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Notice in this glorious Philippians 1 passage below how verse 29 marries together believing and suffering for Christ are integrally intertwined, inseparable, part and parcel with the original Gospel.

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” Philippians 1:27-30

HAS anyone called you a wolf, a false prophet, or said you have a devil? This is exactly what has been done to all of Christ’s servants. We are in good company saints! Jesus told us to “rejoice” when we are persecuted for His name’s sake! (Matthew 5:10-12) Check out what the religionists of Christ’s day said of John the Baptist and the Son of God:

“For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He (John the Baptist) hath a devil.” Luke 7:33

“And many of them said, He (Jesus) hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?” John 10:20

WHEN we are rejected, Jesus told us to “rejoice” and not to mope, mourn, or nurse a wound. Hello.

WHEN’s the last time your favorite idol preacher preached deep Bible truth on the reality of persecution? If not recently, repent of supporting the wolf and RUN! … Persecution is ALL OVER the Bible and so if someone isn’t preaching it, they are intentionally avoiding it! WOLF!

Ever notice how the prophesied and “many” ear-tickling wolves today never mention the kingdom reality of the persecution of the righteous? (Matthew 24:11; 2 John 4:1, etc.) Do we realize that the Bible is full of examples and teachings about persecution – Beginning in the fourth chapter of the Bible and extending to the last book?

GET READY FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE – that is, if you are obeying God by communicating His truth.  Many times this warfare comes in the form of confusion through “false brethren” who think they are saved and yet are not (John 8:47; 2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4). The evil one uses professed Christians to attack those few who are truly on the narrow road that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14).  We will need to know how to rightly divide the Word of truth which comes from studying to show ourselves approved unto God, being taught of Him (2 Timothy 2:15).

For example, when you preach the Word, showing how GOD (not you or mere man) but GOD Himself clearly told us that certain classes of sinners will be in hell, you will be opposed. One thing some will attempt to do is tell you to stop trying to divide the wheat and the tares as Jesus says the angels will do that (Matthew 13). Yet, think about this: Preaching the judgment or Word of God is not the same as attempting to divide the wheat from the tares (Matthew 13). Preaching the truth that God will damn those who die in sin is what God calls you and I to do. He will use His angels to divide the righteous from the wicked in the end but that in itself doesn’t mean He contradicted Himself nor does it negate our responsibility to speak His holy truth.

Jesus says “rejoice” when persecuted and “Woe unto you” if you’re not being persecuted (Matthew 5:10-12; Luke 6:26).

YOU want to see devils manifest? Just preach the Bible truth which tells them they can’t live like hell and go to God’s holy Heaven!

“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:26

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

“I don’t care who hates me. I care who loves me. Especially, when the One who loves me has power over the one who hates me.” John Cameron

“All that matters is Jesus loves me, and to preach the Gospel to everyone, even if they hate me.” Terrence Przybylski

When the heat of the truth comes, people living in sin (I supposed) get outraged. When the light of truth hits that darkness, some folk get livid and begin to attack the messenger. Why? Jesus says:

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their (own) 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

When men love darkness more than the light of Christ’s truth, even though they claim to be saved, they will many times react violently to the truth, seeking to defend darkness by twisting and misusing Scripture.

The root cause of blindness is rebellion, unrepentance! (2 Corinthians 3:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

Anybody know what I am talking about here? Have you seen this pattern?

The Bible commands us to “Preach the word … in season and out of season.” (2 Timothy 4:1-4) Then, when we do, Satan raises up people to come against that Word of truth and try to confuse the issue as he and his human pawns oppose the truth while claiming to be defending it. Preaching the Gospel and calling out those who claim to be Christians and yet are living in open sin, is the exact thing Jesus did when addressing the pharisees who feigned to be representing the LORD while brazenly teaching and living contrary to what the LORD Himself told them in His Word. Read Matthew 23 where Jesus lambasts the Jewish “hypocrites” and told them three times that they were going to hell. Then, in contrast, Jesus deals very differently with the sinners who have never come to Him yet and do not claim to be representing Him (John 4; 8, etc.).

When attacked and called judgmental, I have learned to boldly declare: “I am not the judge but God is the Judge and I AM preaching HIS judgment for which we are ALL accountable!”

