LOTS OF PAGANISM AND LIES SURROUNDING CHRISTMAS AND YET LOTS OF GRAND OPPORTUNITY TOO, RIGHT?
Are you more busy bashing the paganism surrounding Christmas than you are intently building up the body of Christ and evangelizing the lost?
Many specialize in cursing the darkness and yet Jesus chose to come straight into the darkness and die for our sins, for all of us previous pagans.
WHAT could happen if you spent that same energy in prayer, Bible prep, and evangelism?
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15
WHEN is the last time you personally led someone to Jesus?
“He that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
SANTA CLAUS IS A LIE BUT NOT THE COMING OF JESUS, THE MESSIAH.
“Thank you for posting this. Excellent biblical explanation. Last year was the first I had heard it was a sin to celebrate Christmas because according to them Jesus wasn’t born on Dec. 25th. And there was so much shaming going on! Just as they did telling people they were in sin because they voted. And I believe the same ones who say in God’s economy you are never to divorce. Somehow they have put themselves above everyone else! Hypocrites.” Karen Cochran | The sin of self-righteousness will damn the soul (Matthew 21:31).
The angels and wise men celebrated the coming of Christ. Since when would it be inappropriate to celebrate Heaven’s KING? Is is okay with you if God’s people celebrate JESUS – every aspect of Him, His life – every days except December 25th? WHERE does the Bible say that if one of God’s people celebrate Christ on December 25th, they are going to hell?
Why shouldn’t God’s people insert His truth into everything, at all times? – EVERY day of the year, including December 25! Isn’t that what Jesus meant when He said we are His light and salt in the earth? (Matthew 5:13-16) God is good and God is able! Ask Him to use you during this period of the year!
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16
Most of the Christ-mass “celebration” is poisoned with paganism. Yet, what should God’s people be doing during this season? Should they spend their time and energies protesting or should they obey the LORD by preaching His saving Gospel? May God open doors for us to preach His Gospel during this season – Shining His holy light into the sin-darkened hearts of men so they can see the glory of Christ Jesus our LORD and Savior.
From David Taylor:
“Mighty ancient angels, Wise wealthy Pagan magicians, Hebrew Shepherds poor, animals, parents and relatives, were all drawn to this Divinely orchestrated event – the birth of the Messiah into flesh. And even today His truth still sounds, ‘If I shall be lifted up I shall draw all men unto me’. Rejoice!! Our Savior and King is alive forevermore!! Serve Him. Are you and yours ready for His imminent return and judgment? May God continue to bless as you serve the Lord Jesus. In Christ’s love,” David
KINGDOM PERSPECTIVE: True disciples celebrate Jesus 24/7/365. So, why not be wise and use this season, the gatherings of friends and family for whom Jesus died, as a place to shine Christ’s light, instead of cursing the darkness. Perspective: The whole world is pagan 24/7/365. So if you’re going to protest paganism, perhaps it should be year round. Jesus came and died and rose again to save the world which was already under divine condemnation (Luke 9:56; John 3:17). He called the sinners, pagans, to repentance, to follow Him. Our LORD spent little time exposing the details of the sin of the world. When judging, Christ’s central targets were the rich and the religious.
Are lost souls going to hell because they celebrate Christmas OR because they have not yet been saved?
Perhaps we should be more careful not to jump off on someone elses anx, to join their pagan-bashing crusade. Is that what Jesus and His apostles came to do? We do well to memorize and be transformed by the words of our LORD when He stated:
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17
Later in this same discourse, Jesus says:
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth (remains) on him.” John 3:36
Notice in John 3:36 (above) that divine condemnation is already upon all of the lost, the pagans. It’s ONLY when they believe on Christ that they are saved by His grace – and God sent us to communicate His glorious Gospel, Good News to them.
Didn’t Christ come to save the sinners? Were the world, the pagans, not already in darkness when Jesus came? Wasn’t that why He came? – to bring men out of darkness into His glorious light? (Acts 26:18; 1 Timothy 1:15)
WHY Did Jesus Come to the Earth?
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
QUESTION ASKED:
“Should Christians celebrate Christmas?”
REPLY:
There is no question that Christmas is and has been paganized from the beginning. And one thing is for certain: Christians are not to lie to their children by making “santa claus” a part of this season no more than a Christian would make rabbits and eggs a part of Christ’s resurrection (pagan easter). Show chapters and verses where it’s a sin to celebrate any part of the life of Christ please ….. Those who quietly celebrate Jesus during this season don’t need others infringing on their God-given right / liberty to do such – Read Rom. 14. Rom. 14 says that infringing on another believer’s God given liberty is a sin…. This is a non-essential issue and that is exactly what Paul is addressing in Romans 14. BTW: This disciple, by Christ’s grace participates in no paganism involving this season.
Rich Brown writes: “Sadly, while everybody says that Jesus is reason for this season, I observed that santa claus is more popular than Jesus. Some parents lied and fooled their children by teaching them a fictional character who doesn’t exist. If you are a true born again believer and know your Bible, you will not teach your children such foolishness!”
YOU GOING TO WALK AROUND ALL MAD ABOUT CHRISTMAS OR ARE YOU GOING TO PREACH THE GOSPEL DURING THIS SEASON?
A common objection from novices is “Christmas is pagan!” True, yet is the birth of the eternal WORD pagan?
