“Man what a great podcast – Daily Bread. I agree with you based off Scripture 100%.” Will | Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
QUESTION ASKED:
“Please provide scripture to support your statement that ‘if you aren’t in the word daily you are backslidden and not ready to meet Jesus’?”
I am a follower of Christ and have extensively studied the Word. Please provide specific scripture that says if you don’t read the Bible every day you are backslidden and not ready to meet Jesus.”
REPLY:
The word “daily” appears 7 times in the Gospels directly spoken by or speaking of our LORD Jesus. “Daily” is found 63 times in God’s Word.
You are fooling no one except yourself to say that seeking, walking with God isn’t “daily.” And, that seeking the LORD doesn’t integrally involve reading, pouring prayerfully over, searching, studying, meditating up, and memorizing His Word.
Does God’s Word save us? Are we saved by God’s Word?
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:23-25
“18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. … 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:18, 22-25
The mere act of being in God’s Word daily, in and of itself, doesn’t save us and yet, being daily in His Word proves we, who are born again, are remaining in Christ – continuing in “the perfect law of liberty” – both in reading and doing it (James 1:22). The abiding disciple is continuing in the words of Christ – seeking, desiring, worshipping, and obeying Him. Our obedience to God is our expression of love to Him – that is, if we truly love Him (John 14:15).
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105). How often does the disciple, the wise virgin believer need his path lit? Weekly? Monthly? Daily?
Do you seriously believe that the 5 wise virgins who made it into the eternal bridal chamber, who endured to the end of their espousal period, casually got around to keeping their vessels full? Or, did they fervently, worshipfully, daily, diligently, obediently, and vigilantly keep their lamps, their lives, under the spout where the glory comes out? Have you read that parable of the 10 virgins recently? (Matthew 25:1-13)
The feeding of Christ’s flock would integrally involve exhorting them to diligently study and walk in God’s Word themselves, daily (John 21:15-17). Isn’t this exactly what the apostle Paul told Timothy to do? Yes. He told his understudy to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
One of the ways we know who the false ministers are, is that they want people dependent on THEM, not God. So, they don’t constantly exhort the people to get into God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures, for themselves. Run.
3 Daily Essential Basics for Every Believer
1. Daily Bible study (Job 23:12; Jer 15:16; 1 Pet 2:2)
2. Daily life of prayer (1 Thess 5:17)
3. Daily fellowship with other true believers (Acts 2:42-47; Heb 3:13; 10:25)
How does divine light enter into, get into the hearts and minds of God’s people? – “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalms 119:130). The light of the LORD enters our hearts and minds as the words of God enter our eye gates, minds, hearts. How often do we need God’s light in our darkened hearts, in this dark, fallen world? Every once in a while? When we get around to it? Or, daily, at all times, perpetually?
“Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called DAILY upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.” Psalms 88:9
Was David, the very one the LORD said was “a man after mine own heart,” a man who sought God, who tended to his relationship with the LORD seriously, was consumed in his love for God? Or, does that convey that David casually attended to the LORD?
What timeframe is the psalmist speaking of when he writes the following? The psalmist, David, the man after the heart of God, wrote: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice”? Daily (Psalms 55:17).
3 times daily …
Beloved David is the only man we find in the record of Holy Writ whom the LORD said is “a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). As we just read, David sought God daily – “Evening, and morning, and at noon.”
It is a fact that each and every person reading these words serves self daily. So, if we serve self DAILY and yet aren’t seeking the face of the LORD daily, what does that reveal? Does that reveal that Jesus is our “first love” or a mere hobby? See Revelation 2:4-5.
The counsel of God is the very “thoughts of his heart” and are recorded in the Bible, His Word.
“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” Psalms 33:11
God is not available to the casual seeker (Jeremiah 29:11-14).
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein DAY and NIGHT, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8
“Day and night” is clearly referring to each and every DAY – and not only in the day but also in the night, God’s Word is to rule in our lives!
In Psalm 1, we see the contrast between the righteous and the ungodly:
“But his (the righteous man) delight is in the law (Word) of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. … the ungodly are not so…” Psalms 1:2, 4
Jesus says to those He has saved that we must “abide” (continue, remain) in and with Him to the end or be cast into the fire (John 15:6). Would you like to explain how that’s possible without the divine fuel of God’s Word?
