Do Your Works Testify that You Worship or Deny Christ?
Are you Fulfilling a New Testament Purpose? Is Your Church?
There nothing transpiring on the earth today more important than the teaching and preaching of God’s Word. Every true remnant saint is involved (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts, etc.). No work on earth is of eternal significance except the work of Christ’s Gospel (Mark 8:38). Are you participating?
When He saved you, your life ended and His glorious life began.
“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
That’s right, all your personal “rights” are done and over.
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
Any questions? Is this not exactly what symbolized in baptism? – You are doornail dead and Christ now lives and reigns in and through your whole being.
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4
Let me say here that if you are not hearing this kind of Bible preaching, the cross life, you are sitting under a hireling wolf. This is basic Bible truth friend. Anyone hiding this from you is playing you – is using you for your money and approval (Philippians 3:18-19).
Christ’s Unchanging Great Commission
Any person not living a Great Commission life, is living a wasted life. They are out of the will of God. Read that again.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20
“It is our place, in following of our Lord, to continue His teaching until He returns (Matthew 28:18-20).” AB
Do you realize that following Jesus means following what He taught? See Mark 8:38 and John 8:47; 14:15, 21; 1 John 2:4-6. Do you realize that God gave us the record of Christ’s earliest disciples so that we could measure just what is true and what is false in our current day? The book of Acts in particular. What were His first followers doing, before any wolves or false teaching had time to enter in? Here’s a taste and a way to determine who is and who is not in the will of God today, namely those in ministry positions.
“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Acts 5:42
This is a verse of holy truth to be memorized. It’s very telling. These true disciples of Jesus were obeying His command to “teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
Do we realize that only those obeying what Jesus taught are actually following Him?
Are you doing the Great Commission Jesus commanded OR, are you doing your own thing? It’s one or the other friend. Personally, in light of this truth, I like to begin my days with a prayer something like this…
PRAYER: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask You to use me today for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“Making a Difference”
Am I “making a difference” is a good question to ask ourselves. Did you realize that this phrase appears in God’s Word? Watch the context closely okay:
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, MAKING A DIFFERENCE: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 20-23
According to this passage, to be “making a difference” for God’s glory and not wasting our lives, we must be built up in the power of the Holy Ghost (v20), to keep ourselves full of God’s love (v21), to not be self-righteous but rather be “looking for the mercy of our LORD,” (v21) to have compassion (v22), to make a difference, to preach the judgment of hell to come in the fear of God (v23), and to keep our blood washed garments (robes of His righteousness) “unspotted.” (v23)
But how can I make a difference one might ask. Can you smile and tell someone Jesus died for our sins? Can you tell someone how Christ has made a difference in your life? Can you hand out a Gospel literature so blessed souls can find their way home to Jesus? What are you doing to make a difference for Christ in the lives of others?
ARE YOU INVOLVED IN GOD’S “BUSINESS” OR MAN’S? ARE YOU WASTING YOUR TIME AND THE LORD’S TIME? Child of God, do you know what God’s “business” is? The LORD calls His true children to be about HIS “business” and what is HIS “business” as opposed to sinful man’s undertakings? (Luke 2:49) We claim to be following Jesus and so it is only fair that we find out what Jesus says the “Father’s business” is, right? (Luke 2:49) Jesus says He came “to seek and to save that which was lost,” that is, to save them from sin and “eternal damnation.” (Mark 3:29; Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15) What could be more plain? Those who are truly following Christ, and the only ones that are overcoming and will escape hell, are busy preaching/communicating and teaching His Word which holds the only answer to man’s dilemma – sin. Fighting cancer, promoting politicians, rescuing dogs, etc., is not what God calls us to and such will never bring root deliverance or the escape from sin and the lake of fire. That is actually luciferic dominionism which is the vain attempt to preserve this fallen world simply and selfishly to make this temporary home a better dwelling place. Such is utter futility and sin against the Almighty. God is going to renovate and make all things new but first He will allow them to be burned up (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3). To put money, effort, time, and energies into anything but His blessed Gospel is brazen rebellion against the Savior who came and bled on that cross, rose again, and commanded His children to go and spread His Word. It’s time to repent and return to the LORD before it’s too late.
Don’t you know that Satan, the enemy of all souls, rejoices every time a professing Christian gives money, time, or energy to “false burdens” that are not the “Father’s business”?
The ONLY “business” of the true body of Christ is Jesus’ “business”– that of worshiping the LORD together, teaching God’s Word, and winning lost souls to Jesus! In fact, the simplest fruit to judge any person by is by their works. Are they “about” the “Father’s business” or some (any) other business?
Is it not hypocrisy to claim to be Christians and not follow Christ? That is, not follow what mandate He gave to His people to go teach His Word and preach His Good News?
ANY individual or group or local church not doing what Jesus commanded, namely the Great Commission, is not fulfilling a New Testament purpose and is apostate! I’m not talking about the pastor winning souls from the pulpit either. That’s good but he is to be teaching those he leads to do “the work of the ministry.” Read Ephesians 4:11-14 for the job description of all under-shepherds.
