QUOTES FROM OSAS TEACHERS

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

OSAS Leaders Exposed! Caught Red Handed!

Quotes from the “Eternal Security” and Calvinist Beguilers of Our Day

Might the LORD be asking the following question to many today who recognize this unconditional security teaching for what it is?

“Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” Psalms 94:16

To illustrate just how widespread this unconditional eternal security teaching is, let’s look at some quotes from leaders who have influence over millions of souls.

Charles Stanley:

“As we begin our study of eternal security, we must keep two definitions very clearly in mind: Salvation—Deliverance from eternal death, and possession of eternal life. Eternal Security—That work of God, which guarantees God’s gift of salvation, once received, is possessed forever and can never be lost.

“What you believe and know about these two terms is vital to your hope and confidence as a Christian, as well as to your witness for Christ. Confusion about how you were saved leads to confusion about how a person might remain saved.” Intouch.org

With no biblical authority whatsoever, Charles Stanley says that “salvation, once received, is possessed forever and can never be lost.” So he begins with an unbiblical and therefore false premise – that one can never forfeit the gift of salvation once he has truly received it. This he says in utter contradiction to the Word of God. Then Stanley says that what a person believes about his (Stanley’s) version of unconditional eternal security is “vital to your hope and confidence as a Christian, as well as your witness for Christ.” In actuality the “once saved always saved” message clearly robs the fear of God from the hearts of men, as it did with the first man and woman, so it is error to suppose that such a security is built on a false idea. This lie led to their sin and fall. The Word says, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge” (Prov. 14:26). So Charles Stanley opposes the clear message of the Bible – which states that when we fear the LORD instead of living on the false presumption that we are “eternally secure,” we have “strong confidence.” “Strong confidence” or assurance and deep peace come from fearing God and not from adopting a doctrine that gives one’s heart a false hope and false sense of security.

Stanley also writes:

“If you believe that your salvation came about by anything other than simply believing in what Jesus Christ did for you on the cross, then you believe that your salvation was in some way related to your own will and to your own works. If you believe that your salvation is related to your will and your works, then you will believe that your will and your works can in some way ‘undo’ or negate your salvation.

“On the other hand, if you believe that your salvation was based solely on what Jesus did for you and what the Holy Spirit has done in you, then you believe that your salvation was a sovereign work of God. Your part was simply to believe and receive what God provided and what God promised. The person who believes this must therefore conclude that since he did absolutely nothing to transform his old sin nature into a new spiritual nature, he cannot do anything to cause his new spiritual nature to revert to his old nature.” www.Intouch.org

Charles Stanley, in a classic Calvinistic way, supposes that one gets saved without his own will involved. This is in blatant contradiction to volumes of Scripture. He also attempts to smokescreen his false grace message by insinuating that one who believes he has the choice automatically seeks to gain salvation by his own works. Then he says that nothing one can do after being truly saved can “negate” his salvation. Jesus said sin will lead one to hell – no matter what his previous experience with God (Mk. 9:43-49). Who shall we believe, Jesus Christ or Stanley (a mere man)? Paul the apostle of Christ told us that any one of 17 specific “works of the flesh” would pre-empt one from entering the kingdom of God. In fact, he was speaking to the Galatian believers, not unsaved people, when he told them that “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).

On his website, Charles Stanley further states:

“…Since he (the saved person) did absolutely nothing to transform his old sin nature into a new spiritual nature, he cannot do anything to cause his new spiritual nature to revert to his old nature.”

In stark contrast, the LORD Jesus tells us:

“The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8

Paul told us, “For there is no respect of persons with God” (Rom. 2:11).

Also, in this excerpt from his website, Stanley continues to insert his false assumptions by speaking of “what God promised.” In this he is speaking of unconditional eternal security as if God ever “promised” that a person can live in sin, depart from Him, and still remain in His grace and be “promised” to go to His holy Heaven. An absurd and unscriptural insinuation at best!

“It is NOT lying, cheating, stealing, RAPING, murdering, or BEING UNFAITHFUL that sends people to hell.” [emphasis ours] Charles Stanley, Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure? Oliver-Nelson Books, 1990, p. 70.

“Neither do we become unsaved by acting unsaved.” Ibid., p. 71. Charles Stanley

John MacArthur:

“The point is not that God guarantees security to everyone who will say he accepts Christ, but rather that those whose faith is genuine will prove their salvation is secure by persevering to the end in the way of righteousness.” John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 1988, (Chap. 8, p. 97)

“Yes, someone says, but can’t Christians put themselves outside God’s grace? What about those who commit ABOMINABLE SINS? Don’t they nullify the work of redemption in themselves? Don’t they forfeit the love of God? CERTAINLY NOT … it’s preposterous to think that we can forfeit it [salvation] BY ANYTHING WE DO.” [emphasis ours] John MacArthur, The Love of God, Word Publishing, 1996, p. 159

“True believers will persevere. If a person turns against Christ, it is proof that person was never saved.” John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 1988, p. 98

MacArthur here says that a Christian can never do anything that would put him “outside God’s grace.” What saith God’s Word?

