Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As the end of all time draws near I fear we are not ready. Our lives are so caught up in selfish desires and the things of this world that we are not ready. While we build for this world, our character building has taken a very decidedly back seat.
As I look back upon my life I am seeing how sinful I was, and yet, being involved with the church schools and church work, I never understood how sinful this mortal was. I had no mentor who understood what it was to live as Jesus lived: perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping. It was all about church, pride, selling, buying and getting ahead in this world.
There were so many problems in my life that I never had the opportunity to STOP and look at my life through the lens of the Ten Commandments. The troubles and suffering that I went through, and not just through my own sins, I see now were steppingstones in character development. We must take the time to pray and ask and plead with the Holy Spirit to show us our sins so we can overcome. Only overcomers will be going to Heaven.
1 Peter 4:1—19
Therefore, since the Messiah suffered in a mortal body, you, too, must arm yourselves with the same determination, . . .
The older I get the more I realize how important suffering is in this world. Suffering in others should bring out empathy in our lives for them. It should awaken in us the love of Jesus for others. But I could not experience that in my life since no one had empathy for me. We mortals need examples. Yet, suffering in our own lives is very important for our character development. Without suffering, there would be no development.
Jesus is our example. We need to take more time to contemplate the life of Christ. Not just on a theoretical level, but deep, by picturing it in our lives. We need to read until we see Jesus suffering for us. Too many of us act as if we deserve to have Him suffer for us. We deserve nothing but death! Yet, He determined to leave His home of love and adoration for a world that would hate Him, beat Him, scourge Him and crucify Him. Not many of us would leave our loving homes and go into that kind of environment.
. . . because the person who has suffered in a mortal body has stopped sinning, . . .
Suffering produces righteousness. The soft world most of us live in today is only producing wickedness. Few are taking advantage of this time of peace to prepare to live in a perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping world. We are squandering the blessings God has given us. We are squandering the time God has given us. The trials and tribulations and suffering that are soon to fall are needful to prepare us for Heaven.
As we look around at the world today, a generation of individuals are growing up having never experienced real suffering. Every wish, every desire, every feeling have all been gratified. Society teaches us that if we don’t get everything we want, we are victims. They do not know what it is to work hard, experience loss or even experience someone saying “No” to them. And what has that produced? Rioting, hate, incapable of reasoning or understanding others. They are soft in mind and body. The world around them is nothing more than a video game where there are no consequences for their actions. Just hit “reset” and go again until you get the desired effect and outcome you want.
. . . so that he can live the rest of his mortal life guided, not by human desires, but by the will of God.
We really don’t like that part, “The will of God”. We want to do our on will. We want what we want. Our selfish natures leave no room for the “will of God”. We think that our will is His will. It isn’t! Our will is guided by evil, human desires led on by the devil. Unless we make a complete one-eighty and begin looking at what God’s will is for “my” life, we will never make it to Heaven. Don’t look at others, keep your eyes on Jesus.
The only people God can take to Heaven are “safe” people. People who will never, ever, voluntarily sin. For eternity they must surrender their lives to the One who created them. They must always want to do the Will of God. Why? Because sin started with Lucifer who, one day, after living for who-knows how many thousands of years in a perfect environment, decided that he had had enough of following the will of God. He wanted to do it his way. Sin began with a selfish desire in a perfect environment. God cannot allow back into Heaven anyone with a selfish desire.
For you spent enough time in the past doing what the gentiles like to do, living in sensuality, sinful desires, drunkenness, wild celebrations, drinking parties, and detestable idolatry.
I’m not sure we have. I think we are still spending too much time doing what the “gentiles like”. For most who call themselves “Christian”, I think, deep down inside they wish they could openly live as the Gentiles do. But because of their standing in the community or the church, they hide that desire and try to put on a righteous act. But God sees it all. He reads the hearts and the thoughts of men, women and children. We can’t deceive Him!
They insult you now because they are surprised that you are no longer joining them in the same excesses of wild living.
Have you been insulted for not joining in with the Gentiles? If not, why not? How can you be insulted if you are joining in? Maybe we need to change our perspective and learn to rejoice while being insulted in our lives for Jesus. I think we are too busy hiding what we call “Christianity” instead of living it.
They will give an account to the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
I don’t think we truly believe that. Most live as if there will be no judging, at least “not of me”.
