What does “Lordship salvation” mean? Who uses this term?
Recently I read the piece below, calling out “lordship salvation”:
“In the sinner’s prayer … it says “I am willing to turn from sin…” The Bible NEVER asks us to give up anything to receive God’s FREE gift of salvation except our unbelief. I hate the damnable heresy that tells people that they can’t get saved unless they turn from sin. Show me that in the Bible! This does not give us a License to Sin, it simply means that discipleship does not affect our salvation. Jesus NEVER asked us to follow Him to be saved, ONLY to believe on Him.”
Much of this is correct and yet, what’s left out is that after receiving Jesus and thereby being saved by Him (John 1:12), the whole of Scripture reveals that one must “abide” in Christ which means to continue, to remain in Christ. Such can only occur where one that Christ saved is continuing in Him, following Him – otherwise those who don’t remain in Christ after being saved will be burned (John 15:1-6). Jesus warned us that in the last days, the days we now live in “the love of many” would “wax cold” and then says that only those who “endure to the end” are going to be “saved.” (Matthew 24:10-13)
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46
Keep in mind that those who condemningly ostracize those they say teach “Lordship salvation” are the exact same heretics who peddle Satan’s original life, which in our day is call things like “eternal security” or “once saved always saved.” (Genesis 2:17;3:4)
If one is not personally vested, engaged in, participating in an abiding worship-filled obedient relationship with Christ, he does not have saving faith nor a relationship with the Son of God. To speak to the issue of salvation as if it’s not a relationship where both parties must become engaged and remain an integral participant, is false. See Jesus’ parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.
When we worshipfully obey Jesus, we’re not earning our salvation, we’re simply walking with, engaging in a relationship with the Savior who saved us by His grace.
Did Jesus or His holy apostles ever once teach that those saved by Christ, who engage in a real relationship with Him which include obeying the Savior, are trying to earn, attempting to merit their own salvation? I’m still looking for any such verse in God’s Word.
If you don’t choose to love Jesus enough to obey His stated terms, you have rejected the Son of God for the love of sinful self and will perish in your own corruption (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).
“We cannot pray in love and live in hate and still think we are worshipping God.” AW Tozer
Those whom Jesus at one point saved and yet they despise the Savior by ridiculing the necessity of being in an abiding relationship with Him, do so because they want nothing to do with Him. They simply vainly believe they are using Him to get them out of hell and into Heaven. As He will sentence them to eternal fire, they will soon hear Him declare “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:40)
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
Our obedience to God is simply the expression of our love for Him.
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14
Now that is an irrefutable statement and yet the one and done, lukewarm, cross-less eternal securist will say that’s “adding to the gospel” or “works salvation.” Yet God’s Word states:
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4
When His covenant people were in rebellion, living in sin, the LORD told them:
“IFFF ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:19-20
Recently someone who is attacking what they call “Lordship salvation” said this:
“Lordship Salvation is the false gospel of works-based salvation (SELF reformation and perseverance) … (salvation is) God’s immeasurable undeserving unmerited grace.”
Yet God’s saving grace is not given to everyone, right? Right. Why? They refuse to meet His stated conditions. What are those conditions? Repent (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30, etc.). Believe (Acts 16:31). Abide – which means to remain in Christ to the end (John 15:1-6). God’s Blessings are Conditional, not Un-Conditional
What these grace-perverting heretics are actually teaching is that engaging in an abiding relationship with the Great Savior is somehow “works salvation.”
The man who wrote this obviously views loving and therefore obeying Jesus, the One he claims saved him, as works-salvation. Jesus commands:
“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.” Matthew 22:37
These are those who are preaching against what they call “Lordship salvation.” Here’s what they are saying…
The 7 “Problems” of So-called “Lordship Salvation” according the grace-perverters.
In the podcast version of this message, we address the “free grace,” “grace only” counterfeits who claim that what they call “Lordship salvation” … They claim that “Lordship salvation” …
- Changes the gospel.
- Places an impossible burden on the unsaved.
- Confuses justification (salvation) with discipleship (service).
- Confuses the result of requirement for salvation.
