Have you ever left a local church and been attacked for doing so?
“We were ‘excommunicated’ from a church we had been to for almost 10 years. All because we had the audacity to point out the scriptures to the pastor contrary to what he was preaching.” C.
EVER NOTICE when you leave a church …. It’s observable that like the mafia and satanist covens, when someone goes to leave, to cease being a member of these cults, they are viciously attacked or even murdered? This is how Satan’s Kingdom operates (John 10:10a). Is this not exactly what happens when a Christian goes to leave most local churches these days? Are they not character assassinated, scorned, mocked, and persecuted? This is because the satanic operators hate it when they can no longer control or manipulate or exploit their prey or victims. Such a scenario, the attack of the wicked, only confirms that you were to leave that antichrist cult that is pretending to be a gathering of Christ’s saints. Not. Yes it’s a cult. Any group that attacks those who dare to depart, proves to be a cult and not a true Christian fellowship.
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35
By definition, the members of any cult are indoctrinated by wolves to believe that they alone are God’s and no other. Yet it is clear by their fruit, that they are of their father, the devil (Matthew 7:15-16, 20; John 8:44).
If you have departed from any group that persecuted you for leaving, please know that you were hearing from God to leave that congregation of counterfeits.
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” 1 John 5:1
Those who become divisive, who slander and participate in strife when someone in the group chooses to leave, demonstrate by their hatred, bad fruit, that they do not care about your place in God’s kingdom, in Christ. No, instead, they have their own best interest in mind and are in need of true repentance.
Christ’s Remnant Body is Living Organic
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23
THE ORGANIC (no additives) remnant body of Christ walks in God’s truth and love daily – no matter where they are on HIS planet (John 13:35; Ephesians 4:15, etc.). Their lives are sanctified always – not just on Sunday mornings. They belong to one church – the body of Christ which is bought by His precious blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23). They love ALL the brethren of Christ – not just the folk that show up in an “official” so-called “church building” (1 John 4:7-8; 5:1).
A close friend of mine once said, the definition of a hypocrite is “someone who is just not quite themselves on Sunday mornings.”
2 Times the Bible uses the words “false brethren.” The reality of such is made clear by the biblical presence of these words.
“In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;” 2 Corinthians 11:26
“And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily (insidiously, secretly) to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:” Galatians 2:4
Those who attack, who slander, or in any way persecute a true saint who chooses to leave a certain fellowship, are “false brethren” in need of true repentance before it’s too late. And for any pretending pastor to allow such proves he is false. In fact, in most cases, he’s the one who fostered such a cultic climate.
YOUR PRAYER: Father in Jesus’ name, please make us Your authentic disciples. Purify our hearts and cleanse our lives of every trace of fakery. Please remove all false brethren from our lives and grant the blessing of fellowship with Your true remnant saints. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Set Free to do Christ’s Great Commission
ANYONE claiming to be Christ’s and yet is not about the “Father’s business” which is the Great Commission Jesus gave, does not have the fruit to prove they are Christ’s (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 2:49, book of Acts, etc). Such a person is serving the god of self and Jesus says “no man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). All who are not serving the Master, Jesus, are serving the god of self and are idolaters, going to the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).
Is your life more about going to some “church” than it is about seeking, worshipping, loving, and serving Jesus Christ?
“Those apostate churches don’t serve Jesus, they serve self! Puff each other up in their flesh! Want to find the true Jesus of the Bible? Stay home and read your King James Bible! And find other true disciples to fellowship with. Not easy to find in the churches!” Karen Cochran
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26
If Jesus is truly our LORD, Savior, “first love,” we are about HIS business and not our own (Revelation 2:4-5).
Sister Karen Cochran writes:
“We absolutely were attacked and stalked on FB (after leaving a certain local church). But now I say ‘thank You’ to the Lord for pulling us out! How can you learn the true doctrines of Christ under a Synagogue of Satan? All praise to Jesus and now we are free to participate in the Great Commission He has called us to. Matt. 28: 16-20. Since leaving the Lord has done exceedingly abundantly above what we could ever think or ask. Ephesians 3:20. False fellowships keep you in bondage with their false doctrines (corralling their prey for their own self-serving agenda). And most of all Jesus is not their first love! They have no love in them except for themselves! Jesus has set us free! When the Son sets you free you are free indeed. John 8:36. Come out from among them and be separate. 2 Corinthians 6:17, Revelation 18:4. All praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!”
