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Loving the Light and Exposing the Darkness


Any man not guarding, not protecting Christ’s flock, by warning of false teachers and false doctrine, is himself a wolf!

Jesus and His holy apostles often rebuked and exposed false leaders and false doctrine (Matthew 23; Acts 13:10; 20:29-31; Galatians 5:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2 Peter 2; 2 John 7-11; Revelation 2:6, 15, etc.). Therefore we know that part of following Jesus includes doing the same. In fact, the body of Christ is mandated to do just that (Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 1:17; Jude 3-4).

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them (scope out and label) which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18 

Simply put, it doesn’t matter what you think: The LORD has commanded that Satan’s ministers, his human emissaries, be exposed. Time to shut up and obey! (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  4For 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, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4

In Jude 4 the Bible forewarned us that deceivers would creep in “unawares” which means undetected. In Matthew 13 Jesus says not to try to remove the tares from among the wheat but rather the angels will do that later. While we are not to try to remove them, in Romans 16:17-18 we are commanded to “mark (name) them” and to “avoid them.” Some mistakenly think those obeying God by scoping out and marking false teachers are doing something that conflicts with Matthew 13:25-30 where Jesus says not to try to separate the tares (false) from the wheat (true).  Not so.

Deceivers are a reality and they are here to stay, until our LORD returns. So, for now, they must be scoped, discerned, and marked or labeled so others can beware and “avoid them.” (Romans 16:17-18) The word “safety” appears 19 in God’s Word. – “safety is of the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:31)

To “mark them” (Romans 16:17) means to “to scope out; to take aim at, consider, watch.” The Greek word used here for “mark” is skopeo.

When we understand that the LORD says He is “the Great Shepherd of the sheep” who bled to purchase unto Himself a people, it should not be difficult to understand the reason and purpose for marking those who prey upon and seek to mislead His beloved sheep (Psalms 23; John 10:1-16; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.).

In Romans 16:17-18 believers are here mandated to wisely scope out closely, observe and scrutinize all teachings and spiritual leaders under the lamp of God’s holy Word. We are to closely discern between true and false doctrines and leaders and sound the alarm on that which is found to be inconsistent with holy Writ. This is to be done especially when dealing with foundational, essential truths (which are a salvation issue).

While reading the interaction below, please remember that we are to first and foremost honor, fear, and obey the LORD our Maker and Redeemer and if that means offending mere men by doing so, sobeit (Exodus 20:3; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Luke 12:4-5). Some among us seem to be more concerned about the person/personality being exposed than Jesus Christ and the many that wolf may be devouring with his false teaching (Proverbs 29:25; Matthew 7:15). That is perverted love and idolatry and no idolater shall enter the eternal kingdom of God (Revelation 21:8). Who do we truly honor and love supremely? The LORD says He is Jealous and that His name is Jealous. Jesus will reject anyone who dares to attempt to share their deepest heart affections with any other – “He that is not with me IS against me” says the Son of God (Matthew 12:30) Any question? “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” (Exodus 34:14)

Message Received:

How can you interpret the verses about judging in Corinthians (valid) with James 4:11-12 and Romans 14. And also 2 Timothy 2:14?

What´s the difference in that “judging”?

The problem is… maybe… condemning other Christians due to our interpretation in some little things (maybe we could be wrong too, we are not the apostles who received 100% truth) and posting against each other in a public forum or here in fb. I always think that it could also be very dangerous to non-Christians reading and thinking: “Look those Christians fighting each other, I don´t want to be one of them.” It could be a stumblingblock to them. But it could also be positive to edify other people… So?

Yet, I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 5.12-13 where Paul saying that it isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. “God will judge those on the outside”; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

It´s crystal clear about false doctrines against the word of God. But sometimes many christians don´t see clearly the difference in some interpretations (example: calvinism – arminianism), pre-trib or post-trib. So a fight begins and the two parts believe the other is an heretic, posting Scriptures against Scriptures.

Response:

God is very severe toward those who mislead His people. Remember Jesus said “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! … Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:6-7, 10

Read Deuteronomy 13. False teachers/false prophets/wolves are to be openly marked and to be shown no mercy. Why? – Because they are leading others astray and causing their eternal damnation. God wants to have mercy on the victims and potential, future victims of wolves so He instructs us to “mark them.” (Romans 16:17-18) Some people are twisted in their thinking, so much so that they want to protect, defend, and help the wolf to keep devouring sheep and they call that love. Absurd!

