Chapter 10 WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? Commentary by C.A. Feenstra

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Feenstra/C/A/1931/ch10.html

Chapter 10

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Q. Does GOD'S WORD teach that God is sovereign and that He controls and rules over all the affairs of men?

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Gen. 1:1

"Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all." Psalm 103:19

"Jehovah shall reign for ever and ever." Ex. 15:18

"Thine, O Jehovah, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Jehovah, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou rulest over all; and in thy hand is power and might; and in thy hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all." 1 Chron. 29:11-12

"And at the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" Dan. 4:34-35

Q. If God is sovereign, does man have the right to make and to choose the conditions for his own salvation from sin?

Q. If God is sovereign, must man to be saved, subject himself to the conditions plainly outlined by this sovereign God in His WORD?

Q. Does man have the right to teach that man is born too totally depraved to obey the conditions of salvation given by the sovereign God in His WORD?

Q. What are the conditions of salvation given by the sovereign God in His WORD?

"Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. To him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you. And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people." Acts 3:22-23

"God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son." Heb. 1:1-2

"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." Matt. 17:5

"And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matt. 28:18-19

"And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned." Mark 16:15-16

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5

"He (Jesus) became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation." Heb. 5:9

	"Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31
	"Repent ye therefore ... that your sins may be blotted out." Acts 3:19
	"With the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10:10b
	"Be baptized, and wash away thy sins." Acts 22:16
	"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life." Rev. 2:10

Q. Can we understand from these five scriptures that there are five ways for man to be saved?

Q. Is the way of salvation "multiple choice"?

Q. Does man have the right to choose one of these or any combination of these, as the way in which he wishes to be saved?

Q. Is any one of these more important than any other?

Q. Is the person who says that he is saved by "faith only", any more saved than a person who would say that he is saved by "baptism only"?

* * *

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matt. 4:4

"Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son." II John 9

Q. Does GOD'S WORD teach that a man, to be saved, must have a good and honest heart and a love for truth?

"The seed is the word of God...
And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience." Luke 8:11, 15

"Them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." II Thess. 2:10

"Jesus therefore said...
ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 3:31, 32

"Thy word is truth..." John 17:17

* * *

Q. How many times in GOD'S WORD is the all important question, "What must I do to be saved?" asked and answered?

"What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" (the rich young ruler) Matt. 19:16

"What must I do to be saved?" (the Philippian jailor) Acts 16:30

"What shall we do?" (the men on Pentecost) Acts 2:37

"What shall I do, Lord?" (Saul of Tarsus) Acts 22:10

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, when persons living under the law of Moses asked, What must I do to be saved?, what answer were they given?

"And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he (Jesus) said unto him ... if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Matt. 19:16-19

Q. Did Jesus himself also live under and keep the law of Moses?

"But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law." Gal. 4:4

* * *

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, when a heathen unbeliever who had never before heard of Jesus and His gospel, asked, What must I do to be saved?, what answer was he given?

"And he (the Philippian jailor) called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God. Acts 16:29-34

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, when men who had been made believers by hearing the gospel preached, asked, What must we do to be saved?, what answer were they given?

"Now when they (the men on Pentecost) heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?
And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:37-38

"They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls ... And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved." Acts 2:41, 47

"But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, when a man who had been made a repentant believer asked, What must I do to be saved?, what answer was he given?

"And I (Saul) said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do." Acts 22:10

"And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. ...
And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. ...
And the Lord said unto him (Ananias), Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth." Acts 9:5-6, 9, 11
"And he (Ananias) said ... And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name." Acts 22:14,16

Examples of Conversion from GOD'S WORD

Preaching	Believed	Repented	Confessed	Baptized	Saved
Pentecost Acts 2:14-41		repent v 37-38		baptized v 38, 41	remission of sins, saved v 38, 47
Samaritans Acts 8:5-13	believed 12			baptized 12-13
The eunuch Acts 8:35-39	believed 36-37		confessed 37	baptized 38-39	rejoiced 39
Saul Acts 22:14-16				baptized 9:18	sins washed away 22:16
Cornelius Acts 10:34-48	believed 43			baptized 48	remissions of sins 43
The jailor Acts 16:30-34	believed 31			baptized 33	rejoiced 34
Lydia Acts 16:13-15				baptized 15
Corinthians Acts 18:8	believed 8			baptized 8
Hearing Rom. 10:14, 17	Faith Heb. 11:6	Repentance Lk. 13:4	Confession Rom. 10:10	Baptism Gal. 3:27	Salvation II Tim. 2:10

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

IMMERSED---SPRINKLED---POURED BY STEVE FINNELL

http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/09/

IMMERSED---SPRINKLED---POURED  BY STEVE FINNELL

Does the word baptized have multiple meanings? Is it possible and, or, credible to define the word baptized as 1. immersed 2. sprinkled 3. poured? How would that work as a practicable application?

Baptize, baptized, and baptism are all define as immersion, immersed, plunged or dipped.

Can the words immersed, sprinkled, and poured be used interchangeably in place of baptized, baptism, and baptizing? No they cannot, because they are not the same word. They are not equal in meaning. They not by definition identical. They are not synonymous words.