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Galatians 5:4

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Hebrews 12:14-15

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15

John MacArthur here shows his brazen disregard for the holiness and full-counsel of the LORD. We have already addressed how the Word tells us plainly that sin does separate us from the LORD God, who is “Holy, holy, holy” and how that sin not repented of is still on the record and testifies against that person who refused to acknowledge and turn from sin (Isa. 6:3; 55:6-7; Heb. 2:1-3). The LORD “will by no means clear the guilty” (Exod. 34:7). He says here that He will not clear the guilty without that person touching the blood of the only sacrifice He granted us – of His beloved and only begotten Son (1 John 1:9). The LORD delights to show mercy yet will only do such as there is the fear of God and authentic repentance (Exod. 34:7; Ps. 103:11).

John Ankerberg:

“But CHRISTIANS may still lose rewards in heaven. Indeed, we can only wonder what some Christians will feel like and experience on that day when they lose those heavenly rewards because of the spiritually numbing and other consequences of FORNICATION or ADULTERY while on earth. It will certainly be an infinitely poor exchange — losing eternal rewards in heaven for a few fleeting moments of sexual pleasure on earth.” [emphasis ours] The Ankerberg Theological Research Institute, News Magazine (Vol. 2, No. 6), June 1995, p. 4.

What does God’s Word state?

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (feminine men), nor abusers of themselves with mankind (homosexuals), Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Erwin W. Lutzer:

“Recently I spoke to a HOMOSEXUAL who believes he accepted Christ at the age of twenty, only to plunge into a life of WANTON IMMORALITY …. Whether or not he was a child of God during those days of heedless carnality (who of us knows for sure?), he lost fellowship with his Father.” [emphasis ours] Erwin W. Lutzer, How You Can Be Sure That You Will Spend Eternity With God, Moody Press, 1996, pp. 131, 132

See 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 above.

“But I’m convinced that those who have trusted Christ are in heaven today even if they die with the sin of murder on their conscience.” (How You Can Be Sure That You Will Spend Eternity With God, Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, p. 101)

God says:

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:14-15

John R. Rice:

“David committed sins of murder and ADULTERY. We must condemn his sins. They were bad. But David’s sins were under the blood of Christ, and in the fifty-first Psalm, the prayer of David shows that HE HAD NOT LOST HIS SALVATION, BUT THE JOY OF SALVATION.” [emphasis ours]. John R. Rice, Can a Saved Person Ever Be Lost?, Sword of the Lord Publishers, 1943, p. 16

The LORD says differently. Will we believe Rice or the Almighty?

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication…of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

Of Rice’s assertion of Psalm 51, Alan Burns writes:

“This author (White) is not reading and quoting this passage found in Ps. 51:10-12, in its entire context. A text of scripture taken out of context is a pre-text and is no text at all! He only quotes verse 12 and builds a theological pre-supposition on one verse alone, and is breaking a very important rule of interpreting Holy Scripture. I believe it is to justify this false concept of eternal security. In my opinion and in all reality, he left out the two most important verses in this chapter, which incidentally are the two previous verses–verses 10 and 11.

“‘Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.’ V 10, 11

“Why would David pray something this radical unless he knew he could very well lose his salvation as a result of committing his gross sins of murder and adultery? Furthermore, he knows that if God doesn’t give him a stedfast and faithful spirit; he would continue to go morally astray and then be eternally lost. (if indeed he died in that sinful condition). It just shows you that David knew and understood enough of the holiness and character of God that he feared this very thing could happen.” Pastor Alan Burns

Charles Ryrie says:

“…Sin does not cause us to lose our salvation.” Charles Ryrie, So Great Salvation, Victor Books, 1989, p. 143

The LORD says:

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” Exodus 32:33

Arthur Pink

“Eternal Security is the teaching that God shall with no uncertainty bring into their eternal inheritance those who are actually justified—delivered from the curse of the law and have the righteousness of Christ reckoned to their account—and who have been begotten by the Spirit of God. And further it is the teaching that God shall do this in a way glorifying to Himself, in harmony with His nature and consistent with the teaching of Scripture concerning the nature of those who are called saints. Why is this important? Why is it important for every Christian to know that once God has taken him for His own, He will never let him go? Arthur W. Pink gives many reasons for this in this book on Eternal Security. For one thing, it is necessary in order to strengthen young and fearful Christians in their faith—by safeguarding the honor and integrity of God and His Word. And it is also necessary in order to preserve one of the grand and distinctive blessings of the Gospel, which to deny is to attack the very foundations of the believer’s comfort and assurance.” From the Foreword in the book entitled Eternal Security, by Arthur W. Pink

“The theme of this present series of articles is far more than a theological dogma or sectarian tenet: it is an essential portion of that Faith once for all delivered to the saints, concerning which we are exhorted to ‘contend earnestly’. In it is displayed, respectively, the honor and glory of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and therefore they who repudiate this truth cast a most horrible aspersion upon the character of the triune Jehovah. The final perseverance of the saints is one of the grand and distinctive blessings proclaimed by the Gospel, being an integral part of salvation itself, and therefore any outcry against this doctrine is an attack upon the very foundations of the believer’s comfort and assurance. How can I go on my way rejoicing if there be doubts in my mind whether God will continue to deal graciously with me and complete that work which He has begun in my soul? How can I sincerely thank God for having delivered me from the wrath to come if it is quite possible I may yet be cast into Hell?” Eternal Security, Chapter 2, Arthur W. Pink

Did you note that Pink never once mentions the holiness of God, sin, the utter depravity of men, the cross, the necessity of initial and ongoing repentance, the fear of the LORD or the need to trust God fully in all things? His words are very insidiously arranged and not reconcilable with the words of our LORD and His apostles. His framing of words fits what Paul said of those who are to be marked – “by good words and fair speeches (they) deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom. 16:17-18). In looking at Pink’s words, I scratch my head at the deceitful and superfluous polemics he uses with very little Scripture included. Pink’s words seem to be an attempt to utilize flowery speech in order to lure people into the intoxicating lie of the ages.

