
IS ALL DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN CHRISTIANS A SIN? [podcast]
IS ALL DISAGREEMENT A SIN?
What Saith the Scriptures?
Kingdom Truth to Help You Walk in God’s Peace in Your Kingdom Relationships
Is there room for disagreement within the body of Christ? Yes, yet only on things not doctrinally essential. Not with doctrinal essentials, and yet as far as wisdom concerning direction, real time decisions, disagreement is acceptable. Everyone doesn’t have to see everything the same way as far as non-essentials are concerned.
Do we recall how Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed concerning John Mark?
Paul and Barnabas Separate
“And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. 37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.” Acts 15:36-41
John Mark was the son of Mary, at whose house the members of Christ prayed when Peter was jailed and about to be martyred. They prayed fervently and God sent His angel to free Peter (Acts 12:12).
John Mark was born again. Otherwise, Paul and Barnabas would never have brought him with them to minister our LORD’s Gospel. John Mark had on their first journey with them, departed before their ministry mission was accomplished (Acts 15:38). Paul saw this past departure one way, and Barnabas another. Which of these men of God were in sin? Neither.
John Mark was the nephew of Barnabas and so Barnabas perhaps knew the weaknesses of his family, considering wisely that John Mark was a young man with much growing to do. And Barnabas had faith that young John Mark would come around, would correct his errant ways and mature. Sure enough, Barnabas was correct. Years later Paul said:
“Only Luke is with me. Take Mark (John Mark), and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:11
Paul now sees John Mark as “profitable to me for the ministry.”
John Mark had matured, he’d received correction and was growing in Christ and now ready, prepared to be involved in the ministry. He was now a much more mature, equipped man. Barnabas’ compassion greatly assisted this. John Mark was obviously willing and diligent in his repentance and life in Christ.
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21
Paul now honored the work of God in Barnabas, an elder, who no doubt had been greatly instrumental in the maturing of beloved younger John Mark. Isn’t that what true elders of Christ do – mature and equip the saints “for the work of the ministry”? Yes! See Ephesians 4:11-16.
“4:11 The beloved Doctor Luke was the only one who maintained contact with Paul in Rome. How much it must have meant to the apostle to have the spiritual encouragement and professional skill of this great man of God!
And how thankful we can be for the latter part of verse 11! It holds encouragement to all of us who have failed the Lord in our service that He will yet give us another opportunity to go forth for Him. Mark went with Paul and Barnabas on their First Missionary Journey, but then left them at Perga to return home. When it came time to go out on the Second Missionary Journey, Paul did not want to bring Mark along because of the young man’s previous retreat. When Barnabas insisted that Mark should accompany them, the matter was resolved by Paul’s leaving for Syria and Cilicia with Silas, while Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus. Later on, Paul and Mark were reconciled, and here the apostle specifically asks for Mark as one who is useful to him for ministry.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
One lesson we can learn here is to allow others the freedom of their own opinion concerning non-essentials (Romans 14). If something is not specifically cited as a sin in the Bible, keep learning and consider it a non-essential. See Romans 14 and the 17 soul damning sins Paul lists in Galatians 5:19-21. Just because your personal view is currently negative concerning a certain view or practice, doesn’t make it something GOD calls a sin.
Have you ever seen yourself acting, deliberating more like Paul in some cases and in others more like Barnabas? Is there room for both? Yes. Notice the Bible never hints, never once indicates that Paul was wrong for seeing things the way he viewed them in this situation. Neither was Barnabas wrong.
The blessing of Barnabas arises out of this relationship with his nephew. Barnabas’ name means “The son of consolation.” He lived up to his name. Barnabas was a compassionate man and who was a real helper to the members of Christ’s body.
His name first emerges in the last two verses of Acts 4.
