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WHAT IS TRUTH AND HOW TO PROVE IT - CHARLIE CABURIAN

I THANK GOD for this rare opportunity of presenting a simple message. I pray that this message may be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and at the same time anointing will be given to every reader.

Salvation is a popular and controversial issue among professing Christians. The sad fact is, it is also widely misunderstood thus causing confusion, and as a result many precious souls treat Christianity as failure. But despite these, the truth about salvation still exists and only those who are motivated by right intentions, those who accept the Bible as it is, those who are willing to meet the conditions, will find this “Pearl of Great Price.” “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” The title of this message is simply, “What Truth is and How to Prove it.”

In the gospel of St. John 8:32 we read, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” These words from the Master aroused His hearer’s interest about an amusing subject, that of freedom. Here, let us first set aside truth and focus our attention about freedom. In fact, this freedom is “vital” in letting us understand truth.

Let me ask a question that will lead us to understand freedom. What was binding these Jews that brought them to a position that they were in need of freedom? They even insisted that they were Abraham’s seed and were never in bondage to any man. But to this our Master responded, “Verily verily, I say unto you, Whosoever COMMITTETH SIN is the SERVANT OF SIN.” Here we understand that anyone who is living in sin is a servant, or simply, a prisoner. May that be plain and simple enough.

It has been said, “The first step to victory is to know who our enemy is”; and since sin is man’s greatest enemy, it is highly important that we understand the nature of sin, the cause and effect of it, and its attributes. Sin of course is empowered by Satan, and we see the first person to be captivated by sin was Eve. To understand further, sin has three forms and the Bible calls it as the things of the world. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh [fornication, vices, anger, etc.], the lust of the eyes [pornography, sexual movies], and the pride of life [fame, selfish ambitions], is not of the Father, but is of the world” (I John 2:16). Sin is defined in the Bible as “transgression of the law” (I John 3:4). But, let us understand that sin has two definite senses. Here, I ask the reader to CAREFULLY CONSIDER this part. Let us read I John 5:17. “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin [that leadeth] NOT unto death.” In verse 16 we read, “… there is a sin [that leadeth] UNTO death.” What is the difference between the two? In one sense it is NOT UNTO DEATH, while in another sense it is UNTO DEATH. So sin is clearly identified by the cause and effect of it, because in one text we read, “The wages of sin is death.” To make it more simple, let us name “sin unto death” as IMPUTED SIN, and “sin not unto death” as UNIMPUTED SIN. Unimputed sin is a transgression of God’s law and leadeth NOT unto death, because anyone who UNKNOWINGLY transgresses a law of God is innocent for “… sin is not imputed when there is no law” (Romans 5:13). Imputed sin, either commission or omission, involves our will, freedom, knowledge and consent. Anyone who is found guilty of this sin is under condemnation; dead, a prisoner, and if not amended eternal punishment will be his final destination. I believe this is the sin that Jesus was talking about when He said, “Whosoever committeth sin is a servant of sin.” This is the condition of many. That’s why our Master said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

