“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” 2 Timothy 1:7-8
Notice in the passage above how “power” and “love” and a “sound mind” are coupled with not slandering or receiving and joining in with the persecution of a brother or sister in Christ – no matter what they are going through at this time, no matter the season. In this season, the apostles penned these words while in prison.
“Three commands to Timothy:
1. Be not ashamed of the gospel (2Ti_1:8; 2Ti_2:15; 2 Tim. 15; Rom_1:16; Luk_9:26)
2. Be not ashamed of gospel preachers (2Ti_1:8, 2Ti_1:16; Luk_9:26)
3. Be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel (2Ti_1:8; 2Ti_4:5; Col_1:24)” Dake
“Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel – No parent could love a child better than Paul loved Timothy; and, behold! he who could wish him nothing but what was great, honorable, and good, wishes him to be a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel! Because, to suffer for Christ, and suffer with Christ, was the highest glory to which any human being in this state could arrive. The royal way to the crown of glory, is by the cross of Christ.” Adam Clarke
“1:8 Timothy is told that he should not be ashamed. In verse 12, Paul states that he is not ashamed. Finally, in verse 16, we read that Onesiphorus was not ashamed. It was a day when preaching the gospel was a crime. Those who sought to witness publicly for their Lord and Savior were persecuted. But this should not daunt Timothy. He should not be ashamed of the gospel, even though it involves suffering. Neither should he be ashamed of the Apostle Paul in prison. Already some of the Christians had turned their backs on him. Doubtless they feared that to identify themselves with him would invite persecution and possibly death. Timothy was exhorted to take his share of the sufferings that accompany the gospel and to bear it according to the power of God. He should not try to avoid any disgrace that might be connected with it, but rather join with Paul in enduring such disgrace.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
May God bless each of us to walk in the wisdom of the whole counsel of His Word (James 1:5; Proverbs 8; James 3:17-18, etc.).
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:17-18
Here the great apostle of Christ is in jail where he wrote this from. And, obviously some were using his jail sentence against him. So, Paul tells his understudy Timothy, not to be ashamed of him because he’s being persecuted.
The Bible tells us that when we walk in God’s love through intimate union with Christ, even “a multitude” of the sins of others will be covered.
“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8
Receiving and Showing His Bless-ed Mercy
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2
Let’s Pray: Father, please make me whole from the inside out, as You alone can do, in Jesus’ name (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Please use me to restore instead of condemning those who fall, undergirding them in prayer and any aide You mercifully allow me to render to help them. Thank You Father that Your compassions fail not but rather are new every morning, and great in Thy faithfulness. Otherwise I’d be the one in the lowest of hell! I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The iniquitous sinful nature in us, the “old man”, tends toward joining in on slander, projecting our own darkness on others, instead of coming to their aid, to their side, to help them, to lift them up as did our LORD when He left the glories of His Father to come and reach us in our low, sinful state (Philippians 2; Colossians 3:8-10).
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1-3
Somehow we seem to forget that while Jesus was literally dying for OUR sins on that cross, He prayerfully cried to the Father “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
God didn’t forgive us for any inherent goodness in us – because we have none (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10; 7:18, 24). Solely on the basis of Christ’s perfect blood sacrifice and His sheer divine mercy has God forgiven us! – “even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:29-32
The most basic teaching of Christ, of Christianity, is to forgive others as God has forgiven us on the behalf of Christ, of His perfect merciful sacrifice for we ourselves – the most needy of all!
All who do not freely forgive others, do not get it – have no clue of the Gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ and why He came (Luke 9:56; 19:10; John 3:17). They are in darkness and cannot possibly see even a glimpse of just how wicked they are in the eyes of a holy God.
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26
All those in the light of Christ the Light of the world, freely, swiftly, quickly, eagerly forgive others. They hold no grudges, something that specifically prevent any rebel from entering glory (James 5:7-9).
Father, please tenderize our hardened hearts. Grant us to have all stony places removed and for our hearts to be hearts of flesh – soft, pliable, repentant, and worshipfully obedient to Your every desire and command. In Jesus’ name.
