Honesty Goes a Long Way with God!

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

Getting Honest, Coming Clean

BREAKING: THIS here is all that matters saints…… Jesus is coming and wants to be glorified in forgiving all sin and changing lives….

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Kingdom news is the only Good News and everything else is going to hell. Are you behind the KING and His work He sent us to do – so that He can forgive all sin and change lives?

This dear brother has been having us lift him in prayer for a while now. Thank God and that you answered that call to lift our brother in prayer. We all know that only God Himself can break us and separate us to Himself, away from the sin that otherwise has a death grip on our lives. Here’s what our dear brother sent this morning:

“Praise report…The Holy Spirit broke me down…and for the 1st time in 42 years I’ve left nothing on the back burner, I’ve left nothing in reserve … it’s not Jesus and…it’s not Jesus but…. No, it’s just Jesus … that cross of my salvation. I’m free indeed!

Thank you brother! I’m truly being made free for the first time… I’ve wasted years holding on to temporary sin…. but no more! The Holy Spirit has been flowing, even today at work! Thanks again brother…. pray for my strength and endurance. I preached it yesterday and people gave up drugs and all sin afterwards (they came to real repentance). Jesus has been so good to me! I can never thank Him enough for His life…” Chris

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19

Jacob Got Honest and Grounded

Like each of us, Jacob’s heart was full of deceit until he was brought to brokenness, honesty with the LORD… and “renounced the hidden things of dishonesty” and was therefore “preserved” in his relationship with the LORD (2 Corinthians 4:2; Genesis 32:32:30). This breaking must happen and as He did with Jacob, God has a season chosen, slated, to break each of us! In this season of breaking, Jacob sought God and didn’t choose to fall away and made shipwreck. Read Genesis 32.

“And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Genesis 32:30

Victory seems to begin at the point we announce our own utter poverty outside of Christ! See John 15:5; Romans 7:18, 24.

“When you examine yourselves be prepared for what God shows you. It is sometimes hard to see our own ugliness! But if You are diligently seeking the Lord and praying John 3:30 you will be grateful.” Karen Cochran

If we will simply get honest with God and do things His way and no other, His blessing will be upon our lives and His benefits will begin to flow into our lives (Psalms 68:19; 103:2).

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Psalm 68:19

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” Psalm 103:2

“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” Psalms 116:12

Getting honest is the beginning of your relationship with God and must remain throughout. Get honest. Remain honest.

ALL excuse makers go to hell. Only those who get honest in repentance will be with Jesus (Proverbs 28:13; Luke 8:15).

Those who are truly right with God are honest with Him. They “declare” and don’t try to hide their sins.

“For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.” Psalms 38:18

NOTHING good and everything BAD is going to happen till there’s honesty (Proverbs 28:13).

First and foremost, we must with all honesty apply and preach the truth to ourselves, and obey it – MERCILESSLY! Read Job 19:28; Matthew 7:1-5; Mark 9:43-49; Galatians 6:1-2; Psalms 32:5; 38:18. Preaching GOD’s truth is walking in His love and love should always accompany the preaching of His truth. Truth is only hate speech to those who hate truth – they are convicted by the truth but refuse to repent (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; John 3:19-21). You cannot walk in God’s love while not communicating God’s truth (Proverbs 27:5-6; Romans 3:4; Galatians 4:16).

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

Walking in the light…. includes at its foundation, the admission of and repentance from all evil, all darkness in us (1 John 1:7-10). Otherwise, we do not have fellowship with He who is “is light” because “in him is no darkness at all.” Let us hear the Word of the LORD….

“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 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 1:3-10

Jesus says that repenting is a non-negotiable essential to knowing Him. Unfortunately, so many today have been misled by the easy believism gospel and assured that because they said a prayer, they are saved and going to Heaven. Yet Jesus never said saying a prayer will save you from sin and hell, and will prevent you from perishing, but rather repenting.

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

Now, if in your praying to God, seeking Him for salvation, mercy, you prayed and repented truly in that praying, He saved you. And the proof of your life being now in Christ is that you are completely changed from the inside out. You are a new creature in Christ, old things are past away, all things are now of God in your life as you are walking with Him, confessing all sin as needed (2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Matthew 3:7-10; 1 John 1:9, etc.).

There’s no mystery that we’ve all sinned against God and there’s also no mystery, it’s crystal clear that God “Commandeth all men every where to repent” and to “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (Acts 17:30; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

Those who refuse to sever all sin from their lives will be cast irrevocably into hell. That’s what Jesus taught. Will you believe and obey Him or call the Son of God a liar? Read Mark 9:43-49 in the King James Bible (the corrupted new fake “bibles” deleted this passage).

