“All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
THERE are children of God who are behind on bills. There are called-out men of God preaching Christ’s whole Gospel fearlessly, and you STILL support a multi-millionaire wolf who is making merchandise of the people to make himself even richer in this fleeting world? (2 Peter 2:1-3) God is calling you to repent. You are in darkness.
Someone has wisely stated that:
“On judgment day many will wonder why they got so excited about money and not Jesus.” Unknown
—– WANT to see what matters to you? Want to see how real you are? How authentic your love is or isn’t for Christ? Do you truly want to know what matters to you? … are you willing to face the truth? …if so, then go look at what you spend your (His) money on and you will see what matters to you (Matthew 6:19-25; Luke 12:15-21, etc.). If His work means nothing to you it’s because He means nothing to you.
— BE HONEST: Which biblical subjects, doctrines, do you dodge? Which get the least attention? Those that deal with financial responsibility/stewardship, right? Does this not clearly reveal how much it’s needed and how much true repentance is needed before it’s too late. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). Read Matthew 6:19-24.
— IT WAS when Jesus began to tell His audience that they had to partake of Him, to die to self, to give up their lives in this fleeting world, that they left Him (John 6). Before that He fed their stomachs. They were willing to stay as long as they had their creature comforts. Yes, they were okay as long as their stomachs were being fed by the fish and loaves He multiplied and gave to His disciples to give to them. They did not want to die – to lose their lives in this world – and nothing has changed today among the many who claim to know Christ. That mass of people left Jesus. Only twelve remained. Read John 6.
People today claiming to know the One who came and gave all to save them are okay with “serving” Him as long as it costs them nothing. He’s not worth giving anything up for. He’s not worth sacrificing the junk food they consume in order to rightly steward the resources He gives them. He’s not worth it to them to begin learning how to reach others with His Word in this late hour. He’s not worth losing the friendship with their children so they refuse to tell that child “no” to watching the myriad of corruptions polluting his/her own child’s young mind. He’s not worth feeding a poor soul that is homeless. He’s not worth their reputation so they refuse to live for Him publicly.
This person described above does not fear or know the LORD.
John 6:66 tells us that “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
These are those who are willing to “serve” Christ on their own terms, deceiving themselves all the way to the irrevocable place of eternal suffering.
“Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” Psalms 50:22
Love is Giving
All that comes to us is from the hand of God who “so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16).
The LORD is a Giver and desires that His children willingly choose to freely give as has been given to them (Matthew 10:8; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.).
The opposite of being generous is to withhold. The word or term “crumbing” in part refers to being stingy, tightfisted, or miserly.
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal (generous) soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.” Proverbs 11:24-26
Stingy Rich Man Now Eternally Remorseful
—- Question: WHO in the Bible went to hell for not simply chipping off a smidgen of supply to a beggar? Who?
Does this ring a bell? It should. You should become very familiar with the passage this refers to (Luke 16:19-31).
Think about it: What would that once “rich” man not do now to have one more breath on earth to repent and change his wicked ways? He’s already been in hell for some 2,000 years with not even one second having expired from eternity’s time clock. Want to follow his example and go there too? Keep reading friend.
Jesus told us that unfaithful stewards go to eternal damnation (Matthew 25:30, 41, etc.). … Okay, before we go on, let’s get rid of the counterfeits. I can hear it now from the unrepentant who are serving the god of self and are highly offended at someone preaching on the biblical topic of stewardship: “But brother, are you saying I’m going to hell if I don’t give?!”
Yes.
Unapologetically, I am preaching and repeating what Holy Scripture clearly tells us.
Don’t like it?
Bye.
Now, for those willing to render honesty toward God, let’s continue …
Now that the counterfeits are vanquished, disqualifying themselves by their own sin of unbelief and rebellion, let’s talk saints.
So, why would any true believer get upset with another disciple of Jesus because that disciple seeks to make sure those other believers are really going to eternal glory with Jesus?