Case in Point
“Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:19
Note closely in the above verse, that we are not to receive any accusation against one of Christ’s elders (or any believer for that matter) without at least two actual WITNESSES. Did you catch that? Not two spreaders of slander but two people who actually WITNESSED the supposed matter/violation. Do you see the difference?
You see, we all know that one person, one devil, can accuse a brother or sister of something and then other pawns can spread the mere fabricated lie. Those are not witnesses. Those are simply people who are spreading a lie.
A man who is an elder received vicious slanderous accusations about another brother (who is a preacher). When he in “concern” contacted me about that brother, I refused his cause against that brother and told him that I have no evidence or sense that such is true about that brother and outrightly stand with that brother and against this fabricated slander. And, I stated to him that I supposed that those slanderous things came from Satan’s very children (namely jezebels). My concern then became about this accusing “elder” who would dare buy into such fabricated slander. Red flags. Paul the apostle of Christ, who was persecuted unto prison (chained down behind bars), said to Timothy:
“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” 2 Timothy 1:8
The next time we hear slander about a known brother or sister, like something that they did in the past (SUPPOSEDLY), let us remember the verse above and memorize it and the address of it. Let us also be filled with joy that the brother or sister being persecuted by slander must be making a great impact for Christ and against the kingdom of hell!!!!!
Now THAT’S how we need to field these things. Is this not the kingdom perspective?!
Our concern actually needs to be about ourselves if we are never slandered or maligned, lied about or persecuted in any way. According to Jesus, if we are not being assaulted, we are not “blessed” according to His divine definition and should be greatly concerned and driven to fall afresh on His mercy at the foot of the cross before it’s too late.
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you FALSELY, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12
Okay, someone may say, “WAIT, what if what people are saying about that person is TRUE?!??!!!”
Reply: DID God’s plan to crucify His only begotten Son not include forgiveness AT and AFTER He saved an individual?
If you for a moment believe a Christian can’t be forgiven of any and all sin, you have elevated sin above the blood of Christ’s cross and are in serious trouble spiritually.
If a man stands solid on both feet in divine truth and publicly declares it, you can know of a certainty that such a man of God WILL ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT FAIL be assaulted by “evil men” and jezebels. Remember God’s prophet Elijah and how jezebel fumed in hatred over him and swore to take his life? (1 Kings 18-19)
In fact, gentlemen, if we aren’t being lied about, assaulted, shunned, and horrifically slandered, we may wish to examine our own lives – their root in Christ and subsequent fruitfulness.
Question: Who needs to be worried?
Answer: NOT the fruitful, persecuted true disciples of Jesus but rather those who are not being fruitful and therefore attacked.
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:26
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22
Of course, not all sinners will hate us. Yet, the point is, if we receive no persecution, including those which Jesus specifically cites, what does that tell us of our lack of union with He who was persecuted unto crucifixion?
The Revelation 12:10 phrase “accuser of the brethren (Satan)” fits well here and that’s because these are true disciples of Jesus being falsely accused, not the wolves of Satan. Usually that verse is taken out of context to cover for and defend absolute wolves who pose as Christ’s ministers while misleading and damning many (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). May we study God’s Word for ourselves and thereby gain a biblical clue!
Who did Jesus say is blessed? Listen to the Lamb:
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:21-26
From our LORD’s teaching here and elsewhere, conversely those who should fear for their eternal souls: are not poor in spirit, are full and not charitable to others (givers), not hated, not separated by joined with apostates and sinners, not reproached, whose names aren’t ridiculed and mocked, laughing and having no troubles due to truly following Christ.
—– Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant my heart to be clean of all self-righteousness and an evil eye and that You would allow Your love in me to overlook the multitude of sins in others. Bless me to know that no one on this planet is less worthy of Your sheer mercy, saving than myself. Grant that my heart be broken, humble, and set upon serving You and others. You have not given Your people the spirit of fear but rather of power, love and a sound mind. Bless me to never be ashamed of your beloved saints as they suffer slanderous persecution and imprisonment in this brief journey leading up to our eternity with You! Instead, use me to pray for aid, and comfort them in any way possible! Thank You this moment LORD, for multiplying Your wisdom to my heart and life, in Jesus’ holy name, amen.
