Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Did you notice in this passage that the Holy Spirit of God reveals to us that “Satan himself” has “his ministers”? Do you personally believe that Satan has people in strategic places who serve him—wittingly or unwittingly? Here the LORD calls the enemy’s emissaries “false apostles” and “deceitful workers.” How long shall we be so foolish and naïve as to deny the truth and numerous warnings concerning deceitful workers, false prophets, false teachers and false apostles? How long will we in cowardice turn a deaf ear and blind eye to those deceivers who operate large worldwide ministries that are leading millions astray? How long shall we cover for and defend false prophets who are the enemies of the One we claim to be serving? How long will we allow self-service and sinful self-preservation rule our lives?
There would be no way to list every wolf who is peddling this un-conditional eternal security lie. Among the “MANY false prophets,” the “ungodly men” peddling this lie, here’s just a few (Matthew 24:11; Jude 3-4):
- Charles Stanley
- John MacArthur (calvinist)
- Paul Washer (calvinist)
- Mat Slick (CARM)
- Ray Comfort
- Bob George (calvinist)
- etc.
“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.” Cedric Fisher
Much more important than attempting to list the endless list of frauds who peddle the “eternal security” heresy, is helping God’s people to discern, to rightly divide all things via the Holy Scriptures (Ezekiel 44:23; Acts 17:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:15, etc.).
Sitting under any teacher who is not boldly, via the preaching of the whole counsel of God, exposing this lie of the ages which began with Satan in the Garden, is deadly. All true men of God will preach the whole counsel of God’s Word including exposing this damnable heresy.
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4
Satanic Seduction
In the midst of God’s people is where Satan has strategized and set himself up in order to “seduce” God’s saints to give up their eternal reward for temporal pleasure, like Esau (Ps. 74:34; Acts 20:29-30; Heb. 12:14-15). Read this following passage carefully and notice just where Satan and his human agents have entrenched themselves and set up their evil strongholds:
“Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary. Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs… They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.” ~ Psalms 74:3-4, 7
The enemy has focused and concentrated his energies on the “sanctuary,” or refuge, the safe place of God’s people. They way the enemy does this is by raising up his wolves in the midst of God’s people in order to mislead them (Acts 20:20-32). Those who don’t truly choose to fear and obey God, will be misled (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
Make no mistake; it should be a fixed reality in our minds that satanic seduction is a reality in this age, especially in this late hour as he has come down with great wrath knowing that his time to deceive is short (1 Sam. 5:8; Rev. 12:12).
“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to SEDUCE, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.” ~ Mark 13:22-23
“These things have I written unto you concerning them that SEDUCE you.” ~ 1 John 2:26
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to SEDUCE my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” ~ Revelation 2:20
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to SEDUCING spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” ~ 1 Timothy 4:1-2
“But evil men and SEDUCERS shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:13
Notably, in the last days we are told that deceivers, their false teachings, and their influence will increase. There has long been a war over the strategic position of the pulpits and media prominence. The pulpit, along with other venues of influence over the thinking of the people, are places of authority. In most circles, the selection process for leaders is utterly out of congruency with the New Testament record (1 Tim. 3). Diotrephes was a satanic plant among early believers. He was a controller, strategically and deliberately planted in the midst of the early church to do harm to God’s saints. He would not give way to the apostle John to come speak into the lives of God’s people (3 Jn.). Simon, the sorcerer, was saved at the preaching of Peter, then began to operate deceitfully, and was openly rebuked in order to keep sin and deception out of the church (Acts 8:9-25). In the book of 2 Timothy alone, Paul marked eight individuals by name, who were causing divisions and hindering the Gospel, contrary to the doctrine of the LORD (Rom. 16:17-18). (Book: Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us
1 Timothy 3:6 reveals that a person who is saved and gets into the ministry can then “fall into the condemnation of the devil.” This is why the Holy Spirit instructed us not to place a novice into the ministry, which is what has been done as the enemy roars among God’s people (Ps. 74:3-4, 7). “The condemnation of the devil” is simply the state of eternal condemnation, or judgment, that Satan is under by the decree of the Almighty. Everything of satanic origin is based on pride (Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28). Men who are not humbled before the LORD naturally carry out their ministries undergirded and dominated by their pride of life and will be eternally damned if they do not repent (2 Pet. 2-3). These same men will lead others into the worship of self, while having a “form of godliness” (2 Tim. 3:1-13). This is the blind leading the blind into the ditch of destruction (Lk. 6:39). Those who do not have a life in the Word for themselves cannot discern and are being led to believe they are right with God and will find out on Judgment Day that they were dead wrong (Prov. 14:12; Heb. 5:11-14).
