Last week we focused on Romans 1:18-32.  This is so important to understand, I believe it does need further time spent to explain.  Humanity of its own self-reason, pride, and the spurning of God will lead to World Destruction.  This truth is so penetrating that I do feel we need to take a deeper look at this.  Particularly when we consider that in Romans 2:1-4 points out clearly. We who know Christ have no right to judge others.  It is very easy to look at the course of the sinner’s progressive slip downward slip into hell. Then say, “Thank God, that’s not me.”  In fact, sometimes we will think, “I am not like them. Aren’t you proud of me, God?”  

But the truth is we are not saved by our own efforts.  And our self-reason and pride cause us to slip as well.  My salvation is certain; but, my spiritual happiness, peace, and hope in this world are affected.  I too sometimes go where I should not.  Even while all the way, the Holy Spirit of God is saying, “Don’t go there.” 

Therefore, you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.  And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?  Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?  Romans 2:1-4 NKJV 

Let us Review How Self-reason, Pride, and the Spurning of God leads to Destruction 

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.  Romans 1:18-23 NKJV 

Throughout the Universe and throughout history, God has revealed Himself to each person.  His common grace supports each from falling into the pit of hell each day.  Only by the pleasure of His Will.  He also gave us a “conscience” to weigh right from wrong.  Example: A child knows innately that it is wrong to lie, but do it anyway.  I heard a wonderful illustration of this by Pastor Jack Hibbs.     

Imagine yourself on a spiraling staircase.  Each step of the staircase, God is with you whispering, do not go there.   But you do.  Maybe you are married and at work you see this beautiful girl at the water fountain or some handsome new charming guy.  You say, “Well, I am not doing anything but looking.  What is wrong with eye candy.” So, you take that step. Then well, it doesn’t hurt to talk to them, does it?  God still whispering do not go there and you step again.  This keeps happening until, if not a believer, you stop even hearing the voice say no.  If a believer, you begin to drift from His Presence as you spiral downward no longer feeling His love and His joy.   

Where does it all begin, but self-reason, pride and spurning of God 

So what is the next step? 

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.  Romans 1:24-25 NKJV 

Each step spiraling further away from God down a winding staircase toward destruction.   

 For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise, also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.  Romans 1:26-27 NKJV 

Sometimes the church or some who profess themselves to be Christian want to feel themselves righteous of their own voluntold.  Then they begin to accept the lies as though it is truth.  Forgetting that God to remain just, must punish sin.  And whatever we do or say attempting to change His truth for a lie, we too fall under His judgment.  This continues until chaos and confusion becomes the norm.   

Self-reason, Pride and Spurning of God leading to further destruction 

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,  backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.  Romans 1:28-32 NKJV 

“How wonderful”, you might say, “I am not like them.”  But without the blood of Christ covering your sin, aren’t you?  I know I am.  Everyday shows me how I am nothing without His Hand to hold me up.   

This world is heading for its final well-deserved judgement.  The only reason it has not been destroyed is because of God’s Grace and His long-suffering patience awaiting His perfect time.  Each day there are some who are called to Him.  Otherwise, we would fall into the final spiraling fall into the pits of Hell itself. 

A Quick Look Back Into Another time of Self-Reason, Pride and the Spurning of God 

America was originally founded by people who desired religious freedom.  Their pursuits surrounded worshipping and praising God for His provision.  Then in the 1600s people began seeking material wealth and prosperity instead of seeking God.  People lost the sense of fervency.  Then the Puritans due to loss of membership began a policy of what was called the half-way covenant allowing people to join who had no profession of faith in Christ.  It began by allowing the children to join, hoping they would later be saved.  But then they allowed more in.    

The AGE of REASON came.  With this the intellectuals began to seek truth through human reason.  Pride, drunkenness, lawlessness and a disregard for Godly things followed quickly. By the early 1700s, the land and people prospered; but they turned further from God. Many clergy even were placed who had never proclaimed a personal relationship with Christ.  It was a “career choice” rather than a calling to preach the gospel.  How could they preach what they had not even themselves experienced?  Finally, a few preachers began preaching, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.   All needed to be awakened from the sleep of death.”  This began what was to be referred to as the Great Awakening.    A seminary was started in Pennsylvania by William Tennent a Presbyterian Minister. The gospel message began to spread, despite the “Established Church” despising it. 

Truth Overcomes Self-reason, Pride and the Spurning of God 

In North Hampton Massachusetts, Jonathan Edwards became known as the intellectual preacher.  At age 13 he studied at Yale and became very skilled in philosophy as well.  As a pastor, he studied up to 13 hours a day.  He taught the absolute necessity of a saving relationship with God through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the workings of the Holy Spirit to open their eyes.  

Then, he preached a sermon called “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” July 8, 1741, in Enfield Connecticut.  He had previously preached it in his home congregation in Northampton, Massachusetts with minimal impact.  This time, he had spent three days fasting, in prayer day and night with no sleep.  He read the sermon from hand sized notes held close to his face.  Yet, this time, he could not even finish. Because the out-cry and waling of the people convicted by their own sin overwhelmed the area. And even down the streets.  People were saved.  This was considered one of the most resistant communities of their time.   

