
Sabbath and Law-Keeping Devils Exposed [podcast]
Was what Jesus did for us Enough? Or, did God Lie to Us?
There is no instruction – not one – to keep any sabbath for New Testament believers saved by grace…. except that JESUS is our Sabbath rest where rest in Him from law keeping. JESUS is the Sabbath rest we keep because He’s the only one to ever perfectly keep the law and then, what did He do? He nailed it to the cross and took it out of the way for righteousness! (Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:14-19) Run the judaizing devils off your social media wall by SHARING this post.
Jesus Himself is the Sabbath rest of His saints (Hebrews 4).
ALL who don’t keep Jesus as SABBATH are not saved – that is, all who are not resting in HIS perfect finished work are doomed. And, those who focus on, over emphasize a mere day prove clearly that they do not know, are not known of Christ – not born again and not in Christ’s kingdom.
Law keeping is made to sound superior but it’s pure false humility and damnable unbelief.
Keeping the LORD’s commandments doesn’t include law keeping or sabbath keeping to be righteous, justified. ANY person who teaches this heresy is an antichrist who has openly denied Christ’s perfect sacrifice was sufficient to completely justify His saints. Only heretical judaizers teach that NEW Testament believers, saved by GRACE, are still under the law (Romans 3:28; 10:4; Galatians 2:16). Judaizing Devils Busted!
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16
ANY person teaching that NEW Testament believers, saved by grace, are required to keep any certain day, is a judaizing wolf with no exception. This is “another gospel” which makes them “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9) There is no hint or instruction in the NEW Testament for such. Repent. RUN!
Did God somehow forget to tell us something He wanted us to know and do?
You are one deceived individual if you think your vain attempt to “keep Torah” is going to save you from hell. You are a sinner who has broken God’s law repeatedly and unless you repent and believe on the only ONE who ever kept the law perfectly, you are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If keeping Torah was enough, WHY O WHY did God bother to send His only begotten Son to die for us?! (Galatians 2:21)
Jesus kept the sabbath of the Old Testament and every single commandment of the OLD covenant…. in order to fulfill (expire) it when He died on the cross and “took it out of the away.” (Colossians 2:14-19) Christ is now the Sabbath rest of the NEW Testament saints who are saved by His grace. Nothing wrong with observing a day of rest and special worship, it’s actually wise to do so… yet making this something that New Testament believers must do to be right with God.
Are you saved by Jesus or by your own works? Did Jesus or any of His apostles ever once instruct even 1 NEW Testament saint, saved by grace, to keep any certain day/a sabbath? Not once. Beware of the SDA (Seventh Day Adventist cult) and other 7th day judaizing cults!
The SDA (seventh day adventist) church is an antichrist cult that worships a day instead of the Savior who bled so we could worship Him every day!!!
“We’re to keep EVERY DAY HOLY and SET APART for GOD!! EVERY DAY is my Sabbath as JESUS CHRIST has given me HIS REST and PEACE EVERY DAY.” A.
HEAVEN’S SALVATION is all about Heaven’s KING – Jesus – and not you or your foolish little sabbath-idolatry cult or your fake, pretended observance of the whole law! (James 2:10) Repent and believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, sinner – before it’s too late!
ARE YOU ASHAMED OF JESUS?
“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38
Those who preach the keeping of a sabbath never preach or honor Jesus – because they are counterfeits.
Jesus only observed the sabbath in order to fulfill all righteousness but HE never once told NEW Testament believers to keep any day. He nailed the law to the cross for righteousness! (Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:14-19) …. oh and if you are going to laughably earn and merit your own justification (impossible) then make sure you don’t forget the Thursday sabbaths of the Old, obsolete covenant. If you break even 1 part of the law you are guilty of breaking it all…. and hell awaits (James 2:10).
Are NEW Testament Christians Under Any Part of the Old Law? Do We Know the LORD or the Law?
—- EXCUSE ME …. JUST WHAT covenant do we live under? WHAT covenant do you live under? ….. DID JESUS complete His mission work or did He fail? … WHO ARE you looking to … Moses (mere man) or Jesus? Jesus told us that the old law came by Moses but saving grace and truth came but Him, the only Savior (John 1:17) The true, NEW Testament believer is “Looking unto Jesus,” not Moses … hello somebody! (Hebrews 12:1-2)… Please pass this DEVIL BLASTING message along to help others leave Moses and the Law and get saved by truly repenting and trusting Christ.
Justification by Christ or by Law-Keeping?
Attempting to keep even the smallest part of the old law for justification guarantees that you have “fallen from grace” and are lost – you have fallen away and are hell bound. – “if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.” (Galatians 5:2) If Christ, the only way and Savior profits you “NOTHING,” you are outside of the kingdom of God! You must choose between Christ and the old law. There is no neutral ground! Believing that you are required to keep the law clearly reveals that you are a vile unbeliever who has been possessed by “the spirit of antichrist” which says that Jesus never came in the flesh to fulfill His perfect redemption! (1 John 4:1-6) You have openly and brazenly called the Almighty a liar!