Should we cease cursing the darkness and instead begin to obey Jesus by shining His glorious light right in the middle of that darkness? After all, darkness abounds upon the whole earth, every day for 6,000 years. Think about that. Cursing the darkness benefits no one except satan. Perhaps we should prayerfully consider letting the light of Christ in us to begin to shine brighter and brighter into the darkened hearts of fallen men.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Is getting mad going to help anyone get saved? If so, why not be mad 365 days a year since this whole fallen world is inundated with paganism. Is that how Jesus and His apostles lived? OR, did they simply preach the light of truth into this dark world? The whole fallen world we live in is pagan 365. Glad Jesus didn’t curse the darkness and say “heck no, let them all perish.” We must beware of self-righteousness. Jesus says the harlots will go to Heaven before the religious self-righteous (Matthew 21:31).
THE POINT IS THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO SPEND ALL OUR TIME PROTESTING THE OBVIOUS PAGANISM IN CHRISTMAS AND EASTER, THEN LET’S BE CONSISTENT AND JUST LIVE TO PROTEST EVERYTHING, YEAR ROUND, BECAUSE THIS FALLEN WORLD IS PACKED FULL OF PAGANISM EVERYWHERE WE LOOK AND GO, DAILY. IS THAT WHAT JESUS DID? IS THAT WHAT HIS APOSTLES DID? IS THAT WHAT THEY TOLD US TO DO? NO. NO. NO.
Another common objection: “But we aren’t to partake in the evil of this world!” Yet Jesus said and did a whole lot more about being the salt and light of the world than preaching against paganism, didn’t He? Are we so busy protesting the obvious paganism that we aren’t preaching/communicating the light of Christ?
The true body of Christ worships Jesus Christ 24/7/365! Amen LORD.
Jim Gilles writes:
“I love bashing anti Christmas Nazis who violate Romans 14 with their admitted arguments from silence. The anti Christmas Nazis need to learn that where there is no law there is no sin. That is why your personal opinions and convictions have no weight nor bearing upon anyone else.”
What Jim is getting at in the quote above is the way some get so enraged against the paganism of this season that they don’t afford liberty in the non essential of celebrating Jesus in this time of year.
“The world is dying and going to hell while ‘deep thinkers’ (street preachers) are sending them to hell over celebrating the birth of their Savior. Imagine that.” Dean Roy
What does God’s Word tell us about NON-essentials? Liberty in NON-Essentials.
Where is celebrating ANY part of Christ a sin? Chapters and verses please … also did God rebuke those who celebrated the birth – the prophesied first coming of Christ? Where does Scripture say celebrating any part of Christ is a sin? …. As a non-essential, it’s up to the individual believer and we are in sin to contest such and thereby destroy the work of Christ for a non-essential. We know it’s non-essential because He never named it as a sin. “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4) Birthday? nahhhh we are talking about celebrating Christ’s first coming – His prophesied, essential, all-important birth by way of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Are Matthew 1 and Luke 1-2 in the Bible?
If you are going to protest the paganism in Christmas well you should change the names you call months and days…. right? They are all of pagan origin! Why not use this season to love people into His blessed kingdom?
Some people act as if Satan invented December 25 and that he owns it. So, they play right into his evil hands by not celebrating Jesus during this season. Instead of spreading His holy light in the darkness they are over emphasizing and acting as if Satan and paganism are greater than the light of Christ. So, they spend their time policing other Christians on this non-essential instead of praying and preaching the light of truth. No one gets saved by Christians protesting but rather by anointed born again disciples PREACHING – “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21) So some say the Bible never says we are to celebrate Christ’s birth and yet the Bible also never shows us where Jesus, His apostles, or other Christians rebuked others for celebrating the birth of Jesus which is prophesied by Jesus long before He came – through the prophets (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7, etc.). Christ and His apostles spent little time going on and on about obvious paganism ….. go read how Paul those pagans on marrs hill in Acts 17. He spend little time or energy detailing their error. He simply moved their faith from idols to Christ! Preaching is a million times more the answer than protesting. Preaching the light of truth exposes the darkness better than any picketing. When the LORD saved this wretched soul, I never once returned to the pagan catholic church, not once. I am forever grateful for the Christians who simply preached the holy light of Christ to me. They never once mentioned the paganism and idolatry that is roman catholicism ……
Question: Is your tirade against the obvious paganism of christmas winning anyone to Jesus? … the whole fallen world we live in is jammed packed full of paganism …. so should we protest all that paganism 365 day per year or just start preaching the light of truth/Christ into it all the darkness? Learning this lesson myself, continually.
The prophet Isaiah foretold Jesus the Messiah’s birth! There could be no bigger news except “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Christ could never have died for us, accomplishing redemption, had He not come to the earth. In fact, over 300 prophecies of Christ were given in the Old Testament and several dealt with His first coming, exactly where He would be born (Micah 5:2), that He’d be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), that He’d be divine – “God with us” (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 9:6-7), etc. Did Christ not split time in half when He was born? Oh and what about the joy in Elizabeth, John the Baptist and a whole host of others in the early chapters of Matthew and Luke concerning the birth of the Messiah?
While Christmas is filled with paganism, it is not a sin to celebrate the fulfilled Bible prophecy of Jesus coming to the earth. The angels and shepherds, etc. celebrated and welcomed the coming of the prophesied Messiah without which He could not have been made flesh, dwelt among us, or died to redeem us! God is so good! John the Baptist leaped in his mother’s womb at the announcement of the birth, the coming of Jesus! (Luke 1:41-45)
QUESTION ASKED:
“But does the Bible tell us to celebrate Jesus’ birth?”
