“Jesus has been too Good for Me to Lose Faith in Him!” ~ Derek
Derek’s Faith
This right here is what kingdom living looks like – living for Christ, on mission, for eternity with Him, and not this fleeting world…
While in the middle of going through a financial trial, a time of layoff, one dear brother recently asked for prayer. I prayed for him and then asked him if I could just tear up the check he had just sent. This was his response:
“No way cash that sucker brother! And I’m sending more $ btw. I took 2500.00 out of my 401k. God is good. I will always give till I’m broke. Jesus has been too good for me to lose faith in Him. He will keep me brother! Amen! He has always been so good to me when He should have left me, but He never did. His kingdom is most important and I trust Him. God is so Good. He is all we have and all we need! Thank you!” Derek B.
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Acts 2:44-45
Their lives had been regenerated, changed, transformed to where their personal lives were dead and buried and now walked in, were raised up “in newness of life.” These true disciples of Christ lived on mission, no longer for the mundane, temporal pursuits of this fleeting world.
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
Among the earliest followers of Christ …
“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4:32-35
Living in readiness for our LORD’s return means living the mission of Christ who came “to seek and to save that which was lost,” packing light, cutting off anything that would prevent us from the wedding! Read Luke 19:10; Matthew 25:1-13 and Revelation 19:7-8. Jesus came and gave all, and all who follow Him live with open hands of worship to Him and charity to others!
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
O that those who claim Jesus as their Savior would spend as much time seeking Him, serving Him truly, as they do seeking after earthly pleasures and the treasures of this world for the fleeting pleasure of the god of self!
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
MONEY in this world tends to give people a false sense of self-importance – as they attribute their fleeting worldly “success” as meaning they are better than others. This is a dangerous, damning path saints, beware.
Instead of coveting to have more to give to advance Christ’s eternal kingdom, many today get caught in the vicious, insatiable quest to build more in this world – wasting their opportunity to lay up treasure in Heaven as Jesus instructed us to do (Matthew 6:19-24). All the sins of the flesh are further inflamed in this scenario, leaving them lukewarm toward Christ and His people, and helplessly swallowed up in the sins of the flesh. We are specifically warned of such – and make no mistake, this is a Heaven or hell issue.
1 Timothy 6:6-10
“6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
The LORD told us that we are given the opportunity to earn money on earth in order to “have to give” to “establish his covenant” in this life.
“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, THAT HE MAY HAVE TO GIVE to him that needeth.” Ephesians 4:28
“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may ESTABLISH HIS COVENANT which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18
The LORD is calling for swift repentance from those who name the name of Christ – to lay down their lives in this world, to vest themselves in eternal glory (2 Timothy 2:19). When He allows our income to increase it’s His stated will that we increase our standard of giving, not our standard of living in this temporal world. Let’s read what Jesus says in Luke 12:15-21:
The Parable of the Rich Fool
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:15-21
Many today spend their lives investing in their later years’ retirement and/or expanding their own portfolio in this soon-to-end world system instead of investing in Heaven. Those who are living without Christ’s reign in their lives are serving mammon and not their Maker. This is clear in that they commit to a certain percentage of investment each month in their retirement while merely tipping God and His work, or giving nothing to Christ’s saints who have needs. Jesus tells us that “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). Where O where is your treasure friend? Where are you investing? Eternity is forever.
Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
“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.” Matthew 6:19-21
In light of these words from the LORD Jesus, it has been wisely stated that
“The way we spend our money is a direct reflection of the priorities of our hearts.”
There are those who look good financially in this fleeting world who are throwing away their eternal souls for a temporal luxury which will be forgotten when they are thrown into the flames of eternal damnation.
“There is that maketh himself rich (in this temporal world), yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Proverbs 13:7
This is all going to be over soon. What’s your investment looking like? What’s the investment of your life going to yield in the end?
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
To follow Jesus, one must choose to let Him reign in their lives, wholly – to deny self, to die to self, self-will, self-agenda, etc. – to take up the cross daily and walk with Him. This will include gaining eternal glory with Him while refusing any endeavor to attain to earthly wealth.
“Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38
“Love not the world” – Your significance is in Christ, not this world.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17
If we truly love Christ and not this world – why would we choose to spend all our time, energy, focus, and life on getting more trinkets and trips in this fleeting world? Specifically concerning the greed and covetousness that fills wicked hearts, the LORD warned us:
“But thou, O man of God, FLEE THESE THINGS; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 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 6:11-12
The Truth about Significance
The car doesn’t make you. The house doesn’t make you. The amount of money you have or don’t have in the bank/investments doesn’t make you.
Earthly wealth fortifies and emboldens the lie of self-importance. But remember, Jesus says “for a man’s life (significance) consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). You will do well to memorize this one.
The sum total of your wealth is what you have in and of Christ! There are no true riches outside of Him!
“Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;” 1 Corinthians 3:21-22
If you are in Christ, truly, your life in this fleeting world is a mission trip for HIS eternal glory.
