Abiding

Escaping Sodom

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]

“Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:32

When God instructs us to “remember” something, He is underscoring a truth. He is warning us of danger and how to escape it.

What did Jesus want us to “remember” about “Lot’s wife”?

What was the sin of Lot’s wife?

Why was she judged?

What is it about “Lot’s wife” that the LORD wants us to beware of?

Why would Jesus warn us of an event that was thousands of years old, an account of the rebellion, the disobedience of a woman who while being delivered, looked back?

WHAT’S at stake?

Make no mistake: This is a real life story about sin and judgment.

God’s angelic messengers had warned Lot and his family not to look back on the city.
We are not told why, though it is often thought that looking back signifies a longing
for the city which God will destroy. Verse 26 of Genesis 19 simply states that Lot’s wife looked back and God turned her into a pillar of salt.

What does the pillar of salt judgment mean for us? What did the LORD want to eternally memorialize for the whole world by His crystallizing or preserving forever the example of Lot’s wife?

Get on fire. Stay on fire with Christ! NEVER look back! The only way to get on and stay on fire is to feed the fire – with perpetual praise, prayer, and the word – just like a log fire where a constant supply of logs, wood, is necessary to keep the flames roaring!

As in all things, Scripture must be interpreted WITH Scripture and that’s when the divine revelation surfaces in our hearts (Isaiah 28:10, 13; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.). Our LORD taught the necessity of His people enduring to the end to be saved into eternal glory. His apostles taught the same and here’s a taste:

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:26-39

In the previous chapter (Genesis 18), Abraham, the very “friend of God,” negotiated with God to spare the city of Sodom if there were but 10 righteous souls (Genesis 18:23–32; James 2:23). There weren’t even 10, but apparently only 4 – Lot, his wife, and his 2 daughters.

Among the people of the city of Sodom, only Lot had ears to hear and was warned ahead of time that “sudden destruction” was coming to Sodom. Does that not remind us of other Scriptures, namely in light of the return of Christ?

“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” 1 Thessalonians 5:3

God promises no man another moment of life on this earth. Readiness to meet Christ is of the utmost importance!

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40

Why Did Our LORD want us to “Remember Lot’s Wife”?

Sodom represents this fallen world.

While living in Sodom, Lot had been hospitable to two angels of the LORD. As dawn broke, the angels urged Lot to flee with his wife and two daughters.

“Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” Genesis 19:17

Lot’s unnamed wife, however, “looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:1–26).

“But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Genesis 19:26

Don’t Look Back!

“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

Remember that God was saving, delivering Lot, his wife, and his two daughters out of Sodom when Lot’s wife looked back.

The LORD is going to judge all of mankind.

Sodom was sinful. Lot and his family were the only ones in Sodom who were righteous and God was delivering them from it. This is a picture, a type of how the LORD saves His people in this sinful world and fully intends to bring them out of this world at His appointed time. This will occur in each of our lives, either by death or Christ’s return.

God created salt as a preserving agent. As an eternal warning of His judgment coming on all who look back, those who do not endure to the end with Christ, God preserved Lot’s wife by making her a “pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:24-29)

When Jesus instructed us to “Remember Lot’s wife,” Heaven’s King was reminding us of this very same eternal condemnation coming on all whom He saves who then look back to the life of sin He delivered them from.

“And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whosoever (regardless of whether or not you’ve been saved in the past) shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:26-33

Sodomy/homosexuality is usually the only sin attributed to the sins of Sodom and yet the Bible lists several sins that came before the ultimate turning over to homosexuality and further judgment (hell). See also Romans 1 and Ezekiel 16:49-51.

What is the lesson, the all-important truth that Jesus intends for instill in our hearts in this important teaching He gave us?

“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:20-22

God is still “Holy, holy, holy” and has never redefined what He calls sin (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). In fact, “the wages of sin” is still death (Romans 6:23)

“And every man that hath this hope (of Christ’s return) in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3

This is the consistent teaching of Holy Scripture ….. conditional salvation and not un-conditional.