God’s Word gloriously gets into us – as we get into it, daily. Make the beautiful, quality decision today, right now, that from tomorrow morning forward, you will awake to seek the LORD your God, to get into His holy Word, to give Him thanks for all He’s done and doing, and quality moments in prayer communion.
“It is written, Man shall not live (have life with God) by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
The LORD expects each of those He saves, to remain “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine”…
“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6
Again, a statement I’ve often made is “Any person who was saved in the past and yet isn’t presently in God’s Word daily, is already backslidden.”
It’s interesting that the people who occasionally balk at such a statement, seem to prove they are in darkness and defending their own rebellion, instead of hearkening to the truth in repentance. Anyone who can get up daily and feed their face natural food, fill their mind with the world’s news, etc., and not desire and devour God’s Word, is clearly lukewarm at best, and ready to be spued (rejected) from Christ’s body as He promised to do (Revelation 3:15-16).
If a person who was saved by Christ doesn’t follow Him on HIS stated terms – they are backslidden, period.
Did Jesus say His true disciples follow Him and receive His bread (Word) weekly, monthly, or daily? See Matthew 6:11; Luke 9:23-24. Any person not walking with Jesus on HIS terms, is backslidden. And Christ’s stated terms include “daily.”
Jesus says His people are to pray “Give us this day, our DAILY bread” (Matthew 6:11). How do you suppose that spiritual “bread” is received, ingested, other than by reading God’s Word? Jesus quantified following Him as being “daily” (Luke 9:23-24). Anyone not following Jesus “daily” is not following Jesus.
“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12
How is God’s Word going to get into me if I am not getting into it?
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2
How is the believer going to “grow” if he’s not desiring and devouring God’s Word? He’s not. In fact, he’s going to grow weary, weak, and faint.
Growing in the grace of Christ comes from desiring and ingesting His words. Anyone not growing in Christ is and has fallen away.
BE NOT DECEIVED: YOU CANNOT SUSTAIN A LIFE WITH CHRIST WITHOUT DAILY FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM!
YOU MUST “DESIRE THE SINCERE MILK OF THE WORD” AND FEED YOUR SPIRIT THE WORD OF GOD DAILY OR YOU WILL GROW WEAK VERY QUICKLY AND FALL AWAY (1 PETER 2:2). JESUS CALLS US TO BE “NOURISHED UP IN THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE” (1 TIMOTHY 4:6).
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
By definition, seeking “continually” would definitely be “daily”, and not casually as if He, the Son of God, were a mere hobby and not our “first love” (Revelation 2:4-5).
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37
Is it not more than obvious that we love self more than we love Christ when we tend to self, and serve self daily and not the Savior?
What does this say for the person who can do many things daily but chooses not to seek God daily? He eats food and drinks drink daily, right? Why? Because they are important to Him. What people do DAILY is what they count to be important.
The reason we eat physical food daily is because we count it important to nourish our physical body, right? Well, do you count feeding our spirit (which is eternal) daily? If not, why? – because we don’t count our spiritual life with Christ important which means He is not our “first love” and also that we are lukewarm (Revelation 2:4-5; 3:15-16).
Daniel sought and served God “continually” and not casually (Daniel 6:16, 20). By this example we know that this godly man truly knew, loved, worshipped, and obeyed the LORD. The LORD was not a second class citizen in his life but rather his “first love.”
“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” Daniel 6:10
Beloved Daniel, in the face of the threat of his very life, sought God “continually,” as “he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God.” Oh, and notice it says “as he did aforetime” which means that Daniel, in peace time, before the present threat he faced, always sought the LORD. Simply put, Daniel, like every other true disciple of Christ, puts God “first” and not self.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
When a man loves a woman, does he think about and communicate with her weekly, monthly, or daily? Does he want to hear her voice once in a while or daily? The answers to these questions are more than obvious.
If I am not into God’s Word, how can God’s Word possibly be getting into me?
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” John 15:3
When God is speaking to His obedient disciple, through the ingestion of His words, there is a continual cleansing “with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26). This is not happening unless one is truly continuing with Christ via His Word. Each and every abiding disciple of Jesus relishes, diligently devours, and lives by His words (John 8:31-32).
