chose instead to preach as hard as I could against SIN in every pulpit I could. This lead to me taking three years to get the support I needed to go to Honduras, while most other Missionaries got theirs in only a year or two. But I thought this way, (and it turns out I was exactly right), "Why get support from people who don't really know you and what you believe and preach? For what if they start to support you and then find out later you don't agree with them? Wouldn't they drop your support while you are on the field, and then you'll be in a pickle as you are in a foreign country with very little money and then forced to return home?"

That's exactly what happens to many missionaries with the "say as little as possible" mentality. They come back every four or five years on "furlough" and have to raise more support because they lost a lot of church's monthly support during that time and have to do deputation all over (which then takes them another year or more). This leads to everything they've started on the field being destroyed, or else greatly hindered, and when they return, they find they have to start all over again from scratch! Why didn't they just find people who believed exactly like they do in the first place, and then be able to stay on the field without having to come back so often?

In my case it was a lot different. I was able to stay on the field for 7 years (I only came back a few times, and it was only for a few weeks each time). And I saw God use me there in Honduras in a mighty way! It was all because I chose not to compromise.

But, I also chose not to shut up! This, I was told was not a good thing. Again, missionaries told me never to say too much, especially in my prayer letter. They said I should only be "positive" and never "negative" and I should only tell about good things, and never talk about the bad. I chose not to follow this advice either, and oftentimes wrote in my prayer letter about the apostasy I saw not only in ravaged third world nations full of cults, but also within my own denomination. I chose to say what others wouldn't. And because of this, I've been told by more than a few people, "I love reading your prayer letter because you aren't afraid to say what others are thinking but don't have the guts to expose!" (I only wish it was Pastors who told me this! Instead it was usually just church members).

I also further made myself unlikeable because I asked questions about the Spanish Bible Issue. (For those of you who know the Independent Baptist Movement, you aren't supposed to "question" anything. You are just supposed to do!)

When I started on deputation as a missionary, I had to make a choice which Spanish Bible to use. From the get go, I realized that the Spanish Bible the vast majority of missionaries within my own denomination used (Independent Baptist) was corrupt, vile, and modernistic. (They all used the 1960 Spanish Bible). I realized right then that I could make things easy or hard. I could just use the corrupt version everyone else did and not say anything in order to get along with other men of God, or I could search out the issue and speak up about what I found. I chose to do the later, and I've been ridiculed, preached against, and even lamblasted from pulpits ever since. But I just wanted to take the pure words of God to the people God called me to, and not a perversion of it!

I then learned that every missionary, pastor, evangelist, Sunday School teacher, etc. all sooner or later come to that same crossroads in their ministry, where they have to make a choice, STAND FOR WHAT THEY KNOW IS RIGHT, or just compromise to get along with others and not rock the boat. I made my choice, and it lead to a loss of friendship, loss of monetary gain, and loss of pulpits to preach in. I didn't care. All I wanted was to speak the truth, even though it wasn't popular, and stand before God at the judgment with a clean conscience, knowing I didn't compromise just to get along with others.

This was the beginning of "preaching myself out of the ministry" because I soon learned later that modern fundamentalist are going apostate (if they aren't already). Those same missionaries who claimed to be KJV in English were using an equivalent of the RSV in Spanish, something dogmatically preached against in English, but adamantly defended in Spanish. That made no sense. But I soon learned it was because they did so for monetary gain, fame, and opportunites to preach for other pastors in their pulpits. (It was a political move, in order for them to look good and prosper in their movement, instead of stand for truth in their ministries).

As time went by, I learned that to stand for truth will not only cause you pain and suffering, but it will also draw many attacks from other Christians.

As I stood for the truth and pointed out the fact that most missionaries use a perverted Spanish Bible, I found myself not only spoken against, but adamantly hated and attacked by other Independent Baptists. One even put me on his website list as "The Number One Attacker of the 1960 Spanish Bible." This lead to even more preachers turning against me.

I also kept a daily journal of my time in Honduras and posted it on my website. I did so because I wanted people to see I actually did something for the Lord, and I wasn't on vacation like many other missionaries I met. But instead of people reading it and seeing how God worked with me and through me, they accused me of just "trying to make a name for myself," and called my journal "a ploy to try to make myself famous."

The attacks kept coming, and more and more I realized that I had to separate myself from many pastors, preachers, and ministers because they were heading in a direction I could not go. Many of them changed their positions from what they used to preach and went directly into apostasy. (I could show you letters, books, tapes, etc. of many a pastor who preached it right in the old days, but now is saying the exact opposite of what they used to!)

I learned that on the three most important doctrines: 1. Salvation, 2. Sanctification, and 3. The Scriptures, many a pastor had changed his position in order to get along with the crowd. And, I knew I couldn't go with them, so I preached harder against it.

Eventually, God blessed me with a wife, and I came back to the states to marry her. We went back to Honduras a few weeks later, and had a wonderful time together. That is until about a year or two later, when she woke me up in the middle of the night to tell me, "Honey, I just got saved tonight! All my life I THOUGHT I was saved, but tonight God dealt with me and showed me I was lost because I was trusting in my own righteousness and not in Jesus Christ's alone!"

