Question

Ask the Pastor – How is the Holy Spirit like the wind?

by

Question:

Can you please explain to me John 3:8. How is the Holy Spirit like the wind? I just do not understand what this means.

Answer:

This is a question that is circulating around and around the world today. There are many people who, because of such statements in the Bible, have come to the conclusion that there is no Holy Spirit. The truth is that there are many things in the Bible which we will not be able to understand until we are in heaven, simply because we are earth creatures. This is where the element of faith comes to play in understanding such things in the Bible.

First of all, let me state that the Bible teaches that there are three persons who make up the Godhead —the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (1 John 5:7.) In Genesis 1:2, the Bible is clear that the Spirit of God was present during the creation of this world. There are several instances in the Old Testament where the Spirit of the Lord is mentioned as doing a great work—the books of Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings just to mention a few. Of course, there is that famous passage by King David in Psalm 51 where he pleads with the Lord to not take the Holy Spirit from him. We cannot lightly dismiss these Bible teachings.

We must take into consideration what the Bible has to say about the Holy Spirit before we can understand the Holy Spirit as the wind. The Holy Spirit is the One who reproves us of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. (John 16:7, 8.) The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. (John 16:13.) The way that this all takes place is through the silent working of the Holy Spirit on our hearts and our minds.

Truth has force. It may be a gentle force, or it may be a strong force. There is the gentle breeze, and then there is the hurricane which blows with tremendous power. When the wind of the Holy Spirit blows on the heart and mind of an individual, things happen. That is why the word spirit is used in the Bible, both in the Hebrew and in the Greek, to describe the work of God through that heavenly agency. In both the Old and New Testaments, the word spirit means breath or wind.

Let us define this further. Wind is moving air, and this fresh air is needed continually for life itself. Even seeds often require wind for their dispersal and subsequent growth. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is the presence of God who is the giver of all life.

Wind has no material shape or form. It is invisible; we cannot see the source or the destination of wind. It is a mysterious, unseen force. Nevertheless, its presence is known by its effects. In the same way, the unseen Holy Spirit can be experienced in a refreshing way. His presence is displayed in the work He does in human lives by transforming, sanctifying, encouraging, and teaching.

Wind is a powerful force. It cannot be stopped or controlled by people. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is not subject to human control. The moving of the Holy Spirit is God at work.

In and through all the descriptions about God, we find enough information so we can grasp what God is about, concerning our salvation. We may not be able to understand every heavenly element, but enough has been revealed to us to generate faith so we can hold onto the rest until Jesus comes.

Pastor Mike Baugher is Associate Speaker for Steps to Life Ministry. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life Ministry, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Ask the Pastor – Will Everyone be in Heaven?

by

Question:

Something has been bothering me for quite a while. I know that eventually everyone will die. It seems to me that the important question is will they all go to heaven?

Answer:

Most everyone has a vague hope and longing that somehow he or she will make it to heaven. It is not surprising that people think this way, because there are so many widespread doctrines that encourage people to just be good—to do the best they can—and surely they will make it to heaven. Some even believe and teach that everyone will go to heaven, but this is just not true. Heaven is reserved only for those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. This in and of itself will exclude many.

Jesus clearly warned the people in His day, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13, 14.

Jesus also made it very clear that there would be many who would come to Him in the judgment, pleading for entrance, but who would be closed out. “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. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Verses 21–23.

Ultimately, there will be only a small number saved of all that have lived on this earth. This teaching of a remnant is found all through Scripture. In every age, there have been only a small number of people who were approved of God. In the days of Noah, only his immediate family was saved. This was indeed a remnant of all the people who were in the world at that time. In the days of Lot, we find a similar situation. Jesus used both of these individuals as reference points for His people of what it will be like in the last days before He comes to take the redeemed to heaven.

The Bible makes it very clear that only those who are surrendered and completely given over to God’s will are going to be with Him in the kingdom of heaven. It then becomes very important for us to know what God’s will is—not just guess at it or hope for the best. If we have the opportunity to know but do not put forth any effort to bring it together in our minds, then the loss of our souls will be our own fault.

The truth of the matter is that nearly all people will die without ever surrendering their lives to Jesus Christ Who died in their place for their sins. This, of course, is the reason why gospel workers are so intense about getting this message out to all people everywhere. To surrender self to Jesus is one of the most important things a person can do in his or her entire life. This is the only thing that gives true meaning to life here and in the hereafter.

