Steven Garofalo
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“DISCERNING THE ONE TRUE GOD”
By Steven Garofalo, March 28, 2023 (Copyright 2023)
March 28, 2023

“DISCERNING THE ONE TRUE GOD”

In a religiously pluralistic world, it’s very confusing for those not in Christ regarding the fact that there is but One True God among many false gods. For some who are in Christ who are not as strong in their faith, this can still pose a dilemma for them. More than any other group affected by religious pluralism (the belief that all religions lead to the same “Truth”/“God” or “Religion”) is the younger generation. Yes, our children’s generation who grew up in a culture where Islam is more freely promoted and celebrated than Christianity (outside of the half-secular Christmas season). In a country with a large Hindu immigrant population who are model citizens who live out their faith, the Hindu faith better than the majority of Christians do. In a country and culture where secular humanism, a form of atheism that celebrates individualism so deeply, that one can proclaim themselves with whatever pronoun they wish, despite the fact that God knitted them in the womb with a single identity that physically cannot be changed. All of this spells confusion for one’s faith, trust, love, patriotism, religious duty, fidelity, and desire to seek the truth of who God really is. Today, I want to look at two simple, short, but very pointed verses in 2 Timothy Chapter 2:5-6 that gives five prerequisites that must be met in order to be the true God of the universe. This is what the Apostle wrote.

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time” (2 TIMOTHY 2:5-6)

Broken down, these are the five markers that must be met to be called the true God of the universe. And Christianity is the only religion in the world to meet all five.

  • FIRST: “For there is only one God”. This eliminates every world religion and cult outside of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, because these are the only three “THEISTIC” religions in the world; meaning the only religions that have a singular God. Again, Paul in Paul’s own words: “For there is one God”.
  • SECOND: Paul said, “and there is one mediator between God and men”. Now that we have narrowed the true God of the universe down to three religions, Paul makes clear that this “One God” must be a “MEDIATOR”. A mediator according to “Got Questions” is “an official “go-between” who acts as a link between two parties to reconcile their differences:. The term literally means “one who stands in between”. So the true God of the universe must be a mediator. Isaiah in the Old Testament make clear that all people enter this world separated or estranged form the Holy God (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 5:10). Moses was a mediator of the Old Testament Covenant (Galatians 3:19; Exodus 20:19). But it was in the New Testament that Jesus “became” the mediator of the new superior covenant. “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises”(Hebrews 8:6). I don’t see a mediator in any other religion other than Christianity. Muhammad is not a mediator and the Old Testament has no other mediator for human kind other than pointed to the Christ, yet to come in the New Testament.
  • THIRD: Paul makes that that this Mediator is “the man Christ Jesus”. This cements the identity of the true God of the universe as the one and only Jesus Christ of the Christian faith. There is no need to elaborate on the obvious for number three. This leads us to number four.
  • FOURTH: Paul says that this Mediator is more specifically “Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all”. Now we are narrowing down the true God of the universe in that not only is his name is Jesus, not only is He a mediator, but that is a prerequisite that He is One “who gave himself as a ransom for all”. This seals the deal in that the only possible God of the universe is Jesus, who willingly gave his life, a gift freely given to “all”, not a select few who would accept that free gift as a ransom for our sin, which we as humans cannot pay for ourselves.
  • FIFTH AND LASTLY: In order to be the true God of the universe, numbers one through four must not only be met, but they must culminate in a final outcome, “which is the testimony given at the proper time.” Jesus came at the perfect time in world history. If He were a hoax. If he were not the true God the universe. If he was not the Truth of God. If any or all of these things, His “testimony” to the world would not be remembered outside of an obscure line in a history book. In truth, the Christian faith is still the largest religion in the world and still the fastest growing religion in the world, despite the growth of Islam, Hinduism (which means “religion of the Indies or India), or even Judaism.

