The biblical definition of HAPPY! Are you happy? True Happiness is defined in Holy Writ.
Though the happiest of people on His earth, for His true remnant, Christ is the goal, knowing Him – not happiness.
There is no such thing as a happy person who is not born again of the One who made us all. Impossible. The LORD created you to know Him, to have a personal relationship with Him and this life will never work out right until that relationship is in place (John 17:3). Is today your day to do business with God? >> Making Peace with God Now.
We deceive no one except ourselves when we think there is any other refuge, joy, peace, love, safety, security outside of our Maker, Jesus Christ.
The word “happy” appears 28 times in Holy Scripture.
In summation, we can observe that God’s Word conveys that those whom He has chosen, those who choose Him and therefore live on His terms, are the happiest people on His planet.
“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” Psalms 144:15
“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:” Psalms 146:5
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” Proverbs 3:13
That doesn’t mean they don’t suffer conflict and afflictions of various sorts and yet, they are possessed with an eternal perspective, love, joy, contentment, peace, and contentment!
Those who love and obey God’s Word are full of divine peace.
“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalms 119:165
Those who endure, who remain in, who abide with Christ to the end, are “happy.”
“Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:11
Those who suffer as they serve the LORD are “happy.”
“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;” 1 Peter 3:14
“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:14
Being Humble, Teachable, Correctable, and Pliable
“Behold, HAPPY is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.” Job 5:17-18
What we learn from this passage:
- “Happy is the man whom God correcteth”
- “despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty”
- “he maketh sore”
- “he…bindeth up”
- “he woundeth”
- “his hands make whole”
Humility is beautiful and may God bless you to wear and walk it well! James 4:6-10
Beware of the teaching and teachers who perpetrate a false happiness that does not align with the divinely-given ingredients of this passage.
“The man whom God correcteth…maketh sore…woundeth” is “happy” in the true sense – in God’s economy. Not the man who is entertained and told by false prophets that he is okay in his sin, but rather the one who endures the chastisement of the LORD and sound doctrine to his own hurt and wounding, that Christ, the Master Potter might “maketh sore” and “woundeth” then “bindeth up” and “make whole.”
Have you ever been wounded to health? As a child, were you spanked when you did wrong? If so, remember back to the sense of cleanness in your heart after the tears subsided. That is an example of being wounded to health.
In school, did you have art class? Have you ever worked with clay? If so you know how that there are many times when working with clay that you have to just start over. You have to crush the clay and ball it up and then begin rebuilding better. Isn’t this the picture the LORD painted for us? In order to form clay in the image the potter, the craftsman must add moisture, squeeze out the air pockets, reform, and reshape that clay.
“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.” Jeremiah 18:1-6
What was written concerning Israel was “written for our learning” and “for our admonition.” (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11)
The LORD our Potter works His work on the wheel of His molding. When He sees fit, He will mar in His fashioning and creative hands us, His clay. In this process He is making us “another vessel” as seems good to Him, the Master Potter. – “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.”
God’s Word plainly informs us that “he (God) hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” (Eph. 1:3-4) Beloved, do not fall prey to the fairy tale messages of modern-day moral pansies who like Joel Osteen, teach a happy message that is yielded through the serving of self (as he supposes). Christ came and died to make us holy, not happy (Matt. 1:21; Jn. 1:29; 1 Tim. 1:15, etc.). Although happiness will be born out of a clean heart, holiness, being set apart to the LORD, holy is what God is after, not the fruit of it. Modern day beguilers, who wield great influence in this self-serving last day generation, are leading millions to eternal damnation. They purposely leave out biblical truth such as the guarantee of sufferings, tribulations, judgment for sin, fasting, eternal damnation, the holiness of God, and essential nature of personal holiness for all who will be His, etc. True believers are called to endure sound doctrine and suffering (Matt. 10:22; 24:10-13; 2 Tim. 3:12; 4:1-4; 1 Pet. 2:21; 4:1).
The joy of the LORD truly is our strength and yet such a priceless spiritual fruit is yielded only as we abide in Jesus (Neh. 8:10; Jn. 15; Gal. 5:22-23).