Pastor Mike Baugher is Associate Speaker for Steps to Life Ministry. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life Ministry, P.O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Ask the Pastor – How to Deal with Angry People?

by

Question:

How do you deal with a person who loses their temper every time you try to discuss certain issues in order to clear up problems? I have been distressed about this for some time. Is there any easy way to relate to such a matter?

Answer:

You have touched on an important issue which many people are having to address. One of the problems many of us face today is stress. Stress can manifest itself in many forms. All forms of stress have harmful effects on our bodies as well as on our minds. The problem you ask about has its beginnings very early in life. Usually people like this have been raised without any direction or restraint and have dealt with life’s issues in a rude and selfish way—and have gotten their way. When a problem comes along and they do not get their way, stress develops. Uncontrolled stress will be manifested in anger and the loss of temper in an effort to get their way.

The Bible tells us, in Proverbs 22:6, that parents are to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” There is a tendency to limit this text to just the concepts of salvation, but this text deals with many other areas of life as well. It most certainly involves the character of a child who needs to realize that the world is bigger than just him or her. A child needs to understand that it must develop a character that considers others and that tantrums are not acceptable. If tantrums are not controlled when a child is young, temper will manifest itself in angry outbursts when he or she is grown.

There are many people who will not accept the biblical idea of correcting a child with corporal punishment when it is needed. They have accepted the philosophies of the world and have allowed their children to misbehave. As a result, they have done their children grave harm for this life as well as for the future life.

Proverbs 23:13, 14 has some interesting, inspired instruction for parents today. “Withhold not correction from the child: for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die [lose eternal life]. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” The problem with following through with this instruction is that many of the parents themselves are also out of control. They do not understand how to patiently punish for wrongdoing. As a result, laws have been passed which are designed to protect children from abusive parents. Through all of this, the devil is rejoicing.

When confronted with a person who has lost their temper, there may not be much that can be done except to work for that person’s salvation. 11 Corinthians 5:17 says: “If any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” If this indeed can take place through conversion, then the words of the apostle can be put into operation: “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.” Colossians 3:8, 9.

If this described conversion cannot take place in the life of the person with whom you associate, then you need to make a decision as to how you continue coming into contact with them. You need to pray and ask God how to respond to this issue. His grace is sufficient for all things.

Pastor Mike Baugher is Associate Speaker for Steps to Life. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Ask the Pastor – Majority Vote

by

Question:

A teaching is going around in our church that says when a vote is taken, if the majority supports it, it represents the voice of God to the people and should be accepted as truth. Should we really accept this?

Answer:

The schemes of men never seem to cease. There is probably nothing that is farther from the truth than such a teaching as this. God does work with order and organization, but there are limits. For a group to believe—whether it is a church, a medical institution, or an educational facility—that whatever decision they make by majority vote is divinely sanctioned and blessed is sheer ignorance of the Scripture’s instruction. This is precisely why there will be multitudes lost in the last days. As far as the Bible is concerned, the majority has never been in the will of God.

Looking over the centuries at the results of decisions formed concerning spiritual matters, the majority was never right. Jesus made this very plain in His instruction to His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount. (See Matthew 7:13, 14.)

The reason that such thinking comes into being is because someone wants to “run the show.” When this is done with a board of directors, there is usually a great deal of politicking going on. There are behind-the-scene meetings and phone calls made where ideas are advanced and proposals are strongly suggested, and then there is a push to accept these ideas as the only thing that is workable. The one who is pushing such ideas is usually a charismatic person who has a strong power of persuasion. But the truth of the matter is that when the majority vote is declared to be the voice of God, it is very possibly the voice of the devil, because of the manner by which the decision was arrived.

Further evidence supporting the truth that the voice of God is not heard in the majority is found in the fact that those who are making the decision may not have all the necessary information on which to make a godly decision. This is the reason subcommittees are often appointed to research information so that everything, as far as possible, can be brought into consideration for that decision.

It would be nice to have a Urim and Thummim on which we could call upon the Lord to help us make the right decisions, but unfortunately, we do not have such things today. We are told that we should not even cast lots in the decision-making process. So to invest a board with such powers as a vote in the majority is declared to be the voice of God only serves to set us up for fanaticism.

Godly decisions are based upon good and accurate information. Starting from a biblical point and then supporting the information through the Spirit of Prophecy is the only safe position for us to hold. Even when these steps are taken, we must make sure that we do not make these kinds of decisions the voice of God just because the majority votes them. In summary, we need to make sure that we support decisions based upon truth and not upon a majority vote of some committee.

Pastor Mike Baugher is Associate Speaker for Steps to Life. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Ask the Pastor – Let Order Prevail

by

Question:

I have a question concerning the text found in 1 Corinthians 11:10. I can understand what is being said before and after it, but what does this verse mean?

