The Problem With Sin

The problem with sin is this. Rarely when we sin is there an immediate reaction from God to it. Almost never is there any instant retribution for transgressions. In fact years can go by or possibly our whole life go by and we see no blow back from our iniquities. But does that mean that there is no price to be paid? Does that mean that God didn’t see?

The worst mistake is the one a lot of people make. When someone consciously sins and sees no punishment from God they fool themselves into believing that God approves. This especially holds true when that person sees others doing the same sin with no reaction from God as well.

Sin now becomes incorporated into that person’s belief system. Homosexuality and same-sex marriage are prime examples. Both are a sin. Scripture has been ignored or worse, twisted so as to support the gay agenda. But even so, the acknowledgment and acceptance of it has grown.

“But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee….These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.” (Psalm 50:16, 17, 21)

It is a huge mistake to judge sin by wordly standards. It is an even bigger mistake to determine right from wrong by the reaction or rather inaction of God. This is not living a principled life. This is not living by the precepts of the Christian religion. What it is doing is whatever feels good that doesn’t have an associated pain. It’s like a child who thinks they are getting by with something all the while the parent having full knowledge of what is going on.

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”(1 Corinthians 4:5).

Sin isn’t going against the rules. Sin is going against God and defying His love He has for you. Sin is the urge then the act of doing something ungodly.

“For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.” (Jeremiah 16:17).

There may not be a price paid for sin here on earth. But unrepentant sin does not go unpunished. There will be Hell to pay, literally after you leave this earth. God gives us a life time, our life time to ask for forgiveness and repent. We should understand God’s love for us and His desire for each of us to live for ever.

Our iniquities are before God. Our secret sins are in the light of His countenance. It’s time to stop and confess.

Do not be fooled into thinking that God approves of your sin simply because you have seen no retribution. God sees all sin and will deal with each in His own time be it now, later or when you die.

Bill Hitchcock

Sin Is An Urge

Jesus told the woman caught in the act of adultery, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11). Go and sin no more is a guiding principle of the Christian religion. But have you ever stopped and really thought what sin was? After all, how can you stop doing something if you don’t have a clear picture of what “it” is?

Sin is an urge, a strong desire to go against the will of God and to act upon that urge. So sin has two sides to it, the urge and then the action. The Christian battle is with the urge to sin. It’s called temptation. As long as we stay in the fight with temptation then God will strengthen us and guide us to victory. But if we lose faith in God and His abilities we will lose the fight. We fall or transgress from the urge to the action and committal of sin. We now have yielded our self over to that sin. Jesus said, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” (John 8:34)

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” (Romans 6:12).

Once we have acted upon the urge to sin, we give up on God and yield to whatever sin it was. That sin now has dominion over our soul and body.

Sin is like alcoholism. The alcoholic is controlled and owned by alcohol. He has yielded himself to it completely. He knows it is bad but when he tries to quit the addiction draws him back in with strong cravings. All sin acts in the same fashion.

So what do we do once we realize that we are in complete darkness of sin?

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:5-9).

God is the light. If we repent of our sins He will cleanse us of all darkness and sin. He certainly will cleanse us for he does not want anyone to die and sin kills!

“For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” (Ezekiel 18:32).

Once cleansed we must resume the fight of temptation with the sin we were just freed from. The only way to do that is: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8).

But we must be very careful to never fall again for the second fall is usually much worse than the first. Jesus warned the man who had been healed of an infirmity of 38 years, “Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” (John 5:14)

Jesus died on the cross so we would have the ability to fight, fall, repent and fight temptation again. Never think it is too late. It isn’t. Don’t let sin reign in your body. Rid yourself of the darkness within. 

Repent! Trust in God and live!

Bill Hitchcock

Forgiveness 101

Sin is the urge then the act of doing something ungodly. The urge is called temptation. This is our daily fight. The act of sin is called transgression. The process of sin is known as the fall. Realizing the mistake and being remorseful about sin is called repentance. The power to give the sin to God and move away from it is by God’s grace. It is by the Lord’s mercy that we are forgiven and accepted back into the family of God.

Bill Hitchcock

Asking God for Mercy

I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.” (Psalm 41:4)

Lord show favor towards me and heal my soul for I have sinned against you. Asking God for mercy is what we are to do in all case scenarios for we are not owed nor have we earned anything from Him. All benefits are a gift from God due to His mercy and free grace.