Jesus guaranteed that only the honest will bear fruit and be with Him eternally. Here’s the 4th of the 4 soils, the only good soil and outcome. See Luke 8:11-15:

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15

The true man of God fears God and therefore fears no man. He will speak the truth no matter what the cost.

“When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear.” Thomas Sowell

The Honesty Policy of the Patriarchs and Apostles

David’s Acknowledgement and Confession

“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” Psalm 32:5

Paul’s Determination

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2

David’s Declaration – His Life Policy

“For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.” Psalms 38:18

“Honesty, it’s such a lonely word….” Remember that song?

Make friends with honesty because honesty is essential to God’s forgiveness.

Sister Karen Cochran testifies:

“A few years ago I was complaining about someone else and I was told you don’t have a problem you are the problem! Wow. How true that was. I took that and it still applies today. When I am judging others or am angry, I am the problem not them. I can’t take them to the cross of Christ. I can only take my wretched self to the cross. In this passage David saw how wicked his heart was full of lust and murder. He wanted God to give him a new heart as he said Psalm 51:10 ‘Create in me a clean heart, oh God; and renew a right spirit within me.’ He prayed ‘renew a right spirit within ME’! No one else but David was the one who had sinned and needed to come before God and be restored.”

Shiloh Brattmiller writes:

“That liar, Satan, is constantly going before the Throne to accuse us. This is how Jesus knew what he was doing in Luke 22:31–’And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.’ This is why it’s imperative to keep in step with repentance and renounce all iniquity on a consistent basis!”

Do it God’s Way or Perish

There’s no question that we’ve all sinned against our Maker and yet, regrettably, only a few will truly repent, get honest, come clean, and be cleared of the penalty and punishment of sin. God requires honesty from us in order to appropriate His mercy, the forgiveness of our sins.

“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 IF ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But IF (denotes choice) ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword (judged): for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:16-20

When a man preaches the Word, the lascivious will balk and attack because they refuse to repent and receive the love of the truth – and will therefore be deceived and sent “strong delusion” and will be “damned” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). So, is simply stating the truth, God’s Word, legalistic or biblical? Biblical!

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit will always be consistent with these 3 things: GRT = Goodness, Righteousness, Truth

“goodness”
“righteousness”
“truth”

WHEN we are judging fruit – FIRST our own – these are 3 things to know that will always be consistent with the Holy Ghost working a life.

Ultimate “goodness” intended even when it’s a rebuke (Psalms 141: 5; Proverbs 27:5-6).

“Righteousness” – it will be biblically right, accurate.

“Truth” – it will aways, with no exception, be according to the truth of God which is the Word of God (John 17:17).

We are all born in sin and become skilled at entrenching ourselves in that darkness (Romans 7). God’s Word specifically addresses this.

“Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? 24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:23-24

Those who are truly saved today, were brought to the point of giving up, of surrendering. They were fed up with the reaping of sin, the shame and guilt, etc., and drawn to the light and love of the Savior. They fell into the LORD, they fell at His holy feet in repentance, sweet surrender, as He beckoned them to come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30).

Some seem very skilled at making excuse for their own sin. They fortify themselves in their own place of darkness. They will misuse verses like Romans 3:23 while ignoring the context. Romans 3:23 in no way gives us an excuse to live in sin. Rather, it reveals that we’ve all sinned and therefore ALL must repent or perish (Luke 13:3, 5). “Be ye holy; for I am holy….” (1 Peter 1:15-16).

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?… the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:1-2, 23

It’s like they are saying “Well, we’ve all sinned so it’s okay. It’s okay to continue to sin because God knows and said we’ve all sinned.” Not!

What does God’s Word say?

“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

Those who remain in darkness instead of repenting and being made free, brought out of it by God who is light, do so because they love darkness rather than light, making excuses, refusing to come into the light and be cleansed, delivered.

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21

There is no excuse for sin. When we are caught by God in our sin, we either repent or rebel, we either confess it or cover it.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

We cannot get free until we get honest.

The truth makes no one free until they repent and obey it (John 8:31-32).