Following Jesus vs The False Prophets He So Often Warned Would “Deceive Many”

“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11

Many today, in this hour of great apostasy, rest their eternal souls on the so-called “reformers” and “church fathers.” They are no different than the pagan Roman Catholic who bases his false faith on faulty mere sinful men. In essence, those are the mere men they follow in lieu of following Christ. They relish John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, and others, of which all combined, were given zero divine, kingdom authority. Christ is the only Rock upon which His true remnant church stands and all who have genuinely repented and are trusting Him unto eternal life live by His words alone and those which He gave His holy apostles. They never once taught OSAS or unconditional eternal security. Keep reading if you aren’t afraid of the truth.

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land (people) that is not cleansed, nor rained upon (shown mercy) in the day of indignation. There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. Her priests (leaders) have violated my law (Word), and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean…” Ezekiel 22:23-26

Jude and 2 Peter 2-3 feature lists of historical accounts where the LORD Almighty severely judged those of and among His own covenant people who made the choice to live in sin after knowing Him. There are angels, nations, peoples and individuals included in the list of those damned to hell for their disobedience to the LORD who is holy. In the face of such clear knowledge concerning the unchanging God, some still dare teach the eternal security heresy.

Today there are frightening scores of leaders who are teaching this license-for-sin doctrine. Some of the most popular teachers today are believers in the heresy of OSAS (“once saved always saved”). Perhaps they have been made popular by the demand of the populace to hear ear tickling messages which deal only with surface issues and never probe and penetrate to the depths of the heart. Though posing as Christians, these deluded leaders are ignorant of an intimate and personal knowledge of the LORD who is holy. They are violating the Word of God by not recognizing that the LORD is “Holy, holy, holy” and making a clear division between “the holy and profane” and showing the “difference between the unclean and the clean.” See also Psalms 51:10; 139:23-24, Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8.

Sin has separated mankind from his Creator (Gen. 2-3). Our LORD Jesus came to this earth because God is holy! Yes, Christ came to the world because God is holy and cannot fellowship with sin (Gen. 6:5; Isa. 59:2; 64:6; Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-7). Without Christ man was helpless to regain his place of relationship with His Maker (Tit. 3:4-7).

Is the LORD Still Holy OR did He Change?

The LORD is “Holy, holy, holy” and man is sinful. Any man in leadership who does not hold this cardinal truth (man’s utter depravity and God’s absolute holiness) in utmost importance and prominence is thoroughly deceived at best. According to the whole record of Holy Writ, the whole reason Jesus Christ came was that we might know God and be washed from that which separated us from Him – sin. He left the glory of His Father and came “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight” (Col. 1:22).

Making the holiness of the LORD a light thing and therefore the sins that violate His holiness, is an extremely fatal endeavor and being perpetrated by the blind leaders who are leading many astray in this late hour (Matt. 15:14).

To illustrate the prevalence of the lie of lawlessness, one need only observe that most Bible commentaries come from proponents of this antinomian heresy and are therefore skewed across the board in their doctrines. Beware!

Personally, when I am checking out a ministry, there are a couple of initial things I look for in discerning where they are coming from. One of those things is whether or not there is an underlying belief in OSAS. If so, all their other doctrine will be amiss. Specifically concerning doctrine, the apostle Paul said “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (Gal. 5:9). When someone has embraced a falsehood, their whole body of belief will be permeated with that error. The Bible imagery using leaven and bread is that it takes but a sprinkle of leaven to infuse, pervade, affect, and expand the whole loaf of bread. So, it takes but a sprinkle of falsehood to tilt or skew a person’s whole belief system.

As we see in Ezekiel 22, with all errant camps, their leaders build upon one another’s false doctrines and gain momentum doing so – “There is a conspiracy of her prophets” (Ezek. 22:25). The “conspiracy” of these false prophets is against the LORD and such is discerned by what they teach which is contrary to the biblical revelation.

Micah 3

As we see in Micah 3, so many leaders today are leading people into destruction by misrepresenting the LORD. Concerning “the prophets that make my people err” the LORD says they “hate the good, and love the evil…that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity”(Micah 3:2, 5, 9, 10).

Note that these false prophets who make the people err by loving evil and hating His holiness “build up…Jerusalem with iniquity.” In other words they infuse the people of God with the justification of sin and “iniquity” and then even have the audacity to “lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us”(Micah 3:11).