REPLY:
Well we can celebrate any and all parts of the life of our LORD Jesus. If He had not be born into the earth (of a virgin) He could never have died, been buried, and raised again for our justification, right? The wise men celebrated His birth and so did the angels, and many others.
Louise Scarborough notes: “The Wise men celebrated HIS BIRTH and brought HIM Gifts. HIS birth is a wondrous event and should be celebrated. Who would not Celebrate the birth of Our Lord and Savior when we celebrate our own! That has nothing to do with the secular world celebration the concept of Santa Claus. That is what needs to be separated and the honor and given to Christ.”
The LORD will lead each of His children in what they do during this season. Some people would have you believe that paganism and Satan are so powerful that the so called Christmas season isn’t even God’s it’s Satan’s. These people act as if Satan is more powerful than the Almighty.
Regrettably, it seems that some people seem to be identified only by what they are against.
Is someone who partakes in Christmas going to hell? Yes or no please? Doesn’t this come under the non-essentials that are addressed in places like Romans 14?
“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4
In case you are wondering, no this disciple does not participate in Christmas other than celebrating and sharing Jesus. If we just stick to Scripture …. perhaps reading the beginning of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke ….. and celebrating the first coming of Christ as we look forward to His blessed second coming.
One man insisted that it is a sin to celebrate the birth of the very Son of God after He was born. To this I replied:
“Give one Scripture that tells us it’s a sin to celebrate the eternal, divine Word becoming flesh and for that matter, any part of the life of Christ. You sound very self-righteous friend ….. and need to humble yourself and remain teachable. There is no sin in celebrating the Son of God in any aspect of His life…. pre-incarnate, birth, life on earth, mission, death burial and resurrection, ascension, return, etc. Paul spoke of His birth Galatians 4:4… Yes He came for the ultimate purpose of dying to accomplish perfect salvation ….. yet He had to come to do such …. in the fullness of time (Gal. 4:4) … the point is that people seem to be making stuff up … there is no Scripture that forbids appreciating any part of the Son of God’s existence.
If we would receive a greater portion of God’s grace – His divine influence on our hearts – we would cease making an issue out of these type things and simply use this season and the occasions afforded to minister His Love and truth. As a born again New Testament believer we are “ambassadors for Christ” and celebrate the coming of Christ into the world – and also died on the cross, was buried, and rose again from the dead! (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20) … Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, etc. 1 Timothy 1:15….. Why not use this season as an opportunity to share the first coming of Christ and preach the second coming. Share the 10 Commandments to convict the sinner and then the saving Gospel (Good News) of Christ! It’s good to be aware of the pagan aspects of this season and avoid them and just use it as an opportunity to spread God’s love and truth by communicating His Word as we are brought together with friends and family. Preach! Use this as a springboard saints – YES, Jesus was born and YES He came to die to give us life! (John 3:16) Preach! Pray for open doors – open hearts to receive His Word! Ask the LORD and He will surely open up many opportunities for you to communicate His Word. Just watch. “Here I am LORD, send me!” (Isaiah 6) WHY DID JESUS COME? Let Holy Scripture answer this all important question! PREPARE: Memorize specific Bible verses and own them – until they just roll off your lips effortlessly! (Proverbs 22:17-21)
No, I do not personally partake of paganism 24/7/365 and will absolutely and prayerfully ask God to open hearts and use me to speak into the hearts of men in this dark world. I want to spend more time celebrating and communicating Jesus than cursing paganism ….. paganism is everywhere Christianity is not and the only solution is to shine Christ’s light into those dark places. Matt 5:13-16
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15
Here’s the crux: So Satan has perverted the reason for which Christ was born into the earth in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7). If in fact you are so insightful about the paganism in Christmas, why not use that for an occasion to preach the real divine reason that God sent for us His only begotten Son? (John 3:16) Why not use this occasion to show people the real reason Jesus came – to reconcile fallen mankind to our Maker?
Have you ever seen anyone get saved because some Christians protested Christmas? Heck, the Jehovah Witness cult protests Christmas and we know for sure they are hell bound.
Look, in this fallen world we are surrounded with pagan idolatry every single day of the year and yet, did God call us to make that the main issue or did He call us to communicate His holy Law to convict and Blessed Gospel to save? Is God going to judge us for how intricately we knew the work of the enemy or by how we obeyed Him to communicate His truth in love? Great Commission.
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15
If we are so up tight about how pagan Christmas is and not on fire, praying to be able to communicate Jesus, perhaps this just shows how self-righteous and immature we are. Being up tight about Christmas comes from spending too much studying something other than God’s Word.
Jesus calls us to speak His light into the darkness in this fallen world and not to sit in the seat of the scornful by cursing the darkness (Psalms 1). If we are so spiritual that we see how sin and Satan have ravaged people, why not help them by giving them Jesus who is the solution?