This was wonderful, and being not afraid to speak up, I wrote about it in my prayer letter. I even had her type up her testimony (You can read it yourself at my website http://www.rrb3.com/), and we sent it out to people, expecting many pastors to be happy about it! (I mean, come on, wouldn't they love to hear the news that someone is no longer going to Hell!)

But what we found was the exact opposite. Many a pastor became angry, irate, and livid. They immediately began attacking my wife and I, saying things like, "You deceived your wife and talked her out of her salvation!" One pastor even called her a "retread" and branded me a "retreader." (Whatever that is!)

And as we went through the attacks, it became quite obvious that the only reason a person would get angry with someone getting saved, is because they most likely doubted they were saved as well! And it made me wonder if many pastors in our own movement were even born again, for they certainly didn't practice or show forth the fruits of the Spirit, rather they manifested the works of the flesh!

This made me want to preach the Gospel harder, and speak out even more against the rampant Shallow Evangelism we see today in Fundamentalist circles. For my wife was even in an Independent Baptist Church before we were married, and we both have personally seen many a shallow presentation of the Gospel, many times in those churches.

The harder I preached on salvation by FAITH alone in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the more angry pastors became and the more I was spoken against. One pastor even said, "Your new-fangled Gospel [of preaching faith in the blood] is a modernistic perversion." He then claimed a person was saved by their PRAYER pronounced with their LIPS, and not by faith at all!

It was like an episode of the Twilight Zone! Many of the pastors I knew and thought preached right were preaching something different, whether it was the anti-biblical "1,2,3, Pray after Me," or "Just ask Jesus into your Heart" Gospels. But they all had one thing in common, they all preached a BLOODLESS GOSPEL!

So I wrote a book entitled, "The 'Heresy' of the Sinner's Prayer." And posted it on my website, in hopes that others out there like my wife who were trusting in their REPEATING A PRAYER instead of in REPENTNG and TRUSTING THE BLOOD OF JESUS would see their lost condition and get saved. I was immediately branded a "heretic" and spoken against time and again. But I didn't let that stop me. I wrote another book entitled, "The Importance of the Blood," and then another: "What the Bible Says about Calling Upon the Lord." All of which were just plain Bible doctrine on the simple plan of salvation and the importance of trusting the blood atonement alone for salvation. (These can be read on my website: http://www.rrb3.com/).

Some people have read these books and said they are great! Others have read them and attacked them and me. And still others are undecided, trying to make sense of all this, not wanting to "rock the boat" or cause waves in their denominations. But one thing is for sure. I'm a very unpopular preacher, and people hate to even think that there could be lost people out there that are "religious'' but "lost" within their own churches.

But even the Apostle Paul said to the church of Corinth: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Cor 13:5)

Now, if you preach this, then you are usually accused by many pastors as "Trying to talk someone out of their salvation." But is that even possible? If a guy is truly saved, wouldn't he know it??? Like one preacher years ago said, "If you can talk a guy out of his salvation, I've got to wonder if he was even saved to begin with!"

Many Fundamentalists preachers are now actually saying ridiculous things like, "A guy doesn't have to know anything to be saved!" What? He has to know he's lost! He has to know only Jesus can save Him! And, he has to know that unless he trusts the FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST (i.e. His SHED BLOOD), he'll never know the forgiveness of sins!

Others have even said, "Just come to Jesus the BEST WAY YOU KNOW HOW!" But this isn't biblical. What if a sinner comes to God the only way he knows how, but the way he knows is the WRONG WAY? Wouldn't he then still be lost and on his way to Hell!?

So there you have it. My entire ministry, I've just tried to "tarry by the stuff" and preach the Gospel plainly and simply so anyone can understand it. I've separated myself from those going apostate and chosen to stand for truth no matter what the cost. But it appears I've preached myself right out of the ministry, because very few others who claim to be "Fundamentalist Christians" desire to support me. Instead of at least praying for me, they would rather attack, ridicule, and lamblast me and put me down. But what evil have I done? Is it a crime to preach the BLOOD, the BOOK, and the BLESSED HOPE? It is in the eyes of many a modern Fundamentalist who desire fame, recognition, and the praise of his fellow man. That's why so many have chose to follow man-made METHODS and church PROGRAMS, instead of just rearing back and preaching the devil out of sinners and pointing them to Christ Crucified.

To me, the modern Fundamentalist movement has become a "political" body of "groupies" who desire to follow MEN instead of THE MAN Christ Jesus. Far too many have their fingers in the air to see which way the wind is moving, so they can join others who are headed in that direction. But what's wrong with just PREACHING the truth?! The problem with that is, you'll end up preaching yourself out of the ministry, just like I did. You won't have very many friends, you won't be asked to preach in very many pulpits, and you won't get much support. It's because you are viewed as a "Maverick" and a "Renegade" because you not are doing things the way everyone else within Modern Fundamentalist is doing it. So you must be bad.

But the question needs to be asked, "Is everything that modern Fundamentalism is doing right and biblical?" Because I'm not the only one who sees them headed the wrong way. I've met others like myself who choose TRUTH over TRADITION, because they are seeing the same thing my wife and I are seeing. They see how quickly modern Fundamentalists are apt to ATTACK, but are very seldom APT TO TEACH. And they too wonder why they are choosing to depart from sound biblical doctrine to go along with what everyone else is doing.

