Seeking the Presence of the LORD?

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

Soaking, Witchcraft, and the Manifest Presence of God

God wants His people to be full of His Holy Spirit, His bless-ed divine presence and yet, how are we going about seeing this manifest in our lives?

YOU can cry out till you’re blue in the face and God will not anoint your filthy heart! A devil might but not the HOLY Spirit of God! Repentance is what God commands of you (Ezekiel 18:30; Hosea 14:1-2; Acts 3:19; 17:30-31, etc.).

WHO does God exclusively fill with His presence and blessings? Jesus told us that only those who humbly and obediently seek His face, according to His Word, “shall be filled.”

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

The Holy Ghost of God fills and manifests Himself to those who OBEY JESUS and not because we gather in a room and seek to conjure Him up, asking Him to “fall upon us.” Witchcraft. Isn’t that the “strange fire,” the witchcraft we see in the false prophets on Mount Carmel who cried out in vain for fire to fall from Heaven? (See Leviticus 10:1-2; 1 Kings 18.) Jesus told us to lay down our lives, to repent, to deny self, take up the cross and follow Him. The HOLY Spirit of God doesn’t fall upon dirty hearts but rather anoints, and fills obedient servants! (Read John 14:21-23.) Pour prayerfully over the words of Jesus recorded in John chapters 14-15 and let’s cease the frivolity and rebellion and simply do things GOD’s way. Charismatic witchcraft busted and exposed! Repent now and cry out to God to clean your heart to the core, to deeply instill in you the holy fear of the LORD, and to make your conscience ultra sensitive! (Psalms 51; 139:23-24, etc.)

“Overcome in Your presence” and language like this flood the music and messages of the modern church world. And, so, we have a generation of “prophetic” counterfeits who are waiting around for God to do something. He won’t because they ask “amiss” or with the wrong motive, while in disobedience to what He already stated in His Word, the “MORE sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:16-21).

“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:2-3

Jesus tells us how God works and it’s on record in John 14:21, 23. He and the Father abide with and manifest themselves to those who obey Him… not those who have a mere form of godliness as they seek the LORD to come upon them in a special way while they are not obeying Him. Counterfeits.

ATTN: This post is not from a cessationist dupe! Pentecost is real and an essential part of New Testament Christianity…. yet not the witchcraft of the charismatic, Bethel cult…. We are in deep need of true repentance – the denial of self, dying to self, the cross – the crucified life, brokenness, holiness, and the holy fear of God….. you are never going to hear these things, the essential cross, in the NAR cult.

Satanic wolf Rodney Howard Browne states:

“I’d rather be in a church where the devil and the flesh are manifesting than in a church where nothing is happening because people are too afraid to manifest anything… and if a devil manifests, don’t worry about that either. Rejoice because at least something is happening.”

IF you are not connecting to Jesus on HIS terms, the WORD and obedience to Him, and you think you are flourishing spiritually because you believe you found a “good church,” you are being deceived! 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 is transpiring in the lives of many who swear they are right with God. Beware.

JESUS told no one to “go find a good church” but rather to repent, to seek His holy face, to obey Him, to take up the cross daily, and to follow HIM!!!! HIM!

MANY who believe they’ve found “a good church” are being poisoned by that “church.” HAVE you walked into a trap that you erroneously believe is a treasure?

It’s a bless-ed desire to want more of the LORD in our lives! Yet, we must ask how God prescribes that this happens.

SO very many of the disobedient cry out for the glory, the presence of the Almighty Holy Ghost to fall on them in their rebellion. Not going to happen. Jesus says: Repent, lay down your life, take up the daily cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 14:21-23; 15:1-7). Only then will He raise you upward to give HIM glory and not you (1 Corinthians 1:29-31). There’s a biblical prescription for walking in the blessing of God’s Holy Ghost and it doesn’t include living a carnal life and then gathering with others and asking God to anoint your evil heart with His HOLY Spirit. That’s not what Scripture teaches.