“As one participant later recalled, when the ministers entered the church at Enfield, the gathered people were ‘thoughtless and vain.’ By comparison with other towns at the time, the people there were not even showing any particular interest—let alone great passion—regarding the things of God. In fact, they ‘hardly conducted themselves with common decency.’ ”¹

What was different?  That day the Holy Spirit did a mighty work to save the people.  It was the pleasure of God that did not allow the people to slip that day.  What did Edwards read from the pulpit?   

Excerpts from “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God 

the reason why they are not fallen already and do not fall now is only that God’s appointed time is not come. For it is said, that when that due time, or appointed time comes, their foot shall slide. Then they shall be left to fall, as they are inclined by their own weight. God will not hold them up in these slippery places any longer, but will let them go; and then, at that very instant, they shall fall into destruction; as he that stands on such slippery declining ground, on the edge of a pit, he cannot stand alone, when he is let go he immediately falls and is lost. 

The observation from the words that I would now insist upon is this.—“There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God.”—By the mere pleasure of God, I mean his sovereign pleasure, his arbitrary will, restrained by no obligation, hindered by no manner of difficulty… 

Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf, and your healthy constitution, and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider’s web would have to stop a falling rock. Were it not for the sovereign pleasure of God, the earth would not bear you one moment; for you are a burden to it; the creation groans with you; the creature is made subject to the bondage of your corruption, not willingly; the sun does not willingly shine upon you to give you light to serve sin and Satan; the earth does not willingly yield her increase to satisfy your lusts; nor is it willingly a stage for your wickedness to be acted upon; the air does not willingly serve you for breath to maintain the flame of life in your vitals, while you spend your life in the service of God’s enemies… 

Therefore, let every one that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come. The wrath of Almighty God is now undoubtedly hanging over a great part of this congregation. Let everyone fly out of Sodom: “Haste and escape for your lives, look not behind you, escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed.”^2 2 Edwards, Jonathan, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”  https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/edwards_jonathan/Sermons/Sinners.cfm 

Let Us Lay Aside Self-reason, Pride, and the Spurning of God 

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and  finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV 

God is on His Throne and This is His Promise, Jesus will be seated on His Rightful Throne 

Why do the nations rage, 

And the people plot a vain thing? 

The kings of the earth set themselves, 

And the rulers take counsel together, 

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 

“Let us break Their bonds in pieces 

And cast away Their cords from us.” 

 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; 

The Lord shall hold them in derision. 

Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, 

And distress them in His deep displeasure: 

“Yet I have set My King 

On My holy hill of Zion.” 

 “I will declare the decree: 

The Lord has said to Me, 

‘You are My Son, 

Today I have begotten You. 

Ask of Me, and I will give You 

The nations for Your inheritance, 

And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 

You shall break them with a rod of iron; 

You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ” 

 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; 

Be instructed, you judges of the earth.  

Serve the Lord with fear, 

And rejoice with trembling. 

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, 

And you perish in the way, 

When His wrath is kindled but a little. 

Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. 

                                                               Psalm 2 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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The Wrath of God Really Matters. How Does Truth Change Everything? 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2025

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Pictures licensed by Goodsalt.com

The truth of the Wrath of God really matters. Without it would we ever understand His love and grace for us. Bare with me as we explore this further in this text which lay the groundwork for our studies in Romans

If we return to the Greek to review this passage. And we remember the Bible was not originally divided into verses. We will get some additional insight I believe.   The ending of verse 17 was a quote from Malachi. “The just shall live by faith.” This is followed by 18. And in Greek reads. “Is revealed for the wrath of God from heaven on all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. The truth by unrighteousness suppressing,¹ (Then 19) Because the known of God manifest is among them. God for to them has revealed (it).² 

When you consider this. Truly it is a comfort to know the just live by faith. Who are the just? Those set aside as righteous because of the blood of Jesus Christ. And faith? It is that faith which God Himself instills within us.  Only then we realize how tremendous is that declaration of being declared Saints by His Act of Grace.  Our faith a gift from Him. 

Consider this

Were it not for Grace. Would not I have been drawn aside to suppress the truth out of all my actions of unrighteousness.  How indebted I am that He has covered me with the blood of Christ.  How often would my actions lead to suppressing the truth of God? Were it not for His Grace that takes my failures and turns them into something good in His hands.  Of course, that occurs because His Spirit within me convicts me and draws me back. How much do I too deserve the Wrath of God; but am given grace and mercy.  He will bring things into my life to draw me back to Him.  But I would rather go into heaven with a broken body, heart, and mind if needed. Rather than to ever spend even a moment without Him. 

The Wrath of God Revealed 

We see the evidence of the Wrath of God revealed from heaven itself.  That occurred during the flood and the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah. It was seen when the earth opened to swallow up Korah with his followers.  These are very dramatic scenes.  However, we cannot say every hurricane or natural disaster is a display of the Wrath of God.  Some may be. Yet, many are the natural progression of a broken, sin laden world.   Yes, He is aware and could stop it.  However, often those disasters may cause some to fall on their knees to turn to Him.  Only, a Holy, Just God can bring good even out of the disasters.  Furthermore, it kind of destroys the theories of evolution. That is if instead of evolving the earth and the people are devolving instead. 

The word wrath here is not that of gigantic uncontrollable, unreasonable anger as we consider wrath to be.  Instead, it is a steady, controlled sadness and resolve against all that destroys what He created.  Unrighteousness and the suppression of the truth of God, destroys the hearts and minds of those whom God so loves.  His perfect Holiness and Righteousness sees the depths of the destruction sin brings to His beloved creation.  So why did He allow all this?  Huge discussion; but, remember we do not have the mind of God.  Thank God, I am not God.  Nor do I want to be.  Yet, how can anyone love without choice?  And how can I recognize His Righteousness or Goodness if I never saw what life without Him is?

