Is Peter the Rock or is Jesus? CATHOLIC HERESY EXPOSED! [podcast]
The catholic church prides itself on traditions.
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the TRADITIONS which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15
When Paul spoke of “traditions” it was in direct reference to the divine truth he’d previously delivered to the believers at Thessalonica – which is now the written Word of God.
The catholic church, laced and laden with completely un-biblical traditions, vainly attempts to claim their basis for such based on this one verse above. Laughable. Catholic traditions completely contradict the final divine authority of Holy Scripture. For example, can anyone find a scapular, a rosary, a novena prayer, a prayer to Mary, purgatory, holy days of obligation, a mass, or a so-called “pope” in God’s Word? No. Not one.
Anybody who thinks that anything or anyone else but Jesus Christ is essential for eternal life is Anti-Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). This includes 100% of pagan roman catholic idolaters. Jesus is the only way and not just a way (John 14:6). There is no such thing in Christ’s kingdom, in the Bible, as a pope, purgatory, a scapular, a rosary, a novena, mass, etc. Repent now and follow Jesus or you are going to hell irrevocably and there is no such thing as purgatory which is just another lie.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” Exodus 20:3-5
“I was born catholic and I will die catholic!” is a phrase all ex catholics have heard. These are people who were initiated into (sprinkling rites at 8 days old) and personally vowed, swore their eternal souls to this false religion.
“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 6:17-18
Religion is Satan’s greatest tool and was Jesus’ worst enemy when He walked the earth (Matthew 23). No such thing as a catholic who is Heaven-bound! Idolatry is a soul damning abomination to the Almighty and if you need to repent right now for misleading catholics into thinking they’re save, please do so. Any catholic who gets saved IS coming out (Matthew 6:24; 1 Corinthians 10:21; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18; Revelation 18:4, etc.).
Does Matthew 16:18 Teach that Peter was the “First Pope”?
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
Let’s take a closer look. As a Catholic, I was taught that Peter is the rock, not Jesus. This brainwashing begins from the beginning of the lives of those born into families that are Catholic. Regrettably, most Catholics just accept this teaching and never investigate it for themselves.
In using this passage to teach that Peter—the supposed “first pope”—is the rock, the Catholic church insidiously borrows from the credibility of the Bible while taking it out of the biblical context in which it is written. The Catholic church discourages its members from reading the Bible for themselves and when they do use the Bible, it’s usually out of its obvious context. More on this in a moment.
Catholicism seeks to rob Jesus Christ of His preeminence as the only divine LORD and only Savior. As we are now going to see by looking at the passage in context, they bait and switch here. They put the emphasis on Peter and not Jesus. So, they rob Christ of the glory due His Name alone and put that glory on a sinner named Peter. Then they teach the heresy that he was the first pope. First of all, there’s no such thing as a pope in the kingdom of Christ. There’s not one mention of a pope in the Bible and for that matter, no mention of a novena, a mass, a scapular, a rosary, or purgatory in God’s Word. It’s all made up Pagan mythology to mislead people away from the Savior.
WHO IS THE REAL ROCK?
“This rock” is not referring to Peter but rather the revelation of Jesus Christ Himself as the only Messiah. Let’s read this passage carefully. Peter had just told Jesus that HE, Jesus, is the prophesied Messiah, “the Son of the living God.” This is what was revealed to Peter by the heavenly Father. Then what was Jesus’ initial response? “This rock” is not referring to Peter but rather the revelation that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, the only Savior who came to take away the sins of the world (Matthew 16:13-20). Note how the passage closes: – “Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ” (Matthew 16:20). Notice Jesus didn’t say “Tell no man that Peter is the rock.” Hmmmmm …. this passage is about the Rock, Jesus Christ, and not Peter or the Catholic church. This is just another antichrist heresy peddled by the Roman church, seeking to steal the glory from the LORD Jesus Christ, the only LORD and Savior, the only Rock (Deuteronomy 32:4; 1 Corinthians 10:4).