Indeed, this is why the gospel was proclaimed even to those who have died, so that they could be judged in their mortal flesh like all humans and live in the spiritual realm like God.
This confuses a lot of people. Many think Jesus went to the “dead” and preached to them while in the grave. But no, the gospel had been proclaimed to all the world, including those who had lived before the flood. However, at the time of Peter, all of them were dead. Yet, when they were alive, they were treated no differently than those living in Peter’s day. All, everyone since Adam, has been given an opportunity to repent and turn from their sins. If they had, they would be able to live in the “spiritual realm” when Jesus comes again. If not, they will be burned up for eternity.
Another aspect of this is, most churches believe that we, today, have a different gospel than they had in the Old Testament. However, Peter here is explaining that it doesn’t matter when you lived, everyone who has lived has had the same gospel taught to them. Otherwise, God would be unfair and biased in His judgment of the world. No, we serve a God who does not change His eternal, salvation laws.
Because everything will soon come to an end, be sensible and clear-headed, so you can pray.
I don’t think we understand just how “soon” everything will be coming to an end. And I am not just talking about the end of all time, I’m talking about our way of living today. Soon, I think too soon for most, our way of living will come to an end. Mighty changes are coming to this country, and to the world. Be prepared!
Above all, continue to love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
That is the key for what is coming. Only the love of Jesus will carry us through the upheaval that is soon to overtake the world. The deep love of Jesus is what we need. That only comes through suffering. That suffering comes through obedience to the Ten Commandments.
Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
Complainers are a dime a dozen. That is all we hear through every media outlet available to us. Complaining has become a religion. People don’t feel like they have accomplished anything unless they have complained about something. People don’t feel valued, like they matter, and therefore, must complain to show how important they are.
As good servant managers of God’s grace in its various forms, serve one another with the gift each of you has received.
God has given each of us gifts in various forms. Yet, because most of us have failed to develop those gifts, we have very few to manage. And those we are managing, I’m not sure we are “good servant managers”. For most, we have taken possession of the gifts God has given us and are using them for selfishness.
Whoever speaks must speak God’s words.
Do you speak? Have you used your mouth and words to speak the loving words of God to others? Do you use your words to bring comfort to others? Are your words soothing or full of vileness? Selfish or peaceful? Stirring up trouble or bringing rest?
Whoever serves must serve with the strength that God supplies, so that in every way God may be glorified through Jesus, the Messiah. Glory and power belong to him forever and ever! Amen.
Many claim they are serving, or that they love, while all the time exhibiting the character of Lucifer: hitting, slapping, making derogatory statements to or about those they claim to love. We truly need to back up, fall on our knees and surrender our lives to Jesus. We must serve with the “strength that God supplies”, not as Lucifer supplies. We must live so Jesus is glorified and not our evil desires and wants.
Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
For most, the “fiery ordeal” taking place in our lives has been instigated by our own actions. For most we placed ourselves in the fire, or put the logs on the fire, or at the least lit the match. Maybe it is time to step out of the situation we placed ourselves into.
On the other hand, if you are in a “fiery ordeal” because you are living the perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping life, then praise God and stop murmuring and complaining.
Instead, because you are participating in the sufferings of the Messiah, keep on rejoicing, so that you may be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.
Jesus never slapped anyone. Jesus never called anyone a derogatory name out of hate. Jesus never misused or mistreated anyone. Instead, Jesus took all the sufferings of others unto Himself to develop His character. What are you doing? Are you glad and shout for joy when you experience suffering?
If you are insulted because of the name of the Messiah, you are blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God is resting on you.
Most bring suffering upon themselves, and then claim to be blessed for suffering, thinking it is for the “name of the Messiah”. It isn’t. Unless you are suffering because you are living the perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping life, your suffering is a self-inflicted suffering. There is nothing God can do until you stop inflicting the suffering on yourself and others. Bring peace, joy, love and respect to all. You can’t claim to love those you are hurting.
Of course, none of you should suffer for being a murderer, thief, criminal, or troublemaker.
If you bring it upon yourself, don’t be surprised if you suffer. The world doesn’t love a murderer, thief, criminal or troublemaker any more than God does. Stop causing trouble.
But if you suffer for being a Christian, do not feel ashamed, but glorify God with that name.