In the end, we all have to live in this new global-religiously pluralistic world. As such, this can be and is very often very confusing for those not in Christ regarding the fact that there is but One True God among many false gods. But it doesn’t have to if we are EQUIPPED. For some who are in Christ who are not as strong in their faith, this can also still pose a dilemma for them. More than any other group affected by religious pluralism (the belief that all religions lead to the same “Truth”/“God” or “Religion”) is the younger generation. Yes, our children’s generation who grew up in a culture where Islam is more freely promoted and celebrated than Christianity (outside of the half-secular Christmas season). In a country with a large Hindu immigrant population who are model citizens who live out their faith, the Hindu faith better than the majority of Christians do. In a country and culture where secular humanism, a form of atheism that celebrates individualism so deeply, that one can proclaim themselves with whatever pronoun they wish, despite the fact that God knitted them in the womb with a single identity that physically cannot be changed.

In conclusion: Let’s get in the Word of God, on our knees in prayer, and get Equipped with my book, “ALL ROADS DON’T LEAD TO HEAVEN” which is in the process of being put into a Ten-Part Online course with a quiz for each chapter and certificate. We are also slated to put the book into Audio Form by the fall. For now, you can get “All Roads Don’t Lead To Heaven, Discovering God In The New Age” at www.EquippedAcademy.Com, on Amazon, or at TriedstonePublishing.Com.

Stay strong in your faith, and help others, especially your children and their friends stand solid on their faith, understanding that “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time” (2 TIMOTHY 2:5-6)

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When I was in seminary, the question was raised as to if pets or animals in general go to heaven. Our professor, Dr. Norman Geisler said this: “Jesus Christ came to earth and died on the Cross for the human race, not animals.” I was working out at the gym one day when one of the regulars, who had just moved to Charlotte, NC from California told me that one of her beloved dogs died; and would that dog go to heaven. I have her the same answer. But, was that the whole story? That’s what we are going to look at today.

In a peace by Michael Housman, Founder of GotQuestions.Org, Housman wrote that “The BIble does not give any explicit teaching on whether pets or animals in general have souls, or spirits, or whether pets and other animals will be in heaven.

His answer was short but the animals not having souls maybe up for debate.

We can use general biblical principles to develop some clarity on the subject though Housman wrote. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15 and 22) have the “BREATH OF LIFE” that is, both man and animals are living beings. Furthermore, the primary difference between human beings and animals is that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), while animals are not.

Being made in the image and likeness of God means that human beings are like God in some ways; they are capable of spirituality; they have a mind, emotion, and “will”; and part of their “being” continues after death.

If pets and other animals do have a “soul” (or spirit or immaterial aspect), it must therefore be of a different and lesser “quality”. This difference possibly means that pets and other animal “souls”  do not continue in existence after death.

Another factor to consider regarding whether pets will be in heaven is that animals are a port of God’s creative process in Genesis. God created the animals and said they were good (Genesis 1:25). Therefore, there is no reason why there could not be pets and animals on the NEW EARTH as described in (Revelation 21:1). 

In the end, there will most definitely be animals during the millennial kingdom (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25). It is impossible to say definitely whether some animals of these animals might be the pets we had here on earth. We do know that God is just and that when we get to heaven, we will find ourselves in complete agreement with His decision on this issue, whatever that turns out to be.

So, there you have it. I think that’s the best answer on the subject in all honest. Please remember to SUBSCRIBE to our channel and check out StevenGarofalo.Com for exclusive content and early release of our two weekly podcast.

Until next time, I’m your host Steven Garofalo, and this is your reason for truth for today.

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AN ETHICAL ECONOMY IS GOOD FOR ALL
By Steven Garofalo, May 2, 2025

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ECONOMY

Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Today, I am going to show you through Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 that vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, will devour one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Let’s get started.

The Vanity of Wealth and Honor is an interesting subject in light of wealth, corruption, and the human heart. This subject effects many things, including what makes a good economy. 

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 5, verses eight to nine, Solomon says the following:

Ecclesiastes 5:8-9
“8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

COMMENTARY: There are two things king Solomon is saying here within the theme of the vanity of WEALTH and HONOR. Wealth and honor are two different things, as one can have wealth with or without honor or honor with or without wealth. That being said, let’s look at verses 8 and 9 independently to see the simple message God provides us today through Solomon.