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17
Christ makes it clear here that sanctification occurs in every abiding disciple of Jesus “through thy truth” which is His Word. In the divine economy, the truth and the Word are synonymous.
“Continual Feast”
“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15
According to Proverbs 15:15, let us ask: How is any follower of Jesus ever going to have a heart filled, full of His perpetual divine joy if that disciple isn’t filling His heart and mind with God’s Word daily? Not going to happen. Get into God’s Word and stay in it – every day with no exception – wake to seek His holy face each morning. Live by truth and never feeling. You are crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20).
“Searched the Scriptures DAILY”
“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures DAILY, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:10-11
Those who truly serve the LORD don’t casually get around to reading His Word. Instead, true followers of Christ deliberately put Him “first” (Matthew 6:33). He is their “first love” and not second or a hobby (Revelation 2:4-5).
Proverbs 4
“1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Pro 4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Grace and Truth Bible School (free upon request)
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God | Word of Faith Wolves and Delusion Exposed | Confess This | Personal Testimony of Todd Tomasella | Beware of False Promises and Half Truths | Exposing the False Prophetic Movement [podcast]
Abiding
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 crucify the flesh, the evil deeds of the body, the flesh will crucify Christ out of our lives. Pray and read Romans 6 each morning this week.
Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan by dying and not by first rising up (Hebrews 2:14). This is how we also are brought forth into His victory by Him – through our own weakness. Let’s give our ear to hear Christ’s apostle Paul:
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
It’s interesting that the vast majority of pastors today insist that it’s impossible to stop sinning and be delivered – as if Jesus failed, didn’t provide a perfect redemption that dealt with past, present, and future sin and complete victory through it all (1 Corinthians 15:57-58; Titus 2:11-14).
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-32, 36
Victory and our place with Christ are contingent upon our continuing in His truth, abiding, remaining in Christ after He saves us (John 15:1-6).
They have no faith in the overcoming grace of Christ but instead treat it like a license to justify their sin, as they pretend to be trusting God by grace and faith… yet they never make the connection that Jesus came to redeem us and establish us with Him in His holiness as we look with joy for His soon return (Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16, etc). | Walking in the Full Victory of Christ!
The cross is surrendering. Don’t try harder, just die deeper!
The reason so many don’t take sin seriously and sit under sin-justifying wolves in sheep’s clothing, is because they do not fear nor take God seriously. Then they attack the true messengers of Christ who are declaring that God is holy and His requirement is non-negotiable: that anyone who will know and be with Him eternally cut off occasion for all sin as Jesus commanded in Mark 9:43-49 KJB. They talk about grace but only in the respect that their sins were initially forgiven, yet never in respect to divine grace being the divine influence and enablement in their daily lives to overcome all that displeases Him – as they worshipfully with great gratitude deny self, take up the cross and follow, abide in Jesus (Titus 2:11-14; Luke 9:23-24; John 15:1-6, etc.).
Death, Burial, Resurrection – You go down and God raises you up, daily. That’s the Gospel re-enacted in your daily life. There’s no other way to walk with, to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-24).
“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12
Once He shows you this cross revelation it’s over for your sin and Satan! This is the way we “Taste and see that the LORD is good” beloved (Psalms 34:8). The divine economy is a cross economy which cannot be short circuited. There are no shortcuts.
The safest place in His Universe is for us to be “HID with Christ in God.” How does such occur? (Colossians 3:1-4)
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
The more His Word runs rich in your spirit, soul, and mind, the richer, the more cutting and divinely blessed your praying is going to become.
We are crucified with Christ today saints. Christ alone is reigning supreme in us, raising us up out of that death and burial posture. In Jesus’ Name, the “old man” is dead and buried and Christ now lives and reigns in His resurrection power in our lives through us! (See Ephesians 4:22-24.)
Say, pray, memorize Galatians 2:20 beginning right now. Let it be the original Gospel anthem of your life from this day forward.
“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
Becoming prayerfully and steadily saturated in the cross message, concept, and application, is the only thing that brought a consistent victory over sin to this disciple.
In the divine economy, the death and burial guarantees the resurrection!
