>Rick, I think Charles has done plenty of "weeping and gnashing of teeth" in his adult life- after all,
>he's a Cleveland Browns fan. :)
>
>I've never met Charles in person, but I've known him online for years and I've listened to him.
>I know people who know him, and I know a little bit about his background.
>
>So here's an earthly truth - the highest honor one man can pay to another man here on earth - an
>honor higher than being "saved", an honor higher than being able to stand in front of God and
>saying that you warned X number of people - Charles is a good man and a respected man.
>(And quite likely so are many for whom you're praying).


That's the thing, Kevin, there are no good men.

We read about in Noah's day that people were marrying and giving in marriage, carrying on as normal right up until the day the flood rains came. People were marrying and giving in marriage, meaning there was love, friendship, companionship, marriage celebrations which means people doing things for each other, coming together in celebration, having respect, nice toasts, comments about this, that, and the other thing.

The message of the cross is God Himself coming down here and dying. Why?

If men are fine then there was no need for such a sacrifice. Yet, God knew men's state, and knew that there was no other way than for He Himself to atone for our sins. So, He was born naturally, came to us as a baby, grown into a man, a teacher, and savior.

This is what men need. Jesus said "man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

There is no higher honor than being saved, for it is the honor/gift bestowed by God Himself, and not by men who in one breath say something honorable to another person, and in the next breath curse and say damaging things. When God saves someone, it is a free gift, and it is that man who strives forever to serve Him rightly in this world.

I'm trying to explain this to everybody: There is an enemy in this world who is distracting people into thinking the various aspects of their lives are what's important. It is not. Not even close. What matters is the coming eternity, the judgment, the punishment of sin. We simply can't see it right now because we are dead spiritually, and we are all focused only on carnal things. My testimony is that there is the spiritual nature which is the real life, and that this carnal life accounts for nothing in eternity, except that it is the vehicle by which men must be saved. We must be saved here while in this flesh, lest we be forever lost in eternity.

God has saved men. And this is the good news. This is why Christians speak about judgment, and about the warnings God gave us, so that it need not come, because it is coming for all people unless they repent.