More on Persecution here. | More on Self-Righteousness Here.
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Articles
PURGATORY: CATHOLIC FRAUD [podcast]
Purgatory is never once mentioned in God’s Word and is a blatant and antichrist denial of the efficacy of the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
“One of the scandalous practices of the Catholic church was the sale of “indulgences” to raise money. Indulgences allowed Catholics to buy forgiveness for their sins with cold, hard cash. Most remember that indulgences were one of the primary reasons Martin Luther made the cataclysmic decision to leave the Catholic church and start the “Protestant” movement. However, few realize that indulgences were used by the Catholic church as a primary source of revenue for over a thousand years, and that the practice did not end as a result of Luther’s protests:
“The cost of running the church’s kingdom while maintaining the profligate lifestyle of one of Europe’s grandest courts pressured the Vatican always to look for ways to bring in more money. Taxes and fees levied on the Papal States paid most of the empire’s basic expenses. The sales of produce from its agriculturally rich northern land as well as rents collected from its properties throughout Europe brought in extra cash. But over time that was not enough to fuel the lavish lifestyles of the Pope and his top clerics. The church found the money it needed in the selling of so-called indulgences, a sixth-century invention whereby the faithful paid for a piece of paper that promised that God would forgo any earthly punishment for the buyer’s sins. The early church’s penances were often severe, including flogging, imprisonment, or even death. Although some indulgences were free, the best ones — promising the most redemption for the gravest sins — were expensive. The Vatican set prices according to the severity of the sin and they were initially available only to those who made a pilgrimage to Rome.” Delancyplace.com
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:27-28
Notice that after a person dies, “after this the judgment” and not purgatory!
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God died for, paid the full and complete price for all sin one time on the cross and anyone believing in purgatory spits in the face of a holy God, openly claiming that the sacrifice of Christ was not enough. Such openly deny Christ and are antichrists.
—— CATHOLIC PURGATORIAL FAIRY TALE SCAM ….. ABSOLUTE BLASPHEMY AND OPEN DENIAL OF THE EFFICACY OF THE VERY BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. PURE GIMMICK – $–PAY YOUR DEAD RELATIVE OUT OF PURGATORY? The Catholic indulgence system is completely diabolical and antichrist. This system teaches that living relatives can $ pay $ their dead relatives out of purgatory (no such thing) by giving monies to the Catholic church. This system wasn’t even initiated until the twelfth century by the then pope in order to raise money for the financially hurting Roman Catholic church. This delusional lie, myth, and exploitation is antichrist in that it brazenly denies the efficacy and power of the blood of Jesus shed once, and good for all time (John 19:30; Hebrews 10:12).
***IN THE MIDDLE AGES, A CERTAIN POPE AT THAT TIME INVENTED THE TEACHING OF PURGATORY TO RAISE $MONEY$ FOR THE FINANCIALLY HURTING ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
IS PURGATORY A CATHOLIC FRAUD? IS THERE EVEN ONE MENTION OF A purgatory in the Bible? Could it be that PURGATORY is a mere scheme to obtain money from poor souls who pay the Catholic church $$$ thinking they are getting some loved one out of a place that doesn’t even exist – purgatory? THE INVENTION OF PURGATORY is but one of the diabolic devices the aCtholic church holds over its people to deceive, delude and ultimately destroy them in eternal damnation.
Heaven and hell (as eternal destinations) appear approximately 600 times in God’s Word and purgatory appears no where – not even once in Holy Scripture.
$$$–Catholic “indulgences” are monies/revenues paid to the Catholic church to get people out of “purgatory” – a place that doesn’t even exist – THIS IS FRAUDULENT!!!
$$$–Purgatory is nothing less than a money-making scam of the Catholic church exploiting its own people$$$.
Does not purgatory exploit the precious Catholic people FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED TO COMPLETELY FORGIVE?
Is purgatory a money-making $$$ lie? – through the sale of Catholic “indulgences”??