Speaking of being held back, corralled, used, exploited, wasted….
Regrettably, most local churches want to employ you, free labor, to do their bidding and not Christ’s Great Commission to teach, to preach His Word, His eternal kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:47, etc.). Wolves want to send you out as their salesman to sell other pawns on the idea of joining that church country club.
Are you being exploited? (2 Peter 2:1-3)
If a person or group cannot respect that GOD gave you free will …. they are operating in witchcraft, in undue control and manipulation of God’s creation – you! Run!
This shows that they are reacting based upon losing control over the person leaving. This clearly reveals the witchcraft.
Beware of the Nasty Nico-laitans. Nico means to control and laitans means the laity/people. Jesus says He hates this (Revelation 2:6, 15).
“My sister was asked to leave a church. She and her husband refused to go and in the end it was the pastor that left. My confidence in our churches is so low I’m not sure it would be worth it. But she took that route, and stayed.” Arlean
“When you leave a church, you find out who the real Christians are! They should wish you well in your future endeavors. I went through it over 40 years ago. And there are still scars.” Jerry Lambert
REPLY:
SO true brother. In fact, regrettably, in most cases they lash out viciously which only proves it was GOD calling you out! 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 etc. The wicked are filled with hatred for those they can’t control, exploit, and manipulate. They have the fruit, the characteristics of their father devil – who has come to steal, kill, and destroy, and deceive (John 8:44; 10:10; Revelation 12:7-12).
“Matt. 12: 34 Our outer appearance should match our inner self. Impossible for an evil heart to produce good fruit. Your words should match how you live. The fruits of Christ only come from a pure and honest heart. Otherwise your fruit is rotten because your inside is corrupted in sin and filth. By your fruits you will know them. Matt 7:20.” Karen Cochran
ANY time you are attacked because you chose to leave a certain “fellowship” or so-called “church,” your choice to leave is clearly confirmed to be of God, His doing. And, it’s proven in that Satan’s human agents are persecuting you. You just left a cult, a “synagogue of Satan,” full of divisive people who are in need of repentance (Revelation 2:9; 3:9). They are biting and devouring one another.
“But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Galatians 5:15
When people left Jesus, He never once attacked them. Selah.
Example: When Jesus answered the rich young ruler, informing him that in order to inherit Heaven and not go to Hell, that he must give up that which he was trusting. Even though the man walked away from Jesus, Jesus “loved him.” Jesus spoke His truth “in love” (Ephesians 4:15). He leaves the choice up to the individual (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15).
“Then Jesus beholding him LOVED HIM, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” Mark 10:21
So we see from this exchange and others in Scripture that the LORD doesn’t attack people for leaving Him. When the 5,000 men walked away from Jesus after He fed their stomachs and taught His Word to them, did He attack or scorn them? No. See John 6.
Remember when the LORD’s disciples were young in Christ and how they sought to have Him call down fire from Heaven upon the heads others, of those who did not receive Christ? Read Luke 9:51-56.
What was Christ’s reply, rebuke to them and to all today who wish to bring judgment on those they lose or have no control over?