Pride-filled ministers lead others astray by spawning and soliciting many evils in others, bringing strange fire into the sanctuary of the LORD (Lev. 10:1-2).
Remember that the enemy worked in the Garden of creation against the LORD and His first man and woman. He was a witness of how the LORD separated them from His holy presence after they believed and acted on his (Satan’s) lie (Gen. 2:17; 3:1 -24). The enemy of the Almighty works within the sanctuary of the people of God to allure the saints to deny Christ instead of self. Satan has “ministers,” and they seek to lead God’s people into spiritual and physical fornication in order to cause them to be separated from the LORD, who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Num. 22-24; Isa.6:3; 2 Cor. 11:11-15; Rev. 2:14, 20; 4:8). His goal is to lead the saints into sin which separates them from the LORD.
“And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.” ~ Colossians 2:4
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” ~ Colossians 2:8
Jesus came because God is holy! Yes, Christ came to the earth because God is holy. Any man in leadership who does not hold this cardinal truth in utmost importance and prominence is utterly beguiled at best. Jesus Christ came “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight” (Col. 1:22).
The enemy’s aim is to draw God’s people away from pure devotion to Him. To do so with the most impact, he must gain strategic positions of prominence to possess preeminence in the midst of those seeking to know the LORD (2 Cor. 11:11-15).
“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” ~ Acts 20:26-32
Do we not realize that it is outright disobedience to believe every person or leader who comes in the name of the LORD? “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test; examine) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1).
In 2 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul speaks of “he (any man) that cometh” and “preacheth another Jesus.” Here, the Holy Spirit of God identifies the enemy’s messengers of “another Jesus, another spirit, and another gospel,” who corrupt the image of Christ in us. May the LORD bless us to possess the purity of Christ.
“Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:1-4
Are We Being Bewitched?
No true believer in Jesus Christ would think of going to a séance, or Wicca conference, yet witches and warlocks have infiltrated, or “crept in” the church world through TV, radio, books and various other media. These false teachers hold positions of leadership in the church world and dress and look like true believers, yet they are the prophesied “ravening wolves” who have come to devour the sheep of the LORD’s pasture (Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:29-30). These deceivers are presenting a counterfeit gospel, or view of the divine, through their false teachings which are not according to the biblical revelation of the LORD (Isa. 8:20).
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently (clearly) set forth, crucified among you? ~ Galatians 3:1
When Christ has been revealed to our hearts and we then do not “obey the truth,” we are said, here, to be “bewitched.”
“The Leaders”
Since the Bible tells us that there is “no new thing under the sun,” and that the father of all lies uses the same trickery that has been “common to man” from the beginning, we can clearly conclude that he still uses this same deception (re-packaged) in our day (Eccl. 1:9; Jn. 8:44; 1 Cor. 10:13). His purpose is to bring men down, and he is accomplishing this through the subtlest medium—our own leaders. “For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed” (Isa. 9:16).
Perhaps the great beguiler whispers to men individually, and then scores the knock-out punch when those people are told by their own “Christian” leaders, inside their church walls, or via some other medium, that they are unconditionally eternally secure, whether they obey or disobey the One who made them. In our day, Satan is affirming the perverted grace lie through many “Christian” leaders. It is the enemy’s same Garden lie, where men are told they have a diversity of ways they can choose to live, it’s all up to them, and whatever way they choose still leads to Heaven—if they made a “decision for Christ” at some point in their lives. They are made to believe that there will be no punishment for living unholy lives, only rewards for the good things they do. Such teaching will be tested against God’s Word throughout this writing.
“They (false teachers) preached pardon for sin but not the imperative of holiness.” — Donald Stamps
Nicholas, the Apostate Deceiver
Historians say that Nicholas (Acts 6:5), a deacon in the first century church, backslid, and led his followers to believe that living in sin would not affect one’s relationship with Christ. The term Nicolaitans is said to come from those who followed Nicholas. Nico-laitans is a compound Greek word. Nico means “to conquer,” and laitans means “the laity.” Satan used Nicholas to conquer his followers through the lie of lawlessness. The evil spirit of Nicholas lives on today through many lawless leaders who operate in the church world in this late hour.
Nicholas taught free love. He and his followers taught that the deeds of believers could not affect their relationship with God. This is antinomianism, which means lawlessness. The Bible clearly refutes such a lie as we will witness in our walk through the Holy Scriptures.