“In your patience (perseverance) possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:19

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22

“And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain (represents Heaven), lest thou be consumed (hell).” Genesis 19:17

“Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.” Genesis 19:22

God always provides the way to “escape” to those who are choosing to “abide” in Him.

“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion.” Amos 6:1

Are you lukewarm and “at ease in Zion” or are you taking heed?

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Iniquity had consumed the city of Sodom and God was going to judge here for it. We live in a fallen world where rebels are abounding more and more (2 Timothy 3:13). Jesus is warning us of this exact scenario and instructing us on how to escape it and be with Him forever.

“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.” Matthew 24:13

Can’t fall back into sin “again” and be separated from the LORD?

“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. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:20-21

“If a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:6

The Great Escape into New Jerusalem

WHEN you wish to be encouraged, and for your eternal perspective to be refreshed, try reading the last 2 chapters of God’s Word – Revelation 21-22!

Notice the scene in Revelation and how God is going to dwell with His people in New Jerusalem and separate all sinners from the holy city:

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things (this is a condition); and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful (cowardly), and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:4-8

Any person who believes they will be with Him who is “Holy, holy, holy” in eternity if they die in sin, is wholly deluded (Isaiah 6:3; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.).

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God (if failing the grace of God weren’t possible, why such a warning?); lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright (how did he sell his birthright if he didn’t possess it to begin with?).17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” Hebrews 12:14-17

What people is Jesus going to return for and bring with Him into the holy city of God?

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

The Heavenly Afterburner is Coming

From Heaven, with Abraham and all the righteous, all the saints of Christ who escaped will look and see the divine destruction, the utter devastation of the rebellion of mankind……

“And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD: 28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. 29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.” Genesis 19:27-29

Apparently, during the millennial reign of Jesus on the earth, hell will be an open pit for all to behold the judgment of our Holy God.

“And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. 24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.” Isaiah 66:23-24

Of this event, F.B. Meyer writes:

“God had mercy on Lot for Abraham’s sake. A missionary told me that when, on writing home to his mother, he narrated his miraculous deliverance from an infuriated mob, she replied by quoting a special entry in her diary to the effect that, during those exact hours, she was detained before God in a perfect agony of intercession for him. Lot was saved from Sodom, but took Sodom with him. He was saved so as by fire, but his life-work was burned up. See 1 Corinthians 3:15. Even his wife might have been saved, but her heart was inveterately wedded to the city (the world). In modern cities there are traces of the sins that doomed Sodom. Let us bear witness against them, that we may arrest inevitable judgment. Jude tells us that in the fate of these cities we have an example of eternal fire. Have a place where you stand before God. Only from that eminence can you venture to look out on the awful retribution of human rebellion.”

Just as the LORD chose to preserve the memorial of His judgment upon Lot’s wife, so shall He preserve the judgment of all rebels after His return to take back over His earth (Psalms 24:1).

In contrast to looking back to our previous, sinful life in this fallen world, God’s Word exhorts us forward – “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience (endurance, perseverance) the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Notice “the race that is set before us.” In the above passage, the writer of Hebrews uses track and field to illustrate this divine truth. Think about a sprinter. The track is before him – in front of him – and so looking backward would certainly cause him to fail at his endeavor and lose the race. The same was true for Lot’s wife who looked behind her. And, the same will be the losing case for all who look back such as Lot’s wife did.

Here is the trajectory of the remnant disciple of Christ in this late hour, as we eagerly look for the return of Christ:

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

“Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:27

The Peril of Looking Back! “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 7)

Sin Disqualifies

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body (the daily cross-crucified life), and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

HINT: If the devil you call “pastor” has never read with you the numerous lists of soul damning sins in the Bible, he’s intentionally hiding that God is “Holy, holy, holy” and that the LORD requires you to “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). Soul Damning Sins [book]

LESSON: What should we learn from the wife of Lot and the testimony of the whole of Holy Scripture? Staying with Christ, never looking back to the old life of sin which brought nothing but shame, guilt, and misery as we live in daily jeopardy of the flames of eternal damnation. Instead, we abide content, vigilant, and rejoicing in Christ as we expect His return. We are thereby imbued with divine grace to endure to the end with Jesus which is essential to final salvation.