- Fails to understand salvation has always been by faith alone.
- Ignores the reality of a carnal Christian.
- Destroys the assurance of salvation.
None of these are true. What is needed is the whole testimony of what the full counsel of Scripture reveals about of salvation. The evangelical eternal security crowd is famous for syphoning out a few verses to the exclusion of the whole counsel of God’s Word and ignoring, negating any and all Bible verses that require their personal repentance.
Those who refuse to make Christ the LORD, the Master, the Ruler of their personal lives are the ones balking against any Scripture and minister that indicates that after being saved one must choose to engage in an abiding relationship with the Savior which will always produce good fruit (John 15). That’s the root of this matter. Did your personal responsibility end when Jesus died on the cross? No.
“And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:10
Easy believism upended …
Jesus taught that if one isn’t bearing good fruit it’s due to his not being rooted in Christ, saved.
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 7:19
Is that what grace perverters call “lordship salvation” OR is that Bible? Who said those words? What else could they mean except what He stated?
Good fruit is only born out of true relationship and that’s what so many do not want. They want the crown but not the crown Christ commanded. Rebuke and run.
Satan has cross-less, Christ-denying compromising cowards at every level, at every turn. Beware.
They want to say “It is finished” and so nothing is ever required of God for His people (John 19:30). Christ’s redemption work was “finished,” that is the sin debt was “paid in full” to the Father, and yet that doesn’t alter the stated conditions He gave for appropriating His salvation and being in Heaven with Him. In short, His conditions are repentance, faith, and enduring to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Luke 13:3; John 15:6; Acts 17:30; Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; Revelation 2:26, etc.). Scripture speaks repeatedly of initial and final salvation. Self-serving counterfeits are famous for perpetrating half-truths and not wanting to know the whole of what God stated concerning their personal responsibility to Him, the Judge of their eternal souls before whom they shall stand in judgment.
Christ’s perfect sacrifice does not negate what He commanded and requires of us AFTER He saves us by His grace where “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
The words and works of our lives clearly reveal what’s in our hearts (Matthew 12:34). Those who lack good works do so because they haven’t chosen to have a good heart before the LORD (Luke 8:15). Good works are the fruit of being saved by grace through saving faith (Ephesians 2:8-10).
“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27
Of these words of Jesus, one brother notes:
“‘Works’ here in this verse ‘praxis’ means acts; the key point is that good or bad, Our acts will be addressed as we ALL shall stand before GOD. Faith without works is dead, meaning that one’s faith is hollow, TRUE FAITH produces GOOD WORKS which come from the cleansed heart.”
Does God have a plan for His people to be holy as He is holy? Yes, He always has, going back to His peculiar people Israel.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
Those who preach against what they call “Lordship salvation” are 100% from the eternal security, once saved always saved, grace only, type evangelical camp.
“It is not in a doctrine, or a notion or idea, that we find genuine security, assurance. We do not find genuine security in a church, denomination, or religious leader. Security is found only in our relationship with God. In that relationship, we will discover benefits. However, people have historically worshipped the benefits more than the benefactor.” Cedric Fisher
It seems apparent that those who object to what they call “Lordship salvation” seek to justify living carnally, living like those in this fallen world, having little or no difference from the lost. They have no desire, prayer, or study of Holy Scripture concerning the cross – the crucified life – repentance, holiness, judgment, etc. They refuse to be bothered with the cross, the crucified life.
“Grace, Grace, Grace”?
For people who claim to be so strong on grace, this one is befuddling. They are the ones actually preaching another gospel, a gospel whose savior is not powerful enough to make holy those He’s saved, a false god whose grace is not sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Romans 6:14; Psalms 4:3. The cross is clearly missing from their gospel (Galatians 3:3).
While they claim to believe big on the grace of God, they intentionally ignore grace Scripture such as Titus 2:11-14 which states:
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-12
According to the above passage, those truly saved by the grace of God are denying self (the cross, the crucified life), denying ungodliness and this world’s lusts and living “soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” as they eagerly await the return of Jesus.