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I come to You now as a vile self-serving, self-worshipping wicked sinner. I come in the name of Jesus Christ, asking You to forgive my sin of idolatry, of spiritual adultery and worship of self and thereby having other gods before You. I am 100% guilty as a sinner and there’s no one to blame but my own wicked self. Right this moment I ask You to forgive and wash me in the precious blood of my LORD Jesus. Please unite my heart to fear Thy holy name dear LORD. Please break me Jesus. Let today and the remainder of my days be spent worshipping You alone and seeing that Your Word is spread to the ends of the earth – into the hearts of every man, woman, and child. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. LORD, have Your way in me. I am all Yours and I know You are all mine. I have nothing without You my LORD Jesus.
STORE | Support | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | 10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast] | Where to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Parable of the Talents [podcast] | Proving Jesus Matters [podcast] | Money, Material Wealth, and Riches | Rusted Gold and Fire Untold [podcast]
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
Support | STORE | Podcasts | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | 10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast] | Where to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Parable of the Talents [podcast] | Proving Jesus Matters [podcast] | Money, Material Wealth, and Riches | Rusted Gold and Fire Untold [podcast]
Apostasy
“Avoid Foolish Questions” [podcast]
God’s Word does not instruct us to “avoid questions” but rather “avoid foolish questions.”
“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
What Does Christ’s Great Commission Call Us to do?
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12
The dire need of the salvation of eternal souls necessitates that we walk in God’s wisdom in these final of days before our LORD’s return.
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:2-6
Paul on Mars Hill
Did Paul believe he had to answer every question? Did he entertain questions?
“The hill is historically significant as a site of philosophical debate and as the location where the Apostle Paul delivered a sermon to the Athenians, as recorded in the New Testament.”
On Mars Hill Paul didn’t seem to affront his audience as much as he sought to reveal who the known God is as they had built an altar “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD” (Acts 17:23). Paul sought to turn them to the one true God, to inform them of who He is—The One who sent His only begotten Son to be crucified and raised again for their justification, calling them to repentance.
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts 17:30
Romans 1 informs us that God’s wrath abides upon all who hold or suppress the truth in unrighteousness …. and that the Gospel of Jesus is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16-20).
Ascertaining by Scripture what the LORD Sent us to Accomplish
What did Jesus send us, His people, to do?
“What a tragedy to spend precious time on these things (foolish questions) while a world is perishing!” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Preach the word” is the divine command (2 Timothy 4:2).
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14
Jesus, the apostles, nor the earliest followers never set up a location where they entertained every question and potshot the heathen could throw at them. No, they were on mission, as Christ’s “ambassadors” to preach and teach the Gospel, the Word of God.
“Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
“Preach the word….” 2 Timothy 4:2
Notice, no mention of “going and asking people what they believe or setting up a table and answering questions. Sorry to those who balk, such is not the Great Commission.
“Stop the tip toeing around people. Preach the whole counsel of God’s Word. Let the Holy Spirit do the work in them. You are not the Holy Spirit.” Darlene Dusza
We are so far removed from original Gospel learning, adherence, and obedience that this revelation will shock some and even anger others. Yet an honest study of the Holy Scriptures reveals these things plainly.
A.W. Tozer declared:
“We are called to preach the Bible. Not to prove it. The Holy Ghost is all the proof we need.”
I agree with his statement as it plainly aligns with the mission and Gospel action of Christ, His holy apostles, and the earliest followers of Jesus as is recorded on the pages of New Testament Scripture.
Perhaps many a follower of Jesus is hindered in his ministering by thinking he’s not qualified since he sees so many modern day question answerers…. Yet is anyone getting saved? No. Those who are answering the questions of our day thrown at them and recorded, are not preaching the Word of God. At best they may sneak something from the Bible or mention the Bible but they are not preaching the Gospel under the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus mandated (Acts 1:4-8, etc.).
One disciples declared:
“It is incumbent on us to lead them to His Word (to give them HIS Word). The Holy Spirit will bring them to the Cross!”
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11
“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
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” James 1:18
Satan’s work is to ensnare, to entangle Christ’s messengers in “foolish questions” in order to distract and divert them from planting the seed of the Word of God from which salvation springs.
Satan is always the one behind the diversions, the tactics to block sinners from salvation… to create the noise pollution in an attempt to stop them from getting saved and therefore being translated out of his kingdom (Colossians 1:12-14). Do we remember how….
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” Acts 13:8-10
Gentlemen, you don’t owe everyone an answer to their every question. Just obey God by preaching the Word. God gave us all His Word, the Bible. Beware of being misled by the whiners who act like Christians owe them an answer to their every question which emanates from an unbelieving, rebellious heart. They have a Bible but have refused to repent truly. When someone repents, they begin to devour the WORD for themselves and don’t whine about not understanding all the answers to life (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2-4).
Are we not told to “avoid foolish questions”? And questioning the Creator while drowning, living in His creation seems to be one of the reasons for the many “foolish questions” we see being entertained today.
“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Titus 3:9-11
We should be armed with the knowledge, ahead of time, that there are many who throw out “foolish questions” to entangle and divert Christ’s disciples, to derail them from preaching the Word as God commands (2 Timothy 4:2).