“In Season”
Consider this…..BEWARE OF THE CHRISTMAS BASHERS, HEROES IN THEIR OWN MINDS … WHO COME OUT OF THE WOODWORKS EVERY DECEMBER. Many of these same lame novice legalists say nothing of the other obvious, blaring corruptions and yet self-congratulate themselves with their bashing of Christmas… which is pretty much a non-essential (Romans 14). CLUE: There is paganism all around us 24/7/365 – and Jesus came into this same darkness to be the SOLUTION! John 3:17 …. Instead of simply preaching JESUS in and out of season (all the time) they resort to bashing Christmas. Mark this: You won’t find one of these Christmas bashers whose led someone to Jesus in the last year! Fake Watchmen …. Discern ….. They create and sustain their identity by what they are against instead of what they are for … Paul did 2/3rds preaching and teaching and 1/3 warning. See Colossians 1:28 and beware of those who do not lovingly teaching God’s Word but rather just bash everything and everyone! There ARE things and people to be exposed … yet if that’s a person’s whole and only M.O. (mode of operation), beware.
Christians should celebrate Christ every single day they are alive on His earth.
Is this a “season”? Yes. Christmas “season” right? Then what are we instructed to do at all times – in all seasons?
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2
I wonder what God could do and who He would save if we did less condemning Christmas and more communicating Christ. Jesus commanded us to go preach everywhere and not to go protest everything.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
When we are still spiritually immature, we want to make an issue out of error instead of looking past it when speaking with sinners, making sure we don’t cast a stumbling block in their path. Jesus would have us to simply communicate the Law and Good News so they can be saved before it’s too late (Isaiah 55:6-7). God wants the cross in our lives saints (Colossians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Many times when we are so adamant about protesting paganism, we are being self-righteous and putting self first instead of the sinners Jesus came and died to save. He has put them in front of us in order to hear the Gospel.
Jesus taught that it is wrong to over emphasize a minor (lesser priority) and under emphasize a major.
“Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.” Matthew 23:24
STOP PROTESTING AND START PREACHING! … Some who pretend to be spiritually mature seem to develop their identity around what they are against instead of taking EVERY opportunity to obey God by “preach(ing) the word” in and out of season! for which we shall all give account (2 Timothy 4:1-4). Please share.
Is God not greater than paganism? Those who spend all their energy coming against Christmas seem to have more faith in paganism than in God Himself – who in your case and that of many others, can and does move anytime, anywhere HE so chooses!!! His Word is always His Word … For example, all that paganism that has crept in has not and never will erode from all the great songs that are Bible songs concerning the birth of the very Son of God and we hear them on even secular radio stations…. many of these songs have no paganism in them … so can God use His Word in those songs that are played during this time? Yes, whether these prudes like it or not. He never asked them either way…. Again, some see only the evil in everything … they seem to vainly imagine that THEY control God instead of vice versa ….. why not just go be the light in this dark world which is dark from Jan-Dec every year. I would ask them when is the last time they actually led someone to Jesus ….. No one gets led to Jesus by our protesting … This is a maturity issue and God is calling His people to ask Him to bless them to “grow in grace” and to let their hearts be established with His grace (2 Pet. 3:18; Heb. 13:9).
Stop Your Protesting and Start Preaching! | God-Less Grinches Busted!
Paganism is infinitely inferior to the power of Christ’s blessed Gospel.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
Jesus’ Gospel, when applied, brings forth salvation in those who repent and receive Him. Whether Jew or Gentile (includes all men), God saves those who believe upon Christ (John 1:12; Acts 16:31; 20:21, etc.).…. May God bless each of His children with open doors and a quickened spirit to minister His Word in this late hour. Did Jesus and His apostles spend much of their time campaigning against paganism? No, but they simply offered the Solution. The Law convicts and Christ saves. It seems to me that if we reflect upon and read over what Christ and His apostles spoke to lost sinners, there was little time wasted on exposing paganism. Acts 17 records Paul preaching to pagans and he seems to spend little time arguing with them over their practices and beliefs but rather merely points them to the true and living God through Christ. He called them to repent (v30-31).Any ex-catholics out there? I you are like myself, you got saved because you heard the original Gospel of the grace of God and were saved. No one had to tell me how pagan Catholicism is. Such was never mentioned. What would you think if you were in hospital waiting room and someone with a broken leg was carted in on a stretcher and as soon as the doctors and nurses saw him coming in they ran over and began yelling at him, proving to him he had a broken leg and about how he got the broken leg? Well, such a thought and scene are laughable at best and you will never see that happen in a hospital because the medical community is trained simply to fix people – to smile at them and go directly to solving their problems. It’s only AFTER they are all fixed up with the solution that the doctors and nurses suggest that they be careful so this doesn’t happen again, right? Do you think that we’d see more people saved if we’d simply preach the Gospel and learn biblicly how to evangelize more effectively?
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we are actually winning lost souls to Christ or are we simply beating up on those in darkness, further sealing their darkness – all so we can feel better about ourselves? Have you ever argued a catholic into being saved? After telling a catholic the 25 greatest evils of the catholic church, did they get saved. No, correct?
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Christology | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Modern Church | Peace with God
Abiding
10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast]

The wise virgin saints are keeping their lamps full of divine oil, they are taking personal responsibility for their own spiritual state with Christ the great and soon coming Bridegroom. Read Matthew 25:1-13.
“The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold”
“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 24:10-14
Did you notice in verse 14 that those who hot for Jesus are participating in the preaching of His Word to the end of the earth (Mark 16:15).
Anyone not devouring God’s Word daily is falling away, is not enduring to the end, is choosing the let their love for Jesus wax cold, and on the wrong, the losing end of this prophecy Jesus gave here on record in Matthew 24:10-14.