Keep in mind that God’s mercy is not automatic. Often times we are to suffer for a time or a time multiplied by a time for reasons known only to God. But this we do know, if God is withholding a benefit it is for our benefit that it is being done.

But notice what the Psalmist asked for. He asks for his soul to be healed because he sinned against God. The pain and woe of his soul are because of some sin he did towards God. All sin is directed towards God. But this is a true repentant heart speaking here. Be merciful. I hurt. I sinned against you. This is bold, upfront and upright. The Psalmist from the very start has shown his boldness of heart when he started his supplication with “I said!” It is not a command but a strong calling. How many of us stand at the throne of grace and boldly call on the Father and ask for mercy and admit our sins?

The Psalmist then goes on to describe what evil his soul has been suffering.

“Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it. All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more. Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” (Psalm 41:5-9)

We find out what has hurt his soul so badly. It has been other people both friend and foe and the words that they have spoken about him. Some of the most pain anyone can experience are the words of others about us. Even when it comes from our worst enemies. Lies and vile words aptly said that make way into our heart, hurt more than a bullet or arrow and can crush anyone’s soul.

“I said….Heal my soul!” There is no messing around with the Psalmist. He knows he did wrong and immediately goes to the Father to have the matter settled. He didn’t engage his friends and enemies and get caught up in a war of words! No he goes where the authority and salvation are with God.

It can be difficult to not engage in an argument with those who speak poorly about you. But remember this:

“Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.” (Proverbs 4:14-16)

Also remember that the sin is between you and God and so is your salvation. Take your problems boldly to God and ask for mercy.

“But thou, O Lord, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.” (Psalm 41:10)

The Psalmist once again asks God to be merciful and to lift him up out of his hurt and beleaguered soul. He asks God to raise him up in power, strength and conviction so that he may make peace with those who have attacked and assailed him.

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.” (Luke 6:27-29)

Only by God’s strength can we be raised up out of a down trodden and despondent soulful condition. And only by God can we have the spirit to make peace and to love thy neighbor under any and all conditions.

“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

“By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.” (Psalm 41:11)

Sometimes we get so involved in the fight and the damage it is doing to us to realize that the enemy is not and cannot win! If we would let go of the fight and let God do the fighting then we suffer no more and the battle is won.

“And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.” (Psalm 41:12)

It is God’s righteousness, it is His integrity, not ours that upholds us every minute of our lives. All things are of God and from God. We are but an empty vessel that he fills and holds upright.

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.” (Psalm 41:13)

The Lord of Israel from everlasting and to everlasting, from forever on through forever. In perpetuity is our Lord and so is His love and mercy for each of us.

Bill Hitchcock

The Religion Of Church But Not Of God

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). Unfortunately in today’s society religion has come to mean church and church doctrine. In recent times there has been an exodus away from God because church and religion have supplanted God and worship. Faith has become synonymous with religion. Consequently the religion becomes the faith and the worshipped. God at best has become a subpart of that religion, a mere element or component of that particular faith.

Religion is a standards and practice of a particular faith. Each religion has its own set of standards it expects the adherents to follow. Ceremonies and rituals become the focal point and not God. It fosters a works and deeds mentality that is detrimental to true spiritual growth, knowledge of God and salvation. These standards and practices and ceremonies are creations of man and not God.

If there is any element of man in precepts, doctrine or foundation of a Church and/or religion then there will be a problem. God is perfect, man is not. God leads, man follows. If man attempts to lead, he being imperfect will deviate from God’s way. It is the assured inevitability of both man and his religion.

Although usually first established on the belief and commandments of God, religion continues on in precepts and rituals of man’s creation. Adding or subtracting as man and his religion may see fit, it quickly deviates from the word of God. One of man’s most favorite destinations is convenience. And when convenience contradicts precept, man (and his religion) has the power and ability to change his church and religion to suit his desires.

Jeroboam made it more convenient for the people to worship God. He said, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem”. So, he made two golden calves, “And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi” (1 Kings 10:29-31).

Jeroboam made it more convenient for the people to worship. In so doing he created a religion with its own precepts, principles and method of worship. God was supplanted for ease and comfort of the people.

Man’s religion is for those unable or unwilling to face the simple truth of God and His word. Man finds God harsh, offensive and often impractical for a modern day world not realizing that that is exactly what He is suppose to be. God’s word, precepts and principles are to keep us in the way, the path of righteousness and life. Any deviation or exception to the word of God is sin and death.