The lawless grace-perverters are those who hate, despise, and attack anything and anyone who suggests, who declares the myriad of Scripture which call for all who “nameth the name of Christ (to) depart from iniquity.”
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19
Can the saved person begin to live in sin and still possess divine saving grace?
“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?” Romans 6:1-2
If the truth makes you doubt your salvation, perhaps you don’t have salvation. You only think you do.
Cedric Fisher masterfully writes:
“Salvation is a gift. A gift is not earned. One must have faith to receive the gift. If I give someone a diamond, considered eternal, they did not earn that gift. They do not have eternal possession of the diamond simply because it is eternal. If they are careless, and it is lost or stolen, it remains eternal even though their possession of it was lost due to carelessness.
Thus, the fact that salvation/redemption is eternal does not mean we have eternal possession of it in the temporal realm. Peter stated clearly that salvation is received at the end of our faith—when Christ appears. (1 Peter 1:9)
Furthermore, faith without works is dead. One cannot have workless faith and retain God’s gift. Also, we are ordained for good works (Ephesians 2:10). If you study all the other writings of Paul when he uses the word ‘works,’ you will realize that he is referring to the works of the Mosaic Law. Read the 10th verse to the end of the chapter in Ephesians 2. Consider that the ‘good works’ he refers to in the 10th verse are not of the Mosaic Law.
Accepting God’s gift and then turning back to one’s former lifestyle is piggery. God does not cause piggery nor does he force one against his or her will to remain a lamb. Obedience would be nonexistent if God were a puppeteer. Christ does not say ‘Well done’ to people with good works phobia.
Additionally, apostasy is departing from the faith. One cannot depart from where he or she has not been.
The bottom line (to avoid a small book of many scriptures and clear conclusions) is that individuals have believed the worst lie unleashed by Satan on humanity when they believe redemption cannot be lost in the temporal realm. It is as the lie the serpent told Eve.
The fact is, that the eternal security lie has been largely perpetrated by Calvinism. There are no verses that support it. It is the major reason for the apostasy, and currently the great and final apostasy.
Believing it accuses the one omnipotent God of being incapable of having a godly and obedient people—that in spite of making them new creations, partakers of the Divine Nature, sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in them, giving them His Word, and allowing them access into His presence by prayer, they continue to be corrupt, vile, and willful sinners merely hidden from His view.
Cut-n-paste hermeneutics with verses and snippets of verses snatched away from their actual context can produce any type of heresy.
My testimony is that I was delivered from deep darkness of alcohol, drugs, and other bondage. He did not redeem and deliver me from darkness to spend the rest of my life longing for the light. I was translated into His kingdom—into the light of Christ. There is light in me. The Son set me free indeed. I am not a sinner saved by grace—I was a sinner, now I’m saved by grace.
Grace is not a license to sin. I am not forced to sin daily to keep up with a mythical sin quota. I am to walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7). Where in God’s Word does it declare that Christ lived in bondage and sinned daily? That is the same goal as the unredeemed ones.
If one’s redemption does not produce Christ-likeness in him or her, it is not redemption (1 John 2:4; 3:10, etc.). It is an attempt to climb into the sheepfold by another route (John 10).
The fact is, God did not promise to keep anyone or anything that is not given fully over to Him. If everyone that claims they have eternal security were committed fully to Him, they would not need, or even reference eternal security, as a benefit. Security is a comfortable emotional feeling—very difficult to maintain. We should follow God’s will even when we do not feel secure.
It is not helpful to cling to or defend a doctrine as if it were an talisman (lucky charm).
It is not in a doctrine, or a notion or idea, that we find genuine security, assurance. We do not find genuine security in a church, denomination, or religious leader. Security is found only in our relationship with God. In that relationship, we will discover benefits. However, people have historically worshipped the benefits more than the benefactor.
I am secure in God because I fully surrender to Him. The OSAS apologists would call that works-based salvation, belief in sinless perfection, establishing self righteousness, and trying to earn my salvation. Thus, they worship their false doctrine and attack the genuine Christ-following disciples.