“But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:55-56
Testimonies from those who’ve experienced attacks while departing from certain local fellowships
“We left apostate fake Churchianity a few months ago because we could no longer tolerate their false unbiblical doctrines and due to harassment from the pastors when I started sharing the truth on social media. It took quite a toll on me and my husband but the Lord drew us even closer to Him through this experience. We continue to pray for all of them. The Pastor was making snide remarks about ‘those who don’t agree with us’ during services! That was a bridge too far. The Lord spoke to us clearly that we were to leave that place. We were obedient and have been blessed greatly with peace and comfort. These wolves in sheep’s clothing (pastors); show their true selves when you leave their ‘fellowship’ even if you do it in the most positive way that you can do it. Informing them that the Lord has directed you to move on. We were getting attacked in a passive aggressive way in messages and on other church members’ social media posts. We never answered in kind … They were obviously trying to bait us into reacting in an inappropriate manner which we never did. We have certainly found that to be true sadly, that when you leave a fellowship, they viciously attack you. Not to mention being ‘ghosted’ or scorned or even pitied by your ‘brothers and sisters’ in the ‘fellowship’ / cult. It’s very disturbing and disconcerting to say the least. They show their true colors when you depart. But GOD will keep you in his perfect peace and you will feel like a huge burden has been lifted when you are obedient to His call to leave. We both (my husband and I) heard it distinctly. The confirmation was when the pastor started making little rude remarks in his ‘sermons’ about ‘those that don’t agree with us’ type comments. Unbelievable.” Barbara
“Jesus isn’t looking for church goers. Most of these are the ones who would crucify Him all over again for speaking the truth. The truth they hate. Repentance, holiness, the cross, purity, and hell. All hated words. Jesus is looking for real disciples. Where are they…where are there found those willing to lay down their lives, forsake all, live holy and pure lives…those who are willing to lose their lives if necessary for the sake of Christ…because they have lived for Him and not self?” Karen Cochran
“I am so tired of the evangelical industrial complex justifying their greed and sexual abuse and bullying. No wonder the under 30 group are saying goodbye to church. And so have I. Joined a small group that meets once a week. Don’t need the large meetings with rock music and parking headaches and entertainers with impulse control issues claiming it’s the Holy Spirit in them. No it’s not. It’s all a show for people to be conned into thinking you’re being godly. It’s where two or more are gathered not where two or more thousands are gathered.” G.
“January of 2019 was our exodus from the Babylonian system. God has equipped us bountifully ever since.” George
“Left the church world 1 1/2 yrs. ago.. no regrets!” Nelline
Persecution Proves Sonship
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12
Being Persecuted? Are you rejoicing when persecution hits?
Have you ever been called a devil or told you have a devil? Perhaps you are in good company.
Interestingly, John the Baptist and Jesus were both told by the religionists of their day that “He hath a devil.”
“For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, HE HATH A DEVIL.” Luke 7:33
“And many of them said, HE HATH A DEVIL, and is mad; why hear ye him?” John 10:20
WE had better get concerned if we aren’t being persecuted.
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:26
WHO were the main persecutors of Jesus, the prophets, the apostles, and earliest followers of Christ? – the Jews, those who falsely claimed, professed to be serving God.
The Hidden Haters
EVER notice how some people never say a word, they are invisible, you barely remember seeing them … and THEN, boom, you are freely choosing to leave that fellowship where you met them and they come out of the woodworks blazing, to defend their false church and pastor?
Notice how they never once had enough of God in them to edify you and yet now…. when you dare make the decision to leave their local fellowship. This all just appears to be more proof of being a counterfeit cult fellowship.
Just saying the truth. Anyone else observe this phenomenon?
Does belonging to a “church” take the place of your personal daily relationship with the LORD. No. In most cases though, church goers are indoctrinated, sold on the false idea that they need, have necessity of the local church they attend. No such concept taught by Christ or His apostles or the early church. We need JESUS and to be in His perfect will and not to be in some certain “church.”
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
Most “Christians” have basically been deceived, intentionally indoctrinated to believe that going to church, falsely called “fellowship,” is the pinnacle, the most important thing in their life as a Christian. Not. They were sold this notion by the wolves who benefit from those attending their meetings. Those same wolves never teach their prey to get into God’s Word for themselves, to live a cross/crucified life, a life of prayer, and to seek the face of the LORD “continually” (1 Chronicles 16:11). They are not taught the utter importance of continual repentance and confession of all sin.
“Psalm 51 is a model prayer of of repentance. He admits his sin before the Lord as he says v3 ‘I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.’ He says my sin. David accepts full responsibility. He recognizes the cost of his sin. As he asks God to not hide his face from him. He recognizes that he has sinned against the Lord. He then asks God to purge, cleanse him white as snow, and renew a right spirit within him. And also to restore the joy of His salvation. David’s broken and contrite heart was his sacrifice to God. V 17 says ‘the sacrifices of God are broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.’ The Lord will bless and cleanse those who come with honesty and humility before His throne of grace. Which is just what David did in this prayer of repentance.” Karen Cochran
God is calling you, yes YOU, to seek His holy face – daily in His Word and prayer.
“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








Abiding
Either Crucify the Flesh or it will Crucify Christ out of Your Life [podcast]

Fight the temptation or die the death?
Where’s the victory come from?
The Cross – something counterfeits intentionally evade (Philippians 3:18-19). The cross is how we know who is real and who is fake. Refusing to take up the cross means one has denied Christ. This would account for the vast majority of men in ministry today. They are cross-less.