When we His people are dead and buried, His resurrection power is guaranteed. Nothing could stop the resurrection of Jesus Christ when the stone was rolled away! And nothing can stop the resurrection power of Christ working in His saints as they lay down their lives in this fleeting world!
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25
Must Take a Ruthless Stand
Concerning the necessity of a ruthless perspective toward the flesh via the cross, we must recognize that the flesh is a terrorist which means it cannot be negotiated with.
Yet there must be forged in us a ruthless perspective, toward our perception of the “never-going-to-die” flesh, a veritable terrorist with which you cannot negotiate or give place to. It will not die until forced, therefore the disciple must take a ruthless posture toward it – showing no mercy to the enemy of God! See Romans 6, 8; Galatians 5.
Never ever underestimate the depth of the deceit that is in the fallen human heart, human nature 1 (Corinthians 10:12; Hebrews 3:12-14; Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9).
We must allow no mercy for what God calls sin…the iniquities, the relentless evil within. It must be honestly dealt with, and perhaps we can observe that there are onion-type layers of evil, of deceit that we are buried in from which only God calls us and brings us forth (Proverbs 8:13; Psalms 97:10; Mark 9:43-49).
While Satan and his masquerading ministers seek to diminish the violation and penalty of sin, Jesus exponentially heightens our awareness of sin’s offense against a holy God when He warns us to cut off the hand and pluck out the eye that cause us to offend Him (Mark 9:43-49).
There is nothing in existence more important to stay safe from than HELL. That’s exactly what Jesus Christ taught. Read Mark 9:43-50 in the King James Bible (new versions have butchered that passage).
Rom 7. The cross must be applied with no respect to the evil desires, the sinful dictates of the flesh.
Our outlook toward the flesh should be “kill or be killed.”
“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
Kill or be killed – picture yourself being put in a room, locked in with just one opponent. Only one of you will be exiting.
A showdown – conquer or be conquered.
Life or death.
Sink or swim.
“But I keep under 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
Either the cross will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the cross.
“The Cross = The Signature of Jesus.” A disciple
“WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT”
The LORD removed Saul from his place of kingship due to the pride found in his heart that previously was not there. We must remain humble before our God and the only way this can happen is the daily cross.
“And Samuel said, WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?” 1 Samuel 15:17
The Bible clearly teaches us that if we do not obey the LORD, He will replace us. We are not irreplaceable and only pride in the heart of a person would convince him of such a lie.
When Esther was called upon by the LORD to go before her husband, the king of Persia, and intercede for the people of God, she was warned that if she chose not to obey God, she’d be replaced and her father’s house destroyed.
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
Ruthless simply and only applies to the PERSPECTIVE the believer must take toward the terrorist, the flesh.
There can be no concession, no compromise, no negotiating with the flesh. It must die and that only happens as we submit to the LORD.
The flesh will never be reformed, it is inherently evil, and must be crucified.
Those who’ve been saved and aren’t learning the daily cross, the crucified life, will never grow in Christ. The cross life is at the center of the kingdom economy of Christ. There are no shortcuts. Jesus taught that in order to follow Him, we must “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23-24). Any person whom Jesus has saved and isn’t learning the daily cross, is not truly following Jesus. Listen to the Lamb:
“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. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ Name, please do Your deeper work in me. Bless this life You died for to be truly crucified with Christ. Please make me Your authentic disciple. Cut away, circumcise every falsity, fakery, deceitful thing from my heart – everything that defiles me in Your holy eyes. Use me LORD, please. I love You. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Prayer | Manhood | The Conquering Cross of Christ [podcast] | The Cross Victory | Sin – Man’s Core Problem
Abiding
“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in all the World” [podcast]
“All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:8-14
The true remnant of Christ are known in that they are enduring to the end in the midst of iniquity, abounding and preaching the Gospel of Jesus the King to the world.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ, admitting I have been living for my own evil glory. I am a sinner. I’ve committed the sin of idolatry, having myself first instead of You. I admit here and now before You that I have been committing the damning sin of spiritual adultery. I have claimed to know You and yet refused to uncompromisingly adhere to Your Word. Here and now, right now if never before, I repent and ask You to forgive my sins and to wash me afresh from my sins in the precious blood of Jesus Christ my LORD. Into Your hands I commend, I submit my spirit, my life, right this moment and ask You dear LORD to fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me to preach Your glorious message of repentance to those around me so that they can receive the forgiveness of all their sins and walk in the times of refreshing from Your holy presence dear LORD. I love You Jesus. I am all Yours and I know You are all mine. In Jesus’ Name amen.
