Chapter 4 from the book Raised Up (narration)
Chapter Four
“Raised Up”
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 2 Corinthians 4:14
In the context of this passage, the Holy Spirit is speaking through His servant Paul to those who are “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus.” The promise of being “raised up” in verse 14 (above) is to those whose lives are “dead” and who are therefore “hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). The “remnant” are specifically identified in that they have sentenced the self-life to death and “have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Isa. 37:31; 2 Cor. 1:19; Gal. 5:24). They are dying downward as God raises them upward in His holy power. Here are the inspired words that precede the verse above:
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. 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. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:10-12
The phrase “raised up” appears 46 times in Holy Scripture. So that we begin to be infused with the divine rhythm and sequence of the true Gospel (death, burial, resurrection), we’re going to look at some of the verses in which we find the phrase “raised up,” also keeping in mind that God never raises something that isn’t first dead and buried.
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened (brought back to life), except it die. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:36
As you are reading these verses below, remember that Jesus was raised up only after He chose to lay down His life for us in obedience to His and our Father (Jn. 12:23- 25, 32; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). God only raises up that which willingly lays itself down and dies. There has to first be a death before there can be a resurrection or raising up.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. ~ John 12:24-25
Jesus speaks here of two types of people: “He that loveth his life” and “he that hateth his life in this world.” What did He say will be the end of each?
- “He that loveth his life shall lose it.”
- “He that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”
Is your life laid down today? Are you crucified with Christ? Have you set your affection on things above and sentenced your self-life to death as you are looking for the soon return of Jesus? (See 2 Cor. 1:9; Col. 3:1-4; Gal. 2:20; 5:24.)
He that always waits upon God is ready whensoever He calls … he is a happy man who so lives as that death at all times may find him at leisure to die. ~ Owen Feltham
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As was the case with the Son of God, so it is with us. There has to first be a laying down of our lives before there can be a resurrection or raising up.
The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. ~ Matthew 11:5
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ~ Acts 2:24
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. ~ Acts 2:32
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. ~ Acts 3:26
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. ~ Acts 5:30
Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly. ~ Acts 10:40
Just as God “raised up” our LORD Jesus from the dead, He also promised to raise us up as we waive all personal rights to self and count ourselves dead with Christ (Rom. 6:3-5).
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. ~ Romans 8:11
There is the presence and thread of death, burial, and resurrection woven throughout Scripture. The Gospel is embedded in the Holy Scriptures because death, burial, and resurrection are an integral part of “the thoughts of his heart,” which are transmitted and recorded for us in His Word (Ps. 33:11). You may wish to begin watching for the frequent reoccurrence of the down and ups (Gospel) throughout Scripture. Here are more words of the LORD which reveal the down-up cadence of the Gospel witnessed throughout Scripture:
They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD‘s, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. ~ 1 Samuel 2:5-9
The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. ~ Psalms 145:14
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus (death), that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body (resurrection life). 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. So then death worketh in us, but life in you … Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:9-14
This divine pattern is seen in no more vivid a fashion than in the life and mission of our LORD Jesus:
And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:31
The saving Gospel defined:
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
- “Christ died”
- “was buried”
- “rose again”
Joy Set Forth
Do you work out just for the pain of it? Surely not. Or, have you ever worked out to train your body for some personal athletic purpose? Why did you work out? Because you desired a certain result? Correct? Obviously, those who work out have a goal to look, and feel, or perform a certain way, right? Yes, people usually work out and endure the burn and pain in order to obtain the desired outcome. Those who exercise or train their bodies are willing to sacrifice and suffer extreme physical discomfort in order to receive the desired results because the desire to obtain that result outweighs the pain associated with getting that result. They long to achieve a certain goal, and that goal is the joy set forth to encourage their endurance and hard work. Once the athlete begins accomplishing his anticipated result, he becomes glad that he started the process, though it induces and requires pain. The desired result is worth the pain. “The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul” (Proverbs 13:19).
