Calvinist Nightmare: The Judas Dilemma

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12 Not 11

It is undeniable that Jesus chose Judas and that Judas was in right relationship with the Son of God, was sent out by Jesus to do His ministry work, and was promised an eternal throne in Heaven. Let’s talk about it.

“Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you TWELVE, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.” John 6:70-71

“Have not I chosen you TWELVE” – Did Jesus choose a devil and send him to do His ministry OR did Judas choose after he was chosen by Christ to turn against Christ? The answer is obvious.

Judas was 1 of the 12. Judas was chosen by Jesus to the highest office in the church. Though he later turn against and betrayed Jesus, Judas holds the distinction as being one of the twelve original apostles of Christ!

It is undeniably on record that Jesus Christ promised Judas an eternal throne in Heaven.

“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 (not 11) thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28

Was Judas one of the twelve original apostles of Jesus Christ? It is irrefutable that the Son of God promised his “twelve,” not eleven, eternal thrones in His heavenly kingdom. Judas, who was one of the “twelve,” was promised an eternal throne, yet “by transgression” fell and went to hell. Judas kissed the very Gate of Heaven, and turned and went to hell, given over to and driven by demons he ended his own life.

Judas was chosen by Christ Himself as one of His very twelve, yet Judas wasn’t hell-proof. Judas wasn’t “once saved always saved.” Judas was not given a spiritual asbestos suit. It is undeniably on record that Jesus Christ promised Judas an eternal throne in Heaven and so, the OSAS-er and calvinist are dead wrong to believe Judas was never a true child of God. Jesus chose him to the highest office in the church and told him he’d be in Heaven (Matthew 19:28). God’s promises are conditional. Judas chose to rebel and the promise was revoked as it was for Israel and many others throughout biblical history, beginning with Lucifer.

Judas is now in hell and yet was once a disciple of Christ – promised by the Son of God an ETERNAL throne in Heaven (Matt. 19:28). Judas was once in grace but not always in grace.

In Matthew 19:28 Jesus was at that moment speaking to Judas, not his replacement, and the Son of God clearly promised Judas an eternal throne. Christ promised him an eternal throne and Jesus also required that His original 12 and also all who follow Him, endure to the end or be lost (Matt. 10:22; 24:13). “Then said Jesus unto his disciples … 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, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matt. 19:23, 28)

Judas was one of Jesus’ hand-selected “twelve” and so Judas was included in this promise. So, to say Judas was not saved and promised eternal security – a very throne in Heaven with Jesus – is to say that Jesus lied. It is also to say that God can’t break His promise if someone rebels.
Judas kissed the gate of Heaven Himself then turned and denied and betrayed Him. He made choice as God has given all men choice. That ability to choose does not end after He finds and saves us (Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Isa. 1:19-20; Rom. 6:16, Gal. 6:6-8; James 1:13-15; Rev. 22:17, etc.).

In Matthew 10 the very Son of God sends Judas and the other eleven forth to preach His Gospel, to heal the sick, open blinded eyes, and to cast out devils and do His ministry work, then He tells them that only those who endure to the end (remain faithful to Him to the end of their lives) will be saved (Matt. 10:1-22). Jesus sent Judas to cast out devils which can only be done by the Holy Spirit of God indwelling a person, further proving Judas Iscariot was right with God till he turned away (Matt. 10:1-8; 12:22-29).

As we see in the life of Judas, there is a qualification to the promise of God, initial and continual faith – “to the end.”

Did Christ pray all night and knowingly bring an evil man (Judas) into His ministry? Or, did Judas become evil by choosing not to love and obey Christ and to rebel and live in sin? The answer is obvious to the honest and noble student of Holy Scripture. As is the obvious case with all human beings, Judas retained the choice to go on serving or not serving God with his whole heart (Deut. 30:19-20; Joshua 24:15; Isa. 1:18-20).

