THE BIBLE

CAN IT BE THAT SIMPLE?

This is written primarily for those of you who read the Bible, but not necessarily on a regular basis. You believe in God but do not feel qualified to debate bible doctrine. You are sometimes intimidated by eloquent preachers and teachers who use big words, some of which you do not understand.

Years ago, one Christian lady brought me a book to read. The book was written to introduce a new way of looking at the debate over the security of the believer. The writer set forth in six hundred pages what he considers a new and correct way of looking at that simple truth. After six hundred pages of reading, I was certain that the Preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes was right:

“Yet furthermore, my son, beyond these, be warned; Of the making of many writings there is no end; and much study is a weariness to the flesh. The terminus of the whole matter has been heard: Fear Elohim, keep His commandments: this is the whole duty of humanity.”  (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13)

I hope this short book will not be a “weariness to the flesh” by being a short, readable writing that is simple enough for a child to understand. The prayer of the Apostle Paul for you is...

 

 “…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may be giving you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the realization of Him for you to perceive what is the expectation of His calling . . .” Ephesians 1:17-18)

 

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CHAPTER ONE

BEGINNINGS

           “Everything Has a Beginning, Except God”          

 

Creation

 

“Created by Elohim were the heavens and the earth…” (Genesis 1:1)

 

No argument for the existence of mighty ones (Elohim). No long narrative which logically proves the truth of the statement. The Bible just states that however far back you choose to go there is Elohim creating everything - and it was very good!               

 

                                                                     Can it be that simple? YES!

 

“And Elohim saw all that was made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

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Humanity

“And forming is Yahweh Elohim the human of soil from the ground….” (Genesis 2:7)

 

Yahweh made Adam. The simplicity is mind-blowing. God made humanity. It was a voluntary act of God. No asking for permission, no discussion, no free will or vote on the matter. God created the first human with a body made from the soil of the earth. He took his first breath from God and became a living soul.

 

                                                             Is it that simple? YES!

 

“…and He is blowing into his nostrils the breath of the living, and becoming is the human a living soul” (Genesis 2:7)

 

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Family

 

“And saying is Yahweh Elohim, not good is it for the human to be alone. I will make for him a helper as his complement…And taking is He one of his angular organs… And Yahweh Elohim is building the angular organ . . .into a woman, and bringing her is He to the human. . .” (Genesis 2:18, 22)

 

There you have it. God’s plan for woman. He decided it was not good for man to be alone, so he created the woman to complete the man. Thank you, Lord! One man and one woman, a family united for life.

 

Is it that simple? YES!

 

“Therefore, a man shall forsake his father and his mother, and cling to his wife, and they two become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

 

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Death

 

“And instructing is Yahweh Elohim the human, saying “From every tree of the garden, you are to eat, yes, eat. Yet from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you are not to be eating from it, for in the day you eat from it, to die shall you be dying.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

 

The first two humans in a paradise with only one rule to obey. And they blew it; sin entered the perfect creation and death was the result.  Humanity has been making bad choices ever since. However, God always works everything for good. The good thing is now humans know the difference between good and evil. But man had a problem he could not fix – which is death. Humanity needs a Savior.

 

Is it that simple? YES!

                                                                 

“For all sin and fall short of the glory of God…the ration of sin is death. . .” (Romans 3:23; 6:23)

 

 

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Evil

 

“Former of light and creator of darkness, Maker of good and Creator of evil: I Yahweh Elohim made all of these things.” (Isaiah 45:7)  

“For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

 

I did not say it, God did. But we must remember that evil is not sin in the hand of Yahweh. Evil administered by Yahweh always works out for the good. Evil administered by the hand of humanity is usually a mistake and therefore sin.

 

Is it that simple? YES!

 

“Now we are aware that God is working all together for the good of those who are loving God, . . .” (Romans 8:28)

                                                                 

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CHAPTER TWO

DELIVERANCE (SALVATION)

“Humans Cannot Save Themselves.”

     

Blood

 

                        “Apart from blood shedding is coming no pardon.” (Hebrews 9:22)               

 

Before God allowed evil and sin into the world, He had a plan for its removal. It is the shedding of the blood of an innocent lamb. The awfulness of sin demands a harsh payment - the shedding of blood! Atonement for sin comes from the blood of a sinless lamb. The plan is simple, the execution of that plan was harsh, but the result was the cleansing of humanity from its sin by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus.

 

Is it that simple? YES!

 

“On the morrow he is observing Jesus coming toward him, and is saying, Lo! the Lamb of God, Who is taking away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

 

“For the One not knowing sin, He makes to be a sin offering for our sake that we may be becoming God’s righteousness in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

 

Mercy

 

 

“Blessed be Yahweh, for He has heard the voice of my supplications.” (Psalm 28:6)

 

 

Oh, how humanity needs mercy from Yahweh. Every minute of every day. We must have it to overcome death! So, what must we do to receive His mercy?  Can we just ask Him for it? Dare we not ask Him for it?

 

The truth is that we receive His mercy whether we ask for it or not.

 

Is it that simple? YES!

