Articles

Coming to the Light [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

THERE are many in darkness who swear they are in the light. Pray saints-in Jesus’ name.

May God vanquish all darkness in our own hearts, filling, flooding us with His holy light.

When there is true repentance and the cleansing of the LORD in a person’s life, there will be “no guile” and “no part dark.”

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” John 1:47

“HAVING NO PART DARK”

“If thy whole body therefore be full of light, HAVING NO PART DARK, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.” Luke 11:36

As when one walks into a dark room and flips on the light switch and all darkness is gone, in the same way, when we are full of Christ’s light, there will be “no part dark.”

Are You A Moral Coward?

“But the fearful (cowardly; timid), and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

Notice here that the very first class of sinners named as those to spend eternity in the lake of fire is “the fearful.” This word “fearful” comes from the Greek word DEILOS which means cowardly; timid. So we see that spiritual cowards will not enter into the kingdom of God. Is this not consistent with other places in Scripture? Here’s one that comes to mind:

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (destruction); but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:36-39

To become known in this world as a preacher, you MUST lie, twist, feed the greed of the unrepentant, and tell half-truths – to tickle the ears of the counterfeits (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

“God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” Psalms 55:19

Those who refuse to “choose the fear of the LORD” have no changes in their lives.

“For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:” Proverbs 1:29

The “gospel” for spiritual cowards who refuse to press into the kingdom of God by daily crucifying the deeds of the sinful nature, is a false “gospel” which perverts the original Gospel once delivered to the saints (Jude 3-4). These who deny Christ instead of their sin, are those who consequently migrate to the unconditional eternal security teaching. A “gospel” which does not include the cross (crucifying all the sinful deeds of the body and mind), is “another gospel.” (2 Cor. 11:4) Unlike Christ Himself, the OSAS (once saved always saved) “gospel” never demands that one deny self, take up his cross daily and truly follow the Master (Luke 9:23). It is the “gospel” that allows one to have a “form of godliness”, yet “denying the power (authority; rule; lordship) thereof.” (2 Tim. 3:5) (False prophets purposely dodge certain Biblical texts in the Bible. If they do review them, a spin is placed on the plainness/exactness of these words of God.) This is the feel-good “gospel” of ease (Amos 6:1). This is the “gospel” for those who want their sin and Jesus too. Jesus made it clear though that there are conditions for being His disciple and receiving His kingdom, all others will be eternally damned:

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:23-26

Let’s face it, as Christians we all have sins we daily struggle with, that’s not the issue (1 John 1:8,10). There is no argument about the Biblical truth that “the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other.” (Galatians 5:17) The issue is, that some of us choose to face those iniquities, while others deliberately decide to justify their sins with so-called “christian” doctrines which are not Biblical whatsoever.

“He that covereth (does not repent of) his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

The problem starts when one stops fighting the good fight and laying hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12). (“Fighting” and to “lay hold” are commands concerning “eternal life”.)

Many who start out fighting the good fight of faith, eventually allow their love for God to wax cold and start justifying their sins instead of seeking the Almighty with Biblical repentance for the rooting out of that which defiles (Luke 8:13; John 6:66).

Again, we must be aware that many today are finding a cloak for their sinfulness through false teachings prevalent within the Church world. Instead of pleasing God by living a life of repentance and crucifying the flesh, many justify their sins by hiding behind a false “gospel” which purposely excludes much of what Scripture states. This inoculated message is soothing and insidious and lulls its victim into a spiritual sleep which will prove to be fatal in the end if one is not recovered out of it.

The Fire Lies Behind

“Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.” Jeremiah 13:16

According to the Bible verse above and below and many others, those whom Jesus saves and yet do not continue to walk toward Christ, the Light of the world, will, without fail, revert back to their sinful type and fall away.

“Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.” John 12:35

To keep the fire of darkness, sin, and hell in the rear view mirror, we must abide in Christ, to “walk in the light, as he is in the light.” (1 John 1:7)

Did the LORD not promise us that those who do not receive the love of His truth will be sent by Him “strong delusion”? (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

Those not fighting are falling away – “FIGHT the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12)

Those who are not fighting the good fight of faith today will not finish the course with Christ or keep the faith of Christ essential to be with Him eternally – “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Timothy 4:7)

COMING TO THE LIGHT

Jesus made it clear that coming to the light the first time, for initial salvation, was the beginning, but not all that is required for final salvation:

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light (initially and continually), that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21

Those who come to the light, who seek the LORD with a whole and sincere heart, do so in order to come clean on it all – to be transparent, honest, and repentant for all darkness.

The true and Heaven bound disciple not only comes to the light initially but also he continues to come clean before the LORD – in repentance and denouncing and crucifying out of his life anything that defiles him in the eyes of a holy God.

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24:16

Those who are God’s, wicked as we all are, will be manifested by ever coming to His light, to admit and restitute for every dark thought and deed. No stone unturned.

Jesus’ bride is choosing to have “no part dark” (Luke 11:36).

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

One who has been saved must continue to come to the light, that is, live in obedience to God (Matthew 7:21; James 1:22). It is not enough to have come to the light once, one must continue to come to the light till the end of his life or his initial salvation is null and void (forfeited). See Ezekiel 33:12-13; Matthew 10:22; Heb. 2:1-3; 3:6,14, 10:26-39; Col. 1:23; Rev. 2:10-11, etc.

“But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

One who comes to the light – gets saved – must continue to come to the light or he closes the door of forgiveness and the blood of Christ no longer cleanses him. Read 1 John 1:7 again (above). Perpetual cleansing is contingent upon the obedience of the individual recipient of the grace of God. Notice in 1 John 1:7 that “fellowship” and “the blood of Jesus Christ” cleansing “us from all sin” is conditioned upon “if we walk in the light.”

“He that covereth (does not repent of) his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

CONCERNING SINS, Proverbs 28:13 REVEALS THAT:

“He that covereth (does not be honest about and repent of) his sins shall not prosper…”

God continues to extend to us His forgiveness based upon our confessing and forsaking our sins. The person who chooses to cover his sins will not prosper. His spiritual growth is in reverse and his eternity at stake. He must repent and establish righteous paths as detailed in Scripture or God will not hear his prayer (Psalms 18:20; 66:18).

Many of us are aware of the Calvinistic falsehoods in the Church world which exclude repentance from the gospel and avoid the conditions holy Scripture details.

Biblical salvation requires that one repent and believe on the LORD Jesus Christ to be saved and continue to repent of his sins, abiding, remaining to the end with Christ (John 15:1-6). If one does not, he will cease to be cleansed by the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7; Luke 13:3,5).

The unconditional eternal security proponents/leaders are livid at the hearing of any doctrine (even from Scripture) that requires personal responsibility. They blow “grace” up into something the Bible never even implies, much less, teach. Regardless of how big an audience these leaders have or how popular their name is, they teaching false doctrine and “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (a license for sin).” (Jude 3-4) These lies must be contended against – souls are in the balance. Unconditional eternal security is the very first thing Satan preached in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:17, 3:4). Friend, it is our divinely appointed mandate to defend the original Gospel once delivered to the Body of Christ. (Phil. 1:17; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Jude 3-4)

“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. For 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 (a license for sin), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4

Those who follow the coward “gospel” are those who deny Christ instead of their sin, and will be denied by Him in that final day (Matthew 10:32-33; 2 Timothy 2:12; Matt. 7:21). There are many who vainly suppose that they will not be judged for their doctrinal deceit and sins, but God says they will be:

“All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword (judgment), which say (in their doctrine), The evil shall not overtake nor prevent (stop) us (from going to Heaven).” Amos 9:10

Some “say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.” That is, they imagine that they will not be judged nor prevented from entering the eternal kingdom of God for their sins because God sees them through the blood of Christ due to their initial born-again experience. Does God indiscriminately cleans the sins of those who have been saved in the past? 1 John 1:7 states that only those who walk in God’s holy light are kept (remain) in fellowship with Him and are continually cleansed by the blood of Jesus. According the Bible, we must repent to be cleansed.