“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” 2 Timothy 2:23
Examples of “foolish questions” people use to divert from the truth that they are sinners in need of the Savior:
- “What about the people who have never heard the Bible, the Gospel preached to them?”
- “What about all the hypocrites who claim to be Christians?”
- “But the Bible has been translated over and over and so it’s not accurate.” –
- “What about the lost books of the Bible?” –
- QUESTION: “Where did Adam and Eve’s son’s wives come from?”
POSSIBLE ANSWER: “We can understand the discomfort this interpretation might cause. Incest taboos are deeply ingrained in human societies for both biological and social reasons. But in the context of the first human family, such unions would have been necessary and not yet forbidden.” ChristianPure.com
The priority command of Christ via His Great Commission mandate, is for His people to go preach the Gospel, to teach the Bible (as written at end of Mark end of Matthew).
Perhaps we can surmise that avoiding “foolish questions” involves navigation, sticking to the most important Bible truth—salvation—upholding, planting the seed of the truth, the Word, keeping the main thing the main thing…
Recently I had a man who is a new ager, spiritual type ask me if it concerned me that babies are being killed by Jews in Palestine….
“Foolish questions” being asked is the diversionary tactic of the enemy of souls. Concerning “foolish questions” one source notes:
“All four of these practices—pointless debate, arguments over genealogy, quarrels, and debates over the law of Moses—are considered a waste of time. All they accomplish is taking energy and resources away from the ministry Paul had entrusted to Titus.”
Another source notes the following on “foolish questions”:
“Examples of foolish questions include those that are unprofitable, speculative, and serve no purpose beyond generating strife or satisfying curiosity, such as debates on the number of angels on a pinhead, excessive speculation about the antichrist, or questions about biblical prophecies that God has not revealed. The context of Titus 3:9 is a directive from the Apostle Paul to avoid such debates and instead focus on maintaining good works and godly living.”
Don’t be distracted. You are on mission for the LORD. You are there to preach the Word and not win arguments, but to win souls. Deal meekly and mildly as is possible and deposit the convicting law of the LORD which is able to convert the soul, to make wise the simple, to rejoice the hearts of men, to enlighten their eyes,
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” Psalms 19:7-9
God did not send His only begotten Son nor us to try to talk anyone into the greatest blessing and gift that ever has or will exist—all done to save them from the sin that is destroying them and will result in their irrevocable eternal damnation.
God instructs us not to waste our/HIS time:
“Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” Proverbs 23:9
We are to “be ready” to give a biblical answer and a personal testimony of the saving grace of Christ we’ve personally experienced at the moment and thereafter of being born again.
“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
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | Colossians | Upholding Jesus | H.O.T. Bible Study [podcast] | Divine Blessings | Exhort One Another Daily | The Return of Christ | The Joy of Fulfilling the Great Commission | The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold | Lie of the Ages (book) | Soul Damning Sins (small book) | Why We Need not Fear Death | Revelation Bombshell!
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.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | 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 | Prepared to be Used of God | Waste | Stewardship | Giving | Let Him be Your Fear [podcast] | Why We Need Not Fear Death | Fear Not Little Flock | The Glorious Church Jesus is Returning For [podcast]
The Savior vs Self [podcast]
Marriage and Family is God’s Design [podcast]
Special Ops Spiritual Warfare [podcast]
“Avoid Foolish Questions” [podcast]
Viewing Charlie Kirk Through the Eyes of God’s Word [podcast]
The Eternal Danger of Trusting Mere Men [podcast]
4,500 JESUS Tracts have been Hand-Delivered !
“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]
“My Sheep Hear My Voice, and I Know them, and they Follow Me” [podcast]
Eternal Security Death Nails [podcast]
“The Trial of Your Faith” has a Divine Eternal Purpose [podcast]
Is Your Name Written in the Book of Life? [video]
The Truth about Yoga [podcast]
Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear [podcast]
Beware of the Crown Stealers! [video]
The Truth about Yoga [podcast]
“But I Can’t Understand the King James Bible” [podcast]
Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear [podcast]
“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]
The Savior vs Self [podcast]
“WHY Don’t Christian Authors Just Give Away Their Books?”
The Power of His Might Ephesians 6 [podcast]
Understanding Ministry-A Must for all who will be used of God [podcast]
What Does it Mean to Follow Christ? [podcast]
IS SUNDAY MORNING “CHURCH” ATTENDANCE ESSENTIAL? [podcast]
Is Romans 7 Before or After Paul’s Salvation?
Special Ops Spiritual Warfare [podcast]
Guilty of Condoning Evil Romans 1:32
“The Collection for the Saints”
Sabbath Keeping, Justification, Sports, and Non-Essentials [podcast]
The Savior vs Self [podcast]
Marriage and Family is God’s Design [podcast]
Special Ops Spiritual Warfare [podcast]
-
America7 months agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
-
Articles2 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
-
Articles7 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
-
Apostasy2 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True
Providing Christ-centered Scripture-rich resources to feed, edify, and equip the body of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15).
Navigation
Quick links
Newsletter
Stay updated of the ministry operations. We saved a spot for you on the ministry email list.
© 2025 Safe Guard Your Soul. All Rights Reserved