The “spirit of antichrist” under girds this whole system of unbelief in the Jewish Messiah (1 John 4:1-6) ……who “FINISHED” the work of redemption perfectly and “one time” on that cross (Hebrews 10:12). You are putting the old, obsolete law in place of the Messiah – Jesus Christ – who did away with the law. He “took it OUT of the way” because it was against us! (Colossians 2:14-19) He replace the old law with Himself whom you now reject. You don’t have the slightest clue as to the LORD, His kingdom, or the Messiah if you don’t understand this. The veil still covers the eyes of your understanding and will continue to keep you in the dark unless you turn your heart to the LORD in sincerity and in truth, repenting and forsaking your evil traditions (2 Corinthians 3:14-18).
“ONCE for All”
“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. … 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:10, 12
Stand Fast!
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Galatians 5:1-4
Were you watching closely when you read the above passage? Notice in v2 that Paul tells us that if a person keeps one part of the law he is required to keep it all and that concerning such a law-keeper “Christ (the only Savior) shall profit you nothing.” The saving grace of Christ will not be applied to any person who is even dabbling with law-keeping. The believe in Christ must obey what Paul gave us in verse 1 here in this important passage – “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” The law brings the bondage Paul speaks of here – even a slight, seemingly innocent dabbling with it. The old law never set anyone free as long as it was in force – before it was made obsolete and replaced with the saving grace of Jesus Christ under the New Covenant. The law was merely “a schoolmaster to bring us TO CHRIST.” (Galatians 5:24) Paul made is clear in Romans 7 that the old law reveals just how sinful we are without the present saving mercy and grace of Jesus Christ which is only accessed “by faith” in the only One who ever perfectly kept the old law and then nailed it to the cross and “took it OUT of the way”! (Romans 3-5; Colossians 2:14-17).
The Messiah nailed the old law to the cross. Are you under law or saving grace? – Can’t be both – you must choose.
—-THE NEW Testament believer lives by faith and not by the law ….. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:10-11 …… Read Chapter 3 of Galatians.
Memorize Romans 10:4 (KJV) and specifically note the words “for righteousness.” Also, WHAT commandments? If they didn’t make it into the NEW Testament, they are obsolete and not required. In other words, Jesus says “IF ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) and yet Jesus never once commanded anyone to keep any certain day and neither did His apostles. When establishing what was “necessary” (essential to salvation), no sabbath was even mentioned (Acts 15)!
“Jesus kept the Sabbath even to the cross and then He gave up the ghost and said, “It is finished,” and that was the end of the Sabbath day because He became our Sabbath. Now it is time to rest. The law was fulfilled. Sorry, it is not a day, it is a person, and if you try to change that then you are making the work of the cross of none effect and you need to repent and come out. You are living a false gospel again. I rest my case, Selah!!” Carol Burke
Beware: The New Judaizers!
Now, instead of getting people circumcised to place them back under the old law, today, judaizers entice and reason unlearned people to get back under the law by over emphasizing keeping a certain sabbath that they insist must be kept to obey Jesus. Yet, the Son of God never once instructed any New Testament believer to keep any certain sabbath and neither did any of His holy apostles. In fact, Christ rebukd the wicked false teachers of His day when they badgered Him about the sabbath. The circumcisers who operated among the Galatians, have now taken up sabbath keeping. They are antichrists who deny that Jesus came in the flesh and fully satisfied the righteousness and claims of the old law and then nailed it to the cross and did away with it!
Idol Shaking Truth
AS SOON as you tamper with what the self-idolater is trusting – self – they come out viciously. You see, it’s all about THEM and THEIR keeping of a day or another part of the old, obsolete law – in which they vainly believe THEY are meriting God’s mercy. This my friends, is damnable unbelief and blasphemy. Nothing could be more sinful as they reject the sacrifice of the Son of God who alone accomplished redemption. These are glory-robbing devils. The Bible says “That NO flesh should glory in his presence. … He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:29, 31)
“Now to him that worketh (tries to merit divine mercy, favor) 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
IF you for a moment vainly think that you have any part in meriting divine grace and mercy which you do not in the least deserve, you are utterly deluded and have no clue as to what the Bible declares about sinful mankind – you. Let’s get a cursory clue:
- Outside of Christ, You are nothing but “wickedness” in the eyes of Him who is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Genesis 6:5; Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)
- “every imagination of the thoughts of his (your) heart” is “only evil continually.”(Genesis 6:5)
- You are utterly “corrupt” and your ways are “corrupted.” (Genesis 6:12)
- ALL of your supposed “righteousness” are as “filthy rags” (discarded menstrual clothes) in His holy eyes (Isaiah 64:6)
- Your heart us “deceitful ABOVE ALL things” and “desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9)
- You are unrighteous (Romans 3:10).
- There is “no good thing” at all in your except Christ – if He’s truly there (Romans 3:10-12; 7:18, 24).
