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“We pray earnestly, O God, that we may not be found among those with hardened hearts, no longer able to hear Thy voice.” AW Tozer

WHEN we choose to condemn another unwisely we should remember that we are not going to stand in the Supreme Court of the Universe before God to give account for anyone else’s sins except our own. We are not going to stand before the Almighty to be judged for someone else’s sins but only our own.

We must have mercy on others as we ourselves are utterly in need of divine mercy.

Truth: Any person who dies in the sin of un-forgiveness will burn in hell irrevocably, eternally (Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 9:43-49; 11:25-26; James 2:13). Memorize Ephesians 4:32 today. KJB.

Leveling with God…. Dear heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ, and ask You to wash afresh the most unworthy person alive on the earth, me. No one needs You more than I do LORD. There is no good thing that dwells in me except You LORD Jesus. Please have mercy upon me afresh and make me one with You dear LORD and fill my heart and life afresh with Your love, mercy, and compassion. Grant that this heart be an heart of flesh. Please take away the stony places. I love You LORD Jesus. I love You Father. In Jesus’ name.

If you don’t believe in forgiving all others, God doesn’t believe in and will not forgive you.

WHAT are the 3 commands/instructions in this verse?

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Commands found in Ephesians 4:32:

1. Be “kind” to others knowing God has and is showing you mercy based only on Christ’s merit, not your own.

2. Be “tenderhearted” for the same reason as above. You and I merit nothing but divine wrath outside of Jesus – period – so get off that high horse beloved before God knocks you off of it.

3. Be “Forgiving” of others based on the truth that God has forgiven you but only on the basis of Christ and His perfect sacrifice.

Here’s our Bible verse again: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 

It becomes easy to forgive when we truly realize the gravity of our own sins against God that He freely forgave!

Adam Clarke on Ephesians 4:32

“Be ye kind one to another – Γινεσθε – χρηστοι· Be kind and obliging to each other; study good breeding and gentleness of manners. A Christian cannot be a savage, and he need not be a boor. Never put any person to needless pain.

Tender-hearted – Ευσπλαγχνοι· Compassionate; having the bowels easily moved (as the word implies) to commiserate the state of the wretched and distressed.

Forgiving one another – Should you receive any injury from a brother, or from any man, be as ready to forgive him, on his repentance and acknowledgment, as God was, for Christ’s sake, to forgive you when you repented of your sins, and took refuge in his mercy.”

WHY are we to Forgive?

“…even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Your own forgiveness from God came on behalf of the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross! Now read that portion of Ephesians 4:32 above again with this in mind.

We must show mercy as you and I have been shown mercy by God through Christ Jesus and not due to any merit of our own because we only merit His holy wrath for our sin (Isaiah 64:6). God is not willing that ANY perish and so while we/they are still alive and have breath, there is hope and the privilege of repenting and confessing sins and receiving His forgiveness. Meditate on the thief on the cross and how Jesus so mercifully dealt with Him, receiving him into His eternal abode.

The LORD has been abundantly merciful to us through Jesus Christ and He requires that we show mercy to others in our attitudes and actions. Is this work of grace and of a heart of flesh being done in your life? Memorize Ephesians 4:32.  Live it. If you don’t what’s going to happen?

IF you don’t forgive all, Jesus says that you will not be forgiven and are going to hell.

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26

Like it or not, your own forgiveness is contingent upon your forgiving others.

IF you will not forgive as you’ve been freely forgiven, you are no longer forgiven! Nothing could be clearer from Scripture. Hell is full of tormented souls who have all eternity to regret their refusal to forgive as God provided the ultimate sacrifice of His Son to forgive them. Un-forgiveness will damn your soul and hell is an irrevocable sentence. There are no do-overs.

“And forgive us our debts, AS we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:12

Someone may be saying…. “Wow, you have no idea what that person did to me! I simply can’t find it in myself to forgive them!”

It’s only when Christ is truly reigning in our hearts that His divine love will fill us to forgive. And, Christ will reign in no life where there is no cross. Forgiveness is found in God for us and all others (1 John 4:7-8, 16-18).

All of the divine instructions given in Holy Scripture will be fulfilled in us through the cross life – where Christ is raising us upward in His resurrection grace as we consent to daily dying, the crucified life (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

Dishing it Out to Others Exactly as You Want it Coming Back to You

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete (give out), it shall be measured to you again. 3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5

OVER THE LAST YEARS IN PARTICULAR, I HAVE WITNESSED SOME RENEGADE “WATCHMEN” WHO GOT A BIT TOO BIG FOR THEIR BRITCHES, WERE FILLED WITH PRIDE, AND WENT ABOUT SLANDERING OTHER CHRISTIANS, SOWING DISCORD AMONG THE BRETHREN (PROVERBS 6:19). GOD HAS AND IS JUDGING THEM HARSHLY ACCORDING TO THE MERCILESS MEASURE OF RULE THEY METED OR GAVE OUT TO OTHERS. IN THESE PARTICULAR CASES, THESE MEN WILLINGLY REFUSED TO FOLLOW CHRIST’S COMMANDS ON CORRECTING OTHERS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST AND THEREFORE CAUSED DIVISIONS CONTRARY TO THOSE TEACHINGS (MATTHEW 18:15-17; ROMANS 16:17-18; GALATIANS 6:1-2). GOD IS REWARDING US ACCORDING TO HOW WE TREAT OTHERS, BEGINNING WITH OUR ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS TOWARD THEM.