The only people who are truly following Christ are those who are doing it HIS way – and His stated way is the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). There is no other way to follow Jesus.
If we don’t crucify the flesh, the evil deeds of the body, the flesh will crucify Christ out of our lives. Pray and read Romans 6 each morning this week.
Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan by dying and not by first rising up (Hebrews 2:14). This is how we also are brought forth into His victory by Him – through our own weakness. Let’s give our ear to hear Christ’s apostle Paul:
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
It’s interesting that the vast majority of pastors today insist that it’s impossible to stop sinning and be delivered – as if Jesus failed, didn’t provide a perfect redemption that dealt with past, present, and future sin and complete victory through it all (1 Corinthians 15:57-58; Titus 2:11-14).
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-32, 36
Victory and our place with Christ are contingent upon our continuing in His truth, abiding, remaining in Christ after He saves us (John 15:1-6).
They have no faith in the overcoming grace of Christ but instead treat it like a license to justify their sin, as they pretend to be trusting God by grace and faith… yet they never make the connection that Jesus came to redeem us and establish us with Him in His holiness as we look with joy for His soon return (Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16, etc). | Walking in the Full Victory of Christ!
The cross is surrendering. Don’t try harder, just die deeper!
The reason so many don’t take sin seriously and sit under sin-justifying wolves in sheep’s clothing, is because they do not fear nor take God seriously. Then they attack the true messengers of Christ who are declaring that God is holy and His requirement is non-negotiable: that anyone who will know and be with Him eternally cut off occasion for all sin as Jesus commanded in Mark 9:43-49 KJB. They talk about grace but only in the respect that their sins were initially forgiven, yet never in respect to divine grace being the divine influence and enablement in their daily lives to overcome all that displeases Him – as they worshipfully with great gratitude deny self, take up the cross and follow, abide in Jesus (Titus 2:11-14; Luke 9:23-24; John 15:1-6, etc.).
Death, Burial, Resurrection – You go down and God raises you up, daily. That’s the Gospel re-enacted in your daily life. There’s no other way to walk with, to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-24).
“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
Once He shows you this cross revelation it’s over for your sin and Satan! This is the way we “Taste and see that the LORD is good” beloved (Psalms 34:8). The divine economy is a cross economy which cannot be short circuited. There are no shortcuts.
The safest place in His Universe is for us to be “HID with Christ in God.” How does such occur? (Colossians 3:1-4)
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
The more His Word runs rich in your spirit, soul, and mind, the richer, the more cutting and divinely blessed your praying is going to become.
We are crucified with Christ today saints. Christ alone is reigning supreme in us, raising us up out of that death and burial posture. In Jesus’ Name, the “old man” is dead and buried and Christ now lives and reigns in His resurrection power in our lives through us! (See Ephesians 4:22-24.)
Say, pray, memorize Galatians 2:20 beginning right now. Let it be the original Gospel anthem of your life from this day forward.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Becoming prayerfully and steadily saturated in the cross message, concept, and application, is the only thing that brought a consistent victory over sin to this disciple.
In the divine economy, the death and burial guarantees the resurrection!

When we His people are dead and buried, His resurrection power is guaranteed. Nothing could stop the resurrection of Jesus Christ when the stone was rolled away! And nothing can stop the resurrection power of Christ working in His saints as they lay down their lives in this fleeting world!
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25
Must Take a Ruthless Stand
Concerning the necessity of a ruthless perspective toward the flesh via the cross, we must recognize that the flesh is a terrorist which means it cannot be negotiated with.
Yet there must be forged in us a ruthless perspective, toward our perception of the “never-going-to-die” flesh, a veritable terrorist with which you cannot negotiate or give place to. It will not die until forced, therefore the disciple must take a ruthless posture toward it – showing no mercy to the enemy of God! See Romans 6, 8; Galatians 5.
Never ever underestimate the depth of the deceit that is in the fallen human heart, human nature 1 (Corinthians 10:12; Hebrews 3:12-14; Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9).
We must allow no mercy for what God calls sin…the iniquities, the relentless evil within. It must be honestly dealt with, and perhaps we can observe that there are onion-type layers of evil, of deceit that we are buried in from which only God calls us and brings us forth (Proverbs 8:13; Psalms 97:10; Mark 9:43-49).