Understand the Wrath of God through Seeing What is Known of God 

God reveals Himself in nature itself.   

The heavens declare the glory of God; 

And the firmament shows His handiwork. 

Day unto day utters speech, 

And night unto night reveals knowledge. 

There is no speech nor language 

Where their voice is not heard. 

Their line has gone out through all the earth, 

And their words to the end of the world.  Psalm 19:1-3 NKJV 

His revelation of Himself goes beyond this. 

He created man with a “conscience” and thought.  Mankind screams about “justice” declaring that certain things are wrong.  Such as murder, rape, incest, pedophilia, theft, etc.  However, these lines are becoming more blurred. There mostly remains still some desire for orderliness, law, and some form of government to keep out chaos.  Those are felt within the human’s heart.  Also present are the desire for awe, wonder, joy, hope and love.  We aspire to things that are beyond just nature’s instincts.  The desire for creativity and to become someone admirable are not found in the animal kingdom as such.  Mankind was created with a vacuum that only God can fill.  After the fall of humanity, human beings tried to fill that hole with various other things.  Pushing aside the obvious and even purposefully denying the existence of God. 

No one must look beyond their own heart to recognize that some creator/designer had to create us.  A box of legos cannot suddenly be shuffled together and come out as a beautiful work of art.  There has to be a designer. One who carefully designs, positions, and places each in such a way as to create a masterpiece of artwork.  The same is true of the universe and our own bodies.  Each intricate cell brimming with the truth that God IS.   

No Excuse for Those Who Will Face the Wrath of God 

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead Romans 1:20 (NKJV) 

Invisible attributes clearly seen.  Sounds like a backward statement; but not really.  His invisible attributes are clearly seen through the reflection of those attributes throughout nature itself.  And within the central core of human souls.  There are the frustrations, depressions and anxieties that push us toward so many things.  Just hoping to fulfill the longing deep within us.  Then there is that desire for eternity.  Some even want to freeze their bodies to be awakened when a cure can be found.  Others want to have their “conscientiousness’” transmitted to some robot, believing that will make them eternal.  While still even others desire to create such a legacy that their legacy is eternal.   

He has put eternity in their hearts, Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV 

God even placed the longing for eternity into our hearts that we might desire Him.  He ordained the idea of love, marriage, and family. That so we might even understand the Triune God’s union and love together.  As well as His design to call out a wife in the Jewish Nation. And a bride for His son from the Gentile.  All this symbolic of His plans of love, union and togetherness.  Only sin broke it all.  Rather, humanities desire to rule, dominate, and be God has progressed us to where we are. 

so that they are without excuse because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened  Romans 1:20-21 

The Wrath of God revealed in the Degradation of Humanity 

Professing to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Romans 1:22-23 

Note from Romans 1:21, humanities decline began by not giving God the Glory nor thanking Him. How often, we who know Him as Lord and Savior, drift into lives of anxiety, depression, and spiritual drought by doing the same.  Yet, we have the Holy Spirit who will draw us back, eventually.  Sometimes having to knock us down or allow us to hit rock bottom first.  But assuredly, He will finish the work begun in us.  However, those who do not have Him to bring them back.  Those who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  All who cannot proclaim their justice from being washed in the blood of Christ, clothed in His righteousness. They just keep drifting further away.  In other words they keep digging their own hole deeper and deeper. Until they have not even a glimpse of light left. 

 Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.  Romans 1:24-25 NKJV 

Fornication, lust, adultery, abortion, etc-my body, my choice.   God gave them up to uncleanness.  This is His wrath saying, “Go ahead and do as you want to. I am not going to try to stop you anymore.”  Humanistic psychology was the full teaching of this.  “Being and Nothingness” by Jean Paul Sartre led the masses.  Along with Sigmund Freud, Nietzsche, and Bertrand Russell.  All of whom were miserable themselves.  

A Form of the Wrath of God 

When God recalls His restraining hand in the life of a person. Or a nation. He displays a form of His Wrath.  Since He is their source of all that is good, right, just, and even their basic provisions.  Anyone have to read Hierarchy of Needs by Abraham Maslow? If so, you will note that people sometimes begin this backwards spiral. They end with even the basic needs failing at some point.  The peak of “self-actualization” where life is fulfilling completely can only be truly achieved with a union with God.  No society can ever provide it.  Therefore, that is why our world remains in such a chaos.  We need God. 

Society continues to deteriorate the further God allows people to “do what they want”. Even try to play God.  Attempting to fix what was broken, the human race plunges deeper in sin. And thus further away from their only source of healing. 

For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  Likewise, also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.  Romans 1:26-27 NKJV 

Then as it progressed 

 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;  being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ]undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;  who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.  Romans 1:28-32 NKJV 

Why does the Wrath of God really Matter for you and me 

It is a reminder to we who believe where we truly came from. And how much love and grace He has given us.

Therefore

1.  We must fall on our knees to Glorify God and Thank Him for our salvation 

2. Then, we must go into the world and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.  We are the SALT and Light.  Therefore, let us live like we are the children of God.  With love for the lost, not for their sin.  There are the moments we will need to walk away from some people. But never stop praying for their salvation as long as they live.  And never get trapped into being the angry, bitter social media people bent on arguing.   