Many are taught and teach that they are not accountable for their actions, attitudes, thoughts or words anymore (since they got saved), and that God does not judge them for sin any longer because He sees them through the blood of Christ. In other words, 1) Their salvation changes the very nature of God – God ceases to be holy and just, and, 2) they have no responsibility to live holy (see Titus 2:11-12; Rom. 6:1-2).

The ‘once saved always saved’ doctrine teaches that all sins, past, present and future are forgiven. Let us ask ourselves, “Is this what the Bible says?” Check this little nugget out:

“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.” Romans 3:25

Note the term “sins that are past.” Where is there any mention here of future sins unconditionally or indiscriminately being forgiven??? (This was the perfect place for the Holy Spirit to reveal such if it were so.) It is clear from Scripture that all sins, past, present and future, are already paid for by Christ’s blood, but that His blood is only applied where there is true repentance. Scripture gives no assurance that any future sins are automatically forgiven. The forgiveness of future sins is conditional upon the continued obedient faith of the individual.

“But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

When we choose the sins of the flesh over the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we forsake our own mercy (Jonah 2:8). In this we would rather wallow in the sins of the flesh rather than to face the God we give lip service to. The “irresistible grace” adherent is taught that he does not have to repent of his wickedness (sins) – all under the banner of being eternally secure or ‘once saved always saved.’ As for the propagators of this myth:

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ (because they use it to justify their sins): Whose end is destruction (eternal damnation), whose God is their belly (sinful appetites), and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.).” Philippians 3:17-19

‘Once saved always saved’, like many false teachings through the centuries, is merely a cloak for man’s sinful nature which God commands to be crucified. This teaching justifies men in their iniquities whereas divine truth helps men to be cleansed and delivered from the penalty and burden of sins. This is why Jesus came – to make captives free from sin and its bondages (Matthew 1:21; 11:28-30; John 1:29; 3:17; 8:31-32).

Here are instructions and promises concerning being received of God as His children:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; AND I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

INSTRUCTIONS Listed in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1:

Conditional PROMISES Listed in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1:

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13

Those who truly love Christ and His glorious appearing, are those who, at all costs choose daily to please God by putting away the deeds of the sinful nature and seeking to live holy in His sight (Col. 3:1-13). Oh yes, when we fall, we are to continue to get up and seek the face of the God who loves us and has our ultimate good in mind. This is the heart that is after God. The LORD is “good” to us and “ready to forgive.” Take a look:

Psalms 86:5, 15 “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee…But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

PRAYER: LORD Jesus, please shine Your holy light into my heart and life. May there be no part dark in this vessel dear LORD. Please unite my heart to fear Thy name. I love You my LORD Jesus. Teach men. Help me please. Break me dear LORD. In Jesus’ name.

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The Holiness of God [podcast]

The Sanctified, Cleansed Church Jesus is Returning For [podcast]

“Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory” [podcast]

Moments with Our Master 365 Day Devotional [ book ]

Abiding

The Chosen are being Called and Prepared to “Go” [podcast]

Jesus didn’t say “stay.”

Jesus commanded us to “Go” (Matthew 28:18-20).

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

“They Desire a Better Country”

“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:” Genesis 12:1

“By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange COUNTRY, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:” Hebrews 11:9

“For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a COUNTRY.” Hebrews 11:14

“And truly, if they had been mindful of that COUNTRY from whence they came out, they might have had the opportunity to have returned.” Hebrews 11:15

“But now they desire a better COUNTRY, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:16

Billions lie unreached.

“Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” Psalms 2:8

BE WARNED….

That if you dare ask God to prepare and use you, the adventure of serving as you are accomplishing His Great Commission is going to begin and gain steadily increasing traction and fruitfulness! Read John 15:1-16.