Like it or not – You are NOT eternally secure, you are not “once saved always saved.” These are cliches from the wicked one and peddled by false teachers. God expects and requires you to endure to the end, to abide/remain in Christ, to continue in the faith till you are with Him! Otherwise, you will spend eternity in hell and it will be worse than if you had never known Him! This is what is called the LIE of the Ages!

When Holy Scripture is presented, some will say “You are scaring me!” Why do they react this way to biblical truth? Because they’ve refused to truly repent and get into God’s Word for themselves and therefore allowed some demonic OSAS/eternal security wolf to comfort them in their sins – while assuring them with the mythical heresy that they are judgment proof! THAT’s exactly what the Bible tells us false teachers do (Jude 4).

WANT to see the “ungodly”? Were we not specifically warned of such false teachers, the modern OSAS/eternal security wolves whom God’s Word calls “ungodly men”?

“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (license to sin), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 4

OSAS/eternal security is a sissy theology, a fairy tale – embraced by unrepentant counterfeits who refuse to deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Jesus in this sinful world. Hell awaits. Damned to Hell AFTER being Saved? Is that possible?

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

FEEDBACK:

“Wow! You DID put a lot of work into this article. It’s excellent. It’s very convicting — reminds us this life is not a game, but each of us (our decisions and actions) have a DIRECT impact on where we will spend eternity. No matter what kind of past testimony and walk we have had, we need to “watch and pray always (daily)” and be accountable to “him with whom we have to do.” DL

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security! [podcast]

HELL Awaits! SO YOU THINK YOU ARE ETERNALLY SECURE? WHO TOLD YOU THAT LIE? NOT GOD! IT SIMPLY DOESN’T MATTER HOW POPULAR A PREACHER IS – IF HE’S TEACHING SATAN’S FIRST LIE THAT CAUSED THE FALL OF THE HUMAN RACE – OSAS/ETERNAL SECURITY – HE’S A FALSE TEACHER, AN AGENT OF SATAN (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). OF COURSE he’s popular – he’s not preaching the cross but rather excuses for sin against a Holy God! RUN from that devil! You will be safe and eternally secure when you get to Heaven, not before. ARE YOU enduring sound doctrine today or walking […]

Loving not our Lives unto the Death [podcast]

Just WHAT do we need to “remember” about “Lot’s wife”? (Luke 17:32) “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:11 Will you finish with joy? “But none of these things move me, neither count I my […]

The FORGOTTEN Sins of Sodom [podcast]

Explosive! DO YOU KNOW WHAT SINS THE BIBLE CITES OF THE PEOPLE OF SODOM WHICH CAUSED DIVINE JUDGMENT TO FALL ON THEM? THIS LIST OF SINS MIGHT SHOCK YOU. EXPOSING THE GATEWAY SINS TO SODOM’S DESTRUCTION According to Romans 1 it seems that sexual deviance, namely homosexuality, is the sin, the final manifestation of evil before destruction transpires. The LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this sin and others and will or is destroying America for rejecting Him (Matthew 10:26-28). WHAT were the specific sins of Sodom and Gomorrah that preceded the ultimate “abomination” of homosexuality? (Leviticus 18:22) Does the […]

Abiding

The Savior vs Self [podcast]

The Flesh vs the Spirit

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5

This life is a daily test of who we truly love (Matthew 6:24; 22:37-40; John 14:15; 15:14; Romans 6:16).

You are not relegated to the flesh, to live after it, or be defeated by it.

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:12-14

How does Christ’s victory work in our lives?

“I die daily (death) … But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (resurrection). 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. … But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:31, 57-58 …10

Those who are crucified with Christ are walking in His victory – the victory He alone grants. And they are laboring by His grace in His work.

There was no other way to redeem fallen mankind but the cross. And there’s no other way to walk with the Savior who went to that cross for us – except by way of the cross He prescribed that we take up daily (Luke 9:23-24).

The War Within

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16-25

The Flesh or the Spirit: Which shall ye allow to reign?

“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 6:24

Agreeing with the divine declaration of condemnation on our fallen state is essential to victory, otherwise the temptation to compromise and have mercy on the old man will be present (Romans 1-3).