A COMPARISON OF THESE SO-CALLED INTERCHANGEABLE WORDS.

 SCRIPTURE QUOTE: Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.

COMPARISON 1: Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be immersed by him.

COMPARISON 2: Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be sprinkled by him.

COMPARISON 3: Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be poured by him.

Interchangeable? You make the call.

SCRIPTURE QUOTE: Romans 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death.......

COMPARISON 1: Therefore we have been buried with him through immersion into death......

COMPARISON 2: Therefore we have been buried with him through sprinkling into death.......

COMPARISON 3: Therefore we have been buried with him through pouring into death.......

Can you really be buried through pouring or sprinkling? They are not equal to immersion.

SCRIPTURE QUOTE: John 3:23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized---

COMPARISON 1: John also was immersing in Aenon near Salim,because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being immersed---

COMPARISON 2: John also was sprinkling in Aenon near Salim,because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being sprinkled---

COMPARISON 3: John also was pouring in Aenon near Salim,because there was much water there; and people were coming and being poured---

Did John need much water for pouring and sprinkling? Are the three words really synonymous? No, they are not.

SCRIPTURE QUOTE: Colossians 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were raise up with Him through faith in the working of God.....

COMPARISON 1: having been buried with Him in immersion, in which you were raised up with Him through the working of God.....

COMPARISON 2: having been buried with Him in sprinkling, in which you were raised up with Him through the working of God.....

COMPARISON 3: having been buried with Him in pouring, in which you were raised up with Him through the working of God....

Immersion, sprinkling and pouring, are they interchangeable, are they identical, are they equal, are they the same, are they synonymous? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

BAPTIZE MEANS TO IMMERSE. THERE ARE NOT MODES OF BAPTISM, THERE IS JUST BAPTISM. TO BAPTIZE IN WATER MEANS TO IMMERSE, PLUNGE,
 DIP, SUBMERGE.

The word baptized in most Bible translations is a transliteration.

Transliterate Defined: to change letters, words, etc. into corresponding characters of another alphabet or language.

The following are two translations that translate as opposed to transliterate.

Mark 16:16 Whoever trusts and is immersed will be saved; whoever does not trust will be condemned. (CJB-Complete Jewish Bible)

Mark 16:16 He who has believed, and has been immersed, will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (The Better Version of The New Testament by Chester Estes)

The is one modes of baptism. That being immersion.

There are no translations that translate  Mark 16:16 as---  sprinkled or poured.  

Word of the Week: Free by –Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

 

 https://thepreachersword.com/2017/07/03/word-of-the-week-free/#more-10910

Word of the Week: Free

On Liberty Island in New York City Harbor stands the colossal Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States. It’s an imposing, inspiring sight. The statue itself is 151′ tall and from its base to the torch measures 305′.

The statue has become an icon of freedom, both for American citizens and for immigrants arriving on our shores through Ellis Island. Engraved on the tablet are these words written by poet Emma Lazarus in 1883.

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

Those who settled on our shores craved freedom. They desired to be free from tyranny. Free to worship. Free to pursue one’s dreams. Free to work. To earn. To own. And free to enjoy the fruit of one’s labors.

The spirit of American freedom is captured in part by Lee Greenwood’s stirring song, “I’m proud to be an American”

If tomorrow all the things were gone
I’d worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife

I’d thank my lucky stars
To be living here today
Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can’t take that away

And I’m proud to be an American
Where at least I know I’m free

However, Johann von Goethe’s words come to mind who wrote, “None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” Goethe’s pertinent observation perfectly captures the sad plight of many Americans today.

No, I’m not talking about governmental intrusion in our lives. Or strangling over-regulation of small businesses. Or racial or social inequality. Or even the current debate on immigration.

No, there is an enslavement more serious. A servitude more grievous. A captivity with greater consequences.

It is slavery to sin.

The wise man wrote “The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast (Prov. 5:22).

The Psalmist put this way, “The wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands” (Ps 9:16)

Righteous Job also spoke of the plight of the wicked when he opined, “For he is cast into a net by his own feet, And he walks into a snare” (Job 18:8).

Ironically, in the “land of the free” many citizens are enslaved by addictions. Lusts. Greed. Power. Possessions. And pleasure. Others are ensnared by false religion. Fanciful ideologies. And faulty, flawed philosophies.

Jesus promised, “You shall know the Truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32

In Romans chapter 5 and 6 Paul argues that God has provided the “free gift” of His grace through Jesus Christ. Through his sacrificial death of the cross, we can “be set free from sin” and free to enjoy the privileges and prerogatives that come with a relationship with God.

To be spiritually free is to be liberated from nagging guilt. A pained conscience. A troubled mind. An aimless wandering. And emotional baggage.

And so, on the eve of the 241st birthday of America, you can thank God for your political, social, economic and personal freedom. But, if you’re a Christian, you can be grateful for an even greater freedom, the spiritual freedom in Jesus.