Here are all the ministry’s shorts (60 sec) videos. Feel free to share and subscribe to the ministry YT channel:
See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God | Waste | Stewardship | Giving | Let Him be Your Fear [podcast] | Why We Need Not Fear Death | Fear Not Little Flock | The Glorious Church Jesus is Returning For [podcast]
Articles
Obedience or Love – Which is Most Important? [podcast]
“IF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
Have you ever noticed the “If” of this statement by our LORD Jesus?
Okay, reread the words of Jesus above and see what comes first in the sentence – “love” or keeping His commands.
“IF you love me, keep my commandments” says Jesus (John 14:15). IF we don’t believe upon, know, and love Him there’s no use trying to keep His Word. He’s not speaking of keeping His Word in order to earn His justification but rather as the fruit of knowing Him in a saving relationship. The hell bound self-righteous pharisees knew God’s Word yet they refused to “COME” to Jesus – to love, honor, and believe upon Him (John 5:39-40).
“Few seem to understand the huge difference between obedience and legalism. We obey because we love God and we know obedience doesn’t save us. Legalism believes by obeying they are saved by it. We that are born again know only the blood of Jesus saved us but we also know that obedience proves we are saved and keeps us saved. It is joy to obey the Lord as we love what He loves and we hate what He hates. Amen.” Shirley Bruso
—- JESUS IS NOT GLORIFIED BY THE KEEPing OF HIS INSTRUCTIONS/COMMANDS BY THOSE WHO DON’T LOVE HIM …. LOVE COMES FIRST – LOVING AND WORSHIPPING HIM IS MOST IMPORTANT TO GOD. “IF IF, IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.” JOHN 14:15
“Ye are my friends, IF ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14
LOVE is the governing factor:
“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Of John 14:15 and 15:14, one source notes the following:
- John 14:15: Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” He makes keeping His words the direct proof of love.
- John 15:14: Jesus says, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” He shows that friendship with Him requires action and obedience.
- Love is the root: Jesus starts with love as the inner heart motive.
- Works are the fruit: Doing His commands is the outward action that proves the love is real.
- They are not separate: Jesus does not say love replaces works; He says love produces obedience.”
Love begins with God and any relationship requires reciprocating love – love flowing from each of the 2 parties to one another.
“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD TO HER.” Genesis 29:20
Jacob didn’t mind serving a whole 7 years for Rachel, because he loved her so much. The true disciple doesn’t view serving God as drudgery but rather delight – because he loves God supremely!
“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” John 16:21
“His commandment are not grievous”
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3
IF I don’t love Jesus, do you think He’s honored when I try to obey what He said? No.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…” Matthew 22:37
“IFFF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
IF WE LOVE JESUS, OBEYING HIM IS JOY, JUST AS IT WAS FOR JACOB AS HE SERVED A WHOLE 7 YEARS TO OBTAIN A LIFELONG MARITAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS BELOVED RACHEL (GENESIS 29:20).
Perhaps we are not understanding the divine economy as Christ meant us to understand Him. Jesus says “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14) It’s only IF I love Jesus that He is interested in my doing the things He told HIS true people to do, otherwise, my good works are in vain, even if I suffer martyrdom by burning my body – “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) IF WE DON’T LOVE HIM – truly – with our whole heart, mind, and strength He’s not interested in us obeying Him (Matthew 22:37-39). Now, of course, if I truly do love Him, I will obey Him and yet Jesus doesn’t want us to think we are impressing Him by outward obedience only. In the divine economy, it all begins with LOVE – “God so LOVED the world that He gave ….” (John 3:16) The Bible informs us that “The Lord looketh on the heart” and if He sees that I don’t truly love Him, He’s not interested in my vain outward show (1 Samuel 16:7).