If we desire freedom, Dearly Beloved, the truth is clear. Jesus is the “way, the truth and the life.” It is a failure when we use our own feeble strength in obtaining this freedom. More religions, more prison houses or organizations won’t do because, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved [freed]” (Acts 4:12). “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save [free] his people [creation; family of man] FROM their sins” (Matthew 1:21). But, we cannot obtain this freedom or salvation without realizing our need of God. There must be a SINCERE heart’s desire to leave the life of sin, and a desire to stop sinning. If no desire is found, better not start at all because it will only end up into another failure. Leaving a life of sin is launching to a different kind of life, the very opposite of sin—holiness. And, we are aspiring for a life of service and sacrifice for Jesus. We must deny ourselves. That’s why it is important to COUNT THE COST. Salvation is experienced and obtained through the process of conversion or being born again, justified or pardoned from sin simultaneously. True repentance is necessary. The time must come that we feel sick and tired of sin and come to God really repenting of our sins. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). This is now, or never; tomorrow might be too late. “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). Redeem the time, Sinner Friend. We are free moral agents and the choice is left to us. Come to God with an open and humble heart. Though this freedom will cost your whole life, it is all worth it. So if there is something holding you back, let me ask you a question to answer with reasonableness. If you are going to surrender your life to Jesus, will it lead you to destruction or harm you? No, no and no! Of course not. In fact it’s the other way around. Life is joyful if we are living free from sin. I know what it is to be in bondage to sin—no peace of mind; no life’s purpose; no assurance; something is always lacking; afraid to die; a life full of confusion and misery. But thank God, Jesus came on the scene and liberated me. PRAISE AND MAGNIFY HIS NAME! Though I’m still a literal prisoner who was convicted for murdering my own cousin and grandmother, I have real freedom, because indeed the truth has set me free. I’m thankful because through those iron bars and thick walls, I was led to be still and consider who God is. I was also given the opportunity to listen to His words that helped me realize my need of salvation. And by meeting the Bible conditions, I can boldly say I’m free. Glory to His name! Dear Sinner Friend, you may be in a free society but if sin is dominating your life, you are bound by a powerful force and that kind of imprisonment is worse than being literally bound by chains or thick walls. May I point you to Jesus Christ and be set free. I sincerely pray that God will move on your heart. What will be your decision?

We proceed now to the remaining part of this message and it is centered on providing the truth. The dictionary defines prove as, “to establish validity; assertion; confirm; be found to be.” How then are we going to prove the truth? When I say truth, I mean the truth that Jesus Christ has indeed set you free from sin. The great Master said, and it is a logical explanation, “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit” (Matthew 7:17). And verse 20 says, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” What’s on the inside will NATURALLY come out. The life we live will prove who we really are because actions SPEAK LOUDER than words. If we truly are saved from sin, then the change or transformation that took place inside our hearts will show its effect in our lives and conduct. We will no longer be a liar, a thief, a murderer or any wicked kind of person. We are already “new creatures in Christ.” These words are plain and easy to understand, but because of many NOT having the desire to completely live from sin, they come up with the conclusion that it’s impossible to live free from sin, thus ending with a “sin you must” doctrine. I pray that this is not your ground, Friend, but instead you would be one of the precious souls that are willing to meet the conditions, and be a living proof of the TRUTH OF SALVATION. The Bible says, “Whosoever is born of God [saved from sin] doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (I John 3:9). This text is very clear. Salvation or being born of God is the cause, and “doth not commit sin” is the effect. So to cut it short, salvation is the STARTING POINT of holiness and through the sufficient grace of God we stay holy as we combat the temptations of the world, and will willingly walk in every light that shines on our way.

My prayer is that all Christians will stay true and a clear testimony will be exhibited before the sinners’ clear eyes and ears, so that they’ll conclude that “truly freedom from sin is possible.” “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

God bless you, and to God be the honor and glory Bro. Charlie Caburian, Philippines

(Taken from October 2007 issue of The Way of Truth)

MY TESTIMONY - Bro. Eddie A.Santos

I was born in a big family , two elder sisters and four brothers me being the youngest. My Father Tatang Tacs(Anastacio) as they call him was a good provider for he was able to sent us all six (6) in college and had all finished our bachelors degree. My Mother as they call her Nanay Paz is just a plain housewife and a housekeeper and I never saw her went to other houses and just mind her own business do all the caring for us and cooking and father do the budgeting. As a young boy I grew up in a Methodist church and was active then for I even join in their literary presentation during Christmas time but when I reached the age of a teenager I stopped entering their church instead went to the Catholic church for most of my friends were Catholics. My Family was never active in any church or denomination for my father and my mother never did I saw them enter in any of these sects or denominations but my grandfather the father of my mother who was a school teacher is a Methodist church member. So we were not obliged by our parents to go to any of these churches. During my young age I got sick so terribly that I was in delirium the ceiling of my room looks so vast and by that time I saw mother in her knees praying and in the morning I was well and I know God heard the prayer of my dear mother. My parents also accepted the Lord later in their years.