If you’re not a Christian, in the words of hymn writer Lewis Ellis Jones, “Would you be free from your burden of sin? “There’s power in the blood.” “There is wonder-working power in the blood of the lamb.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN" Fruit-Bearing Discipleship (15:8)

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

Fruit-Bearing Discipleship (15:8)

INTRODUCTION

1. What does the Lord desire of His disciples...?
1. Surely He desires their heart (faith) - He 11:6; Jn 8:24
2. But He also desires their hands (works) - Lk 6:46
2. Works are an important part of our discipleship...
1. We are created in Christ for this very purpose - Ep 2:10
2. By them we glorify God - Mt 5:16; Jn 15:8

[Good works are an indication of "bearing fruit" as disciples of Christ. As we focus our attention on the theme of "Fruit-Bearing Discipleship", let me reiterate that...]

1. BEARING FRUIT IS NECESSARY TO BEING A DISCIPLE
1. AS TAUGHT BY JESUS...
1. Glorifying God by bearing fruit is a mark of discipleship - Jn 15:8
2. Disciples have been "appointed" to bear fruit - Jn 15:16
2. OTHERWISE WE ARE CUT OFF...
1. From Christ, the true vine, and His Father as the vine dresser - Jn 15:1
2. As branches that no longer bear fruit - Jn 15:2
3. Whose end is to burned - Jn 15:6; cf. He 6:7-8

[The end of unfruitful disciples is dreadful to contemplate. Like the Hebrew writer (He 6:9), I wish to be more confident of better things regarding our discipleship. We can be, by remembering that...]

2. BEARING FRUIT IS CONTINGENT ON ABIDING IN CHRIST
1. AS TAUGHT BY JESUS...
1. We must abide in Him, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself - Jn 15:4
2. Abiding in him, we bear much fruit; without Him we can do nothing Jn15:5
3. As confessed by Paul in Php 4:13; 2Co 3:5
2. HOW WE CAN ABIDE IN CHRIST...
1. First, by putting Him on in baptism - Ga 3:27
2. Then, by abiding in His love through keeping His commandments - Jn 15:9-10; cf. Jn 14:15,21-23

[To be a disciple, we must bear fruit. To bear fruit, we must abide in Christ. To abide in Christ, we must keep His commandments. But what kind of fruits will disciples bear...?]

3. BEARING FRUIT IS MANIFESTED IN VARIOUS WAYS
1. WINNING SOULS TO CHRIST...
1. As expressed by Paul in his desire to go to Rome - Ro 1:13
2. Disciples creating more disciples is a natural indication of bearing fruit - cf. Mt 28:19-20
2. SHARING WITH THOSE IN NEED...
1. As explained by Paul in describing the contribution to poor saints - Ro 15:25-28
2. Which was evidence of God's grace at work in the givers - cf. 2Co 8:1-2; 9:12-14
3. DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER...
1. Indicating that one is walking in the Spirit - Ga 5:16,22-23
2. Evidence that is diligent in growing the true knowledge of Jesus - 2Pe 1:5-8
4. PRAISING GOD AND GIVING THANKS...
1. The fruit of our lips in praise and prayer are spiritual sacrifices - He 13:15
2. Which we are to offer continually - He 13:15

[As we bear fruit in these different ways, we not only glorify God and prove to be fruitful disciples, we also experience the "abundant" life of which Jesus speaks (Jn 10:10)...]

4. BEARING FRUIT LEADS TO THE FULFILLED LIFE
1. WINNING SOULS PRODUCES JOY...
1. As Paul found to be case with the Thessalonians - 1Th 2:19-20
2. As John realized with his "children" - 3Jn 4
-- One reason many Christians do not live a life of joy is that they never bear fruit in leading others to Christ!
2. SHARING WITH OTHERS PRODUCES HAPPINESS...
1. Those who give are "blessed" - Ac 20:35
2. The word "blessed" can be translated "happy"
-- If Christians are so materialistic and selfish that they do not share, they will never know the blessedness of giving!
3. DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER PRODUCES ASSURANCE...
1. Growing in the true knowledge of Christ ensures an "abundant entrance" into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord - 2Pe 1:8-11
2. Developing a Christ-like love gives assurance of one's discipleship and salvation - Jn 13:34-35; 1Jn 3:14,18-19
-- Many Christians have no assurance; and no wonder, if their character remains unchanged as evidenced by little love for the brethren!
4. PRAISING GOD AND GIVING THANKS PRODUCES PEACE...
1. Prayer is the antidote for anxiety - Php 4:6
2. For in response to prayer God will guard our hearts through His peace Php 4:7
-- Failing to bear much fruit in regards to prayer, Christians will be filled with anxious lives, not abundant living!

CONCLUSION

1. Why is "Fruit-Bearing Discipleship" so important...?
1. It is necessary to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ
2. It is necessary to be a fulfilled disciple of Jesus Christ
2. If you desire to be both a faithful and fulfilled disciple of Jesus...
1. Abide in Him by keeping His commands
2. Produce fruit that glorifies His Father "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (Jn 15:8)

If you are not yet a disciple of Jesus, then let His own words lead you to become one - Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2021

 

Where Is God when I Hurt? by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

 https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=1238

  Where Is God when I Hurt?