PETER CONFESSES JESUS AS THE CHRIST
Matthew 16:13 – When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 – And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 – He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Matthew 16:16 – And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:17 – And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 16:18 – And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:19 – And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 16:20 – Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Interestingly, just after Jesus told Peter that He was going to build His church (called-out people) upon the rock of the revelation that Jesus is the Christ, He told Peter to “Get thee behind me Satan.” The catholic church teaches that their pope is infallible. Yet we know that Jesus told Peter, supposedly the “first pope” to “Get thee behind me Satan.” (Matthew 16:23) – IF THE “FIRST POPE” (who actually walked with Jesus in the flesh for 3.5 yrs) WASN’T PERFECT/INFALLIBLE, HOW COULD CURRENT ONES BE???
WAS PETER EVER IN ROME? READ ROMANS 16, WRITTEN FROM ROME BY PAUL. PAUL LISTS 27 PEOPLE. PETER WAS NOT EVEN MENTIONED.
ABOUT 80-90 A.D. PETER WROTE TWO EPISTLES (NEAR THE END OF THE NEW TESTAMENT), A TOTAL OF 8 CHAPTERS AND NEVER MENTIONED ONE TIME THAT HE WAS A “POPE” OR THAT THERE WAS A “CATHOLIC CHURCH.” DID THE HOLY SPIRIT AND PETER FORGET TO TELL US SOMETHING IMPORTANT OR IS SUCH SIMPLY NOT TRUE???
Jesus did not appoint Peter to the headship of the apostles and forbade any such notion (Matthew 20:20-28; Luke 22:24-26; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 3:11).
The only Church Jesus has is the born again Church He died to save. God’s Word tells us that Christ is the only HEAD of His one body! This alone means that the pope of Rome is the head of a false church. God has One Church with One Head – Jesus Christ, the nail-scarred risen LORD and only Savior (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 2:10, 19).
Note: Nor is there any mention in Scripture, nor in history, that Peter ever was in Rome, much less that he was pope there for 25 years. Clement, 3rd bishop of Rome, remarks that “there is no real 1st century evidence that Peter ever was in Rome.”
To What Degree, How High does the Catholic Church Elevate the “Pope”?
Peter was not the first “pope.” There’s no such thing as a “pope” in Christ’s kingdom. The word or concept of a “pope” is found no where in Scripture other than the seat of antichrist which pretends to put itself in place of the LORD Jesus Christ. Anti in antichrist simply means “in place of.” (2 Thessalonians 2) Listen closely to the following passage and see if you can guess who the Holy Spirit is speaking of. Who fits this description?:
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Now do we see why nearly all Christian leaders of past days called the pope of Rome “the seat of antichrist”?
The catholic church officially and blasphemously teaches that the costume-clad sinner on a man-made throne in Rome is “Jesus Christ Himself.” Listen to their own words:
“The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, HE IS JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, hidden under the veil of flesh.” Catholic National July 1895. ANTICHRIST BLASPHEMY!
“The Pope is of so great dignity and so exalted that he is not a mere man, but as it were God, and the vicar of God…He is likewise the divine monarch and supreme emperor and king of kings. Hence the pope Is crowned with a triple crown, as king of heaven and of earth and of the lower regions.” Ferraris EccI. Dictionary (Catholic) Article, Pope. ANTICHRIST BLASPHEMY
“The pope is of so great dignity and so exalted that he is not a mere man (…) he is as it were God on earth, sole sovereign of the faithful of Christ, chief of kings, having plenitude of power.” -Lucius Ferraris, «Prompta Bibliotheca», 1763, Volume VI, ‘Papa II’, pp.25-29 ANTICHRIST BLASPHEMY
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SAYS: “The Pope has power to change times, to abrogate laws, and to dispense with all things, even the precepts of Christ”. “The Pope has authority and has often exercised it, to dispense with the command of Christ.” This is from Decretal, de Tranlatic Episcop. Cap. THIS IS ANTICHRIST!