As we remain in God’s Word, the divine mirror, we continue to see just how sinful we are outside of Christ’s present saving grace (James 1:19-25; Romans 7:18). In this posture of heart, we shall never put our filthy hands of judgment around the necks of others who’ve wronged us (Matthew 18:21-35). Instead we will freely forgive them as we’ve been freely forgiven (Matthew 5:7; 10:8; Ephesians 4:32).

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass (mirror): 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:19-25 

Do We Desire Mercy from God? If So We Must Show it to Others

“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13

Years ago, one particular fellow who maligned and attacked me for something I didn’t even do, rendered a judgment upon me. He said that my ministry is over. I sent him packing due to his continual, unprovoked, unwarranted attacks (which was also the consensus of several other mutual friends in Christ). Then, I went home and got in prayer with our Father and said “LORD, if You want my ‘ministry’ to be over, I praise You for it and for whatever You want to do with this life (mine) that You have given.” In other words, I was saying, “LORD, I don’t want to do so-called ‘ministry’ if you aren’t in it all the way anyway. I have no ministry – You do Father, and if You want to use me in whatever way You see fit, praise You for whatever way that might be. I am but Your mere servant and just want to be in Your perfect will. So, if I ever really had been used in ministry that glorified You, it was only due to YOU and nothing of me, for I am ‘altogether vanity’ according to Your Word, even in my very ‘best state.’” (Psalms 139:4-5)

Well, I’ve personally seen wicked imposters, counterfeits try to end the work of God in others only to be ruined, to be turn over to Satan themselves (Psalms 7, 9, 35; Matthew 7:2-5, etc.). Those they condemn usually go on to prosper!

You see, those who wrongly judge and condemn us make the deliberate choice to refuse to render aid (the mercy needed to restore) even as they have received aid from God (Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:32; 2 Timothy 2:24-26, etc.). In the blindness of their own heart due to their own sin and refusal to truly repent, they project that guilt on others in their condemnations (Romans 2:1-3; Hebrews 3:12-14). Unlike the Good Samaritan, they, like the merciless, hell bound religionists, pass by mercy and take hold of a judgment that belongs only to the Judge of all of our souls. Read afresh Luke 10:25-37.

The sins that should concern us most are our own sins!

Why then do we wrongly judge others in our attitudes when the one who needs Jesus most is us?

“But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?” Job 19:28 

When we truly humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, we will be bowed down low before Him and have nothing in us to wrongly cast stones at others. No, instead, we will be so smitten with our own darkness and the infinite, present need we ourselves have for His present mercy, that we will have no stone in our hand to throw at anyone. If we do, that person we would stone or chasten would be we ourselves!

What sin is not forgivable by God (other than the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost)? Name it please. Go ahead and tell us all exactly what sin you are condemning another for that can’t be forgiven by the blood of Jesus. …. Waiting…..

Woman Taken in the Act of Adultery Forgiven!

“So when they (the self-righteous) continued asking him (Jesus), he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” John 8:7-11

First Jesus forgives this woman and then tells her to “go, and sin no more.” The order is essential here in this transaction. Jesus came to heal, bless, deliver, forgive, and restore and not to condemn (Luke 4:18; 9:56; John 3:17).

If you have no need for divine mercy, stone those around you when they stumble. If you do realize your own infinite need for God’s mercy, throw God’s mercy at others! Restore! Bless! Love them with God’s love and help them – even your enemies! (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:17-21; Galatians 6:1-2)

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

WHEN you witness a brother or sister becoming weak, having a fault, or committing sin, GOD’s call for you is to help them be restored to Him and not to run them through with the rusty sword of your own self-righteous judgment (Galatians 6:1-2; James 1:20; Romans 8:33-34).

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

Message to those Condemned by Others

To those reading this who have been harshly condemned by other mere men for sins in your past or just false accusation, you should know that God has a place of refuge for you (Job 5:21; Psalms 31:20). Firstly, He alone is your judge and your sentence or state – your standing with Him – is in His holy hands ultimately (Psalms 17:2). He sees and knows you have confessed and repented.

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.  34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come before You in and through Jesus Christ alone. I have no right or privilege to approach You outside of Him. Based on His precious blood, shed for my many sins and utter sinfulness, I come before Thee my God, broken and in desperate need of Your present and saving, sheer mercy. I now realize that it’s ME that needs to repent and I am the one in the greatest need of Your undeserved mercy. God, please forgive my sins, cleanse me now heavenly Father with Jesus’ blood. Forgive my hardened heart toward You and others. I beg You now to break me Father and make my heart very tender and restorative of others. Grant me the heart of flesh You ordained me to have. Father, in Jesus’ name, please use me to bring hurting, lost, fallen sheep back to Your bless-ed fold. I love You Jesus! LORD, please fill me with Your love today Jesus! According to Your parable of the prodigal son, I will rejoice with You and Your angels at the prospect of others being restored and brought home to You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you want to get deeper into God’s Word? If so, send a reply requesting the “Moments with My Master” email that is sent out to edify Christ’s body.