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

No doubt many people over the centuries and throughout the world have rejected belief in the one true God on the grounds that they have witnessed or experienced great pain and suffering. Perhaps the loss of a loved one, or some other tragedy in their life, made them resentful and bitter toward God and life. By blaming God, somehow the pain seemed more bearable. But the Bible speaks definitively on this matter. And only the Bible can give us an accurate explanation for the existence of pain and suffering on the Earth.

Many great men and women in Bible history have preceded us in their attempts to live faithfully for God in the face of great hardship. Being human beings just like us, they faced the daily struggle to overcome self, sin, and Satan. They, too, had to cope with the stress and strain of life. They, too, had to endure hurt. We can learn from their behavior (Romans 15:4). If we will consider their lives and their reaction to the difficulties of life, we can receive from their example the necessary strength to endure. When we observe how they were mistreated and persecuted, and how they coped with their hurt, we can draw from them the needed encouragement to endure and achieve the victory.

STEPHEN

For example, in his efforts to live the Christian life, Stephen found himself standing before the highest legislative body of the Jewish nation—the 71 members of the Sanhedrin that included the High Priest as president. He was on trial for his life. Instead of offering a legal defense, he preached a sermon. He surveyed Israelite history, spotlighting their behavioral propensity for apostasy, and then he drove his sermon home with this grand conclusion:

You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it (Acts 7:51-53).

Here was this great man of God, on trial for his life, and yet no speech could ever be less calculated to gain one’s acquittal. Instead of defending himself to achieve his release, Stephen’s sermon placed his accusers on trial before the bar of God!

Their reaction? They were cut to the heart and gritted their teeth at him. They began yelling at the top of their lungs while they stopped up their ears. Then they ran at him, dragged him outside the city, and threw rocks at him until they beat the life from his body. Did Stephen experience great hurt? Yes, even unto death! Where was God? Right there with him! In fact, by the miraculous intervention of God, he was able to gaze upward into heaven itself and see the glory of God, and Jesus standing at His right hand. When you and I hurt, God and Christ are still there!

ELIJAH

Then there was Elijah (1 Kings 19). Upon hearing that Jezebel had “put out a contract” on his life, he literally “ran for his life” into the desert and hid in a cave. God spoke to him directly and said, “Elijah, what are you doing here?” His response showed a heart filled with desperation and despair when he insisted that he had been very zealous for the Lord, despite the fact that the Israelites had forsaken the covenant, torn down God’s altars, and killed God’s prophets. He felt he was the only one left—and they were trying to kill him, too! Here was a man who felt the crushing pressure of persecution. Here was a man who was hurting.

Yet, God had provided him with appropriate victories in life. When he went to meet his king (1 Kings 18), he was accused of making trouble for God’s people. But the truth was, it was Ahab who troubled Israel by forsaking God’s commands. He then challenged the hundreds of false prophets to meet him in a contest on Mt. Carmel to determine once and for all who is God. When those false prophets tried all day long to evoke a response from their god to ignite the sacrifice, they failed miserably. Elijah then gathered all the people around him as he repaired the altar of the Lord. Placing wood upon the altar and carefully arranging the sacrificial meat upon the wood, he ordered it to be doused with water, thoroughly saturating the entire sacrificial site. Then he offered a simple prayer to the God of heaven, which elicited fire that roared down out of the atmosphere, consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the altar stones, the water, and even the dust! That caused God’s people to get their thinking straight, and Elijah ordered the execution of the false prophets. Was Elijah a man who had to endure hurt? Yes! But God was with him!

DANIEL

And what of Daniel? Deported from his homeland while still a youth, he was placed in an unfriendly foreign culture and forced to learn the language and literature of the Babylonians. When his political enemies became jealous over his success and favor with the king, they finagled the law to get Daniel in trouble with the legal system. His crime? Praying to the one true God regularly! His punishment? Death by being thrown to lions. Talk about hurt! Yet, God was with him and stopped the mouths of the lions (Hebrews 11:33). Though he spent the night in the lions’ den, he was retrieved the next morning safe and sound. His accusers were substituted in his place, and the Bible says the lions tore them in pieces before their bodies hit the ground (Daniel 6:24). Did Daniel have to face hurt in life? Yes! But God was with him!

AMOS

Then there is Amos. He had no intention of being used by God as a prophet (Amos 7:14). He was spending his life tending sheep and sycamore trees that produced a fruit that had to be manually pierced to ripen. But when God commissioned him to travel from his home in southern Palestine to northern Palestine, and to present God’s words to those people, he went. But he was not well received. When he announced that Israel would be laid waste and the king himself would die by the sword, you can imagine the reaction. Amaziah the priest accused him of conspiracy to overthrow the government, and tried to intimidate him into leaving the country immediately. Amos responded by making clear that he was no prophet by profession, and would have been content to do the humble work he performed in his private life. But God had instructed him to prophesy, and that’s what he was going to do. Not only would Israel fall, but Amaziah’s own children would be killed and his own wife turned into a prostitute (Amos 7:17). Was Amos placed in a situation that brought hurt into his life? Criticism? Opposition? Yes! But God saw him through his hurt!