Authentic Pentecost! Yes, we certainly do need to be initially baptized with the Holy Ghost and refilled daily. For the record: By the grace of Christ alone, He saved and filled with His Holy Ghost this once wretched man. This disciple is a full Gospel believer by Jesus’ grace and yet authentic Pentecost and not the false charismatic or NAR cults which are a demonic mockery and counterfeit.

If you want the presence of God in your life, simply live obediently to Him (John 15). There are no shortcuts.

To hear the voice of God, simply read HIS Word – the Bible (KJB). So many today in the false flake “prophetic” movement talk about “hearing the voice of God” repeatedly and yet the WORD is never mentioned! Delusion! Run! Prophetic or Pathetic?

The point of this message is not to deny that every disciple of Jesus is to be filled with the Holy Ghost but rather to establish the whole truth, expose the counterfeits of Satan.

Seeking His Presence? Beware of the many methods created and cloaked as Christian which are nothing more than an attempt to conjure up God’s presence out of a self-serving agenda. Contemplative prayer and soaking come to mind as Satan’s counterfeits. Soaking: Is It Biblical?

ARE you seeking to experience God OR to KNOW HIM? (John 17:3)

“People want a word from God instead of the Word OF God.” Warren Smith

“SOAKING” IS SIN. Repent sinner! There is no such thing as “soaking” in God’s Word as it’s defined today by the witchcraft NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) cult!

Simply put, contemplative prayer or centering prayer, is a way of praying that is not according to the biblical prescription. Contemplative prayer, spiritual formation, and soakers are simply rebels who refuse to obey Jesus so they want Jesus to just continue to dump His Holy Spirit on their rebellious hearts.

JESUS told you to die, not to run around seeking His presence in contemplative prayer or soaking meetings – with other self-serving flakes, counterfeits. He’ll decide how much of His holy presence He puts in/on individuals – according to their personal obedience. He alone decides how much of His presence He chooses to put in our lives.

Some who defend this occultic “soaking” movement attempt to justify such by the supposed “joy” it brings. But is that the true “joy of the LORD” or a cheap counterfeit of the enemy. Well, here’s how the Bible teaches that God’s people have joy.

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

WHAT and WHY did Jeremiah say was “the joy and rejoicing of mine heart”? -“Thy words were found, and I did eat them.” It’s real simple: Jeremiah devoured the Word of God and was therefore filled with the joy of the LORD.

Beware of counterfeit joy!

Did you realize that the context of Nehemiah 8:10 is the Word? Read the text – Nehemiah 8:1-10. Watch this:

“So they read in the book in the law of God (the Word) distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading … the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:8, 10

Psalms 16 is prophetic of Jesus who rendered perfect obedience to His Father: “For thou wilt not leave my (Jesus’) soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalms 16:10-11)

The “presence” of the LORD and “fulness of joy” He alone can give, only comes with the genuine disciple who is truly walking with Christ. We see this throughout Scripture.

“In his presence” sure is “fulness of joy,” and He requires our obedience to bring us into His presence (Psalms 16:11).

“For he whom God hath sent (Christ) speaketh the words of God (fully obedient): for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” John 3:34

As seen in the above verse, where Christ is our example, the LORD’s presence in our lives is contingent upon our abiding in Him, obeying Him (John 14:21-23; 15:1-16, etc.). Seeking His presence without obeying Him, truly worshiping HIM, reveals a self-serving nature. Should we not simply seek His face and not just His joy? Did the LORD not plainly tell us that He will give us His joy and presence if we seek Him with a whole heart? (See Jeremiah 29:11-14.)

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him…. 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:21, 23

IF you truly want more of the presence of the LORD, no need to mindlessly sit soaking or meditating. Get up and obey and then and only then will He graciously grant you greater anointing and reward!

We are to immerse ourself in His Word – Joshua 1:8, not mindless meditation which is new age paganism.

Many today want God to do more for them, they want more of His presence and to “soak” and yet, they’ve not obeyed Him and His simplest instructions. Not going to happen.

YOU can pray till you are blue in the face and God will not hear if you will not repent and literally obey Him: Proverbs 28:9 says: “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law (Word), even his prayer shall be abomination.”