“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 4:36-37
“4:36, 37 These verses are an introductory link with chapter 5. The generosity of Barnabas is set forth in striking contrast to the hypocrisy of Ananias. As a Levite, Joses … named Barnabas would not ordinarily have owned land. The Lord was to be the portion of the Levites. How or why he obtained the land, we do not know. But we do know that the law of love worked so powerfully in the life of this Son of Encouragement that he sold the land and laid the money at the apostles’ feet.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Barnabas’ name means the son of consolation. He was a compassionate consoler. Think about how Barnabas advocated, stood in the gap for John Mark. What a blessing when someone stands up for you, comes to your defense! Do you feel consoled? Yes. Do you want others to be consoled by your legitimate defense of them? Have you ever needed a second chance? Who is it that you could advocate for, could come to the defense of? Isn’t this what the beloved Barnabas did in the case of John Mark? Yes. See Acts 15:36-41. How far do you think Barnabas’ consolation to John Mark went in the heart of the younger saint, John Mark?
Perhaps some of our relationships over the years, can be seen through the lens of how Barnabas and Paul, neither who was wrong. Yet they separated, God giving them each others to minister with.
Giving preference, giving room for other members of Christ’s body to grow in His grace …… we see exercised through Barnabas (2 Peter 3:18).
WHO among us has ever needed a second chance? Who among us has been in the need of a beloved Barnabas, a consoler, one who would nurse us to health and victory? WHO has ever been super encouraged that someone believed in them, believed to the best, believed by their faith in God, that you were coming forth, were going to be tried and come forth as purified gold? See Job 23:10.
“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10
Also, we know that Paul controlled no one, unlike some of the warlocks and witches of the modern church world (1 Corinthians 16:12; 2 Corinthians 1:24). All who dare seek to exercise undue, unwarranted, ungodly control over any child of God, any sheep of Christ’s pasture, is under divine condemnation (Revelation 2:6, 15).
“…with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” Ezekiel 34:4
Read Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34. Woah!
Jesus has singlehandedly saved us individually and is the owner of His sheep, each one of them. HE leads them and any man who dares unduly interfere will pay (John 10).
What if someone like the young John Mark, who was lacking maturity in your past re-enters your life? Will you hold them in contempt for past errors, sins, lack of maturity? Have you not needed, and do you not still have great need of growing in the grace of Christ? See 2 Peter 3:18. This disciple has infinite need of growing in our LORD’s grace.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
How do you wish for people to view you? By your past or present? How do you desire other members of Jesus’ body to see you? To see you now, now that God has significantly matured you, now after the cross has begun to take center stage in your daily life and now you are more conformed to the image of Christ – now that much tribulation has come your way and God brought you through it all into a much more matured state? (Romans 8:28-29; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:5-8; 5:10, etc.)
Anyone else here ever shake your head at the thought, the remembrance of the dumb things you did in your past, in your earlier days after being born again? Or is that just this fool?
God be praised afresh, here and now, for His great mercy!
“And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.” 2 Chronicles 1:8
Read that again and scan your memory of the beloved king David – how he enters our view as a shepherd boy, faithfully worshipping God in the privacy of a pasture, guiding the sheep. Then this great worshipper emerges as a warrior to take out Israel’s chief enemy, the giant from Gath (Goliath). David is appointed by the LORD to be king of Israel. He wins many battles and then loses the battle to lust and commits adultery with Bathsheba, then has her husband murdered. He then suffers the loss of their baby (2 Samuel 11-12). God then, after the ups and downs of David, in the New Testament Scriptures, says this of the beloved David: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22).
How many of us want the LORD to say, in the end “THAT is a daughter, a son ‘after mine own heart”? How would you like to hear the Almighty speak your name and say, “I have found ______ the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will”?
Are you getting a bit happier to begin to increasingly realize that it’s how we FINISH more than about how we started?
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
Perhaps we could surmise that part of the fight Paul had to fight in fighting the good fight of faith, was to forget his own past sins, mistakes, failures, rebellion.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
YOUR PRAYER: Merciful heavenly Father, I love You. Here and now, I come before Your holy presence in the name of my LORD Jesus, praising and thanking You afresh for Your great mercy upon my many sins, disobedience, rebellion, self-idolatry, and pride. Please wash me, wash my life afresh by the precious blood of Your only begotten Son, my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. Bless this life to be from here forward settled at Thy holy feet dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen LORD. I love You.