The most blasphemous element about this fraud is that PURGATORY DENIES CHRIST’S REDEMPTION by saying His blood was not enough to pay for ALL sins.
Purgatory is simply another Catholic lie.
If God named “Heaven” 582 times and “hell” 54 times by name in His Word, He certainly would have named “purgatory” (by name) if such a place existed.
Purgatory IS a big deal because the Roman religion stands or falls on whether it is teaching God’s holy Word which is final authority.
IF “THE BLOOD OF JESUS CLEANSES US FROM ALL SINS” (1 John 1:7), WHY WOULD GOD INSTITUTE A SO-CALLED PLACE OF “PURIFICATION” NAMED PURGATORY? HE SIMPLY DIDN’T. “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from ALL sin” (1 John 1:7).
Only the blood of Jesus applied by the grace of God and faith can save from eternal damnation.
Jesus says that justification is instantaneous (John 6:47).
IS PURGATORY A MONEY-MAKING SCHEME?
PURGE-atory is a lie because it purports that once a “good Catholic” dies, he is then PURGED in an intermediate state. Purgatory is blasphemy against the finished work of Jesus Christ who stated on the cross that “It IS finished” (John 19:30). The teaching of purgatory is just one more way the roman church denies the total sufficiency of the cross of Jesus Christ our LORD causing millions to be deluded and lost and without true love and peace that only God can give as a person comes to Him the way He prescribed – in His Word – Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father.
CHRIST’S BLOOD IS GOD’S MERCY.
Jesus is the only Hope God gave us for forgiveness of sins. Jesus stated, “The Son of man hath power ON EARTH (not in purgatory) to forgive sins” (Matthew 9:6).
PURGATORY EXISTS NOWHERE IN HOLY SCRIPTURE IN WORD NOR CONCEPT.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS A WASTELAND OF IDOLS.
WHERE ARE SINS FORGIVEN? ON EARTH OR “PURGATORY”??? Jesus stated, “The Son of man hath power ON EARTH to forgive sins” (Matthew 9:6).
WHO ARE SINS FORGIVEN BY???? Jesus stated, “The Son of man hath power ON EARTH to forgive sins” (Matthew 9:6).
1 John 1:7 “the blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sins.” No need for a so-called “purgatory” OR CATHOLIC PRIEST.
THE BIBLE CLEARLY TEACHES US THAT THE PUNISHMENT FOR ALL OUR SINS WAS POURED OUT UPON CHRIST ON THE CROSS – ONE TIME, 2,000 YEARS AGO – THEY ARE DEALT WITH COMPLETELY FOR THOSE WHO ARE BORN AGAIN.
DID GOD DO A COMPLETE AND “FINISHED” WORK THROUGH CHRIST? ARE YOU CALLING HIM A LIAR? JESUS SAID, WHILE DYING ON THE CROSS FOR US “IT IS FINISHED (COMPLETE)” (John 19:30).
DID CHRIST FAIL IN HIS MISSION? DO WE NOW NEED SOME COSTUME-WEARING PRIESTHOOD OF SODOMITES TO HELP GOD OUT AND TELL US WHAT TO DO? ABSURD!
ARE YOU CALLING THE SON OF GOD A LIAR?
“It IS finished” simply means that the total and complete price for the sins of the whole world were paid for “one time” on the cross by Christ alone (John 19:30; Heb. 10:12-14).
ONLY JESUS CAN CLEANSE: “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me” (John 13:8).
ONLY JESUS CAN WASH AWAY SINS, NOT PURGATORY. JESUS TOLD PETER: “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me” (John 13:8).
OFFICIAL CATHOLIC TEACHING/DOGMA:
The following statements can be verified by consulting volumes 1 and 2 of the book, Vatican Council II printed by Costello Publishing Co., Northport, New York. Austin Flannery, O. P., is the general editor and each volume contains the Nihil Obstat and the Imprimatur. The editions are: 1984 (Vol. 1) and 1982 (Vol. 2).