“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” Galatians 4:16
You see, when our lives are truly given over to the LORD, so will be all our resources. If they aren’t, it’s because we’re still serving the god of self and mammon.
Choosing to begin giving a portion of your resources to the LORD is not going to save you from spending eternity in hell. No, and yet, if you aren’t a giver of your resources, it’s because your heart and life are not given over to the LORD.
If you wish to see where your heart truly is, simply look at where your money is going.
If your resources are all being spent on the god of self, it indicates that there is idolatry of self. This would point to self worship instead of Savior worship (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5-9; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.). A few particular verses come to mind:
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5
“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Exodus 34:14
Jesus taught: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24
—– SATAN is strategically working to stop you from doing YOUR part in the army of the LORD … THIS message from the LORD is for you beloved. He wants to speak to YOUR heart directly from His Word here which is alive now – “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23). If this has ever been relevant, it is a message for this hour as much if not more than it ever has been. Will YOU be able to say with Paul “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)? Will you be able to say with the apostle Paul that you “fought … finished” and “kept” the will of God in your personal life by doing your part?
There’s a “certain man” who was once rich (temporarily in his life on earth). This “certain (specific, literal) man” has now been burning in conscious torment in the flames of hell for some 2,000 years. Go read Luke 16:19-31 (King James Bible) and find out exactly why that man is irrevocably in hell and in a million years will still be in hell “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7). And what about Esau who traded his soul for a bowl of soup? For what fleeting trinket in this brief life will you lose your soul in eternal damnation in hell?
Can you begin to imagine the horror of remorse this man has been anguishing in for 2,000 years? Wow!
Will you follow his wicked example or will you choose to follow Christ by giving all?
Didn’t Jesus present us with the open ended question we alone can answer? – “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37).
Remember, when you truly repent before the LORD, the resources you have will then become His … otherwise you never really repented and are still subject to serving the god of self and therefore mammon (Matthew 6:19-24). Those who know Jesus do not serve mammon, they serve Christ and give as He came and gave.
If you’re truly saved, so is your wallet!
The coffers that fuel God’s work of getting His Word out deserve:
A. To be empty,
B. To be moderately supported and tipped, or
C. To be abundant in order to have no hindrance to the advancement of Jesus Christ’s Gospel message in this late hour.
Your personal answer isn’t seen in which one of the above multiple choice answers you chose but rather in whether or not you’ve been giving to His work.
Keep in mind that if you give, it’s in worship to the LORD from whom all good things come (1 Chronicles 29:14; James 1:17). When you give, you are not doing God a favor or the person or ministry you are giving to. No, you are getting yourself off the hook. You are doing yourself a favor! Of course, giving should be done as a deliberate, “need-no-chill-bump” obedient gesture of worship first and foremost. When you obediently give, you are doing now (giving) what the once rich man in Luke 16 refused to do and is now incarcerated in the flames of hell from which there is no release date and never will be (Mark 9:43-49). God requires that His people rightly steward the resources He allows to come into their temporary possession. Greed, stinginess, withholding, and covetousness have already damned the souls of countless eternal souls who are presently and will burn consciously for all eternity.
“And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:23-25
Christ says it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a man rich in this fleeting world to go to Heaven. In light of this, the Son of God warns 1) “they that have riches” (v. 23), and 2) “them that trust in riches” (v. 24).
Those who possess this world’s riches are prone to trust them instead of God. Beware. Jesus was warning us of this and that’s more the reason to empty our resources on the poor and good work of the LORD.
Apparently, the “certain rich man” Jesus described in Luke 16 was just like many today. He lifted no finger to help a godly man that sat right under his long, evil nose. Many of you reading this know of the needs of individual, godly people around you, and Great Commission New Testament ministry works. You have refused to help. Never mind the supposed “good intentions” you claim to have.
Are you real or are you a fraud?
