What is your perspective?

When you turn on your TV or pick up the local newspaper, it is almost certain that you will find something about the current global crisis. One newsflash will offer a very grim report on what is currently going on, another will offer a supposed word of hope ... “This crisis will not last forever!” Honestly, a lot of what comes from the mainstream media can be confusing. One reporter will say one thing and another will say something that is a total contradiction to the words of the first reporter! Whose voice do we listen to really? Can we fully trust, with 100% confidence, what is being brought to us by the media? Wouldn’t you agree that much of what we are being fed has some kind of bias to it?

It can be frustrating sometimes. And in all honesty, what is seen on TV and/or read in the newspaper can actually be downright discouraging, depressing, and even frightening. Where is the hope?! … the assurance in this world?! However (and that‘s a BIG however), isn’t it all a matter of having the proper perspective? Perspective is definitely key. Doesn’t it come down to what we are ultimately leaning upon, when trying to determine our assurance here and in the world to come? What this author is referring to is absolute and knowable truth, which comes directly from our God. This is our hope! … our assurance! Sadly to say, however, “truth” is becoming all too unpopular in this post-modern generation in which we are currently in. When you make claim to knowing the truth, and especially when you make definitive statements, such as, “There is only one true and living God, His Son Jesus Christ is the Truth, His Spirit leads His people into all truth, and the Bible is God’s voice of truth,” you are waging war against a large majority that proclaims “truth is only relative!”

In spite of anything, we need to remember that we are Christians in this world, with a proper perspective … an eternal perspective! This temporary dwelling place is in the midst of kingdoms which will one day have an end. The Kingdom in which we belong to is far different, high above all kingdoms, a Kingdom which is without end. As Christians we are never to place our hope in any kingdom other than the Lord’s, and we are not to put our confidence in any man other than the Lord who became man. Who do we listen to concerning this crisis then, or any crisis? Of course, our Lord … His voice. Our blessed assurance is found in His words. They are more sure and certain than anyone’s. Pick up the Bible … God‘s voice of truth. It will give you the answers you need.

But let’s say that somehow the mainstream media became honest in all of its reporting, without any contradictions! Wow! On top of that, what if all of the major kingdoms of the world started joining hand-in-hand and singing some pretty song in one accord. What then? These things, or anything mankind can muster, should not change our perspective. God’s word is clear, “[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” (Psalms 118:8) Our affection is to be set on things above, our perspective is to always remain on God’s Kingdom. Paul put it this way:

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
(Colossians 3:1-4)

Whatever crisis you face in life, perhaps even at this moment, be comforted by the Lord Himself. His words were written for our comfort, you know? “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) The old nature may desire to get downright discouraged, depressed, or frightened in different circumstances. Don’t let things in this present world move you, Christian! What is your perspective? Remember your King, remember His Kingdom, and always listen to and lean upon what Jesus has said. (Our Father said, “This is my beloved Son: hear him.”) This is the safest place you will ever be.

Our God is our Refuge,

One Clay Soldier among many

There will be a test

What lies ahead for our United States of America? Tremendous change! There is no doubt about it. Will it be change for the better or for the worse? Well, this author personally sees our beautiful country going in a wrong direction (which has been going on for some time now) and firmly believes that one day our precious freedoms will be either taken away or, at the very least, suppressed to some degree. On the other hand, the future is not in any way under our control, and our Lord made it very clear that we are not to worry about it. It is true that we are to be alert at all times, watchful, prayerful, and wise to plan for what lies ahead. Worrying, however, about what lies ahead, is something else. Each day, as our has Lord said, has its own troubles which need to be dealt with.

With everything going on in our country, and the rest of the world, it is becoming more and more evident that for every single Christian there will be a test. 1 Peter 1:1-7 speaks of the testing of our Christian faith. Perhaps your faith is being tested at this very moment in your life. Jesus told us before that we will have tribulation in this world. Are you facing tribulation in your life right now? It is one of His promises. What is radical about His promise is the other part of it, He has already overcome the world! We can rejoice and be of good cheer in spite of anything we may face! (John 16:33) Our Lord warned us about facing immense suffering, persecution, and possibly even death for His sake and for the Gospel’s. Once again, we can be of good cheer because He has promised us a blessing in all of this. (Matthew 5, The Beattitudes.)

One of the main reasons why this country is going in a wrong direction is because the true and living God and His Gospel are being rejected at a broader scale, in comparison to not too long ago. For example, recently the “Hate-Crimes Bill” has been passed by the House of Representatives and is on its way to the Senate. It is that much closer to becoming effective as Law! Do you know what that means for those of us who stand and speak for the truth of the Bible? Reader, are you ready to stand for the truth, even when the opposition becomes more bold and combative? Are you ready to give an answer (apologia: "verbal defense, a speech in defense") for the hope that lies within you? (1 Peter 3:15) There will be a test, Christian. How will you respond to what lies ahead? These things are not to scare you, but to prepare you.