“I will spue (vomit, reject) thee out of my mouth”
“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 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 3:16-17
Praying God will help you love Him more (Matthew 22:37-40). It really all boils down to WHO we love most. THAT is exactly who we are serving (Romans 6:16).
Loving God is everything as far as what’s in our control – because it’s a choice, daily, and will determine if one remains in Christ to the end.
“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
“Thou hast left thy first love”
“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
1. When you are choosing not to spend quality time with God in prayer each and every morning… When you are choosing not to spend quality time with God in His Word each and every morning (Luke 9:23-24; 1 Chronicles 16:11).
2. When your love for God’s people is being reduced instead of increased (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 John 5:1) Marks of the True Christian …. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” (Romans 12:9-11) See John 13:35.
“And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” Luke 8:20-21
“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” 1 John 3:14
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” 1 John 5:1
Reading 1 Corinthians 13 today will refresh your heart and mind on the divine importance placed upon LOVE.
3. You are not denying self and not taking up the cross daily (Luke 9:23-24; 19:27; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.).
4. You aren’t communicating the light of truth to others because you no longer seek or fear the LORD and so His divine virtue isn’t teeming in and flowing out of you. Your cup no longer runs over but instead is running empty (Psalms 23). You have a lampshade over the light and are not letting His light shine in and through your life and words… “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)
5. You live in fear instead of faith and the joy of being with Jesus (Luke 21:28; 1 John 4:16-18; Proverbs 28:1; Psalms 2:11).
6. You preach promises and not conditions…following the apostate modern church and you don’t preach the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel which we are commanded to “earnest contend for.” (Jude 3) You begin meditating on and living by trends instead of truth (Jeremiah 9:3; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:1-2).
7. You have little or no true fellowship with other born- again Bible believing disciples of Jesus as is defined in God’s Word and not by the modern church world (Acts 2:42).
The Word of God is to run rich, to be abundant among God’s people … “In all wisdom” and “all in the name of the Lord Jesus” … “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.” (Colossians 3:16-17)
8. You know you are backsliding when your main thrust and identity become politics, not the work of the Gospel. YOU are a blood bought disciple of Jesus, not a conservative. You are a Bible believing follower of Christ (Luke 9:62; Galatians 6:14).
9. When you love this world…..When you spend more time and money on hobbies and the things of this fleeting world than you do on attending to knowing, walking with the LORD and preparing to be used of Him (Mark 4:17-19; 1 John 2:15; James 4:4).
10. When you spend more money on trash and trinkets then helping the work of the One you claim to love and the poor. You know you are backslidden when you are not obeying God with what He’s placing in your temporal possession. He shall bring you into full account for this.
Regrettably, people will give their money to any and every pleasure under the sun but make excuses when the opportunity to support the work of the One they claim to love and serve. The Holy Spirit foretold that in the final days before the return of Jesus, there would be those with a mere “form of godliness”, “men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,” and “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7) According to the LORD, one of the main ways to measure our true love for Him or lack thereof, is by peering into our personal stewardship of the resources He’s placed into our temporary possession. Luke 12 and 16 offer a plethora of divine wisdom and warning concerning the judgment to come, the judgment we shall endure in giving account for our stewardship in this life.
The clear proof that God is working in our lives, that we are truly following Jesus, is that we are becoming less and less vested in this fleeting, fallen world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). And that we, our good works, our giving are more and more invested in eternity – in the eternal kingdom of Christ, laying up treasures in Heaven, sending them before us, relinquishing the things of this world for the glory of God – putting them to work for the eternal Gospel of Christ – for saints to be fed and equipped and the lost to hear the Word of God (Matt. 6:19-21).
“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
To underscore the importance of stewardship, we should realize that 16 of our LORD’s 38 parables involved stewardship. Those who now do not wish to face and confront this truth, are apparently those who are in the most need of hearing it.
PRAYER: Father I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. Please cause my conscience to be super sensitive to Your conviction, Your leading, and to evade all that defiles me in Your holy eyes, sin. Here and now I submit my life afresh to You dear LORD. You must increase but I must decrease. I am crucified with Christ and thank You for conforming me to His holy image. I am all Yours LORD and thank You that You are all mine. I love You Jesus. Please make me one with You and the Father and with Your beloved body. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Christology | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | The 7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross | How We Know the Bible is the Only Holy Book



Articles
More Good News! Mission Mexico Part 42

IF YOU SAINTS WEREN’T SO FAITHFUL TO JESUS, NONE OF THIS WOULD BE HAPPENING…..
So while going to bring a good supply of food and household essentials to Clara and her boys, by divine ordination I tracked and spoke God’s Word to a Holy Spirit filled sister in Christ. Her name is Maria La Luz. She eagerly took about 100 or more JESUS tracts with her to distribute!!!! That’s how Mexican people are – If they have something good to give, they give it!
Boom. Oh, and Maria LaLuz are in touch by phone so she will be letting me know when she needs more. Thank you for continuing to pray as Jesus instructed in Matthew 9:35-38 – that the Father would send forth labourers into the harvest!
Working with, supporting, equipping, fueling, and supply indigenous missionaries in key to exponential kingdom momentum in the spread of Christ’s Gospel in this beautiful nation.
Just think if this kingdom operation can be duplicated throughout Mexico and Latin America! (Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20) Do we think God has a plan? Yes He does!