3. To all we meet:  
   • Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.  Ephesians 4:  29-32  NKJV 

4. To Others in the church 
   • I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  Ephesians 4:1-6 

Furthermore

Never forsake the study, recognizing Jesus Christ Himself ordained us to be under pastors, teachers.  They are His gift to His church. 

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  Therefore He says: 

“When He ascended on high, 

He led captivity captive, 

And gave gifts to men.” 

 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also [d]first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,  till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;  that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.  Ephesians 4:7-16 NKJV 

Concluding Thoughts

Knowing and understanding the Wrath of God against sin matters as His truth transforms us.  Jesus Christ, God’s Only Son bore all the judgement and wrath of God against me. For my sin. So I might be set free.  Therefore, I must act like I am free. How? by loving those who are placed in my path; even when I might not like some of them. I must not compromise to their standards. However, I am to love them in their confusion. Hoping and praying the light will shine into their hearts. Precisely it may be through the holes in my life. My own broken heart allowing the light of the Holy Spirit to shine through the cracks.  Wrapped tight. Hidden in my own hard shell will never reach someone else.  Only when I am broken for Him, will He shine brightest through me to others.  

Listen to this song written and sung by Steve Green.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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Who Are You Really Called by God to be in the World Today? 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2025

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Pictures licensed by GGoodsalt.com

As we completed the book of Revelations back in February, I remember a request to do a study in Romans.  Certainly, one of the most important books to delve deeply into its contents.  Therein we are told who we are really called by God to be in the world today.  Also, we are given in-depth explanation of the three major covenants of God.  The Abrahamic Covenant, the Davidic Covenant, and the Covenant with the Church.  Although each are different Covenants.  Yet, God will always fulfill His Covenant; regardless of humanities failure to keep ours.  Hence, why we must understand each.   

Christianity is explained and presented in the Book of Romans in such a manner that as Pastor Ray Stedman wrote,  

“If you had nothing but the book of 

Romans, you would have every vital Christian 

teaching in the New Testament – in capsule form at 

least. It touches upon all the basic truths of Chris- 

tian doctrine and teachings. So, if you master the 

book of Romans, you have the key to all the 

Scriptures, Old and New Testaments alike.”¹ 

_{¹ Stedman, Ray; Simple Christianity; Date: April 29, 1962 Series: Romans (Series I): https://www.raystedman.org/romans1/pdf/0005.pdf Accessed 6/29/2025} 

Furthermore, this in-depth expository study in theology was inspired by the Holy Spirit. And given through one of God’s most prepared students of the Old Testament.  That highly prepared student was then taught by Jesus via revelation in the wilderness post His salvation.  Guided carefully with the Holy Spirit, He became the perfect teacher of doctrine.   

Galatians 1: 1, 11-19  

Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead…. For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.  But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.  But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.  Galatians 1: 1, 11-19  ESV.   

Called by God to Be an Slave 

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God  Romans 1:1a NKJV 

Paul who was formerly named Saul was born into a wealthy Roman/Jewish family.  He had every right as a Roman Citizen.  Furthermore, from a very young age was taught the Old Testament Scripture.  Schooled by the Masters of his times.  As he spoke,  

“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,  as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.  “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’  So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’  Acts 22:  3-8 NKJV 

Yet, this is who began his letter referring to himself as a bondservant of Jesus Christ.  Bondservant is a fancy word for “slave.”  Not a paid servant. Paul declared himself a slave by choice. Bound to Jesus Christ due to love and devotion.  Dying to everything within himself, to live for Christ.   

Called by God to Be Given New Life with a New Name 

For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Galatians 2:19-21 NKJV 

The name Saul meant asked for, prayed for, requested.  A name of distinction and power.  Yet, God gave him a new name: Paul.  Paul means small, humble, insignificant.  As salutation in every letter, he begins as Paul.   No longer proud of all his studies, citizenship, and achievements.  Instead, now he recognized himself as totally insignificant.  Why?  He met Jesus along the road to Damascus.   After that he saw his righteousness as nothing more than filthy rags.  He realized the significance of the statement, “The Just Shall Live by Faith”.   

Who are the just?  Those whom God has justified.  Once saved, our only hope is to live by faith in Jesus Christ.  Where does faith come from?  Not from these broken hands of mine.  Rather, faith comes by the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Faith develops as we grow in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. In as much, we also grow in our knowledge of God, the Father. And we are enriched by the Holy Spirit’s power within us.  That is faith.  Knowing the perfectly all-powerful, all knowing, just, righteous God, full of Mercy, love, grace and joy.  Then grasping that immutable fact, faith is clinging ever so tightly to this truth. He rewards all who diligently seek Him.  Knowing our frailty, He deals with us as little children.    

Called by God to be a part of the Gospel Story 

Paul jumped right into the truth of the gospel message.   

 to the gospel of God  which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,  and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.  Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, Romans 1:2-5 NKJV 

As we break this down. In one long sentence, Paul explained the deity of Jesus, the trinity, the power of His resurrection, and the grace which brings about both justification and sanctification.  He even points out that those being saved are for His Name’s sake. This grace bringing the gentiles into the fold as His church, His bride is the gospel message.  All this succinctly packaged in these few verses.  Let it sink in.  He even says all this was told in the Old Testament.  The mystery revealed, though it was always there for any whose eyes would see.   