Answer:

This whole section of Scripture has caused questions among the saints for centuries. For some, it has allowed for the subjection of women to be just a little better than slaves. Others have made this section part of their doctrine as to how women should dress themselves. It is important that we understand the customs of those times, because God does work within the times and customs of the various races of people. Otherwise, if this were not true, polygamy could never have become as popular as it was in the lives of Old Testament patriarchs.

Ellen White makes no comment in regard to this text. What is left for us, then, is to try and figure out what Paul is getting at, based upon the whole chapter. We cannot divorce this text from the whole context. One thing is clear from the context. It deals with gospel order.

In the setting up of the early Christian church, it was extremely necessary that order prevail. The success of the church was dependent upon fellowship and mutual respect. In chapter 5 of the Book of Ephesians, Paul set in place the template from which all relationships and congregational fidelity were to be built. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” Verses 19–23.

Submission of one to another was the prevailing attitude throughout the East. This was the order that needed to prevail so that the church could prosper. This was part of what is known as gospel order.

There is one fact of which we cannot lose sight: we are not just an island unto ourselves. We have a responsibility to those around us in the church, and we also have a responsibility to the angelic host. The Book of Hebrews makes it plain when it says that the angels are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Hebrews 1:14. The whole creation is tied together. Our subjection to one another is a testimony that we are followers of Christ. Women’s subjection to their husbands is also a testimony to the heavenly hosts that God is right and the devil is wrong. The great controversy is still being decided in the minds of many in the universe, including the angels. How gospel order prevails in the lives of God’s people serves as a testimony to every creature in heaven and in earth.

This places a great responsibility upon us as heirs of the kingdom. It will only be when we get to heaven that we will fully understand how all this fits together. Until then, we need to follow the gospel order set down by inspiration.

Pastor Mike Baugher is Associate Speaker for Steps to Life. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Ask the Pastor – How to Cope with the Last Days

by

Question:

It is troubling for me to study about the last days. When I read that the majority are going to forsake us, I find myself weeping. How are we to deal with these conditions which we even now see coming at us from all directions?

Answer:

Studying last day events should always have a sobering effect upon us. But when we study, we should never allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by what we read. What we do need to remember is that God is in control of every event. There is nothing that happens in this world or to us of which God is not completely aware. What we need to understand is that God has revealed to us everything that is necessary so we can be victorious and be overcomers in this life. Being victorious overcomers does not mean that we will be able to change the events which we are told will take place. It only allows us to anticipate them and take measures for ourselves so that we will not be caught in some trap.

The devil has set many traps hoping that he will catch some of the saints of God. He does not use just one method. He has many methods. We need to make sure that we are reading and studying in such a way that we are taking into account what Inspiration has said, rather than what men have said. If we are depending upon God rather than upon some man, we will be found on the right side.

As I have traveled around the world, I have found that, for the most part, those who live in the Western world are very oriented toward and conscious about money. If you want to gain a following and build a bank account, then what you need to do is to write a book or produce a video in which you unfold secrets which nobody else knows. There seems to be something about the words: “They do not want you to know these things,” and it seems almost instantly that there is support and a following. We all want to know. We all want to have the inside information. This does not change as things move into the spiritual arena.

Men and women who are not knowledgeable about the Three Angels’ Messages have developed theories and prognostications concerning what is going to be taking place in the future. Some have been spiritually minded and others have been totally secular minded, but the surprising thing is that many historic Seventh-day Adventist ministry leaders have been drinking in all this information which has come from questionable sources and are formulating the information into an Adventist format and proclaiming it as gospel. The tragedy of all this is that many unsuspecting people are being swept into these fable-ridden theories and are making decisions that could affect their outlook on last day events and eventually affect their salvation.

We need to be very careful of those seeking support, who come with theories and prognostications which are designed to scare. Our God has not called us to fear; He has called us to hope. Even though we may not be able to escape the events of the last days, we can have peace in our hearts. I believe that it is God’s will that we are moved by reason and Inspiration rather than by speculation, which is not based on Inspiration.

When you hear a story about the last days, check it out with divinely-inspired writings. This will bring peace and eliminate fear for what is coming on the earth.

Pastor Mike Baugher is Associate Speaker for Steps to Life. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Ask the Pastor – Can you please explain the last two verses of John 14?

by

Question:

Can you please explain the last two verses of John 14?

Answer:

John 14 was the last effort Jesus put forth to explain to His disciples what was going to take place to finalize the plan of salvation. These last two verses unfold the deep commitment of Jesus and express the surety of victory over the devil who had brought so much woe, misery, and death to God’s creation.