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.” (Psalms 119:133-144)

Man’s religion will always be in a constant state of flux. But the word of God is perfect, true, immutable and they are life.

Bill Hitchcock

The Clarion Call

The clarion call goes out from God. The call and message of love, peace, redemption, reconciliation and salvation. It is a call that has gone out to the entire world for thousands of years. But few will hear it and receive it. Why?

“They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:5-6).

It can be frustrating sometimes as a Christian when no one seems to “get it”. You speak of Christ and His perfect plan of Salvation to folks and no one seems to care. Noah preached for over a 100 years and saved no one except his immediate family. But it all starts to make sense once we realize that there are two kinds of people; children of God and children of this world. To the children of this world the, “preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18). And that is what is going to happen to the children of this world, they are going to perish without Jesus Christ.

What are the children of God to do? Jesus gave us the great commission to go and preach!

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Notice nowhere in the great commission does Jesus lay the burden of converting a person on anyone’s shoulders. We are only to spread the word. It is the Holy Spirit working on a person’s spirit that motivates and quickens a soul to God, not us.

Spread the word! Some of it will find hard ground and not take root. Sometimes the devil will steal away the word from someone. Sometimes the word will find shallow ground and will take root and sprout but soon die. But sometimes the word finds fertile soil in which to plant, sprout and grow into a mighty and fruitful tree.

Keeping with the seed metaphor, the germination time period is different for each person. Of those who receive the word, some sprout quickly others may take years. But we are to treat both the same feeding them the word on a daily basis until they do sprout and grow.

“He that is not of God heareth not us.” I wish it were different but it is a fact of life. But praise the Lord for, “he that knoweth God heareth us!”

Bill Hitchcock

Salvation Is Now. Eternity Has Already Begun

Salvation isn't a future event. Eternity and our life with Christ doesn't begin at our physical death. Salvation is now. It isn't gradual, by degrees or in a series of events. Salvation is instant when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It is now, not later and certainly not at our physical death.

"But this deliverance is expected at death." Where is the promise that it shall then be given? There is not one such in the whole Bible!...Do not expect redemption in death: it can do nothing for thee even under the best consideration: it is thy last enemy….Multitudes of such persons are continually deploring their want of faith, even where they have the clearest and most explicit promises; and yet, strange to tell, risk their salvation at the hour of death on a deliverance that is nowhere promised in the sacred oracles! "But who has got this blessing?" Every one who has come to God in the right way for it.” (Adam Clarke)

Did not Jesus teach and exhort us to pray to God, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). God’s will, which is His will for our salvation, is done here on earth! We are saved now! Not later, upon physical death, when we, “shuffle off this mortal coil” (Shakespeare) and go to heaven.

“Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are adopted by God. Not “will be” adopted, we “are” presently adopted! And as children of God, we are heirs to the Kingdom of God!

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (8:15-17)

We obtain salvation now! For if we have put away the old man with his sins and have died for Christ, then we shall live with Him now!

“Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him” (2 Timothy 2:10-11)

If we be dead with Christ, then we are also alive in Christ right now! We are currently freed from the bondage of sin!

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him” (Romans 6:6-8)

Right now, for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, we are alive and living with Jesus Christ. Eternity started the day you received Him into your heart.

Bill Hitchcock

United we stand. Divided we fall.

Remember the ol’ “United we stand. Divided we fall”?

Today’s politics is mainly based on one thing, that some group of people have disadvantaged your group of people. Race, gender, sex, class, income are all wedges used to pit your group against another. Once divided, the political/social powers that separated you, now have control over you.

He who causes this has “Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord” (Proverbs 6:14)

Most of the divide between various groups of people has been fabricated, encouraged, supported and then enflamed for political, social and financial reasons by those of power and influence. In short, the claim of racism, sexism, bigotry, etc. is a power play by the few, a political and social wedge, and we have been their pawns.

Please listen to people who unite all and ignore those who pit one against another.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:17-18)

Stop and think about this for a moment. Everyone that creates political and social divide/discord has all seven of the following attributes that God hates.

“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Whenever in doubt, whenever confused, Jesus Christ boiled it all down to its simplest form.