While Satan and his masquerading ministers seek to diminish the violation and penalty of sin, Jesus exponentially heightens our awareness of sin’s offense against a holy God when He warns us to cut off the hand and pluck out the eye that cause us to offend Him (Mark 9:43-49).
There is nothing in existence more important to stay safe from than HELL. That’s exactly what Jesus Christ taught. Read Mark 9:43-50 in the King James Bible (new versions have butchered that passage).
Rom 7. The cross must be applied with no respect to the evil desires, the sinful dictates of the flesh.
Our outlook toward the flesh should be “kill or be killed.”
“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.” Romans 8:13
Kill or be killed – picture yourself being put in a room, locked in with just one opponent. Only one of you will be exiting.
A showdown – conquer or be conquered.
Life or death.
Sink or swim.
“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
Either the cross will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the cross.
“The Cross = The Signature of Jesus.” A disciple
“WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT”
The LORD removed Saul from his place of kingship due to the pride found in his heart that previously was not there. We must remain humble before our God and the only way this can happen is the daily cross.
“And Samuel said, WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?” 1 Samuel 15:17
The Bible clearly teaches us that if we do not obey the LORD, He will replace us. We are not irreplaceable and only pride in the heart of a person would convince him of such a lie.
When Esther was called upon by the LORD to go before her husband, the king of Persia, and intercede for the people of God, she was warned that if she chose not to obey God, she’d be replaced and her father’s house destroyed.
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
Ruthless simply and only applies to the PERSPECTIVE the believer must take toward the terrorist, the flesh.
There can be no concession, no compromise, no negotiating with the flesh. It must die and that only happens as we submit to the LORD.
The flesh will never be reformed, it is inherently evil, and must be crucified.
Those who’ve been saved and aren’t learning the daily cross, the crucified life, will never grow in Christ. The cross life is at the center of the kingdom economy of Christ. There are no shortcuts. Jesus taught that in order to follow Him, we must “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23-24). Any person whom Jesus has saved and isn’t learning the daily cross, is not truly following Jesus. Listen to the Lamb:
“And he said to them all, 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
PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ Name, please do Your deeper work in me. Bless this life You died for to be truly crucified with Christ. Please make me Your authentic disciple. Cut away, circumcise every falsity, fakery, deceitful thing from my heart – everything that defiles me in Your holy eyes. Use me LORD, please. I love You. In the name of Jesus, amen.
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Abiding
“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in all the World” [podcast]

“All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:8-14
The true remnant of Christ are known in that they are enduring to the end in the midst of iniquity, abounding and preaching the Gospel of Jesus the King to the world.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ, admitting I have been living for my own evil glory. I am a sinner. I’ve committed the sin of idolatry, having myself first instead of You. I admit here and now before You that I have been committing the damning sin of spiritual adultery. I have claimed to know You and yet refused to uncompromisingly adhere to Your Word. Here and now, right now if never before, I repent and ask You to forgive my sins and to wash me afresh from my sins in the precious blood of Jesus Christ my LORD. Into Your hands I commend, I submit my spirit, my life, right this moment and ask You dear LORD to fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me to preach Your glorious message of repentance to those around me so that they can receive the forgiveness of all their sins and walk in the times of refreshing from Your holy presence dear LORD. I love You Jesus. I am all Yours and I know You are all mine. In Jesus’ Name amen.
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Articles
Obedience or Love – Which is Most Important? [podcast]

“IF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
Have you ever noticed the “If” of this statement by our LORD Jesus?
Okay, reread the words of Jesus above and see what comes first in the sentence – “love” or keeping His commands.
“IF you love me, keep my commandments” says Jesus (John 14:15). IF we don’t believe upon, know, and love Him there’s no use trying to keep His Word. He’s not speaking of keeping His Word in order to earn His justification but rather as the fruit of knowing Him in a saving relationship. The hell bound self-righteous pharisees knew God’s Word yet they refused to “COME” to Jesus – to love, honor, and believe upon Him (John 5:39-40).