Because you care, prayed, and gave, another sister who was just saved recently, was given (purchased) a brand new study Bible (Life in the Spirit Study Bible) KJB. She is elated and devouring God’s Word and growing daily! (2 Peter 3:18)
Also, once again Clara was elated that you prayed and gave. She just now texted me the following after receiving your gifts today:
“Seriously, thank you very much for helping me, it means a lot to me that you help me because I have not been able to find a good job and with this we survived a few days my children and I but just like if you have work do not hesitate to send me a message and I will also go it would be very helpful since the day comes when I have to pay my rent. And again, thank you very much, you are an angel that our Lord sent me, thank you, thank you, thank you 🙏🏻” Clara
Okay now get this…. Clara has been ministered to directly and she has read the JESUS tract. I don’t think she’s saved yet. She has seen your love for Christ in action by your prayers and giving. At first I didn’t know how she was receiving the Gospel but now, from above, it’s obvious that she is being ministered to by our LORD. Perhaps she’s already saved. I don’t know due to the language barrier. But we do know God is showing her His love and power! (1 Corinthians 3:6-9)
Here’s some of the food you purchased for this single mother today! See pic.
*More than half the 10,000 JESUS tracts are already passed out or in the hands of Christ’s witnesses!!! Yes more than half in just 2 weeks.
God is hearing your prayers and honoring your giving to Him!
“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 24:14
In Christ
Todd
Ever feel like just hitting the eject button and leaving the USA? If so, why not consider a town in Mexico? Pray. Ask God where HE wants you on His planet. Rest.
Also, perhaps begin research Mexico or Latin America on youtube.
A few days ago ….. WHEN we first arrived to refresh and minister to our LORD servant Maria, she was not her usual self, not overflowing with joy. Then when the body of Christ ministered to her, including replenishing her supply of JESUS tracts, there was a notable difference. See if you agree. Your prayers and support make this possible. | Mission Mexico Updates
“Wow!! I think of Jesus when he marveled at the faith of the centurions faith! Luke 7:9. I marvel at all the Lord is doing among the Mexican people! And now He is raising up Labourers into the harvest who emanate the joy of the Lord and His fruits! Some are crying when receiving these Jesus tracts and some are actually kissing the picture. Actually kissing the son (Psalm 2:12). Fills my heart with so much joy and I am not even there! But I am part of Team Jesus!” Karen Cochran | Mission Mexico
The meeting fellowships with Juan and Maria the evangelists continue. They are both, for the time being, stocked up on their supply of JESUS tracts and distributing them daily!
Over breakfast, when I brought the first shipment of the Spanish Bibles to Juan, he asked me if he could give them away to people who are not in prison. Of course I said “Yes” and that these Bibles are for him to be used of God to give wherever he wishes, as he ministers.
Juan is a man who is filled with God’s Word. He speaks verbatim Scripture in Spanish perpetually. The reason I know that is that when we sit down to talk at length he speaks and it’s translated into English and is pure Scripture. He has volumes of Holy Scripture memorized.
Here is Juan ministering to a dear lady. And remember, most Mexicans it seems, do not have a Bible in their home. They greatly treasure God’s Word.
“PRICELESS, LIKE OUR SAVIOR!!! She reminds me of my Great Grandma…she glowed with God’s love. It was written all over her face. She brightened the room, and you KNEW she loved you! It wasn’t till I knew the Lord, that I realized where that glow and love came from. This little light of mine, I’m a gonna let it shine… The tragedy is when that light goes out, and you can see and feel that also. VERY SAD. It’s like shutting off a light switch…from light to darkness. And they can’t see it?! So, I thank God for those who are sharing that light of God’s love, and sharing with them. Will keep praying for Maria, you, your ministry, and the family of God. Felipe, Mark, all the brethren. I keep wondering about Paul and Carol Galloway–will keep praying. God knows. May the LORD bless you Brother Todd….What a wonderful first E-mail of the day! GOD’S JOY.” Crystal
Message from brother Juan on the Spanish communications group (WA whatsapp).
“There are many injustices in life; the Word of God says so. Many receive no visitors. God works in us both to will and to act according to His good pleasure. We are called to be doers of God’s Word. And knowing the good we ought to do, yet failing to do it, is sin. To Him be all glory and honor.” Brother Juan
RECENTLY: Immediately upon beginning to hear God’s Word spoken to him in Spanish, this man began to weep and to profusely thank God, to call out to Jesus, to kiss the Jesus tract he was given, to kiss my hand and cheek. Need I state the obvious, of how hungry these beloved people are to hear and believe Jesus’ bless-ed Gospel? …. Beloved Filipe was given the Gospel of Christ and instructed to go home and repent and receive Christ for the forgiveness of his sins and that only Jesus can forgive him and that it’s not about religion but relationship. Like the vast majority of Mexicans (99%), Filipe had never heard the Gospel of Jesus till today. Please lift beloved Filipe and the Mission Mexico heavenly operation in prayer. Thank you.
WHERE does God want you in this last hour – doing HIS will, being about the “Father’s business”? (Luke 2:49) Are you surrendered and therefore crying out to the LORD to put you on HIS EARTH exactly where you can please Him the most? | Mission Mexico
It’s all because of God’s love in Christ and your prayers and support…. This homeless man received God’s love in the form of the spoken Word, a JESUS track in Spanish, and a warm breakfast and hot coffee! Jesus is moving!
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8
Mission Mexico
https://safeguardyoursoul.com/mexico-mission/
Issidro asked for prayer. He’s catholic but he’s open, a little bit. He received an abundance of truth from God’s Word today and a JESUS tract in Spanish. Thank you for lifting these precious souls in prayer saints.