Adam is the father of the old man the fallen man. Jesus is the King of the new man the new creation. Romans 5

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. … 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” Genesis 6:5, 12

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

We are not good, not one of us (Romans 3:10). If we don’t understand and own what the Bible states concerning the universal fall of all men in Adam, that there’s “no good thing” in us, we will not recognize the need for the daily cross – to be truly crucified with Christ.

The “old man,” the flesh, can not and will not ever be reformed (Romans 6: Colossians 3). It must be daily crucified. There’s no hope of a chance or possibility that the flesh can be reformed. It’s a lost cause and that’s why Jesus came.

“The truth is that while Christ dwells in the believer’s new nature, He has strong competition from the believer’s old nature. The warfare between the old and the new goes on continually in most believers.” AW Tozer

You can’t negotiate with a terrorist.

Kill or be killed. Kill the flesh or be killed by it.

There is no negotiating with the flesh and there can be no mercy afforded to it.

Allowing the flesh a foot in the door is the inroad to total destruction.

“Either you will crucify sin out of your life or sin will crucify Christ out of your life.” Burt Clendendon

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

The flesh must be sentenced to death.

2 Corinthians 1:9-11

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.”

v. 9 – Sentence the self life to the death of the self life.
v. 10 – Past, present, and future deliverance, victory over sin, can only come by way of the cross.
v. 11 – we must pray for each other in this regard – that we would be conformed to the crucified image of Christ our LORD.

Perhaps the best prayer we can pray for each other is that we’d be crucified with Christ…. because this guarantees the resurrection, the raising up of that life!

God is waiting for you to lay it all down – to be truly crucified with the Savior, to own it, to wear it, to embrace that your life is over in this world and now it’s all about Him, about King Jesus.

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:9-12

(v. 9) Being found in Christ and not outside of Him (and lost), not having our own filthy-rag righteousness “through the faith of Christ.” (v. 10) & (John 17:3) Knowing Him is the very reason we are created by Him – “That I may know him.” Experiencing “the power of his resurrection” is preceded by “being made conformable unto his death.” (vv. 10-11) Seems the apostle here is intimating that he is not perfect in taking up the cross, realizing the utter need for such.

The LORD is “Holy, holy, holy” and commands you to “be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; 1 Peter 1:15-16)

Recently, had a conversation with a long time friend who is a dear brother in Christ. We mourned together over the sin he’d been walking in. And, we discussed the only solution – the cross. I was able to share with him that the only victory I have ever been able to walk in is via the cross life.

The life of the disciple is a crucified life and this is what our water baptism is supposed to depict and yet the follow up, the messages we hear in local churches, regrettably is anything but the cross (Romans 6; Colossians 2:12). Scarcely if ever can the message of the cross be heard or even mentioned, much less talked of continually by preachers today. This is the fulfillment of end times prophecy (Philippians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 2 Timothy 4:2-4, etc.).

Read Romans 6 each morning this week. Pray and ask the LORD to teach you His way – the way of the cross. Ask Him sincerely to anoint your life to be dead and buried with Him and raised up by Christ – that you would be conformed to His holy image (Romans 8:29).

God’s way is the cross. No one will be in Heaven who didn’t walk His way – which is the way of the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.).

Jesus taught diametrically opposite to Satan’s message of the world to love self.

So many people claiming Christ as LORD continue to peddle lies. Beware of them (Colossians 2:8-10). Their memes and messages say things like: “Love yourself,” “take care of yourself,” “treat yourself,” “forgive yourself,” etc. …. Hmmmm I don’t remember reading any such thing in the Bible. No, in fact, the Bible says we all already, innately love ourselves and THAT’s our biggest problem and where our sin is rooted – pride! – “The pride of life” (Ephesians 5:29; 1 John 2:15-17). We are never instructed to pamper our “desperately wicked” self but rather Jesus commands us to “deny” or die to self – to live the crucified life.