There are 2 types of professing Christians – 1 is Heaven bound, and 2 is Hell bound:

Those who face the LORD honestly in true repentance with their own utter depravity and sin, fasting and prayer, the cross (“crucified with Christ”), fighting the good fight of faith in a grounded, daily walk with Jesus, and then there are…
Those who choose to be dishonest and deceitful of heart, unrepentant, and so migrate to false teachers and false teachings to justify their sin, to attempt to hide from them, dismissing all personal responsibility before God, and make a false god out of, in the image of their own wicked hearts. This is the whole construct and system of Calvinism and eternal security/OSAS and the hiding place for moral cowards who refuse to present themselves honestly before the LORD.

Jesus requires that we simply come to Him in an “honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15). He beckons us to cry to Him with head hung low in sincere humility and repentance “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).

MANY are being ushered right in to hell, all the while believing they are “eternally secure,” a phrase that never appears in Scripture. Why? Because they refuse to repent and study God’s Word honestly for themselves (2 Timothy 2:15).

Those who espouse Calvinism’s grace perverting, sin-justifying falsehoods do such because they refuse to hold themselves accountable to truly, honestly, worshipfully obeying God (2 Timothy 4:3; Jude 4).

Being knowledgeable about God is separate from being honest with God, which is an act of the heart and will. Only “honest” souls will be in Heaven. Pride prevents honesty. When a man won’t humble himself, he will cover his sins, he will refuse to openly acknowledge them before God (Ps 32:5; 38:18; Proverbs 28:13; Luke 8:15; 1 John 1:9, etc.).

“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Acts 24:16

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Cor 4:1-2;

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Ps 34:18

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Ps 51:17

Being possessed with honesty and integrity before God and man, requires breaking, being brought to brokenness.

“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” Proverbs 20:7

Do we recall the prodigal son’s return to his father?

“And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” Luke 15:21

When the LORD allows us to be broken, like the prodigal son, when we return home we will declare our unworthiness…. which was always the case, but we just don’t realize it till He breaks us.

Of this scenario from Jesus’ teachings in Luke 15, one disciple writes:

“He breaks us by letting us go as he did with the prodigal. Our denial of Him is His denial of us. The prodigal’s decision to abandon his selfish way and go home was his repentance. He still did not understand his father’s character though. He thought he would be punished by being made a bond servant, never again having status as a son.

But the son had already been punished by his own sinful selfish decisions to the point of being at the bottom and miserable. When he got home his father would not even give him time to get out his whole confession. Father ran out to him before the son had said one word, hugged his neck ordered the party to begin. This is our Father in Heaven.

The forgiveness was there before the son said one word: the Father saw him coming from a great way off AND BEGAN TO RUN OUT TO HUG HIS NECK IN COMPASSION: Company of passion.”

ARE YOU willing to conclude what God says the truth is – even when it goes against what YOU want? 2 Tim 4:2-4 Honesty. Equity. Justice.

Maturity in ones manhood begins to be manifested when one is honest about all things, regardless of his own personal desires and affinities. Jesus speaks of “an honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15). All deceit must be denounced as we cry out to God to clean our hearts (Psalms 51; Matthew 5:8).

Charity out of a Pure Heart [podcast]

He will Abundantly Pardon

Bowels of Mercies [podcast]

Examining Ourselves Honestly [podcast]

Abiding

The Joy of God’s Word [podcast]

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.” Psalms 119:89

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

PRAYER: Heavenly Father please match and exceed every trial You allow me to go through with Your joy! For You said that the joy of the LORD is my strength! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

H.O.T. BIBLE STUDY [podcast]

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 Memorize 2 Timothy 2:15 today. Index card perhaps. Read it aloud over and over. YOU cannot personally know the ORIGINAL Gospel if you don’t study the naked truth of it for yourself beloved. KJB So very many today are deceived due to not studying God’s Word for themselves. They live for years with erroneous notions men told them. Instead of repenting and getting into the Word for themselves, many of them go to their graves having embraced […]

Teach the Bible [podcast]

JESUS IS COMING AND THE TRUE BODY OF CHRIST IS “HOLDING FORTH (BOLDLY DECLARING) THE WORD OF LIFE” “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:16 WHEN you speak God’s Word, you are speaking divine authority. “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:15 “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 […]

The Majestic Eternal Word [podcast]

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21 Did you know that God has magnified His Word even above His holy name? “I will […]

Audios

Current Events and the Name of Jesus Christ [podcast]

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

IF we are praying God’s WORD in the name of JESUS CHRIST…. in His bless-ed humility, God is answering!

I don’t think we begin to realize the power that is in the name of Jesus Christ – and available exclusively to those who are HIS.

Memorize the word of our LORD Jesus recorded in John 14:13-14.