Why such a hard message? The intention is not to be all gloom and doom. Christian, there is something that each one of us needs to fully realize as believers in this present world: What you believe in is in total opposition to the main message of the secular and religious world (apart from Jesus Christ). It is in total opposition! What we believe in concerning who the true and living God is and what His message of the Gospel is, goes entirely against everything the world and its god (the devil) has to offer. So, what is the message of the secular and religious world (apart from the Lord)? If you sum it up, the world and its god offers the deification of man and his enjoyment in the world‘s pleasures, the complete denial of the true and living God, and the all-out rejection of His Gospel.

Read the words of the humanist, the atheist, the satanist, and it is evident: (The serpent’s teaching from Genesis 3 is still being taught today. See also 1 John 2:15-17.)


The humanist

- “Religious Humanism considers the complete realization of human personality to be the end of man's life and seeks its development and fulfillment in the here and now. This is the explanation of the humanist's social passion.” (Humanist Manifesto I #8, Roy Wood Sellars and Raymond Bragg, 1933, allaboutGod.com.)

- "No deity will save us; we must save ourselves,"
- "We are responsible for what we are and for what we will be,"
- “…the battle for humankind's future must be waged and won in the public school classroom by teachers who correctly perceive their role as the proselytizers of a new faith: a religion of humanity that recognizes and respects the spark of what theologians call divinity in every human being."
- " Utilizing a classroom instead of a pulpit to convey humanist values in whatever subject they teach, regardless of the educational level - preschool day care or large state university." (Humanist Manifesto II, Paul Kurtz and Edwin H. Wilson, 1973, Wikipedia.org.)

The atheist

- “Do whatever you will, but first be such as are able to will (able to live your own will and no one else‘s).” Friedrich Nietzsche

- “The word "Christianity" is already a misunderstanding - in reality there has been only one Christian, and he died on the Cross.” Friedrich Nietzsche

- “There cannot be a God because if there were one, I could not believe that I was not He.” Friedrich Nietzsche

- “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives: who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it?” Friedrich Nietzsche


The satanist

- "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." (The Book of the Law, Aleister Crowley, 1904, Wikipedia.org.)

- “1. Life is the great indulgence - death, the great abstinence. Therefore, make the most of
life - HERE AND NOW!”
- “2. There is no heaven of glory bright, and no hell where sinners roast. Here and now is
our day of torment! Here and now is our day of joy! Here and now is our opportunity!
Choose ye this day, this hour, for no redeemer liveth!”
- “3. Say unto thine own heart, "I am mine own redeemer." (The Satanic Bible, The Book of Satan IV, Anton LaVey, 1969.)


These are some of the most blatant and the boldest statements of blasphemy I have ever read outside of what was revealed about the devil himself in the Bible. What is alarming is that these things were written within our own generation! Are we indeed in the last of the last days that are spoken of in the Scriptures? What lies ahead for our country? God knows, and His response to the way our country has chosen will be full of justice and truth. “For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, [those] nations shall be utterly wasted.” (Isaiah 60:12) “Blessed [is] the nation whose God [is] the LORD; [and] the people [whom] he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psalms 33:12) Proverbs also tells us that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach (or disgrace) to any people.

Our part, while we are here in this dark world, is to be salt and light. Know your God, know His will, know the Bible, be in prayer, fellowship, share the Gospel. Live out 1 Peter 3:15! The enemy of righteousness is very real (you have read from his messengers) and he desires to steal, kill, and destroy as many souls as he can while he still has time. Always be on guard, for your adversary is not always so blatant and so bold. Remember that the serpent is also very subtle.

But be encouraged, Christian, for the enemy’s days are truly numbered. God has already lived out Genesis 3:15 … at the cross!


The trying of our faith is more precious than that which perishes,

One Clay Soldier among many

How is Christianity any different?

Is it not true that there are many different religions in the world, but most of them basically teach the same thing? Yes. Why do I say this? Well, what is the core teaching of the major world religions that is similar between almost every single one of them? At the very core, is it not the necessity of man to try and live a morally pure life to the greatest of his ability, that he may be rewarded in this life and possibly in the life to come?

But is there any religion in the world that is far different from this, unique, one that stands out from the rest? There is, and that is of the Christian faith. But how exactly is Christianity any different from other religions in the world?