NOTE…this is only “one” definition of blasphemy. Another is claiming to have the power to “forgive sins” Case in point = Mark 2:7, which states, “Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” The “confessional” of the Roman Catholic Church is indeed yet another identifiable feature exposing the Vatican as Antichrist’s dwelling. They openly declare a mere MAN dressed as a priest has the power to FORGIVE SINS!
God alone can forgive a sinner, can forgive sins. Jesus says:
“the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins” Matthew 9:6
No sinner can forgive his own sins, much less the sins of another. The catholic church is a demonic pagan cult which pretends that its costume-clad unsaved “priests” can forgive sins. Hint: The catholic confessional booth was originate for espionage purposes – to find out and blackmail those who went there and confessed their sins to those God-less “priests”.
“Many believe that the Catholic Church or the Pope is the Antichrist. It is interesting that from their own church historians they have said, “The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of human flesh“(Catholic National Magazine, 1895). Pope Pius V was quoted as saying “The Pope and God are the same, so he has all power in Heaven and earth” (quoted in Barclay, Chapter XXVII, p. 218, Cities Petrus Bertanous). Can the Pope forgive sins? Consider this written record from Alphonsus de Liguori, in Dignity and Duties of the Priest, “To pardon a single sin requires all the omnipotence of God…The Jews justly said: ‘Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ But what only GOD can do by His omnipotence, the PRIEST can ALSO do by saying ‘Ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis’ [I absolve you from your sin] (pages 34-35).” Unknown
It would be wise to ask your friends and family who are still catholic if they know that their “church” teaches this.
Why aren’t catholic priests and popes married? Peter, the supposed “first pope” was married.
“And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.” Matthew 8:14
Notice that if Jesus healed Peter “WIFE’S mother,” the apostle Peter was married.
GOD NEVER TOLD YOU THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS OF HIM, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TOLD YOU THIS.
ISN’T IT INTERESTING that in the 27 books of the New Testament Scriptures, Mary is not once mentioned after the 6th book? There are 27 books in the divinely inspired New Testament canon of Holy Scripture and Mary is not even mentioned in 21 of those books. Further, the supposed “first pope” (Peter) never mentioned Mary one time in the 8 chapters he penned which are at the end of the New Testament canon. Also, Peter never referred to himself as a “pope.” He was an apostle. A telling fact for certain! God never placed the emphasis on Mary that the Roman religion does. Which will you serve? Jesus says, “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
True Christians follow Jesus Christ and His words (John 8:31-31,47). Only an idolater (barred from Heaven Ephesians 5:3-7) would follow some robe-wearing earthly “pope” or Mary.
FACT: THERE IS NO PROOF PETER WAS THE FIRST “POPE”…THE OFFICE OF “POPE” WASN’T EVEN INVENTED TILL SEVERAL CENTURIES AFTER CHRIST AND PETER HAD LEFT THE EARTH.
If Peter was the first “pope” then why didn’t he say so? Why didn’t the APOSTLE (not pope) Peter simply tell us if in fact he was the first “pope”? Because the fairy tale “pope” is a myth and has nothing to do with New Testament Christianity or the true people of God.
“Holy Father”?
The catholic church calls their pope “holy father.” There’s nothing holy about the pope because there is no pope in Christ’s kingdom. He’s a mere man, nothing more than a sinner dressed in a religious costume. If the Son of God was speaking about the Catholic pope, why did Jesus not tell us he would be based in Rome, that he would be wearing a long robe (that Jesus forbid in Luke 20:46), and be called “holy father” which Christ also forbid? (Matthew 23:9) Why, O Why? Did the Almighty forget to tell us something we needed to know?
Is the pope a mere “man”? Jesus commanded – “And call NO MAN your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9).
Jesus warned against long robes. Look up Luke 20:46. He gave us a clue as to who was false.
