We who are Saved by Grace through Faith are “His Workmanship”
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
The born again believer is “justified by faith,” sanctified by faith, set apart to the LORD (Psalms 4:3). God deals with the sin and the sinner. He makes us new creatures in Christ upon saving us (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). Following being justified initially, the believer denies self, takes up his cross daily and follows his new Master which has replaced self-rule. The rule and reign of Christ in that new creature is instituted and established. In the cross life, the crucified life, the old man is put off and the new man put on (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:21-24; Colossians 3).
Holiness is not manufactured, is not achieved by mere men. No. Holiness is the very nature of the LORD and is the work of God in the life of the yielded, the crucified saint (Romans 6-8).
We are are saved by God through Christ’s perfect sacrifice, by grace through faith, and yet true saving faith ALWAYS produces the fruit of an obedient, holy life. The fruit, the obedience saves no one and yet is the fruit, the proof one truly knows and is known of God. Anyone teaching otherwise is fulfilling the grace-perverting prophesy of Jude 4. Read James 2; 1 John 2:3-6, chapter 3, etc.
Jesus is 100% the One who saves us.
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. … We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:9-10, 19
Jesus saves us we meet HIS stated conditions – repentance, saving faith which always produces good works.
“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21
Jesus saves us, not our faith and obedience which simply appropriate His salvation. Saving faith and obedience to Him are always found in each of those who are His. Repentance and faith are the conditions – to the end of ones life on earth (Acts 20:21; Revelation 2:26).
Jesus alone can save. No one saves themself. Jesus “by himself purged our sins.” (Hebrews 1:3) Yes God requires your repentance and faith and yet it’s still Christ that saves you.
“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
Understanding the salvation of our God in Christ does wonders to envelope us in His love, to forge sonship in our heart as “we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)
Good works are not the way to Jesus. Jesus is the way to God-glorifying good works. Without being genuinely born again and presently abiding in Christ, in His stated terms, our works are on vain.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
Those who know the LORD, are known of Him, WILL absolutely bring forth the good and corresponding fruit that glorifies Christ (Galatians 5:22-24, etc.).
From the moment Jesus saves us, we “work out” and not “work FOR” our salvation “with fear and trembling.” We walk it out by His divine enabling grace working in us and our own continued agreement with and compliance towards Him.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
Notice here below in the latter verses of Romans 3, how the “THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD” is appropriated “by faith.” Notice the eternal contrast made here between our own “righteousness” which is as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) and “HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Life changing! This passage is so very stellar. Pore over it today beloved of God. Ask the Father to open the eyes of your understanding.
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD Through Faith – Romans 3
21 But now THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
We don’t do good works in order to get saved. We do good works BECAUSE we are saved.
Jesus doesn’t save us by our doing good works, yet Jesus did save us by His grace to do good works (Ephesians 2:8-10).
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
If your body of truth, your understanding concerning your view of salvation, soteriology, is not yet built upon the foundation of the whole counsel of God’s Word, you will have an imbalance and very likely go deeper into deception, unless those gaps are filled with biblical truth. With this in mind, let’s learn together as we grow in the grace of our God in Christ (2 Peter 1:2; 3:18).
Is obeying God legalism, works-salvation? Why do we obey the message of the cross? Jesus gave it. If obeying Jesus is trusting our own selves, meriting our own way with God, then Jesus is a liar. His instructions are commandments, not suggestions. All who don’t love Him enough to trust and obey Him are going to hell Matthew 7:21.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21
If obeying God were legalism, were a defiance of the cross, every person heralded in the Word, the heroes of the faith from Abraham on, are self-reliant, wicked, rebellious, devils.
Can’t be both.
“We cannot pray in love and live in hate and still think we are worshipping God.” AW Tozer
The LORD fully expects His people to obey Him and grants us every iota of His grace to accomplish this (Romans 6:14-16, etc.).
The LORD wants obedience, not lip service.
“I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt (sin, the world). 37 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:36-37
To worshipfully obey God is pleasing to Him and not just rendering a fake love, fake allegiance to Him.
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23
When we honor God with our words but not with our actions, it proves we are “hypocrites.”
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Mark 7:6
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
This is not an exhaustive study on this important biblical topic, yet it’s divine food for thought to help the believer in his understanding of the salvation of our God.
This subject is being addressed here because some seem to have a propensity toward the legal and others toward the lascivious, and others simply over spiritualize the Word and/or neglect, put aside, clearly stated biblical truth. There is the positional and there is the practical.
Obeying God by faith, in worshipping Him truly, is the expression of one’s love for Him and not law, not legalism, not works-salvation.
Jesus says “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Then, a few sentences down, He says “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).