Will you suffer for being a Christian? Absolutely! Rejoice by returning joy, happiness and love to those who cause you suffering for your Christian life. (I’m still working on this.)
For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who refuse to obey the gospel of God?
We are not to dispense vengeance. God will take care of that. We are to dispense love, joy, peace and goodwill to everyone. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter how much churchgoing you do, or how much praying you do, or how much you claim to be a Christian, you will suffer the same outcome as those you refuse to love as Jesus loved.
“If it is hard for the righteous person to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and sinful person?”
And let us be very clear on that, “It is hard for the righteous person to be saved”. Few, said Jesus, would be saved. Are you striving to be saved? Are you working hard, as Jesus did, to be saved?
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do what is good.
“According to God’s will”! That is the key! We are not to suffer according to our will, or what we think is “enough” before we lash out. No, “according to God’s will”. If you truly believe in God who will judge the wicked, you will change your life and begin living as Jesus did: perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping.
INMATE LETTERS
Dear Brother Ron,
I just received and read your letter and invitation to read the “Change Your Life Biblically” book. I would love to participate and be a part of something wonderful and amazing and greater than myself. I would appreciate it deeply if you would forward me everything God has to offer. I’m more focused now more than ever to find my way and fulfill all of God’s plans for me.
Billy, MI
JCPM,
Thank you for reaching out to me. I am interested in receiving the book and completing the 8-Step Program.
Darrin, MI
Hey Brother Ronald,
For the last six months I’ve really been pushing into the Lord. He has opened my eyes and changed my heart. He has been in my life since I can remember, but, it wasn’t until six months ago I quit half-stepping and went all the way it it. Hopefully your book is the next step in my walk.
Joe, KS
Dear Ron,
I just so happen to come across your pamphlet. While on my way to the shower, a friend just handed to me and told me I should check it out. I guess he thought that because he sees one studying the Bible each day, that I would be interested. As I read the pamphlet, it felt like a lot of your story about being in prison was similar to mine. I turn 39 this month. I’ve been in prison for 6 1/2 years. But I still can see God’s hand on me.
Justin, OH
Brother Ron,
I am interested in the 8-Step Program. Right now I am going through a couple battles with myself. I feel like this is something I really need right now, to get closer to God. The timing of your letter honestly couldn’t be better. I look forward to reading your book and doing the program.
Juan, CO
JCPM,
I am writing you today to request info on your correspondence courses that you offer through the mail. I am interested in programs that will benefit me for my future.
Ryan, NY
Dear Ron,
I would like to join “Change Your Life Biblically” for the certificate. I think taking this course will be very good for my moral compass. I hope to receive the course through the mail as soon as possible. My cellmate would love it if you sent him the CYLB also.
Tomas, IL
Dear JCPM,
I would like to thank you for opening my eye a bit wider. I am almost done with volume I, and am amazed that there are others who believe as I do! I have only been on my Christian walk for 2 years, but have learned so much just by reading and praying and re-reading. I have tried to discuss some of my views with fellow Christians (Sunday worshipers) and have been met with much resistance. Most stating that I’m wrong and I’m reading out of context. At this I usually drop the subject and just pray for them. When I received my book in the mail, it wasn’t something I was expecting. I am pleasantly joyed that I have the chance to read the material sent to me.
Randy, ID
Dear Brother Ronald,
I received your wonderful letter discussing a new life in Jesus. I have been struggling with patience while fighting to overturn my conviction. I am interested in your 8-Step program with becoming closer to Jesus. I feel I need Him closer in my life.
Patrick, OH
Dear Ronald John,
I am honored to receive your letter and by the offers you had mentioned on it; a new way of life in Jesus. I am very happy to hear “This is not a church, religion or denomination”. Please don’t take personal, but I learned I’m the only person I can truly depend on. Hopefully, you will understand that I have to do what I can to protect myself when it comes to people I don’t know. As a child, I was abandoned by my mother and grandmother (now deceased) raised me until I was fifteen years old. I never met my father. I survived traumatic childhood and adolescent experiences with no friends nor family. I became a loner. It was devastating. At the age of eighteen, I was sentenced and sent to prison for 8 years. But sure, I will give your offer to participate in the 8’Step Program and the CYLB book.