According to the Son of God “Damnation” is where the robe-wearing priests and pope are headed – “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation” (Luke 20:46-47).
What happens when you put a robe on a sinner? Simple: you then have a sinner dressed in a religious costume.
Catholics have been misled. This is obvious because they only tout and defend mere men and an organization of mere sinful men. Their defense and praise is not about worshiping Jesus Christ who is the only nail-scarred risen LORD and Savior. “There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
THERE’S NO HOPE IN THE POPE – JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY
Peter was a Jewish man who was an apostle, not a pope—no such thing as a pope in God’s economy, otherwise He would have told us in His Word. The word or concept of a “pope” is nowhere to be found in God’s Word, the Bible.
Catholicism is based upon a mere sinful man, peter (pebble), while true Christianity and the object of worship for true believers is the sinless ONE with the nail-scarred hands who died for the sins of all the world.
“HOLY FATHER” is the Catholic term for their phony “pope” and yet it is a title God Almighty claims for Himself alone in the Bible (John 17:11). This title occurs only once in the Bible (John 17:11) when Jesus addresses His Heavenly Father in His great prayer before His betrayal, arrest and crucifixion. It is blasphemy for any man to claim this title for himself. It belongs only to God, the Father.
WHERE JESUS IS, THERE IS THE TRUE CHURCH. WHERE THE POPE IS, THERE IS THE FALSE CHURCH. ALL POPES ARE MERE SINFUL MEN. JESUS IS GOD.
Can the pope save anyone’s soul from eternal damnation? No, the pope is a mere sinner too. The long robe and title changes nothing. God will judge. Concerning the dead popes, perhaps we should consider the words of our precious LORD: “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60).
Friend be not deceived, no true Christian honors the rotting bones of a mere sinful man (like pope John Paul II) because the One who saved the true believer with His precious blood has arisen and is alive forever more. Amen.
JESUS TOLD US HE IS THE ONLY WAY. WHO’S LYING? “It is necessary to salvation that every man should submit to the Pope.” (Boniface VIII Unum Sanctum, 1303.) ANTICHRIST BLASPHEMY.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DOESN’T WANT ITS MEMBERS READING GOD’S WORD FOR THEMSELVES
The Catholic church did not want the Bible to be translated into English because if the people read it then they would find out the errors in their church.
The Council of Trent (1545-1564) placed the Bible on its list of PROHIBITED BOOKS and forbade any person to read the Bible without a license from a Roman Catholic bishop or inquisitor. The Council added these words: “That if any one shall dare to read or keep in his possession that book, without such a license, he shall not receive absolution till he has given it up to his ordinary.”
The Pope put the Bible on the Index of forbidden books in the 12th century.
Why did the pope forbid God’s Word being known by the common man? It’s simple, the Roman religion doesn’t want the light of Scripture to shine on their darkness. They want to keep their prey in slavery.
Dear Catholic friend, why do you think Rome prohibited Catholics, and others, from reading the Bible? Why do you think they killed over 50 million people and called them heretics for reading and believing the Holy Scriptures? Why did Pope Pius VII say that the Bible causes men more harm than benefit? Why would God’s Word cause harm?
Why is the true gospel of salvation through Christ alone and by unmerited divine grace never preached in the Catholic mass? This fact alone clearly shows the falsity of this religion of mere men and shows how infinitely distant it is from the LORD Jesus.
Historical List of Atrocities of the Popes | The Catholic Church Exposed |
There is no salvation without regeneration. “Ye MUST be born again.” John 3:3, 7
I also ask them to show Bible Scriptures demonstrating how the scapular, rosary, purgatory, etc. are biblical. Laughable. Not one of these are ever mentioned in the Bible and are totally pagan.