“There is a conspiracy of her prophets” (Ezek. 22:25). False teachers and prophets are self-driven and directed (Phil. 3:17-19). They are doing their own thing and have a natural affinity with others in their profession who are building their own kingdoms in lieu of the kingdom of God. True servants of Jesus Christ are all His – they are not purpose-driven or self-driven, but rather Holy Spirit led and obedient to the eternal Word above all else. These who live in the fear of God resolutely recognize that they have nothing good in themselves but all holy good is in Christ Jesus and His Word (Jn. 3:30; Acts 20:24; 2 Cor. 3:5; 4:5). These men, of whom the world is not worthy, are agents of the King and declare His truth relentlessly, leaving nothing out which might make them unpopular. In the fear of the LORD they have died to their own reputation among men. True men of God uncompromisingly esteem Christ as their sole and ultimate riches (Heb. 11:26). As He did with His prophet Ezekiel, the LORD is able to instruct those leaders who truly know Him as He fills their mouths with His truth (Ezek. 3:4). Take note to what the LORD says to Ezekiel:

“And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them…Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt show her all her abominations…” Ezekiel 3:4; 22:1-2

As all of the LORD’s prophets and apostles do, so Ezekiel exposed the sins of God’s people in obedience to Him. The people were consequently able to know where they really stood with the LORD and were given the opportunity to repent (Isa. 1:18-20; Rev. 2-3).

Those true to the LORD “show difference between the unclean and the clean…” (Ezek. 22:26). Consider the message of Ezekiel and compare it to those who lead your life. Such will reveal whether you are being led into the true way of the LORD or into the ditch of darkness by a blind leader.

“Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.” Ezekiel 14:6

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Ezekiel 18:30-32

The LORD is holy and is going to judge His own people for their sins. Those true to Him warn men unceasingly to repent and be cleansed (1 Cor. 11:31-32). Those in the house of the LORD who die in sin will suffer eternal “ruin.”

Of the false shepherds of His day Jeremiah said “For ye have perverted the words of the living God” (Jer. 23:36).

While those leaders who remain true to the LORD call men to repent, counterfeit leaders refuse to. God-fearing leaders communicate His sin-exposing truth unceasingly, false teachers embrace and espouse doctrines that justify sin and downplay the holiness of the living God while claiming to glorify Him.

“For we are not as MANY, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17

As the biblical revelation makes plain, Satan is very subtle. He is evil and insidious. Those who teach people the unconditional eternal security lie (OSAS), do it subtly in most cases. To come out too quickly with something so contrary to the Scriptures, would set off an alarm in the minds of those who read their Bibles. So, such a teaching is usually rolled out gradually, perhaps in a sequence. Let’s look at this a little further.

In his booklet entitled The Eternal Security Teaching, J. L. Stauffer shows the steps utilized by the eternal security teachers to entice people to embrace this falsehood:

“Three Steps in the Eternal Security Doctrine: The eternal security teaching is presented in about three steps, occurring in logical sequence. No one who accepts the first step or presentation of the issue can avoid the other two that follow, unless he is awakened to its error. For the believer who has been reading his Bible and yet has not heard of the eternal security claims, to be approached with the full eternal security teaching at once, would be a shock that would result in their rejection. Evidently for this reason, the eternal security teaching is unfolded a step at a time. The three steps in their order of presentation to a convert to eternal security are as follows:

“If a person is truly born again by the Spirit of God, he will not want to go out into sin, carrying on in that which separates him from God (1 John 3:1-10). He is:

1. kept by God and is eternally secure.

2. If a person is truly born again by the Spirit of God, he may go out into sin, but since he is born again, God will certainly bring him to repentance again before He allows him to die.

3. If a person is truly born again by the Spirit of God, he is saved eternally, no matter how he lives and how he dies.

“Christian people who are satisfied to abide by the Word of God will have very little criticism for the first step as stated above. The man who does not want to sin and trusts in the keeping power of Christ is certainly secure. The weakness in the first step is the fact that no conditions are admitted in connection with our keeping.

“The second step is unscriptural because it throws the responsibility of the sinning saint’s recovery on the Lord. Incidents will be given later on to show that man’s free will enters in, and that God will do nothing in the salvation of sinners and the recovery of sinning saints that violates this God-bestowed attribute of personality.

The last step is the ultimate one that believers in eternal security will hold, if they are consistent with their avowed principles. Newly won converts do not get the ‘third step teaching’ in the beginning. The very thought that a saved man is secure in sin would be repelling to a new disciple. As one grows in knowledge concerning the favorite arguments of the eternal security teachers and their mode of Biblical interpretation, he becomes reconciled to the third and final form in which this doctrine manifests itself.” The Eternal Security Teaching by J. L. Stauffer, copyright 1933 by J. L. Stauffer, second edition (revised).

“For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:18-21

The Holy Spirit inspired Jude to write concerning those false teachers who mock at the holiness of God and are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness.” (Jude 3-4) He cites these wolves in sheep’s clothing for using “great swelling words” to allure and deceive their hearers with a message of “grace” that promises a home in Heaven no matter what vileness and depravity one practices after being saved. Jude also warns us what to watch for:

“These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage (self-gain). But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.” Jude 16-18

PRAYER: Jesus please grant me ears to hear what Your precious Holy Spirit is saying to Your Church. Grant Your holy fear and grace to this heart to live a life void of offense toward You and others. Bless my life to bring forth fruit to Your eternal glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Will Everyone Jesus Saved be in Heaven? | Lie of the Ages (the book)

Lie of the Ages | John Calvin Exposed | The Idiocy of Calvinism | Eternal Security Dialogue| Eternal Security-Once Saved Always Saved

Let’s learn God’s Word together. Sign up for free email devotional HERE... The Moments with My Master email is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

Grace vs Holiness [podcast]

ARE THE BELIEVER’S PRESENT AND FUTURE SINS AUTOMATICALLY FORGIVEN? [podcast]

Can You Forfeit Salvation by Living in Sin? [podcast]

John MacArthur Examined

Can A Homosexual Go To Heaven? Ask Charles Stanley

Abiding

The Victory of the Crucified Life [podcast]

The victory of God in your life comes through the victory of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection. And thereafter, from adhering to His instructions on how to walk with Him – the way of the cross.