Called by God to be Saints 

among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints. Romans 1: 6-7 NKJV 

Called to be saints.  I can only be declared a Saint by God.  He is the one who calls me to be His Child, draped in the righteousness of Jesus Christ His Son.  Later we will go into more depth, but this is the introduction to what Paul goes on to write in Romans 8. 

Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters;  and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.  Romans 8:26-30 NASB 

When I look deep within, I do not fully understand how; but one day I will look like Jesus.  My heart will love like His does.  I am daily one glory at a time being transformed.  But one day I will be complete.  Until then, I can rest assured, He will complete the work He began in me.   

Called by God to be a Prisoner 

Paul does then salute the church at Rome.  It was born out of those who had traveled to Pentecost and returned saved.  Yet, no formal teacher had gone there to declare the truths of the gospel.  This we will discover further as we dissect the book and see some of the errors Paul will address in their teachings.   

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 

 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.  Romans 1:7-15 NKJV 

God would grant Paul’s wish.  However, little did Paul know his journey to Rome would be as a prisoner.  From the elite, powerful, educated position of his youth to now a prisoner for Jesus Christ.  A declared slave of the gospel.  All for the absolute, overwhelming love and devotion to his Lord and Savior.  Yet, he would have it no other way. 

What About You and I? 

Who Are You or I Really Called by God to be in the World Today?  There is no more important task for our life than to spread the gospel.  That is if you know Him as Lord and Savior.  We see a world that is ever more plunging into darkness.  Yet, we who are the called are called for more than just “get out of hell free card”.  Nor are we called to do this on our own efforts.  I will work harder to get into heaven.  Perhaps if I try harder, I can have more faith.  No, this is a step-by-step process that only God can do in us and through us.  But are you and I willing to humbly recognize it is His work?   

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”  Romans 1:16-17 NKJV 

How often do we fail to say anything?  Are we ashamed of the gospel?  It is the power of salvation for everyone who believes.  Who have you told this past week.  You hold in your hearts and minds the cure this world so desperately needs.  Will you share that with someone today?   

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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Trust the One True Unvariable Almighty God Amid Today’s Chaos 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2025

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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All week I have been drawn to the book of Ezekiel. Wondering as to the closeness of the return of Christ to establish His kingdom.  Of course, I know that comes at the end of the tribulation which is necessary to cleanse His People-Israel.  My trust and faith is in the One True Unvariable Almighty God even amid today’s chaos.  God has never changed.  That is so obvious throughout scripture.  The book of Daniel very specifically pointed to 70 weeks of Israel. There is a pause between the 69^th week and the 70^th week.  These weeks of years are very specific to the nation of Israel.   

Some would ask if the current wars surrounding Israel is the Ezekiel 38 war outlined very specifically in the scripture.  First, Israel was to be drawn back and established as a nation.  This happened in 1948.   

 “Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. Ezekiel 37:21-22 

On Display that there is only One True Unvariable Almighty God 

Then the dry, destroyed land became fertile.  They became a mighty powerhouse, although very small.  With great success, they built the “Dome”.  All this prophesied by Isaiah and Jeremiah.   

Isaiah 43:1: “For behold, days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the Lord, and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall take possession of it.” 

Isaiah 60:10: “Then he will make you even more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors!” 

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:  “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.  The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the Lord.”  Jeremiah 30:1-3 NIV 

They had returned to the land after 70 years of captivity by Babylon. However, they did not possess the land until 1948.  Ezekiel and Daniel had foretold of this.  Down to the exact day. 

Prediction of Israel’s Return as a Sovereign nation in 1948 

Remember the dream of Nebuchadnezzar regarding the tree in Daniel 4? It spoke not only of the Kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar but also prophesied about the Kingdom of David.  As is the case with many prophecies.  As such, Israel was cut down as a nation. However, the stump was to remain to secure the nation would return.   

Michael Yang from India wrote this:   

“The word ‘times’ means years. So the seven times is seven years, and seven years is 2555 days (7 x 365). Num 14:34 and Eze 4:6 tells us that one day represents one year. In this way, the ‘seven times’ becomes 2555 years. This means that 2555 years will pass from the fall of Judah to the re-birth of Israel, according to the prophecy. 

Starting in 608 BC and working forwards 2555 years, we arrive at the year 1948 CE. And what do we see? Most remarkably, on 14th May, 1948, the new state of Israel was created after precisely 2555 years of control and occupation by a succession of foreign empires”¹ 

_{¹ https://www.quora.com/Are-there-prophecies-in-the-Bible-that-numerically-fortold-the-restoration-of-Israel-on-May-of-1948 accessed 6/22/2025} 

Then we have Ezekiel foretelling of the dry bones coming back to life.  For so many years Israel had been scattered throughout the world.  Yet, as God told Malachi.  There would be a time of the Gentiles, yet, God would never abandon Israel.   

Ezekiel’s Prediction of Israel, Proof of One True Unvariable Almighty God 

from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts… For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.  Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.  Malachi 1:11,3:6-7. KJV 

Ezekiel was told by God to lie on his left side 390 days and then on his right side for 40 days. This totaled 430 days. This indicated the time of Israel’s just punishment for their iniquities.  Days were to be counted as years. Then  70 years was the time in Babylonian exile.  Therefore 430 minus 70 equals 360 years remaining at the time Cyrus allowed them to return to Jerusalem.  However, in Leviticus we read that if they failed to repent after being placed in judgment, the judgment would be increased by 7 times.   