Ignacio, ID
Dear Brother Ron,
As always God is right on time! This letter from you found me in a time when I needed it most. I’ve been struggling with my faith lately and as soon as I received this letter, I knew God was at work. I would love to be a part of the program you are offering. In fact, I can’t think of anything better to be doing. I’ve read some of the other brothers’ testimonies and I am so eager to find what it is those guys have found. I’m definitely looking forward to being a part of this program.
Johnta, KY
Dear Ron,
I hope all is well. Today, I received your letter. First, I want to thank you for taking the time to write me. Second, I would love to take the 8-Step program. My beliefs are different than most, and I don’t know how that will affect my completing the program, but I’m willing to give it a shot.
Antonio, WV
Testimony for God’s Children
My Dear Family in Christ,
The following letter is so true. I have found my own life embedded with many of the same defects. Life isn’t easy. The only roadmap we have is the Word of God.
It is so easy to complain about others based on our own selfish wants and wishes. However, the lives of others are not traveling on the same path as we are. We can give advice, we can share insights, but we are not to tell others what they should or should not do. What each of us do is between us and our God.
For most of us, it truly is about pride, ego and self. We need to learn more of the love, sympathy and kindness of Jesus. We are all hurting. We have all been beaten up by sin. Let us reach out and draw the sinner to our hearts of love and point them to Jesus.
Selfishness in the Church and in the Family
Dear Brother (Church Member),
I have been shown in vision that you have defects in your character which must be remedied. You are not right in your views and feelings in regard to your wife. You do not appreciate her. She has not received the words of sympathy and love from you that you should have given her. It would not lessen the dignity of your manhood to praise her for the care she takes and the burdens she bears in the family.
You are selfish and exacting. You mark little things and talk of small errors in your wife and children. In short, you seek to gauge their consciences by your own; you try to be conscience for them. Your wife has an identity of her own, which can never be merged in that of her husband. She has an individuality which she should preserve, for she is accountable before God for herself. You cannot, Brother (Church Member), be responsible before God for the character your wife forms. She alone will bear this responsibility. God is just as willing to impress the conscience of your God-fearing wife as He is to impress your conscience for her.
You expect too much of your wife and children. You censure too much. If you would encourage a cheerful, happy temper yourself, and speak kindly and tenderly to them, you would bring sunlight into your dwelling instead of clouds, sorrow, and unhappiness. You think too much of your opinion; you have taken extreme positions and have not been willing that your wife’s judgment should have the weight it should in your family. You have not encouraged respect for your wife yourself nor educated your children to respect her judgment. You have not made her your equal, but have rather taken the reins of government and control into your own hands and held them with a firm grasp. You have not an affectionate, sympathetic disposition. These traits of character you need to cultivate if you want to be an overcomer and if you want the blessing of God in your family.
You are very set and unyielding in your opinion, which makes it very hard for your family. You need to have your heart softened by the grace of God. You need such love in your heart as characterized the works of Christ. Love proceeds from God. It is a plant of heavenly growth, and it cannot live and flourish in the natural heart. Where it exists, there is truth and life and power. But it cannot live without action, and whenever it is exercised it increases and extends. It will not observe little mistakes and be quick to mark little errors. It will prevail when argument, when any amount of words, will prove vain and useless. The very best way to reform the character and regulate the conduct of your family is through the principle of love. It is indeed a power and will accomplish that which neither money nor might ever can.
My brother, your words that are harsh and unsympathizing cut and wound. It is very easy for you to censure and find fault, but this is only productive of unhappiness. You would quickly resent the words you address to others, were they spoken to you. You have looked upon it as a weakness to be kind, tender, and sympathetic, and have thought it beneath your dignity to speak tenderly, gently, and lovingly to your wife. Here you mistake in what true manliness and dignity consist. The disposition to leave deeds of kindness undone is a manifest weakness and defect in your character. That which you would look upon as weakness, God regards as true Christian courtesy, that should be exercised by every Christian; for this was the spirit which Christ manifested.
You have a very selfish disposition and think more highly of yourself than you ought to think. You frequently take extremely singular and fanciful views of the Scriptures, and often cling to these as zealously as did the Jews to their traditions. Not possessing a teachable spirit, you will be in constant danger of making trouble in the church unless you set yourself at the work of correcting these wrongs in the strength of the mighty Conqueror. That which makes your case alarming is that you think you know these things better than your brethren, and you are very difficult to be approached. You have a self-righteous, pharisaical spirit, which would say: “Stand off, come not near me; for I am holier than thou.”