The work of God’s true people is NOT politics but rather the Great Commission. This is rendering obedience to Christ. The work of the true disciple is not to help a mere man build his own vision or church business but rather to spread the seed of the Word of God in evangelizing the lost souls of men and by teaching other believers the full-counsel of God’s Word. Are YOU about the Father’s business or has Satan derailed you? What shall you answer to Him on that final Day of reckoning? How shall you answer Him if you squandered the time He gave you in this brief life on temporal things that have no matter in the kingdom of God? Will you hear from Him “Enter thou my good and faithful servant!”? Or, “Depart from me!”?
Jesus told His very own people that in order for them to be with Him in eternity, they were required to overcome and keep His works to the end of their lives.
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26
Someone may ask: “But I thought I was ‘once saved always saved’ and that my works don’t matter and that by obeying God then I am trying to work my way to Heaven.”
This is the exact thing millions of deceived people have been taught in the apostate evangelical church world in America. Millions have been sold a bag of goods (a false gospel).
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46
Let’s talk about God’s Word and allow the Almighty to speak for Himself. Deal?
One element we must beware of and detach from all involvement with, is trying to save this sinful, failing world. We should beware of movements and ministries like patriotism in trying to preserve or save America. Saving America or trying to make this sinful world a better place is not the Great Commission command Jesus gave us.
Any ministry that is not all about teaching the pure Word and reaching lost souls, is not fulfilling a New Testament purpose and is in fact in rebellion. God forbid that we touch or condone or further the cause of any such false ministry! Here’s what Jesus’ followers are all about, without fail – “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20) It’s real simple: Those who follow Christ obey Christ and are all about Christ and not swept away with causes that do not pertain to Christ who died and rose again to save lost souls from sin and eternal damnation! NOTHING else really matters no matter how sympathetic the cause is mean to seem. Breast cancer? NO! Sin is the cancer Jesus bled to heal! Those who name the name of Christ should immediately repent of the sin of neglecting Christ’s work and putting resources into the worlds futile help programs. They are futile and totally in vain! If we are going to feed the poor, let’s do it and give them the Gospel, the only healing balm for their eternal souls!
Consider the words/teaching of Jesus:
“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38
Beloved saints, what does it matter if we feed the poor and clothe the naked and yet don’t give them the soul-saving Word of the Gospel? Is God glorified? No! So, that person eats well, forgoes cancer, then dies and goes to the fires of eternal damnation. What a farce and Satan loves it!
Can anyone argue with the truth of this simple statement?
“We should be winning Souls to Jesus, the world is gonna burn with fire. I can understand standing in the gap and praying for our kings and nation. Moses did that for Israel a few times and we are commanded to do so and yet many go to an extreme that makes us wonder why they don’t fight that way for God and simply do what Jesus sent us to do in His Great Commission command.” Luciano P. Pisco
We better repent and “touch not” any “unclean” organization or program that is not giving the healing balm of God’s holy truth. The LORD says we are His very enemies if we dare do such by helping the “ungodly”:
“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
Never join a cause or enter into any alliance that does not have Jesus and His blessed and everlasting Gospel at its heart.
“Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 19:2
The “ungodly” are revealed clearly “by their fruits” – their alliances, alignments, their focus and works (Matthew 7:16, 20). If their focus is on “earthly things,” they are the very “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-21) Those who are truly Christ’s sheep are looking unto JESUS who is the very author and finisher of their faith … Their “conversation (focus, way of life) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 3:20)
False Prophets lead people to “false burdens” that do not pertain directly to being born again and spending eternity with Christ.
“Thy (false) prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity (deliver them from bondage); but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.” Lamentations 2:14
Lamentation 2:14 actually defines who false prophets are. Look closely at that verse and commit it to memory. Use that truth to discern who is a wolf and who is true to Christ.
For this rebellion, God was going to banish His people. That’s what “causes of banishment”means here. God is going to judge all who go astray from Him and His cause!
A “false burden” is one that is amiss from the aim of the LORD as stated in His Word (Lamentations 2:14). Examples of “false burdens” that lure the emotions of millions today:
- Habitat for Humanity
- Animal (beast) rights and causes
- Cancer causes
- “Mission trips” where the mission of Christ to save souls from sin and hell is not preached
- Susan G Komen Foundation of deceit and death to children
- Planned Parenthood or Planned MURDERhood
Jesus says to leave those things that do not pertain to His kingdom to the world:
“And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:59-62
What cause are you supporting, promoting? is it the Gospel? Some people who vainly claim to love Jesus, have and show more sympathy toward beasts (animals) than they do human beings, the highest form of God’s creation. Astounding hypocrisy!
Of the focus of the Gospel of Jesus, Rich Monson writes:
“Pastors are called to be given over to the Word and prayer to equip the body for the work of ministry and this is to be done to the glory of God (Ephesians 4:11-14). Teaching the Word that we may be conformed to the image of Christ and that we may go out and win the lost. All else in contrast falls far far under the shadow of these two eternal priorities. At any cost gett’m saved, gett’m conformed to Jesus. All else works to these ends, that God be glorified in it all.
Also good to remember what the Lord has said regarding false prophets and teachers in Deuteronomy 13:1-5, 18:19-22. Ezekiel 13:3, Isaiah 30:9-10, Jer 14:14, 23:14-16, :25-26, Mic 3:11, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:3-5, 2 Peter 2:1-3, Jude. So much the Lord has given us in His grace, so much so that the Church, true believers are absolutely without excuse.”