MICAIAH

Micaiah, too, faced the pressures and hurts of life. When the king of Israel and the king of Judah met to discuss the possibility of a mutual military campaign, the king of Judah wanted some reassurance from God that their efforts would be successful. Ahab paraded his 400 false prophets before Jehoshaphat, and the “yes men” offered the desired reassurance. But Jehoshaphat was uneasy and wanted some more credible indication. Ahab admitted that Micaiah could be consulted—“but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil” (1 Kings 22:8).

Micaiah was immediately summoned. The two kings sat upon their thrones, listening to the false prophets. One false prophet, Zedekiah, even dramatized his reassurance by holding up an iron replica of some ox horns and declaring that the kings would gore the Syrians to death. Meanwhile, the officer who had been sent to bring Micaiah to them, urged him to go along with the other prophets and reassure the king. But Micaiah said he would say what the Lord told him to say, and when questioned by the king, he sarcastically suggested that they go right ahead. When pressed to get serious, Micaiah predicted that the army would be scattered and Ahab would be killed. He then described how a lying spirit was directing the advice of the false prophets—whereupon Zedekiah walked over, slapped Micaiah across the face, and taunted him with the words, “Which way did the spirit from the Lord go from me to speak to you?” Micaiah said he would find out on that day of military calamity when he would run and hide in an inner chamber.

Micaiah was sent to prison for his courageous stand, and was placed on bread and water. But when the battle ensued, Ahab disguised himself for the specific purpose of avoiding Micaiah’s prediction. The Syrian king even assembled a “swat” team of 32 assassins, and charged them to avoid all conflict and concentrate solely on getting Ahab. But God did not use them to accomplish His prediction. Instead, the Bible informs us that a nameless archer drew back his bow and let his arrow fly “at random,” that is, aiming at no one in particular—no doubt just excited in the heat of battle. Out of all those soldiers who were occupying the battlefield, that arrow found its way to Ahab. And out of all the places on Ahab’s armor, that arrow struck in the crevice between the joints of the armor and punctured his wicked heart. His blood pooled in the bottom of his chariot and he was dead by sundown. Micaiah had to face hurt—but God was with him, and he lived to see the demise of those who inflicted the hurt.

JOHN

The Elijah of the New Testament faced the same thing. He had to stand up and confront the Pharisees and Sadducees face to face, label them “vipers,” insist upon repentance, and warn them of the wrath and unquenchable fire to come (Matthew 3:7-12). When he had the courage to inform the king that his marriage was unacceptable to God, the king’s illicit wife held it against John and wanted him eliminated. She got her way, and the executioner cut off John’s head, leaving only his headless corpse for his disciples to bury (Mark 6:14-29). Did John face hurt? Yes—even unto death! But was God with John? Jesus, Himself, said, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). God knows our hurt, and He is there.

PAUL

Paul was a model of persecution. The list of his persecutions is lengthy (2 Corinthians 11:24-28). He received the customary 40 lashes (Deuteronomy 25:1-3) from the Jews on five separate occasions. Three times he received the customary Roman beating with rods (Acts 16:23). He was even stoned (Acts 14:19). Three times he went through the harrowing experience of being shipwrecked (e.g., Acts 27:41ff.), and even drifted on the ocean all night and all day. He experienced the fatigue of frequent travels, the perils of waters, robbers, angry countrymen, and Gentiles. He suffered in the city and in the desert, in the sea and among false brethren. He went through weariness, toil, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, fasting, cold, and nakedness. He was a hounded, hunted, harassed, and hurt man! He experienced the insecurity and fright that comes from vicious opposition. But the Lord said to him, “Don’t be afraid, but speak, and don’t keep silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you” (Acts 18:9-10). When he faced the hurtful pain of a “thorn in the flesh” to keep him humble, the Lord reassured him—even in the midst of his suffering—“My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9). He was able to conclude: “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Infirmity, distress, reproach, persecution? These things hurt! But through it all—we are assured of the help of our Lord!

JESUS

But the supreme example of suffering and hurt is that of Jesus Christ Himself. Besides the lack of physical comforts (Matthew 8:20) and the frequent mistreatment He endured throughout His earthly ministry, finally He was seized by an angry mob carrying swords and clubs. He was positioned before a kangaroo court to face the accusations of false witnesses. He encountered the tirade of a raging High Priest who accused Him of blasphemy, and He had to hear the council’s condemnation to death. He had people spit in His face, beat Him, and strike Him with the palms of their hands as they mocked and taunted Him. He was bound and taken before the Roman authorities where He experienced the further humiliation of a jeering crowd who chose a notorious criminal over Him for release. He then suffered further indignities at the hands of Roman soldiers who stripped Him, pressed a crown of thorns down upon His head, spit on Him, and struck Him on the head with the reed they had made Him hold as a scepter. Finally, He endured the excruciating, horrifying death inflicted by a Roman cross, as passers-by blasphemed Him, shook their heads at Him, and taunted Him to save Himself. Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him. Where was God? Where is God when you or I hurt? Where is God when a Christian loses a child? He is right where He was when He lost His own Son.