BREAK DOWN
Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

THE ABUSE OF AUTHORITY & WEALTH
 “8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them." 

COMMENTARY: Verse 8 clearly illustrates that there is a corruption at every level of government, with higher level oppressors plundering the equally oppressive lower-level magistrates. This perhaps explains the st state of America and the world. With blackmail running. Rampant and the public sector unchecked, they have been robbing the everyday citizen of their hard earned money. As a result, the system became insulated and division between the haves and have nots became more defined. When the high level government officials rob and abuse those below them, someone above that person robs and abuses the higher level person himself.

In America, where we print money out of thin air for the world, in this short period of history, there is little need to plunder those under one authority because there is so much to steal that those in authority can simply pay them off or blackmail them; whichever is most convenient. Either way, Solomon makes abundantly clear that when there is nobody minding the ship, evil perpetuates to the point of overtaking the government in whole. As a result, we end up with a 2024 government, riddles with corruption, immorality, blackmail, lawlessness, and all other things evil due to the lack of God-ness which equates to “goodness”. 

Economically speaking, when this happens to a country, its own economy begins to decline into debt due to their insatiable desire and emotional need for more money and resources. When resources are stripped and money is squandered, the elite few are smart enough to collect those resources and money and we end up with a U.S. Stock Market where only 5% holds up to 80%  of the entire market wealth. 

WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
The answer and solution is to keep to return to the system we created in the first place which is free market capitalism that allows those who desire to work hard, to have a fair chance at success, making money and turning a fair profit. This is called “honor for everyone”.

HONOR FOR EVERYONE
"9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

CONCLUSION:

Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, devours one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Solomon (Qohelet) considered goverment to be frustrating becuase it was a necessary evil, something deply flawed but indespsnsible. On the one hand people sould "not be shocked" when they see OPPRESSION and injustice in a governmental province (v.8). After all, bloated government bureaucracy tends to frustrate justice (v.8b). On the other hand, government has it advantages (v.9). Many hold to the belief that this verse continues the negeative assessment of government. Others see this passage better understood more positively since it fits with Qohelet's normal pattern of "on the one hand, on the other.." way of teaching. 

Even a corrupt government is better than anarchy, which devastates a country, it's culture and in Solomon's time, an agrarian economy that would lead to starvation. Keeping to God's ways is the only solution to man's sinful nature; especially in governmental rule. In the end, a king who devotes himself to developing the resources of the land ushers in a systems that brings the opportunity for profit to all, not just the corrupt few.

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SOLA SCRIPTURA
A Protestant & Catholic View Comparison

I grew up Catholic and now go to a Protestant or non-Catholic church in Charlotte, NC. Michael Houdmann, Founder and CEO of GotQuestions.Org writes that a major difference between the two boils down to believing in the Bible alone as God's word verses believing that God's word plus man's input as the divine inspired word of God.

WHAT DO PROTESTANTS BELIEVE?

A major difference is the issue of sufficiency and authority of Scripture. While Protestants believe that the Bible alone is the source of God's special revelation to mankind, it also speaks to everything we need to understand as necessary for our salvation from sin.

Protestants view the Bible as the STANDARD for Christian morality and ethics which governs our behavior. This is called sola scripture and is one of the five Solas in Christianity. (Solas meaning "alone" in Latin. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 makes clear that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (ESV).

WHAT DO CATHOLICS BELIEVE?

Catholics do not believe in sola scriptura hence do not believe that the Bible alone is sufficient. They see both the Bible and sacred Roman Catholic tradition as equally authoritative and binding on the Christian. While not all Catholics hold to doctrines such as purgatory, praying to the saints, worship or veneration of Mary, etc., the Catholic doctrine hold to them even though they have little or no mention or basis in the Bible. In truth, these doctrines are based on Roman Catholic traditions based on the Catholic Church's insistence that the Bible and tradition are equal in authority. The problem with this is that it undermines the sufficiency, authority, and completeness of the Bible. The view of Scripture is at the root of many, if not all, of the differences between Catholics and Protestants.

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