Read this closely: “For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that GO A WHORING from thee. 28But 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 (namely the work of Christ’s redemption).” Psalms 73:27-28
Teaching and demonstrating or doing the truth is so very important and is the whole difference. So many in leadership today present much truth but they put their monies and focus where their hearts are – in this fleeting, sinful world. Many dare to spend more resources/monies on temporal buildings, light bills, and even “excess” than on teaching God’s Word to all and winning lost souls. This is what Jesus commanded and if we truly know Him that’s what we are all about (Matthew 28:18-20). Those who aren’t about what Jesus told us to do are not of Him – period.
Of these last days and the essential of obeying Christ alone, Gwendolyn Wehage writes:
“Political issues have caused us to think that a man can save our nation. We are falling off the cliff as a nation and only a miracle of God and the repentance of the people could save this nation. I don’t see that happening because we are in the last days, and God said that in the last days men would lack natural affection, haters of good, lovers of evil, worshipers of creation rather than the Creator. In the last days they would have no shame in their evil deeds. Romans 3:18 Jeremiah 6:15 they no longer have shame about their evil deeds. 2 Timothy 3, the people will be lovers of themselves, boastful, unloving, lovers of money, unthankful, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, disrespectful to parents, brutal and despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, hauty, having a form of godliness without understanding what it is. These passages describe how our country and the whole world is like right now. There is not turning back, these are the perilous times God spoke of in 2 Timothy. Our duty is to love Christ, obey Him and stand firm when giving out the gospel.”
Are those who parade with pink in the streets and give money to the sinful world system to help physical and mental ailments following Jesus? No! They are apostate. Those who follow Christ and are therefore the only saved souls, obey Christ and Christ said go preach HIS blessed Gospel and Go teach men all the things HE taught (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15).
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not HIS commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4
You see, many who claim to be saved have all the wherewithal, all the money, all the energy and all the resources available to them to help useless causes for sin-sick humans and pets and none to serve Jesus by doing what He commanded! That’s the fruit of their lives and it clearly testifies to their lost, hell bound condition.
“In Works they Deny Him”
“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15
If we are following Jesus – truly – then we are about the “FATHER’s business” and not the unregenerate world’s business! To make themselves feel good for a moment, the lost souls of this world jump into causes such as the Susan G Komen Foundation or Habitat for Humanity. Yet neither of these groups preaches Christ. The Komen Foundation actually gives money to Planned Parenthood to murder precious babies in cold blood. So, no Christian would ever support such an atrocity.
Jesus said: “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist (knew) ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” Luke 2:49
The LORD’s business is His body’s business and anyone not involved in Christ’s business is none of His.
When others seek out and find us, they find those who are about SOMEBODY’s business. Whose? The worlds or the LORD’s? This is the crystal clear issue that reveals who is of God and who isn’t. What a person claims means nothing if it doesn’t manifest in good works or fruit. The Bible teaches that our works plainly testify to whom we are serving.
To that one who would become convicted and cry “But this is lordship salvation,” I would say “Yes, Jesus is the LORD and this is what His Word teaches!” Dare you argue with the very Son of God? Why not simply obey and learn of Him?
Not being about the “Father’s business” is clear proof that we are denying Christ. Really? Yes, read this:
“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
This verse means that though many say they know Jesus, their lack of good works reveal that they do not know Him but rather deny Him who bled for their many sins.
Works don’t save but they are the fruit of who we are truly loving and trusting! The Bible says that even a child is known by what he DOES:
“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” Proverbs 20:11
Let this sink in saints …. “In WORKS they Deny Him.” (Titus 1:16)
To deny Christ the right to reign in our lives is to deny Christ. Without fail, when Jesus is reigning in our personal lives, His Gospel truth is flowing freely from our lives.
“Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9
If a person claims to be saved and that person is not learning to lose his life, that person is misled. Paul wrote that “in works” (that testify to saving faith) they deny Christ (Titus 1:16).
Most who call themselves Christians have been misled by the epidemic of wolves who fill pulpits and books and the media with their false gospel message. These men refuse to preach what Jesus said and/or they carefully select and dodge the things in the Gospel that keep people loyal to their own self-serving cause.
When one lays down his life, everything becomes of the LORD and not of self. Losing one’s life is truly what saving faith is:
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:24-25
Think about this: If one’s life is all about them, then that’s exactly whom they are serving and we know that they can’t save themselves, having rejected the only Savior.
“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 5:15
I must relinquish control of the reigns of my life and will to the One who is worthy of all my praise as long as He gives me the breath of life. This is what saving faith always does. Do I possess saving faith? If so, I have and am giving my life over to Him daily. He’s reigning in me, not me.
Do we not have this thing called life all wrong? Do we not need a complete transformation of thought? LORD, please have mercy upon us and change us. Amen.
“The One who is the Highest came to become the lowest. We who are the lowest, seek to be the highest.” unknown
Friend, there are no shortcuts – This is the true path to blessedness with God – putting Him first by giving Him and His people more of me daily. In fact, if I am not growing to “give” or serve more, I am not growing as a disciple of my LORD. The true measure of spiritual growth is seen in how much we give of ourselves to God and others.
To the degree I am serving, my spirituality can be measured.
“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Matthew 23:11
My humility is the true measure of my spirituality and whether or not I truly know the One who came and humbled Himself even unto death for the redemption of my undeserving soul (Philippians 2:3-10).
