No Human Was Created For Hell

Calvinists like to use Paul's reference in Romans 9:13, which refers to the story of Jacob and Esau, to support their Calvinist doctrine of predestination. Yet when we read Genesis 25:27-34, we know that Esau willingly, on his own, forfeited his birthright by selling it to Jacob. Thus it should be obvious that it was not by God’s election, but rather by Esau’s own free will choice. It's a misinterpretation of the Scriptures to claim this text teaches predestination?

To properly understand the text in question, one must understand the main reason Paul wrote his letter to the Jewish and gentile believers in Rome. His purpose was to reconcile their differing opinions, particularly about the obligation of the Jewish law, the advantage of the Jew, and the way of justification. At the time the two groups inside the new Christian church were trying to defend their own special opinions. Thus Paul’s desire was to explain to his converted countrymen the great doctrines of Christianity, and the relation of the Law of Moses to the Christian.

Handling Adversity Well

Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, for you have chosen this rather than affliction. Job 36:21 

We all face adversity and affliction in our lives, the difference is how we handle that adversity and affliction. Are you responding to it in a negative fallen human way? Or are you taking it to Jesus?

How many times have you heard a person say, I was afflicted, and the stress became to much, so I turned to drugs or excessive drinking to forget my problems. My parents raised me terribly, so I turned to a life of crime and sin. After all, it’s not my fault it’s someone else’s fault. If they had not sinned against me, or if a calamity had not happened upon my life, I would not be the loser in life I am.

In the discourse of Job and his friends, the fourth man, Elihu, is the youngest. Yet he is the one who’s wisdom is the most profound. Follow what he tells Job and his friends about handling affliction.

What Is Life About?

The post at the end of this commentary has been making its round on Facebook. It is about Steve Jobs thoughts on life as he is ready to die. He tells us that he finally learned what life was all about. Well, I offer it, with this truth.

Not one time did Job mention anything about GOD, Christ, his salvation or anything of an after life. While he claims he learned something about wealth, and what life is truly about, he truly did not learn what the meaning of life is. That's because when it comes down to it, life is not about this world, and as Jesus said when his family came to take him away,

""""Who is My mother, or My brothers? Here are My mother and My brothers. Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's. If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. """" Paraphrased from accounts in Matthew, Mark & Luke

What The Bible Reveals

by Chuck Ness

I have read many books throughout my life, but none have given me the knowledge and comfort I receive from the Bible. Throughout my life I have used many different versions of the Word, many of which are still in my library to this day. For the last 18 years I have been using both the NASB & NKJV, and while they are the most worn of all my Bibles, I still find myself dragging one of the others out from time to time. I found the following piece while looking up other things, and thought I would share it.

Forty Eight Hours In Hell?

by Chuck Ness

Let me start by saying I do not believe this was an actual death experiance. It may have been a scary dream God gave him, but it did not happen in reality. That being said, it is amazing how a mind can concoct an image of something they fear. Hell should be feared, but in Hell, you will not see heaven as he claims he did. Now I share it just because it is interesting to ponder. 

Yet many warnings are given in the Scriptures as to what death will be like if Christ is not the one you worship and obey. Here is a story of a man who was pronounced dead, but was not. The following an account as told by George Lennox, who was serving time in prison for the offense of stealing horses.