“And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

If it is love only for your particular group of people, and not for everyone, then it isn’t love at all. It is hate. Love heals and solves. Hate rages and destroys. Love is a forward motion. It always looks ahead to something better. Hate looks backwards and always wants to punish.

Love has skin in the game. Hate wants your hide. Love gives. Hate takes.

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth…” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

The devil wants to plant seeds of hate and discord into your heart. He will water them with your lusts and passions. What will grow is something grotesque, a perversion of God.

Don’t let the devil win. It’s your choice.

United we stand. Divided we fall.

Bill Hitchcock

Why People Leave Christianity

There are usually one of three reasons why someone leaves the Christian faith. None of which have anything to do with God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost or the Bible.

In most cases, the reason why someone leaves the Christian faith are 1) Their religion. 2) Their Church. 3) Their Pastor, congregation or a congregant.

1) Their religion. There is no religion advocated in the Bible. In fact, the greatest problem confronted by Jesus, outside of the devil himself, was man and his organized, ritualistic, historic and ceremonial religion. The Jewish religion didn’t accept Christ. Jesus had to go outside of His own faith.

The term, “Christian”, was first used in Antioch. It was a derogatory term used to paint and smear the followers of Christ.

Religion, as in denominations, is a construct of man, not God. When  viewed by the light of the Holy Trinity, it should be obvious that religion, by its very nature of being a creation of man, can only be fraught with difficulties and inaccuracies.  

Stop and think about this for a moment. Did you renounce your Christian faith due to the difficulties and inaccuracies of your religion? Did you sieve your religion through the Bible and discover problems? If not, why not?

We should all be like the Bereans of the Bible when it comes to our religion.

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

2) Their Church. The Church within a religion is actually two things. First, it is a subset of that religion and it is to be the teacher and standard bearer of whatever faith it represents.

Secondly, the Church is the sum total of all the thoughts, philosophies and purposes of the people that belong to it.

Biblically speaking, the Church is the body of Christ. Jesus Christ is the, “head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18).

The Church is to be, “the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15)

The Church is the ground of the truth. Truth can only be of, and from, Jesus Christ, not of man. Unfortunately a Church is usually the embodiment of their religion and driven by the thoughts and desires of its congregants.

Stop and think about this for a moment. Did you renounce your Christian faith due to the difficulties and inaccuracies of your Church? Did you sieve your Church through the Bible and discover problems? If not, why not?

3) Their Pastor, congregation or a congregant. This is more than likely the cause of why someone leaves their faith. It strikes at the most personal level. Someone close to you caused you pain. This can happen easily in a Church because this is where we allow our self to be the most vulnerable. The Church is the body of Christ. Jesus tells us that the first of all the commandments is love! We are to love God and love our neighbor as our self. The Church is to be fellowship founded in that love. As a result of our commitment to God’s love, we can open the door to our inner self to the Pastor or fellow congregants. Maybe someone, through their own ignorance, said or did something that caused you great offense and irreparable harm. Maybe it was overtly. It can happen when we open up. But we have to remember that neither the Pastor nor the congregant are Jesus Christ. No matter how holy or spirit filled they are, they are still human and very prone to err. 

The offense may have been caused by pride. Pride usually manifests itself in a holier than though attitude. Pride runs rampant through the Church. It is my belief that pride is what caused the fall of man. Pride, if not the greatest sin, is certainly one of the most common and detrimental.

“Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:21)

“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” (Romans 12:16)

A good example of the sin of pride and its destructive power is to see how the devil speaks. Notice his usage of the word “I” in this passage from the Book of Isaiah. Also notice his resulting downfall due to his pride.

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” (Isiah 14:12-15).

Pride of a Church, a Pastor or congregate often times is disguised as humility. Think about this. Pride manifests itself as holier than though, but presents itself under the cloak of humility.

“Pride works frequently under a dense mask, and will often assume the garb of humility. How true is that saying, and of how many is it the language!

"Proud I am my wants to see, Proud of my humility."

And, to conceal his working, even Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light! It appears then that we attribute this boasted humiliation to a wrong cause.” (Adam Clarke/Christian Theology).

Pride is a sin so therefore not an attribute of God. If you are dealing with a situation of pride, then you are not dealing with God. Understand the frailties of man. We are all prone to be prideful.

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16)

One of the first excuses someone gives for leaving their religion or Church is the claim that there were so many hypocrites. Hypocrisy is a derivative of pride. It is the very first issue that Jesus addressed after His Sermon on the Mound according to the Book of Matthew.