“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27
This coincides with all that Jesus says about lordship and is contrasted with those who have a mere “form of godliness” but refuse to repent/surrender and come under the power/authority of Christ (2 Timothy 3:5).
Measuring by the “Fruits”
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20
In interpreting Scripture with Scripture, we can conclude that the “fruits” Jesus speaks of here pertain to:
- Doctrine (Romans 6:16-17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- Doings/works (Proverbs 20:11; Titus 1:16; James 2)
- Direction (Romans 8:14; Luke 2:49; Philippians 3:17-21)
- Disposition (Galatians 5:22-23)
What fruit is there to be seen in your personal life?
Are you learning and obeying “sound doctrine”?
Do your doings or works manifestly testify to a repentant heart?
Are you about the Father’s business?
Is your life characterized by “love, joy, peace …”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Those who love, worship, fear, and care about Jesus do the work Jesus sent us to do. Those who don’t do His work clearly manifest their rebellious hearts.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Jesus came to win souls. In fact, His Word tell us:
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
A close friend was invited to go feed the homeless. He grabbed a bunch of Gospel tracts and was asked by another worker if he was going pass them out to the homeless they were going to feed. To this he replied:
“Yes, I’m excited to get these tracts out to these precious lost souls. There’s no absolutely no value whatsoever in this activity of making sandwiches for people if that’s all we do.” Tim
A work to help others that does not include giving them the Gospel of Jesus is nothing more than a humanistic endeavor.
“So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 33:7-9
Warning people that if they die in their sins, having rejected Jesus Christ, they will spend eternity in hell, is an integral part of the original Gospel (Mark 16:16; Luke 13:3, 5; 2 Corinthians 2:16). So, warning the lost of the divine wrath to come is what the true Gospel does. In fact, the apostle Paul stated:
“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” 2 Corinthians 5:11
Prayer of Repentance: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son for my sins and the sins of the whole world. Please forgive me for the sin of neglecting Your Gospel and for allowing myself to be misled by hirelings who do not fear You. Quicken my spirit in Thy Holy fear dear LORD and cause my life to glorify You alone. Fill me afresh with Your precious Holy Ghost and take over my life. From this moment forward I will serve and follow You LORD Jesus. Amen.
Absurd Hypocrisy | Touch Not the Unclean Thing | Great Commission or Great Hypocrisy? | The Use of Gospel Tracts | Beast Worship | Catholic Conversations
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The Victory is in Jesus
There’s no problem God can’t solve.
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
Jesus only makes free those who hear and obey Him. Every other “solution” is a cheap counterfeit, yet another trap of the enemy of all souls.
ADDICTION…. good or bad. Sin is the root of evil addictions. Those not doing God’s Word will inevitably be caught up in sinful addictions. Repentance is a must for deliverance.
Firstly, the cross – the crucified life – must be front and center in our daily personal lives. There will be no resurrection victory until there is a definite door nail dead dying and burial. Pour over 2 Corinthians 4:10-12. Attempting to serve God any other way will result is defeat 100%!
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
“This, right here, is your call to obedience. Anyone who claims you can follow Jesus on your own terms, by your own rules, and according to your own desires, is ultimately leading you to a false gospel.” unknown
Good addiction:
“I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that THEY HAVE ADDICTED THEMSELVES (a choice) TO THE MINISTRY OF THE SAINTS,).” 1 Corinthians 16:15
Those not given over to the LORD and therefore ministering His grace to others, WILL be caught up in sin, evil addiction.
Choosing to be addicted to Jesus
and therefore His work
cures all other addictions.
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. … 15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have ADDICTED themselves to the ministry of the saints,)”1 Corinthians 15:57-58; 16:15
With no exception, those whom Jesus saved in the past and yet today, those people are not busy about the “Father’s business” of the Great Commission, are living in sin.
“…at the time when kings go forth to battle, … David tarried (stayed behind) still at Jerusalem.” 2 Samuel 11:1
When David was experiencing great victory, he laid back, he ceased being diligent to obey God (2 Samuel 11:1). That’s when the temptation came and he entered into it. The fall out, the reaping was horrendous. Read 2 Samuel 11-12.
“And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.” 2 Samuel 11:1
What transpired when David hung back instead of engaging in war?
What happens when you and I hang back, do not forge forth in diligent obedience and abiding in Christ. The 2 Samuel 11 text continues, showing David’s descension into temptation and sin ….
“2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. 5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.” 2 Samuel 11:2-5
Remember, EVERY disciple will be tempted in this world. Temptation is not sin. Yet only those who diligently seek, worship, and obey Christ, will be overcomers – which is essential to eternal glory (Revelation 2-3).
“Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.” Jeremiah 48:10
Doing “the work of the LORD deceitfully” includes doing it half-heartedly, ceasing to engage in fighting “the good fight of faith” which includes diligently loving and obeying God, fervently putting forth the “sword” of God’s Word, engaging it against the enemies of God (1 Timothy 6:12; Ephesians 6:17).
“The idea here seems to be that those called to be God’s instrument of chastening upon Moab (God’s enemies) were to be blessed in their work if they did it honestly and boldly; but if they did it half-heartedly and cowardly they would be cursed.” Dake
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 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 6:11-12
Do we recall what James 1 tells us?