“Praise be to God! Glory, glory, O what a wonderful Saviour we have in Christ Jesus! What salvation! What beauty of holiness that can change ashes into beauty! We praise Thee, Most High in all Thy beauty and holiness, and thank Thee for salvation found in Thy holy One, Jesus Christ.” Jon Crane

WHO are truly Christ’s?

“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (the cross, crucified life).” Galatians 5:24

Read that verse above again. Memorize it.

There are many who claim to be Christians, followers of Jesus, yet regrettably, but a miniscule few are actually His, are actually serving the Son of God on His stated terms – recorded in God’s Word, the Bible. One cannot pretend to honor the Savior who bled on that cross, was buried, and raised again and yet not be diligently learning what He said and obeying Him.

MOST who claim to be Christ’s live according to what suits THEM, not Christ. “Depart from me” is coming if they don’t repent (Matthew 7:21-23; 25:40-46).

“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15

You are no longer your own. You are a new creature in Christ, an ambassador of Christ, the temple of the Holy Ghost. Read 1 Corinthians 6 and 2 Corinthians 5.

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

There’s War Going on

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Galatians 5:17-18

This war, the warring against the flesh, cannot and will not be won outside of the crucified life and yet, scarcely do we ever hear the daily cross, the crucified life original Gospel message, even mentioned today by pastors, much less taught on regularly. They are what Paul calls “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19) The days of the prophesied great apostasy are in complete fulfillment (Matthew 24:10-11; 2 Thessalonians 2; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:2-4; 2 Pter 2; Jude 3-4; 2 John 7-11; Revelation 2-3, etc.).

God has already said that you can walk in His full victory – the victory won by the sinless Son of God who alone was crucified, buried, and raised again from the dead.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

And His victory is to empower His people to do HIS work:

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

WHEN you begin seeing GOD raise you upward into His victory, the victory He alone can bring in your life, you are going to scratch your head and wish you’d heard and applied this cross message a long time ago! It’s going to be one of those Boom Jesus! moments.

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

“Wish I’d have known about walking in this original Gospel cross message a long time ago! Why did I wait so long? If you want to have more fruit you must die! Want to to be resurrected and have new life in Jesus? Die. God doesn’t use anyone who hasn’t fully surrendered themselves to Him.” Karen Cochran

Do We Truly Have and Walk in Christ’s Victory Beloved of God?

It’s one thing to say “I have victory in Jesus” and yet another to actually be walking in, experiencing that victory over sin and Satan by way of the crucified life which Jesus and His holy apostles prescribed as the only way to actually possess, or be possessed by that victory. Think cross economy – death, burial, and resurrection – the Gospel being re-enacted in your daily life (Romans 6).

WE CAN only preside as master over the flesh, the self-life, as we are crucified with Christ – and thereby is the flesh kept under the authority and power of Christ, who is raising up into His victory the crucified saint.

Memorize this:

“But I keep under 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

Not one of us is walking in victory outside of complying with our LORD’s cross message – that we must die so He can live in and reign in us. And you are not alone. As usual God gives the grace, His divine empowerment to all who obey Him. Note “through the Spirit” …. Read this closely:

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 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 8:11-14

According to Scripture, including the above passage, there is no walking in the Spirit, walking in the raised-up-by-the-Holy-Spirit-life outside of being crucified with Christ. We have a whole generation of misled “Spirit filled” professing Christians who have never heard of the original Gospel requirement and message of the cross. Their diabolical handlers are what Paul calls “the enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18-19).

Notice that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is inseparable from the crucified life. Read this closely:

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (the cross, crucified life).
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

You do not and will never have victory in Christ until you submit to His cross – to being crucified with Christ, just as He mandates for all who will follow Him. This is His stated term:

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

Only those truly submitted to God, to His cross, are going to overcome sin, Satan, and the flesh and walking in the victory Jesus died to grant each of His people.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

TODAY, you are either dying downward and being raised up by Christ into His victory – or you are losing, you are in defeat and will remain there until there is sincere repentance, confession of all sin, and an embracing of the crucified life Jesus calls you to.

“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?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:1-14

Reading Romans 6 each morning this week is a life changer waiting to happen. Do it.

“They want heaven without the cost …. That is a false gospel message and many are deceived by it. We are to deny ourselves take up the cross daily and follow Jesus. Trust and obey.” Darlene

Holiness is essential and there can be no holiness without the cross.

Holiness is not the way to Christ. Christ is the only way to holiness – and He prescribed, He mandated the cross for such to be accomplished. There are no shortcuts.