The word, “Hypocrite” in the New Testament is derived from the Greek word “hypokrinomai” meaning, “to impersonate anyone, play a part” (Thayer's Greek Lexicon). It comes from when stage actors wore a mask for each character they played.

A hypocrite seeks one thing, “that they may have glory of men” (Matthew 6:2).

Hypocrisy is a willful, intentional act. Saints and sinners are hypocrites for a variety of reasons.

Be careful who you label as a hypocrite. That alcoholic, adulterer, thief, or whatever, sitting in the pew every Sunday is exactly where they need to be. We might know their sin, but we don’t fully understand their struggle. Don’t be offended by what appears to be a hypocrite.

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4)

Stop and think about this for a moment. Did you renounce your Christian faith due to the difficulties and inaccuracies of your Pastor, congregation or a congregant? Did you sieve your Pastor, congregation or a congregant through the Bible and discover problems? If not, why not?

Religion, Church, Pastor, congregation and congregant are not God, Son, Holy Ghost or the Bible. Why leave the latter, the Divine, because of the former, the human? Use the word of God, not man, as your standard.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8)

“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever.” (Psalm 146:3-6)

Jesus made it very clear. It is Him we are to follow, not man. Christ said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6: 35), “I am the light of the world” (John 8: 12), “I am the door” (John 10:9), “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11), “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) and “I am the true vine” (John 15:1).

Keep your eyes on Jesus Christ and the word of God, not man, his Church or his religion!

Jesus warned about transgressing, “the commandment of God by your tradition (of man)” (Matthew 15:3) and of the “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).

Keep your eyes on Jesus Christ and the word of God, not man, his Church or his religion!

Now stop and think about it. Did you lose your religion because of (a) man or because of God? I'm apt to believe it was because of man.

Bill Hitchcock

Be Still

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

Refrain from your thoughts and ways. Know and understand that I am Elohiym, the triune God. Those who do not know me, those who are against me and all the works of the devil on earth will bow their knee to me. I will be exalted by them, on earth as it is in heaven.

Bill Hitchcock

Sin isn’t a hold, it is a hug

Sin isn’t a hold, it is a hug. While sin has its grasp on us, we have an equal hold on it. The power and grace of God will break the grip of sin, but not our grip on it. We have to let go.

It is our choice, it is by election of our own free will that allows us to hang on to sin. It is choosing sin over God. If we choose sin over God and don’t let go, then God will allow sin to embrace us again. We then discover we are back in our hug with sin, but this time the hug is tighter, the grip more secure, for sin knows you have picked it.

But here is the thing; “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). God is more than capable of breaking both the grasp of sin and our hold on it, if we choose Him over sin. But we have to let go of the sin and allow God into our life, in all faith, confidence and obedience.

The reality of the situation is that when you don’t let go of sin, you haven’t chosen sin, but rather you have chosen yourself. Sin has complete power over you, when it is just you, minus God.

Sin is powerless against God, but all powerful against you. Choose God, over self so that the power of God and His grace can save you from sin and empower you to relinquish your grip on it.

Let go and let God.

Bill Hitchcock 

Five Invaluable Keys To Prayer

Judah and King Jehoshaphat are about to be invaded by an overwhelming army of, “the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites” (2 Chronicles 20:1).

In the face of this oncoming invasion and most certain slaughter of the people of Judah, the first thing King Jehoshaphat does is pray to God. Within his prayer is one of the most important and powerful outpourings and confessions one could make. It is something we all should take to heart when going to God with overwhelming problems.

Jehoshaphat prayed, “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)

First, Jehoshaphat asks God to “judge them”. As Matthew Henry, the 17th century theologian said, “Wilt thou not give sentence against them, and execute it upon them?” The justice of God is the refuge of those that are wronged”.

God and His judgment is the “refuge” to all of us that have been “wronged”. Psalm 91:2 states it perfectly.

“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” (Psalm 91:2)

Now comes the great confession from Jehoshaphat. “…for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us”.

Sound familiar? Have you ever felt powerless, with, “no might”, helpless in the face of a pending problem? Maybe it’s a personal problem? A debt owed with no money or possibility of money coming in to pay it. A drug or alcohol addiction that you can’t overcome. A marital/relationship problem. Depression. Sickness. Is there something in your life bigger than you, pressing on you, ready to consume you? Do you feel like you, “have no might against this great company that cometh against us”?