Whatever suffering or hurt you or I may experience, pales in comparison to the hurt endured by our Lord. We need to remember: Sunday followed Friday. His suffering unto death provided an incredible result that you and I may share. “God commended His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Must we hurt?

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was guile found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously (1 Peter 2:21-23).

 In fact, Jesus was “made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death…that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” and, in so doing, He is able to “bring many sons to glory…for in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:9-10,18). Jesus suffered great hurt and harm, but He endured for us. May we endure for Him! We can and must be like Him. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).

CONCLUSION

In Revelation 19, we are treated to a spectacular portrait. Heaven opens and out comes a white horse whose rider has three names: “Faithful and True;” “The Word of God;” and “King of kings and Lord of lords.” In righteousness, He judges and makes war. His eyes are flames of fire. He wears on His head multiple crowns, and his clothing has been dipped in blood. Protruding out of His mouth is a sharp sword. He rides at the head of the mounted cavalry of heaven. The Christians who were first given this awesome picture had been undergoing intense, excruciating pain and suffering. But neither they nor we can visualize this marvelous scene without coming to at least one undeniable conclusion: God knows when we hurt and experience untold pain and suffering; but He is there, He is with us, He will not abandon us, and we must continue to trust Him.

Where Was God During Hurricane Florence? by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=5609

Where Was God During Hurricane Florence?

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

By NASA, NNVL [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

On September 14, 2018 Hurricane Florence made landfall just south of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Like most hurricanes throughout history, this one left death and destruction in its wake. As shocking and heart-rending as such natural phenomena may seem, many other natural disasters have occurred in human history that exceed Florence, Harvey, Katrina, and even the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in their toll of death and destruction. For example, throughout China’s history, extensive flooding has occurred countless times as a result of the mighty 3,000-mile-long Hwang Ho River. Several of the most terrible floods, with their ensuing famines, have been responsible for the deaths of more than a million people at a time. The southern levee of the river failed in Hunan Province in 1887, affecting a 50,000 square mile area.¹ More than two million people died from drowning, starvation, or the epidemics that followed.²

In reality, such events have occurred repetitiously throughout the history of the world, and continue to do so—constantly: hurricanes, cyclones, earthquakes, tornados, floods, tsunamis, droughts, and volcano eruptions. In fact, natural disasters kill one million people around the world each decade, and leave millions more homeless, according to the United Nation’s International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.³

This circumstance inevitably elicits the pressing question: “WHY?” “Why would God allow such suffering and loss of life, inflicted on countless numbers of seemingly innocent people?” Regarding Florence, a five-year-old boy asked: “‘Daddy, where is God during the hurricane?’”⁴ Indeed, the number one argument marshaled by atheists to advocate their disbelief in God is the presence of widespread, seemingly purposeless suffering. They insist that if an infinite Being existed, He would exercise His perfect compassion and His omnipotence to prevent human suffering.⁵ Even for many people who do not embrace formal atheism, the fact that God apparently seems willing to allow misery and suffering to run rampant in the world, elicits a gamut of reactions—from perplexity and puzzlement to anger and resentment.

THE BIBLE HAS THE ANSWERS

But the Bible provides the perfect explanations for such occurrences. Its handling of the subject is logical, sufficient, and definitive. It sets forth the fact that God created the world to be the most appropriate, suitable environment in which humans are enabled to make their own decisions concerning their ultimate destiny (Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). We humans have been provided with the ideal environment in which we may freely accept or reject God’s will for our lives. Natural disasters and nature’s destructive forces are the result of specific conditions that are necessary to God’s providing humanity with this ideal environment.

God is not blameworthy for having created such a world, since He had a morally justifiable reason for having done so. Human existence on Earth was not intended to be permanent. Rather, the Creator intended life on Earth to serve as a temporary interval of time for the development of one’s spirit. Life on Earth is a probationary period in which people are given the opportunity to attend to their spiritual condition as it relates to God’s will for living. Among other purposes, natural disasters provide people with conclusive evidence that life on Earth is brief and uncertain. God has even harnessed natural calamities for the purpose of punishing wickedness.⁶

Christians understand that no matter how catastrophic, tragic, or disastrous an event may be, it fits into the overall framework of soul-making—preparation for one’s departure from life into eternity. Likewise, the Christian knows that although the great pain and suffering caused by natural disasters may be unpleasant, and may test one’s mettle; nevertheless, such suffering is not intrinsically evil. Nor is it a reflection on the existence of an omnibenevolent God. The only intrinsic evil is violation of God’s will. What is required of all accountable persons is obedience to God’s revealed Word (given in the Bible)—even amid pain, suffering, sickness, disease, death, and, yes, hurricanes.

[NOTE: For further study on this thorny issue, see Thomas Warren (1972), Have Atheists Proved There Is No God? available at https://warrenapologetics.org/bookstore/have-atheists-proved-there-is-no-god and AP’s book Why People Suffer available at http://www.apologeticspress.org/store/Product.aspx?pid=247.]

ENDNOTES

¹ “Hwang Ho” (2004), LoveToKnow 1911 Online Encyclopedia, http://32.1911encyclopedia.org/H/HW/HWANG_HO.htm.