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:” 1 Peter 1:15-17

“Satan has redefined Christianity with no requirements, no sacrifice and costs nothing. You can live as you please, because God accepts you as you are. It’s been all finished at the cross as many vainly believe. If you truly follow Jesus you must crucify the flesh. There is no way to be Holy as I am Holy 1 Peter: 1:15. without dying and taking your sinful self (flesh) to the cross of Christ. Without holiness no one will see the Lord! Hebrews 12:14 Doctrines of Devils. 1 Timothy 4: 1-2 Yes. They want a ticket to heaven but nothing else. No relationship just a free ticket. They somehow believe God will welcome them with open arms.” Karen Cochran

Why would anyone in their right mind want to be filled with sinful self when we can all be filled with the Savior, with the Holy Spirit? John the Baptised cried out to the LORD with this prayer and declaration that we should all pray right now to our God in Jesus’ name:

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, thank You for finding and saving me into Your eternal kingdom family through Christ. I come to You now in Jesus’ name, surrendering to You afresh, laying my whole being, my life, at Your feet dear LORD. Please have Your holy way in this life, possessing my heart, mind, and body. Sanctify me for Thy glory dear LORD Jesus. Please wash and cleanse me of all sin, of all that is unclean and defiles, right this moment LORD by Your precious blood. Please fill this, Your vessel and use me. In the name above all name, the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Camping Out on the Message of His Cross |

The Cross and the Wolf

Excerpt from the book I Die Daily The Cross and the Wolf “There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shown difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Her […]

The Myth of Elevation without the Cross [podcast]

THE CROSS: Know it. Live it. Preach it. God will never lift up those who stand in their pride but only those who bow before Him in humility (Psalms 145:14; James 4:6-10, etc.). Running to a “revival” is not the answer. The reason people run to a “revival” is due to their refusal to deny self, take up the cross daily, and thereby be re-vived (filled with life!) daily – experiencing the resurrection of Christ each day in their personal lives as God has ordained (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). A cross-less life is a life of defeat. A life in […]

The Cross Imperative [podcast]

The cross is not about self effort but rather self denial. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 Dear LORD Jesus, please take all of me. Have Your way in this life. “not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42 The cross, the blood of Christ’s cross is what He commanded we take up daily in order to follow Him (Colossians 1:20; Luke 9:23-24). The divine economy is a cross economy and that is the only way one can truly walk with the LORD, pleasing Him in all things. Pouring over the words of 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 is […]

The Sins and Restoration of the Patriarchs [podcast]

Abraham, Moses, and David – Their Sin and God’s Restoration! “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 This fact doesn’t justify any sinning and yet, as the Word of God, must be factored in (Isaiah 28:16; Romans 6:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9 Sinless perfectionism is a lie (1 John 1:7-2:2). “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me […]

The Cross in Colossians [podcast]

Abiding

The Sheep vs the Goats as Defined in Scripture [podcast]

“The goats feed their carnal appetite. The sheep of Christ feed on the Word of God! Jesus’ sheep know His voice. They follow and obey their Lord Jesus (John 10:27). The goats obey their fleshy desires (Galatians 5:16-21), and follow the hirelings and not the Great Shepherd, the LORD Jesus (John 10; Heb 13:20). Christ’s sheep are known by Him! (John 10:14,27; 1 Corinthians 8:3). The goats will be cast out and told, ‘I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.’ (Matthew 7:23). Terrifying words! Are you Jesus’ sheep, or are you a goat, a counterfeit? Search your heart today. Ask God if He knows you! It matters not if we claim to know Him. He must also know us, as this Scriptures clearly reveal!” Karen Cochran

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24

Of sheep and goats, one source notes:

“Jesus shares the story of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25:31–46 to describe the final judgment. In the story, the Son of Man separates all of humanity just like a shepherd sorts sheep from goats, placing the sheep on His right side and the goats on His left.”

The Naked Truth about Who’s Going to Heaven and Who’s Going to Hell

WANT to see those whom the LORD calls His own? Want to see who the true Heaven bound remnant are? Look at those who are about the “Father’s business” which is the Great Commission (Luke 2:49; 24:47; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts, etc.). Everyone else is doing their own thing.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

With their life, the rebel declares “Not Thy will but mine be done!”

With their life, the righteous declare with Christ “not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 24:42).

“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” John 14:21-24

“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

Walk and live as Jesus lived? Yes. Those who know and love Him are about the work and “the will of him that sent” them.

Take a look:

“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). Jesus then speaks of evangelism, something every one of His people are to be doing (John 4:34-38).

“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:38

“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40

“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30

Anyone not fully with Jesus, is against Him, the only Savior.

So you claim Christ as Savior but don’t participate in prayer, support, and Great Commission action? Time to repent for real. The fruit of your life is rotten. You are presently a Savior-rejecting, self-serving counterfeit.

Read 1 Corinthians 9. The first half is concerning our privilege to give to HIS work. Then the apostle Paul speaks of running the race, to the end, becoming all things to all men to see them saved, being crucified with Christ.

The more I read God’s Word, the more convinced I am that the Heaven bound remnant are known in that they are about the “Father’s business” —the Great Commission—and not their own (Luke 2:49). They have laid down and are forsaking their own lives in this fleeting world in their supreme love for Christ Jesus (Acts 20:24). Anyone claiming to be Christ’s and not doing, participating in the Great Commission command … clearly reveals that they are in need of repentance, before it’s too late. Jesus is not their “first love” —which means they are committing spiritual adultery on Christ, the Great and coming Bridegroom (Revelation 2:4-5). Repent and obey Him or perish.

If you are committed to Christ, with no exception, you are committed to studying, knowing, and walking out His Word. You are committed to carrying out the Savior’s Great Commission command.