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” 1 John 3:16-19
The saying is true that: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Like so many today who claim to be serving the One who came and gave all, the once “certain rich man” who’s now in hell, perhaps had the lame intention to help others, yet didn’t. Like many today, it’s obvious that the once rich man tended to dozens and dozens of other self-serving pursuits and yet took no time to help others, even those right under his nose (Luke 16:19-31).
It’s time to truly come to Jesus in repentance and when you do, everything you have in your temporary care will be directed by Jesus.
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
Any question?
Perhaps it’s been wisely stated that:
“Whatever you compromise to keep, you will lose.”
This is a life and death gauntlet. God’s Word has shown you this in fact. This is a Heaven and hell issue. What we do with what God puts in our hands is a direct reflection of where our hearts truly are.
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16
—– WHEN Israel (the LORD’s people) left off to (ceased to) honor Him with their increase (money), He allowed a difficult reaping to come on them, read Haggai 1 today. Also Malachi and watch for this as you read through Scripture. Jesus repeatedly taught that each of us will give account for how we stewarded that which came into our temporary care in this life. Many of Jesus’ teachings come to us via His parables (earthly stories with a heavenly meaning).
Does the LORD receive the first portion of what you earn? Or, does His honor and work get a mere tip when you ‘get around to it’ – that is, when things more important to you aren’t consuming you at the moment? “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10). I’m not a bit concerned that you or anyone else is going to get upset with me for toppling your idolatry (idol of you). No, my fear is going to be toward the One who after He has killed me, is able to cast my soul and body into eternal hell (Luke 12:4-5).
It’s better to simply repent and change your ways and factor God into the money you receive in this life. In other words, schedule His %/portion in beforehand in your mind and heart so that it’s already spoken for. If we don’t deliberately slate this into the first priority when we receive pay, it doesn’t happen, right?
Now I wonder what God will do if we render simple, practical, literal, faith-filled obedience to Him in this important subject of stewardship. Well, does this divine promise sound familiar? “So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Remember we just read in Proverbs 3:9-10 that those who honor the LORD, the Giver of all good gifts, by putting the very first portion (“firstfruits”) of our increase into His kingdom, that he will fill us with plenty? Is this a promise? Yes. What did the apostle Paul say about all of the promises of God? – “For all the promises of God in him (Christ) are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
What limiting dilemmas is your disobedience causing?
Who’s ministering to Christ’s ministers? Who? Where’s the supply line? We are Christ’s army (2 Timothy 2:1-4). We are His body, each member called to worship Him and do their part. See Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4. What part are you playing? Are you doing that part or sitting back waiting? Are you sending prayers and supplies to those in the fox holes, the front lines? Are those in the fox holes starving? Have they run out of ammo? Are they now vulnerable to be killed – to be taken out – taken off post – because you aren’t doing your part by sending up prayers and sending supplies out of your increase?
Note how unoffended His saints were who suffered great lack as we see on record in Hebrews 11:37-39. <<< read this in the KJB. They loved Him above all else and were just grateful to know Him. Today many of those the LORD has called out to do His work and are obediently doing it, are not being uplifted sufficiently by the body of Christ they serve as unto Christ and have to continue to be thankful to our LORD, the One they serve. His watchmen are despised by the religious and neglected by those who agree with the truth they communicate and work they do .… “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3:17-19
You are not only as sure for hell as if you were already there, you are a “miserable” individual if you are living for your own self-serving pleasures. You are exactly like the hell bound Laodiceans whom Jesus said were “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17
These backsliders had much in the way of earthly riches and yet, like the specific, “certain rich man” Jesus spoke of in Luke 16, they were bound for eternal damnation along with being in this fleeting world “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
The fall-out, the effects of the disobedience of so many is untold. There are many men today whom God called out and who are prepared by Him but they can’t do what He sent them to do due to the disobedience of so many. They’ve left their post and are now working a secular job.
Father please grant us grateful hearts no matter what we face in this temporal world. We will be home with You soon! Revelation 21!