This most recent Roman Catholic Council, which closed on December 8, 1965, is the current official stand of Roman Catholicism. The following quotes are that official stand. (Bold print has been used for emphasis. Furthermore, brackets have been used to increase clarity.)
(10) “We believe that the souls of all those who die in the grace of Christ — whether they must still make expiation in the fire of Purgatory, or whether from the moment they leave their bodies they are received by Jesus into Paradise like the good thief — go to form that People of God ….” (Vol. 2, p. 394)
(12) “The doctrine of purgatory clearly demonstrates that even when the guilt of sin has been taken away, punishment for it or the consequences of it may remain to be expiated or cleansed.” (Vol. 1, p. 64)
(d) “If anyone says that after the reception of the grace of justification the guilt is so remitted and the debt of eternal punishment so blotted out to every repentant sinner, that no debt of temporal punishment remains to be discharged either in this world or in purgatory before the gates of heaven can be opened, let him be anathema.” (ibid., p. 46 — Sixth Session, Chapter XVI, Canon 30)
1 Corinthians 3 is where Paul is simply using this imagery to show that the works true believers did while on earth that were not truly out of the right heart motive, would not be rewarded.
Have you ever been told in a Catholic church that you could not go to Heaven unless you are “born again”? The Son of God said “Ye MUST be born again” (John 3:7). You can’t go to Heaven without being “born again” – the Bible way.
Purgatory simply is not found in the Bible and actually blatantly contradicts Bible doctrine.
If you are a Catholic defender, please quote the verses verbatim and tell everyone here how many times the word “purgatory” appears in the Bible.
Purgatory is a mere proofless myth – invented to steal money from the Catholic people.
Purgatory is a fool’s hope – eternal hell awaits all who die without being born again (the Bible way).
The Bible never mentions purgatory … it’s a myth and wasn’t invented till the 12th century in order to scam money from the Catholic people by selling indulgences.
Hell is the eternal and unending judgment of the holy God of Heaven and earth upon all those who do not repent, falling upon His mercy through the blood of Jesus Christ – BEFORE THEY LEAVE THE EARTH.
We are only made holy by God through Jesus’ blood – THIS IS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST – not some mythical and unbiblical place called “purgatory.”
THOSE WHO DISREGARD THE BLOOD OF CHRIST MUST SUFFER ETERNAL PUNISHMENT IN HELL: “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29).
THE WORD OF GOD IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY NOT THE ROMAN CHURCH – who are you going to trust? God or the Catholic church?
What is there to understand other than the Catholic teaching of purgatory is a blatant denial of the sufficiency of Christ’s blood which was shed to pay for ALL sins one time on the cross (John 19:30; Heb. 10:12, etc.). While dying on the cross for our sins, Jesus said “It IS finished” which simply means that all the sins of mankind were paid for in full by His blood and there was therefore no need ever for any other sacrifice for sin – including the vile and vain idea that man could ever pay for his own sin debt in a place that doesn’t even exist (“purgatory”).
PURGATORY IS JUST ONE OF MANY exploitational devices of the Catholic church. Purgatory exploits the Catholic people, leading them to destitution and despair and ultimately damnation. These poor souls, most of which are in dire straits financially, to afford a funeral are then asked to give $$$money$$$ to the Roman church (which is already the richest organization in the world). How can this be!
JESUS also said “Sanctify them through thy Word, the Word is truth” (John 17:17).
If Jesus’ blood totally cleanses of all sins those who believe upon Him, what need would God have for a purgatory? HE simply never mentioned such a place – it is a Catholic myth – A LIE FROM HELL.
What is your faith built on? God’s Word/truth or religious myth? Your eternity is in the balance – better check it out;)
WILL YOU TRUST THE CONFUSED & CHANGING TEACHINGS OF SINFUL MEN OR THE CLEAR AND UNCHANGING TRUTHS OF A LOVING AND HOLY GOD WHOSE WORD NEVER CHANGES?
JESUS WARNED US TO “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (devouring) wolves” (Matthew 7:15).
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“Lord, Teach us to Pray” [podcast]
“Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3
Prayer is simply communing with God.