“For God locks up all together in stubbornness, that He should be merciful on all” (Romans 11:32)       

 

Grace

“Yet Noah finds grace in the eyes of Yahweh.” (Genesis 6:8)

                                                                                       

Why did Noah find grace, the joy of unmerited favor of Yahweh! Because it is the nature of God to be gracious. Not only to Noah, but to all humanity.

 

Is it that simple? YES!

 

“For the saving grace of God made its advent to all humanity...” (Titus 2:11)

 

                                                                 

                                                               Faith 

                                                                 

“And Abram believes Yahweh, and reckoning it is He to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)

 

 

Who me? Righteous with God. No way. He is so Holy, and I am so sinful. I cannot live up to His standards. Guess what? He knows that better than we do. The simple truth is that we do not, and cannot, become righteous by our behavior. Jesus took care of that for all humanity when He died, was entombed, and then raised from the dead. And God says humans became righteous when one man, Jesus, believed God! His Faith saves us, the unmerited free gift of God to all humanity!

 

"Yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifest (being attested by the law and the prophets), yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ's faith, for all, and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God. Being justified gratuitously in His grace, through the deliverance (salvation) which is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:21-24)          

                                                  

Is it that simple? YES!

 

“For the wages of win is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

"For in grace, through faith, are you saved; and this is not out of you; it is God’s approach present, not of works lest anyone should be boasting.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

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CHAPTER THREE

OBEDIENCE

                            “It does not matter if others know, God knows.”                                       

 

Humility

“He has told you, O humanity, what is good; And what is Elohim requiring from you save to do justly, and love kindness, and to walk humbly with Yahweh.” (Micah 6:8)

 

 

God has not given us a long list of things we must do. He does tell us simple things that please Him. Humility is one of those things. Humans have a hard time being humble. The world teaches us that low self-esteem is a major problem. However, God rejects the proud and accepts the humble.

Is it that simple? YES!

“. . .yet to this one will I look: to the humble and smitten spirit, and he who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2)

 

                                                                Repentance

 

“. . . God is now charging humanity that all everywhere are to repent.” (Acts 17:30)

Biblical repentance means to stop and think about the direction we are heading in life, and turning around if we do not like the direction we are headed. Turning around returns us to the joy of the knowledge of our salvation.

                                                Is it that simple? YES!

 

“Repent, then, and turn about for the erasure of your sins, so that seasons of refreshing should be coming from the face of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)

                                                                 

Peace

 

“Yet all is of God, Who reconciles us to Himself through Christ, and is giving us the dispensation of the reconciliation. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not taking into account its offenses, and placing in us the word of reconciliation. For Christ, then, are we ambassadors, as of God entreating through us. We are beseeching for Christ’s sake, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20)

                                                                                       

The word “reconciliation” has to do with humanity and God being at peace. God is at peace with the world not counting humanities offenses against them. No need for penance or other payment, no probationary time of proving ourselves, and no limit on how many times we blow it? Why? Because the blood of Christ has removed all sin. As a result, God is now “beseeching” humanity to accept the truth that God is at peace with us. When we realize this “reconciliation” there is peace in our hearts and we are no longer afraid of God.

Is it that simple? YES!

 

“Yet now, in Christ Jesus, you, who once are far off, are become near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)

 

“As far as the East is from the West, so He removes our transgressions far from us.” (Psalm 103:12)

"For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross." (Colossians 1:19-20)

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CHAPTER FOUR

REQUESTING THINGS FROM GOD

“Answered prayers are those asking God for what He has already determined to do.”

 

“Now if anyone is lacking in wisdom, let him be requesting it from God, Who is giving to all generously without finding fault...be requesting in faith, without doubting.”   (James 1:5-6)

                                                                                       

Everyone feels uncertain about the future from time to time, and often the circumstances of life just weigh us down. We do not know what to do. We need wisdom from God to help us face the trials of life. God tells us to ask Him for wisdom with faith.  So, what is faith?

 

"...faith is assuming what we are expecting will come to pass. It is a conviction concerning matters which are not now being observed." (Hebrews 11:1)

God has told us what is best for us so we should assume he knows.  He sees all, hears all, and has determined the beginning and the end of everything because He planned it all. He can be trusted to give us exactly what we need when we need it. We are free to ask for anything with the assurance of knowing that we will only get what is best for us. Wisdom is learning to trust God in every circumstance without doubting, even when our prayers seem to go unanswered. Such wisdom gives us peace.

 

Can it be that simple? YES

 

“And this is the boldness we have toward Him, that, if we should be requesting anything according to His will, He is hearing us.” (1 John 5:14)

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything"(Philippians 4:6) _________________________________________________________________________

CHAPTER FIVE

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

“Praise and worship are confined to a church building”

 

Praise

 

“Praise the Lord, all the nations, and let all the peoples laud Him.” (Romans 15:11)

               

It seems to me that the last thing Christians learn to do is to praise God. Praise is not thanksgiving, lifting of hand, singing, or long prayers in church. Praise is the simple conscience recognition that God alone is worthy of honor and glory. Praise is blessing God for who He is even when our circumstances seem bad. It takes practice to make it a regular part of our lives. Praise helps us to have confidence in God.