Starting with my experience with the Lord , after I graduated in college and had passed the board exam for civil engineers. I was full of ambition in life I went to the city of Manila in search for a job and I got one, while waiting then to be assigned to Bicol province on a big industrial project unfortunately I resigned for the reason that I was being hunted by someone that I had done wrong and I went back to Paniqui and it was then that brother Rey saw me and invited me but was so hesitant and always say to him some other time but he always drop by our house on his way to lacayanga to a night service in the house of Pastor Luzong’s son Garding. It started that way and then to a Sunday service to Pastor’s Luzong’s house where I was move by the Holy Spirit and I found myself in the altar seeking and asking forgiveness to the Lord I believed I was forgiven and was added unto the Church of God. All my ambitions in life to be a successful engineer totally changed and I found myself with bro. Jet, Bro. Arnold(bokwa),Bro. Ging, Sister Mercy (Sergio’s wife), Sis. Myrna luzong studying theology and homiletics in the tailoring shop of Pastor Luzong where he was our teacher. We have bible services every night and we were doing visitation on every houses with the leadership of Pastor Luzong. We were trained to stand in the pulpit and apply what we learned in homiletics. Until I met Sis. Nimpa sister of Bro. Ging who was then having her vacation she had just finished Nursing and waiting for the result of her board exam. I was captivated by her charm and we got married the first marriage officiated by Pastor Luzong in his ministry in the Church of God.

Things run so fast that we found ourselves with three children to support give their material needs and send to school. They were reared in the church of God and had also accepted the Lord as their personal Savior and we were so proud for that. I hope they continue to live like a church of God should be. Eva rose is now in her fourth year in college taking medical technology and Nehemiah Ed is now in his second year in engineering and Gracie Anne is with us here in Italy and now in her second year in high school, Gracie is so talented that she always got excellent grades. I hope that someday we will be back again to our beloved country and again together with brethren in the Church of God.

In Christ love,
Bro. Eddie

Five Kinds of Religion, C.W. Naylor

Christianity is a singing religion. The coming of Jesus was ushered in with the joyful chants of the heavenly throng. Singing has ever been a prominent part of the worship of God. When the soul has a vision of the God revealed in the New Testament it is uplifted, illuminated, inspired, exalted. This exaltation naturally bursts forth into heavenly songs—songs of joy and true happiness.

The vast wealth of song written by Christians and used in their religious devotions is in a strange and almost startling contrast to the lack of song in the other religions of the world. Music has little part in the worship of other systems of religion. The American Indian may sing his war song, song of the chase, or other similar songs in his religious festivals. The votaries of other religions may also sing songs, but these are generally not songs of worship but songs to placate their gods, rather than attempts to express their own joyfulness in the service of their gods. It is true that Buddhism in some countries is borrowing the Christian custom of song in worship and adapting Christian hymns to their worship. It should be noted, however, that this is a mere adaptation in the face of Christian competition rather than something that originated in Buddhism. So Christianity may be said to be the only singing religion including, of course, the worship of Israel, from which it has in a great measure been derived.

Religion has a powerful influence upon happiness. It adds much to or takes much from natural happiness, according to the kind of religion in which we believe. Christians do not all believe in the same sort of religion. True, they all believe in one God, and in one Bible, and in a general way in many of the same things. When we come to the practical side of religion, however, there are about five kinds of the Christian religion. Four of these produce little happiness, in fact may hinder happiness. They may stifle the song that would naturally arise from the free heart. The reader will do well to pause and consider as we notice these five kinds of religion—which, if any, he has, or if he has a mixture of them.

RELIGION OF SELF-DENIAL

First, there is the don't religion. It is the religion of self-denial. It is hedged in with numerous restrictions. It is a religion in which the worshiper is kept in a straight jacket. It is largely a negative religion. Those having this religion may be very strict, very sincere, very earnest, but they never can be truly happy. Happiness never comes from the purely negative aspect of life. When we deny ourselves anything in religion the purpose should not be merely that we be without it, but that we may put in its place something greater, something that will contribute more to our happiness and well-being. Religion is intended to make people free, with the highest type of freedom. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed," is the slogan of the New Testament. A don't religion is conducive to bondage. There is a sort of satisfaction in this don't religion. It may gratify the sense of duty, but we must get a different sort of religion in order to know the secret of the singing heart.