These deceivers weave the tapestry of a false, featherbed “Christianity” that is totally irreconcilable with the Holy Spirit-inspired words of Jesus and His holy apostles and prophets. – They “By good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” These men and their myths are to be marked and exploded with divine truth. See Romans 16:17-18; Jude 3-4. Paul told us that deceivers are “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Phil. 3:17-21)
Beloved, is it not moral cowardess that causes people to migrate to such falsity? Don’t we want to get real and be authentic to the core – broken and contrite in heart and willing to suffer anything for Jesus’ precious name?
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be LOVERS OF THEIR OWN SELVES…LOVERS OF PLEASURES MORE THAN LOVERS OF GOD; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power (reign; rule; authority) thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
The self-centered gospel is a false gospel that places the happiness of the individual above the glorification of the One who created and bled for us (Col. 2:18-19; 1 Tim. 6:15-16). The chaff run to hear their me-centered gurus tell them how much God wants to make them happy. Yet the one true God who gave us His Word, tells us differently. The happy god preached by the deceivers of our day is a false Christ (2 Cor. 11:2-4).
“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8
The plan of the true LORD and Savior is clear – it’s all about His glory and not about the temporal feelings and entertainment of those He has redeemed to conform to the image of Jesus Christ (Isa.42:8; Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 1:29, 31). He saved us to know Him and get to know Him better daily as we deny the self life and experience “the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (Jn. 17:3; Phil. 3:10)
Those leaders true to the LORD will “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Tim. 4:2-5)
Those who are Christ’s will obey Him and He blesses them to be full of His joy – no matter what season they may be in! (John 15:11; 16:22, etc.) Jesus’ disciples are known as they follow Him in giving their lives to Him and to others (Philippians 2:3-5)
“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:17
Humble, serving people are happy. Self-serving people are miserable.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
Loving and Obeying Divine Truth
Those who refuse to obey Christ by enduring sound doctrine and denying self instead of esteeming self, will be deluded by the pied pipers of this last hour. God Himself personally sends these people “strong delusion.” Why? – “BECAUSE they received not the love of the truth.”
“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they deceived not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
Here is a striking and telling e-mail we received from a true believer who loves God and His truth and seeks to help others in the same:
- “God’s Word is alive and healing!…I recently e-mailed the truth to a good friend and she doesn’t want to hear from me anymore. She said she won’t read anymore of my e-mails. She’s into Joel Osteen now and all she can do is think about herself – determined to move away and not caring if her husband comes with her or not. She told me she only wants to hear encouraging and uplifting things and if I continued to talk about sin, I would lose everyone in my life. I guess that is a real possibility. Speaking the truth in love is hard, but absolutely necessary. After finding out about the lie of OSAS (‘once saved always saved’) and the problems with the modern translations, I’m sad to see how many ‘Christians’ are not willing to seek the truth. I know it’s a spiritual battle, and as I seek God, he will heal the sadness I have in my heart. I am so grateful to know His truth and pray my friends and loved ones would heed to His warnings and obey.” L. S.
The false teachers feed the self-life instead of preaching what Jesus and His apostles declared as the truth – that one must deny the self-life in order to have His life (Lk. 9:23-24; Mk. 8:34-38; Jn. 12:24-25, 2 Cor. 4:10-11; 7:1; James 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17). Either one is in his personal life denying, self or he is denying Christ.
Saints, do we want to be broken and put back together by the perfect hands of the Potter of our clay? Then we are blessed or happy in the true sense.
How “happy” do you think the followers of these false prophets and their messages are really going to be when they are led astray, die, and go directly into the flaming fires of eternal hell? What do you think they will be “happy” about then? How proud will they be of the smiling deceivers who led them down the wide road that led them to everlasting horror and conscious torment? How glad will they be for believing the lie of unconditional eternal security? Will they still be defending those false prophets then?
“Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:13-14
“And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:51
According to Jesus, our part is to simply “abide” in and with Him today and to “take no thought for the morrow” but rather to simply seek first His kingdom and righteousness (John 15:1-16; Matthew 6:33-34)
The LORD calls all those who will be His to be broken before Him – true joy will be one of the myriad of blessed benefits:
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalms 34:18
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 51:17
“But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isaiah 66:2
When I am truly broken before the LORD, I will tremble at His Word (Job 23:12; Ps. 119; Jer. 15:16).