Leviticus 26:23-24 KJV, “And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins.” 

Combined with Leviticus 26, the 360 years of remaining punishment, if multiplied by seven, make a total of 2,520 years. Using the 360-day Hebrew calendar, that totals 907,200 days. When converted to the 365-day calendar, the 2,520 years or 907,200 days becomes 2,485 years and five months. 

So starting at 538 years B.C. and adding the remaining punishment, 2 ,485 years and five months to come, you get 1,947 years and five months. There was no year zero, so the year 1,947.5 we call the year 1948.5. So exactly 1,947.5 years after 538 B.C., we come to the date of May 1948! 

May is the fifth month of the modern calendar, and on May 14, 1948, Israel arose from the ashes of extinction to become a nation!²

 _{² Joel, https://www.christianevidence.net/2017/10/israel-significant-dates-prophesied-in.html  written Oct. 21, 2017, accessed 6/22/2025} 

Why is this important considering today’s chaos? 

Well, we need to remember that God does what He says He will do. And Is who He says He is.  I could go further into describing all the proofs He is the one true unvariable Almighty God. Yet that could not be contained in one writing or even thousands of books.  How many prophecies are fulfilled concerning Christ Alone?  Each with exact detail.  Why would we question any of those prophecies yet to be fulfilled?    Therefore, what are we to do with Ezekiel 38.  We know it is what triggers the Anti-Christ.  Also, we then may consider it at the time of, just before, or just following the rapture.  Hence the excitement as to whether this war in Israel could be part of that?  However, it cannot be.  Why?   

In Ezekiel 38 God speaks to Russia, Turkey, Iran, Sudan, Libya and Turkey.  They attack Israel not because they want to annihilate them.  However, they come to plunder.  Their attack is due to Israel being a powerful, wealthy nation.  God speaking to these countries says: 

“Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,  To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land… Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord God; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:  And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.”  Ezekiel 38:10-12, 14-16. 

Furthermore, other surrounding nations, including Saudi Arabia will sit back and say;  

Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? Ezekiel 38:13  

Are we looking at One True Unvariable Almighty God at work? 

So, if not this war; what is going on?  The set up for peace, so that the Ezekiel 38 war can be realized.  Let’s look at another scripture as to what this one is.   

 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people and consulted against thy hidden Ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against Thee: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. Psalm 83:1-8 

Referring to the descendants of Esau.  They declare, “let us cut them off as a nation.”  This is the current fighting.  From Hezbollah, Hamas, and all those outreaching Islamic rebels who want Israel destroyed. All of which are extensions of Iranian military and money.  They shout, “death to Israel.”     

To achieve peace, these must be put back into place.  Will Iran be totally destroyed?  No, as they return to the latter war.  But there will have to be peace before Ezekiel 38.  Interestingly, I read an article from General Flynn this week stating: 

“What follows is a potential new reality IF Israel achieves total victory, the Iranian regime collapses, and a new pro-western Iranian leader emerges (all very achievable under the current conditions).  The geopolitical strategic environment in the Middle East and globally would shift.” ³  

_{³ General Flynn, https://locals.com/generalflynn/feed posted June 19,1015  Accessed June 19,2025} 

Yes, all part of God’s Beautiful Plan of Action.  Never forget He has a plan for we the church and He has a plan for Israel.  Do not get confused with these two separate plans.   

What Do We Do?  Trust the One True Unvariable Almighty God. 

He has never been wrong.  All that He has planned, He has accomplished.  Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, the only begotten Son of God came to earth to pay the price of our sin. He stands with open arms to all who accept Him as Lord and Savior.  Do not get bogged down in the weeds of chaos that surround us.  He is in control. And He will always do what is best for those of us who know Him as Lord and Savior.  The rapture is not based specifically on the same timeline as what He is doing in Israel.  Yet, we should be aware of the times.   

We should look around us and work to redeem the times.  Never forget that we are His workmanship, created unto good works.  Pray for the salvation of the Jewish people, that they may know Christ.  Continue to spread the gospel wherever you may be.  God is our refuge.  There is no variableness in Him.  His constant steady hand is at work always.   

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, 
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 
 For this is My covenant with them, 
When I take away their sins.” Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has [h]committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? 
Or who has become His counselor?” 
“Or who has first given to Him 
And it shall be repaid to him?” For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever.   Romans 11: 25-36 NKJV 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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God Uses Our Suffering to Deliver the World Joy.  How?

How to Trust God as Our Guide in Life and in Death 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2025

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Photo generated by:https://app.leonardo.ai/image-generation

Suffering. Not what I want to deal with in this life.  Our minds, bodies, and emotions cry out to say “No, way! Don’t sign me up for that.”  But what if you knew your suffering would be the catalyst to your child finding joy above measure?  Or life itself?  How much are you willing to suffer for them?  If you knew your suffering was the catalyst to changing the world, what then?  How many people’s lives are enough to make you willing to suffer yourself?  Are you willing to endure suffering for a time if you could save another’s life?  How can we consider that God uses our suffering to deliver the world to joy.  Does my suffering have a purpose within God’s Sovereign grace toward me?  Is not suffering the story throughout the Bible?  Including.  Is that not the story of Jesus Christ, God’s Own Son? 