“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
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” ~ Titus 1:16
The Bible states here, that those who “profess that they know God” and yet “deny him…in works,” are “abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
By this lie of lawlessness, the enemy of souls conquered the people.
“But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans (means “conquer the laity”), which I also hate…So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” ~ Revelation 2:6, 15
Here is some modern terminology for this age-old doctrine:
- Once Saved, Always Saved
- Eternal security (unconditional)
- Calvinism, perseverance of the saints doctrine
In Revelation 2, Jesus Christ tells us that He “hates” two things— “the deeds” and “doctrine of the Nicolaitans.” The Son of God despises the doctrine that teaches that the deeds of men have no effect upon their relationship with Him.
The Scriptures continuously reveal the divine hatred for the acceptance, and even doctrinal authorization, for living in the sins which the LORD tells us violate His holiness, reveal a wicked heart, and will prevent one from entering into the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:8, 27).
The word “lasciviousness” appears six times in the Bible and means “lack of restraint (from sinning); license for sin; licentiousness.”
To underscore the utter, divine hatred against this lie of lawlessness, it should be noted that this is the only place in Scripture where Jesus Christ, Himself, states that He hates something.
Though they may vary in packaging, these are all kin to the same lawless “ye shall not surely die” lie, which is the lie of the ages.
Does the LORD Keep His Word?
We must ask: Did God keep His Word to Adam and Eve? Did they die (become separated from Him) as He promised when they sinned against Him?
“Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” ~ Genesis 3:23-24
Notice what the Word of God tells us here: “Therefore (because of sin) the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden…So he drove out the man.”
Adam and Eve were ushered out of the holy, divine presence for their sin. The unchanging LORD of all creation, and Judge of all, is by nature, holy. Satan is the one who works so hard to get mankind to forget this all-important truth, and to pervert the image of God by getting us to live in sin—against His divine attribute of holiness.
How many sins did it take to ruin the precious fellowship the LORD and His first people were experiencing? Just one, right?
Satan’s Three-Point Deception
There were three things the subtle serpent did to derail Adam and Eve in the Garden:
- He attempted to get them to doubt God and His Word—sought to foster unbelief in the man and woman, by casting doubt upon the character of the LORD. He wanted them to doubt that the LORD was going to do what He told them He would do if they sinned against Him (3:1-3). The first thing Satan did was to cast doubt upon the Source—God. This deception set up the man and woman with the lie that led to their fall into sin, and consequential curses upon all of mankind to come (Gen. 3:1-3).
- The enemy subtly inferred to the first family that God didn’t really mean what He said, and that they were “eternally secure” no matter what they chose to do—obey or disobey Him (Gen. 3:4).
- The adversary told the man and woman they could “be as gods”—that is, in control of their own lives and destiny—after all, he had just told them that the LORD wasn’t going to judge them for their sin (Gen. 3:5).
Death by addition: One word added to God’s Word, to the first man and woman, led to the fall of mankind. One little three-letter word perverted the truth of God and altered the course of history. Could it be that this one little word and what it conveys to men’s hearts is altering the eternal destiny of millions who don’t even realize it?
This truth should be sobering to our hearts. Adding to, or omitting from, the words of the Almighty carries with it a severe curse (Prov. 30:5-6; Rev. 22:18-19).
Holy Fear Robbed
Though one may not know it from what he hears in most teaching going on in Christendom, fearing God is ultra-important in the divine economy, especially in light of the Judgment we will all stand in.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
When a person believes that he is unconditionally secure in relation to the holy God of all, the restraint from sin is removed. Where the lie of the ages reigns, the fear of God is stolen from the hearts of men. This was the enemy’s goal in sowing this lie into the first man and woman. Nothing has changed as far as what he intends upon those alive today. The enemy of all souls knows that when the fear of the LORD is absent, sin and spiritual separation are inevitable (Jas 1:14-15).
“By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” ~ Proverbs 16:6
“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” ~ Proverbs 14:27
Of sinful men who are not possessed and moved with the fear of the LORD, but rather living after their depraved nature, the Bible says: “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Rom. 3:18).