True love, genuine saving faith, will always have corresponding action. God didn’t merely just SAY He loves us – He sent His only begotten Son to DIE for us (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8; 1 John 3:16). There’s always a corresponding action that follows truly loving someone, in this case, God so loved us that He did something, “he gave.” And in loving Jesus, we give ourselves to Him and good works will always result (Ephesians 2:8-10).
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see YOUR GOOD WORKS, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
The idea that one can love Jesus and have no fruit to show it is completely foreign to the teachings of the Bible.
Notice the order below in Jesus’ words – “LOVE” (v12), “LOVE” (v13), “DO” what He commands (v14). And if you truly LOVE Him, you will obey Him.
“This is my commandment, That ye Love one another, as I have LOVED you. 13 Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye DO whatsoever I command you.” John 15:12-14
Jesus laid down His life to save us. Will the true disciple not lay down his life for Christ, his Friend, and for others?
If the “faith” one claims to have doesn’t give, isn’t giving, isn’t obedient, such a man has the faith of devils, who believe there’s a God but have no salvation (James 2:19).
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:19-20
Jacob Loved Rachel
Jacob loved Rachel very much and so working seven long years for her difficult father was nothing to him – because of how much he loved her. This verse captures such a truth:
“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
We all know that “Time flies when you’re having fun,” right? Think about that in light of choosing to love the LORD, that serving Him is a natural overflow and something we love to do because we delight in Him.
Think about your children, your babies. Did you get out of bed at 2 AM to feed them when they were crying because it was convenient or felt good to be awaken out of a deep sleep? No. You did it because you loved them.
Do you always feel a chill bump when you serve your family, when you serve others? No, yet you do it because you are loving and serving the LORD and He commands such.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3
The resurrection after dying and being buried, will ALWAYS result in the manifesting of Christ in our lives, in the form of good works, good fruit.
Bible verses in the New Testament on obedience are mountainous. And, they must not be viewed as doing something to earn God’s favor, justification, or blessings but rather an overflow of gratitude for the LORD and our “reasonable service” to our LORD who saved us to Himself by His grace (Romans 12:1). … “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us” (Ephesians 2:4).
All relationships hold as a necessity, the need for each party to participate. Relationships come with responsibilities and they simply will not work if those duties aren’t done. Owning up to duty, to responsibility, does not equal seeking to earn or merit salvation. As pertaining to our relationship with the LORD, laying down our lives, taking up the cross and following Him who died and rose again to save us, is our “reasonable service.”
When did complying with the One we claim to love somehow become legalism, works-salvation, or seeking to earn our way with Him? Obeying God in the cross life is our “reasonable service”/serving – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service“ (Romans 12:1).
What would happen if you stopped complying with your wife, stop doing what it is your DUTY to do?
Will God bless rebels? Isaiah 1:19-20 “IF ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it” – that’s Bible.
So you believe God will bless rebels in a special way so they keep rebelling and stay disconnected from Him? That’s not the God of the Bible who is love. So God blesses what’s against Him? No, the LORD loves all and especially those He chastens, rebukes, seeks to draw to repentance, before it’s too late (Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:5-11; Revelation 3:19, etc.).
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
Will “all these things,” these blessings of God, come to those who do not seek first God’s kingdom? Is there no condition? (See Matthew 6:33.) The blessings of God are conditional, not unconditional.
So who does God reward people? If so, who does He reward? He rewards those who diligently seek Him:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
Believing God requires His people to obey Him and blesses them as they do, is not believing one is meriting those blessings or justification. The two must never be automatically conflated.
Obeying Jesus is not, does not, equal believing that you’re meriting your own salvation or justification.
Once again we see faith and good works produced from that faith in the life of Noah.
“…he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Hebrews 11:6-7
By faith, Noah was moved by the fear of the LORD, and into action. That’s how the ark got built. Genesis 5-10.
Faith moved Abraham forth in his calling, in the calling of God upon his life.
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10
Obeying God is fueled by the cross life, the raising up of the LORD in our lives as we are crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). God requires that we die. He commanded it and has locked up His resurrection blessings in it as we comply.
Obeying the LORD is an expression of our love for God.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
1 John is called “the book of absolutes.”
“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
James 2 – Faith Without Works Is Dead
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2 – show me your faith WITHOUT good works that glorify God and I will show you my saving faith BY MY WORKS …. Good works are always the product of true, saving faith. Here James challenges all who claim they have saving faith to prove it by obeying God, letting our “light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
We must never remove or ignore Scripture truth and diminish aught from one truth to accommodate another. This will always lead to imbalance, error. May God bless us to compare Scripture with Scripture and to synthesize all His truth into a glorious tapestry as the Holy Spirit enables and teaches us, revealing how all these things of His kingdom are knit together.