From the moment of the fall of mankind in the garden of Eden, suffering has been a part of this world.  That is the promise.  Yet, without that having been allowed, how was it that Adam and Eve did not even realize their blessings.  Until they were gone.  Can you know joy if there is never any sorrow?  How would you recognize it?  C.S. Lewis says he was surprised by joy.  A fleeting glimpse of something he did not have here in his life on earth as a child.  Those fleeting glimpses of a sensation of true joy led him to Christ.  There was a time when he was haunted by the fact true joy could exist but eluded him.  He searched everywhere until there it was.  He found it when he realized it was a relationship with Jesus Christ that gave full joy.     

God Uses Our Suffering to lead us to Christ

Just like C.S. Lewis, look back at your life.  If you always had everything perfect, would you have considered Christ?  Unless you recognize you need Him, why would you seek Him?  Oh, there are some so awe-inspired by the magnificence of the beauty and intricacy of this world, they recognize there must be a creator.  No possible way, everything was so magnificently fit together otherwise.  The wonder of it all!  Yet, we would not ever seek a Savior unless we are confronted with our own need.  Could I know the wonder of a cool drink of water, unless I have experienced a parched, dry mouth?  Can I know light having never experienced darkness? Darkness is the absence of light. 

God is perfect righteousness, goodness, love, and joy.  The absence of God’s divine presence within the spirit of humanity is a disconnect from the energy source of light, joy, hope, and goodness.  Unless we are born again of the spirit, we cannot know life in its fullness. 

In His kindness, God provides a common grace. This common grace allows lost souls to experience flickers of love, joy, hope, and goodness. These flickers are to draw them to Him.  We see those acts of kindness contrasting that with the evil, suffering, and sorrow surrounding us.  This is to open our eyes that we might desire Him. 

But what about once we know Him?  Why are Christians called to suffer?  Because as we walk through suffering, we become more like Christ.  Then, as we display more of Him to the world around us they come to accept Him as Savior.  Particularly, when people see us endure suffering with a deep steadfast, abiding joy within us as our faith grows.  But let us look at some prime examples of how this from scripture.

Paul – Expounds on how God uses our suffering

But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.  Philippians 3: 7-11 NASB

What led to Paul letting go of all else to see that Jesus was worth more than anything else?  It had been through the pain and suffering he faced that helped him to realize this.  The pain and suffering brought him to recognize that serving Jesus was the only true joy and purpose of this life.  In this he saw how by being joined with the suffering of Christ, his heart and soul were being transformed by the Holy Spirit.

How God Uses Suffering:  a glimpse into my heart.

I have not suffered like Paul. Yet my suffering helped me to see God.   A glimpse of His Glory.  I did not understand His unconditional love until He transformed this human heart into one which could love one person so much.  God gave me an unconditional love for Pete.  Forgiveness was deeply built in.  Although humanly impossible.  But GOD!  That was the first inkling of understanding God’s love for me.  But that love cannot leave one to wallow in their sin; but lifts them out.  Whatever it takes.

Therefore, God knowing I so desperately wanted to find a human to fill the holes in my broken heart and soul.    Well, He gently guided me at first.  Reminding me to avoid situations where I would fail.  Then, He allowed Satan to buffet me.  Or perhaps it was my own Achilles heel that I continuously confronted throughout the years.  A weakness that reminded me continually of my own inability to do this on my own.  Ultimately, surgery after surgery and illness upon illness led me to this broken body that does not even desire to look again for romance or love.  Now my focus is on Him  Now I really and truly feel overwhelmingly loved in Him alone.  My heart leaps with a joy I could have never known before.  No longer am I searching.  Therefore, my broken body is a blessing overflowing from God’s hand of grace.

Furthermore, He constantly reminds me of my failures.  My hurtful ill spoken words. My pride.  And those moments of fear or anxiety, revealing faith failures.  Yet, those do work to keep me humble.  Much like Peter, when he denied Christ.  Only then was he humbled enough to really listen and to be willing to die for Christ.  So, now let us look at Peter.

Peter’s Sorrow and how God Uses Our Suffering

Peter suffered many trials in his life; but I daresay his greatest sorrow was the night he betrayed Christ 3 times.  Even the resurrection, as wondrous as it was, did not remove the sensation of failure, depression, and defeat with himself.  He returned to fishing believing it was the only thing he could do.  How could Jesus use Him now? Yet, Jesus came to him and recommissioned him three times in a single conversation on the shore where they had first met.  The question, “Peter, do you love me?”  A question he had to confront in his own heart.  He thought he loved Christ, but his own pride stood in the way before his failure.  However, now confronted with the question of love, he realized that to truly love Jesus meant he would lay aside everything for Him. 

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. I Peter 1: 3-9  NKJV

How God Uses Our Suffering to Save Others—Jonah

Well, Jonah is a prime example of self determination leading to deep suffering himself.  But all he experienced God uses to save the sailors on the ship and the people of Nineveh for a season.  This despite Jonah’s attempt to run from God and his anger against God for saving “such an evil people”

In their day the Ninevites were the evilest people of all.  Pagan worship, cruel tortures such as burying people up to their head in the sand waiting for the sun to slowly kill them, and cruel slavery.  They hated the nation of Israel.  So God sends Jonah alone with a message that God will bring judgement on them.  Jonah decided then it was a good idea to go the opposite direction to run from God.  He jumped on a boat.