Serpents in the Pulpits
“Eternal Security is surely Satan’s masterpiece. This doctrine that claims that one can be ‘in Christ’, while willingly dead in ‘trespasses and sins’, is pure heresy. The doctrine is rooted in unbelief, seeing that they deny that Christ has any power to deliver the believer here and now. The Bible tells us that Jesus came to destroy the work of the devil, and that Jesus came to save His people from their sins, not in their sins. A Savior who cannot live up to his promises to deliver us from our sins in this life cannot be depended upon to deliver us after our death! I am uncomfortably confident that at the consummation of time, it will be revealed that this sole doctrine alone will have populated the regions of hell far more than all other false teachings put together. Those that teach this heresy have exchanged light for darkness, truth for lies, and called it the Gospel!” — Jeff Paton
——— • ———
The enemy went from using a serpent to using men. Satan’s lie led to Adam and Eve’s sin which caused their fall and separated them from God. This no-consequence-to-face-for-sin lie removed all restraint from sinning and the man and woman entered into that which God promised would cause them to “die” (spiritual death—separation; see Rom. 8:13; James 1:1315). This same lie is being boldly preached today through the most “subtle” means—our very church leaders!
It is regretful that the fear of the LORD is rarely mentioned, much less thoroughly dealt with in the modern church world. The lie of the ages has so permeated the thinking of our institutions and leaders that there seems to be very little fear of God among those claiming to know the LORD Jesus Christ. In the absence of such a pillar doctrine of the Word, restraint is greatly weakened in the hearts of individuals.
“Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.” ~ 2 Chronicles 19:7
The same most insidious serpent who intruded into the Garden, has slithered his way onto center stage in the modern church. While the LORD tells us that He desires to teach us the fear of the LORD, such is seldom instilled in those today who claim to be believers in Jesus Christ. “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD” (Ps. 34:11).
“Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.” ~ Isaiah 2:10
Spiritual Death
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” ~ Romans 5:12
Is spiritual death the result of sin? Are the wages of sin still death? (See Rom. 6:23.) Has the Almighty changed since the Garden of Eden? Is He still holy? What happens when we blatantly disobey the unchanging God like the first man and woman? Spiritual death is the result of sin as it was with Adam and Eve. They died spiritually, which means they were separated from the holy LORD by the sin they committed.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” ~ Exodus 32:33
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” ~ Ezekiel 18:4
“Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” ~ Ezekiel 3:20
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.” ~ Romans 8:13
“But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die…When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.” ~ Ezekiel 18:24, 26
“The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression …neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.” ~ Ezekiel 33:12-13
“Judas by transgression fell.” ~ Acts 1:25
“For the wages of sin is death.” ~ Romans 6:23
“O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.” ~ Hosea 14:1
Any person not delivered from living in sin, is not truly saved. He is facing the penalty of sin—eternal death. Genuine justification always bears the fruit of a sanctified life. Such involves the volitional will of the recipient of the grace of God.
Beware of any leader claiming to be a representative of Jesus Christ who does not teach the fear of the LORD and the absolute necessity to utterly trust God in all things and live obedient to His righteous commands. Selah.
PRAYER: Jesus, I love You. Imbue my heart with Your holy truth. Please keep me in Your loving care and safely from the schemes and snares of Satan, which he would use to cause me to offend You with sinful thinking and living. Cleanse, heal, bless, and deliver me from all evil, LORD Jesus! Amen.
Eternal Security is a Lie from Hell
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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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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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Abiding
FROM THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT by Jon Crane
By Jon Crane
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
A life surrendered to Christ and led by the Holy Spirit is made able to become a child of the kingdom of God (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-16; etc.).
The grace that saved us: the blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary is our atoning sacrifice and become the entrance into the eternal kingdom of God for the purpose of living from the new creation we have become in Christ (born-again John 3:3-7; John 15:1-5). Putting off our old man with his worldly mindset by washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:3-7).
Let us therefore, press into this inward holy life of living faith.
“But be ye doers of the word, and NOT hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a DOER of the work (Matthew 7:24-25), this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25
More Thoughts…
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath (vengeance belongeth to the LORD who created us all
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD (actively doing God’s will in their lives; making full proof of the hope of redemption which they have by exercising their faith by works of love – Matthew 22:37-40; 1 Corinthians 13; etc.), they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the MEEK shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5); and shalt delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalms 37:7-11
When pressed above measure read Psalms. 94.
Remember whose you are …
“And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:23
Take heart…
“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.” Titus 2:11-14
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior yet and would like to make peace with God…
“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:15-18
Romans 3
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein in ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith unto them who are under the law: that every mouth (Jew, Gentile, Muslim, etc.) may be stopped, and ALL the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God, without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith (Romans 1:16-17) of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time (today if you hear his voice: Heb. 3:7,15 conviction in your heart) his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:19-26
Confession made…
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13
Call upon Jesus Christ according to faith and be saved!
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17
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