It all begins with a simple, sincere prayer, a request to God to use you—and therefore begin now to prepare you.

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

The LORD can use us to the degree we’ve sought Him for and submitted to His strippings, purgings, His preparation.

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10

God has a plan to remove that which does not belong in you and to establish what does.

“to root out” (destructive)
“to pull down” (destructive)
“to destroy” (destructive)
“to throw down” (destructive)
“to build” (constructive)
“to plant” (constructive)

When Jesus cleansed the temple, after rooting out the evil, He then installed the purity, prayer, praise, and power (Matthew 21; John 2).

God has His order. One thing comes before the other.

When you Go, that’s when you are going to Know!

“Christianity is not American and America does not define Christianity! We need to stop trying to merge the two together. Jesus died for people all over this world, and Christianity existed long before America was even a thought. I am a Christian who physically resides in the USA, but this world is not my home. I long for an eternal kingdom.” Gloria Sykes

When you obey Christ and “Go” there will be a harvest of souls—some you will see and many you will not.

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalms 126:5-6

Thanking God and you for pausing to lift up the blessed saved souls to Jesus in PA. From Tom and Karen Cochran:

“God has opened up a door for us to minister in a nursing home. People in there are hungry. They have been stripped of their pride! They need help just to do everyday things we take for granted. Very few have family or friends who visit. All their material possessions are pretty much gone, and once put in a home they know this is probably where they will die. They have no hope. And that is why they are hungry! Jesus gives them hope! We have seen many completely changed by the gospel and power of Christ! Jesus saved a one- hundred- and-five-year-old woman, and after she prayed she began to sing ‘Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so’!”

People are eternal. Are you investing in people, eternal souls?

Are you personally participating in, contributing your time, talents, and treasures into the Great Commission Jesus gave us? See the end of Matthew and Mark.

MESSAGE ON AMERICA:

“Lately I have been seeing many taking to the streets to preach the gospel and it is shocking to see the response of Americans. In their pride and arrogance they keep right on walking and don’t even look up. Too busy in their comfortable lives. Headed for the path of destruction and they could care less.”

REPLY:

Seems this is how America could, should be viewed: “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matthew 10:14-15).

Who are the people who are going to be with Jesus?

“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are CALLED, and CHOSEN, and FAITHFUL.” Revelation 17:14

Luke 9:57-62

“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Of this passage at the end of Luke 9, one writer notes the following:

“9:61 The third would-be disciple resembled the first in that he volunteered to follow Christ. He was like the second in that he uttered the contradiction, “Lord … me first.” He wanted first to say goodbye to his family. In itself, the request was reasonable and proper, but even the common civilities of life are wrong if they are placed ahead of prompt and complete obedience.

9:62 Jesus told him that once he put his hand to the plow of discipleship, he must not look back; otherwise he was not fit for the kingdom of God. Christ’s followers are not made of half-hearted stuff or dreamy sentimentality. No considerations of family or friends, though lawful in themselves, must be allowed to turn them aside from utter and complete abandonment to Him. ….

And so we have three cardinal hindrances to discipleship illustrated in the experience of these men:

1. Material comforts.
2. A job or an occupation.
3. Family and friends.

Christ must reign in the heart without a rival. All other loves and all other loyalties must be secondary.”

Matthew 9:35-38

The 3 Ways God’s People Participate in Christ’s Great Commission

1. Praying for Christ’s laborers (Matthew 9:35-38).

2. Witnessing, sowing and communicating the Word (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 8:11).

3. Supporting, supplying those of God’s people who are doing His Great Commission, preaching the Word (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Philippians 2:25; 4:16-20).

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

PRAYER: LORD, sanctify my life. This is YOUR life. Put me exactly where you want me on Your planet. Use this life dear LORD. In Jesus’ name.