“IF IF IF ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

Are you truly abiding in Jesus – according to HIS definition of such? Of course we should seek and ask Him to be anointed and full of His Spirit in order to DO His work, and yet, such comes from laying down our lives – which He then raises upward by His presence.

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

The resurrection presence, life, glory, and power of Jesus fills and raises up the truly obedient – those who resign themselves to the crucified life.

Nancy Cote notes:

“This movement is growing by leaps and bounds because this generation loves signs and wonders and what their itching ears want more than Sola Scripture of solid doctrine. Dying to self and picking up their cross and preaching of The Cross that is foolishness to them.”

Yet, Jesus’ presence does not come to us just because WE want it to. Isn’t a preoccupation with seeking His presence while not obeying Him cloaked pride? There are conditions to be met – obedience and truly worshiping HIM are essential. This is in contrast to seeking His presence for our self-serving purposes. Remember how the disciples wanted to sit at His right and and His left?

“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.” Matthew 20:20-23

When you die (lay down your life) He will reciprocate with His resurrection life (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). That’s His promise but you must die to experience this, not try to control things yourself which is further evidence that you are not dying to self. He’s in control, not you.

Fact: Jesus says that to those who OBEY Him – live by faith – will be granted His presence, not those who selfishly seek to soak or conjure up His presence through their own merit or works for their own self–serving purposes.

Isn’t seeking His presence without obedience paramount to seeking signs instead of the Savior Himself? Trusting God by abiding in intimate fellowship and obedience to Him will always bring His holy presence in our lives. Read what Jesus says in John 14:21-23.

What did Jesus say of the sign seekers?

“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:” Matthew 12:38-39

Seeking His Presence or Simply Obeying Christ?

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:21-23

Today, so many who vainly believe they are Christ’s, are being misled into self-seeking experiences they are told are of God. Quite a contrast with New Testament disciples of Jesus we read about in the 27 book canon. The honest student of Scripture and follower of Jesus knows that a walk of faith, a denial of self (the cross), and being soundly grounded in the Word, is the walk of a true New Testament believer.

You want God’s Holy Ghost on your life? OBEY HIM:

“And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” Acts 5:32

It seems that today, many people claiming to know Jesus seek to do anything except soberly and soundly follow Him, denying self, taking up the cross, and abiding in Him.

According to Jesus, in the end, at the Judgment, those who loved and obeyed Him will be received into glory and remain with Him eternally. In contrast, those who revel in the experiential, not being rooted in Christ, will be terminated into the bowels of eternal damnation (Matthew 7:21-23).

PENTECOST, the baptism with the Holy Ghost is a non-negotiable, essential, central component of Christ’s New Testament program-yet not the things added by sinful wolves today. We are whole Gospel believers which would include discerning and rejecting additives – yet never diminishing, letting go of the true Pentecostal Holy Ghost baptism Christ gives to His own. NOT the denomination, but the New Testament reality. When exposing the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation)/Bethel warlocks and their witchcraft, you may at times be called a cessationist by those deceived by the enemy of souls. A cessionist is one who erroneously believes that the bless-ed power of the Holy Ghost was only for the earliest followers of Jesus. False. Yet, the authentic baptism with the Holy Spirit is never manifested in God’s Word as that which is anything except pure, holy, and “in order.” “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Being baptized (immersed, clothed upon) with the Holy Spirit will always lead to more divine power to be holy, set apart unto Christ and not to misuse His gift for things not sanctioned in and by His Word. Keeping it biblical!

The Soaking Scam of the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) Cult: Beware.

Getting Gospel Grounded [podcast]

Refusing to sit under the false gospel, false doctrines, false teachers, and wolves is not forsaking the assembling of the saints. It’s obedience to the LORD! See 2 Corinthians 6:17-18) There is a “difference” between the true and the false leaders today. True disciples will always warn and help God’s people distinguish the false teachers and “discern between the unclean and the clean”: “And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” Ezekiel 44:23 False leaders are to be marked, to be scoped out and […]

100% Proof the Asbury Revival is a False Sodomite Delusion [podcast]

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” 1 Kings 18:21 “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Leviticus 18:22 All homosexuality is sin. YOU don’t decide such. WE don’t qualify to decide right and wrong – what is righteousness and what is sin. God did. “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” Romans 3:4 “God said it, I believe it, That settles it!” […]