- You have sinned and “come short of the glory God.” (Romans 3:23)
- You have violated a holy God and are worthy only of spiritual and eternal “death.”(Romans 6:23)
- You are a “wretch man” (Romans 7:24)
- You are “unprofitable,” full of “deceit” and “poison,” “cursing,” “bitterness,” bloodshed, “misery,” and no fear of God (Romans 3:12-19).
- Without the sheer mercy of God through Jesus Christ, you are “guilty before God.”(Romans 3:19)
- Outside of Christ’s merit, you are “dead in trespasses and sins,” a child of “disobedience,” full of the “lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind,” and are “by nature the children of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)
People who don’t understand what God has declared about fallen, sinful mankind, cannot possible appreciate the Savior, the one Messiah and are prone to vainly imagine that THEY are meriting their own way with God. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Out of His sheer mercy, when you deserved judgment and eternal misery, God found you – you didn’t find Him. – “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. … We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:10, 19)
Justification by Christ or by Your Own Inherent or Performed “Goodness”?
AS SOON as you tamper with what the self-idolater is trusting – self – they come out viciously. You see, it’s all about THEM and THEIR keeping of certain rules and being obedient or at least looking to mere men that they are clean. In this they vainly believe THEY are meriting God’s mercy in and of their own goodness and performance. This my friends, is an open rejection of Jesus Christ and damnable unbelief and blasphemy. Nothing could be more sinful as they reject the sacrifice of the Son of God who alone accomplished redemption. These are glory-robbing devils. The Bible says “That NO flesh should glory in his presence. … He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:29, 31)
“Now to him that worketh (tries to merit divine mercy, favor) 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
Think I am teaching lasciviousness? Better think again. Yet, it’s time to grow up into Christ in the full-counsel revelation of His Word. Being balanced requires that we understand these ABC’s of the original Gospel. Actually, legalism is addressed many more times in the New Testament than is lasciviousness. Romans, Galatians, Philippians 3, Colossians, Hebrews, etc.
IS IT “Finished” or Not?
Is what Jesus did on the cross enough or does God need our help?
Keeping the old law is not the aim of the believer in CHRIST – but rather following Christ by His saving grace and faith is (Eph. 2:8-9). Nothing could be clearer in the NEW Testament Scriptures. The old law was infinitely inferior and only showed us just how sinful we are (Rom. 7). It grant no ability to fulfill it which is evidenced in the biblical fact that “ALL have sinned” and ALL are “guilty before God.” (Rom. 3:10, 19, 23; 11:32, etc.). So, when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son to replace the old inferior law (Gal. 4:4). John 1:17 says that the old law came by Moses ( a mere sinful man) but grace and truth came by the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ. God so loved the world that He gave the law of the only begotten Son? (John 3:16) You have to choose to believe that Christ fulfilled the law and nailed it to the cross and took it OUT OF THE WAY, OR call God a liar and to brazenly and openly deny Christ who said “It IS finished” or “paid in full.” (John 19:30) If we still need to try to keep the law to be righteous then Jesus Christ is a liar – and that’s exactly what you are guilty of calling the Son of God if you still think you are made righteous through keep any part of the old law. You have openly denied Christ and are an antichrist. – “Christ is THE END of the law for righteousness to everyone that BELIEVETH.” (Romans 10:4) The justified believer has said “10:4 good buddy” to the law and trusts only in Christ’s imputed righteousness (Romans 4). Otherwise you are a lost, hell bound soul who has openly rejected the only ONE who can save you. Those who are still, in any way, trying to keep ANY part of the law, vainly believing that makes them any more righteous and justified than Christ’s finished, perfect work, are antichrists. You have told the Almighty that His only begotten Son Jesus Christ is a fraud and you don’t need Him but rather you reject Him for your own righteousness which is by the law which you have never kept (Philippians 3:9-10).
IF the old law was good enough, WHY did God send His only begotten Son???
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21
ANY person who says that we need ANY part of the old law to make us righteous or more justified in God’s eyes, has committed the ultimate sin, blasphemously declaring that God is a fool and openly denial Christ and the need for Him.
Paul called law keeping judaizers “EVIL workers.” Philippians 3:1-10
Am I being too harsh? Galatians is the apostle Paul’s signature letter (6 chapters) exposing judaizing devils who were causing many to fall from saving grace and to be lost – hell bound (Gal. 3:3; 5:4).
Paul told us that those who misuse the law are to be rebuked sharply so they repent and become “sound in the faith.” (Titus 1) Then the apostle says to “reject” them as “heretics”if they refuse after “the first or second admonition.” (Titus 3:9-11)
– Could it possibly be any clearer than this??? – “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. ” (Rom. 3:28) AND – “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. … Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” (Gal. 3:11, 24-25)
Rom. 3:31; 8:2-4 communicate exactly how the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the BELIEVER (by faith in Christ alone) – not by trying to observe an old, obsolete law that made NO one righteous but only exposed just how sinful we are (Rom. 7:7). If you aren’t trusting Christ 100% for your justification, you are still under the old covenant and required to keep EVERY single jot and tittle of it and if / WHEN / AS you break even the slightest part of it, you are guilty of breaking it all (James 2:10). It’s time for you to surrender and get saved by faith in the only ONE who kept the whole law perfectly – Christ! I pray the law wears you out – till you are ready to die and be one with Christ. It’s a “schoolmaster to bring us to CHRIST” – the only Savior and justifier! (Galatians 3:24) If you don’t realize this simple New Testament truth, you have no clue at all as to what Christianity and the kingdom of God are.
