Perhaps you didn’t know, but the name Jesus was common in Bible times.  In the Hebrew language of the Old Testament it was pronounced Yehoshua (Ye-HO-shoo-ah), which in time was shortened to Yeshua (Yeh-SHOO-ah), which we pronounce in English, Joshua.  It means, “the Lord is salvation.”

  In the New Testament Greek, the name is pronounced Iesous (ee-ay-SOOS), which we pronounce in English, Jesus.  There are several Bible characters who bear the name “Jesus,” but none so important as Jesus, the Christ.

  “Christ” is the NT equivalent of the OT title, Messiah.  It means “anointed one,” and in this case, “God’s Anointed One.”  He was God’s Son (God in the flesh), sent from Heaven on a mission to rescue His creation from sin, and eternal separation from God, who is holy and cannot tolerate sin.  God is just and cannot overlook sin.  Paul summarizes Christ’s mission:  “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1Corinthians 15:3-4)”

  As for why Jesus, the Christ, came to die: Death was the price of your forgiveness. “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23)”  Jesus came to receive your wages!  And now, as Christ rose from the dead, so you will be raised in the end, and your life will continue forever—but where?  Very simply, “He that hath the Son (Jesus) hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1John 5:12)”  “But as many as received him (Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)”

  So, those who accept Christ’s forgiveness will be raised to live forever in God’s presence, “For God so loved the world (you), that he gave his only begotten Son (Jesus), that whosoever believeth in him (you) should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)”  But Beware! Those who reject Christ will be cast out of God’s presence forever, and “have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8).”

 Years ago my wife and I wanted to buy a camera.  I wanted a SLR (single lens reflex) with a couple of fancy lenses for different settings; she wanted a “point and shoot” camera that required very little participation in the picture taking process.  I won!  It was a joy to have a camera that was very versatile, and we used it at home and on a couple of mission trips, etc.  After a roll or two of film (i.e. a flexible strip of plastic with light sensitive… Oh never mind), I learned that it was critically important to take the time to get a clear focus if my photos were going to clearly reveal where we had focused our attention, and I had focused the camera.

  More recently I have discovered that focus is not just for cameras.  We focus our attention on certain things that help to define life for us.  For years I was a “God and Country” focused individual.  “God” was placed first on purpose, and then there was our “One Nation Under God.”  It was hard to talk about either without appreciation of the other.  God defined right, and the majority of our people were pleased to do it.  …But, my, how times have changed.

  I have found it necessary to use a more telephoto approach to refocus, but this time, more on God, and less on our country.  Please don’t get me wrong, I love America, but it no longer defines who I am—it has departed, to some extent, from the God of my Fathers.  I have decided now, that my eyes should have been more exclusively on Him, even in the better days of yesteryear.

  God never lies.  His definition of right never changes.  His love never wavers.  His Word is constant and true.  His promises never fail.  His power never wanes.  His knowledge is complete.  His presence is constant.  His ways are perfect.  He is always good.  He is my “Abba” (an endearing term for Father, Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6).

  “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. (1Chronicles 29:11)”

 Procrastinators refuse to do anything today that can be put off until tomorrow.  Their club has not had a meeting for years because it is scheduled for “tomorrow.”  It seems that once they get there, “tomorrow” has become “today,” and the day that is now called “tomorrow” is still 24 hours away.

  There are vast numbers of people who live their spiritual lives this way, always thinking that “tomorrow” they will get things right with God—but the illusive tomorrow never seems to come.  Almost no one gets up in the morning thinking, “I’m going to die today.”  We feel confident that there will always be a “tomorrow,” but the truth is, unless you act now, you could use up your last “today” and meet God unprepared.

  Our God, who created all things, and by whom all things consist, is Holy and cannot tolerate sin; He is Just and cannot overlook, or excuse sin.  We, on the other hand, are sinful and have broken every divine law.  We will be guilty when we stand before the bar on the day of divine judgement.  There will be no pleas for justice that day, but for mercy—for forgiveness, but at that point, it will be too late.  “… now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2Corinthians 6:2)”

  But there is Good News!  Your sins can be forgiven today, but only because their penalty has been paid already!  Jesus died to satisfy the just requirements of God for your sin.  As God in the flesh, He rose from the dead, and offers forgiveness to those who will turn from their sins and trust Him to put them in good standing with His Father.  He alone “…is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (Jude 1:24)”

  Better act now!  God tells us plainly that we are not guaranteed a tomorrow: “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  (James 4:13-14)”

  On several occasions I have sensed an ill spirit toward me, and had no idea as to why.  It seemed the only path toward rectification was to ask, “Have I done something to offend you?”  In most instances the reply has been, “No, I’m sorry, I’m just having a bad day; it is nothing that you have done.”  What a relief to clear the air, to know that I had not unwittingly committed some offense against a friend.

  Did you know that the Bible, the Word of God, declares that you and I have offended God?  The problem is that He is holy (sinless) and we are sinful.  “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. (Romans 1:18)”  The problem is universal, and serious.  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)”

  What ultimately happens to those who have offended God?  The Bible describes their end: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)”  The Psalmist says, “Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. (Psalms 73:18-19)”  Many try to avoid the horrors by simply telling themselves that this cannot be true; there is no God, no judgment, no Hell—but disbelief does not make the truth go away.

  My friend, it is true, you have offended God; you have made yourself the  enemy of the Almighty (James 4:4).  If you remain as you are, you will spend eternity in the “Lake of fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41).  But God, in His mercy, has provided an option!  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)”

  Back in the 1950s and 60s, there was a TV show called To Tell The Truth.  For each game, there were three individuals who claimed to be the same person, and a panel of four celebrities who asked questions to determine who really was the person that they all claimed to be.  Two of the three who fielded the questions would make something up that sounded authentic; their reward was based upon the believability of their lies..

  If the show were brought back today, it would not be hard to find liars willing to pose as someone they are not.  If politicians, government officials, media personalities, social activists, and the like, could find time to participate, lying imposters would never be in short supply.  Why would I say such a thing?  Because it is unquestionably true.  In reference to just about any issue or event that is reported in the news today, there are polar opposite representations of “the truth.”  Now both sides could be lying, but certainly they cannot both be telling the truth.  Contrary to a more modern understanding of logic, there is only one truth about a matter; it only happened one way, therefore, someone must be morally and factually wrong.

  Needless to say, God is not pleased with our neglect of His moral law, “Thou shalt not bear false witness” (lie).  While there is no sinless person among us, it behooves us as a society that still boasts itself as a constitutional republic, to elect, appoint or promote those to represent us, who do not have such blatant disregard for the precepts of God.

  Consider how straightforward the topic is dealt with in the Scriptures:  #1 “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. (Proverbs 19:9)”  #2 “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. (Proverbs 12:22)”  #3 “He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. (Psalms 101:7)”

  Space does not permit us here to mention other sinful vices of unscrupulous men, but for those who might wish to explore the matter, may I suggest a book unapologetically used by our founding fathers—The Bible.