Authentic Disciples vs Counterfeits [podcast]

“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Acts 24:16 WHEN God is truly first in your life, EVERYTHING you do, your whole life, revolves around your fellowship with and obedience to Him (Matthew 6:33; Luke 19:27). All others are counterfeits. Repent now. Put the LORD first or perish (Matthew 25:1-13; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4; Revelation 3:15-16, etc.). Jesus teaches us that real change and the “manifest” presence of the LORD only come to those who love, worship, and obey Christ (John 14:21-23). These blessings don’t come from […]

Abiding

“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in all the World” [podcast]

“All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:8-14

The true remnant of Christ are known in that they are enduring to the end in the midst of iniquity, abounding and preaching the Gospel of Jesus the King to the world.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ, admitting I have been living for my own evil glory. I am a sinner. I’ve committed the sin of idolatry, having myself first instead of You. I admit here and now before You that I have been committing the damning sin of spiritual adultery. I have claimed to know You and yet refused to uncompromisingly adhere to Your Word. Here and now, right now if never before, I repent and ask You to forgive my sins and to wash me afresh from my sins in the precious blood of Jesus Christ my LORD. Into Your hands I commend, I submit my spirit, my life, right this moment and ask You dear LORD to fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me to preach Your glorious message of repentance to those around me so that they can receive the forgiveness of all their sins and walk in the times of refreshing from Your holy presence dear LORD. I love You Jesus. I am all Yours and I know You are all mine. In Jesus’ Name amen.

Evangelism

Here are all the ministry’s shorts (60 sec) videos. Feel free to share and subscribe to the ministry YT channel:

See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.

Beware of the "I Love My Church" Deception [podcast]

DID YOUR “CHURCH” DIE FOR YOU…. OR DID JESUS DIE FOR YOU? “I see many exalting their church but nothing about Jesus Christ.” Tina A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CAUGHT UP WITH THEIR “CHURCH” BUT NOT WITH CHRIST! (REVELATION 2:4-5) You only love your fake “church” because the fake “pastor” is a gutless self-serving coward who refuses to preach the whole counsel of God’s Word, including – sin, repentance, the crucified life, and the holiness of God and how He commands you to be holy as He is holy (Acts 20:20, 27; 2 Timothy 3:15-17). Oh and he uses a fake […]

Following Christ's Great Commission Command [podcast]

The future belongs exclusively to Jesus Christ and His followers. Read the book of Revelation! “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 Is your hand on “the plough” – that which God has called you to do in His kingdom work? Have you looked back? “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Colossians 4:17 Have you grown weary in well doing? “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due […]

The Result of Real Repentance [podcast]

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16 WE DON’T NEED JUST ANOTHER “CHURCH SERVICE” OR “SERMON,” WE NEED TO REPENT AND WHEN WE REALLY DO, WE WILL OBEY GOD—OTHERWISE WE DIDN’T TRULY REPENT. “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way […]

Apostasy

Jesus Promised Judas an Eternal Throne in Heaven but He Chose to go to Hell #shorts [video]

Judas died and went to eternal hell, irrevocably as every lost soul shall experience (Acts 1:25). Judas is the “son of perdition” and “perdition” means damnation (John 17:12).

Here’s all the ministry’s shorts (60 secs) videos. Feel free to share:

See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.

Judas was even sent out with the other apostles to heal the sick, raise the dead, and preach Christ’s Gospel (Matthew 10:1-8). He was real, then backslid and is in hell (Acts 1:16-25).
The Truth about Judas

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones (not 11), judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)

Judas wasn’t kept and Jesus specifically and irrefutably promised him an eternal throne in Heaven – Matthew 19:28. “TWELVE” not eleven~!

At the time of this divinely-given promise, it is more than abundantly clear that Judas was eternally secure, otherwise Christ would have never given this promise to the “twelve” which includes Judas Iscariot (Matthew 19:28). It is only after this that Judas allowed iniquity in his heart and by his own deliberate will fell by his own iniquity (Acts 1:25; Heb. 3:12-15).