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Those who truly know and love Him do His commandments. They don’t live on their own terms but rather on His. They delight to do His will because they truly seek, know, and love Him who bled to redeem their otherwise hopeless, wretched souls. Yet, obedience saves no one. Keeping His commandments doesn’t save you – the pharisees claimed to do that while refusing to come to Christ whom (John 5:39-40). No, God alone can save and He does so on His terms – initial and ongoing faith “which worketh by love” which is relationship. Yes, “faith … worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:6) Remember that even if a person goes so far as to give their body to be burned and has no love – they don’t love God, their obedience, their sacrifice is in vain (1 Corinthians 13:3).
1 Thessalonians 1:3 speaks to those already saved using the phrases “work of faith, and labour of love.” Please pay close attention to the words “faith” and “love.” “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
When God initially saves us, He puts a love in our hearts for Him which is manifested by putting our faith in Christ. Jesus taught that knowing the Father and Himself were cardinal in His kingdom. – “And this is life eternal (the whole purpose for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10
DID GOD send His only begotten Son to create an army of mechanical law-keepers OR a family who knows, worships, and adores Him? What does the Bible say is the cardinal reason for the whole plan of redemption? Why did God send His only begotten Son to bleed, be buried, and raised again to justify all who would come to Him? Are you familiar with what the LORD told us in Exodus 25:8, Matthew 22:37-40, and Philippians 3:10? We must have anchored in our hearts this glorious truth of knowing Him! Nothing else matters if we don’t relish Him, adore Him, and worship Him. If you name the name of Jesus Christ, it would greatly benefit your life, understanding. and ministry to memorize the words of the very Redeemer Himself as is recorded in John 17:3. More on that later.
If we love the LORD truly and our neighbor we will not steal, lie, covet, bear false witness, hate, commit adultery, OR any of those other sins and be walking in God’s perfect will. It’s really quite simple actually. But first we must examine this day whether or not we truly love Him.
One writer notes:
“Holiness is first and foremost agape love. Unconditional love for all, including enemies of us and enemies of God. This over-emphasis on repentance can make us the initiator and God the responder if we are not careful. God is always the initiator.”
IT IS MY OPINION THAT WE SHOULD BEGIN TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OVER-EMPHASIZE OBEDIENCE WHILE NEGLECTING TO PREACH THE COMMAND TO KNOW, LOVE, AND ABIDE IN CHRIST. ALL OF OUR OUTWARD OBEDIENCE IS IN VAIN IF WE DON’T AUTHENTICALLY LOVE HIM. MANY WHO PREACH SEEM TO BE DOING THIS AND ARE CALLING MANY TO WORSHIP AT THE ALTAR OF SELF BY PERPETRATING THE FALSE NOTION THAT CHRIST’S ONE PERFECT SACRIFICE WAS NOT ENOUGH. THIS SEEMS TO RESONATE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT TRULY AND UNRESERVEDLY SURRENDERED TO CHRIST AND WHO WANT TO FEEL AS IF THEY ARE HELPING TO EARN THEIR OWN SALVATION WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE. WHAT DOES ROMANS 4:4-5 TELL US?
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5
So, while it’s absolute that ALL who have saving faith in Christ are obedient and have good fruit in their lives, those good works and good fruit aren’t what saves them. No, good fruit merely evidences that there is a relationship. Christ alone can save and He does that instantly when a lost soul believes upon Him (John 6:47; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:1, etc.). The Great Shepherd of His sheep keeps His people saved as they keep themselves in the love of God, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 21: 1 Peter 1:5)
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21
The story of Jesus, Mary, and Martha is yet another place in the Scriptures of truth that clearly reveal what God is looking for from us – to love and to worship Him supremely.
“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
Jesus speaks to us of an abiding union/relationship with Him where He calls us His friends. I want to encourage you to read John 15 closely this week. In this discourse on the Husbandman (the Father), the Vine (Jesus), and the branches (us), you will note that the relationship precedes the fruit bearing. While the fruit reveals the root – testifies to the relationship – fruit doesn’t save, neither does obedience. God does require us to obey Him by putting our faith in Christ to save us, but it’s He who saves us. Jesus Christ alone can save. Ephesians 2:8-10 reveals that we are saved by His grace through our faith and that we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”
Consider that our LORD was “moved with compassion” toward those in need (Matthew 9:36). The great apostle said “the love of Christ constraineth (compels) us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)
At times we quote 1 John 2:4 and yet, let’s look at a wider angle of this passage:
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:3-6
“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice…” Matthew 9:13
“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Joel 2:13
Is loving God more important that obeying God? Both are obviously important and yet, in the divine economy, which is most important?