Are you a Fundamentalist, or a Funny-mentalist? Are you standing for truth no matter what the cost, or have you compromised in your ministry just to get along with others and fellowship with them? And, do you realize that that's just what the Pharisees of Old did? They chose position, power, and the praise of man over the truths of the scriptures. They became dictators over the people and kept them in check with the threat of excommunication. They ruled the people with their own set of rules instead of with the word of God.

Well, so ends my small treatise on why I preached myself out of the minstry. I chose TRUTH over TRADITION, SPEAKING OUT over SHUTTING UP, and SUFFERING over political STATION. If I had it all to do over would I do it any differently? Not on your life!!! In fact, I would have preached harder! And, I would have spoken up and cried out against apostasy much sooner then I did. And that's what I'll continue to do.

THE GO-MESS BIBLE!

For those of you who have followed the Spanish Bible Controversy, otherwise known by many as the Spanish Bible Issue, you've undoubtably heard of the modern Gomez Bible, also known as the RVG.

As a Missionary Evangelist to Spanish Speaking People, I have studied this version extensively and have even written a booklet about it. Find it at:

http://www.rrb3.com/mypub/books/truth_about_gomez.htm

And let me say, I'm not at all impressed with this modernistic version. I truly think it should rather be called the GO-MESS Bible! But that's just my opinion. For the facts, go read my book, and you'll see some hard evidence.

What's wrong with the Gomez Bible? Quite a few things actually. But as I've followed its rise to fame, I can't help but be amazed at how quickly people will embrace something without even looking at it.

The Gomez version has become popular and adopted by many Fundamentalists not because of the TEXT, rather because of the MEN behind it. And, now Chick Publications is pushing it, and trying to tell people that it's the best Spanish Bible available. But is this true?

When the Gomez first came out, it was called the Reina-Valera Gomez 2004. But have you noticed the name has changed? It's now called the RVG 2010. Does that mean it's still the same Bible?

What is the RVG 2010? From what I've understood, Chick Publications wanted to use the Gomez, but they weren't happy with the '04 version. So they told Mr. Gomez that if he'd make some changes that they wanted done, they would endorse it. He did, so it was titled the Gomez 2010, and then put out in mass production. But, um, what exactly were those changes? No one knows.

Further, the Gomez when it first came out was claimed to have been based on the original 1909 Spanish revision. But as you read the Gomez, like I have, you can't help but see that that's not true, for it closely reads with the modern corrupt 1960 Spanish version. Words, and even whole sentences have been changed to match the 1960 quite often. How is this good? And how can it be called a "Reina-Valera" Gomez, when time and again words in that version are changed in favor of the 1960 instead of sticking with the original old 1602 word?

With so much acceptance of the Gomez, the question needs to be asked, "Does everyone endorse the Gomez?" The answer is, "No they do not!"

From what I've seen, heard, read in emails to me, and personally witnessed, I've found the case to be the following: "English Speaking People, who usually don't know Spanish or only know a little Spanish are the ones endorsing and pushing the Gomez, while SPANISH-SPEAKING PEOPLE are actively against it, claiming it's a modernistic version."

Even Gail Riplinger downgrades the Gomez, calling it a "stop-gap" translation. (This is because of the method of translation work used in that version).

As I read through the Gomez, I find it's not even close to the original 1602, and it reads much closer to the 1960 than anything else. (Interestingly enough, the 1960 is the version Chick used before they chose the Gomez, and they threw it out because it was a "modernistic" translation.)

Further, the Go-mess Bible and those who support it, are careful not to mention the Valera 1602 Purified Spanish Bible that I use, Gail Riplinger endorses, and that is an exhaustive revision based entire upon the Greek Textus Receptus, the Hebrew Masoretic, the King James and many older Protestant versions in Spanish. I believe it's the best Spanish Bible available and the purest. (It chose to follow the original 1602 as closely as possible in its revision, while the Gomez appears to have gone with the 1960 as closely as possible in its revision.)

What is the Valera 1602 Purified, and why is it not spoken of often by the Gomez crowd? Could there be a reason?

The fact is the Valera 1602 Purified came out BEFORE the Gomez, in 2002 (exactly 400 years after the original 1602). It is the work of a street-preaching, soul-winning, Independent Baptist Church in Monterrey, Mexico, which worked for almost 15 years to purifiy the original 1602 Spanish Bible. Taking it as their basis, they went verse by verse in both the Old and New Testament, and desired to stay as closely as possible to the original 1602, correcting it only when necessary and making sure it read entirely with the Textus Receptus and Hebrew Masoretic, the KJV. They also used the older Spanish Castellan Spanish Bibles, and made sure they used the oldest, most consistent Spanish word. They wanted a true Castellan Spanish Bible, and not a modern version with modern Spanish (like the Gomez). With prayer and fasting, they made sure the work was that of the LOCAL CHURCH, and not of corrupt Bible Societies, or one man, or faceless unknown men.