“One of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1
“Lord, teach us to pray.” Christ’s disciples today should ask the LORD to “teach us to pray.” The disciples called on Jesus to teach them to pray—to have a prayer life, to live a life of prayer, to commune with Him and the Father perpetually. Christ answered them and us by giving the whole Church a model prayer to be followed in spontaneous and joyful relationship. Here it is:
“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a
certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples
said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also
taught his disciples. 2 And he said unto them,
When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in
heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3
Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive
us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is
indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.” Luke 11:1-4
When addressing the remove of the words “Our” and “which art in heaven” by the fake, the corrupted “bibles,” one writes asks:
“Is your Bible geared to glorify antichrist? Is your Bible going to be used by antichrist to convince you he is Jesus?” unknown
Jesus is coming—ready or not.
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
Prayer is to spiritual life what breathing is to the natural life. If you stop breathing, you die. If we don’t “pray without ceasing” we will not be in the will of God, will not be obeying God, and will fall into temptation, into sin.
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
You cannot and will not overcome sin and Satan, the world, and the flesh, without living a life of prayer.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ, I ask You
to teach me to pray. Here and now, I lay my life into Your holy
hands afresh. You must increase, and I must decrease. In the
name of Jesus, please bless this life to be dead and buried and
raised up by You, LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Articles
7 Questions on Justification [podcast]
Justification by grace is the biblical doctrine that God freely declares sinners righteous, not based on their own merits, goodness, or works, but through faith in Jesus Christ’s redeeming work (book of Romans). It is an undeserved act of God’s love (grace) that forgives sins, reconciles believers to God, and imparts new spiritual life.
7 Questions on Justification
- How is fallen mankind made righteous, justified in the eyes of a holy God? (Romans 3:21-28; Galatians 2:16)
- What law makes New Testament believers “free from the law of sin and death”? (Romans 8:2)
- What could the law not do? (Romans 8:3-4)
- What is fulfilled in the life of the born again, Spirit-led New Testament follower of Christ? (Romans 3:31; 8:3-4)
- How does the Law apply to saints? How does it apply to sinners? (1 Timothy 1:9-11)
- Can anyone be justified by the works of the law, by law-keeping? Become intimately familiar with Galatians 2:4-5, 16; 3:1-3; 5:4.
- What is the over-arching divine revelation of Hebrews 8-10?
We owe a debt we cannot pay.
He paid a debt He did not owe!
Anyone who gets saved and then doesn’t drill down into the doctrinal letters and epistles and get grounded in grace through faith justification and living, will be susceptible to being deceived by the antichrist judaizers in our midst. It will cost many of them their eternal souls. There will be not 1 law-keeping judaizing snake in Heaven. If you don’t know that, you are biblically illiterate. Romans. Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians. Colossians. Hebrews.
ANY PERSON who teaches that blood-bought NEW Testament saints, saved by grace through faith, are under the law of Moses is an antichrist! Run!
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:1-3
MANY who have refused to study and get grounded in the NEW Testament revelation of the saving grace of God in Christ, have now departed from the faith into the hell bound heresy of law keeping!
“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38-39
When Jesus told us the law would not pass away, He was in no way contradicting Himself by saying that one must keep the law to be saved (Matthew 5:17-18). That is a heresy. Paul picks this up in 1 Timothy 1 when he tells us that the law, law keeping is NOT for the righteous – “Knowing this, that THE LAW IS NOTTT MADE FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers…” (1 Timothy 1:9)
Dear law-keeper who thinks you can earn your own justification …. There is no justification in the law as pertains to fallen mankind and he cannot possibly fulfill it, and has broken it (Romans 3:10, 23, 28). Works mean nothing until one is first justified by faith in Christ alone and not the vain attempt to keep the whole law perfectly – which no one except Jesus did!
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10
ANY person who is trying to be justified by laughable law-keeping, is 100% a vile Christ-rejecting antichrist lost soul. As He died, shedding His precious blood on that cross for the sins of the world, Jesus Christ the only Messiah declared “It IS finished” which means simply “Paid in FULL.” (John 19:30) Law-keeping devils call Christ a liar, pretending that their own obedience and futile attempt to keep the law is needed for them to be saved – as they declare that Jesus’ sacrifice was not enough, was not sufficient. Blasphemy!