When we go to God in prayer and for help we should confess to Him that we are powerless against our foe. We also need to recognize that God is the ultimate power and authority. This can be very difficult for man. It goes against the carnal grain of the man of this world with his pride and ego. It is surrender. But it isn’t surrender to the enemy, it is surrender to God, the ultimate power, authority and creator of all things. We let go and let God. We admit our weakness and inabilities and turn them all over to our Lord for salvation and protection. If we do not do this then the oncoming army of problems, which is too great for any of us to handle, will be victorious. We must turn to God for help, then step aside and have faith and trust in Him.

The second part of Jehoshaphat’s confession describes a place we’ve all been at. “…neither know we what to do”. Doesn’t this all sound familiar too? We have a problem that is too big for us to handle and we simply do not know what to do! We explore all options. Think and worry and try to come up with a resolution to the problem. We get lost. We see no way out of the situation. The devil is hoping we will crumble. But the answer is “our eyes are upon thee”. We must focus on the Lord and trust in Him.

“He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:7).

So what happens to King Jehoshaphat, Judah and the oncoming invasion after Jehoshaphat prays?

The Spirit of the Lord through a man named Jahaziel instructs the king and the people of Judah, “Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s”. (2 Chronicles 20:16)

This holds true for us too. When we turn to God and give Him our problems the battle is no longer ours, but God’s. We have to trust in Him completely and stop trying to fight God’s battles for Him.

Jahaziel, continues speaking by the Spirit and tells Judah, “To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:16-17)

Wow! The Lord instructs all of Judah to go to the battlefield, to meet the enemy face to face and to do what? Nothing! God tells Judah to, “stand ye still“! Why? Because the “battle is not yours, but God’s”.

As all of Judah rises up early the next morning to do as God commanded, King Jehoshaphat said something to his people that was vital for their victory. This is the substance of all things hoped for, the very foundation of our religion.

Jehoshaphat said, “Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper” (2 Chronicles 20:20).

For all this to happen. For all of this to be true. For all of their prayers to be answered and for all of their trials and tribulations to be overcome, it all boiled down to one thing. Belief in God and His word. Everything rests on belief. Jehoshaphat said, “Hear me… Believe in the Lord your God”!

Jehoshaphat appoints singers to go out before his army to sing praises of the Lord God. As they begin to sing here is what happened.

“And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped” (2 Chronicles 22-24).

Jehoshaphat learns that Judah is going to be attacked. He prays. God answers. God tells the people of Judah to go to war but to “stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah”. The people do as God said to do and what happens? The Ammonites, Moabites and those of mount Seir, “helped to destroy another”. The people of Judah stood still and watched while the enemy killed each other!

You have to believe in God and what he says. We have to, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

And most of all, we have to believe. Our salvation rests upon our belief in God, His word and Jesus Christ as our Savior.

“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe” (Galatians 3:22).

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26)

Jehoshaphat gives us 5 things to remember and keep to heart when it comes to God, prayer and dealing with the enemy, the devil.

1) Let God be the judge of our enemies.

2) We are powerless against the enemy on our own.

3) We don’t know what to do against the enemy when we are without God. After all, the enemy, the devil there, “is no truth in him….for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33). But the devil, on the other hand is the author and publisher of all lies and confusion!

4) Always stay focused on God.

5) In mind, body, heart, soul and spirit believe in God and every single word of His.

If we keep these 5 points of Jehoshaphat and live them daily then our lives will permanently change.

Bill Hitchcock

The Left Is Increasing It's Target From Top 1% To The Top 20%

Lookout for the left’s attempt to expand the hatred towards the country’s top 1% income earners to include the top 20% earners.  Why the hatred? To justify the left’s desire to levy greater and unfair taxes on more income producers so as to be able to pay for their socialist agenda.  

The NYT tipped their hand last month. Give me a few days to expand upon it.

I warned a few weeks ago of the left’s usage of the words "nationalist" and "nationalism" as a bigotry wedge. It has already come into fruition. 

Expanding class envy from the top 1% income producers to the top 20% income producers will be one of many steps the Democratic Party and the left will be taking in an attempt to have socialism overtake our Republic. 

Again, give me a few days to expand upon it.