While our works do NOT merit our place with God, they are always present, always found in the life of the true believer. We are saved by grace through faith which always produces the fruit of good works.
The works come out of the resurrection and if there are not works, it’s clear that such a person is not submitted to his own death and burial, to the cross life, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20, etc.).
When God raises a man upward, a crucified man, he will behold things like Paul – “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
Romans 6 is clear proof that grace and the cross life cannot be separated. They are eternally, divinely intertwined, married.
“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Corinthians 9:16
The faith of the apostles and every true New Testament believer has and does always move him into Gospel action.
This is not a “oh I have to do good works to merit God’s favor and justification.” No. This is a “He must increase but I must decrease” posture (John 3:30).
Paul commands: “maintain good works.”
“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:8
Also in Titus, we read:
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16
Jesus told all seven churches of Asia they had to overcome to be with Him (Revelation 2-3).
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26
Keeping His “works unto the end” proves one is enduring to the end in true, saving faith, which Jesus says is essential to final salvation (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 25:1-13, etc.).
If our relationship with God He requires no participation, why do we read such words in the New Testament?
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12
Jesus went to the cross. That was a good work, motivated by His love for the Father. Christ’s apostle Paul declared “the love of Christ constraineth us” and “constraineth” means to compel (2 Corinthians 5:14).
“For the love of Christ constraineth (compels) us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:5:14-15
Paul and every true, abiding, remnant New Testament saint is seeking God, is full of His love, and “moved with compassion” to bless others (Matthew 9:35-38). –“the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5).
“Your Work of Faith, and Labour of love”
Where’s the phrase “It’s a labor of love” come from? God’s Word.
Knowing and serving God is not drudgery but rather joy!
“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
Our work for Christ must emanate from our “faith” toward Him and our “love” will bear the fruit of “labour” for His glory. You may wish to really grab on to this divinely-inspired phrase – “work of faith, and labour of love.”
The bottom line is that Jesus is not at all interested in you trying to serve and please Him IF YOU DON’T LOVE HIM. Of course, you must repent in order to be His son/daughter to begin with (Luke 13:3, 5). And, repentance is putting your full trust in Him and the beginning of loving Him. The LORD looks upon and wants your heart. – “Rend your heart, and not your garments” (Joel 2:13).
Jesus commanded His people to go and preach and teach His Gospel, His Word (Matthew 28:28-20; Mark 16:15, etc.). That’s the law of Christ – where the disciple loves Him, their “first love,” and delights to obey Him, and is fueled by His resurrection grace.
No matter who we are, how mature we are in Christ, there are holes in all our theology and so we should remain teachable -searching the Scriptures and asking God to show us (Ephesians 1:16-21).
Since when is a relationship one sided? Stand back and meditate on every vital relationship in your personal life…. Which one doesn’t involve your personal participation? Not one. Yet in participating, that in no way means you are trying to earn the love of the other party, person. When you love, you willingly give. Isn’t that what God did when He gave His only begotten Son? (See John 3:16.) Do we not emulate Him?
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:1-2
We have no divine permission to dismiss or set aside biblical truth that disturbs the doctrinal fortress we build around us. If truth disturbs your doctrine, that’s exactly what God designed it to do and to quicken you to fresh repentance and an allowance for the whole of His Word (Psalms 119; Mark 7:6-10; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.) According to 1 Corinthians 2:13 – all must be compared, considered, collated… line upon line, precept upon precept (Isaiah 28).
“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:13
It’s convoluted theology to speak against, contrary to the whole of the Word of God which among other things says “ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God.” (2 Timothy 3:16) Ignoring known, clearly stated Bible truth to perpetrate a certain view is confusion, a violence against the picture painted by the WHOLE of Holy Scripture and is not a rightly dividing of the Word of truth but instead a deliberate, subjective ignoring of known truth to perpetrate an agenda (1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15).
Good works are not the way to Jesus. Jesus is the way to God-glorifying good works. Without being genuinely born again and presently abiding in Christ, in His stated terms, our works are in vain.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
Those who know the LORD, are known of Him, WILL absolutely bear the good and corresponding fruit that glorifies Christ (Galatians 5:22-24, etc.).
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please teach me Your ways. Integrate in me the whole of Your Word, into a tapestry that brings glory to Yourself. Change my life from this moment forth dear LORD. Please take away the stony places in my heart. Break the wicked unbelief and pride in my heart and grant me to have a heart of flesh. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
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When God Says to STOP PRAYING! [podcast]
Reconciling with God and other Saints
“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law (the Word), even his prayer shall be abomination.” Proverbs 28:9
Those who do not love God enough to seek Him in the Word, to learn, and to obey Him, will not be heard by Him.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
In general, because God is “Holy, holy, holy,” when there is sin, God will not answer prayers – until the sinner repents and reconciles with the LORD and any person involved as needed (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; Proverbs 28:9, etc.).