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

One commentator notes: “The universal fascination with knowing what is going on in the world has ancient roots. Knowing that Jesus is a well-known rabbi, some ask for his take on the hot news of the day. “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices” (Luke 13:1). Pilate, the governor, has executed some Jews while they were in the act of offering their sacrifices, mingling their blood with the animal blood. Jewish sentiment is likely strongly against Pilate, although some seem to be critical of the people who have suffered. Maybe they deserved it.”

End Times

America is Under Divine Judgment [podcast]

Chasing the American dream all the way to hell? Are you bowing before your Maker who came and died to save you from sin and this world? Or, are you bowing before “old glory—the red, white, and blue”? “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Revelation 3:17 Every person reading these very words is making his eternal bed in Heaven or in hell. “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near […]

WHAT is the Context of Fighting the Good Fight of Faith?

What was Paul speaking of when he declared that Christ’s disciples must “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) First off, it’s a “good fight” because we are going to win – yet only if we do things God’s way with no compromise. What do we fight against? What must we put under foot, conquer and reign victorious over? What did the Holy Spirit in Paul mean by fighting the good fight of faith? Think context. You have to […]

"Faith is the Substance of Things Hoped for"

If you don’t understand how your vehicle works, why do you still drive it? “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 Is there “substance,” that which is substantial in our faith in God? The Greek word from which “substance” is derived is hupostasis. Definition: hoop-os’-tas-is From a compound of G5259 and G2476; a setting under (support), that is, (figuratively) concretely essence, or abstractly assurance (objectively or subjectively): – confidence, confident, person, substance. In the times, the seasons of testings, of attack, we are undergirded, supported by the substantial presence, the […]

Fight, Finish, and Keep! FFK [podcast]

“Run that Ye May Obtain” (1 Corinthians 9:24) Prophetic perspective… ” Daniel 11: ” Daniel 12: Finishing Strong requires becoming weak in self (the cross) that Christ might reign supreme in us! (2 Corinthians 4:10-12; 12:9-10) Empowered by the Cross The Laid Down Life [podcast] https://safeguardyoursoul.com/the-laid-down-life/ run that ye may obtain podcast WHO are the only people to get free from sin? “For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7 Resurrection victory follows death and burial. Wolves can be known in that they don’t get their prey in the Word for themselves 2 Timothy […]

Articles

The Golden Rule Life: What’s that Really Mean? [podcast]

Thinking, Knowing, Applying, and Doing the Golden Rule of Jesus

Golden Rule living is the only way to live in glorification of our Maker. Spread this word. God calls you, yes you – to love Him supremely and to love your neighbor as you wish to be loved, treated (Matthew 7:12; 22:37-40; Philippians 2:3-5).

We must teach ourselves, our children and those around us the Golden Rule. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Jesus is coming.

“Golden Rule, precept in the Gospel of Matthew (7:12): ‘In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. . . .’ This rule of conduct is a summary of the Christian’s duty to his neighbour and states a fundamental ethical principle.” Unknown

Taken from the teachings of Jesus, the Golden Rule is summed up as ”treating others how you want to be treated” or, ”doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

WELCOME TO THE LAST DAYS! The self-worshiping false gospel being taught by the enemies of the cross of Christ is epidemic these days as was foretold (Philippians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-8; 4:2-5, etc.). Beware of the self-love they are teaching. It’s the “What’s in it for me” gospel of self-love. THIS CAUSES THEIR PREY TO WALK IN SELF-SERVING HATRED, MALICE, STRIFE, ETC., NOT GOD’S LOVE.

SOBERING! DO WE REALLY GET IT? Are you omitting love, charitable acts? How are you treating Christ’s body and servants? Ready to meet Jesus today? The way you are treating His body is the exact way you are treating Jesus (Matthew 25:40-41, 46).

The way we are treating others is the exact way we are treating Jesus – who created, died for, and rose again from the dead to save those people! If our relationship with Christ isn’t translating into the love of God filling us for others, we’re departed from Him and in need of swift repentance. Matt 7:12; 22:37-39

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40

“The way we treat others sets the standard of how we will be treated by God. And this includes receiving God’s gifts! Amen.” C.

If you aren’t respecting someone, you aren’t walking in God’s love toward them. Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12). Didn’t the LORD command us to treat others BETTER than ourselves (Philippians 2:3-5)? Would you like to be treated the way you are treating that person? Others?

“Treat others the way you want to be treated.” V.

Would you like to be treated the way you’re treating others? Golden Rule! Live it! Would you like to be neglected or inflicted as others have done to you?