The context of these verses centers in the promise of the Holy Spirit, who would be sent by the Father to teach them right and those things they did not understand and to instruct them continually in what was essential for their salvation and victory. (Verses 25, 26.)

In addition to the promise of the Holy Spirit, Jesus also promised them peace—a peace which would far surpass anything that the world was capable of giving. (Verses 27, 28.) The two promises Jesus had just spoken to them, of the Holy Spirit and of peace, are followed by a command of not being troubled or being afraid. If we somehow could just grasp these truths, then obeying this command would be a very simple matter.

Jesus then repeats to them what He had already told them earlier in the chapter about going away. The reason for this was to establish the truth of His word prophetically. Once the prophetic word has been established in the heart, the mind is set on fire to tell others what is true.

Coming now to the last two verses, Jesus says that He is not going to speak much longer with them, because the prince of this world is coming. Here Jesus is saying that He has already given them all the information necessary to make it through to the end. Nothing more, essentially, can be added at this point. The devil is on his way to bring the final test. What the important question now is, Have they learned the lessons that He has taught them? Jesus has learned and is able to go through, because He has been obedient to His Father.

His obedience has come because He loves His Father. This is the only place in Scripture where Jesus declares His love for the Father. The Father has stated in other texts that He loves the Son, but this is the only one where Jesus says this. Love produces obedience to the Father. If there is no love, there will be no will to do the Father’s wishes. Jesus is saying that He has done exactly what the Father has asked of Him, because He loves the Father.

This is an important aspect that many people do not learn. They may say that they love God or that they love their parents, but they do not do what is asked of them. As a result, they are always falling into trouble, which the devil brings, and have no defense, because they are not obedient to God or to their parents. This text spells out for us just how important it is to learn obedience, first to our parents’ wishes and then to God’s wishes, as we grow and mature in life. If we fail in this, then our whole life will end up in chaos. We may think everything is okay, but if we are not obedient to the Father, we will suffer loss. That is the point Jesus is making as He closes this section of Scripture.

Pastor Mike Baugher is a retired minister of the gospel. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Ask the Pastor – Instant Conversion

by

Question:

Is there such a thing as an instant conversion? Should not conversions take place over a period of time so that people can process the gospel?

Answer:

The New Testament is our model for carrying the gospel to the entire world. In the Book of Acts, we find the example of an instant conversion of the Philippian jailer. (See Acts 16:16–34.) Although an earthquake is a shaky foundation on which to make a religious decision, the jailer at Philippi serves as an example of such an experience. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The testimony of the apostle Paul served to make sense of what had happened and caused this jailer to fear God. Fear sometimes contributes to an instant conversion. Certain other circumstances sometimes do the same, but God can use all events in an effort to confront individuals with the decision of accepting Jesus as Saviour.

Fear can bring a person to a point of clarity in understanding so that conversion can, in reality, take place. This jailer was fearful. He was afraid of the earthquake. He was fearful that the prisoners had escaped. He was fearful that he would be held accountable for their escape. When he learned that everything was all right, the first question he asked was, “What must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30. He recognized that what had happened was not just a natural event. When something unusual takes place in a person’s life, it puts into motion the thought that there might be some supernatural cause for what is happening, and when an explanation is found, conversions can happen instantly.

Paul’s quick response was, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Verse 31. From all appearances, this man was a hardened prison keeper. He was Roman, a heathen man. But an event of such proportions brought about an instant conversion.

Instant conversions such as this one can take place today. We do not know the extent of God’s working in an individual’s life. All we need to know is that we need to be instant in season and out of season to preach the gospel message, as was Paul. Paul’s words were short and to the point: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” This message has not changed since that day. Jesus is still the Saviour of fallen mankind and always will be. Some will study long; others will be converted in an instant. We need to be ready to be used of the Lord to bring the message of hope and salvation whenever circumstances call for us to witness.

Pastor Mike Baugher is a retired minister of the gospel. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Ask the Pastor – Matthew 15:11

by

Question:

What is the meaning of the text Matthew 15:11? Does it mean that we can eat anything we want?

Answer:

While in debate with Jewish leaders over His disciples’ practice of eating without washing their hands, Jesus said, “What proceeds out of the mouth defiles the man.” (Matthew 15:11.) In the previous verse, Jesus said, “Hear me and understand.” In other words, “I am about to say something absolutely fundamental, and you must understand it.”