First of all, there is only one religion in the world that is pure and undefiled before God (James 1:26-27). What religion is that? If you are a Christian, you may have heard these words said before (maybe you have said them yourself): "I'm not in a religion, I have a reliationship (with God)." The word "religion" seems to have been given a negative connotation to it within the realm of Christianity. According to Vines Expository Dictionary religion is simply "careful of the externals of divine service..." From a Christian perspective, pure and undefiled religion is a living faith that produces godly outward actions, unlike dead religion that produces nothing except bad fruit. (James 2)

What major holiday is being celebrated today? Easter. What is its significance? Of course, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the most important difference between the various religions in the world and the Christian faith. We believe in what the living word of God has declared about the true and living God and His Son who was crucified, buried, and then rose again the third day.

We follow a Risen Savior. He is alive today! Jesus promised to always be with His church since he built it 2,000 years ago and that He would continually intercede for His church until the end comes. Can any other religion say the same? No.

As Christians, it is an absolute necessity for us to continually draw near to the Risen Savior by faith ("The just shall live by faith), in full dependence upon Him. Without Him, we do not have the ability to live out a religion that is pure and undefiled before God. And when it comes to our reward, it will be God Himself, worshipping Him in the glory of His presence.

He is risen indeed,

This is our hope, He is our hope,

One Clay Soldier among many

It is truly an American trajedy!

On January 22, 1973, over 36 years ago, the Supreme Court found the right to personal privacy to include abortion. Roe vs. Wade was a tragic mistake for our nation. Why? Since that ruling, more than 45 million unborn babies have been "legally" murdered, and that is just within our United States! Who knows how other nations have been impacted by this decision.

Listen, one more time, more than 45 million unborn babies have been "legally" murdered! This is so wrong! But why is it that many do not see this as being morally wrong? It seems like people these days are more concerned with their pockets. When it comes to the issue of life, it seems like it's more popular to defend the rights of animals than the rights of the unborn. Campaigns on saving our planet are even far more prevalent and given a lot more media coverage than campaigns on holding up the sanctity of life.

The true and living God has a word on this, "Thou shalt not kill." It is His sixth commandment. He has made it very clear. God sees this as being morally wrong; it is against His Law! Our problem is that we have rejected the true and living God and given ourselves over to gods that we have created in our own hearts. In truth, this nation needs to repent of its sin. Judgment will come, and it will come very hard, especially against those who promote the wicked act of abortion (ie. Planned Parenthood). We need to acknowledge our sin and cry out for God's mercy, before it's too late.

Standing for the unborn,

One Clay Soldier among many

Facing the Opposition (Answering September's questions one by one)

5 – So you actually believe that all you have to do is just have faith, and then you can just go on living whatever life you want to? … You can just go out and kill someone and you’re still “saved?”


What does God say in His word, the Bible?

Here are some main points that lead into answering the question.


God is good.

Mark 10:17-18


God's Law is holy, just, and good.

Romans 7:12


Mankind is not good.

Psalm 14:2-3

Romans 7:18


God's Law proves this fact: mankind is, in reality, sinful and guilty before The Judge of the whole earth.

Romans 3:19-20


Jesus Christ is good.

Matthew 5:17-18

Romans 10:4

Hebrews 4:15

1 John 3:5


Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinful and guilty mankind.

1 Timothy 1:15

John 3:16-17


The Gospel of grace is as simple as ...

1 Corinthians 15:1-4


Repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ is our response to the Gospel.

Acts 17:30

Mark 1:15

Romans 10:9-10, 13


Being saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ alone is clearly taught in the Bible.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Titus 3:3-7

Romans 4:1-8


We do believe that it is only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ that a man can be saved. However, we do not believe that a man can be genuinely saved and then go about practicing a rebellious lifestyle. He may stumble and sin in his life, but it will not be his lifestyle.

Most importantly, the Bible is clear on the matter.

Romans 6:1-4


The main reason why the question is raised is because man has a very low view of God and a very high view of himself.

Psalm 10:4

Psalm 16:12

Proverbs 21:2


The pride of man is revealed in this. God hates pride. He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Proverbs 8:13

Proverbs 16:5

Proverbs 21:4

James 4:6


When you say that the grace of God alone is not enough to save us, that we need to do our part to obtain salvation, you are denying the full efficacy and sufficiency of the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible declares that He alone saves!


To the religious LDS member who laughs and scoffs at what has been shared so far: Your pride has seriously blinded you. Do you really believe that you are good enough to stand before a Holy God?

You make claim to believing in Jesus Christ (although he is not the Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible; see Answer #3), you have been baptized, you attend church often, you do what the church requires of you to the best of your ability, and perhaps you even go beyond the call of duty. Is this what you will bring to the gates of God's Heaven?

With all of that said, let me ask you this very important question: What about your sin? If you say that you have no sin or that you have not sinned in such a way as to offend God, you deceive yourself and make God a liar. (1 John 1:8-10) Not convinced? How have you done in light of James 2:10 or Matthew 5:21-28?