“Praise the Lord ! She is shining for Jesus! Overflowing Joy! It’s a blessing to see how God is moving in the ministry, Mexico for Jesus, Glory to God!!” Darlene
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Mission Mexico – See more here. | Give support here. Many options
Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.
Articles
Why the Apocrypha Isn’t in the Bible

MESSAGE GIVEN:
“I’m reading the apocrypha now and you can tell it’s definitely from the Bible and seems like it should be in there. I guess that is why God said in revelation if anyone changes or removes or adds anything to this Holy book all the plagues in it will come on them, cos he knew that it would happen.” V.
REPLY:
You are missapplying Revelation 22:18-19. God oversaw the canon of His Word, just as He promised to do in Ps 12:6-7. It’s exactly how He desired, ordained it to be in the King James Bible. To say God checked out, was negligent, is a lie, is bearing false witness, and is an indictment against the Almighty (Psalms 121:4; Daniel 4:32, etc.). There were specific reasons those apocryphal books were not included in the real Bible, as opposed to the catholic “bible.”
Roman Catholics may tell you, “You Protestants are missing part of the Bible. We have the rest of it.” [Note: These people’s leaders (popes, priests, etc.) have led them astray to this wrong belief.] This comment about missing books can throw people off, but it no longer has to. These popish additions to the Bible are commonly called the Apocrypha or sometimes the Deuterocanonical books. This is a short treatise on WHY these books are not in the Bible.
What is the Apocrypha anyway?
The Apocrypha is a collection of uninspired, spurious books written by various individuals. The Catholic religion considers these books as scripture just like a Bible-believer believes that the 66 books in the 1611 Authorized Version of the Bible are the Word of God, i.e., Genesis to Revelation. We are going to examine some verses from the Apocrypha later in our discussion.
At the Council of Trent (1546) the Roman Catholic institution pronounced the following apocryphal books sacred. They asserted that the apocryphal books together with unwritten tradition are of God and are to be received and venerated as the Word of God. So now you have the Bible, the Apocrypha and Catholic Tradition as co-equal sources of truth for the Catholic. In reality, it seems obvious that the Bible is the last source of truth for Catholics. Roman Catholic doctrine comes primarily from tradition stuck together with a few Bible names. In my reading of Catholic materials, I find notes like this: “You have to keep the Bible in perspective.” Catholics have been deceived into not believing that the Bible is God’s complete revelation for man [but they can come out of these deceptions in an instant if they will only believe the Bible as it is written].
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC APOCRYPHA
- Tobit
- Judith
- Wisdom
- Ecclesiasticus
- Baruch
- First and Second Maccabees
- Additions to Esther and Daniel
Apocryphal Books Rejected by the Catholic Religion:
- First and Second Esdras
- Prayer of Manasses
- Susanna*
*A reader says: “Susanna is in the Roman Catholic canon. It is Daniel 13.”
Why the Apocrypha Isn’t in the Bible.
Not one of the apocryphal books is written in the Hebrew language (the Old Testament was written in Hebrew). All Apocryphal books are in Greek, except one which is extant only in Latin.
None of the apocryphal writers laid claim to inspiration.
The apocryphal books were never acknowledged as sacred scriptures by the Jews, custodians of the Hebrew scriptures (the apocrypha was written prior to the New Testament). In fact, the Jewish people rejected and destroyed the apocrypha after the overthow of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
The apocryphal books were not permitted among the sacred books during the first four centuries of the real Christian church (I’m certainly not talking about the Catholic religion. The Roman Catholic “Church” is not Christian).
The Apocrypha contains fabulous statements which not only contradict the “canonical” scriptures but themselves. For example, in the two Books of Maccabees, Antiochus Epiphanes is made to die three different deaths in three different places.
The Apocrypha includes doctrines in variance with the Bible, such as prayers for the dead and sinless perfection. The following verses are taken from the Apocrypha translation by Ronald Knox dated 1954:
Basis for the doctrine of purgatory:
2 Maccabees 12:43-45, 2.000 pieces of silver were sent to Jerusalem for a sin-offering…Whereupon he made reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.
Salvation by works:
Ecclesiasticus 3:30, Water will quench a flaming fire, and alms maketh atonement for sin.
Tobit 12:8-9, 17, It is better to give alms than to lay up gold; for alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin.
Magic:
Tobit 6:5-8, If the Devil, or an evil spirit troubles anyone, they can be driven away by making a smoke of the heart, liver, and gall of a fish…and the Devil will smell it, and flee away, and never come again anymore.
Mary was born sinless (immaculate conception):
Wisdom 8:19-20, And I was a witty child and had received a good soul. And whereas I was more good, I came to a body undefiled.
It teaches immoral practices, such as lying, suicide, assassination and magical incantation.
No apocryphal book is referred to in the New Testament whereas the Old Testament is referred to hundreds of times.
Because of these and other reasons, the apocryphal books are only valuable as ancient documents illustrative of the manners, language, opinions and history of the East.
Wasn’t the Apocrypha in the King James Bible?
The King James translators never considered the Apocrypha the word of God. As books of some historical value (e.g., details of the Maccabean revolt), the Apocrypha was sandwiched between the Old and New Testaments as an appendix of reference material. This followed the format that Luther had used. Luther prefaced the Apocrypha with a statement:
“APOCRYPHA–THAT IS, BOOKS WHICH ARE NOT REGARDED AS EQUAL TO THE HOLY SCRIPUTRES, AND YET ARE PROFITABLE AND GOOD TO READ.” KING JAMES VERSION DEFENDED, PAGE 98.