“It is not what goes into one’s mouth that defiles him, but what comes out of the mouth defiles him.” (Verse 11.) Their diligence in washing their hands was not a matter of removing physical dirt, but a matter of spiritual and moral cleanness. To them, holiness consisted in acts one might do or not do. So Jesus explained: “things that . . . come from the heart . . . defile the man.” (See Matthew 15:17–20; Mark 7:21, 22.) Defilement is not a matter of just what is external. “Unholiness” does not consist of actions. What “defiles” is what is in the heart. A mere act, of whatever character, is neither holy nor unholy in and of itself. Morality is not simply in the nature of the act itself but in what is in the heart of the “actor.”

Our heart is the source of all “evil” deeds. God judges our deeds according to what He finds in our hearts. God’s primary question is not, “What did you do?” but, “Why did you do it?” The evil attached to external action depends on the motive of the one doing it. “Good” deeds are not “good” if they arise from legalism or if done from improper motives.

As examples, consider the case of David eating the shewbread and the priests working on the Sabbath day. (See Matthew 12:3–5.) These deeds are not permitted under normal circumstances, but if the heart is right, then the deed is right before God. Jesus tells this as a follow-up to the issue of eating with defiled hands.

Learning this truth is crucial to our spiritual health. Churches are full of people who struggle with personal spirituality and their relationship with God. This mindset is a barrier to prayer, praise, and worship. This faulty self-judgment manifests itself in faulty judgment of others and has been directly responsible for countless church divisions.

God judges motives before He judges actions, and He grants mercy and grace to us when we do wrong things, if our hearts do not lean toward sin. God mitigates sin with grace, for those whose hearts are right. A vivid example of this is seen in His own mitigation of His indisputable law, “Thou shalt not kill,” and “whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.” (Exodus 20:13; Genesis 9:5, 6.) Notice that God says, “If a man takes the life of any human being, he shall surely be put to death.” (Leviticus 24:17.) His “law” on this cannot be more precisely and emphatically stated. Yet God provided “cities of refuge” for those who “killed” without malice. (See Numbers 35; Joshua 20, 21; 1 Chronicles 6.) Killing another human is the worst thing one could ever do. It is the ultimate breach of God’s fundamental law of love for others. Yet God’s first look is not at the act of taking another’s life. His first concern is the motive of the “killer.” I hope that this helps your understanding of this text.

Pastor Mike Baugher is a retired minister of the gospel. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Ask the Pastor – Manasseh’s Rule

by

Question:

Why did the Lord allow wicked Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, to reign over God’s people for so long a period?

Answer:

Manasseh was the fourteenth ruler of the kingdom of Judah. He reigned for 55 years, which is the longest reign in the history of Judah or Israel. During part of this long reign, he was a co-ruler with his father Hezekiah. During this period of time, the Bible tells us that he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. (11 Chronicles 33:2.) While we cannot totally explain the length of time of his reign or why he did what he did, the story of Manasseh is recorded to show God’s long-suffering for those who can eventually be saved in the kingdom of heaven.

Many times, if it were up to us as human beings, we would write off numerous potential saints, because they do not shape up to our expectations. There is a tendency to judge ourselves among ourselves, and those who do things differently from us or think differently than us are consigned to the trash heap to be burned up at the end of the world. But God does not see as we see. In spite of the terrible sins that some people commit, God forbears with them and works with them, sometimes through affliction, to save them for the kingdom of heaven. This is what happened to Manasseh. He was disobedient to the Lord. He was disobedient to those who had conquered the land of Judah and placed him as king, and he was not protective of his own family. (See 11 Chronicles 33:6.) In our thinking, this man should never be allowed to enter into heaven. But the plan of salvation is so encompassing and so extensive in its scope, that God was able to save this king for heaven. (See 11 Chronicles 33:11–13.)

Even though this story reveals gruesome insights into the life of this man, it also unfolds the truth that where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. (Romans 5:20.) Because of God’s grace, we can be in heaven with all the saints regardless of what we have done—if we repent of those sins and accept Jesus as our Saviour. We may not begin to equal the terrible acts of Manasseh, but one sin, unconfessed, will close us out of the kingdom of heaven. It is grace, and grace only, which opens the gates to any who will enter. God allowed Manasseh to reign for so long a period because, at the end, he participated in reforms and eventually developed a desire for heaven.

Time is in God’s hands, not in our own. Our whole duty is to fear God and keep His commandments. (Ecclesiastes 12:13.) If we do these things, while Jesus is our Saviour, we will one day understand more clearly things that now are only seen dimly.

Pastor Mike Baugher is a retired minister of the gospel. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: Land Marks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.