Jesus sent Judas to preach His Word and to cast out devils and Judas was a heathen? (Matthew 10:1-8) Lame excuse. Nothing could be clearer than the historically documented fact that Judas had free will, was chosen by the Son of God, set apart and sent to do ministry for Jesus and then fell away by his own sin which he had free will to commit (Acts 1:25; James 1:13-15).

“Ye Are Clean, But Not All”

In John 13, we are given insight into the differences between Peter and Judas. Such is a fascinating study and lesson. The differentiation between what both of these men chose to do holds eternal consequences. We must not miss this eternal distinction! Though both were equally divinely chosen as part of the original twelve, Peter chose to be humble, teachable and obedient while Judas chose to be prideful, unteachable and disobedient. Peter wisely elected to answer the call of Christ to be initially and perpetually washed of his sins which sustained His relationship with Jesus – “Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” Peter possessed genuine saving faith which manifested in obedience to Christ. Unlike Judas, the one Christ refers to here when He asserts “but not all (are washed),” Peter answered the LORD’s call to be washed initially and continually. Could this not be said to be the difference between Peter and Judas? Is this not the reason that only one of these two men is in Heaven and the other is in eternal damnation?

“Not all (are washed)” – as it was among the original twelve, so it is today in the church. Some have been initially washed and remain washed to this hour, yet some who were initially washed are not submitting to the Lordship of Jesus and are not receiving His ongoing washings from their sins. Do you wash your clothes only one time? No, you buy that article of clothing and then you wash it. You then wash it repeatedly after wearing it – to keep it clean and ready for use. Right?

“…Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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

Why did Jesus give His very life for His Bride? “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot (stains of sin)…but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

God wants His children “without blemish” and such is only possible by humbly submitting our lives to the LORD to be cleansed.

Through the preponderance of data available to us in Holy Writ, it must be concluded that this villainous character named Judas, was chosen and chose to be initially elected and initially washed by Christ, yet did not (like Peter) choose to be perpetually washed and cleansed by Jesus.

“He (Christ) riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash (clean) my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” John 13:4-10

“If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” – Did you hear the definitive nature of Jesus’ words here? Christ speaks of initial and perpetual washings. Peter is no different than each and every child of God – we need to be initially and continually cleansed of our sins. This cleansing must be willingly submitted to and is not an automatic process as we see here with the reference to Judas – “ye are clean, but not all.” Eleven of the twelve original apostles of Christ elected to be initially and perpetually washed by the Master sin cleanser. One didn’t.

By nature a bride prepares herself for her bridegroom. As we behold in this very important passage in John 13, Jesus Christ is the initial and perpetual cleanser of our hearts, hands and feet. In Scripture, clean hands and feet speak of asking and receiving washings from the sins we commit with the members of our bodies (transgressions). See Psalms 24 and Romans 6. First and foremost, we must be apprehended by Him, receiving “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3:4-7) As Peter learned and we are taught here, in John 13, every child who is initially washed, must then submit to the Lordship of the Washer in order to “abide” in relationship with Him (Jn. 15). As Peter learned, so the Bride of Christ must learn to rejoice in and be perpetually washed by Christ’s precious and holy blood and “the washing of water by the word.” (Eph. 5:26)

According to 1 John 1:7, we can know when we are walking in His light as we are being honest towards Him who sees all, and humbly acknowledging (not hiding in darkness) our sins and experiencing the ongoing cleansing of His precious blood. By this unspeakable gift we have clear conscience and are enabled by His grace to serve Him with no consciousness of sin! See Hebrews 9:14 and rejoice! What a gift the divine blood has procured for all New Covenant saints! Dare we not appropriate such blessed benefits? – “forget not all his benefits.” (Ps. 103:2)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now (do not yet understand); but thou shalt know hereafter.” (Jn. 13:7) “Hereafter” or here forward and after you have walked in (been obedient to) what I am showing you here, you will understand. Those who choose to live in obedience to Christ are the ones He chooses to give understanding. In the divine economy, we must first obey in order to be granted understanding. “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine…” (Jn. 7:16-17)

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MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Was Judas saved or not in your opinion? I don’t know of anyone who has ever claimed that he was saved. So did Jesus lie? Did He fail? Was His claim to not lose any of His sheep false? Or is it possible that Judas failed, not Jesus? What Jesus promises always remain, just as eternal life is always eternal – but those who had it at one time lost it? The life He gives never becomes anything less than eternal. But some do lose it, as Judas did.”