Remember beloved, the LORD must break you to bless you! When He breaks us it is for our good and His glory and as He puts us back together, we are more whole. If you are going to go on with Him, you must be broken. There are no shortcuts. You must know that He is going to wound you to health. Be not surprised nor afraid. Ask Him to break you. Lay the clay of your life, your whole being and future, into the hands of the only perfect Potter. Pray like Christ: Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit. You are His special creation and He truly does love you too much to leave you as you are.
Prayer: Father, please break me to the core of my being! Break us, Your people, that You might make us whole in Your holy image. Jesus I have no hope without You! Please do a deep work in me Jesus! Break me, wound me, and make me whole my LORD, as you alone can do! You are the Potter and I am the clay and so very thankful that You created me and now saved and forgave me. Sobeit in Jesus’ name!
If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here okay: Born Again: What is It?
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Abiding
Colossians Narrated [podcast]
Colossians Chapter 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7 as ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 25 whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Colossians Chapter 2
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Colossians Chapter 3
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Colossians Chapter 4
1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8 whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11 and Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. 16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds.
Grace be with you. Amen.
Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.
Colossians – the whole category | Bible Books Narrated | Hundreds of Scripture-Rich edifying audios here.
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Articles
Sinlessly Perfect? I Doubt it [podcast]
Yes the LORD commands His people to “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) Yet we should ask whether or not His desire is for His people to tout to others that they are “sinlessly perfect” or does His Word rather reveal that His people are to be dependent upon Him through the humility of Christ and crucified life He ordained us to walk in? Did the apostles walk around telling people they were sinlessly perfect? No. Didn’t Paul confess his own utter poverty of spirit outside of the saving, present grace of Christ? Yes. (Romans 7:18, 24, etc.) Are there biblical warnings about claiming that one is sinlessly perfect? Yes. (Job 9:20; Proverbs 20:9)
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
Saints, would it be accurate to observe that we cannot possibly begin to appreciate this “so great salvation” that is Christ until we understand how lost, helpless, and alienated we were in our sin? (Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 2:3) We must pray and study to understand the biblical doctrine of inherent sin, fallen mankind, and the holiness of God …. in order to begin to be able to appreciate the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
“If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” Job 9:20
Solomon said:
“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9
Speaking of king David’s imperfections, even nearing the end of his life on earth, one commentator writes:
“Surely there can be little ground for the doctrine of perfectionism, otherwise David, whose religion was so earnest and so deep, would have been nearer it now than this chapter shows that he was.” Expositor’s Bible
“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20
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! (Romans 7:18, 24) The Cross!
God is able to establish our hearts in His grace and to multiply His grace to us (Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 3:18)
ALL of our deeds are not perfect (1 John 1:8-10). “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23). The truly righteous remain humble, teachable, and repentant. Note verse 21 saints:
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21
Saved by Divine Grace and Yet Now Made Perfect by Your Flesh?
“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3
The Galatian believers had begun their walk with Christ by responding to the conviction of the Spirit, repenting, putting their faith in Christ, and being regenerated. Yet, now they were allowing false teachers to seduce them back under the law, law-keeping for righteousness – to attempt to please God by their own self-will and performance.
Jesus’ disciples must live a set apart life. Living sinless? Well, it can be done: Here’s the key – “In him (Jesus) is no sin. He that abideth in him sinneth not” (1 John 3:5-6). We whom Jesus has saved must “cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Yet, the only way to be sinless is in presently abiding in Him and that begins with the essential of announcing our own poverty in self which is being poor/desperately dependent on Him in spirit (Matthew 5:3, 6). Yet some insist that they are perfect by their own will, ability, and doing. This is the exact error of the Galatians which caused them to fall from saving grace (Galatians 5:4). They left Christ for something else – law keeping. Leaving Christ, departing from faith, and casting off trusting fully in HIS saving grace, is deadly. Realizing there is “NO good thing” in us except Christ, is essential to abiding saved in Him (Romans 7:18, 24; John 15:1-6). Galatians 3:3 says it all – “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). The great apostle of Jesus was desperate for the LORD, ever seeking His holy face and dreadfully not wanting “to be found having mine own righteousness which is of the law” (Philippians 3:9-10).