What you are doing is seeking to establish your own righteousness by law keeping which is impossible instead of by knowing Christ – the only ONE who kept, fulfilled, expired, and nailed the old law to the cross, taking it out of the way (Col. 2:14-19). You are not upholding Christ the “HEAD” and are therefore openly denying Him and calling God a liar. You cannot be saved this way. Law keeping is self-righteousness which is no righteousness at all – “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” (Philippians 3:9-10) You see, Paul denounced what many today want to trust in – their own self effort and self righteousness which is filthy rags in God’s holy eyes (Isaiah 64:6). Those who think that keep any part of the law helps them with God are those self-righteous unbelievers who want to feel as if THEY are earning their own way with God – earning or meriting THEIR own salvation. They are the worst type of unbelieving devil in the eyes of God.
THE JEW OF ALL JEWS, PAUL, COUNTED ALL LAW-RIGHTEOUSNESS AS CRAP – and he exchanged that UN-righteousness for Christ! You must choose! (Philippians 3:1-10) The Jew of all Jews, the apostle Paul, calls the law and law keeping the very “yoke of BONDAGE.” (Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1). Paul denounced all law keeping and called it “dung”(crap) in order to know Christ, the only perfect keeper of the old law (Philippians 3:1-10).“Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” Acts 15:10 …. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1) The context in both these passage is clearly and indisputably law righteousness verse grace righteousness by faith in Christ for justification.
Argument:
“But, but, but Jesus told the rich young ruler to keep the commandments.”
Answer:
The rich young ruler, a covetous idolater, was only told to keep the commandments as a schoolmaster in order to bring him to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Keeping the law makes no one righteousness. Any person who doesn’t understand this, has not the slightest foundation of Bible knowledge. Read Romans, Galatians, Colossians, and Hebrews.
“BUT WE MUST BE OBEDIENT!” That’s true. But to what and how? HOW do we keep the Word – the NEW Testament Word? Was it by law before Jesus came? NO! So why would it be by law now? It’s by grace which Jesus brought. Keep reading in Romans 6. See Romans 6:14 – “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law (which only exposed HOW very sinful we are), but under grace (divine enablement).” “The law came by Mose but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO (Therefore was replaced), in that it was weak through the flesh (exposed how sinful we are), God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:2-4
Only those “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” can fulfill God’s righteousness and His righteous requirements and this is by faith!
DID the OLD Testament Jews keep the law by the power of the law? NO! The law only exposed how sinful they are and we are. The law does not provide divine enablement (GRACE) to fulfill it. That’s why it had to be replaced.
Justification comes only through the crucified, risen Son of God and not by trying to keep the OLD law which is futility. It’s ONLY THEN that the believer – brought into Christ and delivered from the law- is granted divine enablement through grace to overcome and live obedient to the LORD NEW Testament Word. – “Who (NEW Testament born again believers) also hath made us able ministers of the NEW testament; not of the letter (old law), but of the SPIRIT: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6)
“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh (by trying to keep the old law).” Philippians 3:3
Does Sheer Obedience Save or Does Jesus Save?
You are completely deceived to say I ever hinted at lawlessness which I expose daily and have for decades now. Yet, justification comes by God’s grace through our faith – not law-keeping or obedience. Jesus says that only “IF” we love Him is He pleased with our obedience to Him out of and abiding relationship (John 15). Obedience DOES NOT save anyone. Only God can save and He does that on the basis of FAITH in Christ’s perfection and not the vain attempt of law-keeping! Paul says that EVEN IF WE OBEDIENTLY GIVE OUR BODIES TO BE BURNED FOR CHRIST IT DOES NOT PLEASE GOD AND IS IN VAIN (1 Corinthians 13). IF we don’t love Him, having been regenerated and saved by GRACE, He’s not at all interested in our attempted at law-keeping or obedience. “IF ye love me keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) It’s only IF we love Him that Jesus is interested in our obedience.
Notice “IFFFF ye love me, keep my commandments.” As do so many other verses in the New Testament, this seems to infer that God wants us to know and love Him supremely, otherwise, keeping His Word is not of interest to Him (Matthew 22:37-40; John 17:3; Philippians 3:10, etc.).
Self-Righteous OR Savior Righteous?
WILL we stand before God and say “But LORD I kept or tried to keep the law”??? OR, like the humble man among the two whom Jesus said went up to pray, will we say, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13) What does it truly mean to be “poor (impoverished, completely flattened and dependent) in spirit” and therefore inherit “the kingdom of heaven”? (Matthew 5:3)
Obeying Jesus is the fruit or proof we know Him – but those works do not save us! His perfect, “finished” work of redemption on that cross saves us and nothing else! (John 19:30)
BUT what about James 2? James is speaking to believers – those already saved by divine grace through faith (Rom 5:1-2; Eph 2:8-9). Being saved by divine grace through faith is what is a priority – without which no attempt at obedience means anything because before that happens we have no relationship at all with the LORD.