“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” 1 John 2:22-23
“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” Acts 15:11
Gary Nygard writes:
“Trying to keep ONE IOTA of the law (to be righteous); ala, tithing, sabbath keeping, etc puts you under the bondage of the ENTIRE law and makes the Righteousness of God/GRACE completely and totally ineffective to you!
What you think enhances your walk with God actually DESECRATES it!
The works of the law are the arch enemies of GRACE!
The law worketh WRATH!
Romans 4:15
Because the law worketh wrath!
It makes those who attempt to keep it self righteous religious zealots like Apostle Paul BEFORE he got saved!
He warned the Galatian Church that they were like he was and they better take heed “lest they bite and devour one another.”
And we wonder why our churches have become a dysfunctional self righteous mess?!?”
It’s pride in the hearts of self-righteous men who want to believe THEY are meriting their own salvation by their own works! Nonsense! Read Romans 3-5 over and over and over again!
SAINTS, we are saved by the LORD Himself, by His grace and not our own works. People who are still self-righteous, thinking THEY are earning their own justification, get very uneasy when the saving grace of God is preached. They are not yet students of NEW Testament truth. WE MUST have an ever-deepening biblical revelation of God’s justification by grace and faith! Please begin by memorizing Romans 5:1-2. AND, please read Romans chapters 3-5 prayerfully and over and over, this week.
The highest insult to a holy God is to say that the sacrifice of his only begotten Son is insufficient! Is Christ dead in vain? Did He come for nothing? WHY did Jesus even bother coming if men could be justified by their own futile attempt at law keeping or trying to keep the whole law? James 2:10 anybody?
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21
IF the law was sufficient, why did God replace it with an infinitely superior covenant, paid for, ratified in the blood of His only begotten Son? (Hebrews 8-10) WHY O WHY did Jesus come and die if the law was sufficient? (Galatians 2:21) Are you denying Christ and don’t realize it – by saying you can personally keep the law while despising His perfect sacrifice as He nailed the law to the cross and took it out of the way in His death? (Colossians 2:14-19) If you name the name of Christ, you’d better study until you understand this – biblical justification! We are saved and overcome by grace and not law – the law simply magnifies sin. Only JESUS can save! Read Romans 6-8 over and over and over, prayerfully.
One is justified immediately upon believing, true saving faith (John 6:47). Then, as that person chooses to abide, to continue with Christ, good fruit will be produced including obedience and yet, those things do not save, they are only the proof that such a person has been saved and is enduring to the end, abiding, continuing in Christ (John 8:31-32; 15:1-6, etc.). Attempting to add the law and keeping it to the NEW Testament message of Christ and His apostles is a gross, insidious addition to the original Gospel. The Old Covenant was infinitely inferior and had to and was replaced by the infinitely superior NEW Covenant which was ratified by the very blood of the one the old merely foreshadowed (Hebrews 8-10, etc.).
Obedience as an expression of our relationship with and love for our Savior – not to save us. We know that saving faith will always result in good works, good fruit (Ephesians 2:8-10, etc.).
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
The law is not completely removed but rather present to convict, magnify the sin, and bring sinners to the Savior (Galatians 3:24).
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not…” 1 John 3:4-6
And we keep the “law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus” we is impossible without the saving grace of God and Holy Spirit (Rom 3:31; 8:2-4). New Testament believers are the only ones able to fulfill the law as did the Savior perfectly. The law demands perfection which it does not provide the divine, saving, enabling grace to fulfill. –“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
ARE YOU justified by sinful self or the Savior? Good luck flashing those “filthy rags” at the Throne of the Almighty who sent His only begotten Son to die for you! (Isaiah 64:6) Righteousness comes from knowing and trusting the only One to ever keep the law perfectly and not from trying to keep the law (Galatians 2:16). Though the law be righteous, there is NO righteousness in the law other than repenting of your own efforts and putting your full trust in the only One who ever kept the law! (Romans 10:4) You deserve judgment and hell – you have nothing to offer God except a deeply repentant, honest, contrite, humble heart! (Psalms 34:18; 51:17; Matthew 5:3) You are a guilty sinner and must trash your religious fig leaves which are a sham at best!