In the same way that the athlete drives himself through daily, painstaking training to accomplish his desired outcome, and is satisfied when that result arrives, so the saint, when he begins to grasp what the Gospel really is as pertains to his daily life, and his relationship with Christ, will gladly begin to lay his life downward in order to be raised upward by Christ. In the beginning, when we first hear of and begin pondering the cross and dying to self, perhaps some of us shun the pain. Then, when the Spirit begins leading us to conformity with Christ’s death and burial, we take a step forward in obedience, and unfailingly the LORD is there to raise us up in His blessed power. When we begin to experience the Gospel in a personal way—laying down our lives and being raised up—this writer believes we can acquire a godly addiction to the life and fruit that comes out of this cross and resurrection experience.
Paul told us that as he bore in his body the dying of Jesus, the divine life worked in him and through him to bless others (2 Cor. 4:10-12). It is certain that there is more than the dying and burial process—there is the blessed resurrection or raising up. This is one part of what should motivate the disciple to die—that he might see the LORD raise him up in His holy power in this late hour.
Jesus endured His torturous and cruel cross for the joy of redeeming you and me. The pain came before the joy or desired result. There was a desired reaping that made Him willing and obedient to endure the excruciating pain and suffering for our sins.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~ Hebrews 12:2
After Christ endured His cross, the Father raised Him up and gave under His command “all power in heaven and in earth” and gave to “him a name which is above every name” (Matt. 28:18-20).
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. ~ Philippians 2:4-13
If Jesus came to the earth, divesting Himself and taking on the form of a man, humbling Himself from Godhood to servant, how much more shall we humble ourselves, laying down our lives for Christ and His beloved people, and precious souls who need His salvation? Is our descent not a far lesser trip than was His? It should be a short journey, right? Short, in comparison to His. As the Most High God and Creator of all that is, Christ’s condescension to the lowly place of mere humankind was a distant journey (though He was the sinless Son of man).
In this magnificent passage (Philippians 2), we just read of God becoming a man. Not only did He who made all that is, come to this sin-cursed earth incarnated into humanity, the Eternal Word came as a Servant to humble Himself and become “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” God the Father therefore “hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” Jesus promised to raise up and to give all of His saints who overcome, a “new name.” Read these two verses from Revelation closely.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. ~ Revelation 2:17
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. ~ Revelation 3:12
Christ tells us here that a brand “new name” and a permanent place, as a “pillar in the temple of my God” awaits all who answer His call to repent and be saved, and who also overcome the flesh, the world, and the devil. These are the remnant who will be raised up to reign with Christ eternally—“they … are … called, and chosen, and faithful.” Jesus said that those who overcome and will be raised up to reign with Him eternally are not only “called” by God, but also “chosen, and faithful.” There is a partnership and agreement. God sovereignly calls them and chooses them, and they choose to be “faithful,” enduring to the end, loving not their lives even unto death (Rev. 12:11; 17:14). The honest student of Scripture refuses to acquiesce to the diabolical myth that supposes that man has no part in the reception and retention of salvation.
(See the book Lie of the Ages, at STORE page)
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. ~ Revelation 17:14
As our LORD came and was obedient to His Father in all things, how shall we, who are purchased by His precious blood, not become obedient unto the death of the self-life, setting aside our own will and agenda, waiving all personal rights, and girding ourselves to become His servants? Will He who raised Christ up to the highest place in the Universe not lift us up to please and glorify Him here and now, and to reign with Him eternally?
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. ~ Revelation 20:6
Beloved, God is working in each of His saints “both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Php. 2:13). “His good pleasure” is to get us to become “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” so that He can raise us up in His holy power to be like Christ, and to rule with Him in the coming world. This is the mind of Christ (Php. 2:5-13).