Bill Hitchcock

Anything Created

“For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” (Psalm 135:5-6)

Anything created was created because God wanted it to exist. Anything created was created in accordance to how God wanted it to be.

God not only creates life, He maintains and sustains it as well. Whether it is a person or a planet, apple or animal, nothing is created or lives independent of God.

Through His Son Jesus Christ, God upholds, “all things by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3) and “by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17).

Remove God from the picture and there is nothing, literally. All creation stops. All life stops.

Some people labor under the false notion that God creates life, but then, for some reason, steps back and let’s go. Nothing could be further from the truth. Life itself, is in God's hands! God is just as active in each breathe of our lungs and beat of our heart as He is in each child He forms.

The lyrics of the Laurie London song are so very true. God does, “got the whole world in His hands”. God also has, “you and me brother in His hands”.

The hands that formed everything, also sustain everything.

Bill Hitchcock

My Soul, Wait

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 62:5-6)

It is not always easy to “wait” upon God, to sit still and “not be moved”, especially during times of turmoil. The nature of an agitated state motivates us to “move”. But waiting on the Lord is mandatory for our salvation.

The only time we move away from God is when we have something else to move to. If so, then God is not our only rock nor our sole (soul) expectation.

Bill Hitchcock

Filled with All the Fulness of God

“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19)

Knowledge and love. I often wonder which is more difficult for man to handle; that there are certain things of God above and beyond his comprehension, or of a love so pure and great that it can not be measured or weighed, to know that we can not fully comprehend the depth, breadth or width of that love.

“Though the love of Christ may be better perceived and known by Christians than it generally is, yet it cannot be fully understood on this side heaven.” (Matthew Henry)

It is due to the love of Christ which enables us to be “filled with all the fulness of God.” But let’s explore this further.

“…filled with all the fulness of God.” This is more than just being filled with God, but being filled with all that God has to bestow. It is God fulfilling His covenant with man. God’s fullness includes love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, godliness, 

righteousness and truth. And “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is no sin.

“And as what God fills, neither sin nor Satan can fill; consequently, it implies that the soul shall be emptied of sin, that sin shall neither have dominion over it, nor a being in it.” (Adam Clarke)

No sin, no misery.

To know Christ is one thing. Anyone can know Christ, including the devil. But to know the love of Christ and have an experimental knowledge of his presence, power, agency and riches is quite another.

Bill Hitchcock

A Vessel For The Finer

“Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.” (Proverbs 25:4)

Rephrased: Take away the sin from the man, and there shall come forth a vessel for God.

God can have no association with unrighteousness, for He is holy, pure and perfect. These are not attributes or characteristics of God, they are God.

Man is imperfect, impure and unrighteous. Corruption can not inherit incorruption.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Only by the blood of Christ is man washed clean of his sins. Only by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is man accepted into the Kingdom of God.

Bill Hitchcock

Lord, Lord

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

Let’s take a look at what Jesus says here, then take a step back from it. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven”. Most of the world’s population will not confess Jesus Christ as, “Lord”. Only a minority will. This is a very sad thought, for Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). The only way to the Father is through His Son, Jesus Christ. Most of the world has not and will not accept Christ as their Savior. Most of the world will perish.

But in this passage from the Book of Matthew, Jesus isn’t talking to the majority population that will die. He is addressing those who have confessed Him as their Savior. He makes it clear that, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven”.

In the Book of Luke, we see that Jesus asks, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Simply confessing Christ as your Savior is not sufficient. A hypocrite will confess Christ as his Savior as will the devil himself will too. Think about that for a moment.

But vain words accomplish nothing other than hastening your oncoming demise.

Jesus warned, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37).

“…he that doeth the will of my Father…” is he who will be saved.

What motivates our will? What generates the words that come out of our mouth?

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:45)

Be it good or bad, confession or denial, action or inaction, truth or hypocrisy, it all originates from the heart.

It is simple. That which fills the heart will flow through our lips. That in which we delight, we do! Action is the acid test of value. This is what Jesus is talking about.

“For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.” (Luke 6:43-44)

James discusses this matter of doing the will of the Father in detail in his epistle. He writes that a man may “say” he has faith in Christ. But James will show his faith in Christ by what he does (works). What is inside of a man will be made manifest by his works and words.

The God (or devil) inside the man will be made manifest outside of the man. It can’t be stopped.

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20).