“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
Memory Verse
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8
When the 12 Slept instead of Seeking the LORD
When Jesus’ 12 fell asleep while they were to be praying, Jesus warns them and us …
“And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41
As Christ’s disciple watches and prays, remains ever vigilant, he will not “enter … into temptation”, sin. Memorizing the above words of Jesus (v41) will be a blessing to your life.
Satan offers Band Aids
“They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” Jeremiah 6:14
God is holy, unchanging and gives no peace between Himself and any mere man who is not obeying Him – beginning with genuine repentance, and faith (Acts 20:21, etc.).
“They have – This refers peculiarly to the prophets; making light of these threatenings, daubing over the misery and danger that was coming on the people, by persuading them, that it should not come, or if it did, it would be easily cured.” John Wesley
Giving false hope and false solutions is the work of wolves. Men who pretend to represent the LORD and don’t preach that He is “Holy, holy, holy” and requires absolute repentance, faith, worship, and the cross life (crucified life), are clearly false prophets (Isaiah 6:3; Luke 9:23-24; 13:3; .Matthew 22:37-39; Revelation 4:8, etc.).
Many today listen to the prophesied “MANY false prophets” of this last hour and are reaping the harvest of separation from God and a gross lack of wholeness (Matthew 24:11; Romans 6:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
As long as one panders to and submits to the lies of the world, the false prophets, and their band aid “solutions,” that person will never experience victory. Pills and potions are fake solutions and will only perpetuate the pain and shame.
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36
Jesus died on that cross, conquering Satan, and He alone holds your victory over all sin – which is what grants Satan legal right into your life.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11
Only Jesus can make you free and He desires to deliver you and will if and only if you truly repent and submit your life to Him. Jesus says:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
You are either caught up with Jesus or you are caught up in the dismal bondage of sin.
The root sin of all sinful addiction is self-idolatry which can and will only be broken off your life by true repentance, sincerely submitting yourself to the LORD.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
It’s only if you submit your life to the LORD that He will grant you His power to resist, oust the devil. Then he must “flee from you.” He has no choice at that point.
Satan gains and possesses the right to keep one in bondage as long as that person refuses to truly repent – to truly submit oneself to God. Such a person is caught up in the snare of the devil and therefore unable to resist or stand against and oust the devil.
Charles Pray writes: “So many want to hide their sins, especially those who like to appear Holy on the outside while inside they are dark, unholy ministers of the flesh. They have become a product of their own desires. Dear Lord, please bring them back to their first Love–Jesus! Amen.”
You’re never stuck as long as you have Jesus!
There’s nothing at all that Jesus can’t fix. He promised you this …
“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I come to You in full admission of my sin of neglecting You, of disobeying You, of putting myself before You. I am absolutely in sin and need You to deliver me now Jesus. Please break and make me LORD. This very instant, I now lay my life in Your holy hands. I’m crucified with Christ and I’m all Yours Jesus, from this moment forth. I love You LORD Jesus. Please now fill and use me for Your eternal glory as I look expectantly for Your soon return. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Apostasy
SINLESS PERFECTIONISM: WHOSE Righteousness are You Trusting? [podcast]
Salvation, justification, overcoming sin all come by way of the mercy of God, the divinely enabling grace of God, and the cross, the daily crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 3:24-26; 4:4-5; 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20; 3:1-3; Titus 3:5-7, etc.). It does not come by mere self-determination or self-will.
Don’t strive. Surrender.
Beware of the sinless perfectionism mob.
Beloved, God found us, in our sins, and saved us into His eternal kingdom! (Romans 5:6-9; 1 John 4:19). We didn’t find Him. He found us!
Defusing the iniquity of self-righteousness increases exponentially when we begin learning the biblical doctrine of fallen mankind (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18; Psalms 39:4-5).
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24
“It’s actually freedom when we embrace the Bible truth of how wretched we are! We don’t have to hide it or try to be better than we are! Jesus can now reign on the throne of our hearts and not self!” Karen Cochran
Realizing our own utter helplessness, hopelessness, and depravity and taking up the cross is the only the safe place with God right, the cross, the bowing to Him to take full control…. See Matthew 5:3; John 3:30.
All self-righteous religious hypocrites are going to hell (Matthew 21:31). May God save, forgive, and cause us, to bless us to be His authentic disciples. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Paul’s flesh was and our flesh is a constant reminder of the ever momentary need for the cross, burial, and resurrection grace of Jesus (Romans 6:3-10; 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.). Read Romans chapters 6-7 each morning this week.
The cross reveals your sin, and God’s love, not how wonderful you are! Repent!
Saints, 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 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.
Touting our own supposed righteousness is a dangerous undertaking. Lifting ourselves up will result in being brought down low, with no exception.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18
All I have to do to find the man most in need of God’s saving grace and mercy, is to look in the mirror (Romans 7:18, 24; James 1:23-24). As long as we neglect to look in the mirror, honestly, we will continue to be self-righteous as were Jesus’ most evil enemies, the religious frauds, the pharisees of His day (Matthew 23). Are we pharisees or humble, broken, honest disciples of Christ? (Matthew 18:3-4)
“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
“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9
There is NO righteousness outside of Christ (Romans 7:18, 24).