“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? 11 Israel hath sinned …” Joshua 7:10-11
In other words, God said to Joshua “Why are you seeking My face, praying to me, talking to me, when there is sin in the camp? Get the sin our of the camp and then you can approach Me in prayer.”
STOP PRAYING AND LEAVE IT!
God is not going to bless our lives unless we are willing to sincerely admit our sins, repent and confess them, and make amends (restitution) with anyone we’ve harmed. In the divine economy, there’s no such thing as being right with God when you’ve done another person wrong, haven’t repented, and haven’t made amends for what you’ve done. Such a person will be outside of the will and blessings of God until he makes things right with God and man.
God is not hearing the prayers or worship of any person who has done someone else wrong and refuses to make restitution (Matthew 5:23-24).
“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; FIRST be reconciled to thy brother, and THEN come and offer thy gift.” Matthew 5:23-24
God will not answer the prayer of any person who does not honor and obey His Word and if a person has an outstanding offense He wants them to clear up these matters (Proverbs 28:9, 13).
Here Jesus gave us the instruction to stop praying! What!? Someone may be thinking “Todd, are you being sacrilegious now!? What is your problem brother!?” Keep reading okay.
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” Psalms 66:18
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7
According to the Son of God, just when (if ever) should the believer stop praying? When he remembers that a brother has “aught against” him. Yes, I know this may raise eyebrows to say that Jesus told us to stop praying, but He certainly did. That’s what we read of His very words in Matthew 5.
He instructs us not to wait for the other person to come to you. Go to them and make peace. Work things out so that neither of your relationships with God will be in any way hindered. Forgive. Seek restitution and forgiveness. The Christian life is all about relationship – vertically first and them horizontally.
Jesus is saying here: “Stop praying or doing any form of worship until you have first done all you can possibly do to make peace with that person you had strife or misunderstanding with, offended, or wounded – the person that still has aught against you, whose heart isn’t yet clear in the matter. Your prayers and any form of supposed worship will not be honored in Heaven until you take care of this matter. Since I am holy I require certain things of you and one of them is that you do your best to keep unity with others, especially My people. Remember how I told you to love one another and to treat others as you wish to be treated? I love you and want clear communion with you and am simply not going to allow you to have a clear conscience until you work things out with that other person who has aught against you. Remember that though I love you, I care about others as much as I care about you. Get that human relationship right first and then come and seek My face in worship and we shall commune.”
God forgives us through Christ’s perfect sacrifice and as we choose to give it out to others! WHO might you have aught against in your heart today beloved?
As a believer, the LORD holds me personally accountable to facilitate reconciliation and peace in others when there is a rift and no matter whose fault it is (Matt. 5:23-24).
First and foremost we must realize that when we sin it is against the One who is “holy, holy, holy” (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8). After that fact, we at times sin against or offend men (James 3:1). So, when we have wrongly offended someone who is created in the image of God, we should first confess that sin to the LORD and then do whatever it takes within our power to make it right with the person.
“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.” Proverbs 3:27-28
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:25-27
Child of God, are you aware of anyone who might be upset with you for something you have done or they thought you did? Is anyone offended at you?
This writer is no stranger to wronging people, but is learning to follow this simple truth in Matthew 5, making sure to openly and transparently facilitate healing in those I have brought hurt to or who are offended at me for any legitimate reason.
Granted, we are going to offend people at times when it is not our fault. I am not talking about that. I am talking about when it is our fault or the situation is questionable or a close call.
Have you been offended? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where someone else held the key to your closure, your healing? Think back in your life: Have you ever needed someone else’s help in getting free in your heart from something concerning a situation?
Jesus called the divine Person of the Holy Spirit “the Comforter” (Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:7). God is all-powerful and can help us walk through a heart-rending ordeal where another person has hurt us and is unwilling to partake of the healing process according to the Word/instructions of the LORD. This He can and will do, yet He holds that other person responsible for doing their part – “Leave there thy gift before the altar – FIRST be reconciled to thy brother.”
Those made righteous by the blood of Christ are to do all in their power to facilitate healing in others.
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18
Jesus Christ came to make captives free and such freedom is the desire of all who follow Him. They desire also to see people set free and do their part when it is in the power of their hand to help (Prov. 3:27).
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
When need be, we are to work hard to make sure God’s peace abides among the saints.
“Endeavouring (working hard) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
“Endeavouring” – it’s hard work at times to keep unity in the body. Have you noticed that things happen that need attention, patience, humility, admission where wrong has been done, etc.?