PRAYER: Holy Father, please grant my heart to see beyond this life and into the much larger scope of the coming world, where Christ will reign supreme, and the government shall rest upon His shoulders alone. Anoint this life with Your Holy Ghost to the burial of my sinful self-life. I love You Jesus and thank You for Your perfect sacrifice for me without which I could not be forgiven, saved into Your kingdom. Father, I know and believe that You will raise up this life You gave here and eternally as You bless this heart to trust You and obey Your command to become obedient unto the death of my self-life. I here and now joyfully and willingly submit my life to Your lordship. Into Your hands I now commend my spirit. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
Capture Points
- Who did the LORD promise to raise up? 2 Corinthians 4:10-14.
- What should every believer bear in his body daily? 2 Corinthians 4:10-11.
- What works in and through Christ’s saints, as death to self, works in them? 2 Corinthians 4:12.
REVIEWS
“Power packed, scripture rich book! Highly recommended!!” Dana
“I am on the 6th chapter of this book and these are really good. I will also be ordering your book I Die Daily. Wow so much more than I incurred. This is so power-packed! I have to finish because this is awesome. A fully surrendered life is a life well lived in the death even as our Lord and Savior.” Carol
“This is yet another uplifting and encouraging read from author Todd Tomasella. In Raised Up, the author offers up a fresh look and understanding of our purpose in life, our relationship with God through Jesus. He shows the reader in such a way (as God designed it) that we can have total victory over evil by casting ourselves aside by acknowledging the cross and Jesus’ work on a daily basis. Truly living a life victorious. The central theme of Raised Up is 2 Corinthians 4:14; “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.” This “raising up” occurs when we deeply, and honestly pursue God wholeheartedly. Todd shares in this volume that the deeper we grow in Christ Jesus, the more we become servants as Jesus exemplified for us. Encouraging truths indeed! Todd’s palatable style of writing woos the reader in right from the beginning and as in his other volumes, scripture reference has been bolded for easy back referencing. Raised Up could easily serve as part or all of your daily devotional reading chapter by chapter or used as a wonderful group study. Another great life book from Todd!” Jesse
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Abiding
Either Crucify the Flesh or it will Crucify Christ out of Your Life [podcast]
Fight the temptation or die the death?
Where’s the victory come from?
The Cross – something counterfeits intentionally evade (Philippians 3:18-19). The cross is how we know who is real and who is fake. Refusing to take up the cross means one has denied Christ. This would account for the vast majority of men in ministry today. They are cross-less.
The only people who are truly following Christ are those who are doing it HIS way – and His stated way is the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). There is no other way to follow Jesus.
If we don’t crucify the flesh, the evil deeds of the body, the flesh will crucify Christ out of our lives. Pray and read Romans 6 each morning this week.
Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan by dying and not by first rising up (Hebrews 2:14). This is how we also are brought forth into His victory by Him – through our own weakness. Let’s give our ear to hear Christ’s apostle Paul:
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
It’s interesting that the vast majority of pastors today insist that it’s impossible to stop sinning and be delivered – as if Jesus failed, didn’t provide a perfect redemption that dealt with past, present, and future sin and complete victory through it all (1 Corinthians 15:57-58; Titus 2:11-14).
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-32, 36
Victory and our place with Christ are contingent upon our continuing in His truth, abiding, remaining in Christ after He saves us (John 15:1-6).
They have no faith in the overcoming grace of Christ but instead treat it like a license to justify their sin, as they pretend to be trusting God by grace and faith… yet they never make the connection that Jesus came to redeem us and establish us with Him in His holiness as we look with joy for His soon return (Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16, etc). | Walking in the Full Victory of Christ!
The cross is surrendering. Don’t try harder, just die deeper!