Every single day is the opportunity to overcome – yet this will only happen as we choose to do things God’s way – the cross. Romans 6-8; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc. Sinless Perfectionism Exposed
The no sin nature people are missing the cross. The Mike Desario’s, the Charles Finney’s, and the Jesse Morrell’s of the world peddle the no-sin-nature heresy and also do not preach the cross, the crucified life. They rag on endlessly about “stopping all sin” but never mention the crucified life which is the only divine prescription for overcoming sin (Romans 6, etc.). That alone makes them false, peddlers of “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9) This is why they can’t understand this. They do not realize that God gave us the solution to this sin bent (iniquity), this inherent in fallen man sin – and that answer is the crucified life which is at the heart of the original Gospel.
“True holiness” comes exclusively from the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Yet this is not just our position in Christ, it must also be the practical reality of our lives lived (Ephesians 4:24). The holiness of God, “true holiness,” requires the “daily” cross Jesus commanded which separates us from self and sin (Luke 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 9:27, etc.). Sin is overcome exclusively via oneness with Christ in an abiding relationship (John 15, 17) and not by mere self-effort alone – which is antichrist. The point established in the whole of Holy Scripture is that we are beholden to the Savior, the LORD Jesus, and must be honest about our wretchedness outside of a present abiding relationship with Him (Romans 7:18, 24) whereby the fruit of holiness is produced. There’s a slew of self-righteousness being promoted as “holiness” today through wolves who’ve digested the false teaching of devils like Mike Desario and Charles Finney and those who peddle these doctrines.
“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 (not self): 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (atoning sacrifice) 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.” Romans 3:21-26
After being attacked and accused of being a Roman catholic, Baptist heretic…. the response to the accuser was as follows:
Thanks for the attack, the persecution. I do rejoice (Matthew 5:10-12). I am certainly anything but Catholic or Baptist. Now, to examine what you wrote ….No one is a more staunch exposer of Rome, nor a more critical exposer of the eternal security Baptist, protestant lie (the ministry has 3 landmark books exposing OSAS – over 1,000 pages total) ….. So what you are saying here is a lie, bearing false witness, instead of dealing with the Scripture truth of these things. There is no cross in this sinless perfectionism movement, and the cross is the only way to overcome all sin – by the resurrection power of Christ (Gal 2:20; 2 Cor 4:10-12). Also, there is no grace (divine enablement) or faith in your message, but rather only rote mechanical obedience as if people are earning their own way. This alone makes your message errant, not according to the whole counsel of Scripture. | Eternal Security Exposed | Catholic Church Exposed
You offer some truth here and yet this sounds like Mike Desario, Charles Finney falsehoods, the no-sin-nature, sinless perfectionism heresy.
Sinlessly Perfect? You Sure? [podcast]
Beware of the sinful self-righteousness masquerading behind feigned perfect obedience. This Sinless perfectionism they are pushing is pure self-righteousness.
I am not your enemy ….. attack if you see fit. Yes, the LORD does say that obedience is essential, it proves that one knows the LORD or is known of Him (Matt 7:21). Good works do not save us – Christ alone saves us. This is a real subtle deception. There is the need to synthesize “ALL scripture” which teaches, that faith, obedience and good fruit do not save us, God does, by HIS sheer mercy.
“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
Sinful self-righteousness has no place in the life of a disciple of Jesus. Matthew 21:31
Self-righteousness was one of the sins of the pharisees and is soul damning (Matthew 23, etc.). Even the publicans and harlots will be in Heaven before the self-righteous religionists (Matthew 21:31).
Obedience is the fruit of saving faith and yet our obedience doesn’t save us. According to this passage, you are under a spirit of witchcraft – to think your own works-righteousness, law-keeping saves you:
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:1-3
Think about this that Jesus says from perhaps a new perspective … “IF you love me, keep my commandments” …. perhaps He is saying “If you don’t love me, don’t bother obeying Me, because that is futility.” Good works/obedience, fruit are borne out of an abiding relationship. It’s about relationship, not earning our own way I know this well as I was out of balance for many years. I am not seeing this as an argument … just discussing, okay?
There is no cross, no crucified life in the message of the sinless perfectionist heretics and therefore they are preaching “another gospel.” (Gal 1:6-9) The cross is the divine solution to sin and is at the center of the original Gospel and that’s the only way to be raised up out of the flesh and victorious over sin, not be mere self-effort. You are kidding no one but yourself if you believe your own good works are at the ground level of your justification before a holy God who sent His only begotten Son to do what we cannot do. – If righteousness comes out of just sheer obedience, law-keeping, then Christ is dead in vain.
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21
God is holy and holiness is essential for eternal glory (Hebrews 12:14, etc.). Yet such comes about by the crucified life Jesus prescribed, the cross and the resurrection (raising up) grace of God – not by seeking to be perfect on our own, not after beginning in the Spirit and then vainly attempting to be made perfect in the flesh (Galatians 3:1-3).
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under GRACE.” Romans 6:14
There’s no cross and no grace (divine enablement) in the message of the sinless perfectionists and therefore their message is false. Heretical.
It’s like they seek and are boasting about their own obedience and their own self-willed sinless perfection. Nonsense. Laughable.
Overcoming must be done in and through Christ – in a real, abiding relationship with Him which sinless perfectionist frauds never mention.
Recognizing our own need to be humble, contrite, broken, and fully dependent on the LORD is what we learn in Scripture, not hiding behind sinless perfectionism but rather being authentic, honest, and realizing that without JESUS and being one with Him in an abiding relationship, we can do nothing to please God (John 15:5).