Prepared to be Used of God | Great Commission

Spanish Content on SafeGuardYourSoul

Prepared and Powerful [podcast]

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Mexico needs Missionaries [podcast]

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Counting the Cost - Following Jesus to the End of Your Life [podcast]

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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 […]

Communicating The Gospel in Spanish

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 6 Saints, here are a few Gospel statements in Spanish to learn in order to open up a whole new world, a waiting mission field! I was overjoyed to share the Gospel in Spanish with a young man recently who was from Mexico. Upon speaking the Word to Him about Jesus Christ being the only way to God, his countenance lit up immediately and he began to smile and rejoice. To make double and triple sure […]

JESUS Tract in Spanish

[this is the actual text of the JESUS tract] JESUS tract SPANISH (click to download print-ready PDF)] [JESUS tract English (click to download print-ready PDF)] El acontecimiento más descatado de la historia de la humanidad ocurrió cuando este hombre, Jesucristo, murió en una cruz romana. Cuando Él murio, una oscuridad intempestiva cubrió la tierra a las 3 de la tarde y se produjo un terremoto cuando tomó su último aliento. Este hombre llamado Jesús fue crucificado. Tres días después resucitó de entre los muertos! He aquí por qué murió: “Pero vuestras iniquidades (pecados) han hecho división entre vosotros y vuestro […]

Articles

“A Just Weight is His Delight” and Gouging is Sin

Gouging is Ungodly – and God is Watching, Sees All, and will Repay Accordingly

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8

Scripture informs us of the LORD that “true and righteous are thy judgments” and God requires that those who know Him will deal justly – in just weights and measures (Revelation 16:7).

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8

Doing justly before God would mean dealing equitably with men. When you read the following passage, keep justice, greed, and fearing God in mind:

“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. 2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. 8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.” Proverbs 11:1-8

Wicked unrepentant people forge ahead in their sin, continuing to live separated from God, vainly believing that because He hasn’t yet judged them that He won’t in the future. Justice is a death march to the irrevocable fire of eternal hell.

“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11

So when you go to a store, who has decided the pricing on each item? you or them? obviously when 2 individuals negotiate for the sale of an item between themselves, they come to an agreement on the price. the fact that a person in a situation like this, can pay whatever they wish for something if it has value to them, in no way negates just weights and measures as begins with God Himself …. There are standards to be measured against in determining the value of something. you can’t blank out what we find originating in Scripture. So, have you ever heard of real estate appraisal? If so, what’s this field of work for? What does it measure? What’s its purpose?

Charging more than the actual value is sin unless the buyer requests to pay more for it perhaps in order to obtain the item before someone else does.

Gouging arises from wicked hearts who greedily covet the things of this fleeting world. Greed is not a virtue, it’s a soul damning sin.

“Labour not to be rich (the sin of greed): cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. 6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. … 17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.” Proverbs 23:4-7, 17

The utmost fear and wisdom of God must be observed from His Word when setting prices for products and services. Seems best to under price a bit rather than over price, gouge. In the flesh, is it not easy to get greedy when setting prices for the product and/or services your company offers? Yet what is the long term affect on your community, your clients?

Think about those people you’ve done business with who price fairly and how that made you feel about them and how it affected your repeat business with them. Seems to me that those who fairly price their product/services are exponentially more likely to be established in a community with good reputation and honor.

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1

In every economy there are standards of measure and appropriate pricing or prices set accordingly…. The further a people distance themselves from God, from the instruction of His Word, the deeper in rebellion that nation plunges, the more skewed are the weights and measures. John Quincy was instrumental in laying the foundation for just weights and balances in America.

“John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States, liked to measure things – the width of a river, the distance between two points – by counting his steps…. When Adams became Secretary of State in 1817, his fascination with measurements coincided with the desire of Congress to establish a uniform standard for weights and measures across the United States. After three-and-a-half years of obsessive work (which frustrated his wife, Louisa), John Quincy Adams produced his Report Upon Weights and Measures. He thought it would be his most important literary accomplishment.