God requires us to surrender fully to Him—not a doctrine. Our free moral choice will remain until we enter eternity. Any doctrine that denies full surrender, or teaches people that it is not necessary, is not of God.
I oppose and expose such doctrines because I do not wish people to enter eternal hell. On that point, consider that hell is eternal. I was set on the path to eternal hell. It did not mean that I had no choice to continue in sin, yet if I did I’d be cast into hell. I left the path to eternal hell just as people leave the path to eternal heaven. I was not secured to that path, and no one is secured to the path to eternal heaven. We are not riding safely along in a ‘keeping’ zone. We fight the fight and finish the race. We are opposed by the powers of darkness. It’s a war, not a game of checkers. It requires diligence, discernment, praying, godliness, effort, perseverance to the end, et cetera. Denying that is denying God’s Word.”
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Abiding
“A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey” [podcast]
DADDY’S IN THE HOUSE!
There will not be even one rebel in glory …. The LORD loves and calls you to Himself today….. to settle down humbly in true repentance …. asking God to forgive your sinful stubbornness, rebellion, and self-idolatry, self-adultery. Ask Him to give you a heart of flesh and to take away every trace of a stony heart in you (Ezekiel 36:24-26).
If you had a real dad growing up, you know HE was large and in charge in his house…. and so is God!
He’s Large and in Charge!
He’s Daddy, “Abba Father”! (Romans 8:15).
He’s Your Father – yet only if you endure His chastening! (Hebrews 12:5-12)
“A land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8) is a biblical phrase that describes a place of great abundance and prosperity, symbolizing the fulfillment of God’s promises and the richness of the Promised Land. It emphasizes a land that is fertile, nourishing, and provides an abundance of sustenance, with milk and honey serving as symbolic representations of this richness.”
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba (Daddy), Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:15-17
Growing up in daddy’s house, you did things his way, right? Not your way but his way…. he was the man of the house, not you. You abode under his provision and his care and love for you, as your daddy, right? Well, that’s how it is with God. He loves you beyond measure and yet you must simply humble yourself and do things His way. When you do, the blessings will flow, will overwhelm you, will consume you, will flood your life! BAM. Memorize Matthew 6:33 today.
Let’s get something straight …
NO DOUBT: There’s no doubt that God wants to bless your life! Yet, you must do it His way beloved. He wants to bless you and yet, you must ask yourself if you really want Him. Are you truly hungering and thirsting for more of Jesus, more of His righteousness?
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
The Old Testament summed up: In dealing with His people, His transactions, our LORD’s business concerned their salvation and restoration – promised land blessings! Read Numbers 13-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. And, we are now “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). All these things were written and are on record for us – for our learning, comfort, peace, and blessings (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).
As was the case with Old Testament Israel, God brought you out of a life of sin in this fallen world (Egypt) in order to bring you IN – into His land of abundant blessings, walking victoriously in a cross-abiding relationship with Christ (John 15).
“And he brought us OUT from thence, that he might bring us IN, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.” Deuteronomy 6:23
There’s a promised land of blessedness, of abundant fruit, the likes of which we have not even begun to taste. Yet, appropriating, walking into this treasure house, this field, this gold mine of blessedness, requires that we closely, diligently trust and obey the Giver of “every good gift … every perfect gift” (James 1:17).
HE BROUGHT YOU OUT OF SOMETHING FOR GOOD REASON – TO BRING YOU INTO SOMETHING MUCH GREATER – WHICH HE PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD ON THAT CROSS!
Many who read these words are seeking to get and to live out what God alone can provide – as you abide in a real relationship with Him, loving Him with all you are, wholeheartedly.
“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4
Delighting in the LORD assures that we will be possessed with His desires and they will be granted!
Truly Trusting and OBEYING God
Are you forgetting any of His “benefits” – the ones Jesus died to give? Are you neglecting to appropriate them by a real walk with Him? “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalms 103:2).
Jesus was the perfect example of delighting in God. In the days of His flesh, Jesus toiling as He faced going to that cross for us, cried “not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Have we cried out to the LORD today with a “Not my will but thine be done”?