The reason so many don’t take sin seriously and sit under sin-justifying wolves in sheep’s clothing, is because they do not fear nor take God seriously. Then they attack the true messengers of Christ who are declaring that God is holy and His requirement is non-negotiable: that anyone who will know and be with Him eternally cut off occasion for all sin as Jesus commanded in Mark 9:43-49 KJB. They talk about grace but only in the respect that their sins were initially forgiven, yet never in respect to divine grace being the divine influence and enablement in their daily lives to overcome all that displeases Him – as they worshipfully with great gratitude deny self, take up the cross and follow, abide in Jesus (Titus 2:11-14; Luke 9:23-24; John 15:1-6, etc.).
Death, Burial, Resurrection – You go down and God raises you up, daily. That’s the Gospel re-enacted in your daily life. There’s no other way to walk with, to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-24).
“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
Once He shows you this cross revelation it’s over for your sin and Satan! This is the way we “Taste and see that the LORD is good” beloved (Psalms 34:8). The divine economy is a cross economy which cannot be short circuited. There are no shortcuts.
The safest place in His Universe is for us to be “HID with Christ in God.” How does such occur? (Colossians 3:1-4)
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
The more His Word runs rich in your spirit, soul, and mind, the richer, the more cutting and divinely blessed your praying is going to become.
We are crucified with Christ today saints. Christ alone is reigning supreme in us, raising us up out of that death and burial posture. In Jesus’ Name, the “old man” is dead and buried and Christ now lives and reigns in His resurrection power in our lives through us! (See Ephesians 4:22-24.)
Say, pray, memorize Galatians 2:20 beginning right now. Let it be the original Gospel anthem of your life from this day forward.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Becoming prayerfully and steadily saturated in the cross message, concept, and application, is the only thing that brought a consistent victory over sin to this disciple.
In the divine economy, the death and burial guarantees the resurrection!
When we His people are dead and buried, His resurrection power is guaranteed. Nothing could stop the resurrection of Jesus Christ when the stone was rolled away! And nothing can stop the resurrection power of Christ working in His saints as they lay down their lives in this fleeting world!
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25
Must Take a Ruthless Stand
Concerning the necessity of a ruthless perspective toward the flesh via the cross, we must recognize that the flesh is a terrorist which means it cannot be negotiated with.
Yet there must be forged in us a ruthless perspective, toward our perception of the “never-going-to-die” flesh, a veritable terrorist with which you cannot negotiate or give place to. It will not die until forced, therefore the disciple must take a ruthless posture toward it – showing no mercy to the enemy of God! See Romans 6, 8; Galatians 5.
Never ever underestimate the depth of the deceit that is in the fallen human heart, human nature 1 (Corinthians 10:12; Hebrews 3:12-14; Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9).
We must allow no mercy for what God calls sin…the iniquities, the relentless evil within. It must be honestly dealt with, and perhaps we can observe that there are onion-type layers of evil, of deceit that we are buried in from which only God calls us and brings us forth (Proverbs 8:13; Psalms 97:10; Mark 9:43-49).
While Satan and his masquerading ministers seek to diminish the violation and penalty of sin, Jesus exponentially heightens our awareness of sin’s offense against a holy God when He warns us to cut off the hand and pluck out the eye that cause us to offend Him (Mark 9:43-49).
There is nothing in existence more important to stay safe from than HELL. That’s exactly what Jesus Christ taught. Read Mark 9:43-50 in the King James Bible (new versions have butchered that passage).
Rom 7. The cross must be applied with no respect to the evil desires, the sinful dictates of the flesh.
Our outlook toward the flesh should be “kill or be killed.”
“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.” Romans 8:13
Kill or be killed – picture yourself being put in a room, locked in with just one opponent. Only one of you will be exiting.
A showdown – conquer or be conquered.
Life or death.
Sink or swim.
“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
Either the cross will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the cross.
“The Cross = The Signature of Jesus.” A disciple
“WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT”
The LORD removed Saul from his place of kingship due to the pride found in his heart that previously was not there. We must remain humble before our God and the only way this can happen is the daily cross.