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

People who are propagating these diabolical lies, encouraging others to love self instead of to crucify self, are clueless, walking in darkness, have no clue of who Christ is or His Gospel message – which begins with the essential command to “repent,” to lay down our lives in this world and obey Him – to follow Him, His example by preferring Him and others above ourselves (Philippians 2:3-5, etc.).

Recently a saint of Christ send this message:

“Never change Todd. Keep lifting JESUS up as you do. Keep dying, so you will not be cast away in the end. Keep increasing in humility and love. At any moment, you could jeopardize your place with Christ, when just a little pride slips in, self glory, lust… Keep that humble place until You see your Lord face to face. I want Todd to enter Heaven, my dear Todd, a wretched man, as I, who trusted Christ’s Sacrifice and lived, until the end, for His Name.”

“Jesus needs to Increase and I need to decrease. I am nothing without Jesus Amen.” David Reeves

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

Do you desire and love God above self?

Get low.

Stay low.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

Go down deep into death and burial and let the LORD Himself raise your life upward.

“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

HOW will you finish? It’s really how you finish that matters most! (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Finish strong beloved – lay down your life (death and burial) so that the strength of your life is Christ’s resurrection grace!!!!! Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Go down deep.

“And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:” Isaiah 37:31

Read the verse above again, looking for the death, the burial, and raising up!

The context of Isaiah 37:31 concerns Assyria seeking to seize Judah and yet out of that evil attempt to conquer God’s people came a “remnant.” Yet it’s those who submitted to the LORD in death, those who took root downward (death and burial) who were reciprocally raised up out of that snare and destruction. Resurrection grace wins every time, with no exception! The cross is the divine prescription for absolute victory in every situation.

The depth you allow God to bury you determines the height of His resurrection, His raising up in you! (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

As we submit to Him, to His way, God liquidates us, putting away our sin, our past, and weaknesses and raising us upward in His power while granting us a clear conscience.

“God salvages the individual by liquidating him and then raising him again to newness of life.” AW Tozer

The cross is always God’s way – the blood of Christ’s cross, His death, burial, and resurrection, and daily our own (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:10-11

The raising up cannot and will not come before the laying down of one’s life.

God is not going to raise up the rebel but He is going to raise up the humble, the truly poor in spirit saint.

“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.” Psalms 145:14

The soul, the spirit, the life of the true saint must be nourished in this essential cross message. A little dab will not do it – you must be saturated. You must be ever bowing downward in worship to the LORD. As your life is bowed down, the reciprocal divine raising will transpire!

If you are not learning the cross Jesus taught, you are fallen away.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You now as a sinner. I am away from You and I do not want to remain alienated from You. Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I here and now ask You to take me back, to wash me clean in the blood of the Lamb, and to have Your way in my life. This moment, I lay my life into Your holy hands and rest in You, in Your love, by faith. Thank You for finding and saving me dear LORD. From this moment forward, I will follow You LORD Jesus till the end of my life on this earth. I pray all these things in the name above all names, the name of Jesus Christ! Sobeit dear LORD!

The Cross | 100’s of Scripture-Rich Podcasts for you edification in Christ | Fasting and Prayer

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

G.O.D. = Game Over Devil [podcast]

Ousting the Enemy! WHO’s READY FOR SOME VICTORY? Satan only has place when the individual isn’t submitted to God. James 4:7 – memorize. Your issue is with the God you have sinned against, and not me, a mere messenger of His. Blaming everyone except the sinner who caused your separation from your Maker will only dig yourself deeper in misery. The sin you are living in has given full control of your life to Satan who has come “to steal, to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). The following information will equip you to know what the LORD requires of […]

Who were the Amalekites and what do they Represent to us? [podcast]

Who was Amalek? The Amalekites represent Satan and the flesh and their war against God’s people and all that is right. Amalek was the grandson of the infamous Esau, Jacob’s brother, Isaac’s son. The Amalekites are the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob (Genesis 36:12,16). By his sin, Esau forfeited the birthright to his brother Jacob. So, it stands that this lineage of Esau, including Amalek (his grandson), has forfeited the place of rulership to the seed of Jacob, which is Christ and His people. Esau and Amalek are a type of Satan who was ousted by Jesus’ redemptive […]