Build the House! (audio)
FEEDBACK:
“Mar 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
Mar 6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:
Mar 6:9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
Mar 6:10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
Mar 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Mar 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
“For those who are sent will be taken care of by HIS people, and those who will not take care of those whom HE sent will be left, as the one who came to preach leaves them, taking with them the peace of the LORD.” Yvonne S.
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John Wesley on Calvinism, Once Saved Always Saved, and Conditional Security
Abiding
Colossians Narrated [podcast]
Colossians Chapter 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7 as ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 25 whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Colossians Chapter 2
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Colossians Chapter 3
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Colossians Chapter 4
1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8 whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11 and Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. 16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds.
Grace be with you. Amen.
Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.
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Articles
Sinlessly Perfect? I Doubt it [podcast]
Yes the LORD commands His people to “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) Yet we should ask whether or not His desire is for His people to tout to others that they are “sinlessly perfect” or does His Word rather reveal that His people are to be dependent upon Him through the humility of Christ and crucified life He ordained us to walk in? Did the apostles walk around telling people they were sinlessly perfect? No. Didn’t Paul confess his own utter poverty of spirit outside of the saving, present grace of Christ? Yes. (Romans 7:18, 24, etc.) Are there biblical warnings about claiming that one is sinlessly perfect? Yes. (Job 9:20; Proverbs 20:9)
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
Saints, would it be accurate to observe that we cannot possibly begin to appreciate this “so great salvation” that is Christ until we understand how lost, helpless, and alienated we were in our sin? (Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 2:3) We must pray and study to understand the biblical doctrine of inherent sin, fallen mankind, and the holiness of God …. in order to begin to be able to appreciate the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
“If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” Job 9:20
Solomon said:
“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9
Speaking of king David’s imperfections, even nearing the end of his life on earth, one commentator writes:
“Surely there can be little ground for the doctrine of perfectionism, otherwise David, whose religion was so earnest and so deep, would have been nearer it now than this chapter shows that he was.” Expositor’s Bible
“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20
I am not a good person, neither are you – “There is none righteous, no, not one“ (Romans 3:10). Admit it. The sooner we become HONEST with that which is more than obvious, announcing freely and transparently – that there is “NOOOO good thing” in us except CHRIST, the sooner God will begin a new, deeper work in us! (Romans 7:18, 24) The Cross!
God is able to establish our hearts in His grace and to multiply His grace to us (Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 3:18)
ALL of our deeds are not perfect (1 John 1:8-10). “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23). The truly righteous remain humble, teachable, and repentant. Note verse 21 saints:
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21
Saved by Divine Grace and Yet Now Made Perfect by Your Flesh?
“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3
The Galatian believers had begun their walk with Christ by responding to the conviction of the Spirit, repenting, putting their faith in Christ, and being regenerated. Yet, now they were allowing false teachers to seduce them back under the law, law-keeping for righteousness – to attempt to please God by their own self-will and performance.
Jesus’ disciples must live a set apart life. Living sinless? Well, it can be done: Here’s the key – “In him (Jesus) is no sin. He that abideth in him sinneth not” (1 John 3:5-6). We whom Jesus has saved must “cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Yet, the only way to be sinless is in presently abiding in Him and that begins with the essential of announcing our own poverty in self which is being poor/desperately dependent on Him in spirit (Matthew 5:3, 6). Yet some insist that they are perfect by their own will, ability, and doing. This is the exact error of the Galatians which caused them to fall from saving grace (Galatians 5:4). They left Christ for something else – law keeping. Leaving Christ, departing from faith, and casting off trusting fully in HIS saving grace, is deadly. Realizing there is “NO good thing” in us except Christ, is essential to abiding saved in Him (Romans 7:18, 24; John 15:1-6). Galatians 3:3 says it all – “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). The great apostle of Jesus was desperate for the LORD, ever seeking His holy face and dreadfully not wanting “to be found having mine own righteousness which is of the law” (Philippians 3:9-10).