“And Samuel said, WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?” 1 Samuel 15:17
The Bible clearly teaches us that if we do not obey the LORD, He will replace us. We are not irreplaceable and only pride in the heart of a person would convince him of such a lie.
When Esther was called upon by the LORD to go before her husband, the king of Persia, and intercede for the people of God, she was warned that if she chose not to obey God, she’d be replaced and her father’s house destroyed.
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
Ruthless simply and only applies to the PERSPECTIVE the believer must take toward the terrorist, the flesh.
There can be no concession, no compromise, no negotiating with the flesh. It must die and that only happens as we submit to the LORD.
The flesh will never be reformed, it is inherently evil, and must be crucified.
Those who’ve been saved and aren’t learning the daily cross, the crucified life, will never grow in Christ. The cross life is at the center of the kingdom economy of Christ. There are no shortcuts. Jesus taught that in order to follow Him, we must “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23-24). Any person whom Jesus has saved and isn’t learning the daily cross, is not truly following Jesus. Listen to the Lamb:
“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
PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ Name, please do Your deeper work in me. Bless this life You died for to be truly crucified with Christ. Please make me Your authentic disciple. Cut away, circumcise every falsity, fakery, deceitful thing from my heart – everything that defiles me in Your holy eyes. Use me LORD, please. I love You. In the name of Jesus, amen.
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Abiding
“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in all the World” [podcast]
“All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:8-14
The true remnant of Christ are known in that they are enduring to the end in the midst of iniquity, abounding and preaching the Gospel of Jesus the King to the world.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ, admitting I have been living for my own evil glory. I am a sinner. I’ve committed the sin of idolatry, having myself first instead of You. I admit here and now before You that I have been committing the damning sin of spiritual adultery. I have claimed to know You and yet refused to uncompromisingly adhere to Your Word. Here and now, right now if never before, I repent and ask You to forgive my sins and to wash me afresh from my sins in the precious blood of Jesus Christ my LORD. Into Your hands I commend, I submit my spirit, my life, right this moment and ask You dear LORD to fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me to preach Your glorious message of repentance to those around me so that they can receive the forgiveness of all their sins and walk in the times of refreshing from Your holy presence dear LORD. I love You Jesus. I am all Yours and I know You are all mine. In Jesus’ Name amen.
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Articles
Obedience or Love – Which is Most Important? [podcast]
“IF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
Have you ever noticed the “If” of this statement by our LORD Jesus?
Okay, reread the words of Jesus above and see what comes first in the sentence – “love” or keeping His commands.
“IF you love me, keep my commandments” says Jesus (John 14:15)…. IF we don’t know and love Him there’s no use trying to keep His Word…. He’s not speaking of keeping His Word in order to earn His justification but rather as the fruit of knowing Him in a saving relationship….
“Few seem to understand the huge difference between obedience and legalism. We obey because we love God and we know obedience doesn’t save us. Legalism believes by obeying they are saved by it. We that are born again know only the blood of Jesus saved us but we also know that obedience proves we are saved and keeps us saved. It is joy to obey the Lord as we love what He loves and we hate what He hates. Amen.” Shirley Bruso
—- JESUS IS NOT GLORIFIED BY THE KEEPing OF HIS INSTRUCTIONS/COMMANDS BY THOSE WHO DON’T LOVE HIM …. LOVE COMES FIRST – LOVING AND WORSHIPPING HIM IS MOST IMPORTANT TO GOD. “IF IF, IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.” JOHN 14:15
“Ye are my friends, IF ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14
LOVE is the governing factor:
“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Of John 14:15 and 15:14, one source notes the following:
- John 14:15: Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” He makes keeping His words the direct proof of love.
- John 15:14: Jesus says, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” He shows that friendship with Him requires action and obedience.
- Love is the root: Jesus starts with love as the inner heart motive.
- Works are the fruit: Doing His commands is the outward action that proves the love is real.
- They are not separate: Jesus does not say love replaces works; He says love produces obedience.”