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Am I choosing and learning to “love the Lord” with my whole heart?
Andre Alexis writes: “Christianity is more than merely believing and obeying commands and reaping the promises of God. Christianity is not a religion: it is a relationship. And a relationship requires communication. Therefore, prayer is essential, because it is through prayer that you and I communicate with our heavenly Father.” …. This is a simple truth and yet bears stating as brother Andre did above. This is especially important due to the epidemic of charlatans which have promulgated a “what’s in it for me?” self-serving lifestyle upon millions who don’t bother to truly lay down their lives and see with their own eyes the full counsel of our LORD’s Word which actually communicate the very “thoughts of his heart.” (Psalms 33:11). The LORD wants a relationship with each of His children. He’s not just there to answer our every prayer while we commit spiritual adultery by wasting our time/lives in this fleeting world playing games, giving hours to frivolous foolishness, etc. He wants our hearts. Jesus told us the reason the Father sent Him in John 17:3. This was David’s and Paul’s whole goal in their respective earthly lives (Psalms 27:4, 8; Philippians 3:10). Jesus told us He wants an abiding relationship that bears fruit that remains to His eternal glory (John 15:1-16).
After being saved, under the new covenant, it’s not law keeping but rather abiding in Christ, amen? John 15 “Abide in me.”
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
PRAYER: Holy heavenly Father, I come to You impoverished in spirit. For without You dear LORD, we can do nothing. You are love and I am not and yet, I ask You here and now to more deeply imbue my innermost man with and teach me Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Uphold Jesus (audio)
Sign up for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | The Bridegroom is Calling His Bride | Purifying Ourselves as He is Pure [podcast] | 10 Clues Your Love for God is Waxing Cold [podcast] | More on the Sabbath of the New Testament – Jesus!
Recovering Biblical Womanhood [podcast]
Either Crucify the Flesh or it will Crucify Christ out of Your Life [podcast]
“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in all the World” [podcast]
Jesus Promised Judas an Eternal Throne in Heaven but He Chose to go to Hell #shorts [video]
Obedience or Love – Which is Most Important? [podcast]
FROM THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT by Jon Crane
Are Tongues Demonic? [podcast]
The Majestic Eternal Word [podcast]
THE AMERICAN DREAM DELUSION: Are You a “Dream Chaser” or a Jesus Seeker? [podcast]
Deliverance from Works-Righteousness or Law-Keeping
Mission Mexico Part 47
“THE FORMER SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED, NOR COME INTO MIND” [podcast]
How Christ’s Kingdom Evangelism Works [podcast]
Jesus Washes the Feet of His Own [podcast]
The Mission of the Spirit of Antichrist [podcast]
The Idiocy of Calvinism
Jesus Paid it All [podcast]
“Fear hath Torment” – 100% Deliverance from all Fear! [podcast]
THE AMERICAN DREAM DELUSION: Are You a “Dream Chaser” or a Jesus Seeker? [podcast]
Are Tongues Demonic? [podcast]
Jacob’s Ladder: What Does it Mean to Us? [podcast]
Was Jesus the “One and Only Son” OR the “Only Begotten Son”? [podcast]
Church History or the Scriptures? [podcast]
Obedience or Love – Which is Most Important? [podcast]
Apostasy Dialogues
Deliverance from Works-Righteousness or Law-Keeping
The Majestic Eternal Word [podcast]
Antichrist or Christ? [podcast]
“THE FORMER SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED, NOR COME INTO MIND” [podcast]
How Has Women Leaving Their Homes Hurt Culture?
Recovering Biblical Womanhood [podcast]
Either Crucify the Flesh or it will Crucify Christ out of Your Life [podcast]
“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in all the World” [podcast]
America1 year agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
- Articles3 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
- Articles8 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
- Apostasy3 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True
Providing Christ-centered Scripture-rich resources to feed, edify, and equip the body of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15).
Navigation
Quick links
Newsletter
Stay updated of the ministry operations. We saved a spot for you on the ministry email list.
© 2025 Safe Guard Your Soul. All Rights Reserved