It is our personal responsibility to keep schisms out of Christ’s body as much as it is in our power.
“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Corinthians 12:25-27
The LORD promises us that He commands His precious peace where brethren dwell together in unity.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there (in the unity of believers) the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalms 133:1-3
The person who is truly born again cares for the body of Christ. Peace among the saints is where God’s blessing abides.
“We know that we have passed from death unto life (we know we are saved), BECAUSE we love the brethren.” 1 John 3:14
Without love we are nothing (1 Cor. 13). Divine love, authentically demonstrated in our lives, is the earmark fruit of the Heaven-bound disciple. There are no exceptions – “He that loveth not knoweth not God” (1 Jn. 4:8). If such charitable love does not presently appear in our lives, we should consider going before the throne of grace and making things right with God (repentance). The genuinely born again person is filled with God’s love and teachable in the precepts of the LORD. When he discovers a previously unknown (to him) truth, he swiftly hearkens and obeys. Remember, God’s eternal kingdom and the terms for entrance into it are based on the LORD’s terms and not any individual’s. Either we meet the terms and conditions or we shall be found without (Matt. 7:21-23; Lk. 6:46-49; 13:24-30; 1 Jn. 2:3-5; Rev. 2-3).
“We know that we have passed from death unto life (we know we are saved – been brought from spiritual death to spiritual life), BECAUSE we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:14-16
Child of God, do you have a key that would help another get free? If you possess the key that would assist in obtaining their freedom, the LORD holds you personally responsible to use it to help unlock that person’s heart and assist in their returning to a heart that is right with God, free from anything that hinders that relationship.
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Ephesians 4:26
Don’t let the sun go down upon that which you can do to cause reconciliation in Christ’s body for which He bled. Leave your prayer closet and any and all worship and go get things right with that person the LORD may be placing on your heart. You will be glad you obeyed the LORD in this.
You see, if we truly have an intimate and saving relationship with Christ, we realize that nothing could be more important to us – and others. Knowing Jesus is everything. Armed with this knowledge and moved upon by the Holy Spirit, we are to be compelled to help others in their relationship with Jesus in any way we possibly can.
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son Jesus to live and die for me – for all of my many sins. This moment, I turn my life to Thee O God – asking Your merciful forgiveness on my sin of departing from You. Right this instant I ask You to please be my first love LORD Jesus! Bless this heart with sensitivity and a deep conviction for Your truth. Please allow this heart to have godly conviction! Please bless this life You graciously gave lift others to You and help them in any and every way I have opportunity. I am all Yours and You are all mine my LORD. Quicken my heart in any matter that You wish me to make amends with another person. Right now I now humble myself under Your mighty hand and ask You to use me to help facilitate peace between You and others Jesus, and in Your body. Please bless Your body to live in Your love, and Your truth and in peace with You and one another. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
For a topical study of deeper proportions on this subject, see The Blood of Jesus.
If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here: Born Again: What is It?
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Abiding
Overcoming Whoredom [podcast]
ARE parents setting their own children up for failure, ruin, and damnation by sending them off to college?
ONLY THE BIBLICALLY ILLITERATE WONDER WHY AMERICA IS COLLAPSING. HINT: THE FOUNDATION IS GONE (Psalms 11:3; 68:6)
More and more it becomes apparent that most college degrees are useless and that “educated” would be more honestly termed “indoctrinated.” Are parents who indoctrinate and push their daughters to “go get a degree/education” guilty of prostituting their own daughters, making them whores? Does this lead to “college educated” and also “college prostituted” daughters?
“Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.” Leviticus 19:29
Read that verse again and begin to meditate upon it.
WHAT does God say young women should do?
“I will therefore that the YOUNGER WOMEN MARRY, BEAR CHILDREN, GUIDE THE HOUSE, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” 1 Timothy 5:14
“younger women” are to:
- “marry”
- “bear children”
- “guide the house”
Whoredom vs Wholesome
Whoring daughters to the world system proves, demonstrates parents who are not saved (Jeremiah 10:2; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15).
“Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.” Leviticus 19:29
We now have generations of children raised by “I don’t need a man” hell bound jezebels AND godless fathers who misled their own daughters…. and many of them now wonder why their daughters lives are now destroyed. SMH
Any land will “FALL to whoredom”…. in other words whoredom causes divine judgment to fall on any people who commit this sin against the Almighty.
“Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.” Hosea 4:11
Read Hosea 4. Wow. The heart is taken away from God, from worshipping the LORD, when we choose to partake of sin.