“First” means First, not Second. Putting God where He Belongs in Your Life – “First”
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
If you are out of Bible order, you are out of Bible blessings!
If your life is not in Bible order where Jesus is literally FIRST, you will not walk in the blessings of God – the blessings Jesus died to give you!
“IF”
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 19-20
GOD DESIRES TO BLESS YOU – to bring you into “A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey.”
The phrase “milk and honey” appears 20 times in God’s Word and in every case, refers to God’s desire and declaration to bring His people into His land of rich blessings, flowing with the bounty of His goodness!
“And I am come down to deliver them (salvation) out of the hand of the Egyptians (the world), and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites” (Exodus 3:8).
In other words, “I’m going to bring you into a land flowing with milk and honey right in the middle of your enemies!”
The LORD brings us OUT of sin, “OUT of darkness INTO his marvellous light”!
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (special) people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you OUT of darkness INTO his marvellous light:” 1 Peter 2:9
“Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.” Exodus 33:3
The LORD brings, saves us out of the world and into His kingdom family and blessings!
“And I have said, I will bring you up OUT of the affliction of Egypt (sin; the lost world) unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey (salvation).” Exodus 3:17
The “Milk and Honey” of Christ’s Salvation!
God brought His beloved people OUT of Egypt (represents the world) to bring them INTO the promised land He ordained for them! In the same way, God has brought you and me out of sin, out of the kingdom of the world, in order to bring us IN to His promised land of blessing in Christ! Read Ephesians 1 afresh beloved of God.
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (fit) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us FROM (out of) the power of darkness, and hath translated us INTO the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14
God never brings you OUT of something not to bring you INTO something much better! safeguardyoursoul.com
He made us to bless us and yet – will only do so as we walk with Him on His stated terms.
“That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.” Jeremiah 11:5
“And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.” Deuteronomy 11:9
God Sent His Son to Bless Us – His People
“Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” Acts 3:26
Repentance Always Leads to Refreshing from Heaven!
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-21
God Requires Repentance and Faith in All Who will be His and Receive His Ultimate Blessings
¨I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.¨ Deuteronomy 30:19-20
¨Numbers 14:8 says if He delights in us, then He will give us a land flowing with milk and honey. This means in order to receive a land flowing with milk and honey He must delight in us. This notes a condition of obedience and faith. We have to embrace and conform with His ways (the cross) to receive the spiritual blessings and to receive eternal life.¨ Karen Cochran
¨And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, 18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. 19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.¨ Numbers 14:17-19
PRAYER: Heavenly Father thank You for being so unimaginably loving and benevolent to Your creation, to all those You made in Your very image. I love You LORD Jesus and here and now give You praise and thanksgiving for coming to die for my sins and then buried and raised again for my justification. Now dear LORD, please make me whole, from the inside out. Please pour out Your Holy Ghost on my life now and use this vessel to bring eternal glory to You. Bless Your people to abide in You Jesus, to have vital union with You and thereby the abundance of fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. In Jesus´ name. Amen.
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Abiding
Following the Faith of Abraham [podcast]
“There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; ALL came to pass.” Joshua 21:45
The LORD Keeps His Promises to His People
God could trust Abraham:
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19
Of Abraham who lived by faith, the LORD says “For I know him” and if we love God, like Abraham, we are known of the LORD also.
“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” 1 Corinthians 8:3
Does the unchanging God ever tell His people to leave where they are and go to another place? Yes.
“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him…” Genesis 12:1-4
Abraham met the condition and God fulfilled His promise. Could the LORD have blessed Abraham had Abraham not trusted and obeyed Him?
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“The key is to say ‘Here I am.’ Abraham responded 3 times to God in Gen 22, when God called His name. It was an immediate response of obedience. Did he know exactly why God was calling him? No! It was the posture of his heart. Because of his faithful obedience the Lord knew Abraham was a God fearing man, who only cared about doing God’s will.” Karen Cochran
“And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6
“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” James 2:23
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Hebrews 11:8
“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive my unbelief, which is a sin. Please wash this heart afresh in Your precious blood dear LORD Jesus. Fill my heart with faith, with love, joy, and peace. Please order my every step and be glorified in this life You gave. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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The Flesh will Never be Reformed it Must be Crucified [podcast]
The Divine Prescription is Clear and there are No Shortcuts
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24
The law brings repentance, salvation while thereafter the crucified life, the cross keeps us from that sin which once separated us from the LORD, who now has saved us (Psalms 19:7; Romans 6).