Making Peace with God Now – Before it’s too late. | The Catholic Church Exposed
Abiding
“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in all the World” [podcast]
“All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:8-14
The true remnant of Christ are known in that they are enduring to the end in the midst of iniquity, abounding and preaching the Gospel of Jesus the King to the world.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ, admitting I have been living for my own evil glory. I am a sinner. I’ve committed the sin of idolatry, having myself first instead of You. I admit here and now before You that I have been committing the damning sin of spiritual adultery. I have claimed to know You and yet refused to uncompromisingly adhere to Your Word. Here and now, right now if never before, I repent and ask You to forgive my sins and to wash me afresh from my sins in the precious blood of Jesus Christ my LORD. Into Your hands I commend, I submit my spirit, my life, right this moment and ask You dear LORD to fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me to preach Your glorious message of repentance to those around me so that they can receive the forgiveness of all their sins and walk in the times of refreshing from Your holy presence dear LORD. I love You Jesus. I am all Yours and I know You are all mine. In Jesus’ Name amen.
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Apostasy
Jesus Promised Judas an Eternal Throne in Heaven but He Chose to go to Hell #shorts [video]
Judas died and went to eternal hell, irrevocably as every lost soul shall experience (Acts 1:25). Judas is the “son of perdition” and “perdition” means damnation (John 17:12).
Here’s all the ministry’s shorts (60 secs) videos. Feel free to share:
See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.
Judas was even sent out with the other apostles to heal the sick, raise the dead, and preach Christ’s Gospel (Matthew 10:1-8). He was real, then backslid and is in hell (Acts 1:16-25).
“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones (not 11), judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)
Judas wasn’t kept and Jesus specifically and irrefutably promised him an eternal throne in Heaven – Matthew 19:28. “TWELVE” not eleven~!
At the time of this divinely-given promise, it is more than abundantly clear that Judas was eternally secure, otherwise Christ would have never given this promise to the “twelve” which includes Judas Iscariot (Matthew 19:28). It is only after this that Judas allowed iniquity in his heart and by his own deliberate will fell by his own iniquity (Acts 1:25; Heb. 3:12-15).
“Saying, I (Judas) have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.” Matthew 27:4
“Eternal security”? Don’t kid yourself. Moral cowards who refuse to take person accountability for their every thought, motive, and deed love this lie. Satan’s first lie – which led to the fall of mankind (Gen 2:17; 3:4).
“For if AFTER they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are AGAIN entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, AFTER they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21
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Articles
Obedience or Love – Which is Most Important? [podcast]
“IF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
Have you ever noticed the “If” of this statement by our LORD Jesus?
Okay, reread the words of Jesus above and see what comes first in the sentence – “love” or keeping His commands.
“IF you love me, keep my commandments” says Jesus (John 14:15)…. IF we don’t know and love Him there’s no use trying to keep His Word…. He’s not speaking of keeping His Word in order to earn His justification but rather as the fruit of knowing Him in a saving relationship….
“Few seem to understand the huge difference between obedience and legalism. We obey because we love God and we know obedience doesn’t save us. Legalism believes by obeying they are saved by it. We that are born again know only the blood of Jesus saved us but we also know that obedience proves we are saved and keeps us saved. It is joy to obey the Lord as we love what He loves and we hate what He hates. Amen.” Shirley Bruso
—- JESUS IS NOT GLORIFIED BY THE KEEPing OF HIS INSTRUCTIONS/COMMANDS BY THOSE WHO DON’T LOVE HIM …. LOVE COMES FIRST – LOVING AND WORSHIPPING HIM IS MOST IMPORTANT TO GOD. “IF IF, IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.” JOHN 14:15
“Ye are my friends, IF ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14
LOVE is the governing factor:
“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Of John 14:15 and 15:14, one source notes the following:
- John 14:15: Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” He makes keeping His words the direct proof of love.
- John 15:14: Jesus says, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” He shows that friendship with Him requires action and obedience.
- Love is the root: Jesus starts with love as the inner heart motive.
- Works are the fruit: Doing His commands is the outward action that proves the love is real.