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9-10
“A woman who is shamefaced does not seek to draw attention to herself in any way, no matter how small or simple it may be.” unknown
When a woman dresses wholesomely, she is announcing that she is reserved for that one good man, she is keeping, saving it all for him. Wholesome is the outward adorning of purity. Conversely, when a woman shows her body, when she does not dress modestly as the Bible commands, she is whoring herself out for all to see. She is also telling all the men that that’s ALL she has to offer (1 Timothy 2:9-14). Hint: Quality, especially godly men, love modesty. A chemical effect happens inside of a man when he sees God’s beautiful femininity in a wholesome woman. No good man wants a woman who is uncovered and showing parts of her body to the men of the world. No, he desires a woman that is HIS and only his.
BEWARE OF THE SPIRITUAL WHOREMONGERS/ADULTERERS
“And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.” Judges 2:17
Many today treat the Great Bridegroom as did the 5 foolish virgins. Read Matthew 25:1-13 where Jesus told us exactly what we’d see in these final days among those professing to know Him. 5 were welcomed into His bridal chamber (Heaven) and the door was shut upon the other 5. The foolish virgins, engaged to the bridegroom but not engaged with him want the formality of the engagement but refuse to intimately form a vital union with their intended bridegroom. They wanted the ring but not the relationship. They are like the whoremonger who simply wants the benefits of marriage but not the beauty of the marriage covenant. The spiritual whoremonger gets what he wants and leaves the woman without a commitment. In the same way, those who claim they are “eternal security” want the crown but not the cross. They refuse to comply with the instructions of the One they call Savior (Luke 9:23-24). These moral cowards who refuse to truly submit to Christ in true repentance think they can hide behind the thin veneer of the mythical “once saved always saved” or “one and done” heresy. But God sees it all and Jesus came to have a real covenant relationship with us, not a flimsy, non-committal latchkey arrangement. “Depart from me” is what they will soon hear as they are irrevocably vanquished into the flames of eternal damnation (Matthew 25:41). They are serving the god of self and not the Savior. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-7.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.” Deuteronomy 31:16
EVERY person who refuses to overcome sin via the crucified life, does so due to loving sin and self more than Jesus (John 3:19-21).
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16
Not even 1 person who has not repented and confessed the sin of beholding illicit images will be in Heaven. EVERY fornicator will be signed, sealed, and delivered into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).
There’s no sin your can’t Isaiah 58 out of your life. The cross. | Fasting and Prayer
Did Jesus or His holy apostles ever once teach that those saved by Christ, who engage in a real relationship with Him which includes obeying the Savior, are trying to earn, attempting to merit their own salvation? I’m still looking for any such verse in God’s Word.
“WHOREMONGERS AND ADULTERERS GOD WILL JUDGE”
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14
The wages of sin is STILL death (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23). God’s grace never changed His definition of sin. God will judge, will damn the soul of every person who dies in sin – whether they were saved in the past or not (Ezekiel 33:12-13; Revelation 22:11, etc.).
“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4
The testimony of the whole of Holy Scripture is that leaving God always leads to doing things some other way than His way and results in the utter destruction of individuals and societies (Romans 6:23).
The words “whoredom” and “whoredoms” and “whoring” combine for a whopping 74 appearances in God’s Word, the King James Bible. “Harlot” appears 42 times. “Whoremonger(s)” appears 5 times.
“And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? ” 2 Kings 9:22
Without fail, sin always causes the blessings of God to be withheld from our lives.
“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.” Jeremiah 5:25
Jesus calls this generation “An evil and adulterous generation.” (Matthew 12:39)
Spiritual adultery or spiritual whoredom, is idolatry. It is looking away from God to something, anything else, choosing to not uphold Jesus Christ as the very first priority, the “first love” or our lives (Revelation 2:4-5). Think about when a man looks to someone, anyone else, to fulfill what God ordains his wife to fulfill. This is adulterous. And, for men, in the flesh, the most powerful attraction, temptation of idolatry, is toward that which God created for the man, the woman (Genesis 1-3). Yet putting her first instead of Christ, is worshipping the creature instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25). The divine parameters for sex is within the marriage between one man and one woman. | The Proverbs 31 Woman
Read Genesis 1-3 to be established in the original and unchanged ordained purpose of God for the creation of the man and the woman. And realize, that you and I will give full account before His judgment throne for how we lived on earth concerning being a man or the woman. | The True Proverbs 31 Woman by Lori Alexander
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.’ James 1:13-15
The God fearing man will lay the axe to the root of all sin and get clean and establish his life in holiness before the LORD, preparing to be ready when Jesus appears, and also preparing to be the husband of one wife and the father of precious children born out of that union (Psalms 127-128). This is Bible, Genesis 101. God has not changed.