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

Read the rest of this passage. He is clearly speaking of believers. And 12 is the number of completion. It’s a symbolic number. This doesn’t mean 12 literal thrones. Also, Jesus is obviously not going to make such a promise and not deliver.

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, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Matthew 19:28-29 KJV”

REPLY:

What you fail to realize is free will – before and after God saves someone. Read Ezek 33:12-13; Heb 10:26-39.

Matt 19:28

In your “interpretation” of this passage, your colors are showing even more, your utter bias. Pitiful attempt ot continue to promulgate Satan’s OSAS lie…… Totally dishonest explanation.

WHO WAS JESUS SPEAKING TO?

Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his DISCIPLES (how many were there? 12) …

Mat 19:25 When HIS DISCIPLES (the 12) heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld THEM, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter (as usual, spokesman for the 12) and said unto him, Behold, WE (the 12) have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall WE (the 12) have therefore?

Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That YE WHICH HAVE FOLLOWED ME (the 12), in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, YE (the 12) also shall sit upon TWELVE thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Clearly the 12 thrones Jesus promises here refers specifically to whom Jesus is speaking, His 12 disciples.

Many OSAS counterfeits simply will not let go of this demonic lie. They despise the thought of any personal responsibility and so cannot afford to allow themselves to truly repent and bring forth the fruit of a holy life! This will be to their own eternal demise (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Cor 7:1; Eph 5:25-27, etc.).

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Do you think Jesus did not know Judas was going to betray Him, when Judas was selected? Was the Apostle Paul chosen to take the place of Judas, therefore keeping the number at 12?”

REPLY:

Did or did not Jesus choose Judas? Yes (Luke 6:12-16). In Matthew 19:28, did Jesus promise JUDAS an eternal throne? Was the Son of God speaking to Judas or Paul at that moment? – “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto YOU (the 12 original apostles), That YE (included Judas) 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, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)

As we see in the life of Judas, there is a qualification to the promise of God, initial and continual faith – “to the end.” The fact that Jesus, GOD, foreknew who would betray Him in no way negates His love and His choosing of that person. Foreknowledge in no way means God desires anyone to betray Him. Such is a foolish and erroneous conclusion. Jude speaks of many who were once right with God and then betrayed Him – because God gave men free will and never retracts such. He is love and love never forces but rather leaves the choice to the individual both initially and ongoing (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15). The following passage proves you are indicting the Almighty, blaming He who is “Holy, holy, holy” for the sin of Judas (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)

Yes Jesus knew who would betray Him. It’s what Scripture calls divine “foreknowledge.” Yet how does that make OSAS/eternal security a Bible teaching other than it’s Satan’s first teaching? Foreknowing who would betray Him after being His, only proves Judas was of Christ and then departed from the Savior – due to his own willful choice to disobey the LORD.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, NEITHER TEMPTETH HE ANY MAN (to sin): 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Christ is not capable of lying. Christ knew that Judas was going to betray Him before the foundation of the world. Do you deny this fact?”

REPLY:

That only tells us that God knows all – past, present, and future. The fact that the LORD knows who will betray Him in no way tells us that God desired or ordained Judas to betray Him nor that Judas was forced to betray Him. Man has free will before and after salvation (Joshua 24:15). The LORD never tempted Him to sin (James 1:13-15). Knowing that Judas is in hell, to “prove” your “eternal security” heresy, you have to force this issue. You have to make sure you “prove” that Judas was never Christ’s. Yet you haven’t proven that and can’t. Jesus chose Judas as 1 of His 12, promised him an eternal throne, and sent him to do His ministry work. You refuse to believe anyone could “fall away” after being saved but Jesus invented that term so it must be possible, and it sure is (Luke 8:13). You going to call the Son of God a liar?