Did you know that sin cannot enter into His kingdom? (See 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21. )

Listen reader, are you forgiven?

The Bible says, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness)." (Hebrews 9:22)

If there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood, what is your response to the sins you have committed after "receiving your testimony?"

The Bible says, "For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:13-14)

There is an absolute necessity for a total cleansing of all of our sins before we can enter God's kingdom.


Our plea to you is to repent (turn away from your sin and turn toward the true and living God) and believe (fully relying upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His work) the Gospel!

One Clay Soldier among many

Facing the Opposition (Answering September's questions one by one)

4 - By what authority were you baptized? … You don’t have the proper authority!


What does God say in His word, the Bible?

Matthew 28:18-20 ...Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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 alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Ephesians 1:20-23 ...He (God) wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places], Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Colossians 1:18 ...he (Jesus) 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.

1 Timothy 2:5 For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (No other man! Not an organization!)

Hebrews 4:13-16 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 7:23-26 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Can you honesly lay claim to this priesthood, especially in light of the last part of this passage?)

Born again Christians, members of the body of Christ, the Church, are baptized by the authority of Jesus Christ, according to the Bible. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, is our authority. LDS members, however, argue that their organization is the only true church upon the face of the earth. And it is only the LDS church that has received true authority directly from Jesus Christ, and holds this authority in order to give proper baptism.

Does their argument hold water? No, in no way. Why? Because the Lord Jesus Christ that is revealed in the Bible, God manifest in the flesh (John 1:1, 14; 1 Timothy 3:16), is not the Head of the LDS church. If He is not the Head, then there is absolutely no authority.

The jesus of Mormonism is not the Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible! God's word, the Bible, is clear on Who Jesus Christ is. Mormon doctrine outright denies what has been revealed in the Bible.

LDS neighbor, if you don't agree, the previous prophet and president of the LDS church declared the fact:

In speaking of Jesus Christ to his followers, Hinkley spoke of those outside the LDS church, who say Latter-day Saints do not believe in the traditional Christ: "No I don't. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak." (The Church News, June 20, 1998. Hinkley's address to Latter-day Saints in Paris.)


One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

One Clay Soldier among many

Facing the Opposition (Answering September's questions one by one)

3 - Who was Jesus praying to in the garden? (In other words, they are attacking the triune nature of God: One God, in three Persons.)

What does God say in His word, the Bible?


There is only one true and living God, period.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Exodus 20:1-3 And God spake all these words, saying, I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.


The true and living God never changes.

Malachi 3:6 For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Daniel 7:13-14 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed. (Compare Revelation 1:12-18.)

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.


The true and living God is ...

The Father

Old Testament - Psalm 2:7, Proverbs 30:4, Isaiah 64:8
New Testament - Matthew 3:16-17, Luke 11:2, John 17:4-5

The Son

Old Testament - Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 44:6
New Testament - John 1:1,14, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:8

The Holy Spirit

Old Testament - Genesis 1:2, Isaiah 61:1, Joel 2:28-29 (See Acts 2:16-18.)
New Testament - John 14:16-17, Acts 2:4, Acts 5:3-4


These three are One.

Matthew 28:19, Colossians 2:9, 1 John 5:7


There is still only one true and living God ... there always has been.

1 Corinthians 8:5-6, Ephesians 4:4-6, James 2:19


This question is definitely one of the most common of questions asked by an LDS member. And from my own personal experience, their approach in it comes with the attitude of, "I gotcha now!" Listen, the answer is very simple: Jesus was praying to God, the Father. He was not praying to Himself; the Bible does not teach that, nor do we believe that. One distinct Person within the Godhead was communicating with another.

God, the Son, left the glory of Heaven (John 17:5; See also Isaiah 42:8 regarding the glory of God.) and humbled Himself by becoming a man (Philippians 2:5-8). This did not change His Godhood (Hebrew 13:8). Jesus took on humanity, while sustaining His Divinity. When He prayed on earth, He prayed to God, the Father, who is in Heaven. Within the Bible you see communication between the Persons of the Godhead, even outside of the Gospels. (Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 11:7-8; Isaiah 6:8)


LDS neighbor, what about the passage in Hebrews 1:8? Who is speaking? Who is God? Who is He speaking with? And once again, who is God?


There are two common misconceptions that need to be addressed.

1 - The three persons within the Godhead are three separate Gods. There are numerous passages in the Bible which refute that doctrine, some of which have already been mentioned. (There is only one God, period.)

2 - The three persons within the Godhead are not actual persons, but personalities only. This doctrine is referred to as Modalism: God reveals Himself through three different modes. This heresy has been around for a long time and has been refuted with passages in the Bible, some of which have been mentioned. (There is only one God, and there are three distinct Persons referred to as God.)


Worship God in spirit and in truth,

One Clay Soldier among many