RELIGION OF WORKS

The second kind of religion is the do religion. It consists of merely following forms and ceremonies, or obeying rules and regulations, or doing works of merit. Its followers may find considerable satisfaction in reading prayers, bowing down and arising, in making the sign of the cross, in keeping holy days, making pilgrimages in closely following outlined ceremonials and going through forms. Some of the forms of religion have a certain value in giving soul uplift, but they are a poor substitute for the realities of true religion. With this formalism there may be stately singing by trained choirs, there may be grand organs pealing forth, there may be intellectual discoursing, with the heart of genuine religion absent. The esthetic sense is gratified while the soul is left unfed or perhaps impoverished. This do religion trusts in works. It draws much satisfaction from what it has done. There was much of this sort of religion among the old Pharisees. But who ever saw a Pharisee who was truly happy, whose heart sang with joy? No, a religion of mere works, of forms and ceremonies, can bring little true happiness.

RELIGION OF THE LAW

Another form of religion is the Sinai religion. It hedges in lives with "thou shalt" and "thou shalt not." It is the mere keeping of commandments. It is a worshiper of authority. It is doing because one must. It is refraining from doing for fear of punishment. The God of Sinai still thunders forth in this religion. He is a great and awful God, crowned with majesty and glory, but far removed from the worshiper. He is worshiped in fear and trembling at the foot of the mountains whose summit is hidden in angry clouds. Out of these clouds flash the lightnings of divine vengeance. It is a stiff and rigorous religion. There is little of grace or mercy in it. It is walking by rule. There is little in it to start the songs that come from a peaceful and happy heart.

RELIGION OF EMOTIONS

Then there is what may be called the slippery religion. It is one that people must hold fast with all their might lest it should slip away from them. People who have this type of religion are constantly in fear of losing it. If they do this, or that, or the other thing, they wonder, "Now, have I lost my religion?" They are always examining themselves. They are always questioning and wondering. They cannot for long settle down to certainty. They are often overwhelmed with doubts and fears. They are constantly observing their emotions to see whether or not these emotions indicate whether they still have religion or have lost it.

Perhaps they pray and earnestly try to draw near to God. Then if joy and happiness come they are satisfied and sure they have their religion. But presently a dark day comes. Their emotions subside. Then they wonder again whether they still have their religion. In reality their struggle is not to keep their religion, but to keep their emotions and to satisfy their own questionings and doubts. This religion carries them alternately to the mountain top, then to the depths of the valley of humiliation. It is truly an "up and down" religion. This slippery sort of religion can never be the source of true and lasting happiness.

NEW TESTAMENT RELIGION

The fifth and true type of religion, the religion that corresponds with the teachings of the New Testament and with the experiences of those who have learned the inner and fuller realities of religion, is that religion which is of the heart. It is not a religion of restriction, neither of formalism. It is neither Sinai religion, nor a slippery religion. It is a religion in which the heart is in its natural element. It is a religion of peace and contentment, a religion of joyful service. It is the natural expression of the soul. It is a peaceful and harmonious relation with God. It is the relation of a child and its father. Its elements are simplicity, sincerity, purity, faith, love, and all the fruits of the Spirit. It is a Spirit-filled life. All these things just mentioned are the deep sources that feed the bubbling springs of joy that flow forth in the waters of rejoicing and song.

In this sort of religion God is not a great and terrible monarch, a stern judge, a task-master; nor his laws a set of hard decrees. No, the Christian religion as seen in its true light is "good tidings of great joy to all people." It is written, "Happy is that people whose God is the Lord." With such a religion we not only can read of the joys of salvation in the Scriptures but have the experience of them in our own souls. In this sort of Christian life we do not fear God in the sense of being afraid of him. We do not tremble before him.

Godly fear becomes the equivalent of reverential love and out of divine and spiritual love flow greater joys than flow out of natural love.