“The aprons of fig leaves speak of man’s attempt to save himself by a bloodless religion of good works.” William MacDonald
True NEW Testament saints are dead to the law (Romans 7:1-4). Law keepers, do-gooders, and moralists are completely self-righteous antichrists who’ve put themselves in place of Jesus Christ as their own savior – denying Christ that place while vainly believing they can earn their own justification before a holy God and Judge of their eternal soul (James 2:10). Anti means “in place of.” Selah (meditate on that) God doesn’t want His children trying to keep the old law but rather to choose to worship, love, trust, and obey Him who is the only One to keep it and then nailed it to the cross and took it out of the way!
Are you under the law or under Christ? Can’t be both (John 19:30). The law for righteousness is over and to deny such is to deny Christ, to deny that His one sacrifice satisfied the righteousness of the law, that the law of Moses demanded, and the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem fallen man (Romans 8:2-4; 10:4).
The law is still in force for the unbeliever and for those who backslide (1 Timothy 1:9-11). Yet Believers are not under the law – the law convicted them and they ran to the foot of the cross, falling prostate upon the mercy of God poured out to us in the blood of Jesus (John 19:30; Romans 5:6-9; 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21). Jesus’ New Testament saints are under the law of Christ who fulfilled the law perfectly and nailed it to the cross and took it out of our way (Colossians 2:14-19). It’s all about JESUS to true New Testament believers, not law.
MAKE NO MISTAKE: The vain attempt of law-keeping for righteousness is the highest insult to the Almighty who sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins! (Galatians 2:21) Torah-Keeping Judaizing Devils Busted and Exposed as Hell Bound Frauds!!!
The “circumcision” Lives to Deny Christ and Destroy Souls!
Titus 1:10-11
“For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.”
One thing we should take heed from James is:
Acts 15:19-21
“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.”
Galatians 2:1-10
STAND FIRM FOR TRUTH by FB Meyer
The great controversy in Paul’s career was over the initial rite of Judaism. It would have been comparatively calm, if he had been willing to admit that Christianity was a sect of Judaism, and that men must become Jews before becoming Christians. His contention was that the ceremonial aspect of the Law did not apply to converts from heathendom. Gentile sinners had the right to go directly to Jesus Christ for salvation, without traveling around the circuitous route of Judaism. When men insisted on the outward rite, he resisted it with all the fiery vehemence of his nature, Gal 2:3; Gal 2:12. But when his opponents were willing to admit that circumcision was not essential, he administered it to one of Jewish blood, as a concession to the weak and uninstructed, Acts 16:3.
Galatians 3:1-10
RIGHTEOUSNESS BASED ON FAITH by Life in the Spirit Study Bible
The strong tendency of the Galatian Christians to depend upon ceremonies or upon legal obedience, in addition to their faith in Christ, elicits in this chapter a magnificent demonstration of the simplicity and sufficiency of faith alone.
Faith had underlain the commencement of their Christian life, Gal_3:1-5. They had found peace with God through faith. Through faith they had received the fullness of the Holy Spirit. As they had begun, so let them finish!
Faith had been the means, too, of Abraham’s acceptance with God, Gal_3:6-10. From the first the gospel of faith had been proclaimed to him by the divine Spirit. Long before he had become a Jew by the initial rite of Judaism, he had been a humble believer in God’s promise, on the basis of which he was reckoned righteous. Simple faith was the only condition that he had fulfilled, and the promise that all flesh should be blessed through him had been given when he was still a believing Gentile. Surely what had sufficed for the father of the faithful was good enough for his children! Let each reader see to it that he does not merely believe about Christ, but believes in Him, so as to be no longer under the curse, but within the blessing.
Justification | Judaizing Devils Busted and Exposed
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