The Only TRUE JEWS:
“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly (by blood or law-keeping); neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Romans 2:28-29
The righteousness of the law is fulfilled by walking in Christ, in the Spirit and not by trying to keep the old, obsolete law. Rom. 8:2-4
The true, justified believer says like Paul in utter surrender: “I have no righteousness of mine own but am rather undone in God’s holy eyes, completely impoverished, less than the least of all sinners, and the chief of all sinners and in utter need of Christ’s imputed righteousness, the only righteousness there is in God’s eyes.”
The LORD wants to grant us a much deeper understand and that will only coming by deep study of Romans, Galatians, Colossians and Hebrews.
Intriguing Question:
“So, if we try not to murder or steal or commit adultery we need to keep ALL of it???? Oh, I see what you are saying- for justification purposes. Now, after you have been justified, what are you to do?” Suzanna
Reply:
Hi Suzanna… a thorough study of Romans helps us …. when we live in the Spirit instead of the flesh, the power of the Holy Spirit brings forth the fruit of God’s holiness which means we won’t steal, lie, lust, adulterate, covet, dishonor our parents, etc. If we do err, we can confess, repent, and move forward. See Romans 6-8. The holiness of God is fulfilled when we, as born against saints, walk in an abiding fellowship with Christ (Romans 3:31; 8:2-4, etc.). Those are still sins and repeated in the NEW Testament but keeping a certain day is not. In fact, Paul was “afraid” of the backslidden Galatians because they were counting days, months, and years important (Galatians 4:9-11).
Paul feared for New Testament believers who counted days important: “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” (Galatians 4:9-11)
Paul was afraid for the eternal souls of those who went back under law, putting emphasis on days, months, years (Galatians 4:9-11).
Hard Questions for Seventh Dayists
- Where is the proof that any man ever kept the seventh day, except by special commandment, prior to the proclamation of the ten commandments at Mount Sinai? (Gen. 2:2, 3; Ex. 16:23-30; 20:1-17).
- If Christians are required to keep the seventh day, why do you depart from your dwelling on that day, seeing those to whom the law was given were plainly commanded not to do so? (Ex. 16:29).
- If you keep one Sabbath-the seventh day-why not keep them all, the seventh year and the year of Jubilee? Who authorized you to make distinction in favor of the seventh day? (Lev. 25 :1-22)
- If Christians are required to keep the Sabbath, how are they to live in cold climates when it is forbidden to build a fire on the Sabbath? (Ex. 35:1-3).
- Is it the duty of Christians to put to death those who desecrate the seventh day? (Num. 15:32-36). If yes, who will be the public executioner? If no, what will you do with the law? (Ex. 35:2). If you say that the penalties are abolished, I answer that the same passages that you use to establish this. prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the law, too, is abolished. If you admit that the penalties are still in force-and the proof that they are unanswerable and invincible if the law is in force-there is not a Seventh Dayist on top of the green earth who can escape the vengeance of the broken law!
- If Christians are under obligation to observe the seventh day, why did Jesus declare that all law and prophecy hang on love instead of the Sabbath, seeing the command to keep it is the one on which you hang your everlasting all? (Matt. 22:34-40; Rom. 13:8-10).
- Why did Jesus not require the young ruler to keep the Sabbath when enumerating the commandments? (Matt. 19:16-20; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-24).
- If Christians are to keep the law of Moses-the Sabbath-why did the apostles and elders who met at Jerusalem leave it out of their address to the churches? (Acts 15 :1-29). This case finds, in some respects, a parallel in your theorizing. Judaizing teachers had gone forth declaring to the brethren that unless they would submit to circumcision and keep the law of Moses they could not be saved. The apostles said, “We gave no such commandment.”
- If Christians are required to keep the Sabbath, how are we to account for the open violation of the law by Jesus Christ, who is our example, unless by saying that the power that made the law can take it away (John 7 :22-23).
- If you keep the Sabbath because you think it was kept before the law of Moses, why do you not practice circumcision. seeing it is plainly commanded in these ages? (Gen. 17:1-14; Gal. 5:1-6).
- When did patriarch, prophet, or apostles, or anybody else, command any Gentile to keep the law of Moses? No dodging here. Proof! Proof!! Proof!!!
- Paul says the ministration of death written and engraven in stone (Ex. 20:1-17; 31:18; 32 6:15-16; 34:1-28) was done away (2 Cor. 3:1-18). When, where, and by whom was it brought back into force? Name the day, the age, the authority, and give proof from the Book! If your doctrine is true the great apostle of the Gentiles stands convicted of a mistake.
- If the early Christians kept the Sabbath day, why did they break bread on the first day of the week? (Acts 20:7).