YOUR PRAYER: Right now dear holy and heavenly Father, please begin a fresh work in this heart. May Your love fill this heart and may You alone be my “first love.” May the love in me for You burn. Let it far exceed all other loves and interests! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What is the Great Commission? [podcast]

What is the Great Commission? Who gave it? Who was the Great Commission given to? The Great Commission is simply the spreading of Jesus’ Word by teaching it to the world. Jesus gave it. He gave it to all of His people and holds each of them personally responsible for fulfilling it. Each of us will give full account to Him in this specific matter when we stand to be judged by Him. The Great Commission “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and […]

The Father's Business [podcast]

See the BECAUSE YOU CARE page for live action evangelism pics etc. “The church is not a business. It’s a body. But when that body becomes a business, it’s prostitution.” unknown The only reason I’d not be about the “Father’s business” would be due to being about my own business – a self-serving rebel (Luke 2:49; 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; 19:27). You can know if you are ready for the return of Christ by whether or not you’re calling others to come to Him in light of His soon return. Revelation chapter 22 verse 17. The Great Commission May our LORD […]

Evangelism [study guide]

Evangelism (PDF) (Duplication encouraged. An open King James Bible should accompany your study of this topic. Carefully, prayerfully study each verse given in order to answer each question correctly. Print this document out and pencil in the answers in the blanks provided. It may be best to cut and paste it to your word processing software and then print it out. Your life in Christ will be enriched forever as you embrace and put into practice His Word.) “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:38 God so loved […]

Abiding

Dirty Ox Stalls bring Dividends [podcast]

An intriguing proverb that applies directly to our daily lives and the stewardship of the time our LORD has afforded us in this brief life. Gaining traction via the wisdom of our great God and King Jesus Christ. How to avoid spending our lives “spinning our wheels.”

“Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” Proverbs 14:4

The blessing of a dirty ox stall…. What’s most important to God is productivity, not neatness, not tidy-ness, not a clean stall.

Here’s a proverb from the Holy Spirit and Solomon which breathe wisdom into our lives. Let’s read it again:

“Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” Proverbs 14:4

The proverbs of the LORD we have in His Word hold hidden meaning which breathe wisdom into our lives.

A proverb is a figure of speech, words that impart truth by using natural illustrations to convey spirit truths.

Jesus taught in parables. Parables are earthly stories with heavenly meaning, divine wisdom to establish us in our relationship with Him as we love, worship and obey the LORD.

This is exactly what we have in Proverbs 14:4, where an ox and his stall are featured in order to convey the divine truth that productivity is more important to God than the pettiness of cleanliness.

The proverbs often use simple images to convey a deeper moral or practical lesson.

Active, working oxen bring dirt and dividends. Clean ox stalls glitter but produce no gold.

When commenting on this proverb, one man said: “Don’t be deterred by the dung.”

Fruitful saints aren’t known by how clean their house is but rather how full, how abundant their treasure in in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Their prayer and work is focused upon pleasing their LORD Jesus and not with how clean their temporal living space looks, by how sparkling clean their life looks to mere sinful men.

One pastor notes the following about the divine truth imparted to us in Proverbs 14:4:

“There are some proverbs that stick in our heads more than others and this is one of them for me. The image is memorable and the lesson is unforgettable. Solomon paints the picture of a barn without oxen and because of no oxen, the stalls are clean and pristine. This is a barn that the perfectionist likes; a barn that can be organized, cleaned and maintained without interruption. This is a barn that the neat freak and the clean freak crave; a barn that they can come into and know that everything is clean and tidy. This is a barn that needs no work. This is a barn that, after working in the field, demands no additional time or effort to clean. This is a barn that needs no attending to after hours. It demands no thought when heading out of town. It never smells. It doesn’t even make a sound. There is no sickness in this barn nor does death ever visit its crib. This is a barn that requires no food or water and as such, it doesn’t require any constant removal of dung. It’s clean and pristine! … While that sounds appealing to the average man or woman, the average farmer doesn’t pursue an empty crib. He knows that the tradeoff is well worth it. It’s the cost of doing business in agriculture. He knows that he could farm his land on his own and that he could produce “some” increase on his own. He knows that he doesn’t need oxen to till the ground, to sow the seed or to harvest the crops but if he’s going to have “MUCH” increase, he needs oxen and there are no oxen that clean up after themselves.”

The mess is worth the money.

The dirt is worth the dividends it brings.

Dirty spaces bring special graces.

The progress and productivity are worth the pile of trash.

Men who are dirty from working all day will go home with fruitfulness for their family. They are satisfied and blessed to do so and so we wake up the next morning and gladly go do the same. The trade off that brings wages is worth it.

This proverb also brings into mind the harvest that can being produced by you alone, in contrast with the harvest produced having others to labor with you to bring forth “much increase.”

Also, by not inviting others to join you in doing our LORD’s work, we deprive them from being blessed to lay up treasure in Heaven as our LORD commanded each of us who His children to do (Matthew 6:19-21).

The following is from Josh Denhart:

“In ministry we think, “If you want a job done right, do it yourself.” You may avoid messes, but you have just stepped into the “Trap of the Clean Stall”.

Proverbs 14:4 reads, “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. “

In the ancient agrarian world, animals brought a massive advantage. To have an animal meant you could accomplish so much more. Today we refer to a car as having a certain amount of “horse power”. In times past, an animal brought with it a certain amount of power. Power to increase the harvest and get the job done. Here, the writer of Proverbs is referring to “Ox Power”. The power and advantage is brought through the strength of an ox.