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Abiding
“Buried with Him by Baptism into Death” [podcast]

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
Every person “hid with Christ in God” is saved and under divine grace, saved by Christ.
Everyone not “hid with Christ in God” is going away in judgment (Colossians 3:3; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:19-21, 24). When we are “hid with Christ in God,” we are safe, secure, and under the blessings of His divine grace instead of His condemnation.
“Of the doctrine of baptisms” Hebrews 6:2
Baptized into Jesus Christ and Baptized into His Death
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Romans 6:3
Jesus defeated death, hell, sin, and satan by dying (Hebrews 2:14)…. whereby He was then resurrected and redemption was completed. Redemption culminated, was finalized in the resurrection of Christ.
In the same way, God calls us to die downward with Christ so that He can raise us upward into His victory…. letting go and letting God, not a striving or struggle but rather a surrender, we are to let Christ consume us, as we surrender (John 3:30).
“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” Luke 23:46
Are we willing to declare today to declare with our LORD Jesus that we are submitting our spirit into His holy hands?
“death is swallowed up in victory” – death results in God raising us upward, into His full victory, ultimately into final, eternal victory, glory with the Father, Son, and the saints of the ages.
We can be sure, completely confident that as we die downward and are buried with Christ, God is going to raise us up into His victory God’s answer to death and burial is resurrection.
The resurrection is the victory and in order to experience His resurrection life, we must be dead and buried and ultimately raised up into eternal glory with Him.
“Thou fool, that which thou sowest (plant downward) is not quickened (made alive), except it die:” 1 Corinthians 15:36
“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54
Romans 6
“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.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
v3 – “baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death”
v4 – “buried with him by baptism into death”
v5 – “his death … his resurrection”
Notice that death and buried, being immersed into the death and burial of Christ must of necessity precede, must come before the resurrection we experience with Christ through the daily cross life.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
When He saves us we are baptized with Him “into his death” …. “I am crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20)
“When a person is saved, he is baptized into Christ Jesus in the sense that he is identified with Christ in His death and resurrection. This is not the same as the baptism in (or of) the Spirit, though both occur simultaneously. The latter baptism places the believer in the body of Christ (1Co_12:13); it is not a baptism into death. The baptism into Christ means that in the reckoning of God, the believer has died with Christ and has risen with Him.
When Paul speaks of baptism here, he is thinking both of our spiritual identification with Christ and of its portrayal in water baptism. But as the argument advances, he seems to shift his emphasis in a special way to water baptism as he reminds his readers how they were “buried” and “planted together” in the “likeness” of Christ’s death.
The NT never contemplates the abnormal situation of an unbaptized believer. It assumes that those who are converted submit to baptism right away. Thus our Lord could speak of faith and baptism in the same breath: “he who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mrk_16:16). Though baptism is not a requirement for salvation, it should be the invariable public sign of it.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Baptized into the body of Christ
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13
“1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized, etc. – As the body of man, though composed of many members, is informed and influenced by one soul; so the Church of Christ, which is his body, though composed of many members, is informed and influenced by one Spirit, the Holy Ghost; actuating and working by his spiritual body, as the human soul does in the body of man.
To drink into one Spirit – We are to understand being made partakers of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost agreeably to the words of our Lord, Jhn_7:37, etc.: If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink: this he spake of the Spirit which they that believed on him should receive.