- If Christians are to keep the Sabbath day, how do you account for the fact that the apostles preached the gospel in Jerusalem, Samaria, to Cornelius the Gentile, and to many others, without commanding a single individual to keep it? Did they, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit fail to properly instruct their converts? (Acts 2:1-47; 8:1-40; 10:1-48 ;16:1-40).
- Is it not a fact, according to the book of Acts, that the thing done was of more importance than the day? Acts 20:7.
- Can you demonstrate that the day you keep is really the seventh day or Sabbath, coming down in regular succession from the day on which God keeps? If not, your day is no better than any other day. Admitting, for argument’s sake, that the law of Moses is still in force, and that the fourth commandment is binding on the whole human race, will you affirm that it is possible for all men to keep the same day? If so, how do you explain the fact that the traveler who starts out to go around the earth, gains, say, if going east, one hour for every thousand miles traveled, or if going west loses an hour for every thousand miles traveled? How far would he go before he lost the count? Do you not see that he would inevitably be behind or in advance? Further, how do you explain the fact that far away toward the extremes of the earth, traveling from the equator, there are periods of six months night and six months day from age to age? Do you not see that it is a geographical impossibility for all men to keep the same day, and that the Law was only intended for one people, one country, and one age?
- Do you keep the Sabbath day? No dodging, do you? Do you rest, or put in the day promulgating your doctrines? If you do not keep the day according to the Law, you do not keep it at all. If part is done away, then all is done away. Read Exodus 20:8-11; 35:1-3.
What the SDA Cult Won’t Tell You | Love or Obedience? What’s Most Important? | Exploding the Sabbath Worship Heresy | Hebrew Hogwash
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“I have been fighting this battle SO LONG bro! Most will not even crack a Strong’s and define essential words like “repent, believe, faith, holy, righteous,” etc IN CONTEXT. If we say “grace”, they think we are saying its okay to sin. God forbid. Exactly why I started a small “assembly” for those who DO understand, or want to learn this…” Do I believe, trust, (Greek active word.. “faithing”) that what Jesus accomplished on the cross was, and IS sufficient for my peace with God, and do I “entrust” the well-being of my eternal soul to Him?” They don’t understand our “position” IN Christ versus our “practice” (walk). I was born and raised as an Orthodox Jew so I hear this ALL the time. As you said, and I will echo….”Anybody out there who has conquered sin in their PRACTICE? Can you “act holy to be holy?” Knowing and trusting your “identity IN Christ” is vital. THEN, the walk begins! I am a SAINT who will sin in this world. That DOES NOT mean that my heart doesn’t want to obey all the commandments. I cannot “perform” enough for salvation. God will judge the heart. I TRUST GOD. PERIOD.” Daniel B.
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Articles
Is Romans 7 Before or After Paul’s Salvation?

“The truth is that while Christ dwells in the believer’s new nature, He has strong competition from the believer’s old nature. The warfare between the old and the new goes on continually in most believers.” AW Tozer
The law of God is “holy, and just, and good.” (Romans 7:12)
The holy law of God and the depraved nature of fallen mankind could not be further apart – the righteousness of God inherent in His law vs the “old man,” the iniquitous fallen nature of mankind (Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9).
Nothing but a caustic reaction, explosion could be the result of the 2 colliding (Romans 7). One or the other must reign.
“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.” Galatians 5:17
In what tense did the great apostle speak in when addressing this “old man” that wars against the Spirit in us?
“O WRETCHed man that I am! (presently) who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24
Paul’s flesh was and our flesh is a constant reminder of the ever momentary need for the cross, burial, and resurrection grace of Jesus (Romans 6:3-10; 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.). Read Romans chapters 6-7 each morning this week.
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18
No, the apostle wasn’t admitting to living in sin but rather that that “old man” – the flesh – was present and must be crucified with Christ daily. Is that not exactly what Jesus taught?
“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
I believe Romans 7 applies to both before and after one is saved …. Because if the saved person departs from the daily cross walk, that same “old man” will take center stage. “O wretch man that I AM (present)” (Romans 7:18) ….. we are born again children of God, saints of the Most High and yet that potential to evil, that “old man” must be crucified and “put off” by the daily cross so the “new man” can reign with Christ in this life and eternity. What Paul calls the “old man” must be “put off” and so we can conclude that there IS an “old man” to be “put off” otherwise no such instruction would have been given. We are not to deny the “old man” – the sinful bent – but rather to crucify it (Romans 6; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9).
Charles Pray writes: “So many want to hide their sins, especially those who like to appear Holy on the outside while inside they are dark, unholy ministers of the flesh. They have become a product of their own desires. Dear Lord, please bring them back to their first Love–Jesus! Amen.”