“The great secret of abiding in Christ is the deep conviction that we are nothing, and He is everything.” Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ
Heart purity and a sinless life emanate only from intimate union and abiding with a holy God. This occurs as we consent to the cross and not by human effort alone. Jesus raises up those who are truly bowed down – crucified with Christ (Psalms 145:14; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). One cannot possibly “stop sinning” until they come to Jesus and He saves them, making them new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). Only then can the regenerated disciple “put off the old man” and “put on the new man” (Colossians 3:9-10). There MUST be something to “put off” …. that inherent sinful nature, otherwise no such language would be in Scripture (Colossians 3).
Beware of the sinless perfectionists who speak of overcoming sin outside of the daily cross and the saving, enabling grace of God. It’s only possible by God’s enabling grace in and through a true abiding relationship.
If we claim we are sufficient in and of ourselves and because of our own “natural ability” to do right, and can be perfect (which God requires) without Christ and our total trust IN HIM, we are apostate. Memorize Romans 4:4-5.
We cannot be “made perfect BY the flesh” or by means of our own self-will and effort alone. If that were possible WHY then did Jesus come? We are only perfect in the sense of Christ’s perfection AS we abide in Him (John 15:1-6). As we do, we will “walk in the light, as he is in the light … and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Here’s the whole verse:
“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
Yes, we are “new creatures” in Christ and must humble ourselves before Him, put off the old man, put on the new man, and walk in the Spirit with Him. Yet, the victory Christ has wrought and ordained for us to walk in daily all begins with acknowledging instead of denying that there is something to deny and die to and “put off” (Colossians3:5; 2 Corinthians5:17-18). Denying that we have inclination toward sin is not the answer. Crucifying the deeds of the body by the power of the Holy Spirit is the answer (Romans 8:12-14). Many are getting hoodwinked by this self-righteous “I can do it with my own ‘natural ability’” spirit. This is a Christ-denying devil-exalting heresy, doctrine of devils (1 Timothy 4:1-3). Many who are not grounded in the grace and Word of Christ are adopting this error of Pelagianism which fosters self righteousness. They are aggressively teaching this sinless perfectionism (in the flesh) error to others. These people seem to have one common denominator – they have studied the teachings of Charles Finney or Mike Desario. Beware!
Many of those who preach sin without saving, rescuing, enabling, overcoming divine grace are perhaps still trapped in their own sins. They have no answer for others and therefore we should wonder if they have the LORD’s answer for and in their own lives. If they did, would they not be full of His great joy and sharing with others how to be delivered? Why are they content with condemning others in sin? Is God willing that ANY should perish? See 2 Peter 3:9.
Never forget to make a decision to be deepened in the essential truth that it’s “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.”
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
WHEN we realize that God is “Holy, holy, holy,” we will no longer wrongly condemn others if they sin, just because the flavor of their sin differs from that sin which we’ve committed, knowing that the sin we committed was no less evil in the eyes of He alone who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).
G.R.A.C.E. = God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense
It’s only by God’s grace that we are found and saved by Him and kept and enabled to please Him which includes participating in holiness, separated unto the LORD, as He is holy (Hebrews 12:14-15; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8, etc.).
Titus 2 tells us that we are only saved by divine grace and only kept to the end by His enabling grace.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-15
Deliverance from sin/sinning is only possible through faith, loving, worshiping, and obeying our LORD, that is, moment-by-moment abiding in Christ, the crucified life, being raised up by His Spirit (Romans 6; 8:13-14, etc.).
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:3-6
Perfection is the perfect forgiveness and justification of the LORD which God brings about by His Spirit and our faith which always brings our adherence to the daily cross (Philippians 2:12-13). It’s divine perfection worked out in the abiding disciple as he walks in the Spirit abiding in Christ (Galatians 5:16, 25, etc.).
True OR Feigned Holiness? | Saving, Enabling Grace | Have We Ourselves Become Pharisees? | The Spirit of Holiness |
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