In 1599, TWELVE YEARS BEFORE the King James Bible was published, King James himself said this about the Apocrypha:
“AS TO THE APOCRIPHE BOOKES, I OMIT THEM BECAUSE I AM NO PAPIST (AS I SAID BEFORE)…” KING JAMES CHARLES STEWART BASILICON DORON, PAGE 13
In his, “A Premonition to All Most Mightie Monarches,”–found in his Workes (a collection of the king’s writings)–King James said this–
“…IS IT A SMALL CORRUPTING OF THE SCRIPTURES TO MAKE ALL, OR THE MOST PART OF THE APOCRYPHA OF EQUALL FAITH WITH THE CANONICALL SCRIPTURES…?”
Not only this, but the sixth article of the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England (1571 edition. The Church of England published the Authorized King James Version) states that
(1) the Old and New Testaments are the Bible–
IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY, WE DO VNDERSTANDE THOSE CANONICAL BOOKES OF THE OLDE AND NEWE TESTAMENT, OF WHOSE AUTHORITIE WAS NEVER ANY DOUBT IN THE CHURCHE…
(2) the apocrypha is not the Bible–
AND THE OTHER BOOKES, (AS HIEROME SAYETH), THE CHURCHE DOTH READE FOR EXAMPLE OF LIFE AND INSTRUCTION OF MANNERS: BUT YET DOTH IT NOT APPLIE THEM TO ESTABLISH ANY DOCTRENE. PHILIP SCHAFF, CREEDS OF CHRISTENDOM. GRAND RAPIDS: BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1977, VOL. III, PP. 489-491.
The Hampton Court Document came as a result of the famous Hampton Court Conference of 1604 when King James specially commanded the translation of the Bible that would one day bear his name. Concerning the apocrypha and the Church of England, it states–
THE APOCRYPHA, THAT HATH SOME REPUGNANCY TO THE CANONICAL SCRIPTURES, SHALL NOT BE READ…
Select Statutes and Other Constitutional Documents Illustrative of the Reigns of Elizabeth and James I, edited by G.W. Prothero, Fellow of King’s College, Cambridge, 1894, p. 416
The Apocrypha began to be omitted from the Authorized Version in 1629. Puritans and Presbyterians lobbied for the complete removal of the Apocrypha from the Bible and in 1825 the British and Foreign Bible Society agreed. From that time on, the Apocrypha has been eliminated from practically all English Bibles–Catholic Bibles and some pulpit Bibles excepted.
Not even all Catholic “Church Fathers” believed the Apocrypha was scripture.
Not that this really means anything. The truth is not validated by the false. Nevertheless, this may be of interest to some… Jerome (340-420) rejected the Apocrypha:
“AS THE CHURCH READS THE BOOKS OF JUDITH AND TOBIT AND MACCABEES BUT DOES NOT RECEIVE THEM AMONG THE CANONICAL SCRIPTURES, SO ALSO IT READS WISDOM AND ECCLESIASTICUS FOR THE EDIFICATION OF THE PEOPLE, NOT FOR THE AUTHORITATIVE CONFIRMATION OF DOCTRINE.” JEROME, JEROME’S PREFACE TO THE BOOKS OF SOLOMON
According to Edward Hills in The King James Version Defended p. 98 other famous Catholics with this viewpoint include Augustine (354-430 who at first defended the Apocrypha as canonical), Pope Gregory the Great (540-604), Cardinal Ximenes, and Cardinal Cajetan.
There are other spurious books.
These include the Pseudepigrapha which contains Enoch, Michael the Archangel, and Jannes and Jambres. Many spurious books falsely claim to have been written by various Old Testament patriarchs. They were composed between 200 B.C. and 100 A.D. There are lots of these spurious books like The Assumption of Moses, Apocalypse of Elijah, and Ascension of Isaiah.
Concerning the Dead Sea Scrolls, there may be some information in them that parallels the Masoretic Text, but there are fables in them, too. I went to see the scrolls a few years ago with great expectation but found a bunch of fables. The best defense against error in any form (unauthorized Bibles and religions) is a solid knowledge of the AUTHORIZED (King James) Version of 1611 of the Bible. If you read it, forgeries become readily apparent.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
King James VI & I Page
The Workes of the Most High and Mightie Prince Iames [James], By the Grace of God, King of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.
Translators Revived, Alexander McClure, p. 142
Bible Believing Study, Edward F. Hills, p. 15
The King James Version Defended, Edward F. Hills, p. 96, 97, 98
God Wrote Only One Bible, Jasper James Ray, p. 90
An Understandable History of the Bible, Dr. Samuel Gipp, p. 245
Making Peace with God | Bible Versions Issue | Why Did the 1611 KJV Include the Apocrypha? | THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE OR DOUAY? Catholic “Bibles” Exposed | Lineage of the Modern Corrupt | The Catholic Church Exposed




America1 year agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
Articles2 years agoChildren being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
Articles8 years agoSelf-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
Apostasy2 years agoSHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True


























