“Few seem to understand the huge difference between obedience and legalism. We obey because we love God and we know obedience doesn’t save us. Legalism believes by obeying they are saved by it. We that are born again know only the blood of Jesus saved us but we also know that obedience proves we are saved and keeps us saved. It is joy to obey the Lord as we love what He loves and we hate what He hates. Amen.” Shirley Bruso
—- JESUS IS NOT GLORIFIED BY THE KEEPing OF HIS INSTRUCTIONS/COMMANDS BY THOSE WHO DON’T LOVE HIM …. LOVE COMES FIRST – LOVING AND WORSHIPPING HIM IS MOST IMPORTANT TO GOD. “IF IF, IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.” JOHN 14:15
“Ye are my friends, IF ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14
LOVE is the governing factor:
“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Of John 14:15 and 15:14, one source notes the following:
- John 14:15: Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” He makes keeping His words the direct proof of love.
- John 15:14: Jesus says, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” He shows that friendship with Him requires action and obedience.
- Love is the root: Jesus starts with love as the inner heart motive.
- Works are the fruit: Doing His commands is the outward action that proves the love is real.
- They are not separate: Jesus does not say love replaces works; He says love produces obedience.”
Love begins with God and any relationship requires reciprocating love – love flowing from each of the 2 parties to one another.
“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD TO HER.” Genesis 29:20
Jacob didn’t mind serving a whole 7 years for Rachel, because he loved her so much. The true disciple doesn’t view serving God as drudgery but rather delight – because he loves God supremely!
“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” John 16:21
“His commandment are not grievous”
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3
IF I don’t love Jesus, do you think He’s honored when I try to obey what He said? No.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…” Matthew 22:37
“IFFF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
IF WE LOVE JESUS, OBEYING HIM IS JOY, JUST AS IT WAS FOR JACOB AS HE SERVED A WHOLE 7 YEARS TO OBTAIN A LIFELONG MARITAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS BELOVED RACHEL (GENESIS 29:20).
Perhaps we are not understanding the divine economy as Christ meant us to understand Him. Jesus says “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14) It’s only IF I love Jesus that He is interested in my doing the things He told HIS true people to do, otherwise, my good works are in vain, even if I suffer martyrdom by burning my body – “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) IF WE DON’T LOVE HIM – truly – with our whole heart, mind, and strength He’s not interested in us obeying Him (Matthew 22:37-39). Now, of course, if I truly do love Him, I will obey Him and yet Jesus doesn’t want us to think we are impressing Him by outward obedience only. In the divine economy, it all begins with LOVE – “God so LOVED the world that He gave ….” (John 3:16) The Bible informs us that “The Lord looketh on the heart” and if He sees that I don’t truly love Him, He’s not interested in my vain outward show (1 Samuel 16:7).
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Those who truly know and love Him do His commandments. They don’t live on their own terms but rather on His. They delight to do His will because they truly seek, know, and love Him who bled to redeem their otherwise hopeless, wretched souls. Yet, obedience saves no one. Keeping His commandments doesn’t save you – the pharisees claimed to do that while refusing to come to Christ whom (John 5:39-40). No, God alone can save and He does so on His terms – initial and ongoing faith “which worketh by love” which is relationship. Yes, “faith … worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:6) Remember that even if a person goes so far as to give their body to be burned and has no love – they don’t love God, their obedience, their sacrifice is in vain (1 Corinthians 13:3).
1 Thessalonians 1:3 speaks to those already saved using the phrases “work of faith, and labour of love.” Please pay close attention to the words “faith” and “love.” “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
When God initially saves us, He puts a love in our hearts for Him which is manifested by putting our faith in Christ. Jesus taught that knowing the Father and Himself were cardinal in His kingdom. – “And this is life eternal (the whole purpose for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10
DID GOD send His only begotten Son to create an army of mechanical law-keepers OR a family who knows, worships, and adores Him? What does the Bible say is the cardinal reason for the whole plan of redemption? Why did God send His only begotten Son to bleed, be buried, and raised again to justify all who would come to Him? Are you familiar with what the LORD told us in Exodus 25:8, Matthew 22:37-40, and Philippians 3:10? We must have anchored in our hearts this glorious truth of knowing Him! Nothing else matters if we don’t relish Him, adore Him, and worship Him. If you name the name of Jesus Christ, it would greatly benefit your life, understanding. and ministry to memorize the words of the very Redeemer Himself as is recorded in John 17:3. More on that later.
If we love the LORD truly and our neighbor we will not steal, lie, covet, bear false witness, hate, commit adultery, OR any of those other sins and be walking in God’s perfect will. It’s really quite simple actually. But first we must examine this day whether or not we truly love Him.