“Saying, I (Judas) have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.” Matthew 27:4

“Eternal security”? Don’t kid yourself. Moral cowards who refuse to take person accountability for their every thought, motive, and deed love this lie. Satan’s first lie – which led to the fall of mankind (Gen 2:17; 3:4).

“For if AFTER they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are AGAIN entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, AFTER they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21

WHAT ABOUT JUDAS? [podcast]

The Son of Perdition Exposed Dear eternal security adherent: You cannot take one verse or passage and make a conclusion without the whole of Scripture agreeing. Judas was chosen, sent out by Christ to preach Christ’s Gospel, raise the dead, and heal the sick (Matthew 10:1-8), and was promised a throne in Heaven (Matthew 19:28) and died and went to Hell for betraying Jesus (Acts 1:25). He followed Christ and then departed from the Son of God. Jesus says that one can believe and then “fall away” (Luke 8:13). Are you going to call the Son of God a liar? […]

John Calvin Exposed

The Cult of Calvin: Exploding the Diabolical 5-Point Mythology of Calvinism In my personal opinion and from decades of observation, it appears to be evident that those in ministry who teach Calvin’s doctrines were subverted by those who taught them before they ever personally learned God’s Word themselves. They were taught this lie growing up and/or in the seminaries they attended before they had studied unto the LORD and gained a foundation in His Word (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17). Like most false doctrines, Calvinistic teachings have an inoculating effect upon those who have been deceived by this teaching. Beholding John Calvin’s abominable […]

Grace vs Holiness [podcast]

“The horrible travesty we have in America today is Christianity without holiness.” A.W. Tozer Grace and holiness come only from God. The LORD is Holy and He extends salvation by grace to repentant, believing sinners at the moment of conversion. Grave vs Holiness: WHY is one of these two so overwhelmingly overemphasized by today’s pastors and self-appointed “grace teachers,” when the other is prioritized by God as is demonstrated by the number of times it appears in Holy Scripture? Which word appears more times in the Bible?: Grace, or Holiness LET’S DO THE MATH: Comparing Grace and Holiness 170 […]

Articles

Obedience or Love – Which is Most Important? [podcast]

“IF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

Have you ever noticed the “If” of this statement by our LORD Jesus?

Okay, reread the words of Jesus above and see what comes first in the sentence – “love” or keeping His commands.

“IF you love me, keep my commandments” says Jesus (John 14:15)…. IF we don’t know and love Him there’s no use trying to keep His Word…. He’s not speaking of keeping His Word in order to earn His justification but rather as the fruit of knowing Him in a saving relationship….

“Few seem to understand the huge difference between obedience and legalism. We obey because we love God and we know obedience doesn’t save us. Legalism believes by obeying they are saved by it. We that are born again know only the blood of Jesus saved us but we also know that obedience proves we are saved and keeps us saved. It is joy to obey the Lord as we love what He loves and we hate what He hates. Amen.” Shirley Bruso

—- JESUS IS NOT GLORIFIED BY THE KEEPing OF HIS INSTRUCTIONS/COMMANDS BY THOSE WHO DON’T LOVE HIM …. LOVE COMES FIRST – LOVING AND WORSHIPPING HIM IS MOST IMPORTANT TO GOD. “IF IF, IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.” JOHN 14:15

“Ye are my friends, IF ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14

LOVE is the governing factor:

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Of John 14:15 and 15:14, one source notes the following:

“In John 14:15 and 15:14 (KJV), Jesus teaches that love and obedience go together, meaning real love for Him naturally leads to doing His commands rather than separating love from works.

What the Verses Say

- John 14:15: Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” He makes keeping His words the direct proof of love.
- John 15:14: Jesus says, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” He shows that friendship with Him requires action and obedience.

How Love and Works Connect

- Love is the root: Jesus starts with love as the inner heart motive.
- Works are the fruit: Doing His commands is the outward action that proves the love is real.
- They are not separate: Jesus does not say love replaces works; He says love produces obedience.”

Love begins with God and any relationship requires reciprocating love – love flowing from each of the 2 parties to one another.