Support | STORE | PodcastsThe Return of ChristStewardshipWhere to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account!Victory in Jesus | Discipleship | The Glorious Grace of God | The Restoring Love of Our God | God’s Mercy | Spiritual Warfare | JustificationGrace and Good Works [podcast]

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Apostasy

Jesus Promised Judas an Eternal Throne in Heaven but He Chose to go to Hell #shorts [video]

​ Judas died and went to eternal hell, irrevocably as every lost soul shall experience (Acts 1:25). Judas is the “son of perdition” and “perdition” means damnation (John 17:12).

Here’s all the ministry’s shorts (60 secs) videos. Feel free to share:

See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.

Judas was even sent out with the other apostles to heal the sick, raise the dead, and preach Christ’s Gospel (Matthew 10:1-8). He was real, then backslid and is in hell (Acts 1:16-25).

The Truth about Judas

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones (not 11), judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)

Judas wasn’t kept and Jesus specifically and irrefutably promised him an eternal throne in Heaven – Matthew 19:28. “TWELVE” not eleven~!

At the time of this divinely-given promise, it is more than abundantly clear that Judas was eternally secure, otherwise Christ would have never given this promise to the “twelve” which includes Judas Iscariot (Matthew 19:28). It is only after this that Judas allowed iniquity in his heart and by his own deliberate will fell by his own iniquity (Acts 1:25; Heb. 3:12-15).

“Saying, I (Judas) have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.” Matthew 27:4

“Eternal security”? Don’t kid yourself. Moral cowards who refuse to take person accountability for their every thought, motive, and deed love this lie. Satan’s first lie – which led to the fall of mankind (Gen 2:17; 3:4).

“For if AFTER they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are AGAIN entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, AFTER they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Eternal Security/OSASAccounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] |Sealed?The Return of Christ | SupportLie of the Ages [podcast]10 Questions about Eternal SecurityIs Salvation Eternal?The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast]The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast] | Lie of the Ages (Blockbuster book exposing OSAS and calvinism)

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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 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….

“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:

“In John 14:15 and 15:14 (KJV), Jesus teaches that love and obedience go together, meaning real love for Him naturally leads to doing His commands rather than separating love from works.
What the Verses Say
    • 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.
    How Love and Works Connect
      • 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).

    “IFFFF you love me keep my commandments” and not “prove you love me by keeping my commandments” (John 14:15) … big difference. Jesus isn’t interested in any law keeper keeping His commandments …. He desires and calls His people to love Him! If not, there’s no reason to try to obey Him.

    “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 commandmentsHe that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 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

    LOVE IS THE CARDINAL EVIDENCE OR FRUIT THAT ONE KNOWS GOD.
    Do we truly know Him who “is love”? (1 John 4:8, 16) Love is a divine attribute that is, without exception, resident in every man who is truly in right standing with God (Galatians 5:22-23)

    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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    Abiding

    FROM THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT by Jon Crane

    By Jon Crane

    “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

    A life surrendered to Christ and led by the Holy Spirit is made able to become a child of the kingdom of God (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-16; etc.).

    The grace that saved us: the blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary is our atoning sacrifice and become the entrance into the eternal kingdom of God for the purpose of living from the new creation we have become in Christ (born-again John 3:3-7; John 15:1-5).  Putting off our old man with his worldly mindset by washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:3-7).

    Let us therefore, press into this inward holy life of living faith.

    “But be ye doers of the word, and NOT hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

    23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

    24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

    25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a DOER of the work (Matthew 7:24-25), this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25

    More Thoughts…

    “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

    8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath (vengeance belongeth to the LORD who created us all

    9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD (actively doing God’s will in their lives; making full proof of the hope of redemption which they have by exercising their faith by works of loveMatthew 22:37-40; 1 Corinthians 13; etc.), they shall inherit the earth.

    10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

    11 But the MEEK shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5); and shalt delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalms 37:7-11

    When pressed above measure read Psalms. 94.

    Remember whose you are …

    “And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:23

    Take heart…

    “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

    12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

    13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

    14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14

    If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior yet and would like to make peace with God…

    “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

    16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

    17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

    18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:15-18

    Romans 3

    “Moreover, brethern, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein in ye stand;

    2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

    3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

    4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

    “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith unto them who are under the law: that every mouth (Jew, Gentile, Muslim, etc.) may be stopped, and ALL the world may become guilty before God.

    20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

    21 But now the righteousness of God, without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

    22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith (Rom. 1:16-17) of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

    23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

    24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

    25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

    26 To declare, I say, at this time (today if you hear his voice: Heb. 3:7,15 conviction in your heart) his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:19-26

    Confession made…

    “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we  preach;

    9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

    10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

    11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

    12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

    13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13

    Call upon Jesus Christ according to faith and be saved!

    “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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

    Making Peace with God

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