Saints, we cannot possibly begin to appreciate this “so great salvation” that is Christ until we understand how lost, helpless, and alienated we were in our sin (Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 2:3). We must study to understand the biblical doctrine of inherent sin, fallen mankind, and the holiness of God …. in order to begin to be able to appreciate the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
What to “Put Off” and What to “Put On”
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation THE OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on THE NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off THE OLD MAN with his deeds; 10 And have put on THE NEW MAN, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:9-10
“When we embrace the crucified life we are given overflowing rivers of new life! New life is breathed into us. Walking in the flesh only makes our soul sick with sin! And sin kills and destroys! (Romans 6:23). Rotting us from the inside out! But the way of the cross brings life to our flesh! (Proverbs 3:8, 4:22). Our flesh meaning our whole spirit, soul and body. 1 Thessalonians 5:23. We cannot be a whole person until we are completely given over to the Lord! And this can only happen through the cross. When we are dead and buried and raised up in the newness of life Jesus offers us, then the joy of the Lord will fill our hearts!” Karen Cochran
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Articles
Mission Mexico Elvita Dejected then Blessed [video]

“Wow! God is sure blessing this ministry! And given you the heart of a servant. As I listened to these stories and saw all the pictures all I heard was Jesus! This whole Mexico Mission is all about Jesus! Not Todd but Jesus. Hallelujah!” Karen Cochran
Spanish Content on SafeGuardYourSoul | The JESUS tract in English and Spanish
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Articles
What Did Paul mean by “Double Honour”? [podcast]

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18
“Double honour” is generous but not lavish. “Double honour” limits the income of “the elders that rule well.” This would be in contrast to the many pastors today who make themselves rich in this world, as they “make merchandise” of their prey, the people they lead (2 Peter 2:1-3).
Do we not realize that “double honour” actually prevents making merchandise of God’s people by making millionaires our of con men? You are not wiser than God, sinner. You don’t decide what His Word says. It’s best to shut up in humility and simply render humble obedience on this topic, doctrine, and all others.
“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice …” 1 Samuel 15:22
Tithing is not taught in the New Testament. Giving is to be done out of worship, gratitude, and the honor of the LORD. Christ’s New Testament disciples are to give out of a “cheerful” heart (2 Corinthians 9:7). Here is what the apostle Paul wrote about our giving under the New Covenant:
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. ” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
It’s actually sickening to see how some, out of their own darkened and corrupted hearts, want to starve out the God-called elders from carrying out their divinely ordained duties to feed and equip the flock and to watch for their souls.
Some people are so deep in darkness and therefore blinded that they don’t realize that the work that they do in this world to earn money is not even important compared to the paramount divine work of an elder that God has prepared, sent forth, and diligently feeding His blood-bought flock.
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. … 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:7, 16-17
1 Timothy 5:17-18 is specifically of those called-by-God elders “who labour in the word and doctrine.”
“Double honour” here is twice the average earning in the specific economy and time. This apparently is so that they have no financial worries and can concentrate on the most important work in the earth, the kingdom of Christ—feed His flock (John 21:15-17; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.). “The elders that rule well” are those who are to be given “double honour” and not the greed-driven enterprising salesmen …..
Of “double honour” one source notes the following (1 Timothy 5:17-18):
“In 1 Timothy 5:17, the “double honor” refers to giving financial support, respect, and esteem to elders who lead the church well and especially to those who work hard at preaching and teaching. This concept is rooted in the Old Testament principle that a laboring ox should not be muzzled, and a worker deserves their wages, highlighting the importance of caring for those who labor in ministry.”
What kind of men does the LORD look for to servant lead?
“Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:” Exodus 18:21
Paul’s refusal to covet what is not his own, in no way negates the compensation God has ordained for those who labor in His Word and doctrine to feed His sheep (1 Corinthians 9). There is no contradiction. Paul’s refusal to receive of the Corinthians doesn’t mean he didn’t receive from others. Take a look:
“And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.” 2 Corinthians 11:9
The above verse, revelation proves the argument wrong that suggests that ministers of the Gospel of Christ should reject receiving any giving to do His work.
The fact that “double honour” is appropriate to the elders described in 1 Timothy 5:17-18 is in NO way means this “double honor” compensation should be demanded. No. Yet God has stated such and in my opinion, from this passage and 1 Corinthians 9 and the Levites of the Old Testament, He says it should be a sufficient portion, a sufficient, a generous compensation that is supplied to “the elders that rule well.” Perhaps He stated double honor in order to be a measure of what is not enough and what is too much and so the elders defined here do not have to feel guilty. Also, is it not conducive to peace in one’s calling to know his bills are paid? As in no muzzling, no starving out the elder ox who treads out the corn of God’s Word, who works to feed the flock of God.
“Double honor – Διπλης τιμης. Almost every critic of note allows that τιμη here signifies reward, stipend, wages. Let him have a double or a larger salary who rules well; and why? Because in the discharge of his office he must be at expense, in proportion to his diligence, in visiting and relieving the sick, in lodging and providing for strangers; in a word, in his being given to hospitality, which was required of every bishop or presbyter.” Adam Clarke
“[Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine] Ruling elders, especially preaching and teaching elders are to receive double honor or wages (1Ti_5:17-18; 1Co_9:6-14; Gal_6:6; Heb_7:1-10). See note, Act_14:23.” Dake
“Let him that is taught in the word communicate (give) unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Galatians 6:6
The Greek word for “communicate” here is:
“koinōneō
koy-no-neh’-o
From G2844; to share with others (objectively or subjectively): – communicate, distribute, be partaker.”
