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The Importance of Character A Matter of the Heart (Endnotes)

1. We assert that God is not “in control” of what happens on planet Earth. Many things that occur are not His will. According to 1 Timothy 2:2-4, He wants all people to be saved, but most will not; He wants people to live godly lives, but most will not. For further study visit TruthOrTradition.com/control Close

2. Some people wrongly believe that Christians will appear before Christ’s judgment seat only to receive rewards. Their understanding is based on the improper understanding of the Greek word “bema,” translated, “judgment seat,” because it was a place where athletic rewards were handed out. Although this is true, the “bema” was much more than an awards platform. It was a place of judgment and dispensation of governmental orders. In the case of Paul, the Jews took him to the judgment seat, “bema” in Corinth, hoping to get a judgment against him from Gallio, the Proconsul, (Acts 18:12-16). Close

3. Romans 3:23 reads: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”, and Romans 5:12, ”…and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—”. Close

4. Romans 5:12 states: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—” Close

5. Ephesians 4:30 says: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” It is our position that the actual Day of Redemption will occur when Christ “raptures” his Church as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. For more information on this subject see our book, The Christian’s Hope- The Anchor of the Soul. For further study on the Rapture visit TruthOrTradition.com/rapture Close

6. Stephen Covey, Principle-Centered Leadership (Simon and Schuster, New York, 1992), p. 58. Close