A City Of Refuge

News from Evangelist Mike Gendron                     February 2022 Freedom From the Fear of Death While the world remains focused on a deadly pestilence that has caused physical death to millions, there is another death that is much more terrifying because it has spiritual and eternal consequences. God's Word tells us that sin entered the world through Adam and "death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned" (Rom. 5:12). The punishment for sin is death, both physical and spiritual, which is separation from God (Rom. 6:23; Isaiah 59:2). While we mourn over the loss of physical life, and grieve with those who have lost loved ones from the China virus, the sorrow is magnified when they die both spiritually and eternally. Fallible vs. Infallible Sources for Truth It is truly amazing that people are willing to trust falliblesources to save them from the China virus, but are unwilling to trust an infallible source to save them from eternal death. Fallible sources such as the tyrannical government, health care providers, liberal media, big Pharma and "science" have proven to be dishonest, untrustworthy, inconsistent, unreliable and contradictory. Together, they are coercing naive people to take shots that are experimental, and that have proven to beineffective, dangerous, and sometimes even deadly. How can anyone think straight and make rational decisions when they hear conflicting and contradictory information from “authoritative” sources? Is there anywhere to find truth in this post-truth world? Yes indeed! We have an infallible source for truth, the Bible, which is 100% trustworthy because it is the inspired Word of God! The Bible gives infallible instructions for saving people from spiritual death, yet, it is often rejected, dismissed or ignored. You would think that people who continue to be misled and deceived byfallible sources would welcome an infallible source they could trust. The infallible, inspired Word of God is the only firm foundation on which we can stand. The Paralyzing Fear of Physical Death The fear of physical death enslaves those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 2:15). They are more than willing to give up their God-given rights and freedoms to trust an untrustworthy government to protect them. They gladly submit to government mask mandates, contact tracing, compulsory shots and lockdowns to protect them from the virus. Their constant fear and anxiety of physical death paralyzes them and makes them more susceptible to manipulation and control. Yet, their greater fear should be eternal death, where they will suffer the just punishment for their sins in a place of torments where they consciously experience pain and thirst from a burning fire. The horror and hopelessness is terrifying because the eternal state of punishment for their sins is irreversible; there is no second chance and no escape (Luke 16:19-31; Mat. 13:50). Man's eternal destiny is sealed at the moment of physical death. There Is no Human Cure for Sin While there may be a possible future cure for the China virus, there will never be a human cure for sin. The Lord says, “Your wound is incurable...There is no one to plead your cause, no healing for your sore, no recovery for you... Because your iniquity is great and your sins are numerous" (Jeremiah 30:12-14). Yet, all the religions of the world declare their litany of good works and rituals will appease their god and compensate for their sins. As a result, billions of people are trusting in a human cure that is ineffective in removing the sting of death. They go through life with a false hope, refusing to seek the one and only Savior who defeated the devil and the power of death (Heb. 2:14-15).  Man's True Diagnosis Must Be Made Known As Christians, who have been born again by the precious blood of our Savior, we need to make known the only cure for sin and spiritual death. We are ambassadors for Christ and have been given the great privilege and awesome responsibility to proclaim His promise of eternal life to those who repent and trust Him alone. As spiritual doctors, we must give our lost friends and loved ones the true diagnosis of their condition. First we must tell them the bad news. They were born with a deadly disease called sin, which has no human cure. Then we can proclaim the good news! A divine cure is available free for the asking because of a love story, written in blood, on a wooden cross, two thousand years ago. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed" (1 Pet. 2:24). "Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit" (1 Peter 3:18). Born Once, Die Twice; Born Twice, Die Once May God give us a greater compassion for those who may die without Christ. Remember, "He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death" (James 5:20). May our love for the Savior motivate us to sow the imperishable seed of God's Word that can bring forth life to those who are dead in sin. By the authority of God's Word, our infallible source for truth, we can say "you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God" (1 Pet. 1:23). Those who have experienced the second birth will never experience spiritual death. Their physical death is but an open door into the presence of our great God and Savior! Tragically, those who have been born only once with die twice - physically and spiritually.