When their work was completed, it was printed and distributed. Mr. Gomez even got a copy and said it was great. But, he must have thought he could do better, so he soon put out his own version. Taking the work of those in Monterrey, which they painstakinly did for years, Mr. Gomez quickly put out his own New Testament. As I read through it, it was easy to see he changed a lot of "synonyms" in his translation. But it looked a lot like the Valera 1602 Purified. However, there were a lot of changes made by Mr. Gomez that were horrific, and downright blasfemeous in his first edition, like allowing a man to marry his own daughter! (See my book for more details).

I wasn't the only one to think Mr. Gomez copied the Valera 1602 Purified, making "synonym changes" to make it look like his own work. Two or three other noted scholars said the same thing, calling his work a "Synonym Bible."

Eventually, Mr. Gomez' work went through three different revisions, until it came out in it's fifth edition as the RVG 2010. (Question: Isn't 5 the number of death???)

Within Fundamentalist circles, the Gomez quickly gained popularity. And now it is what it is today. But is it perfect? Is it really a Reina-Valera? Is it really the best Spanish Bible available???

Well, let's see?

A friend sent me a tract written by Mike Wilps published by Chick Publications. The tract title in English is: "Which Bible? The 1602? The 1909? The 1865? The 1960? Or should I use the RVG 2010?"

Notice this conveniently omits the 1602 Purified, also known as the 1602P. In the tract it shows various verses and tries to tell you Gomez is better in all those verses. Interestingly enough, on page eight, we are told the Gomez is better because it uses "la estrella de la mañana" in 2 Peter 1:19 instead of the confusing term "Lucero" which can apply to either Jesus or Satan (Lucifer). We are then told the Gomez is the only Spanish Bible that does this. This of course is a blatant LIE, as the Valera 1602 Purified had "la estrella de la mañana" way before the Gomez ever changed it! Did Gomez just copy the 1602 P in that verse? Hmmm.

A little later in the tract, we read on page 19 how in a comparison of 220 different verses in various Spanish Bibles, the Gomez is completely in agreement with the Textus Receptus and doesn't depart from it at all. Conveniently left out, of course, is the fact that before the Gomez even came out, the Valera 1602 Purified was put to the same comparison, and it too had absolutely no departures from the Textus Receptus, and was completely in line with it! Hmmm. I wonder why they didn't state that simple fact? And, didn't Mr. Gomez have a copy of the 1602 P before that? I believe he did. Would have been easy for him to change those 220 verses then wouldn't it have?

On page 20 of the tract, we then read of the word "propiciatorio" and how many times it appears in different versions. In the original 1602, the 1865, and the 1909, that word only appears 2 times. But in the RVG 2010, the word appears 28 times. But, interestingly enough, that is exactly how many times the word is used in the 1960! Wow, hmmm. Interesting. Why does it line up with the 1960? Isn't that the version that's corrupt??? That doesn't seem to help the cause of the RVG 2010, does it?

Then of course we have the most important part. The word "VERBO." According to the original 1569, the original 1602, the old 1543 Enzinas New Testament, and other old Protestant Spanish Versions, Jesus Christ is called the "PALABRA" in John 1:1. This is the protestant and oldest word in Spanish. However, as one studies history, we find the Catholic Spanish Bibles all use verbo instead of palabra. Why is this? What word does the Gomez use? It has the Catholic word VERBO, just as the 1865, 1909, and 1960 do. Why is this? And what about the Valera 1602 Purified? Why, it reads Palabra. That means it's even closer to the original Reina-Valera than the Gomez!

Why is this important? Because even ERASMUS, the great scholar, said that VERBO (VERBUM in LATIN) was a catholic word, and he refused to use it in his texts! Further, we find in the Jewish Caballa, and yeah even in occultic circles that God is referred to as the GOD IN ACTION or the great VERB. Hmm. How interesting. So we see a pro-catholic, pro-occultic word in modern versions which the Gomez chose to keep, instead of preserving the old protestant word. How odd!

Then we come to the word "Jehova" in Spanish. The Gomez keeps the word "Jehova" instead of SEÑOR (LORD) in the Old Testament, as the King James has it. Why is this? Well, let us back up a bit and look at the original 1569 of Reina and the original 1602 of Valera. They both say "Jehova" in the Old Testament, and that's the argument those behind the Gomez use to say it's okay to keep it that way. But wait a minute. We need to look at the preface of both Reina and Valera's bibles and we find something interesting. Reina said he chose to use "Jehova" because he said the "supersticious" Jews refused to. As an ex-catholic, Reina retained some of his anti-semetic sentiment, and chose to use JEHOVA just because the Jews wouldn't. But in his preface, he says that when you read the Bible, you can read it as SEÑOR instead of Jehova. How interesting. Now, it's true that Valera left it spelled as Jehova in his revision, but he further stated in his preface that he didn't even know if Jehova was the right pronounciation of the word, and that to pronounce it might even be blasphemy as you might be pronouncing it wrong! So he said it was okay to use SEÑOR as well. And as we read the writing of both Reina and Valera, they use SEÑOR in some of their other writings as they quote the Old Testament. We also find that even the older versions use SEÑOR in the Old Testament. So would it not be better if the Spanish Bible read SEÑOR instead of JEHOVA, especially since the use of the word Jehova is helping the Jehovah Witness cult spread like wildfire in the hispanic world?