There are lots of people peddling the lie of “self care” which is ultimately nothing more than absolute selfishness. Pure evil. We need SAVIOR care! Such “self-care” only perpetuates the prey, the victim, in their misery. The only way to deal with the wicked iniquitous nature, is to crucify it, not pamper it (Luke 9:23-24). It’s your time to get into God’s Word and follow Jesus (KJB). Repent, deny yourself, lay down your life and serve God and others, not yourself. Loving your wicked self IS your problem and so all “self care” is accomplishing is to make your problem bigger, to fortify the evil within (Galatians 5:16-24). Crucifying that evil by the power of the Holy Spirit who is then raising your upward in His grace, glory, and power, is the divine prescription (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:3, etc.). Read Philippians 2:3-5 each morning this week. Jesus commands you to love God. Worship God. Obey God (Matthew 22:37-39).
All whom Jesus has saved make a decision every day, including this day. All who were initially saved and yet aren’t searching out and taking up the cross daily, prove they do not love Him, even though they may claim such. Each of us prove who we really love by who reigns in our lives, and by who dies. See Matthew 6:24.
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16
WHO we yield ourselves to today, proves who we truly love – either the Savior or self.
“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9
We must declare and establish “the sentence of death in ourselves” so that our trust is in God who raised Christ from the dead and raises up all of His saints as they are crucified with Christ.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Tired of sinful self and wanting it out of your way? Here’s the divine prescription: “But I keep under (subdue) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
The fact that Jesus is coming back for a church, a people who are holy, let us peer into what the Bible tells us concerning overcoming the flesh, sin (Romans 6-8).
Jesus never said to try or try harder. no, Jesus says you must die to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-25, etc.).
Jesus is sanctifying and cleansing by His Word a people, a church “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
Times of fasting and prayer are doing yourself a favor and not God. Yes. You are crucifying self, getting self out of God’s way so that Christ is reigning in your life in place of sinful self! This should be viewed with absolute delight! (See Psalms 37:4; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13, etc..) You are crying, you are driving a stake in the ground and declaring: “LORD, You must increase but I must decrease!” (See John 3:30.) That’s the “daily” operation of the cross God has ordained to be transpiring in our lives (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.).
What’s your plan for a special time of fasting and prayer this week? There’s no mystery – you will not overcome the flesh, sin, without being crucified with Christ and there’s no better way than fasting and prayer. It’s the most direct route to being dead, buried, and raised up in the victory Christ alone can grant. Lay it all down, now. Memorize Colossians 3:3 and walk it out.
We simply can’t know just how deep we are buried in pride until we begin to obey God in fasting and prayer. Isaiah 58
Overcoming the flesh, walking in victory requires continually delighting in the LORD, worshipping Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
HOW many of us know that the flesh is never going to behave itself, never going to be tamed …. until it’s slain by the cross, crucified?
The flesh IS going to rage, be bent toward and do evil. That’s a given (Romans 7). This is why the cross, the crucifying of the “old man” and putting on “the new man” are essential to God bringing the victory in our lives! (Romans 6-8; Ephesians 4:23-25; Colossians 3:5-10, etc.)
Doesn’t the fact that our flesh does not like the cross, only confirm the need for it? What are the “works of the flesh” that will separate a once saved Christian from God? (Galatians 5:16-21) Though it’s never heard in the apostate modern church world, Jesus commanded the cross in the life of each and every person who would follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). The fact that our flesh hates the cross in no way changes God and what He said concerning the severity in which we are to deal with the flesh, with sin – and the eternal damnation that awaits all who don’t crucify the deeds of the body (Mark 9:42-49; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.). When’s the last time you read the words of Jesus recorded in Mark 9:42-49 and took Jesus at His Word? IF you truly love Him, you will obey Him (John 14:15).