There is correct and incorrect judgment. We draw this conclusion based on the full-counsel of God’s Word. There are volumes of verses to be considered and factored in. Jesus says “Judge not lest ye be judged” (Matt. 7:1-2) and then He says “Judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) Paul says “For what have I to do to judge them also that are WITHOUT (the lost)? do not ye judge them that are WITHIN (professing believers and Christian leaders)?” (1 Cor. 5:12) We are to discern and judge things rightly, according to the Word and the Holy Spirit. We are told to “believe NOT every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1) We are also told to “To speak evil of no man” (Titus 3:2) and also to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Rom. 16:17-18) All rebuke and expose’ must be done strictly according to God’s Word. Deuteronomy 13 teaches us to not spare when dealing with false leaders. The very sheep of Christ’s pasture are at stake. He is “the Great Shepherd of the sheep” having given His life to purchase “the precious fruit of the earth” which is His people (Heb. 13:20; James 7:7-9). Pray for His understanding brother.

As for exposing false leaders who are misleading many publicly …. Paul rebuked Peter publicly for misleading God’s people (Gal. 2:11-14). Perhaps the unsaved will respect the policing of a people, the body of Christ, more than just allowing obvious false prophets to go unchecked which is largely what is happening. How many lost people have you heard mock Christianity due to greedy, money-mongering wolves like Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Joel Osteen, Robert Tilton, etc.? I have heard it a thousand times at least. So, how can these lost people respect Christendom/Christians who do not openly expose such wolves? We become the stumblingblock when we refuse to deal with these wolves.

Yet, biblically speaking, the lost are not God’s first priority. No. His precious body is His very highest priority as far as men go. Read Galatians 6:10 and John 17:9. – “I pray for them (the sheep of His pasture): I pray not for the world (the lost), but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.”

Then, Jesus does say that we are to “love one another” which is speaking of His true body and not false prophets among us. This commandment to love one another which appears 12 times in the New Testament, does not include wolves among us which are so often spoken about and we are so repeatedly warn to beware of. They are not of God and therefore not of us.

Brother, you are asking some important questions brother. I have asked them also and am learning precept upon precept, line upon line …. “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” (Isaiah 28:10) We all have these same questions and are learning God’s answers one at a time.

Deuteronomy 13 is also a strong passage we must acknowledge where the LORD says to not spare in stoning and ridding yourselves of false prophets. A people who do not police themselves will soon cease to be a people. Meditate upon this. Think about the God-ordained civil system which includes police to punish evildoers, right? (Rom. 13) Would you respect this country, even as a citizen, if we didn’t punish evil doers? No. You see how the lost are being turned away from the LORD due to the lack of expose’ and policing of those in leadership? It’s a fiasco of wolves at this point as the Word foretold in many places, including Amos 8:11 and 2 Timothy 3:13.

I agree that pre and post tribulation view are nothing to argue about. Yet, calvinism is the very lie of the ages, it comes from satan in the garden when he caused man to fall. This system of theology, known as calvinism, emobodies more than any other, this lie of lasciviousness that led to the fall of mankind and the curse of sin (Gen. 2:17; 3:4). We are explicitedly warned of calvinists who would turn the grace of God into a license for sin and we specifically told to earnestly contend against this evil leaven (Jude 3-4).

All of this comes more and more into focus (Prov. 4:18) as we continue daily in God’s Word. Then, as we begin looking at what most leaders are teaching, we see that they are not teaching the original Gospel and on this basis alone, they are utterly false.

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Articles

“That Ye all Speak the Same Thing” [podcast]


Yes some abandon the sound doctrine which is the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Let such cease.

“That ye all speak the same thing” right?

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10

Satan is introducing doubting, casting doubt upon what God has said, His Word, when he said to the woman in the temptation, “Hath God said?” See Genesis 3:1. And Satan in this exchange, changed, altered what God said, God’s Word. See Genesis 2:17 and 3:4. Game changer! The enemy has not changed and we are not be ignorant of his devices, right? (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

We stand with both feet and every ounce of our weight on God’s Word with utter impunity to Satan and his kingdom of evil.

“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”  Romans 3:4

The final blow of death is coming to him, soon.

“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:20

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:” Titus 2:1

“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 4:11

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Abiding

Fruitful Life. Fruitful Evangelism. [podcast]


The Life God Blesses to Bear Fruit for His Eternal Glory

A fruitful life for God’s glory involves first being genuinely born again, abiding in Christ via the crucified life, bearing spiritual fruit—such as Christlikeness in character, good works, and evangelism—by remaining in vital union with Jesus, the true vine (John 15).