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“You have flawed logic if you think God promised Judas something He knew he’d never have.”

REPLY:

“You are not a man of truth. You fail to believe what Scripture teaches concerning conditional, not un-conditional salvation and that some who get saved will choose not to “abide” (remain, continue) in Christ and will “fall away” and go to hell (Luke 8:13; John 15:6). God so loved the whole WORLD and gave His Son on the cross for everyone. Jesus said that He was going to “draw ALL men unto me” when He went to the cross (John 12:32). So here we realize that Jesus desires to save ALL men, otherwise he would not have said He was going to draw “ALL men.” He said He was going to “draw ALL men” which clearly means He desires to save “ALL men” which included Judas. This clearly reveals that He desires to save “ALL men.” (1 Timothy 2:4; 1 John 2:2; 2 Peter 3:9) This doesn’t change the fact that God gives all men free will (Joshua 24:15). You are contradicting the Word of God to say that just because God foreknew that Judas would turn against Christ that he was never of God and that God ordained, desired him to be damned. You indict God as having the characteristic of satan himself – to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). “

“Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of THE WHOLE WORLD.” 1 John 2:2

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“There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; ALL came to pass.” Joshua 21:45

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God could trust Abraham:

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19

Of Abraham who lived by faith, the LORD says “For I know him” and if we love God, like Abraham, we are known of the LORD also.

“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” 1 Corinthians 8:3

Does the unchanging God ever tell His people to leave where they are and go to another place? Yes.

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him…” Genesis 12:1-4

Abraham met the condition and God fulfilled His promise. Could the LORD have blessed Abraham had Abraham not trusted and obeyed Him?

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

“The key is to say ‘Here I am.’ Abraham responded 3 times to God in Gen 22, when God called His name. It was an immediate response of obedience. Did he know exactly why God was calling him? No! It was the posture of his heart. Because of his faithful obedience the Lord knew Abraham was a God fearing man, who only cared about doing God’s will.” Karen Cochran

“And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” James 2:23

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Hebrews 11:8

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive my unbelief, which is a sin. Please wash this heart afresh in Your precious blood dear LORD Jesus. Fill my heart with faith, with love, joy, and peace. Please order my every step and be glorified in this life You gave. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24

The law brings repentance, salvation while thereafter the crucified life, the cross keeps us from that sin which once separated us from the LORD, who now has saved us (Psalms 19:7; Romans 6).

There are lots of people peddling the lie of “self care” which is ultimately nothing more than absolute selfishness. Pure evil. We need SAVIOR care! Such “self-care” only perpetuates the prey, the victim, in their misery. The only way to deal with the wicked iniquitous nature, is to crucify it, not pamper it (Luke 9:23-24). It’s your time to get into God’s Word and follow Jesus (KJB). Repent, deny yourself, lay down your life and serve God and others, not yourself. Loving your wicked self IS your problem and so all “self care” is accomplishing is to make your problem bigger, to fortify the evil within (Galatians 5:16-24). Crucifying that evil by the power of the Holy Spirit who is then raising your upward in His grace, glory, and power, is the divine prescription (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:3, etc.). Read Philippians 2:3-5 each morning this week. Jesus commands you to love God. Worship God. Obey God (Matthew 22:37-39).

All whom Jesus has saved make a decision every day, including this day. All who were initially saved and yet aren’t searching out and taking up the cross daily, prove they do not love Him, even though they may claim such. Each of us prove who we really love by who reigns in our lives, and by who dies. See Matthew 6:24.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16

WHO we yield ourselves to today, proves who we truly love – either the Savior or self.

