The LORD is Exceedingly Holy and Infinitely Surpasses Finite Mankind
God is perfecting that which concerns His below people!!! (Psalms 138:8; Philippians 2:12-13, etc.)
YOU are a new creature in Christ! You are no longer who you once were!
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
When we take this following Bible truth seriously, perhaps today, and sever our past identity before and after salvation, reaching forth into Christ and our life with Him, deliverance will arise in our hearts.
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
God is going to be working in the hearts and lives of His people till we are home with Him forever (John 15; Philippians 2:12-13; Psalms 138:8).
I love to pray these Bible verses regularly!
His disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith!
“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5
Love it. Jesus did not rebuke them. Did you notice that detail?
Neither did Jesus rebuke John the Baptist for wavering, for lapsing for a moment in his faith (Luke 7:18-23). Our LORD spoke graciously to John the Baptist in his time of weakness.
“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
God is perfect in all His ways. We aren’t and He understands that. He always requires that we seek Him diligently and with faith.
“Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:15-16
Sinless perfectionism or expecting someone, anyone to reach the pefection of the law all by themself, which only Christ could do, is heresy.
“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. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:20-21
Preaching holiness without the cross leaves us to make ourselves holy.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:2-4
It’s through the power of the Holy Ghost that the abiding saint is divinely enabled to overcome, to live in Christ’s victory.
“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
Jesus’ solution for sin, His prescription for holiness, is the cross – the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20-21; Colossians 3:3, etc.).
Isn’t it just better to admit when we are wrong, to openly admit we are not sinless perfection but rather utterly, perpetually in need of God’s grace?
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
We are definitely to confess and forsake all sin and prayerfully via the daily crucified life to “perfect(ing) holiness” and yet it’s by God’s grace and His Holy Spirit raising us upward in His power that we are enabled to please God (Proverbs 28:13; 2 Corinthians 7:1, etc.). Preaching holiness without the cross – the crucified life – is a complete imbalance that will always lead to hell and foster self-righteousness. Romans 8:13 and Galatians 2:20.
Job 9:20 and Proverbs 20:9 crush sinless perfectionism.
“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 7:1
The true disciple cannot justify sin (Romans 6:1-2, 15, etc.). Yes Jesus says “be ye therefore perfect” and yet in that context, was He speaking of absolute moral perfection, or maturity? (See Matthew 5:44-48.) Yes, moral perfection is the goal, and holiness is essential (2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14, etc.), and yet the context of which Jesus speaks at the end of Matthew 5 is dealing with possessing a mature perspective, one that loves all men for whom He came and bled.
“Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” Hebrews 13:9
Perhaps the sooner we acknowledge that He alone is perfection and we are totally in need of His present, Christ-conforming grace, we shall be free to be molded by Him who is our Potter (Jeremiah 18:1-6; Romans 8:29). It’s important to get this out in the open, and perhaps God will be able to do a more natural work in us due to our open admission and surrender.
“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
I am not a good person, neither are you – “There is none righteous, no, not one“ (Romans 3:10). Admit it. The sooner we become HONEST with that which is more than obvious, announcing freely and transparently – that there is “NOOOO good thing” in us except CHRIST, the sooner God will begin a new, deeper work in us! See Romans 7:18, 24. The Cross!
Paul is speaking of the fact that no good except Christ dwells in him and that there is a constant war to be won by the power of the Holy Spirit and includes our participation in the daily cross – where we resign our will and lives over to Christ (Romans 8:12-14, etc.).
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24
Paul says he was presently a “wretched man” – “O wretched man that I AM (not was; but presently).” And what does that mean? That simply establishes the reason Jesus says we must deny self, be crucified with Him, and take up the cross to truly walk with Him (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20). There is still the sinful nature in each of us whom He has saved and it must be crucified daily so Christ can reign (Romans 6-7). Paul announced that he had to “KEEP under” (an ongoing task, a personal responsibility) or he would be cast away from or out of God’s presence in the end (1 Corinthians 9:27).
See also Psalms 39:4-5, Proverbs 20:9, Job 9:20, and 1 John 1:6-10.
God is able to establish our hearts in His grace and to multiply His grace to us (Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 3:18).
It seems biblical to announce that our LORD alone is perfect and is perfecting that which concerns our life. “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands” (Psalms 138:8). Praise the LORD that He is working in us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). No, this is not the notion of our reveling in sin without any responsibility for how we live, but rather the acknowledgement of His finding, saving, and sanctifying our lives as we participate in an honest, abiding, obedient, faith-filled relationship with Him.
“But I simply can’t overcome” is something we hear. Yet, through Christ alone, we’ve been given “Grace (divine enablement) to help in time of need” …
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
We have His overwhelming, absolute victory as we abide in Christ. No sin can or will dominate those who live that divinely-prescribed, crucified life so often read about in the pages of the New Testament Scriptures. Read Romans 6 prayerfully – every day this week.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14
Tragically, grace is often presented and peddled as a license to live free from all personal responsibility, independent of God. Is that what Scripture teaches about God’s grace? Study closely Jude 3-4 and Titus 2:11-14.
The LORD desires to “multiply” his grace to your life today. Ask Him. Father, we come in Jesus’ Name and ask You to multiply Your grace to Your people today. | Grace
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,” 2 Peter 1:2
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
Articles
Stripped and Sanctified with Travis Bryan III [podcast]
“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 allowed Job to be stripped. And I was also thinking of Jer 1:10. God uses what Satan meant to harm us for His good. Providence. Romans 8:28. As we know he did in Joseph’s life. I could be wrong but in this title is satan getting credit for stripping us?” Karen Cochran
Why Did God allow Job to Suffer, to be Tested?
