Leland Maples's blog

The following is an excerpt from an article by Joseph A. Califano, Jr. in Americanmagazine.org, May 24, 2010. It contains some very valuable information and statistics.

One of the most familiar stories in scripture is the parable of the “Prodigal Son” in Luke 15. The word “prodigal” is man’s making, the scripture does not use it, but the word fits; he did waste some of his life. The story of the prodigal son is part of a parable, not a complete parable within itself. Luke said that Christ spoke a “parable (singular) unto them,” (Luke 15:3) which consisted of two other events.

Probably no argument has been waxed longer or louder than the one over “Once saved, always saved.” Some have said that this belief honors Christ’s work on the cross; others say that it is a license to sin. “If I believed ‘once saved, always saved’ I would do anything I wanted to do,” is a familiar cry. Volumes have been written on both sides of this coin. A few years ago I wrote an article on “Twice lost, always lost;” revealing that if a person gets saved and then loses his salvation, he is forever doomed. There is no such thing in the Bible of a person getting saved twice!

In the last book of the Old Testament, God commented:

“For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

In light of today’s preaching and gospel presentations, God should have said, “I am the Lord, but I am going to change and not consume anybody” or “I am the Lord, but I have had a change of heart and everyone is my friend.”

Those who believe God’s Bible are certainly not surprised that mankind is getting worse. God put it in writing for us:

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13

When I walked into the Big Spring Federal Prison Camp 25 years ago next month, I had no idea that God was going to change everything about my life. I had no burden for inmates…I was only going to teach a Bible class in prison because I could not get out of it. For six years I drove 120 miles round trip every Friday night for that class. The last two years of the six we drove back over on Saturday afternoon after visitation to work with the families. It was during this time that the prison system began to expand at a rapid pace.

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. [8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Let me take this time and space to thank those of you who write us. Thank you for your comments on our Bible study courses. Thank you for your Bible questions. There is no such thing as a “stupid question” when asked sincerely. There are stupid answers because I have given many of them over the years. I do my best to answer each of your questions personally. It has been my experience that I have never learned anything from someone that always agreed with me. If someone is just asking about our ministry, we will mail them a newsletter and add them to our mailing list.

We all know that “last orders supersede all orders,” whether at home, on the job or in scripture. With that in mind lets see what “orders” the apostle to the Gentiles (Paul) gave to the church “which is His body” (Ephesians 1:22-23.) Paul’s last letter was 2 Timothy. The chronology of Paul’s letters are very important due to fact that “last orders supersede all orders.”

I would like to take this space this month to pay a tribute to a great friend.