“For without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
It’s better to cease pretending in my opinion, in light of the whole counsel of Scripture. I am not a good person, neither are you. “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Admit it. The sooner we become HONEST with that which is more than obvious, announcing freely and transparently – that there is “NOOOO good thing” in us except CHRIST, the sooner God will begin a new, deeper work in us! (See Romans 7:18, 24.) The Cross!
We are all very imperfect and in present and perpetual need of the LORD’s saving grace which requires a born again and abiding relationship with Christ.
Those who truly follow Christ are to be fully dependent upon Him, not self, or self’s supposed perfect obedience – which is a farce. See Posture of Dependency
Lest someone should erroneously believe there is any justification for any sin, let me say this: Jesus is coming back for “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27), And “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged.”
“By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” Proverbs 16:6
This is how we can observe the ministry of Jesus and His apostles. The only people they were harsh with were the rich and the religious. They were not harsh with people who sinned and were convicted and contrite, humbled before God, seeking His mercy, repentant. The woman taken in adultery is one such example…..
Stone Casting Qualifications
Jesus never called the woman taken in adultery (John 8) or the woman who had had five husbands and was now living with another man, a whore (John 4). Jesus was not harsh with either of them. What does this say for some of these self-righteous, hate-mongering, arrogant, pharisaical, enraged, embattled, need-to-get-saved street preachers so prevalent today who openly call scantily clad women whores instead of winning them as Jesus did? Perhaps it’s the lust in their own hearts driving them? (See Romans 2:1-3.) We never see Christ needlessly provoking, condemning, screaming at, or yelling at lost sinners. WHERE did Jesus or any of His apostles possess such a hate-filled attitude other than when Jesus rebuked them in their younger years for seeking to call down fire from Heaven? Christ rebuked them with “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of” (Luke 9:54-55).
DID Cain murder his brother Abel because of Abel’s sins or his own?
“Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” 1 John 3:12
Those who slander others do so because of the wickedness that exists in their own hearts.
No Sin to Deal with?
1 John 1:8-10 should be kept in mind…. synthesized, right? Yes…… 1 Corinthians 2:13
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10
If we are saved by our supposed obedience, we all fall short, right? Should we not rather trust in the perfect obedience of CHRIST? Memorize Romans 4:4-5. This is in no way to excuse any sin, period (Romans 6:1-2).
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5
WHO earned our salvation? Jesus.
“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20
FROM A SINLESS PERFECTIONIST:
REPLY:
May God find us with Christ’s righteousness, not our own …. The righteousness Jesus Christ accomplished at the cross is the only righteousness God honors, all else is “as filthy rags.”
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6
What righteousness does God see us in right now? Is it our own, or Christ’s?
“And be found IN HIM, NOT HAVING MINE OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” Philippians 3:9
Without Christ’s present saving mercy, this disciple is absolutely hopeless, sinful, and doomed. I will trust Christ’s righteousness and not my own!
“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9
None is righteous by himself, on his own merit and that what sinless perfectionism teaches….. you are being fed by wolves like Finney and Desario…. you didn’t get this in the Bible, by organic personal study… that’s why there’s an imbalance…..
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Apostasy
Jesus Answered Questions with Questions [podcast]
“AVOID FOOLISH QUESTIONS”
Could it be that one way to “avoid foolish questions” is to ask questions when questioned?
“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition REJECT; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Titus 3:9-11
One of the best ways to “avoid foolish questions” is to answer them with questions. Read that again.
All questions that come to us are not evil and yet, as we see with Jesus’ religious enemies, some questions do come from evil hearts with ungodly motives.
“For we are not as many, which corrupt (twist, adulterate) the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17
Jesus used the art of asking questions and so should you. This will revolutionize the way you interact with others, if done correctly. And, this should never be used from a heart that is not pure in the eyes of God. The disciple must beware of the evil that lurks within his own heart (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18, 24, etc.).
“Asking questions was central to Jesus’ life and teachings.”
Jesus used this method of answering questions with questions in order to shift the burden of proof, expose the motives of his critics, and force his listeners to think deeply.
One commentator notes:
“How many times did Jesus ask questions?
In the Gospels Jesus asks many more questions than he answers. To be precise, Jesus asks 307 questions. He is asked 183 of which he only answers three. Asking questions was central to Jesus‘ life and teachings.”
The Big Question is … What’s behind the question?
WHERE is the questioner seeking to lead this conversation?
We should pray for discernment to know whether there is evil intent or the noble desire for answers behind the questions asked of us.
Questioners with evil hearts ask questions in order to get themselves off the hook or deny what the Bible plainly states. This some do to distance themselves from the conviction of conscience the truth is causing them. And if you buy the package, if you take the bait, they will suck you in and devour you.
Beware of the enemy’s tactics.