“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:18
THE PRAYER OF THE GODLY UNMARRIED MAN: “Father, I know You have a daughter here on Your planet who is crying out to You for the blessed opportunity to fulfill Your ordained calling to be a wife and a mother. Please prepare me in Thy grace, break me, let Christ be formed in me dear LORD, please. Cleanse me of all sin and let this life be crucified with Thee my dear LORD Jesus, raised up by You for Your glory and purposes alone. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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Whoring after women online defiles the vessel, destroys the temple of God with sin.
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Though never heard today from the priesthood of deceivers who call themselves ministers of Christ, we must acknowledge that the LORD requires that His elect be cleansed, be clean in “flesh and spirit.”
“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 cross is God’s prescription and is the Bible’s only prescription to overcome pornography, adultery, fornication, all uncleanness, and every sin. Everything else being peddled as the answer is a lie.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
The seat of the heart of man seems to be the root of this matter. Pornography is a “stumblingblock” of “iniquity.” Those who set such before their eye gates will not be heard by God. Their prayers are not heard and in fact, are an “abomination” to the LORD (Proverbs 28:9, 13).
“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?” Ezekiel 14:3
Dear whoremongering pornographer: If you die in this sin, you will be irrevocably in hell (Ezekiel 18:4, 24; 33:12-13; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 6:10-11; 9:27; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8, etc.). You don’t need an “accountability partner,” you are in need of true repentance and to live the crucified life – to fast and pray in starving the flesh and feed the spirit (Isaiah 58; Galatians 5:16-24; Romans 6, etc.). Only the LORD can deliver you, can give you His victory. There will be no victory over sin until you do things God’s way and stop seeking the coping band aids of the apostate modern church world. | Fasting and Prayer
One man cannot borrow heavenly oil from another man. Each must go to God for themselves to get that fresh supply (Matthew 25:1-13). God requires it.
All who view pornography are fornicators. Those not saved from living in sin are not saved for eternal glory (1 John 3:7-10, etc.).
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
This passage above makes it clear that those still living in the sin Jesus died to save them out of, are “unrighteous” and “shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” They have rebelled. In their temple, their body, mind, heart, they are now worshipping the god of self, feeding the lusts of the flesh. When Jesus saved them and in their past reigned in the temple, on the throne of their heart, He “washed” and “sanctified” them but now they have yielded their members to unrighteousness (Romans 6).
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16
All who view pornography are yielding to the flesh instead of God and are adulterers in the eyes of God.
“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:28
1 John 2:16 speaks of the world and the “lust of the eyes.”
Those who refuse to “cast away the abominations of their eyes” will be judged by the LORD. Read Ezekiel 20 and Numbers 25.
“But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.” Ezekiel 20:8
It’s interesting how many times the Bible speaks of eyes toward idols.
“And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,” Ezekiel 18:6
Covenanting to guard the eye gates.
“I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” Job 31:1
Must not lust after the beauty of a woman.
“Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.” Proverbs 6:25
Must “set no wicked thing before” our eyes.
“I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. 4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. 5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. 7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. 8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.” Psalms 101:1-8
The man who is truly “crucified with Christ” is overcoming lust (Galatians 2:20). Only the un-crucified man will be ensnared by lust, by adultery, by “evil concupiscence”, by fornication (Ecclesiastes 7:26; Colossians 3:5).
“whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her”
“And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.” Ecclesiastes 7:26
WHO, which man is going to “escape” from whoredom, from self-idolatry, from sinful lusts? – only the man that “pleaseth God shall escape.” And the man that “pleaseth God” is living the crucified life. Have you memorized and are you living out the truth captured in Galatians 2:20?
We are Living in the Final Days
Jesus foretold that these final days leading to His return will be so wicked that “except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved.”
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.” Matthew 24: 21-23
This is why we must increase in our camping on and doing the message of the cross. May God bless us to be anointed by His Holy Spirit to continue to go deeper into our own death, that we might be “hid with Christ in God.”
“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:” Colossians 3:1-10
All who after being truly saved, do not continue with the LORD, do not endure to the end, “shall perish.”
“For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.” Psalms 73:27
All who “go a whoring from” the LORD after He saves them, shall be “destroyed,” shall perish in their own corruption.
To “go a whoring” from God is to desert God for the idol of self and this fleeting world, world system and the sin of it, to cease to love the LORD supremely and instead love and serve the god of self.