Most of the world will not see heaven because most of the world will not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Confessing Jesus as Lord is not enough. Doing a good deed isn’t either. The devil himself can and will do both. He does it all of the time.

We must accept Jesus with all of our heart, mind, body, soul and spirit. Then, and only then will the works of Christ freely flow from our being, without thought or premeditation, because we will be in Christ, Christ will be in us, and all will be one.

Bill Hitchcock 

Nationalism

Just watch. The latest dirty word the left is going to try to paint the right with is, “nationalism”. It will be portrayed as bigotry, egotism and promoted as a threat. The Left will claim that “You can’t be part of the global community if you believe in nationalism!” The Left will even try to compare nationalism with Hitler (They really mean Nazism, but don’t confuse them.)

Nationalism by definition is a, “patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts.” Am I a nationalist? You better believe it. I love this country. So does the world! Notice how the world is trying to migrate to America, but next to no one is migrating from America to other places around the world.

America is the place to be. Why?

To be an American nationalist, one must have patriotic feelings towards the USA, its principles and efforts. Notice that nowhere in that definition is there any mention of birthright, place of origin, skin colour, sex, etc. This is what separates America and Americans from the rest of the world. America is an idea, a set of precepts and principles, a belief in a higher power and that through this higher power, good, and we as a nation, will prevail.

The basic beliefs, wants and will of American nationalism were so aptly defined in our Constitution.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."

This purpose is our identity and it is the draw that calls others from foreign lands. Nationalism, our purpose, is the one, singular, and unifying element of America and American nationalism.

When the Left points a furious, trembling, accusatorial finger at you and shouts “Nationalist!”, just turn, smile and say, “Yes, yes I am! Thank you for saying so!”

Bill Hitchcock

A Multiethnic Commercial
According to the Huffington Post, Ancestry.com has just released a commercial called, "Declaration Descendants" (See video below). Although I appreciate that the "new powerful and inclusive ad for Ancestry.com" left in, “that they are endowed by their Creator”, I was not pleased that they skipped over and omitted, “with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence” in this mega-condensed version of the Declaration of Independence.
And by the way, the purpose of the US was not multiculturalism. This is the effect of a country founded by our Creator and guided by Divine Providence.
I find it interesting that in the article it talks about how much America has “changed”. The Huffington Post fails to recognize the words of our founding fathers from the Declaration of Independence in which this ad was built upon, that these words are the original intent, idea and purpose of America. America didn’t change. Americans have. But the basic idea, precept and principles of this country were spelled out and "Declared" well over 200 years ago.

To read the complete article from the Huffington Post click here

Political Compromise

When did it become the purpose of government and politics to reach across the aisle, shake hands and compromise? Why is compromise now the desired achievement? Why is the tendency and desire to compromise by our elected officials considered to be a good thing?
 
When did accepting lower results and standards become desirable? When did mutual concession become the goal? 

I am very tired of hearing elected types, from both sides of the aisle, talk about reaching across the aisle to their Democrat/Republican friends and achieving some sold out version of the original purpose, a consolation prize. 

Compromise is today’s achievement. How sad.

Our Bones Are Scattered

“Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth. But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.” (Psalm 141:7-8)

Broken and torn all apart, with our bones scattered “at the grave's mouth”. But notice that the body is “at” and not “in” the grave’s mouth. Trials and tribulations in this life may break our bodies and deposit us at death’s door, but God stops it there, just like He did with Job. We are broken, but not destroyed. There is a reason

The two worst fates our body, our earthen vessel can face are destruction and death. But our treasure is not our earthen vessel, but rather in our earthen vessel.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2 Corinthians 4: 7-11)

The breaking body and death’s door quickens and strengthens the soul when our, “eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust”.

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1).

Notice that the Psalmist describes destruction and death of his body, but his concern expressed to God is about his soul. This is the reason.

The body is temporary and temporal. The spirit is perpetual. The devil wants us body-centric. God wants us spirit-centric. The devil will delight the lusts and senses of our body to make our spirit a slave to it. God will break the body to free and quicken our spirit from it.

Everyone in this life will be broken and delivered to death's door. We will be troubled, distressed, perplexed, persecuted and cast down. But if we keep our eyes on the Lord and maintain our complete trust in God, then we will see through the trials of the day unto the salvation and glory of Him. Look past the body. Look past death. Look unto God.

Bill Hitchcock