GOSPEL NUGGET #564

Santa In Comparison With The Lord Jesus

* Santa believes that there are intrinsically, innately and inherently good people in this world. Not all are sinners. There are some who are essentially and constitutionally good people around. According to the Book of Claus chapter 1 verse 2, it says there: "He's making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice." (Cl 1:2)

The Lord Jesus, on the other hand, views all men as sinners. Romans 3:23 says: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

* Santa's gifts are not really gifts. They are rewards. They are given to those who have earned and merited it. Still, according to The Book Of Claus chapter 1 verse 2, it says there: "He's making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice." (Cl 1:2) Meaning, if you're naughty, you are not going to receive a gift. But if you are nice, you will. In other words, he is giving them something according to what they deserve. Actually, something that is earned or merited is not a gift. It's a reward.

The Lord Jesus' gift of salvation, on the other hand, is given as a gift indeed, hence, it is given gratuitously. He offers it so because salvation is Him being gracious and merciful.

According to the Book of Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8 and 9, it says there: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Titus 3:5 says: "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us"

GOSPEL NUGGET #563

One of the patrons of our small laundry business is a salon which rents a space in a big department store. Almost everyday I would go there and deliver or pick up their stuff. Doing so would require me to go through a security check at their entrances. The routine involves electronic frisking and physically inspecting the contents of my bag which I carry with me where ever I go.

The bag's usual contents? Two books, a kindle device, gospel tracts and a prominent and conspicuous Bible. Almost on cue, whenever they see the Bible in my bag, they noticeably drop their guard, call off the whole inspection process and casually wave at me to just proceed and enter. This has been my experience with them and their experience with me for the nth time already. At some point, they just stopped jimmying on my bag. Now, I just enter like a boss without them being nosy with what I have with me.

Personally, I don't approve of it really. They should not trust anybody just like that. Just because a person carries a Bible does not mean that he or she is safe. On occasion, I myself would insist that they check me out.

My experience gave me a gospel nugget to write. It is a picture of salvation. You see, a sinner does not enter heaven and enjoy God's presence because of the good character he carries or the absence of some objectionable things in him. No, he or she gets an admission to God because of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When God sees the Lord Jesus in your heart as your Savior, trusting in Him and what He did on the cross for salvation, God graciously nods His head and says: "Come in!" And you can boldly enter like the Boss' child.

GOSPEL NUGGET 562

Sinful Confidences, Sinful Creeds And Sinful Conduct

There is no question that conduct that does not align itself to the divine standard is something that is sinful. However, what many people do not know is that one can have the right conduct but carry in his bosom a sinful essential belief or creed. Not all right conduct is governed by a right essential belief. And a sinful creed or belief is as wrong and wicked as a sinful conduct and behavior. God is concerned with both. A man may do good deeds but if he has the wrong essential beliefs he will still go to hell.

To go even further, it is entirely possible to have the right conduct and the right essential beliefs and still go to hell. Right behavior and right beliefs do not necessarily result in a right kind of confidence.

You can be as orthoprax (having the right practice) as orthoprax can be, you can be as orthodox (having the right beliefs) as orthodox can be but if you have not placed your confidence in the Savior and what He did on the cross alone for salvation, you will still go to hell.

A sinner will not be saved by just merely having the right beliefs ABOUT Christ. No, that is not enough. It should lead to trusting in Him for salvation. Right belief about Christ should lead to confidence in Christ in order for salvation to take place. The devil and his demons rightly believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world but it does not mean that they trust in Him for salvation.

Many people today believe that the Lord Jesus is the Savior, that He died on the cross for them. But their faith is not solely in Him for salvation. They feel confident that because they are good people having done a lot of good works that they will be saved for it.

Yes, having the right conduct is important. Yes, having the right creed is important. But it is the right kind of confidence that saves. And one's confidence can only be right if it is confidence in the Savior; not confidence in self, in one's good character and good works.

GOSPEL NUGGET #561

From Rocks To Riches: A Spiritual Gemologist's View Of The Cross

 I've been watching videos about how gemologists do their thing. They have a special ability for recognizing precious stones that others casually overlook. They go to a side of a river and scour for the thing they are looking for and there it is --- they would see it!

To me, the stone looks pretty ho-hum ordinary. But it was actually jasper or sapphire or quartz and other valuable stones. Their eyes lit up and they gasp, saying: "Look! Look!" They would the stone and then they would hold it up against the sunlight and there it is --- a glimmering beauty of a gemstone!

Applying this to salvation, to me, gemologists are like enlightened sinners. They see gems and precious things on an ordinary hill called Calvary where many are unable to see.

1Co 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

How about you my friend? Are your eyes enlightened to the preciousness of what the Lord Jesus did on the cross for you? Is Calvary treasure or trash to you? Is it gold or garbage?

GOSPEL NUGGET #560

Mr 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
 Heb 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. . 

Notice carefully that the Lord Jesus did not say: “The kingdom of God belongs to these.” No, He says, “the kingdom of God belongs to SUCH as these.” That means it includes everybody including adults who possess childlike qualities we considered a while ago. 
However, based on these words, we can glean and learn a principle that childhood is a fertile ground for salvation. And the more we become older the more hardened our hearts can be if we consistently and stubbornly refuse or delay to repent. And the power to repent is not in us. It is something divinely offered and granted. And God could justly withdraw it if we are obstinate and unyielding. 

In the Gallup Surveys, this is what Gallup found statistically. Below a "Christian" is someone who has truly repented and trusted in Christ for salvation.

* 19 out of 20 people who became Christians did so before the age of 25.
* At age 25, 1 in 10,000 will become Christians.
* At age 35, 1 in 50,000 will become Christians.
* At age 45, 1 in 200, 000 will become Christians.
* At age 55, 1 in 300,000 will become Christians.
* At age 75, 1 in 700,000 will become Christians. .
.
My friend, do not delay repentance. Like a dependent and helpless child, entrust yourself to someone who could do all the saving for you --- the Lord Jesus Christ. He died for your sins and rose from the dead.

GOSPEL NUGGET 559

The World's Biggest Pearl

The world's current (as of 2018) biggest pearl is a ruler wide and more than 2 feet long. It weighs around 34 kilograms. Its worth is estimated to be a whopping 100 million dollars. It was found in the island of Palawan, Phillipines last 2016.  The fisherman who caught it was not aware of its value. It just sat under his bed for 10 years. When he turned it over to the Palawan government it was only then that he realized the treasure he had.

Like the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and its offer of salvation, it is heard in many ordinary and unassuming place or house. Its worth is beyond measure. Many are not aware of its value. They just make light of it. For years and years, it is just laid aside.

My friend, what are you doing with the "world's biggest pearl" found in the Gospel? Are you putting it off as nothing? Or have you seen its immense and infinite value for your soul?

Come to Christ. Trust in Him and what He did on the cross and claim the pearl of salvation all for free.