- They are not separate: Jesus does not say love replaces works; He says love produces obedience.”
Love begins with God and any relationship requires reciprocating love – love flowing from each of the 2 parties to one another.
“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD TO HER.” Genesis 29:20
Jacob didn’t mind serving a whole 7 years for Rachel, because he loved her so much. The true disciple doesn’t view serving God as drudgery but rather delight – because he loves God supremely!
“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” John 16:21
“His commandment are not grievous”
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3
IF I don’t love Jesus, do you think He’s honored when I try to obey what He said? No.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…” Matthew 22:37
“IFFF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
IF WE LOVE JESUS, OBEYING HIM IS JOY, JUST AS IT WAS FOR JACOB AS HE SERVED A WHOLE 7 YEARS TO OBTAIN A LIFELONG MARITAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS BELOVED RACHEL (GENESIS 29:20).
Perhaps we are not understanding the divine economy as Christ meant us to understand Him. Jesus says “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14) It’s only IF I love Jesus that He is interested in my doing the things He told HIS true people to do, otherwise, my good works are in vain, even if I suffer martyrdom by burning my body – “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) IF WE DON’T LOVE HIM – truly – with our whole heart, mind, and strength He’s not interested in us obeying Him (Matthew 22:37-39). Now, of course, if I truly do love Him, I will obey Him and yet Jesus doesn’t want us to think we are impressing Him by outward obedience only. In the divine economy, it all begins with LOVE – “God so LOVED the world that He gave ….” (John 3:16) The Bible informs us that “The Lord looketh on the heart” and if He sees that I don’t truly love Him, He’s not interested in my vain outward show (1 Samuel 16:7).
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Those who truly know and love Him do His commandments. They don’t live on their own terms but rather on His. They delight to do His will because they truly seek, know, and love Him who bled to redeem their otherwise hopeless, wretched souls. Yet, obedience saves no one. Keeping His commandments doesn’t save you – the pharisees claimed to do that while refusing to come to Christ whom (John 5:39-40). No, God alone can save and He does so on His terms – initial and ongoing faith “which worketh by love” which is relationship. Yes, “faith … worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:6) Remember that even if a person goes so far as to give their body to be burned and has no love – they don’t love God, their obedience, their sacrifice is in vain (1 Corinthians 13:3).
1 Thessalonians 1:3 speaks to those already saved using the phrases “work of faith, and labour of love.” Please pay close attention to the words “faith” and “love.” “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
When God initially saves us, He puts a love in our hearts for Him which is manifested by putting our faith in Christ. Jesus taught that knowing the Father and Himself were cardinal in His kingdom. – “And this is life eternal (the whole purpose for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10
DID GOD send His only begotten Son to create an army of mechanical law-keepers OR a family who knows, worships, and adores Him? What does the Bible say is the cardinal reason for the whole plan of redemption? Why did God send His only begotten Son to bleed, be buried, and raised again to justify all who would come to Him? Are you familiar with what the LORD told us in Exodus 25:8, Matthew 22:37-40, and Philippians 3:10? We must have anchored in our hearts this glorious truth of knowing Him! Nothing else matters if we don’t relish Him, adore Him, and worship Him. If you name the name of Jesus Christ, it would greatly benefit your life, understanding. and ministry to memorize the words of the very Redeemer Himself as is recorded in John 17:3. More on that later.
If we love the LORD truly and our neighbor we will not steal, lie, covet, bear false witness, hate, commit adultery, OR any of those other sins and be walking in God’s perfect will. It’s really quite simple actually. But first we must examine this day whether or not we truly love Him.
One writer notes:
“Holiness is first and foremost agape love. Unconditional love for all, including enemies of us and enemies of God. This over-emphasis on repentance can make us the initiator and God the responder if we are not careful. God is always the initiator.”