Is there a Bible that uses SEÑOR instead of Jehova? Yep, there is only one! That's the Valera 1602 Purified!!!

So which is better, the Gomez 2010 or the Valera 1602 Purified 2002? Why don't you compare the two? What's that? You haven't heard about the Valera 1602 Purified, or know where to get one? Hmmm. That's odd. I wonder why? Maybe those behind the Gomez don't want you to get a copy because you might read it and see something you shouldn't!

I still have some Valera 1602 Purifieds available myself. And, I'm trying to get the word out and tell people the truth about the modern Go-Mess and why the Valera 1602 P is better. Sadly, modern fundamentalists don't care. They are more interested in following MEN instead of searching out the facts and finding the TRUTH.

I talked to Gail Riplinger a while back, and she told me, "I know the Gomez is not of God, as there was no suffering invovled. Everyone who worked to give us the word of God in its pure form suffered because of it throughout history. But where is the suffering behind the Gomez?"

As I've watched this issue, I have seen those behind the Valera 1602 Purified suffer for their stand for the pure word of God. They were attacked on all sides, especially by those who used the 1960. And they have given the world a pure Spanish Bible. But you don't hear about them, do you? Nope, all you've heard about was the Gomez Bible, which seems to have copied their work, and then decided to make it read along with the 1960 so much that the 1960 crowd would readily change to use it. This is not only dishonest, but also rather deceitful. We should give credit to whom credit is do. And we should desire the OLD REINA-VALERA bible instead of MODERN pro-1960 versions. (Ask yourself this question: Did God give us the right words in the original 1602, or did he wait until these last days to give us Gomez who would then give us the right words in Spanish?)

What will become of the Gomez Bible of 2010? Who knows. Knowing that we are in an age of apostasy right before the coming of our Lord, and that there'll be no revival, as Christ returns while the world is in apostasy, I figure the Gomez will grow by leaps and bounds. It'll continue to receive the praise of man down here. But I believe in heaven, it'll be a different story. God, who has seen all things, will reward those who have done the work and suffered for the cause of Christ and his pure word.

The only question is, "What do you want?" Do you want the old 1602 Valera that has been purified, and that reads along with the right texts. Or do you want a Bible put out by a man who likes to substitute synonyms while he copies the 1960 time and again. Do you want a pure OLD SPANISH BIBLE, or do you want a MODERN SPANISH BIBLE? Do you want the words God gave Reina and Valera, or a version that is the words of Gomez?

For me, the words of God are very precious, in any language. And in Spanish, I want them. And I believe I have them in the Valera 1602 Purified Spanish Bible. As I get the word out, other hispanics say the same thing. I can't tell you how many emails I get from SPanish Speakers that say, "God really speaks to me through the 1602 Purified, as it is old spanish and so meaningful. It's amazing!" And those same people say things like this about the Gomez, "It's modern Spanish. It's like reading the newspaper. It just doesn't speak to me like the old Castellan version!"

You that are King James only, which do you like more: The old KING JAMES or a modern updated version in contemporary English?

What if I took the King James and changed it with a lot of synonyms, and then I took the RSV or RV and made sure I made it line up with those, all the while making sure I checked to leave it in line with the Textus Receptus, and then I printed it, calling it "The BREAKER BIBLE." Would you want my version? I doubt it. I wouldn't even want my version. I'd want the Old King James.

But this is exactly what's happening in the Spanish Speaking world. Now we have the modern GOMEZ BIBLE. And those same people who are KJV only in English are buying into this Spanish version in droves. Why? I just don't understand. If they love the old KJV, why wouldn't they want the old RV like the 1602 that's been purified to make sure it is completely in line with the pure texts?

I'll let you decide. All I know is I'm willing to defend the pure words of God in Spanish even though it's not popular to go against the majority. But hey, when have the majority ever been right?

If you haven't studied the Spanish Bible Controversy on which Bible is the right one in Spanish, or you just want more info, please go to my webpage about it at:

http://www.rrb3.com/bibles/spnbibl/spn_bible_issue.htm

Apostasy in the Ranks of Independent Baptists

I've lived long enough in these last days to have seen a lot of things. In my short 36 years on this mud ball called planet Earth, I've learned that men are capable of just about anything. What's worse is that "Christians," or those who call themselves such, are capable of many of the same wicked sins as the lost world. Sadly, it seems that in these last days of apostasy before the coming of our Lord, it appears that "Christians" (notice the quotation marks) are not only sinful, but seem to be even more wicked than the world around them! For they practice sins so grevious, so wicked, and so ungodly it's hard to even believe they can do such things and still call themselves "Christians."

My wife and I have been married for five years, and during that time together we've seen so many Preachers, Pastors, and Evangelists fall into sin that it's unreal. We used to always say things like, "I just can't believe this is happening!" But we've personally seen so many turning from the truth to follow unrighteousness, that we now usually say things like, "Well, it figures!" or "Par for course!" or "I guess I saw that coming!"

What kind of sins are rampant in our day among preachers? Some of the biggest ones are as follows: Adultery, Sodomy, Pornography, Fornication, Gossip, Lies, Hypocrisy, and Pride.