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9

We must declare and establish “the sentence of death in ourselves” so that our trust is in God who raised Christ from the dead and raises up all of His saints as they are crucified with Christ.

“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

Tired of sinful self and wanting it out of your way? Here’s the divine prescription: “But I keep under (subdue) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

The fact that Jesus is coming back for a church, a people who are holy, let us peer into what the Bible tells us concerning overcoming the flesh, sin (Romans 6-8).

Jesus never said to try or try harder. no, Jesus says you must die to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-25, etc.).

Jesus is sanctifying and cleansing by His Word a people, a church “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).

Times of fasting and prayer are doing yourself a favor and not God. Yes. You are crucifying self, getting self out of God’s way so that Christ is reigning in your life in place of sinful self! This should be viewed with absolute delight! (See Psalms 37:4; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13, etc..) You are crying, you are driving a stake in the ground and declaring: “LORD, You must increase but I must decrease!” (See John 3:30.) That’s the “daily” operation of the cross God has ordained to be transpiring in our lives (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.).

What’s your plan for a special time of fasting and prayer this week? There’s no mystery – you will not overcome the flesh, sin, without being crucified with Christ and there’s no better way than fasting and prayer. It’s the most direct route to being dead, buried, and raised up in the victory Christ alone can grant. Lay it all down, now. Memorize Colossians 3:3 and walk it out.

We simply can’t know just how deep we are buried in pride until we begin to obey God in fasting and prayer. Isaiah 58

Overcoming the flesh, walking in victory requires continually delighting in the LORD, worshipping Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).

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

HOW many of us know that the flesh is never going to behave itself, never going to be tamed …. until it’s slain by the cross, crucified?

The flesh IS going to rage, be bent toward and do evil. That’s a given (Romans 7). This is why the cross, the crucifying of the “old man” and putting on “the new man” are essential to God bringing the victory in our lives! (Romans 6-8; Ephesians 4:23-25; Colossians 3:5-10, etc.)

Doesn’t the fact that our flesh does not like the cross, only confirm the need for it? What are the “works of the flesh” that will separate a once saved Christian from God? (Galatians 5:16-21) Though it’s never heard in the apostate modern church world, Jesus commanded the cross in the life of each and every person who would follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). The fact that our flesh hates the cross in no way changes God and what He said concerning the severity in which we are to deal with the flesh, with sin – and the eternal damnation that awaits all who don’t crucify the deeds of the body (Mark 9:42-49; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.). When’s the last time you read the words of Jesus recorded in Mark 9:42-49 and took Jesus at His Word? IF you truly love Him, you will obey Him (John 14:15).

God fully expects for His people to induce, to participate in the crucifixion of our flesh, putting the self-life to death (Isaiah 58; Matthew 6:16; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Galatians 2:20, etc.).

Holiness is not the way to Christ but rather Christ is the way to holiness. Abiding in Christ IS abiding holy – in the divine definition of holy. The key is that holiness is NOT the way to God but rather Christ is the way to holiness, His way, His definition – which is the daily cross (Luke 9:23-24). Abiding fellowship with Christ, on HIS terms, is holiness – being set apart to the LORD, in the LORD (Psalms 4:3; John 15).

Sin is man’s master until Christ is man’s Master (Matthew 6:24).

No one overcomes by accident. Those who love the LORD, truly, not just in mere profession, will seek Him diligently and obey Him and therefore are brought into His victory by Him (Matthew 7:21; 22:37-39; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:3-6; Revelation 2-3, etc.). The disciple must truly repent and cease all excuses for the sin that displeases God and walk as “MORE than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:1, 5-6, 13-14; 37, etc.).

Jesus came from Heaven to earth and successfully confronted evil, sin, death, and the devil by going to the cross and defeating them! Read Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8. In Christ, with Christ, we defeat death by dying, laying down our lives (Hebrews 2:14-15). And Jesus, who conquered death, hell, sin, Satan, and the grave, sends us to the cross – co-death with Him to defeat all of our sin and Satan also (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; 8:29, 37; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). His precious blood alone atoned for our sins positionally, and yet to enforce that victory in defeating sin and Satan in our daily lives, Jesus prescribed to us the cross life (the practical).