IT IS MY OPINION THAT WE SHOULD BEGIN TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OVER-EMPHASIZE OBEDIENCE WHILE NEGLECTING TO PREACH THE COMMAND TO KNOW, LOVE, AND ABIDE IN CHRIST. ALL OF OUR OUTWARD OBEDIENCE IS IN VAIN IF WE DON’T AUTHENTICALLY LOVE HIM. MANY WHO PREACH SEEM TO BE DOING THIS AND ARE CALLING MANY TO WORSHIP AT THE ALTAR OF SELF BY PERPETRATING THE FALSE NOTION THAT CHRIST’S ONE PERFECT SACRIFICE WAS NOT ENOUGH. THIS SEEMS TO RESONATE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT TRULY AND UNRESERVEDLY SURRENDERED TO CHRIST AND WHO WANT TO FEEL AS IF THEY ARE HELPING TO EARN THEIR OWN SALVATION WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE. WHAT DOES ROMANS 4:4-5 TELL US?
“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
So, while it’s absolute that ALL who have saving faith in Christ are obedient and have good fruit in their lives, those good works and good fruit aren’t what saves them. No, good fruit merely evidences that there is a relationship. Christ alone can save and He does that instantly when a lost soul believes upon Him (John 6:47; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:1, etc.). The Great Shepherd of His sheep keeps His people saved as they keep themselves in the love of God, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 21: 1 Peter 1:5)
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21
The story of Jesus, Mary, and Martha is yet another place in the Scriptures of truth that clearly reveal what God is looking for from us – to love and to worship Him supremely.
“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
Jesus speaks to us of an abiding union/relationship with Him where He calls us His friends. I want to encourage you to read John 15 closely this week. In this discourse on the Husbandman (the Father), the Vine (Jesus), and the branches (us), you will note that the relationship precedes the fruit bearing. While the fruit reveals the root – testifies to the relationship – fruit doesn’t save, neither does obedience. God does require us to obey Him by putting our faith in Christ to save us, but it’s He who saves us. Jesus Christ alone can save. Ephesians 2:8-10 reveals that we are saved by His grace through our faith and that we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”
Consider that our LORD was “moved with compassion” toward those in need (Matthew 9:36). The great apostle said “the love of Christ constraineth (compels) us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)
At times we quote 1 John 2:4 and yet, let’s look at a wider angle of this passage:
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:3-6
“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice…” Matthew 9:13
“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Joel 2:13
Is loving God more important that obeying God? Both are obviously important and yet, in the divine economy, which is most important?
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Am I choosing and learning to “love the Lord” with my whole heart?
Andre Alexis writes: “Christianity is more than merely believing and obeying commands and reaping the promises of God. Christianity is not a religion: it is a relationship. And a relationship requires communication. Therefore, prayer is essential, because it is through prayer that you and I communicate with our heavenly Father.” …. This is a simple truth and yet bears stating as brother Andre did above. This is especially important due to the epidemic of charlatans which have promulgated a “what’s in it for me?” self-serving lifestyle upon millions who don’t bother to truly lay down their lives and see with their own eyes the full counsel of our LORD’s Word which actually communicate the very “thoughts of his heart.” (Psalms 33:11). The LORD wants a relationship with each of His children. He’s not just there to answer our every prayer while we commit spiritual adultery by wasting our time/lives in this fleeting world playing games, giving hours to frivolous foolishness, etc. He wants our hearts. Jesus told us the reason the Father sent Him in John 17:3. This was David’s and Paul’s whole goal in their respective earthly lives (Psalms 27:4, 8; Philippians 3:10). Jesus told us He wants an abiding relationship that bears fruit that remains to His eternal glory (John 15:1-16).
After being saved, under the new covenant, it’s not law keeping but rather abiding in Christ, amen? John 15 “Abide in me.”
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
PRAYER: Holy heavenly Father, I come to You impoverished in spirit. For without You dear LORD, we can do nothing. You are love and I am not and yet, I ask You here and now to more deeply imbue my innermost man with and teach me Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Uphold Jesus (audio)
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