² “Huang He, or Hwang Ho” (2004), Britannica Student Encyclopedia, http://www.britannica.com/ebi/article?tocId=9274966.

³ “Disasters: A Deadly and Costly Toll Around the World” (1997), FEMA News, http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/stats.pdf.

⁴ Bruce Ashford (2018), “‘Daddy, where is God during the hurricane?’” Fox News, September 16, http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/09/15/daddy-where-is-god-during-hurricane.html.

⁵ E.g., Roy Jackson (2001), “The Problem of Evil,” The Philosopher’s Magazine Online, http://www.philosophers.co.uk/cafe/rel_six.htm; Jeffery Lowder (2004), “Logical Arguments From Evil,” Internet Infidels, http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/nontheism/atheism/evil-logical.html.

⁶ See Dave Miller (2005), “Is America’s Iniquity Full?” http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/305.

Where Was God in Newtown, Connecticut? by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=1589

Where Was God in Newtown, Connecticut?

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

The events that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012 are, in every sense of the word, tragic. A gunman named Adam Lanza shot and killed 20 children, six adults, himself and his mother in one of the most deadly school shootings in U.S. history. As is always the case when tragedies like this occur, various people and groups use the events to propel their agendas. In the past several decades, the atheistic community has used occurrences like this as “evidence” that a loving God does not exist. These atheistic writers and speakers contend that if there is a loving God, He would never allow a person to shoot 20 innocent children in cold blood. If there is a loving God, they claim, He would stop such a brutal killing. Since He did not stop it, either He does not have the power to stop it, or He is not a loving God who cares for innocent children. Either way, they suggest, the concept of a loving, all-powerful God such as the one portrayed in the Bible cannot exist in the face of such senseless brutality. “If there is a loving God, where was He on December 14, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut?” they demand. What can the Christian say in response to such reasoning?

Evil Did Occur—Which Proves Atheism Cannot be Right

It is a fact that the actions of the gunman were evil. He should not have killed 27 people and himself. Virtually every person who hears an account of his actions rightly understands that what he did was horribly wrong and evil. Yet, in a world without God, there is no way to contend that what he did was evil. Atheist Frederick Nietzsche understood this perfectly. He wrote: “We believe that severity, violence, slavery, danger in the street and in the heart, secrecy, stoicism, tempter’s art and devilry of ever kind—that everything wicked, terrible, tyrannical, predatory, and serpentine in man, serves as well for the elevation of the human species as its opposite” (2007, p. 35). You see, if humans are merely the product of mindless, random, naturalistic processes over millions of years, then how can any person claim to know that Adam Lanza did something evil. From where would the concept of evil originate if nature were all there is or was?

 Charles Darwin was fully aware of the implications of atheism and godlessness. He wrote: “A man who has no assured and ever present belief in the existence of a personal God or of a future existence with retribution and reward, can have for his rule of life, as far as I can see, only to follow those impulses and instincts with are the strongest or which seem to him the best ones (1958, p. 94). Thus, if there really is no God, then Adam Lanza was simply following the instincts and impulses that seemed the strongest to him. If other products of natural processes (humans) do not like what he did, they cannot say it was evil, or wrong, all they would be able to say is that they do not have those same instincts or impulses. And yet, the truth of the matter is, something evil, wicked, and wrong did occur. If that is true, there must be a God.

In a very famous statement, C.S. Lewis captured this thought perfectly when he wrote:

My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust...? Of course, I could have given up my idea of justice by saying it was nothing but a private idea of my own. But if I did that, then my argument against God collapsed too—for the argument depended on saying that the world was really unjust, not simply that it did not happen to please my private fancies. Thus in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist—in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless—I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality—namely my idea of justice—was full of sense. Consequently, atheism turns out to be too simple (Lewis, 1952, pp. 45-46, italics in orig.)

If something that was, in fact, evil, took place in Newtown on December 14, 2012, then there must be a God.

But What About the Children?

Once we establish the fact that the existence of evil does not militate against God’s existence, but actually establishes it, there is still the emotional question of how God could allow innocent children to die. In fact, it is often the case that atheists will attempt to draw attention away from the rational side of the discussion and argue from pure emotion. “How could a loving God let innocent children die?” they insist. Their contention is that God has, in some way, wronged the innocent children. Their allegation fails, however, when we understand the true nature of what has happened.

The Bible repeatedly stresses the idea that physical death is not complete loss, and can actually be beneficial to the one who dies. The Bible explains that every person has a soul that will live forever, long after physical life on this Earth is over (Matthew 25:46). The Bible consistently states the fact that the immortal soul of each individual is of much more value than that individual’s physical life on this Earth. Jesus Christ said: “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

Although the skeptic might object, and claim that an answer from the Bible is not acceptable, such an objection falls flat for one primary reason: the skeptic used the Bible to formulate his own argument. Where is it written that God is love? In the Bible, in such passages as 1 John 4:8. Where do we learn that God is all-powerful? Once again, that information comes directly from the Bible, read Genesis 17:1. Where, then, should we look for an answer to this alleged moral dilemma? The answer should be: the Bible. If the alleged problem is formulated from biblical testimony, then the Bible should be given the opportunity to explain itself. As long as the skeptic uses the Bible to formulate the problem, we certainly can use the Bible to solve the problem. One primary facet of the biblical solution is that every human has an immortal soul that is of inestimable value.