“The great secret of abiding in Christ is the deep conviction that we are nothing, and He is everything.” Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ
Heart purity and a sinless life emanate only from intimate union and abiding with a holy God. This occurs as we consent to the cross and not by human effort alone. Jesus raises up those who are truly bowed down – crucified with Christ (Psalms 145:14; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). One cannot possibly “stop sinning” until they come to Jesus and He saves them, making them new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). Only then can the regenerated disciple “put off the old man” and “put on the new man” (Colossians 3:9-10). There MUST be something to “put off” …. that inherent sinful nature, otherwise no such language would be in Scripture (Colossians 3).
Beware of the sinless perfectionists who speak of overcoming sin outside of the daily cross and the saving, enabling grace of God. It’s only possible by God’s enabling grace in and through a true abiding relationship.
If we claim we are sufficient in and of ourselves and because of our own “natural ability” to do right, and can be perfect (which God requires) without Christ and our total trust IN HIM, we are apostate. Memorize Romans 4:4-5.
We cannot be “made perfect BY the flesh” or by means of our own self-will and effort alone. If that were possible WHY then did Jesus come? We are only perfect in the sense of Christ’s perfection AS we abide in Him (John 15:1-6). As we do, we will “walk in the light, as he is in the light … and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Here’s the whole verse:
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
Yes, we are “new creatures” in Christ and must humble ourselves before Him, put off the old man, put on the new man, and walk in the Spirit with Him. Yet, the victory Christ has wrought and ordained for us to walk in daily all begins with acknowledging instead of denying that there is something to deny and die to and “put off” (Colossians3:5; 2 Corinthians5:17-18). Denying that we have inclination toward sin is not the answer. Crucifying the deeds of the body by the power of the Holy Spirit is the answer (Romans 8:12-14). Many are getting hoodwinked by this self-righteous “I can do it with my own ‘natural ability’” spirit. This is a Christ-denying devil-exalting heresy, doctrine of devils (1 Timothy 4:1-3). Many who are not grounded in the grace and Word of Christ are adopting this error of Pelagianism which fosters self righteousness. They are aggressively teaching this sinless perfectionism (in the flesh) error to others. These people seem to have one common denominator – they have studied the teachings of Charles Finney or Mike Desario. Beware!
Many of those who preach sin without saving, rescuing, enabling, overcoming divine grace are perhaps still trapped in their own sins. They have no answer for others and therefore we should wonder if they have the LORD’s answer for and in their own lives. If they did, would they not be full of His great joy and sharing with others how to be delivered? Why are they content with condemning others in sin? Is God willing that ANY should perish? See 2 Peter 3:9.
Never forget to make a decision to be deepened in the essential truth that it’s “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.”
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
WHEN we realize that God is “Holy, holy, holy,” we will no longer wrongly condemn others if they sin, just because the flavor of their sin differs from that sin which we’ve committed, knowing that the sin we committed was no less evil in the eyes of He alone who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).
G.R.A.C.E. = God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense
It’s only by God’s grace that we are found and saved by Him and kept and enabled to please Him which includes participating in holiness, separated unto the LORD, as He is holy (Hebrews 12:14-15; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8, etc.).
Titus 2 tells us that we are only saved by divine grace and only kept to the end by His enabling grace.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-15
Deliverance from sin/sinning is only possible through faith, loving, worshiping, and obeying our LORD, that is, moment-by-moment abiding in Christ, the crucified life, being raised up by His Spirit (Romans 6; 8:13-14, etc.).
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:3-6
Perfection is the perfect forgiveness and justification of the LORD which God brings about by His Spirit and our faith which always brings our adherence to the daily cross (Philippians 2:12-13). It’s divine perfection worked out in the abiding disciple as he walks in the Spirit abiding in Christ (Galatians 5:16, 25, etc.).
True OR Feigned Holiness? | Saving, Enabling Grace | Have We Ourselves Become Pharisees? | The Spirit of Holiness |
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