Are you elevating other people ABOVE – “BETTER than” – yourself? This is the very “mind of Christ.”

THINKING, Applying, and Doing the Golden Rule of Jesus

Don’t want something done to you? Then don’t do it to someone else. Don’t want something thought about you? Then why think such about another person, especially if it’s not proven? Read Exodus 23:1-2. Don’t want something said about you (slander)? Then why believe the sowing of discord among the brethren which is an “abomination” to the LORD and the work of Satan himself, the accuser of Christ’s brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 12:10) …. MEASURE THIS!

Do you truly care for people or do you only care about what they can do for you?

This must be examined in each of our hearts.

If we care only about what others can do for us, we are Christ-less and should immediately seek Him in repentance and confession of our sins. He came and died for you and me with no guarantee we’d receive Him or with any other motive but to love us by paying the full price to redeem us from our sins in which we were otherwise hopelessly cemented.

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.” Romans 5:6-8

Instead of asking: “What’s in it for me,” we should always ask: “What’s in it for Jesus and others?”

Contrary to what we have been led to believe, we get NO “points” from God for “going to church” or for having a good record of “church attendance.” If this is true – and it sure is – why are we wasting precious time doing things God never told us to do while we leave the things He commanded us to do undone? How long shall we live outside of His will and yet still claim to be following Jesus – who gave all (John 15:13)? How long shall we allow the hirelings to exploit us with their weekly program that has never produced an ounce of discipleship in us? The divine command to “LOVE one another” appears 12 times in the New Testament. Do we truly LOVE our neighbor as ourselves? If so, then, like the earliest of Christ’s disciples, we do not consider that what we have in our possession is our own. Read, follow, and do Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35. Why should I have two coats when my brother or sister has none? …… Selah!

The ultimate expression of the Golden Rule was performed by the One who gave that Golden Rule.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

He who owed no debt to us, chose to pay the debt He did not owe – the debt we owed and could not pay. Sinners can’t redeem (pay the price) for sinners – only a perfect Savior could do that (Isaiah 53)! No man on earth was found qualified to redeem mankind but God sent His prophesied Savior, the very Son of God (Genesis 3:15; Ezekiel 22:30; John 3:16). | Redemption Through Sacrifice

Jesus Christ, the eternal God, came to the earth in fulfillment of over 300 Jewish prophecies, born of a virgin, to show us His Father’s love and to die the death that would redeem mankind. That is, the price for our sins was fully paid and whosoever will, can “Come and take of the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). The LORD still saves all who repent and receive Him as LORD and Savior (John 1:12; Romans 10:9-13). Read John 1 today.

THE GOLDEN RULE is Simple: Think about This – Do you want something believed or said or done to you that you are tempted to do to someone else? If not, then drop it and do not think it or do it toward another. Stop and pray for that person. This is exactly what Jesus told us to do and the disposition He desires us to have as of Him and His Father – love (Matthew 5:44-48).

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

“Love your enemies”
“bless them that curse you”
“do good to them that hate you”
“pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”

Read Matthew 5:44-48 prayerfully, asking the LORD to make it manifest in your heart, thinking, and life.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12

So, according to the One who gave us “The Golden Rule” (as we call it), what is the Golden Rule? Read and begin to memorize and incorporate the above verse of truth into your everyday thinking.

“The golden rule always should apply to every life! TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED! This world would be a much better place to live!” K.

EVER been used? EVER been exploited by someone? WHAT did Jesus instruct, command us to do when we are used?

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

What’s going to happen to those who maliciously wrong another? A curse is coming on that person and their household:

“Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.” Proverbs 17:13

According to the divine pronouncement above, rewarding evil to someone who did you nothing but good (never harmed you), brings a curse.

The cardinal fruit of knowing God is love.

“He that loveth not, knoweth not God.” 1 John 4:8

GOD is interested in FRUIT and fruit only comes from a ROOTED abiding relationship with Jesus (Matthew 3:7-10; John 15, etc.)!

Any questions?

If you do not have God’s love manifesting in your thoughts and actions, it’s because you do not know Him. Read 1 Corinthians 13 every day this week and ask the LORD to make every bit of it a reality in your life.

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:3-8

Golden Rule Living is following Christ – the example He set when He “came NOT to be ministered unto (be served), but to minister (serve), and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). WHOSE interests are you living for? Your own or Christs, and therefore His people? Do you realize that if you neglect those around you in need you are neglecting and affronting Jesus (Matthew 25:40-46)? Do you realize that you and I will be judged according to this exact measure and rule?