The only thing we can do about this reality – about the iniquitous fleshly nature – is to crucify it (Galatians 5:16-24). There can be no negotiation.

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11

The one way to master sin is bow to Heaven’s Master and let Him master sin! The cross.

BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST ROSE AGAIN, ALL WHO ARE BORN AGAIN IN HIM ARE RAISED UP SPIRITUALLY IN THIS LIFE TO OVERCOME ALL SIN, SATAN, AND THE WORLD, AND WILL SOON be RAISED UP INTO ETERNAL GLORY WITH HEAVEN’S KING.

Rhetorical Question: What’s your fasting and prayer plan beloved? Your answer to this important, prompting question is before you and your LORD….

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

You are not serious about overcoming sin if you’re not yet setting apart regular times of fasting and prayer. The fact that you don’t want to fast is the clear proof that you need to fast. Currently, your flesh is in control! Once you are broken, you will delight in, you will look forward to those times of regular fasting! Read Isaiah 58. | The Amazing Benefits of Fasting and Prayer

Times of Fasting and prayer get YOU out of the way so Jesus can reign supreme! Isaiah 58

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:13-14

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

FASTING IS STARVING THE FLESH AND FEEDING THE SPIRIT IN ORDER TO BE BROUGHT BY THE LORD INTO FULL ONENESS WITH HIM AND THE FATHER, AND INTO THE COMPLETE VICTORY AND FRUITFULNESS HE’S ORDAINED YOU TO WALK IN (ISAIAH 58).

Read Romans 6-8.

I am not a good person. Neither are you. “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Admit it. The Bible and our own failing experience in this life clearly reveal such to be the case. The sooner we become HONEST with that which is more than obvious, announcing freely and transparently that there is “no good thing” in us except CHRIST, the sooner God will begin a fresh, deeper work in us! See Romans 7:18, 24—the cross!

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9

The SINNER, the vile wretch I must first and foremost confront, is myself! See Job 19:28; Rom 7:18, 24; Ps 39:4-5 and Eccl 7:20. It’s essential to begin to understand the flesh, the fallen man, the iniquitous old man, in order to realize what we’ve been saved from and what must be crucified daily. The cross is God’s solution, His prescription to “put off the old man with his deeds.”

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” Ephesians 4:22

The cross subdues the flesh, it separates us from being held captive to the dictates of the old man, the carnal fallen nature.

The Root of the Matter is in Me! | The Daily Cross

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 […]

To the Flesh we must declare “Shut up and die!” [podcast]

There can be no mercy on the flesh. As opposed to making excuse for the fallen nature in us, we must declare war on it – by the cross (Romans 6:1-23; 8:12-13, etc.). Jesus never said to try. Jesus says you must die to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-25, etc.). The flesh cannot be cast out, like a devil. It must be daily crucified, put to death (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6, etc.). The Holy Spirit alone can crucify the deeds of the body and this only happens as we are dead and buried with Christ. Read Romans 6 […]

Sin: Man’s Core Problem [podcast]

People don’t have a “mental health” problem, they have a SIN problem and sin is what gives way, gives full access to Satan! “When people hear voices telling them to harm themselves or others, that’s not a chemical imbalance, it’s demon possession.” Rachel Gould “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 Jesus taught us that man’s sin comes out of his “desperately wicked” heart (Jer17:9; Mark 7:20-23). The devil and his agents have created a million ways to divert us from stopping our lives, getting honest, taking personal responsibility, humbling ourselves, […]

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Gospel Preached at Funeral of a Decorated United States Marine Officer in Mexico [podcast]

This past Sunday, here in beautiful Mexico, a saint’s temporal body was laid to rest. Brother Mark and I were given the opportunity, asked to speak to the whole group.