Job’s Suffering, Testing
“The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.” Psalms 11:5
The accuser of the brethren claimed that Job only loved and served God for what blessings God brought upon him – for selfish reasons.
“Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” Job 1:9-11
“Job 1:11
a [put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath]
God’s Role in Affliction and Destruction
When Satan suggested that God put forth His hand and touch Job’s possessions, it was really a suggestion that God withdraw His hand of protection so Satan could destroy Job’s property (Job_1:11-12). Satan and evil forces are the agents of destruction, not God. The only sense in which God destroys is to withhold His protection and thereby turn an individual over to the devil to carry out his work upon that person. This truth is plainly demonstrated in the case of Job. Who was it that destroyed (Job_1:12-19) and afflicted the body (Job_2:7) when God permitted it to be done? The answer is Satan, and this will always be the case in instances of affliction and destruction (Luk_13:16; Jhn_10:10; Act_10:38). Satan brings about the actual happenings of accidents, sickness, disease, and calamity, then causes men to think that God brings these things to pass. Thus, He is blamed erroneously for the work of the devil by millions, even Christians who should know better. Permission by God is never the same as the work of Satan after permission is granted him: withdrawing protection and allowing another to destroy is not the same as the destruction itself. God’s work is that of deliverance; Satan’s is that of destruction (Jhn_10:10; Act_10:38).
b [he will curse thee to thy face] Satan’s theory was that no man serves God without personal material gain. If He withheld such blessings, any man would automatically curse and hate Him. This, of course, is not true, for millions have loved and served God without material gain.” Dake
“Job 1:6-12
B. Scene II: Heaven—The Lord’s Presence (1:6-12)
As the story unfolds we are told of a scene in heaven when the sons of God (angels) appeared before the LORD. Satan (the word is Hebrew for Accuser) also was present. When God spoke to Satan concerning the uprightness of His servant Job, Satan implied that the only reason Job feared God was that He had been so good to him. According to Satan, if the Lord had not put a protective hedge around Job, then he would have cursed his Creator to His face.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Hebrews 12:5-12
“5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;”
We must ask “Who am I when everything has been stripped, taken from me?” Job 1:21; 13:15
TODAY, in the crucified life, the mind of Christ, we worship God and serve others.
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Abiding
“The Knowledge of the Holy is Understanding” [podcast]
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
A long time friend of mine, after realizing that….
“Thank you for the lambasting.”
“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17
“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” Proverbs 1:5
“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:9-10
“The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” Proverbs 15:31-33
“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” Psalms 141:5
PRAYER: Father I want the knowledge of the holy. I want to know and serve You on Your terms and no other. Please forgive my sins which include being hardened in heart, being full of pride and rebellion, being therefore unteachable. Break me dear LORD. Let the righteous, let Your people rebuke me as is needed. I want to know, love, worship, and be with You forever. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Articles
“Called, and Chosen, and Faithful” [podcast]
“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
You are called and chosen of God…. yet are you faithful to Him?
Beware of any false teacher who is not stressing the biblical truth and necessity of faithfulness to the LORD.
Who’s going to be eternally with “the Lamb”?
We are all “called, and chosen” and yet only the “faithful” shall be with the Lamb in eternity.
“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
Lots of people using the word “chosen” to make money by getting views on youtube. Yet few speaking of being truly “faithful” to God. Anyone who repents, receives Christ, and is therefore saved by Christ, and yet doesn’t endure to the end faithful to God, is going to hell (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; Revelation 2:26, etc.).
This “chosen” word gets alot of attention because many wish to feel chosen by God and yet bring no reciprocating love back to God. And we all know that there is NO marriage without both parties loving on each other—powerfully. They want to feel special because their life is still all about them, not Jesus. They want God loving and choosing them but don’t have time to repent, lay down their life, and follow Jesus via the crucified life. They are all about self and not the Savior (Matthew 7:21-23; 25:40-45; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4, etc.).
“The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2
God does not remain in a relationship with any person who is walking in spiritual adultery.
Get that lie out of your system, now.
“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” 1 Corinthians 8:3
There’s no doubt ever that God is going to be faithful to us.
The question is though: Are we, am I faithful and true to the LORD?
“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13
The Bible word “chosen” is used often today as a buzz word, as if God chooses us because of how wonderful we are is perhaps the implication. Not.
- “called”
- “chosen”
- “faithful”
“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
No relationship exists without the recipient being “faithful.”
“Many be called, but few chosen.” Matthew 20:16
Jesus says His flock is a “little flock” (Luke 12:32).
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32
Matthew 25 is all about God’s calling and choosing and then the eternal outcome of those who obey and those who don’t.
The five foolish virgins are just as “called” and “chosen” as the five wise virgins. What’s the difference? The five wise virgins are “faithful” and the five foolish virgins are not and are going to have the door into eternal glory shut in their face. Read Matthew 25:1-13.
In His parabolic teaching of the talents that were doled out to His workers, what did Jesus tell us lies ahead for those who are not faithful stewards?
Of the unjust, the unprofitable steward that received His gift of one talent but buried it, Jesus says: “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).
And then just a few verses down we read this…
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:40-46
Many wish to deceive themselves into thinking they will enjoy an eternal relationship with the Great Bridegroom in Heaven and yet choose to refuse having a “first love” relationship with the Son of God in this time of testing…..
“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27
PRAYER: Open to Psalm 51 in the King James Bible and pray with David.
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