TWO SIDES OF THE TRUE RELIGION

Real religion has two sides—first, the inside, the relations of the soul with God. The Scripture says, "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace." That means to get acquainted with God, get on good terms with him. know his good qualities. Come into close contact and association with him. To know him thus is to be at peace with him. We must have the real inner experience of divine life in the soul and union with Christ. This is open to everyone who will seek it in God's way.

The other side of religion is the outside. There can be a true outside of religion only when there is a true inside religion. James defines the outside of religion by saying,

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27)

—a pure and holy inner life, a pure and blameless outer life, devoted to service and helpfulness. This is the religion that is a well-watered land, full of springs and fruitfulness. It is a land of song and cheer and of true blessedness.

This Christian life is the life of the "new song." When the Psalmist looked back upon the "horrible pit" and the "miry clay" out of which the Lord had delivered him he cried,

"He hath put a new song in my mouth" (Ps. 40:3).

The Revelator saw the great host of redeemed souls gathered before the throne of God and he said,

"I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne" (Rev. 14:2-3).

In chapter 15:3 we are told the nature of this song,

"And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb."

The song of Moses was the song of Israel's deliverance from Egypt and their enemies after the crossing of the Red Sea. The song of the Lamb is the song of salvation. So the song we sing is a song of deliverance and of salvation. No wonder it is a joyful song!

The song has a special characteristic.

"No man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth" (Rev. 14:3).

This company of people, represented in symbol by the "hundred and forty and four thousand," are all the redeemed of God. The song that could not be learned by others was the song that is learned only by experience, the experience of redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ. It cannot be sung by mere professors of religion, nor by formalists, nor by legalists. It breaks forth only from the hearts of those who are happy and free in Christ.

Isaiah, foreseeing this glorious age of salvation, cried,

"The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isa. 35:10).

This is the experience of those who have learned the secret of the singing heart.

E-MAIL FROM BRO. ED SANTOS OF ITALY

Dear Brod Jet,

Greetings! in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I'm so glad to hear from you there in the Philippines. It's been quite a time that you heard of us out here in Italy. The reason is that we don't have an Internet connection and we just have it connected this month. We scarcely have the time to go to Internet shop and drop an email to you there. Our life here is self supporting go to work and still do the household chores.Time runs so fast that we are now two 2 years here in this place and still have a hard time learning their language which is the reason why working is not that easy due to communication gap. But God is so good that He gave me a good job and work in an office and always lift me up and help me confront all my difficulties. Now I'm beginning to get acquainted with the place. I'm so thankful that you always include us in your prayers.I started to browse the daan ng katotohanan blog at the Internet and was really glad to see that the work for the Lord in the Philippines is continuing and I hope that you always have the time to keep us updated. I was bless to know that there is a work now in Samar and brethren in Marinduque are really stepping forward for the Lord. This is for now.

Regards to everybody.

Love,
Brod Eddie & Family

(Gracie Anne Santos)

8TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN AURORA PROVINCE

It was held Sept. 9, 2007 at Ditale, Dipaculao, Aurora.

Funeral Service Part IV

Sept. 1, 2007 at Paniqui Memorial Park.

Funeral Service Part III

Sept. 1, 2007 at Paniqui Memorial Park, Paniqui, Tarlac.

Funeral Service Part II

Sept. 1, 2007 at Paniqui, Tarlac.

Pastor VT Luzong's Funeral Service

Sept. 1, 2007 at Paniqui, Tarlac.

4th Night of Pastor Vic Luzong's Wake

August 31, 2007 at Paniqui, Tarlac.

3RD DAY OF PASTOR LUZONG'S WAKE

August 30, 2007 at Paniuqi, Tarlac

2nd NIGHT OF PASTOR VIC LUZONG'S WAKE

August 29, 2007 at Paniqui, Tarlac.

1st NIGHT OF PASTOR VIC LUZONG'S WAKE

August 28, 2007 at Paniqui, Tarlac.

1ST DAY OF PASTOR VIC LUZONG WAKE (August 28, 2007)

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