“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD TO HER.” Genesis 29:20

Jacob didn’t mind serving a whole 7 years for Rachel, because he loved her so much. The true disciple doesn’t view serving God as drudgery but rather delight – because he loves God supremely!

“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” John 16:21

“His commandment are not grievous”

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3

IF I don’t love Jesus, do you think He’s honored when I try to obey what He said? No.

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…” Matthew 22:37

“IFFF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

IF WE LOVE JESUS, OBEYING HIM IS JOY, JUST AS IT WAS FOR JACOB AS HE SERVED A WHOLE 7 YEARS TO OBTAIN A LIFELONG MARITAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS BELOVED RACHEL (GENESIS 29:20).

Perhaps we are not understanding the divine economy as Christ meant us to understand Him. Jesus says “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14) It’s only IF I love Jesus that He is interested in my doing the things He told HIS true people to do, otherwise, my good works are in vain, even if I suffer martyrdom by burning my body – “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) IF WE DON’T LOVE HIM – truly – with our whole heart, mind, and strength He’s not interested in us obeying Him (Matthew 22:37-39). Now, of course, if I truly do love Him, I will obey Him and yet Jesus doesn’t want us to think we are impressing Him by outward obedience only. In the divine economy, it all begins with LOVE – “God so LOVED the world that He gave ….” (John 3:16) The Bible informs us that “The Lord looketh on the heart” and if He sees that I don’t truly love Him, He’s not interested in my vain outward show (1 Samuel 16:7).

“IFFFF you love me keep my commandments” and not “prove you love me by keeping my commandments” (John 14:15) … big difference. Jesus isn’t interested in any law keeper keeping His commandments …. He desires and calls His people to love Him! If not, there’s no reason to try to obey Him.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Those who truly know and love Him do His commandments. They don’t live on their own terms but rather on His. They delight to do His will because they truly seek, know, and love Him who bled to redeem their otherwise hopeless, wretched souls. Yet, obedience saves no one. Keeping His commandments doesn’t save you – the pharisees claimed to do that while refusing to come to Christ whom (John 5:39-40). No, God alone can save and He does so on His terms – initial and ongoing faith “which worketh by love” which is relationship. Yes, “faith … worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:6) Remember that even if a person goes so far as to give their body to be burned and has no love – they don’t love God, their obedience, their sacrifice is in vain (1 Corinthians 13:3).

1 Thessalonians 1:3 speaks to those already saved using the phrases “work of faith, and labour of love.” Please pay close attention to the words “faith” and “love.” “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

When God initially saves us, He puts a love in our hearts for Him which is manifested by putting our faith in Christ. Jesus taught that knowing the Father and Himself were cardinal in His kingdom. – “And this is life eternal (the whole purpose for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)

“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10

DID GOD send His only begotten Son to create an army of mechanical law-keepers OR a family who knows, worships, and adores Him? What does the Bible say is the cardinal reason for the whole plan of redemption? Why did God send His only begotten Son to bleed, be buried, and raised again to justify all who would come to Him? Are you familiar with what the LORD told us in Exodus 25:8, Matthew 22:37-40, and Philippians 3:10? We must have anchored in our hearts this glorious truth of knowing Him! Nothing else matters if we don’t relish Him, adore Him, and worship Him. If you name the name of Jesus Christ, it would greatly benefit your life, understanding. and ministry to memorize the words of the very Redeemer Himself as is recorded in John 17:3. More on that later.

If we love the LORD truly and our neighbor we will not steal, lie, covet, bear false witness, hate, commit adultery, OR any of those other sins and be walking in God’s perfect will. It’s really quite simple actually. But first we must examine this day whether or not we truly love Him.

One writer notes:

“Holiness is first and foremost agape love. Unconditional love for all, including enemies of us and enemies of God. This over-emphasis on repentance can make us the initiator and God the responder if we are not careful. God is always the initiator.”