And what's worse is when a preacher falls into these sins, he's not exposed, nor preached against. Instead, it's quietly swept under the rug by other ministers, and often times left undealth with!

Here's one prime example. A friend told us of a pastor who was caught red-handed with two whores in a bar. When his sin was exposed, he ran and hid in the bathroom. As the deacons talked with the two loose women and tried to tell them the man they were lusting after was an Independent Baptist Minister, they replied in disbelief, "But he told us he was a Texas Ranger!"

The worst part is this pastor resigned his church the next Sunday exclaiming, "I feel God is calling me somewhere else." And the issue of his adultery and infidelity to his wife was never brought up or dealt with. And worse still, his sin was covered up by other Baptist Ministers who were his friends, who took care of him thereafter. It's like he got away scot free with his sin!

Here's another example. I personally knew of an Independent Baptist Pastor who cheated on his wife and contacted a sexually transmitted disease, which he then passed along to his wife without her knowledge. Later the truth was found out through a routine medical examination. What happened to the man? He resigned his church, but took another one later on in a different city, making sure never to mention his infidelity.

And what about the Pastor who was caught sleeping with over 20 women in his congregation? How on earth can a man fill a pulpit and preach the word of God while he's engaging in sexual relations with over 20 women in the audience? I just don't understand such things! What's worse still is his father was a very popular, well-known preacher, and because of this, his sin was swept under the rug. It's now "verboten" (forbidden) to talk about it within the circles of that group. But it still happened! And it should be preached against!!!

But these sexual sins aren't the worst of it. Oh no, not by far! The worst part is the ungodly sin of PRIDE. (An interesting note is that in Job 41:34 Leviathan or Satan is called the King of those who are prideful!) Preachers who become high up in their denominational groups become puffed up with constant exaltation and these men form "clicks" which almost become "cults." They then use their fame and power to sway the thoughts of men and to gain praise for themselves and their group (just like the Pharisees of old). The focus then changes from JESUS to THEMSELVES.

My wife and I have seen this time and again. This form of man worship makes slaves out of the followers. (For example, there are acutally groups that wear buttons on their lapel that says "100% for their Pastor." What? If you are going to wear a button like that, why not make sure it reads, "100% for Jesus!")

To question the leader of the group is very much forbidden, as he is exalted almost to Papal infabillity. And when a person questions with meekness anything about the man, his doctrine, or his lifestyle, he's immediately branded a "heretic" and cast out of the group! His salvation is then called into question, and he's excommunicated from the group, his friends, and others. The most popular saying is, "He's gone out from us, because he was never one of us!"

The message is clear. You cannot be a follower of Christ unless you follow a certain Independent Baptist minister.

These things ought not so to be, and are the very things the Apostle Paul was against in his epistles! But, since very few Preachers read his writings now days, it's easy to see why these sins are so rampant! (My wife and I have even heard of preachers calling those who read the epistles of Paul, as "Hyper-dispensationalists" and "Pauline Obessionists!")

Instead of preaching against SIN and SINFUL men, modern day fundamentalism has turned towards preaching against those who actually find the courage to speak up and preach against the apostasy they see. It's almost as if they are teaching their congregations to remain quiet or else! And to hear a Preacher preach against another man instead of preaching against sin is almost common place in pulpits. This leads to DIVISION and constant battling and bitterness between different sects within the Independent Movement. (As one preacher told me, "The Independent Baptist movement is the only denomination that eats its young!"

All this has left my wife and I feeling "jadded" as we continue to see such sinfulness in the ranks of Independent Baptists, and how their sins are so easily covered up instead of exposed! And how they so often devour each other instead of reasoning with each other with the scriptures.

Now, I'm still an Independent Baptist, and I'll probably be one until the day I die. But I don't like to tell people I am. I usually just say, "I'm a born again BIBLE BELIEVER," and leave it at that. It's just so sad how much sin has entered into the Independent Baptist movement. And it's worse that unless you are part of their "group" you cannot even gain a hearing with them.

Thinking on this, a friend sent me a website to look up and read. It is:

http://www.blessedquietness.com/journal/housechu/baptindp.htm

I don't agree with all on this website or endorse what's written there. But it was interesting to read it and see how easily someone was put out with the Independent Baptist Movement. All I can say is, "I can indentify and understand why he's so put out with it!"

That doesn't mean I think it's good or bad to put out a website like his. But I do see some of the same sins this man illustrates, and the same conspiratorial cover-ups that he mentions.

I believe the greatest problem is the POLITICS in the Indpendent Baptist Movement, or more plainly said, "Following MEN instead of following GOD."

I believe we need to get back to the scriptures. And we need to make sure everything a man does, everything a man says, and everything a man believes is what the scripture teaches. For there are many men out there starting their own movements with doctrines that are foreign to the scriptures and sound Pauline teachings. (See what Paul said in Acts 20:28-35).

Just because a person is an Independent Baptist doesn't mean they are right. Did you know you can be an Independent Baptist and not even be saved? Yep, there are people like that. I met a Pastor a few years ago who was an Independent Baptist, and he told me his testimony. He went to an Independent Baptist church his entire life and even graduated from one of their Bible Schools, but he wasn't even saved! It was after he'd been pastoring for about 11 years that God showed him his lost and sinful condition. And he had to make a choice: Get saved, and tell everyone, or remain lost and keep quiet, but keep the esteem I have from other pastors and church members. (At the time his church was listed in a huge fundamentalist magazine as one of the fasted growing churches in that state).