Preaching the Word of God is preaching the judgment of God. Speak with His words to others and fret not for those who persecute you (Isaiah 51:7, 12).

The truth divides between the mere professors and the genuine possessors of salvation. Read Christ’s words carefully:

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

According to the above statement, who did Jesus tell us is “of God” and who did He show us is “not of God”?

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34

The “sword” represents judgment and division. The truth – via those who believe it and those who don’t – separates those two classes of people. Embracing or rejecting Bible truth shows us the fruit of our own lives and the lives of others, revealing to the true saint who is truly “of God” and who is “NOT of God” and what Paul called “false brethren.” (John 8:47; 2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4)

“If you don’t know or follow the Bible, anything goes.” Pastor Joseph Gros

What passes as “Christian” and is accepted these days among some people simply shows the hearts of the people and how they have only a mere “form of godliness” but do not know His holy reign in their personal lives (2 Timothy 3:1-7; 4:3). This means they have not truly repented which means coming to full surrender, turning from our own way and wholly to Him and His ways.  If they knew Him, they would not be blinded and following falsehoods that contradict His very Word (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

Men of Corrupt Minds | The Accuser of the Brethren

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 to edify Christ’s body.

Who are Jesus’ Enemies? [podcast]

The Flesh will Never be Reformed it Must be Crucified [podcast]

WHY Christians Sin and the Only Solution

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Abiding

7 Ways to Forgive [podcast]


PRAY

“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 AND DO GOOD TO THE OFFENDER

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:9

REFUSE TO SPEAK EVIL OF THE OFFENDER

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14

RELEASE THEM FROM YOUR PUNISHMENT

“Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

DON’T CELEBRATE THEIR FAILURES

“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:17-18

TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31

STOP DWELLING ON THE PAST

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18

The blessedness of being merciful to others:

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

The only way to prevent holding a grudge, is to simply forgive them – as God freely forgave you through the infinite price Christ paid for your sins on the cross, of which you don’t deserve (Psalms 103:10).

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:30-32

Being kind and forgiving towards others becomes simple as we look in the mirror and declare with Paul the apostle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” (Romans 7:18)

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalms 103:10

Forgiveness becomes easy when we look in the mirror to see the person (us, me) who needs God’s mercy more than any other person alive on the earth! Memorize Ephesians 4:32 now. KJB

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14

Forgiveness Quotes

Forgiveness is ultra important to God. If you don’t forgive all others, you are not forgiven of your own sin and are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If you refuse to forgive you damn your own soul, non-negotiably. irrevocably.

“Forgiveness does not mean what happened is okay. It means not letting what happened take any more of your happiness.” Michelle Maros

“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Bryant McGill

“Love is an act of endless forgiveness. Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness is the final act of love.” Reinhold Niebuhr

“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” unknown

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Christ’s Non-Negotiable Original Gospel Imperative [podcast]


“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30

It’s one thing to claim we are with Christ and He with us, and it’s another thing to prove we are with the Savior by adhering to His words. Jesus told us that those who are “of God” hear and obey His words (John 8:47).

If one chooses not to love Jesus enough to obey His stated terms, such a man has rejected the Son of God for the love of sinful self and will perish in his own corruption (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).

“Repentance is to TAKE SIDES with God against yourself. It is a CHANGE of attitude toward SELF, toward SIN, toward GOD, toward CHRIST that is so REAL that it RESULTS in a changed life. It is raising the WHITE FLAG in SURRENDER to God and turning to Christ as your only LORD and Savior. Repentance is NOT a work … works are the fruit of repentance (Ephesians 2:8-10).” Trent Austin

Only the counterfeit will get upset at this Gospel message because such a rebel wants nothing to do with taking personal responsibility for his sin, the denial of self, the crucified life to be set apart, holy, and having the Savior reign!

Notice how Jesus knits the denial of self, the daily cross, the putting off the deeds of the body, of keeping under the body (the iniquitous fallen nature) with the destiny of the eternal soul.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him!

Each of us proves exactly who we love the most by the way we are living! – God or self!

Everything that is happening in your life now is being allowed by God in order to get you down low into the death and burial with Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 4.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 

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