Abiding

Special Ops Spiritual Warfare [podcast]

The LORD, the Master Potter, continues to prepare each of His people. And as He does, He has ordained special missions for each to accomplish. Before our military men go to war, are sent on special ops, they must first be rigorously prepared, right? Before one of God’s people can be dropped behind enemy lines and used on special missions, he must be prepared by the Commander in Chief, Jesus Christ, who is “the Captain of their salvation.” (Hebrews 2:10)

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet (fit, equipped) for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21

Proper prep must precede being used of the Master. Each individual disciple’s mission will be unique. No two are exactly the same. God prepares us according to His holy plan for each of us.

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

God’s people are made by Him “new creatures” and His “ambassadors” to do His work in the earth among men:

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

Christ’s kingdom is in opposition to the kingdom of darkness and as such is a kingdom of conflict.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12

Satan and the fallen angels (demons, devils) are our ultimate enemies:

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:10-20

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:2-5

“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:5-8

As Paul recalled how Jesus had brought him out of deep darkness, forgave, saved, and used him, he reveals what the LORD Jesus said. The words of Jesus are in red:

“And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from thepeople, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:14-18

Be careful what you hear: “Neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27)

Counting the Cost - Following Jesus to the End of Your Life [podcast]

The Cost of Discipleship “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 Those who count the cost refuse to count their own life dear to themselves and this is the only way not to be derailed, to finish our course, enduring to the end. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and […]

Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast]

WHAT is Jesus Looking at in Your Life? GOD sees what you leave behind, what you keep in store for your “safety”, what percentage you keep, the waste. Read Luke 12, 16. WHAT did Jesus mean when He said that the woman who gave all, a mere two mites, gave the most? HOW could she possibly have given more than those who gave thousands when all she gave was a mere two mites which equal less than a penny in today’s economy? Jesus Never Changes because He is Divine and Eternal Perfection Read this account carefully: “And Jesus sat over […]

Abiding

The Eternal Danger of Trusting Mere Men [podcast]

Idol Shepherds Abounding!

The LORD is Holy and will not share His glory with any other.

“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8

Your favorite pastor, evangelist or teacher among men is “at his best state … altogether vanity” (Psalms 39:5). God be thanked for the life of every true servant elder and yet they are mere men. God did not send His only begotten Son to die and be buried and raised again to make you a good church member or fan of a mere man who is supposed to be a servant leader. Jesus came to take away our sins, make us new creatures so we could know Him and His Father – and serve them and not man (John 1:29; 17:3; 1 Corinthians 7:23). We are each called to “know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10). Let’s read the whole verse: “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).

RAVI ZACHARIAS is just another pawn of Satan whom gullible dupes clung to, they hung to his every word. He rarely even mentioned the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith – the holiness of God, the precious blood of Jesus, the crucified life, repentance, etc.. Why did they cling to him, a mere man? They were unrepentant and therefore weren’t choosing to truly worship, seek the face of, love and obey Christ. The vacuum left by their idolatry facilitated their delusion. Then Ravi died in sin. When you love the LORD, truly, you love and devour HIS Word, daily. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. 6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? MY HOPE IS IN THEE.” Psalms 39:4-7

When O When will we truly repent and genuinely follow JESUS, pouring over and hanging on HIS every Word – from Genesis to Revelation? Isn’t that why He gave us HIS Word, the Bible? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” 20:31

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

The ministries of mere men are not an end in themselves.

They are called to simply teach God’s Word itself – and to get you into God’s Word daily for yourself.

Notice how the apostle Paul reveals how the disciples at Thessalonica “received the word of God.”

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when YE RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

“Ye received the word of God – Ye received the doctrine of God, not as any thing fabricated by man, but as coming immediately from God himself, we being only his messengers to declare what he had previously revealed to us. And ye have had the fullest proof that ye have not believed in vain; for that doctrine, under the power and influence of the Holy Ghost, has worked most powerfully in you, filling you with light, life, and holiness.” Adam Clarke

They were “taught of God”, not men (1 Thessalonians 4:9).