God fully expects for His people to induce, to participate in the crucifixion of our flesh, putting the self-life to death (Isaiah 58; Matthew 6:16; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Galatians 2:20, etc.).
Holiness is not the way to Christ but rather Christ is the way to holiness. Abiding in Christ IS abiding holy – in the divine definition of holy. The key is that holiness is NOT the way to God but rather Christ is the way to holiness, His way, His definition – which is the daily cross (Luke 9:23-24). Abiding fellowship with Christ, on HIS terms, is holiness – being set apart to the LORD, in the LORD (Psalms 4:3; John 15).
Sin is man’s master until Christ is man’s Master (Matthew 6:24).
No one overcomes by accident. Those who love the LORD, truly, not just in mere profession, will seek Him diligently and obey Him and therefore are brought into His victory by Him (Matthew 7:21; 22:37-39; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:3-6; Revelation 2-3, etc.). The disciple must truly repent and cease all excuses for the sin that displeases God and walk as “MORE than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:1, 5-6, 13-14; 37, etc.).
Jesus came from Heaven to earth and successfully confronted evil, sin, death, and the devil by going to the cross and defeating them! Read Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8. In Christ, with Christ, we defeat death by dying, laying down our lives (Hebrews 2:14-15). And Jesus, who conquered death, hell, sin, Satan, and the grave, sends us to the cross – co-death with Him to defeat all of our sin and Satan also (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; 8:29, 37; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). His precious blood alone atoned for our sins positionally, and yet to enforce that victory in defeating sin and Satan in our daily lives, Jesus prescribed to us the cross life (the practical).
The only thing we can do about this reality – about the iniquitous fleshly nature – is to crucify it (Galatians 5:16-24). There can be no negotiation.
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11
The one way to master sin is bow to Heaven’s Master and let Him master sin! The cross.
BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST ROSE AGAIN, ALL WHO ARE BORN AGAIN IN HIM ARE RAISED UP SPIRITUALLY IN THIS LIFE TO OVERCOME ALL SIN, SATAN, AND THE WORLD, AND WILL SOON be RAISED UP INTO ETERNAL GLORY WITH HEAVEN’S KING.
Rhetorical Question: What’s your fasting and prayer plan beloved? Your answer to this important, prompting question is before you and your LORD….
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
You are not serious about overcoming sin if you’re not yet setting apart regular times of fasting and prayer. The fact that you don’t want to fast is the clear proof that you need to fast. Currently, your flesh is in control! Once you are broken, you will delight in, you will look forward to those times of regular fasting! Read Isaiah 58. | The Amazing Benefits of Fasting and Prayer
Times of Fasting and prayer get YOU out of the way so Jesus can reign supreme! Isaiah 58
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:13-14
“He must increase but I must decrease.” John 3:30
FASTING IS STARVING THE FLESH AND FEEDING THE SPIRIT IN ORDER TO BE BROUGHT BY THE LORD INTO FULL ONENESS WITH HIM AND THE FATHER, AND INTO THE COMPLETE VICTORY AND FRUITFULNESS HE’S ORDAINED YOU TO WALK IN (ISAIAH 58).
Read Romans 6-8.
I am not a good person. Neither are you. “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Admit it. The Bible and our own failing experience in this life clearly reveal such to be the case. The sooner we become HONEST with that which is more than obvious, announcing freely and transparently that there is “no good thing” in us except CHRIST, the sooner God will begin a fresh, deeper work in us! See Romans 7:18, 24—the cross!
“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
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9
The SINNER, the vile wretch I must first and foremost confront, is myself! See Job 19:28; Rom 7:18, 24; Ps 39:4-5 and Eccl 7:20. It’s essential to begin to understand the flesh, the fallen man, the iniquitous old man, in order to realize what we’ve been saved from and what must be crucified daily. The cross is God’s solution, His prescription to “put off the old man with his deeds.”
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” Ephesians 4:22
The cross subdues the flesh, it separates us from being held captive to the dictates of the old man, the carnal fallen nature.
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