The writer of Proverbs says that it is really a trade off. On one hand you get a significant increase through the strength of an ox, yet with it you get, poop. Yes, good, ol’ fashioned ox poop.

Goal: Huge Harvest

Let’s compare the alternative. You have no oxen, but you have an amazingly clean manger stall.

More harvest with a poopy stall vs. a perfectly clean stall and a diminished harvest.

Our goal is not a clean stall. Our goal is a huge harvest. A natural side effect of a huge harvests are messes. What do you want? Do you crave a super clean stall over a bountiful harvest? Listen, a tidy stall in and of itself is a bad trade for a compromised harvest.

Let me shoot straight with you. I have a well-managed case of OCD. I crave order. If you serve in children’s ministry, you probably do too. I hate disorder. Yet the calling of the harvest trumps our neurotic desire for order.

Do not fall into the trap of the clean stall.

You Can’t Do It Alone

We must define our goal for the harvest over and over! Our goal is reaching the lost through equipping the fold. Our ultimate goal is not order for order sake. Our goal is the good news of Jesus going deep into the hearts and heads of kids, which brings messes. Get used to it. And get over it.

We can have order as we achieve a large harvest, but uncomfort with messes can short circuit great harvests.

Let’s take this proverbial analogy a step further. You as a ministry leader are essentially the farmer. You can’t and don’t want to do it alone. You need help. Those willing to help you from a staff or a volunteer perspective can bring great strength and accomplish more for the harvest than you by yourself. And, yes, I am equating associates and volunteers to oxen.

The Harvest is Plentiful

Oxen and people are living beings. Both bring messes. Farming, like ministry, is just messy. Jesus said He came not for the healthy but for the sick. Sick people vomit physically and emotionally, have issues and need attention. That is our job. Years ago, someone sarcastically said, “Ministry would be great were it not for all these people!”

Listen, if you want order more than you want the harvest, you may find yourself doing it alone. Doing it alone equals to a field white for harvest with no one to get the job done. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. More workers means more messes. We as farmers must manage the messes and rise above the stall to see the harvest.

Do you want a harvest more than you want order? Absolutely. Therefore, we had better embrace the reality of a poopy stall. Do not fall into the trap of the clean stall.”

One has to roll up his sleeves and get dirty to produce dividends to the glory of the divine.

Ever see construction works at the end of a work day? They are dirty and yet earned dollars, dividends. They will do it the next day also. Why? – because the trade off is productivity, earning that which is desirable.

Lots of work brings movement and a mess.

Lot’s of dirt when you much to diligently do and bring dividends.

A clean workspace brings no coin.

Do you want to work and get dirty, cause a mess, and yet make a profit? Or do you want to keep your place clean with the outcome being no coin?

The blessing of “much increase” comes at the expense of a clean crib, work space. It’s a bless-ed trade-off, right?

Personally, I could care less about a disheveled work place. My goal is to be fruitful, fruit-filled for Christ, bearing – “fruit … more fruit … much fruit.” (John 15)

In your business life, would you rather a disheveled work space and work to do, or a clean work space with no work?

It is better to have dirt to clean up with work that brings wages than to have a clean work place with no work.

Increase in material prosperity, productivity, fruitfulness comes by utilizing the oxen for labor and as a result there will be a mess made. The fruit produced far outweighs having to clean the stall, the work place.

“A barn can be kept cleanly swept where there are no oxen, but isn’t it better to have some dust and dirt around, knowing that the labor of an ox will lead to a bountiful harvest? The rewards of toil more than compensate for its disagreeable aspects.

This proverb is not intended to encourage homes or chapels that look like disaster areas. But it does discourage that passion for order and dustlessness that puts the brakes on progress and productiveness.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Dust and dirt bring dividends.

Productivity makes for progress.

The grind brings the goods.

Labor brings some loot.

Someone has wisely stated:

“Salons always have hair on the floor.
Garages always have oil on the floor.”

The oxen serve a good purpose and produce productivity.

What is it to have a clean work place? That just means you aren’t being productive, you don’t have work that is bring wages and blessings.

“Straining at a gnat”…. Swallowing a Camel

This idiom Jesus uses means over-emphasizing the minors while under-emphasizing the majors, “the weightier matters of the law.”

Matthew 23

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. “

Martha and Mary – Mary had the Divine Priorities in their Rightful Place

“38 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.”

At His Feet

No, it’s not a sin to keep things clean, to be organized. Yet, at the judgment, Jesus is not going to say “Oh wow, you kept your living and workspace clean! Enter thou into the joy of the LORD.” No, but rather….

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21

At the coming judgment what we did for His glory, in His holy name, will be rewarded.

Matthew 25

“And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Read John 15 and underline “fruit” and “more fruit” and “much fruit.” “Fruit” emanates from the life that is soundly grounded in an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.” John 15:16-17

Fruitfulness is Found in Abiding in Christ [podcast]

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20 Jesus is the True Vine “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; […]

Hypocrisy, Persecutions, and Afflictions [podcast]

“True Christiany will cost a man favor of the world. He must be content to be thought ill of by man if he pleases God. He must count it no strange thing to be mocked, ridiculed, slandered, persecuted and even hated.” -J.C.Ryle If you don’t have people leaving you due to what you’re preaching, you’re not preaching the Gospel Christ’s preached. “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” John 6:66 Ministry work always comes with “much contention.” There is a devil and he has human agents. Jesus will settle every score, will balance […]