Our LORD Jesus’ Gospel was preached and everyone there was invited to repent and receive Christ before it’s too late—because Jesus died for them to be forgiven and receive eternal life, and that hell is forever (Revelation 22:17). Oh, the funeral attendees were also informed that “purgatory” is a lie, and that when they die, they will be going to Heaven or hell.

After a bit, an interpreter helped, joined in, and so every attendee heard the Gospel in their language—Spanish or English.

Trevor and Trish are the couple’s names. The way brother Mark met Trish, the now widow was 100% a miracle. Two weeks ago, we were invited to this couple’s home and spent the afternoon with them. Little did we know that the husband would pass shortly thereafter. God knew and orchestrated the events according to His perfect will.

Saints, thank you for your prayers for sister Trish.

After the people disbanded, several came and asked us about further fellowship. The preaching of God’s Word ignited them. A breakfast group fellowship had recently already begun to form, so they were invited.

Life springs out of death – “Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die” (1 Corinthians 15:36).

Christ’s economy is a cross economy. Here we see that very thing where out of one of His saint’s death and burial, the life of Jesus is at work, raising up others. Life springs out of death (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalms 116:15

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13

God is so very good, saints. See Psalm 86.

Here’s comfort from “the God of all comfort” for each of you, concerning losing loved ones, namely born again loved ones! You can be assured that they are with Christ and the Father and protected from ANY and ALL danger, forever! See 2 Corinthians 1:2-5, also Revelation 21:4.

“The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. 2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” Isaiah 57:1-2

Interestingly, the LORD brought together 4 United States Marines/Marine vets in Mexico to bring this to pass….

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15

The Brevity of Life in this World

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14

We all face death and judgment, and the Good News is that Christ’s perfect sacrifice, as we humbly appropriate it, means we are forgiven and will avert the judgment of eternal damnation.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

Our Prayer with Isaiah for God to Prepare and Send Us

It’s the “Here am I; send me” LORD prayer in action! (Isaiah 6:8)

Child of God, are you ready, today, to lift your heart and hands to your Maker and dare to declare this prayer to Him? – “Here am I; send me!”

If you dare to freshly surrender the life God gave you and cry out to Him, get ready beloved for the fruit-bearing adventure of your life! Remember that Abraham was in Haran (means barren, dry, fruit-less) until he was instructed by God to get up and leave. That’s when the promised blessings began to unfold in his life. See the end of Genesis 11 and thereafter.

When you cry out to Him with the prophet Isaiah, the LORD is going to hear, answer, and do things that are utterly miraculous.

“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27

Just “Go” and watch God! (Mark 16:15). Your life is never more richly blessed by God than when you live by faith, when you surrender afresh and ask Him to take all of you, to prepare and use you.

Isaiah's Call and Commission [podcast]

What did the LORD reveal of Himself to Isaiah? What was the result in Isaiah’s life and ours? When the LORD appeared to him, the prophet Isaiah was shown his own depravity, his own wicked heart, his own unpreparedness. What was his response and how does this relate to us? Are you ready this day to say “Jesus please prepare and use me mightily for Your eternal glory! I love You LORD. I am all Yours! Please do Your deeper work in this life You gave!”? One must be prepared by God to be used by God. “If a man therefore […]

LORD, Prepare Me! [podcast]

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will […]

Mission Mexico Part 46 [podcast]

Recorded about a week ago: Much has happened since then! Your Love for God is Changing Lives Saints! Clara’s new rental. Brother Allan ministering in the Philippines. Many being reached daily in Mexico. And much more….. Happening now. In progress. Talking to Clara by text right now….. delivered the rent and deposit today. | Clara’s Cry Recently, when bringing more food to Clara and her 3 boys, food from God’s love in and through you, I noticed that her 3 boys were quite dirty and was moved. They were actually filthy. Clara is by nature a very quiet person. So I […]