Love begins with God and any relationship requires reciprocating love – love flowing from each of the 2 parties to one another.
“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD TO HER.” Genesis 29:20
Jacob didn’t mind serving a whole 7 years for Rachel, because he loved her so much. The true disciple doesn’t view serving God as drudgery but rather delight – because he loves God supremely!
“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” John 16:21
“His commandment are not grievous”
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3
IF I don’t love Jesus, do you think He’s honored when I try to obey what He said? No.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…” Matthew 22:37
“IFFF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
IF WE LOVE JESUS, OBEYING HIM IS JOY, JUST AS IT WAS FOR JACOB AS HE SERVED A WHOLE 7 YEARS TO OBTAIN A LIFELONG MARITAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS BELOVED RACHEL (GENESIS 29:20).
Perhaps we are not understanding the divine economy as Christ meant us to understand Him. Jesus says “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14) It’s only IF I love Jesus that He is interested in my doing the things He told HIS true people to do, otherwise, my good works are in vain, even if I suffer martyrdom by burning my body – “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) IF WE DON’T LOVE HIM – truly – with our whole heart, mind, and strength He’s not interested in us obeying Him (Matthew 22:37-39). Now, of course, if I truly do love Him, I will obey Him and yet Jesus doesn’t want us to think we are impressing Him by outward obedience only. In the divine economy, it all begins with LOVE – “God so LOVED the world that He gave ….” (John 3:16) The Bible informs us that “The Lord looketh on the heart” and if He sees that I don’t truly love Him, He’s not interested in my vain outward show (1 Samuel 16:7).
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Those who truly know and love Him do His commandments. They don’t live on their own terms but rather on His. They delight to do His will because they truly seek, know, and love Him who bled to redeem their otherwise hopeless, wretched souls. Yet, obedience saves no one. Keeping His commandments doesn’t save you – the pharisees claimed to do that while refusing to come to Christ whom (John 5:39-40). No, God alone can save and He does so on His terms – initial and ongoing faith “which worketh by love” which is relationship. Yes, “faith … worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:6) Remember that even if a person goes so far as to give their body to be burned and has no love – they don’t love God, their obedience, their sacrifice is in vain (1 Corinthians 13:3).
1 Thessalonians 1:3 speaks to those already saved using the phrases “work of faith, and labour of love.” Please pay close attention to the words “faith” and “love.” “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
When God initially saves us, He puts a love in our hearts for Him which is manifested by putting our faith in Christ. Jesus taught that knowing the Father and Himself were cardinal in His kingdom. – “And this is life eternal (the whole purpose for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10
DID GOD send His only begotten Son to create an army of mechanical law-keepers OR a family who knows, worships, and adores Him? What does the Bible say is the cardinal reason for the whole plan of redemption? Why did God send His only begotten Son to bleed, be buried, and raised again to justify all who would come to Him? Are you familiar with what the LORD told us in Exodus 25:8, Matthew 22:37-40, and Philippians 3:10? We must have anchored in our hearts this glorious truth of knowing Him! Nothing else matters if we don’t relish Him, adore Him, and worship Him. If you name the name of Jesus Christ, it would greatly benefit your life, understanding. and ministry to memorize the words of the very Redeemer Himself as is recorded in John 17:3. More on that later.
If we love the LORD truly and our neighbor we will not steal, lie, covet, bear false witness, hate, commit adultery, OR any of those other sins and be walking in God’s perfect will. It’s really quite simple actually. But first we must examine this day whether or not we truly love Him.
One writer notes:
“Holiness is first and foremost agape love. Unconditional love for all, including enemies of us and enemies of God. This over-emphasis on repentance can make us the initiator and God the responder if we are not careful. God is always the initiator.”