You have not seen the corruptions of your own heart and that you have made life almost a failure. Your opinions cannot and must not rule in the church of God. You need to be cultivating all the Christian graces, but especially charity, which suffereth long and is kind, envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, “doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity [love], which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
You mark little deviations from what you think is right, and you sternly seek to correct them. While you are thus overbearing and dictatorial, quick to observe a brother’s faults, you do not closely search your own heart to see the evils existing in your life. You show great moral weakness in the indulgence of your appetite and passions. The slavery of appetite for tobacco has such control over you that although you resolve and re-resolve to overcome the habit, you do not accomplish it. This wrong habit has perverted your senses. My brother, where is your self-denial? Where is your moral power to overcome? Christ overcame the power of appetite in the wilderness of temptation on your account, making it possible for you to overcome on your own account. Now the battle is yours. In the name of the Conqueror you have an opportunity to deny your appetite and gain a victory for yourself. You require much of others; what are you willing to do to get the victory over a disgusting, health-destroying, soul-polluting indulgence? The battle is yours. No one can fight it for you. Others can pray for you, but the work must be wholly your own.
God calls upon you to no longer dally with the tempter, but to cleanse yourself from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in His fear. You need to work fast to remove the defects from your character. You are in God’s workshop. If you will submit to the process of hewing and squaring and planing, that the rough edges may be removed, the knots and uneven surface smoothed and fitted by the planing knife of God, you will be fitted by His grace for the heavenly building. But if you cling to self, and are not willing to endure the trying process of fitting for the heavenly building, you will have no place in that structure which will come together without the sound of ax or hammer. If your nature is not transformed, if you are not refined and elevated by the sanctifying truth for these last days, you will be found unworthy of a place among the pure and holy angels.
Can you afford to cling to your defiling habits and at last be found among the unbelieving and the unsanctified? Can you afford to run any risk in this matter? There is too much at stake for you to venture to pursue the course of self-indulgence that you have followed. You have been forward to talk the truth to unbelievers in a very positive, objectionable manner, which has had a very bad influence upon their minds. When there is one inconsistent advocate of the truth, Satan uses him to special advantage to disgust those who, under a proper influence, would have been favorably impressed. You should soften your manners, and when you advocate the truth, let it be with a spirit of meekness.
“Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” The fear here spoken of does not mean distrust or indecision, but with due caution, guarding every point, lest an unwise word be spoken, or excitement of feeling get the advantage, and thus leave unfavorable impressions upon minds, and balance them in the wrong direction. Godly fear, humility, and meekness are greatly needed by all in order to correctly represent the truth of God.
One of your greatest dangers is a spirit of self-confidence and pride. The great unhappiness which exists with you and in your family results immediately from the operation of pride. The usefulness of a man who has this pride must be greatly limited, for his pride and self-love keep him in a narrow sphere. His spirit is not generous. His efforts are not extended, but contracted. By his conversation and deportment this pride will be discovered if it exists.
Dear brother, the influence under which your character has been formed has given you a haughty, overbearing spirit. This spirit you act out in your family and among your neighbors and all with whom you associate. In order to overcome these wrong habits, you must watch unto prayer. You should now be thoroughly in earnest, for you have little time in which to work. Do not feel that you are sufficient in your own strength. Only in the name of the mighty Conqueror can you gain the victory. In conversation with others dwell upon the mercy, goodness, and love of God instead of upon His strict judgment and justice. Cling fast to His promises. You can do nothing in your own strength, but in the strength of Jesus you can do all things. If you are in Christ, and Christ is in you, you will be transformed, renewed, and sanctified. “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Be sure that Christ is in you, that your heart is broken and submissive and humble. God will accept only the humble and contrite. Heaven is worth a lifelong, persevering effort; yes, it is worth everything. God will help you in your efforts if you strive only in Him. There is a work to be done in your family which God will help you to perform if you take hold of it aright. I entreat of you to set your own heart in order and then seek patiently to work for the salvation of your family, that the angels of God may come into your house and abide with you. 4T 255-259.