The ministries of the servants of God are merely designed to get you to discern ….. and to get into God’s Word FOR YOURSELF – to study to show your own self approved unto God! (Acts 17:10-11)

” And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:10-11

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

YOU do it.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

The lazy, those who don’t truly love the LORD are being eliminated as goats. This all comes on the heels of their refusal to seek God…. and study His own Word.

No, instead the idolaters of mere men will read and listen to endless messages by mere men, their favorite preachers, mere men. They then bond with those mere men, there is an unnatural soul-tie created.

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22

“Isaiah 2:19-22 People will seek for shelter wherever they can hide. It will be clear then that fleeting man is unworthy of trust. Only the Lord is worthy of the undivided confidence of His people.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“Cease ye – Never admire or place your trust in man. Breath – Whose breath is quickly stopped and taken away. Wherein – What excellency is in him, considered in himself, and without dependence on God?” John Wesley

“Cease ye from man – Trust neither in him, nor in the gods that he has invented. Neither he, nor they, can either save or destroy.” Adam Clarke

The church world is full of wolves in sheep’s clothing. The list of “idol shepherd(s)“ is long…. Here is but a sampling:

See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

C.S. Lewis Exposed [podcast]

“I have the deepest respect for Pagan myths, still more for myths in the Holy Scriptures” (PP, p.71). CS Lewis In the above quote from C.S. Lewis, not only did he announce his “respect for Pagan myths” but also called the contents of the Bible “myths.” But Jesus called God’s Word “truth” when He prayed to the Father, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) Any man who can read these quotes from this devil in the flesh, CS Lewis, and not wholesale reject him and his heresies, is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. “Tell most ‘Christians’ anything negative […]

Is John MacArthur in Hell? [podcast]

“Great Great Great and convicting Message! If I was following this heretic after listening to this I would fall on my knees in repentance. I am going to share far and wide! So much of God’s truth here! As I shared yesterday, the truth, on many social media pages, it was rejected. Only two seemed to listen and were convicted. Hallelujah for those true Saints of the Lord. All I could hear was many screaming ‘Give me a King!’ Just as the Israelites did in 1 Samuel 8 when they called for their own human king instead of the LORD. […]

“Satan Energizes His Puppet-Idols”

—– “SATAN ENERGIZES HIS PUPPET-IDOLS WITH A SATANIC “GLORY”-GLOW, SO THAT THEY APPEAR MORE GIFTED AND/OR ATTRACTIVE THAN THEY ACTUALLY ARE, IF AT ALL. IT’S KNOWN AS “UNACCOUNTABLE INFATUATION.” WE SAW IT DISPLAYED IN THE MINDLESS, SATANIC HYSTERIA THAT ACCOMPANIED ELVIS AND THE BEATLES ET AL ETC. WITHOUT THAT DEMONIC SHEEN AND ENERGIZATION OF THE FORBIDDEN, LATENT POWERS OF THE SOUL, IDOLATRY WOULDN’T HAVE HALF THE POWER IT WIELDS TODAY. BIND THE STRONGMAN OVER THESE “STARS’” LIVES, AND YOU WILL SEE THEM FOR THE DRAB, WORN-OUT, WASHED-UP AND ORDINARY-LOOKING FOLKS THEY REALLY ARE. WHEN SATAN’S FINISHED WITH THEM, THEY LOOK […]

Billy Graham Exposed

Are You an Idolater? “One of the most troubling problems within the church today is the unwavering loyalty to a ‘christian’ personality rather than to Christ and His Word. The unwillingness to test every man’s teaching with God’s Word, coupled with a stubborn lack of discernment, produces fertile ground for deception to flourish.” Evangeline DiChristi The first thing we must do is deal with the sin of spiritual adultery where one Christ has previously saved has since alienated the affections of their heart away from the divine Person of Jesus Christ and onto something, someone, anything else (Colossians 2:18-19; 1 […]

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) MANY today will quickly tell you “I Love My Church” and yet never be heard declaring “I love my LORD Jesus who found me in my sin and forgave all my sins! Jesus saved me!” They will say “Come to my church” but never “Come to Jesus for the forgiveness of all your sins.” This is the counterfeit fruit of […]