He chose the first option, and got up on Sunday and told his congregation that he'd been faking his whole life, and he'd been pastoring as a lost man. But last night as he read the scriptures, God dealt with his heart and showed him he'd been trusting in his own righteousness instead of in Christ's and he gave up trusting in himself and trusted the blood atonement alone for salvation!

Care to guess what happened? Yep, that's right! It split the church! Many people left calling him a "novice." (But was he really? I mean he already had 11 years experience as a Pastor!) And all his other preacher buddies ridiculed him, preached against him, and called him names. He had to leave his church and then go start another one in a different state. But shouldn't people have been happy for him? I mean if he would have died before that day, HE WOULD HAVE GONE TO HELL!!!

Shouldn't people be glad he got born again? And, wouldn't you think something like that would have caused a REVIVAL?

Unfortunately, it didn't and it still doesn't today. (I've heard the same story from several other pastors, and even a missionary). And I believe the reason is that people don't want to think! They don't want to muse upon the truth that there just might be others out there in the same boat. Whether they be pastors, missionaries, evangelists, or just Sunday School workers or just your average church member. They too could be playing religion but be utterly lost!

Is it possible to be an Independent Baptist and still go to Hell? It sure is! Both myself and my wife were lost while in that denomination! We both were deceived and were trusting in our PRAYER instead of trusting in the PROPITATION of Jesus Christ. We were "religious" but "lost."

What's sad to me is to see Preachers who refuse to believe that this can happen. Call it wishful thinking, or maybe they are just deceived, but they want to think that you can't be an Independent Baptist and be an apostate, or you can't be an Independent Baptist and be lost.

But what saith the scriptures???

Mat 15:8-20 immediately come to mind:

"8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. 15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. 16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Here Jesus is speaking, and he says it's easy to find people who give him "lip service" but their hearts are far from Him. He then continues to explain it to the disciples who appear to be "clueless" that just because you say something or brag that you are a follower of God doesn't mean you really are. And He sums it up nicely by saying that from the heart is where evil thoughts proceed. Then we see the list of sins; Sins that many Independent Baptists are guilty of!

The truth of the matter is that God said their'd be APOSTASY in the last days. (See 2 Thes. 2:2-3). It's obvious we are in those last days. And it's clear that no denomination is exempt from this apostasy. And if you are honest, and if you look around, you can't help but see it.

What should you do? Should you stop going to church, and forget about it? Or, should you maybe speak up and preach against the wickedness you see! I choose the second option. God's called me to preach the truth. I try to do so anyway I can, even through these blogs. I like to say my ministry is to stand for the three main Christian doctrines:

1. Salvation

2. Sanctification

3. Scriptures

And as I preach these, I constantly see Independent Baptists departing from these oh so precious doctrines. Many have left the blessed King James Bible for another translation. Many have decided to live worldly lifestyles instead of suffering for Jesus and preaching hard against sin. And many have adopted a modernistic BLOODLESS GOSPEL which leaves out the blood atonement. Usually their gospel presentation is only a METHOD started by a MAN, instead of simply taking a lost sinner through the scriptures and showing them their SIN, Their IMPENDING JUDGMENT, and God's SACRIFICIAL PAYMENT for their sins in their place.

Are you an Independent Baptist? If so, great! Now I'll leave you with the following question:

Are you following God and the Bible in all that you do, or are you following some popular or famous man within your movement and doing things "His Way." If so, why not rethink what you are doing, and make sure you are doing things God's way.

I HATE LABELS!

One thing I really hate is when people label others, or when people label themselves. To me, people are like snowflakes, and there aren't two that are exactly alike. They are individuals and they all think, act, and feel differently. That's why we can't just group them all together into a giant lump and then call that lump something (which by the way is what socialism and communism do). We need to look at each person we come in contact with in this life as very different and distinct individuals. And, we need to realize we can learn something from every person we met. (For, even a dummy can teach you something!)

Sadly, in our society (which by the way is nothing more than a "high school mentality" of staying in your "click" or in your own "social station"), people are not often thought of as individuals rather as the great mass of humanity. But what's wrong with just being yourself and not going with the crowd and doing things the same way everyone else does? And what's wrong with not wanting to identify with others, but just enjoy your own unique individual identity? (That is of couse as long as it's not devilish, devious, and disasterous to your health or that of others.)

People have asked me before, "What political party do you belong to?" and "What denomination are you? and "Are you conservative or liberal" and "What memberships do you have?" etc. and etc.

I believe people who ask questions like that are not really interested in knowing the real you. They only want to judge you based on who you identify with, so that if you label yourself with someone they don't like, they can shut you down, and not waste their time with you. But if you do identify with something they like, then they'll try to identify with you. It's like they only care about others who are like themselves.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with trying to make friends, and it's great to find things in common with others. However, it's awful how quickly people will leave you alone when they don't want to try to find common ground. Even worse is when they label you and then run from you because they hate to be connected with someone like you!