 Well, that boat was filled with idol worshipping sailors.  A storm came and they prayed very hard to each of their gods to no avail.  They told Jonah to pray; but, he said the storm is because of my God and my rebellion toward His command.  They were even less willing to throw Jonah overboard as he suggested.  Ultimately, they did.  And the storm stopped.  They suddenly went from worshipping their idols to worshipping the One True God. 

He got swallowed by a big fish God prepared and sent.  After repenting, he was spit up on shore.  Went on to Nineveh.  But the story went ahead of him.  So, when he walked into Nineveh, the people had heard of and were frightened of God.  So, they repented from the King down to the lowest person. They fasted and prayed.  Even fasted their animals in hopes God would save them.  He did. 

So, God Uses our Suffering even of a Disobedient Servant?

Therefore, God saved a huge city of people who turned to worship Him.  This despite the anger of Jonah to see it.  For at least one generation, the people worshipped God.  Then, centuries later the Assyrians with Nineveh their capital attacked Israel.  The next generation forgot God; but, a group were saved due to God using the suffering of a reluctant prophet. 

Imagine being the one who must write your story.  “I ran from God.  Then  had to go anyway, reluctantly determined to watch the enemy destroyed.  Only God saved them.  I was boiling mad at His grace; but, He told me of His love for these people who were ignorant.  Oh, shoot!  I am the ignorant fool He saved and sent to save them.

 Wait, that is my story as well.  He uses even my bumbling stupidity at times to lead someone else to a saving knowledge of Himself.  Even my worst can be transformed into good for the kingdom when I turn back to Him and repent.  How often have I prayed, “God please forgive me and fix this mess I have created.  And can you shut my mouth next time before I mess up?” But sometimes I think He lets me, so I am reminded only He has the power to save.  It is His power, His mercy, and His absolute grace that saved me as well.

Now every year the book of Jonah is read on the day of atonement.  It presents the divine mercy of God and the possibility of atonement when one repents and turns to Him.   

How God uses our suffering to bless others as well.

Paul tells us in II Corinthians that he was undergoing severe suffering at the time and just prior to writing this letter to the Corinthian Church.  He wrote this.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction which occurred in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, who rescued us from so great a danger of death, and will rescue us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,if you also join in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons in our behalf for the favor granted to us through the prayers of many.  II Corinthians 1:8-11 NASB

Because of All That

Did you get that?  Paul is saying the extreme suffering he was facing led the church to pray.  Then as God worked in their praying hearts, their faith increased.  Their hope, blessings, and joy were multiplied due to the suffering Paul went through.  That is why he wrote just before this to the same crowd.

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 affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in  any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;  and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are partners in our sufferings, so also you are in our comfort.  II Corinthians 13-7  NASB

My mother loved God with all her heart.  Yet she suffered severely with bipolar disorder.  Despite this she lived to be 89. Often she wondered why God didn’t take her home.  I wondered why He did not heal her.  Then years later I realized.  Her disease led me to understand bipolar.  It allowed me to remain married to Pedro Barba, II for all those years. Miraculously, one day he found Christ as his savior before he died.  Therefore, is there any suffering to great to endure for the salvation of one soul?  Christ did not think so. 

An entire lifetime here is a blink of an eye compared to eternity.  We do not know all the miraculous workings of God behind the scenes.  But we do know He is working.  And one day it will be revealed to us.  Then we will understand.  Until then let us rejoice in Him. Knowing God uses our suffering for His Divine, always good purpose. 

Concluding thought and poem

So quickly we cast aside someone who fails to live up to our expectations.  Yet, we need to step back. Remember God loves His called, redeemed children.  He may chasten them.  But He never lets go.  I wrote this poem once upon a time for someone struggling with their own failure. Society rejected them as well. I, too, was rejected by the church at 18. No mercy to ask what had happened. They believed the worst; instead of finding the truth. Even more so because I had prior to this been what was considered the shining example. Yet, they did not see the pride within that needed to be sifted. Therefore they failed to reach out a hand of grace; because they felt more righteous condemning me.

God’s grace continued on to transform me in His grace and mercy. That church soon did not exist, having split apart from within.

In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved

Accused, Condemned in eyes of men

Rejected, hated for my sin

No one stopped to see my heart

Cast aside some broken part

That no one cared to see inside

The scars and sorrows that abide

A heart so filled with hopes and dreams

Of meadows green and crystal streams

Lay shattered, broken cast away

With nothing good or kind to say

Chorus

Then God’s Dear Grace that loved me so

Looked deep within and bid to know

Each crevice of my heart and soul

Each broken piece to then make whole

In Christ I am set free from sin

My guilt and shame all taken in

And bore upon that rugged cross

My strength to stand though all else loss

My sins all covered by His blood

In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved

How quickly men’s own selfish pride

Does cast away and cast aside

A fallen one—a broken heart

Who needs your hand to help them start?

Christ had come to heal the lame

To lift their guilt and take their shame

He called the sinners to His side

To know His love-in Him abide

So why do we not give our hand

To help a fallen one to stand

So, prideful man with heart so small

Be careful lest you too shall fall

Chorus

For it was God’s dear Grace that loved me so

Looked deep within and bid to know

Each crevice of my heart and soul

Each broken piece to then make whole

In Christ I am set free from sin

My guilt and shame all taken in

And bore upon that rugged cross

My strength to stand though all else loss

My sins all covered by His blood

In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved

Effie Darlene Barba

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2025

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible.

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