“Go a whoring – Those who revolt from thee, to work wickedness; which is called whoredom in scripture.” John Wesley
Of this Psalms 73 passage, Adam Clarke wrote:
“Psalms 73:27: They that are far from thee shall perish – The term perish is generally used to signify a coming to nothing, being annihilated; and by some it is thus applied to the finally impenitent, they shall all be annihilated. But where is this to be found in the Scriptures? In no part, properly understood. In the new heavens and the new earth none of the wicked shall be found; for therein dwells righteousness – nothing but God and righteous spirits; but at the same time the wicked shall be in their own place. And to suppose that they shall be annihilated, is as great a heresy, though scarcely so absurd, as to believe that the pains of damnation are emendatory, and that hellfire shall burn out. There is presumptive evidence from Scripture to lead us to the conclusion, that if there be not eternal punishment, glory will not be eternal; as the same terms are used to express the duration of both. No human spirit that is not united to God can be saved. Those who are Far from Thee shall perish – they shall be lost, undone, ruined, and that without remedy. Being separated from God by sin, they shall never be rejoined; the great gulf must be between them and their Maker eternally. All them that go a whoring from thee – That is, all that worship false gods; all idolaters. This is the only meaning of the word in such a connection. I have explained this elsewhere.”
Every day is a test of our love – of who we are going to love supremely – God or self. Jesus commanded that we are to deny self and love God supremely (Luke 9:23-24):
“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
The apostle John speaks here below of overcoming that wicked one, the devil.
“I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:14-17
Through His precious blood, Jesus made the provision for you to live and to labor with clarity, with a clean conscience and yet, you know your conscience is defiled, it’s not clean and clear. Come away with Christ beloved. Hear His voice calling you to repentance, to a full surrender of your life to Him – to let go and let God do what you cannot do (Luke 22:42). Jesus is your salvation and you must rest in Him. The way you rest in Him is to rest your body, life, thoughts and whole being in the grace of His cross, His death and burial, that He might raise you up in His holiness, by His grace and power to do His will.
“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
Read Romans 6 each morning this week.
To overcome sin is to overcome Satan. And the only way to overcome sin is to submit yourself truly to God. It’s only then that His power in you will subdue the enemy.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
We are no match for sin and Satan unless given over to our LORD who conquered sin and death, and is our salvation.
“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.” Psalms 73:23-28
God brought His people Israel out of Egypt, the world, and promised them their own land, a “land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8, 17, etc.). Yet between Egypt and the promised land, many of His people rebelled. In the same way today we see so many whom Christ saved from their sins and out of the world (Egypt), seeking to bring into the full blessings of His salvation here and into eternal glory, and yet now they are in rebellion, lusting and lukewarm, just as Israel.
The ensuing history of His people including the writings of the prophets, the recounting of Israel’s rebellion against God. Here’s a taste.
“He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.” Psalm 105:28
“Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:” Psalm 107:11
“But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.” Isaiah 63:10
“But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.” Ezekiel 20:8
The LORD gave His people the promise of bringing them out of the land of bondage, out from under the rule of Satan and his wicked minions and “unto a land flowing with milk and honey.”
“And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.” Exodus 3:8
In fact, the LORD told His people He wanted to bring them “out” that He might bring them “in.”
“And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. 24 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. 25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.” Deuteronomy 6:23-25
As Christ has saved us unto Himself, out of the world into His kingdom, we must seek Him daily, to become ever increasingly “rooted and built up in him” and continually established in Him.
We need to beware of the many false prophets who are not preaching God’s pure Word but rather their own thoughts and the philosophies and notions of this fallen world system.
“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:” Colossians 2:6-10
The LORD was bringing them out of something bad and into something so very good. That’s His desire for each of His people and yet, many who get saved do not continue on with the LORD, that is, they don’t walk in His ways which are stated in His Word. Instead, they yield to the flesh instead of the Spirit and follow false teachings which cause them to do laps in the desert (Colossians 2:8-10).
Repentance is Essential
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 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 2:12-13
YOUR PRAYER: Father You are Holy, holy, holy. I’ve been very wicked, rebellious, sinful. I come to You now in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ, asking that You forgive my many sins, to cleanse me, wash me, purge and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Please take over this life right now. I lay my life in Your holy hands. Into Your hands I commend, I submit my spirit. I am all Yours dear LORD. Please teach me Your ways through Your Word and use me for Your glory as I look for Your soon return LORD. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
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Laying Up Treasure in Heaven 60 second video #shorts
“but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24
A financial investor takes your money and multiplies it for your last few years in this temporal life, right? In contrast, laborers for Christ take your support and multiply it for Christ and themselves for all eternity. In Christ’s eternal kingdom – everybody wins, all the time, forever. King Jesus reigns forever!
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38
Paul was not coveting any man’s money – “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.” (Acts 20:33) No! He wanted God’s people to invest in Christ’s eternal kingdom – into eternal souls – and by doing so fill their “account” in Heaven. – “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” (Philippians 4:17)
God gives the increase of lost souls as “For we are labourers together with God.”
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Gospel train rolling. Team Jesus! We must obey our LORD Jesus’ Great Command saints. You are not alone – God is with you, and us!
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20
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