Unbelief Is A Cancer To The Soul
Unbelief Is A Cancer To The Soul
By Grant Phillips
The Church age, the Age of Grace, is all about “belief,” not just a superficial casual belief, but a belief that reaches to the soul and cries out to God. The Bible speaks of real authentic belief in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, as the only means of being saved from God’s judgment. Jesus called this belief, this wholehearted trust in Him, being “born again.” Belief in Jesus brings life eternal to the spirit of man that trusts in Him to be saved.
To arrive at the point of belief though, one must know they are a sinner and what sin actually is. They must know the condemning power of sin, and that they are helpless without a Savior. They must know what God requires of them and that it is belief in His Son. Who is God, and who are we that we need a Savior?
God left mankind a Book called the Bible. He compiled it over a period of almost two thousand years. Even though He used over forty writers, the Bible is one continuous unbroken message from God. One person is proclaimed throughout both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible; Jesus, the Son of God.
The Bible is God breathed.
“All Scripture is inspired by God [literally God breathed] and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB)
The Bible is Holy Spirit inspired.
“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:20-21 NASB)
In fourteen (14) Scripture passages God says the Bible is “My Word.” Four (4) of those are Isaiah 55:11; Jeremiah 23:29; John 5:24 and John 8:31.
In just one chapter of Psalm, chapter 119, David claims the Bible as “Thy Word” thirty-five (35) times, and there are many more references for those who care to search.
From Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21 the Bible is the Holy Word of Almighty God, the one and only true God.
God tells us in the Bible everything we need to know about Him, our need for Him, and how we can be with Him eternally. He tells us of judgments and of rewards. He leaves nothing hidden that we need to know. He also informs us that the Bible is His word, not the thoughts of men, but His word to us. God the Son, Jesus, is even called the “Word.” (John 1:1) So the Bible is the very word of God, composed by Him, about Him and for our benefit.
He has even proved that this Bible we speak of is His word by fulfilling His prophecies contained therein at a 100% success rate, which would be impossible for anyone but the one true God. By many other methods, such as the world around us, He proves to us, one and all, that this book we call the Bible is His word, but if we don’t believe the Bible, what then?
How can we believe of sin and its effects, or judgment, or salvation only in Christ, or salvation by grace through faith and not of works if we don’t believe the Bible? How can we believe we need a Savior, or in Heaven or hell, or in prophecies if we don’t believe the Bible?
How can we look upon mankind as anything other than another animal species if we don’t believe the Bible? How can we have respect for each other and for life itself if we don’t believe the Bible?
How can we have any hope in this world and how can we know of life after death? How can we know of judgment or reward after death if we don’t believe the Bible?
How can we believe there is God who wants to save us, and one called Satan who wants to destroy us if we don’t believe the Bible?
A Gallup poll, as of May 23, 2017, was taken on “Americans’ Views of the Bible.” The results are as follows:
Americans’ Views of the Bible
24% believe the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally.
47% believe the Bible is inspired by God, but not all of it is to be taken literally.
26% believe the Bible consists of fables, history, and moral precepts and is recorded by man.
And we wonder what is wrong with our society. If you warn people to flee a burning building, why should they bother if they don’t believe in fire? If you warn them that a vicious bear is after them, why should they run if they don’t believe in bears? This is the dilemma for many Americans today, not even counting the rest of the world.
In May of 2017 a Gallup poll showed the percentages of those polled who said that the following are morally acceptable.
63% – Gay/Lesbian relations (up 23% from 2001)
62% – Having a baby outside of marriage (up 17% from 2002)
69% – Sex between an unmarried man and woman (up 16% from 2001)
73% – Divorce (up 14% since 2001)
36% – Pornography (up 6% from 2011)
58% – Death penalty (down 5% from 2001)
36% – Sex between teenagers (up 4% since 2013)
9% – Extramarital affairs (up 2% since 2001)
43% – Abortion (up 1% since 2001)
Let’s try this poll by Gallup on for size. Percentage of those saying it is morally acceptable by party identification. Poll completed May 4-8, 2016. Republicans (R), Independents (I), Democrats (D)
Gay/Lesbian: 44(R), 62(I), 75(D)
Having a baby outside of marriage: 49(R), 64(I), 73(D)
Sex between an unmarried man and woman: 54(R), 70(I), 78(D)
Divorce: 67(R), 68(I), 83(D)
Pornography: 22(R), 36(I), 46(D)
Death penalty: 74(R), 56(I), 47(D)
Sex between teenagers: 25(R), 36(I), 52(D)
Extramarital affairs: 8(R), 12(I), 9(D)
Abortion: 24(R), 44(I), 62(D)
(Note: Extramarital affairs puzzled me for a while concerning the Democrats. They were at 9%? Then it dawned on me that they were at 83% concerning divorce. Now it makes sense.)
When comparing the last two Gallup polls with the first Gallup poll above, it is more than obvious what happens to a society when the Bible:
- Is not regarded as the very word of God and taken literally
- Is ignored, and
- When it is removed from the classroom, and elsewhere in society
The hounds of hell are unleashed and destroying the moral fabric of society. Without the Bible, not just in the church, but also within society there is no moral foundation. Nothing is left but a moral freefall where each person decides what is right in his/her own eyes.
Due to our rejection of God’s Holy Word, we are on the very cusp of facing judgment, individually and as a nation.
No one wants to hear the medical doctor say the word “cancer.” As bad as that is, we as a society are suffering something much worse. We have a cancer of the soul that is dragging millions into hell. I’m well aware that some do not want to hear that. “You’re being judgmental. Young people don’t want to hear that. You can’t judge. You need to show love. Etc., etc., etc.” I and others show you our love by telling you the truth. If you don’t want to listen, that’s between you and God.
The Bible is not to be interpreted by what “you” think it should say. It means just what it says, and every word is from a holy God who will not be mocked. There is no greater love than that shown by God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Those of us who know Him experience His love every day. Those who refuse Him will only experience His judgment.
Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 NASB)
If you are not part of the 24% who believe that the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally, I pray your eyes will be opened to the Truth. Don’t listen to the crowd. Don’t go with the flow. Be your own person and read the most important book you’ll ever hold in your hand, the Bible. Ask God to open your heart and help you see. Call upon Him before it is too late for your soul.
Grant Phillips
Email: [email protected]
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com