IT IS MY OPINION THAT WE SHOULD BEGIN TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OVER-EMPHASIZE OBEDIENCE WHILE NEGLECTING TO PREACH THE COMMAND TO KNOW, LOVE, AND ABIDE IN CHRIST. ALL OF OUR OUTWARD OBEDIENCE IS IN VAIN IF WE DON’T AUTHENTICALLY LOVE HIM. MANY WHO PREACH SEEM TO BE DOING THIS AND ARE CALLING MANY TO WORSHIP AT THE ALTAR OF SELF BY PERPETRATING THE FALSE NOTION THAT CHRIST’S ONE PERFECT SACRIFICE WAS NOT ENOUGH. THIS SEEMS TO RESONATE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT TRULY AND UNRESERVEDLY SURRENDERED TO CHRIST AND WHO WANT TO FEEL AS IF THEY ARE HELPING TO EARN THEIR OWN SALVATION WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE. WHAT DOES ROMANS 4:4-5 TELL US?
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5
So, while it’s absolute that ALL who have saving faith in Christ are obedient and have good fruit in their lives, those good works and good fruit aren’t what saves them. No, good fruit merely evidences that there is a relationship. Christ alone can save and He does that instantly when a lost soul believes upon Him (John 6:47; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:1, etc.). The Great Shepherd of His sheep keeps His people saved as they keep themselves in the love of God, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 21: 1 Peter 1:5)
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21
The story of Jesus, Mary, and Martha is yet another place in the Scriptures of truth that clearly reveal what God is looking for from us – to love and to worship Him supremely.
“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
Jesus speaks to us of an abiding union/relationship with Him where He calls us His friends. I want to encourage you to read John 15 closely this week. In this discourse on the Husbandman (the Father), the Vine (Jesus), and the branches (us), you will note that the relationship precedes the fruit bearing. While the fruit reveals the root – testifies to the relationship – fruit doesn’t save, neither does obedience. God does require us to obey Him by putting our faith in Christ to save us, but it’s He who saves us. Jesus Christ alone can save. Ephesians 2:8-10 reveals that we are saved by His grace through our faith and that we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”
Consider that our LORD was “moved with compassion” toward those in need (Matthew 9:36). The great apostle said “the love of Christ constraineth (compels) us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)
At times we quote 1 John 2:4 and yet, let’s look at a wider angle of this passage:
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:3-6
“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice…” Matthew 9:13
“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Joel 2:13
Is loving God more important that obeying God? Both are obviously important and yet, in the divine economy, which is most important?
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Am I choosing and learning to “love the Lord” with my whole heart?
Andre Alexis writes: “Christianity is more than merely believing and obeying commands and reaping the promises of God. Christianity is not a religion: it is a relationship. And a relationship requires communication. Therefore, prayer is essential, because it is through prayer that you and I communicate with our heavenly Father.” …. This is a simple truth and yet bears stating as brother Andre did above. This is especially important due to the epidemic of charlatans which have promulgated a “what’s in it for me?” self-serving lifestyle upon millions who don’t bother to truly lay down their lives and see with their own eyes the full counsel of our LORD’s Word which actually communicate the very “thoughts of his heart.” (Psalms 33:11). The LORD wants a relationship with each of His children. He’s not just there to answer our every prayer while we commit spiritual adultery by wasting our time/lives in this fleeting world playing games, giving hours to frivolous foolishness, etc. He wants our hearts. Jesus told us the reason the Father sent Him in John 17:3. This was David’s and Paul’s whole goal in their respective earthly lives (Psalms 27:4, 8; Philippians 3:10). Jesus told us He wants an abiding relationship that bears fruit that remains to His eternal glory (John 15:1-16).
After being saved, under the new covenant, it’s not law keeping but rather abiding in Christ, amen? John 15 “Abide in me.”
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
PRAYER: Holy heavenly Father, I come to You impoverished in spirit. For without You dear LORD, we can do nothing. You are love and I am not and yet, I ask You here and now to more deeply imbue my innermost man with and teach me Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Uphold Jesus (audio)
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