Just WHAT does preferring others ABOVE ourselves mean? How does that work itself out in our daily lives?

Are you living according to Christ’s teachings, OR, are you deceived into thinking you are following Him who is the only way to Heaven while setting aside, neglecting, and even shunning what He taught? Check out Mark 8:38; John 14:15, 21; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:3-6. If I am to love my neighbor “as myself” (equally) and even prefer others “BETTER THAN” myself, why would I keep two houses when I knew another member of Christ’s body was without a home? WHY would I keep earthly investments or items that could be sold and the money given to those in need? I simply wouldn’t. The same goes for other possessions and money. Compare your Christianity to the earliest believers in Christ to see if you are authentic. Read Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35.

The earliest disciples of Jesus were living according to His Word. They were preferring other believers “BETTER THAN themselves” (Golden Rule; Philippians 2:3-5). As true disciples of Jesus, they were naturally doing unto others as they would have them do to themselves if they were in the same need or situation.

Applying the Golden Rule in Your Thoughts and Attitudes Towards Others

“And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” Zechariah 7:10

Notice: “let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” When your iniquitous, condemning fleshly mind, or Satan, tempts you to “imagine evil against” your brother or sister in Christ, what should you do? Read the above verse again, write it on an index card, and live by it. This qualifies exactly what Paul meant when he spoke of divine charity and its place in our lives. He stated that when we are walking in God’s love, it “thinketh no evil” inside of us, His vessels and dwelling place (1 Corinthians 13). In other words, love thinks nor concludes “no evil” against any person until it’s actually proven, and then, it shows mercy even as we are so personally and desperately in need of divine mercy – moment to moment (Titus 3:3-7; Jude 21).

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21

“Imagining evil in your heart sounded foreign until I came to recognize how wretched our sins are. I pray for forgiveness when I am thinking in a wrong way. We are supposed to be forgiving and merciful to others, not having feet that are swift to do mischief.” Dana R.

The Two Great Commandments

“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. ³⁸This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

1. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind”

2. “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”

Any person claiming to be a Christian – a follower of Christ – who does not have loving God and loving others as their highest priorities, is completely misled and deceived.

The Greatest of These is What?

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

GOD PLACES the highest premium and priority on love and if you don’t, you simply do not yet understand Him nor His kingdom. Cry out to Him in confession and repentance to open the eyes of your understanding. Whatever you do, make this the priority of your life – loving God and all others – above yourself. Pouring over Philippians 2:3-5 each morning is a daily kingdom recalibration!

Pass This On.

The Mind of Christ

Do you want to get deeper into God’s Word? If so, send a reply requesting the Moments with My Master email that is sent out.

Feedback:

“That is a wealth of wisdom. Usually I get laughed at for being too gullible. But that’s okay, I’d rather give a person the benefit of the doubt, unless they keep arguing over obvious scriptural passages, then I just pray for their eyes to open! So many who follow these Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing! I never want to be that gullible!” Diana M.

The Mind of Christ [podcast]

ARE YOU WALKING IN THE MIND OF CHRIST? WHAT IS THE MIND OF CHRIST? “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5 The Messiah, the Man and His mind we are blessed to know, to be known by, and to follow is seen in Philippians 2. Read it in the morning beloved of God. Life change! Father, please bless Your beloved children with “the mind of Christ.” In Jesus’ name, amen! Jesus left His world with the Father in the pristine and glorious perfection of Heaven to come this is fallen world and show […]

Returning to Christ as Our "First Love" [podcast]

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 The LORD is a “Jealous” God. “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” Exodus 34:14 If Jesus Christ is not genuinely the first love of our hearts, our lives, we are committing spiritual adultery on the Son of God. “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 […]

Chosen, Called, Cleansed, Consecrated, Commissioned [podcast]

The LORD’s Vision to His Servant Isaiah and how it Relates to each of Us When the LORD revealed Himself more fully to the man Isaiah, the response of Isaiah is something we should behold and be taught by, learn from. “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which […]

One Body in Christ [podcast]

Love in the Body [podcast] “One fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16) Do we have a slight clue as to how much the LORD loves His children? (See 1 John 3:1-10.) He also requires that those who will be His obey Him, walking with Him according to His Word (Matthew 7:21; Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.). The UNITY God’s Word speaks of is ALWAYS and only on the foundation of TRUTH – the written Word! God is not the author of unity at the expense of His truth. For example: The Catholic church is a works-based antichrist pagan […]