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16

JUST as Jesus multiplied the little with the boy who gave the loaves and fishes, so He does with our efforts. Jesus multiplied that little and fed 5,000 men, and that doesn’t count the women and children present. Try Him.

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalms 34:8

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:40-46

God blesses the lives of His faithful saints. His faithful saints seek His face continually.

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

God prospers us according as we seek His face and stay upon Him. Of king Uzziah king of Judah, God’s Word says:

“As long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.” 2 Chronicles 26:5

At times in this life there are season of uncertainty, where our vision may not be clear. We must “stay upon” the LORD.

“Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” Isaiah 50:10

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14  And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

“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 15:10

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

We’ve never been so reminded of this as of the miraculous events of late where beloved brother Juan dropped some plastic water bottles that hit me in the feet. Only God could have orchestrated this collision of Juan’s life and mine.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalms 37:23

Ask Him.

Recently brother Stacy Strother reminded me that God simply wants us, His people to be available, to pray and watch Him work!

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20

It has been wisely stated:

“Show me a man’s prayer life, his life of prayer or lack thereof, and I will show you who that man truly is and who and what he loves most.”

All who are zealous for the LORD are zealous about His work, to do it. Not build a church, but to see Christ work in the hearts of men—to strengthen and equip His body and convict and save lost souls to Himself.

One source notes:

“Evangelism is the act of sharing the Christian gospel—the ‘good news’ of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection—with the aim of inviting others into a relationship with God. It is considered a core mission for believers to spread this message of salvation, hope, and love, often stemming from Jesus’s command in the Great Commission.”

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ name, unite my heart to fear Thy name. Do your work in and through my life. I am all Yours. Maximize the fruit produced to Your eternal glory. You must increase but I must decrease. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Abiding

Washed. Sanctified. Glorified. [podcast]


“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” John 13:8

Jesus’ true bride is known in that she is making herself ready for Him.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:7-8

“This morning I read Psalm 45. Titled the Kings marriage. The story of the King and His bride. This is a beautiful picture of the marriage supper of the Lamb in Rev 19:7-9. The Bridegroom is adorned in glory, majesty, righteousness and truth. Sitting in His royal throne. Then enters the Bride. Holy, without spot or wrinkle. Wearing the righteousness of Christ. And Jesus says, you are in thy Father’s house and He desires thy beauty and worship. Wow! Because she is wearing the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 27:4). His attributes. And she is wearing gold. Fine gold because she has been tried in the fire of affliction. And she is one of the five wise virgins who is invited to enter into the King’s palace. What a glorious picture of all who make themselves ready and are clean and white before their King Jesus! Alleluia!” Karen Cochran

The person who repents, puts their faith in Jesus Christ, and is saved, and continues rooted in Christ, continuing/abiding in Him, will confess any sin committed and be perpetually transformed by Him (Proverbs 28:13; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 1:7, 9; 3:4-10).

Many have been misled. Jesus invented the term “FALL AWAY” (Luke 8:13). The Son of God does not lie. If falling away isn’t possible, why did Jesus say it is possible? Jesus is returning for those who are looking for Him by the way they live.

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

Only those hearing and obeying God’s Word are being washed by it.

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11  And such were some of you: but ye are WASHED, but ye are SANCTIFIED, but ye are JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

The explanation below is modified from another source and notes the following:

“‘Washed, sanctified, and justified’ (often replacing glorified with justified) describes the comprehensive spiritual transformation of a believer in 1 Corinthians 6:11. It signifies being cleansed from sin, set apart for God’s purpose, and declared righteous through Christ, moving from a past life of disobedience to a new identity and a life of obedience to God (2 Corinthians 5:15).

    • Washed: Refers to being cleansed of the defilement and stain of sin, often linked to baptism and the washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
    • Sanctified: Means being set apart to God for His holy purpose. It involves both a position of holiness in Christ and a progressive, lifelong process of becoming more like Him.
    • Justified (Glorified/Righteous): Means being acquitted of all guilt and declared righteous before God on the basis of Christ’s finished work.

Contextual Meaning
    • Transformation: The Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians that while they once lived in sin, their identity changed upon following Jesus.
    • The Power Source: These changes are accomplished in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God, not by personal merit.
    • Living the New Life: This transformation signifies that believers are no longer defined by their past sins, but by their new, holy standing.”

Prayer: Jesus, I know You are going to return for a Bride that is without spot, wrinkle, or sin of any kind. Purify this life LORD Jesus which I now submit to You without reserve. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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