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices (schemes, tactics).” 2 Corinthians 2:11
“Jesus frequently asked the Pharisees questions. He challenged them. Most of the time He answered questions with questions! He called them out! Which angered them greatly. Jesus was skilled in the art of asking questions! I could learn much from a study of questions Jesus asked.” Karen Cochran
ALWAYS GIVE GOD’S ANSWER AND NO OTHER (1 Peter 3:15): Beware that when God’s Word is spoken, those who love darkness rather than light, those who are unrepentant will divert from the Word by asking you questions off of the WORD itself in order to divert the conviction from their unrepentant hearts (John 3:19-21). STAY with the Word – whether they like it or not (Isaiah 55:11). You owe no man an answer other than to give them what God says – what the LORD stated in His unchanging Word (Mark 13:31). Jesus tells us that such men as will not hear His Word, are “NOT of God.” And, that if they were “OF GOD” they’d be humbly, astutely looking for and hearing HIS Word (John 8:47). Memorizing the words of Jesus recorded in John 8:47 will put your discernment miles ahead. I underlined the key words:
“He that is OF GOD heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are NOT OF GOD.” John 8:47
When you give rebels the answer of GOD from HIS WORD, they will attack you – the mere messenger. They are not there to learn. They’ve made up their minds and are sticking with their rebellion. Always remember, their issue is with the LORD and not with you.
You see, unrepentant men do not like the answer God gives to their questions. They are looking only to justify sin, not repent and confess it as the LORD requires. So their questions are aimed at finding a way to justify their sin – to justify their refusal to truly repent, lay down their lives in this fleeting world, and follow Jesus for real. That’s the crux of the matter.
Isn’t that exactly what the pharisees (false teachers/religionists) did to Jesus?
“Let GOD be true and EVERY man a liar.” Romans 3:4
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105
Give God’s answer and no other. You owe no one an answer to anything else, except what God says about it. Refuse to allow rebels to lead you around by the nose with their deflections and questions.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15
JESUS ANSWERS QUESTIONS WITH QUESTIONS
Getting a taste of how Jesus dealt with evil hearted religious folks is going to greatly develop your ability to navigate the hate-filled attacks against Christ and you by truth-haters. This will help you as you earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints in the original Gospel recorded on the pages of Holy Scripture (Jude 3-4).
Jesus questioned His questioners and so should you! You serve the LORD Jesus and are not obligated to answer every question that comes your way. Sometimes, you have to stay in control in these situations. I say this specifically referring to conversations you will have with rebels. They have nothing good in their hearts and in many cases, have no heart for the truth, just like the religious frauds of Christ’s day.
Personally, I’ve seldom seen so much evil as when I refuse to answer questions from those who seek to misdirect the conversation away from the Word of God. Often detractors use mere human reasoning, or anything to manipulate and twist and get the emphasis off of what the Word itself clearly states (Mark 7:6-9). This is a tactic they use in order to promulgate their false belief, justifies their sin, and that contradicts Holy Scripture. Such was the case in this recent attack and conversation – Preacher Viciously Attacked for Speaking the Truth! [podcast]
Jesus is THE BOSS and He’s Your Boss! Follow Your Boss. Follow the Example of Your Boss! We learn from our Boss by beholding what He did. And, our Boss, the KING of all kings, asked questions to questioners.
Our Lord was skilled at asking precise questions that drove to the heart of a situation, centering everything on HIS kingdom and never acquiescing to the sinful whims and manipulations of unrepentant men.
Some of Christ’s most profound questions came as a response to those who were questioning Jesus. The following is a list of some of the questions Jesus used in questioning His questioners. This is not an exhaustive list of every question Jesus ever asked and is on record in the Bible. In order to help the reader, I’ve underlined and hi-lighted the words which indicate questions for the reader to capture the essence of how our LORD answered questions with questions. I’ve included also the questions Jesus asked His own disciples. Some of these questions are noble and most (from His enemies) are hostile. As you will see, those questions from Christ’s enemies are obviously inherently evil. I’ve highlighted with yellow where the LORD specifically cites them for such, calling to the reader’s attention the heart motives of those asking the questions. Jesus interrupted their attempted deflections, cover-ups. He called them out on it. Here’s the interaction:
- Matthew 9:14-15 – 14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And Jesus said unto them (a question), Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
- Matthew 15:1-3 – 1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
- Matthew 15:33-34 33 – 33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
- Matthew 17:24-26 – 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
- Matthew 21:16 – And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
- Matthew 26:6-10 – 6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
- Mark 2:5-11 – 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
- Mark 4:10,13 – 10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. .. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
- Mark 4:38,40 – And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? … 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
- Mark 7:17-18 – 17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also?Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
- Mark 10:2-3 – And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?
- Notice in this exchange below how Jesus is, as always, in charge, in control and therefore answers the questions of these hypocrites with questions and puts them to work – because He knew the hypocrisy of their hearts and what was behind their foolish questions.
Mark 12:14-17 – And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny (Jesus puts them to work), that I may see it. 16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
- By Jesus telling these men that they did err, were in error, because they didn’t know the “scriptures, neither the power of God” which comes from proper relationship with Him, He was in part directing them to get into the Word where the answers are found. Mark 12:18, 20-24 – Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, … 20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. 21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. 22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. 23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. 24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
- Luke 2:48-49 – And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist (knew) ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
- Luke 6:1-3 – And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? 3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; 4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
- Luke 10:25-26 – And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
- Luke 10:29,36 – But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? … 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
- Luke 12:41-43 – Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
- Luke 18:18-19 – And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
- As Jesus “taught the people … and preached the gospel”…. wicked religionists hurled questions with evil intent, questioning Christ’s authority. As His custom was, Jesus answered them with a question.
Luke 20:1-4 – And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, 2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? 3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
- John 8:3-10 – And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. (notice Jesus’ response to their question here – He didn’t answer it verbally but with this action) But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?“
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