On this verse there is a great profusion of various readings, which may be found in Griesbach, but cannot be conveniently noticed here.” Adam Clarke
“Baptism is more than just getting wet! When we go down into the water it signifies we are now dead and buried and our “life is hid with Christ in God.” Col 3:3. Coming up out of the water is our resurrection life! We are then raised up into newness of life! Our old man is crucified and we no longer serve sin but we have a new Master! Jesus Christ is the new Master of our lives! We now serve God and not sin. And should be bearing fruit of rightness and holiness! Romans 6. When we embrace the crucified life we are given overflowing rivers of new life! New life is breathed into us. Walking in the flesh only makes our soul sick with sin! And sin kills and destroys! (Romans 6:23). Rotting us from the inside out! But the way of the cross brings life to our flesh! (Proverbs 3:8, 4:22). Our flesh meaning our whole spirit, soul and body. 1 Thessalonians 5:23. We cannot be a whole person until we are completely given over to the Lord! And this can only happen through the cross. When we are dead and buried and raised up in the newness of life Jesus offers us! Then the joy of the Lord will fill our hearts!” Karen Cochran
What some don’t realize is that just because they were saved in the past in no way means they are still in Christ. This is why we read things like this throughout Scripture:
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
We must judge ourselves against God’s Word.
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
Prayer: Father please penetrate my heart with Your holy conviction, granting true repentance and obedience. LORD, I want to be dead and buried with You. I am crucified with Christ and I know You are raising me up and will ultimately raise me up with You into eternal glory… I am not planted together in the likeness of His death and burial and I know You are raising me up into the victory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Articles
Is Romans 7 Before or After Paul’s Salvation?

“The truth is that while Christ dwells in the believer’s new nature, He has strong competition from the believer’s old nature. The warfare between the old and the new goes on continually in most believers.” AW Tozer
The law of God is “holy, and just, and good.” (Romans 7:12)
The holy law of God and the depraved nature of fallen mankind could not be further apart – the righteousness of God inherent in His law vs the “old man,” the iniquitous fallen nature of mankind (Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9).
Nothing but a caustic reaction, explosion could be the result of the 2 colliding (Romans 7). One or the other must reign.
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17
In what tense did the great apostle speak in when addressing this “old man” that wars against the Spirit in us?
“O WRETCHed man that I am! (presently) who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24
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.
“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.” Romans 7:18
No, the apostle wasn’t admitting to living in sin but rather that that “old man” – the flesh – was present and must be crucified with Christ daily. Is that not exactly what Jesus taught?
“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.” Luke 9:23-24
I believe Romans 7 applies to both before and after one is saved …. Because if the saved person departs from the daily cross walk, that same “old man” will take center stage. “O wretch man that I AM (present)” (Romans 7:18) ….. we are born again children of God, saints of the Most High and yet that potential to evil, that “old man” must be crucified and “put off” by the daily cross so the “new man” can reign with Christ in this life and eternity. What Paul calls the “old man” must be “put off” and so we can conclude that there IS an “old man” to be “put off” otherwise no such instruction would have been given. We are not to deny the “old man” – the sinful bent – but rather to crucify it (Romans 6; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9).
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.”
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.
What to “Put Off” and What to “Put On”
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation THE OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on THE NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off THE OLD MAN with his deeds; 10 And have put on THE NEW MAN, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:9-10
“When we embrace the crucified life we are given overflowing rivers of new life! New life is breathed into us. Walking in the flesh only makes our soul sick with sin! And sin kills and destroys! (Romans 6:23). Rotting us from the inside out! But the way of the cross brings life to our flesh! (Proverbs 3:8, 4:22). Our flesh meaning our whole spirit, soul and body. 1 Thessalonians 5:23. We cannot be a whole person until we are completely given over to the Lord! And this can only happen through the cross. When we are dead and buried and raised up in the newness of life Jesus offers us, then the joy of the Lord will fill our hearts!” Karen Cochran
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Articles
What Does it Mean to Follow Christ? [podcast]

“Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3
THE LORD is calling for an immediate release of the WHOLE counsel of HIS WORD!
DO you have a 20/20 vision? Read Acts 20:20 and get it!
Just like fake news TV, wolves only give you a small part of the whole story – in order to manipulate you! Half truths kill!
YOU know when you are right with God when you are running TO the cross message and not AWAY from it! “Enemies of the cross” of Christ “mind earthly things” and not the things the LORD commanded (Philippians 3:18-19).
The cross is a dethroning, unseating of self and the enthroning of Christ!
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