One writer notes:
“Holiness is first and foremost agape love. Unconditional love for all, including enemies of us and enemies of God. This over-emphasis on repentance can make us the initiator and God the responder if we are not careful. God is always the initiator.”
IT IS MY OPINION THAT WE SHOULD BEGIN TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OVER-EMPHASIZE OBEDIENCE WHILE NEGLECTING TO PREACH THE COMMAND TO KNOW, LOVE, AND ABIDE IN CHRIST. ALL OF OUR OUTWARD OBEDIENCE IS IN VAIN IF WE DON’T AUTHENTICALLY LOVE HIM. MANY WHO PREACH SEEM TO BE DOING THIS AND ARE CALLING MANY TO WORSHIP AT THE ALTAR OF SELF BY PERPETRATING THE FALSE NOTION THAT CHRIST’S ONE PERFECT SACRIFICE WAS NOT ENOUGH. THIS SEEMS TO RESONATE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT TRULY AND UNRESERVEDLY SURRENDERED TO CHRIST AND WHO WANT TO FEEL AS IF THEY ARE HELPING TO EARN THEIR OWN SALVATION WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE. WHAT DOES ROMANS 4:4-5 TELL US?
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5
So, while it’s absolute that ALL who have saving faith in Christ are obedient and have good fruit in their lives, those good works and good fruit aren’t what saves them. No, good fruit merely evidences that there is a relationship. Christ alone can save and He does that instantly when a lost soul believes upon Him (John 6:47; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:1, etc.). The Great Shepherd of His sheep keeps His people saved as they keep themselves in the love of God, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 21: 1 Peter 1:5)
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21
The story of Jesus, Mary, and Martha is yet another place in the Scriptures of truth that clearly reveal what God is looking for from us – to love and to worship Him supremely.
“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
Jesus speaks to us of an abiding union/relationship with Him where He calls us His friends. I want to encourage you to read John 15 closely this week. In this discourse on the Husbandman (the Father), the Vine (Jesus), and the branches (us), you will note that the relationship precedes the fruit bearing. While the fruit reveals the root – testifies to the relationship – fruit doesn’t save, neither does obedience. God does require us to obey Him by putting our faith in Christ to save us, but it’s He who saves us. Jesus Christ alone can save. Ephesians 2:8-10 reveals that we are saved by His grace through our faith and that we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”
Consider that our LORD was “moved with compassion” toward those in need (Matthew 9:36). The great apostle said “the love of Christ constraineth (compels) us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)
At times we quote 1 John 2:4 and yet, let’s look at a wider angle of this passage:
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:3-6
“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice…” Matthew 9:13
“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Joel 2:13
Is loving God more important that obeying God? Both are obviously important and yet, in the divine economy, which is most important?
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Am I choosing and learning to “love the Lord” with my whole heart?
Andre Alexis writes: “Christianity is more than merely believing and obeying commands and reaping the promises of God. Christianity is not a religion: it is a relationship. And a relationship requires communication. Therefore, prayer is essential, because it is through prayer that you and I communicate with our heavenly Father.” …. This is a simple truth and yet bears stating as brother Andre did above. This is especially important due to the epidemic of charlatans which have promulgated a “what’s in it for me?” self-serving lifestyle upon millions who don’t bother to truly lay down their lives and see with their own eyes the full counsel of our LORD’s Word which actually communicate the very “thoughts of his heart.” (Psalms 33:11). The LORD wants a relationship with each of His children. He’s not just there to answer our every prayer while we commit spiritual adultery by wasting our time/lives in this fleeting world playing games, giving hours to frivolous foolishness, etc. He wants our hearts. Jesus told us the reason the Father sent Him in John 17:3. This was David’s and Paul’s whole goal in their respective earthly lives (Psalms 27:4, 8; Philippians 3:10). Jesus told us He wants an abiding relationship that bears fruit that remains to His eternal glory (John 15:1-16).
After being saved, under the new covenant, it’s not law keeping but rather abiding in Christ, amen? John 15 “Abide in me.”
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
PRAYER: Holy heavenly Father, I come to You impoverished in spirit. For without You dear LORD, we can do nothing. You are love and I am not and yet, I ask You here and now to more deeply imbue my innermost man with and teach me Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Uphold Jesus (audio)
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