Some of the best conversations I've had in this life have been with people that were the complete opposite of me. It gave me insight into their thinking and why they thought that way.

When I speak with someone, I like to try to put myself in their shoes and understand why they think, act, and talk the way they do. I'm interested in what makes them tick. Sometimes this leads me to feeling sorry for the person, and other times it makes me sad that they are so egotiscial and full of themselves. And yet, even other times it makes me admire them because the lessons they've learned in life have helped them to grow and mature.

Some of the most amazing people I've ever met in my life are "unlabelable." They are unique individuals who just can't be labelled. They can only be called, "amazing" or "interesting" or admirable."

When people ask me who I am, I usually just like to say, "I'm just a NOBODY, who's trying to tell EVERYBODY about SOMEBODY who'll save ANYBODY!" (And that Somebody is the Lord Jesus Christ!)

When they ask my denominational affiliation, I'm not interested in labelling myself this or that to brag about a certain group over another. I just say, "I'm only just a born again, blood washed, child of God!"

When they ask me my political beliefs and to which party I lean to, I like to say, "I'm just a citizen who wants the best for his country, and loves freedom and wants to keep it!"

I'm so sick and tired of all the labelling. Why can't we spend time getting to know someone for who they really are?

Labels are so divisive, and even though someone might carry a certain label, doesn't mean they are what they claim to be. "Mis-labeling" is a common misjudgment in our age. I've seen people labelled a certain type, but then not even be close to what their tag implies. Just because you think you are something, doesn't mean you really are! And just because someone says you are something, doesn't mean you are that! That's just simple second grade logic!

Why can't people set aside the labels and just ask you what you believe? For that's the most important thing. It's not what you are that counts, it's only what you believe in that really matters.

Take the term "Christian" for example. There are countless millions of people in this world who would rapidly label themselves as "Christians." Yet, if you were to ask them what they really believed, you'd be flabberghasted how many different answers you'd receive! Many of them would probably tell you they were trusting in some element of works to receive their salvation. This would then make them not Christians at all! For a Christian is one who Believes and Receives salvation by FAITH, and not someone who thinks he can work his way to heaven.

See how easy it is to label yourself something, and yet not be that thing at all? It's not what you say you are that matters. It's what you believe!

Labels can be misleading. Labels can also be wrong!

Don't ask yourself, "Who am I?" But, rather ask yourself, "What do I believe and why?"

That just might lead you to cast off your label, and you just might "break the mold" and come out far better than you were before.

RELIGION: THE BUS TO NO WHERE

Once I was preaching a message in Honduras in Spanish, and God gave me a great illustration right in the middle of the sermon. I said, "Religion is like a bus to no where. It's full of people enjoying each others company, and bragging about how their bus is the best. When the bus stops to pick you up, you ask, 'Excuse me, where is this bus going?' They respond, 'We don't know, but we sure are getting there quickly! Hope aboard, and we'll go there together! For we are the only true bus!"

I then told how this is like modern religion today. Most religions tell you that you must do what they say, and you must be a member of their religion. But even if you do all they tell you to do, none of them can assure you a place in heaven. Take Catholicism for example. You can go to the mass, keep the sacraments, go to confessional, and do all they instruct you to, but when you die, you still go to purgatory!

So, as I preached, I said, "Who in their right mind would want to ride a bus that they don't know where it's going??? That doesn't make sense does it?"

I further showed how Religion as a bus also is very expensive. For "religion is a racket," as many men have said. That is to say religion is a great way to milk people of their money. And I continued, "So the religion bus stops, and you ask, 'So how much does a ticket cost?' They reply, it'll cost you everything you have, but it's worth it, as you'll be going in OUR bus!' "

But who in their right mind would pay everything they have to go on a bus that doesn't know where it's going or how to get there???

I then showed the difference between RELIGION and SALVATION. Briefly stated: Religion is a system of works a man does to try to justify himself to God. While salvation is what a man takes when he realizes all his works are the works of a sinner that can never please God, and he simply accepts Jesus Christ's finished work on Calvary as sufficient to pay for his sins.

I then preached: "So that's the religion bus. Where it goes, no body knows, but it's sure getting there quickly. And, it'll only cost you your soul! Then there is the Jesus Bus--The Bus of Salvation. It rolls near and on the front it says 'Heavenbound.' It stops and the doors open, and you ask, 'Excuse me, where does this bus go?' A man in all white with a beard responds, 'It goes straight to Heaven! And, this is an Express bus and it will get there no matter what!' You then ask, 'But how much does a ticket cost, for it sounds awfully expensive!' The conductor answers, 'It's absolutely free! The ticket has already been paid for, all you have to do is hope aboard!'

I closed my message with this, "Which bus do you want? The one that everyone else is on, but that's on a slippery path to Hell! The bus that's going nowhere fast, but is bragging on how great it is, and the bus that costs an arm an a leg. Or, would you rather go first class on the direct route on the Bus to Heaven with Jesus as your conductor, who has already paid your bus ticket?!"

Relgion or Salvation, which do you have and which do you want? One leads straight to Hell. The other leads straight to Heaven. One follows man, the other follows God. One costs, the other is absolutely free!