Fixing the Standard of Weights and Measures

The importance of everyone in the country using the same system of weights and measures was recognized by the founders of the United States. The Constitution gave Congress the power to ‘fix the Standard of Weights and Measures’ (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 5). However, there was no agreement as to which weights and measures should become the national standard. Each of the original thirteen states was using its own weights and measures, which differed from those used by other states. No Congressman wanted to be blamed for changing his constituents’ customary way of measuring things.

All of the early presidential messages to Congress included an appeal for legislation to establish a uniform system of weights and measures. In 1790, at the urging of George Washington, the House of Representatives asked Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson to draw up a plan. Jefferson put forward two options: one a refinement of the existing English system of weights and measures; the other a new decimal system based on the foot. Jefferson’s report was transmitted by the House to the Senate, where a select committee concluded that, since Britain and France were each considering national standards of measure which could become a universal standard, it was not desirable, ‘at present, to introduce any alteration in the measures and weights which are now used in the United States.’ (2) In 1796, the House passed ‘An act directing certain experiments to be made to ascertain uniform standards of weights and measures for the United States,’ but the bill was never taken up by the Senate.”

Applying a higher or lower price for what something is actually worth is the definition of unjust weights and balances. Today we see the greed of men manifested when they overcharge or gouge their neighbor by charging more than what is just for a service or product.

Gouging is sin, it’s a form of not loving your neighbor, it’s taking advantage of your neighbor, your fellow man.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12

“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:39

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:10

A friend of mine told me: “Those in business today who gouge people by overcharging them do it because no one stands up and holds them accountable.” In other words, as long as they can get away with it, they will do it.

He is correct. As I think back, there one particular example that comes to mind of recent, where in my estimation, I was the victim of gouging, of unjust weights and balances.

$22 for a plate lunch, a to-go lunch which was not a large volume of food and no drink was included (which I personally never get anyway) and they didn’t even have empty cups or water available.

These gougers have all kinds of ways, sayings, they use to “justify” their charges, such as “it’s industry standard pricing,” or “standard price charged by everyone in our industry.” etc.

After being gouged, I contacted them, their leadership, and sought to reason. Neither budged and so I exposed them with one star reviews and an explanation as to why I viewed their charges as gouging, as an unjust weight and balance.

“Just balances, just weights… shall ye have.” Leviticus 19:36

“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.” Proverbs 11:1

We usually quote the first part of this verse and apply it to spiritual balance, which is fitting and true. Yet the application of this statement involves charging our neighbor equitably for goods and services.

Isn’t it best to charge fairly and sleep well?

Stealing from others, gouging, unjustly greedily overcharging others, brings curses which includes not being able to sleep soundly. Listen to the wisdom of our God in Solomon:

“The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?” Ecclesiastes 5:12-16

Covetousness and greed run rampant among fallen men and yet greed and covetousness will reap the just reward of eternal damnation.

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:5-7

“Thou shalt not steal.” Exodus 20:15

Overcharging another, gouging, is stealing. Any person who is perpetrating thievery on others, and this includes overcharging/gouging, is ungodly and cannot sleep well. Such is an unrepentant sinner. Is it really worth and unclean conscience? Is it worth spending eternity in hell? Though completely ignored by the professing apostate church world today, all sin must be cut off from our lives, must be crucified (Mark 9:43-49).

“Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36-37

“Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Leviticus 19:36

“A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.” Proverbs 16:11

“But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Deuteronomy 25:15

PRAYER: Father You are holy. Please forgive any greed in my heart. Please, from this moment forward, bring deep conviction of sin to my conscience LORD. Break me to the core of my being and grant that all stony places in my heart be replaced with an heart of flesh. Please unite my heart to fear Thy name dear LORD. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith in Resurrection [podcast]

When we die downward and are dead and buried with Christ, we can be assured that God is going to raise us upward.

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11

Romans 6:1-14

“1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed (brought to naught, nullified), that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

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

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

The Crucified Life | Travis Bryan III

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