 

                                            Can it be that simple? YES

 

“Bless Yahweh, O my soul, and all within me, bless His holy Name! Bless Yahweh, O my soul and do not forget any of His well-dealings, Who is pardoning all your depravity, Who is healing all your ailments, Who is redeeming your life from ruin, Who is crowning you with mercy and compassion, Who is satisfying your future with good.” (Psalm 103:1-5)

 

                                                           Worship

 

“Come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before Yahweh, our Maker.” (Psalm 95:6)

 

For me, true worship is sensing God is with me in all His majesty and holiness. There  is no such thing as worship without praise. Going to church is not worship. Singing hymns is not worship. Reading your bible is not worship. Witnessing your faith is not worship. Worship is praising God from the heart, and to be able to do so is a gift from God. He allows us to revere Him and to love Him, not for what he can do for us, but for who He is. One can only stand in that place of worship when he or she realizes that their salvation is by the pure grace of God, not of works. Then we can say we trust Him - and really mean it!

 

                                            Can it be that simple? YES

 

“Worthy art Thou, O Lord, our Lord, and God, to get glory and honor and power; For Thou dost create all, and because of Thy will they were, and are created.” (Revelation 14:11)

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CHAPTER SIX

HELL

“Hell Is Not Cool or Hot - It’s Just Not”

 

Hell

 

“O that You would seclude me in the UNSEEN, that You would conceal me until Your anger turns back, That You would set a statutory time for me and then remember me." (Job 14:13)

 

“And if your eye should be snaring you, cast it out. It is ideal for you to be entering into the kingdom of God one-eyed, rather than, having two eyes, to be cast into the GEHENNA of fire, where their worm is not deceasing, and the fire is not going out.” (Mark 9:47-48)

 

“For thou wilt not be forsaking my soul in the UNSEEN, nor wilt Thou be giving Thy Benign One to be acquainted with decay.” (Acts 2:27)

 

“For if God spares not sinning messengers, but thrusting them into the gloomy caverns of TARTARUS, giving them up to be kept for chastening judging;” (2 Peter 2:4))

           

The Hebrew word translated hell in English is “sheh-ole” and simply means the UNSEEN. There are three different Greek words translated hell in English and they are “GEHENNA,” “HADES,” and “TARTARUS.”  Gehenna refers to a real place outside Jerusalem where at one time trash and dead bodies were burned. Hades is the Greek equivalent of “sheh-ole” and means the unseen. Tartarus refers to a place where sinning angels are held awaiting the end of this age. The phrase “the lake of fire” is used only in the book of Revelation and is clearly defined there as “the second death.”  The popular doctrine of hell being a lake of fire where lost men and angels are kept supernaturally alive to be tortured for ever and ever has no place in the Word of God and defames the God of the Bible. As used in the Bible, the English word is used in the context of death, it NEVER refers to the unending torture chamber of Greek mythology.

 

                                  Can it be that simple! Praise God, YES!

 

“And He will be brushing away every tear from their eyes. And death will be no more, nor mourning, nor clamor, nor misery; they will be no more, for the former things passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

 

“For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be mad alive...For He must be reigning until He should be placing all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy is being abolished: death.” (1 Corinthians 15:22, 25)

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CHAPTER SEVEN

HEAVEN

“Heaven is for Winners and thanks to Jesus, Everyone Wins”

 

Heaven is the Place of Abundant Life

 

“I came that they may have life, and have it superabundantly.” (John 10:10)

                                                                 

We are mortal, and so our destination is death. However, we can travel to this deadly destination with hope and joy according to the Bible. The promise from God is that death is to be followed by a "superabundant" immortal life.

                                               Can it be that simple! YES

 

"For in hope we are saved. Now hope that is already being observed is not hope, for if we already have what we are hoping for, we need not hope.  Now, if we are hopping for what we are not now observing, we wait for it with endurance." (Romans 8:23-24)

                                                            Heaven is a Place

 

“In my Father’s house are many dwelling places;  if not, I would have told you, I am going to make ready a place for you.” (John 14:2)

 

“For we are aware that, if our earthly house should be demolished, we have a building of God, a house not made by hands, everlasting in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)

 

Heaven is a place where God dwells with believers in unbroken fellowship. No sin, pain, tears, sorrow, or death. It will be a return to the paradise of God which was in Eden. In the New Heaven, God will be All in all humanity. We are destined to enter and see it in the future, and it is the prize waiting for us at the end of this road of mortal life!

 

                                                  Is it that simple! YES

 

"And I saw a New Heaven and New Earth...Lo!, the dwelling place of God is with humanity...and God Himself will be with them, and they will be His peoples...And death will be no more, nor mourning, no clamor, nor misery...for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:1, 3-4)

“But, according as it is written, that which the eye did not perceive, and the ear did not hear, and to which the heart of man did not ascend - God makes ready for those who are loving Him. To us God reveals them through His spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)

“In the name of Jesus every knee shall be bowing, celestial and terrestrial and subterranean, and every tongue shall be acclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God, the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)