With the value of the soul in mind, let us examine several verses that prove that physical death is not necessarily evil. In a letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul wrote from prison to encourage the Christians in the city of Philippi. His letter was filled with hope and encouragement, but it was also tinted with some very pertinent comments about the way Paul and God view death. In Philippians 1:21-23, Paul wrote: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (emp. added).Paul, a faithful Christian, said that death was a welcome visitor. In fact, Paul said that the end of his physical life on this Earth would be “far better” than its continuation. For Paul, as well as for any faithful Christian, the cessation of physical life is not loss, but gain. Such would apply to innocent children as well, since they are in a safe condition and go to paradise when they die (see Butt, 2003).

Other verses in the Bible show that the loss of physical life is not inherently evil. The prophet Isaiah concisely summarized the situation when he was inspired to write: “The righteous perishes, and no man takes it to heart; merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness” (57:1-2, emp. added). Isaiah recognized that people would view the death of the righteous incorrectly. He plainly stated that this incorrect view of death was due to the fact that most people do not think about the fact that when a righteous or innocent person dies, that person is “taken away from evil,” and enters “into peace.”

The psalmist wrote, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). Death is not inherently evil. In fact, the Bible indicates that death can be great gain in which a righteous person is taken away from evil and allowed to enter peace and rest. God looks upon the death of His faithful followers as precious. Skeptics who charge God with wickedness because He has allowed the physical lives of innocent babies to be ended are in error. They refuse to recognize the reality of the immortal soul. Instead of the death of innocent children being an evil thing, it is often a blessing for that child to be taken away from a life of hardship and evil influence at the hands of a sinful society, and ushered into a paradise of peace and rest. In order for a skeptic to legitimately charge God with cruelty, the skeptic must prove that there is no immortal soul, and that physical life is the only reality—neither of which the skeptic can do. Failure to acknowledge the reality of the soul and the spiritual realm will always result in a distorted view of the nature of God. “The righteous perishes…while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil.”

What Should We Do?

Our hearts are breaking for those in Newtown who have suffered such tragic loss. No words can adequately describe such emotional pain. But instead of allowing the skeptical community to use the evil actions of Adam Lanza to push people into the despair of atheism and unbelief, we should use this opportunity to encourage those in Newtown, and worldwide, to seek their God and Creator in times of trouble. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinthian: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). What can atheism tell the survivors?—that nothing evil was really done, and that their precious children have simply ceased to exist. Oh, how desperate. But what can Christianity offer those who mourn? We can acknowledge that evil was done, that innocent children were killed, but that their immortal souls are in paradise with their Creator. And that God offers all who will obey Him the opportunity to live forever. Thus, parents can be reunited with their children when the fleeting years of this brief earthly life are past. God, the God of all comfort, is the only One who can offer any hope or consolation in such a tragedy.

REFERENCES

Butt, Kyle (2003), “Do Babies Go to Hell When They Die?” Apologetics Press, http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=13&article=1201.

Darwin, Charles (1958), The Autobiography of Charles Darwin, ed. Nora Barlow (New York: W.W. Norton).

Lewis, C.S. (1952), Mere Christianity (New York: Simon and Schuster).

Nietzsche, Friedrich (2007), Beyond Good and Evil, http://books.google.com/books?id=BAz7fkKhu30C&dq=%22We+believe+that+severity,+violence%22&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0.

The future? by Gary Rose

Think this can not happen; think again. Just consider how much the current “Democratic” administration has changed this country in just seven short months. Very recently, Joe Biden is now talking about mandating a third booster shot. Last week I went to the doctor for a follow-up and asked him if I needed to take the third shot (the booster). He pointed to the wall and the CDC directive and said that I do not qualify. I looked at the list on that wall and thought to myself; only those who are already half dead are on that list.

I really believe that a dictatorial attitude of the government has been steadily increasing over the last four or so decades and will increase to the point that this cartoon becomes reality.

The church of the first century had to deal with far worse. Christians were imprisoned, had their property confiscated, and were tortured or executed in the horrible ways imaginable. The apostle Paul describes their situation this way…

2 Timothy 3 ( World English Bible )

¹ But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come.

² For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

³ without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,

⁴ traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

⁵ holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.

⁶ For some of these are people who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

⁷ always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

⁸ Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith, are rejected.

⁹ But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.

¹⁰ But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,

¹¹ persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. Out of them all the Lord delivered me.

¹² Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

¹³ But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Yet, Christians changed the world. How? By being willing to suffer for their faith and holding fast to their beliefs, regardless of what the “government” did.

Being a Christian is not easy and if recent history continues, then we may suffer persecution in ways that we never thought would happen. But, if we remain faithful, we will receive heaven as our reward. I think eternal communion with God and fellow Christians in heaven is worth far more than anything any government can do to us. Remember, the early Christians overcame the greatest empire the world has ever seen- Rome. And we can overcome this modern “Rome” as well.

Believe that, for its true!