IT IS MY OPINION THAT WE SHOULD BEGIN TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OVER-EMPHASIZE OBEDIENCE WHILE NEGLECTING TO PREACH THE COMMAND TO KNOW, LOVE, AND ABIDE IN CHRIST. ALL OF OUR OUTWARD OBEDIENCE IS IN VAIN IF WE DON’T AUTHENTICALLY LOVE HIM. MANY WHO PREACH SEEM TO BE DOING THIS AND ARE CALLING MANY TO WORSHIP AT THE ALTAR OF SELF BY PERPETRATING THE FALSE NOTION THAT CHRIST’S ONE PERFECT SACRIFICE WAS NOT ENOUGH. THIS SEEMS TO RESONATE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT TRULY AND UNRESERVEDLY SURRENDERED TO CHRIST AND WHO WANT TO FEEL AS IF THEY ARE HELPING TO EARN THEIR OWN SALVATION WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE. WHAT DOES ROMANS 4:4-5 TELL US?

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5

So, while it’s absolute that ALL who have saving faith in Christ are obedient and have good fruit in their lives, those good works and good fruit aren’t what saves them. No, good fruit merely evidences that there is a relationship. Christ alone can save and He does that instantly when a lost soul believes upon Him (John 6:47; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:1, etc.). The Great Shepherd of His sheep keeps His people saved as they keep themselves in the love of God, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 21: 1 Peter 1:5)

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21

The story of Jesus, Mary, and Martha is yet another place in the Scriptures of truth that clearly reveal what God is looking for from us – to love and to worship Him supremely.

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. ⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: ⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

Jesus speaks to us of an abiding union/relationship with Him where He calls us His friends. I want to encourage you to read John 15 closely this week. In this discourse on the Husbandman (the Father), the Vine (Jesus), and the branches (us), you will note that the relationship precedes the fruit bearing. While the fruit reveals the root – testifies to the relationship – fruit doesn’t save, neither does obedience. God does require us to obey Him by putting our faith in Christ to save us, but it’s He who saves us. Jesus Christ alone can save. Ephesians 2:8-10 reveals that we are saved by His grace through our faith and that we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”

Consider that our LORD was “moved with compassion” toward those in need (Matthew 9:36). The great apostle said “the love of Christ constraineth (compels) us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)

At times we quote 1 John 2:4 and yet, let’s look at a wider angle of this passage:

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. ⁶He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:3-6

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice…” Matthew 9:13

“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Joel 2:13

Is loving God more important that obeying God? Both are obviously important and yet, in the divine economy, which is most important?

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Am I choosing and learning to “love the Lord” with my whole heart?

Andre Alexis writes: “Christianity is more than merely believing and obeying commands and reaping the promises of God. Christianity is not a religion: it is a relationship. And a relationship requires communication. Therefore, prayer is essential, because it is through prayer that you and I communicate with our heavenly Father.” …. This is a simple truth and yet bears stating as brother Andre did above. This is especially important due to the epidemic of charlatans which have promulgated a “what’s in it for me?” self-serving lifestyle upon millions who don’t bother to truly lay down their lives and see with their own eyes the full counsel of our LORD’s Word which actually communicate the very “thoughts of his heart.” (Psalms 33:11). The LORD wants a relationship with each of His children. He’s not just there to answer our every prayer while we commit spiritual adultery by wasting our time/lives in this fleeting world playing games, giving hours to frivolous foolishness, etc. He wants our hearts. Jesus told us the reason the Father sent Him in John 17:3. This was David’s and Paul’s whole goal in their respective earthly lives (Psalms 27:4, 8; Philippians 3:10). Jesus told us He wants an abiding relationship that bears fruit that remains to His eternal glory (John 15:1-16).

After being saved, under the new covenant, it’s not law keeping but rather abiding in Christ, amen? John 15 “Abide in me.”

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

LOVE IS THE CARDINAL EVIDENCE OR FRUIT THAT ONE KNOWS GOD.

Do we truly know Him who “is love”? (1 John 4:8, 16) Love is a divine attribute that is, without exception, resident in every man who is truly in right standing with God (Galatians 5:22-23)

PRAYER: Holy heavenly Father, I come to You impoverished in spirit. For without You dear LORD, we can do nothing. You are love and I am not and yet, I ask You here and now to more deeply imbue my innermost man with and teach me Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Uphold Jesus (audio)

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