We are privileged to supply those who feed us, to fund those who feed us God’s Word. Such men perform the most important and only eternal work in our lives in this world as we look for the soon return of our LORD.
Is “double honour” also not a demarkation…. where those who would dare exceed double honour to make themselves rich in this world are known as those who are making merchandise of the people? See 2 Peter 2:1-3. What the self-righteous who attempt to change “double honour” into something other than what it is don’t understand, is that “double honour” is a parameter that actually keeps men from making merchandise of the people, making themselves millionaires at the expense of, while exploiting the people. God is all wise….
John Wesley notes:
“Let the elders that rule well – Who approve themselves faithful stewards of all that is committed to their charge. Be counted worthy of double honour – A more abundant provision, seeing that such will employ it all to the glory of God. As it was the most laborious and disinterested men who were put into these offices, so whatever any one had to bestow, in his life or death, was generally lodged in their hands for the poor.”
It’s quite amazing how some expect the men who are prepared, called out by God to do the infinitely most important work in the earth are to do it for free. The origins of this lie which directly contradicts God’s Word, is “another spirit,” Satan—who wars against the LORD and His servants.
It seems that perhaps some become disillusioned when they realize they’ve been deceived by wolves in sheep’s clothing. Then they don’t give at all and yet the Word instructs us to give and to specifically give to the ministries that feed us the pure Word (Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18).
The lost will never supply, support God’s work. And that’s because they are not of God and that the LORD has left that opportunity for His own people – to lay up treasure in glory which He instructed us to do (Matthew 6:19-21).
God’s people are divinely called and are to be allowed and granted the blessed opportunity to give to HIS work—not forcefully coerced but given opportunity (2 Corinthians 9:7). This is clear in Scripture. When we give, we thereby learn to trust Him who replenishes our supply as He so often promised to do (Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.). It would be wrong to disallow God’s people from giving actually. Moses did not stop God’s people from giving until there was so much given by God’s people that there was nowhere else to contain it! He had to tell them to stop bringing their things to the work of the LORD because they had nowhere else to store it—there was too much of it (Exodus 35). To tell people not to give to God’s work(ers) would mean he forbade them from doing what the LORD told His people to do from the beginning—give. The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel set forth to continually worship and serve the LORD and His people, and Paul, Christ’s apostle, draws from this very truth/fact in 1 Corinthians 9 below.
God provides, yes, and His stated desire to supply, at least in part, is through His body—and that is so that they partake of the blessings both now and eternally (Galatians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). A proper and more thorough view of God’s kingdom reveals that to shut off the opportunity of giving and forbid His children from giving, stifles blessings.
When your reaction to evil produces more evil (causes you to trample on the clear contents of God’s Word, to pervert it), you know you fit what Paul calls men of corrupt minds (1 Timothy 6). While over reacting you perfect what Satan and his wolves perverted, you also are guilty of teaching against the LORD you falsely claim to serve and thereby bear false witness against the Almighty. “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). You have joined the ranks of those you condemn in that you too have “limited the holy one of Israel” while denying His truth, as you pretend to defend the faith (Psalms 78:41).
“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
“Jeremiah 3:15: ‘And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you knowledge and understanding.’ These are pastors who live according to God’s word and understand the very heart of God, which is His Word (Psalm 33:11). We have very few of these in this late hour! Most are too consumed with self.” Karen Cochran
Your ill-advised inner embattlement that consumes you doesn’t change the very Word of God. You have over reacted and dismissed the very Word of the God you claim to serve. This puts you in the same camp as those you condemn. Isn’t it time for you to step back and get into the place of repentance before a holy God? That way you will cease perverting the right ways, the Word of God – trampling its contents out of the imbalance.
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. 13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.” Hosea 10:12-13
“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverbs 18:13
Tithing? No. Levitical Priesthood Pattern brought into light by the apostle Paul? Yes.
It seems some are basing things on the wolves’ exploitation of the people and putting their weight there more than on the Scriptures which are clear concerning the compensation of certain elders, such as in 1 Corinthians 9 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18, etc. The Levites also. No the New Testament doesn’t teach tithing. No I am not trying to get anyone’s money, yet this ministry outreach accepts any cheerful giving from Christ’s saints…. which helps allow many to be reached with God’s Word.
Some novices on this thread seem to be making presumptuous conclusions of those who simply seek to stand on top of the whole counsel of Scripture on this topic. We must never abandon truth, God’s doctrine, due to others abusing it. Never abandon to abuse as it’s been put. We never throw out any part of the Word due to the abuse of it by others (Psalms 119:104, 128; 2 Corinthians 2:17).
A common misapplication of Scripture happens when people say “Freely ye have RECEIVED, freely GIVE.” (Matthew 10:8)
Watch closely what they quote – “Freely ye have RECEIVED, freely GIVE.” (Matthew 10:8) How are the men, the elders whom GOD has prepared and called out to serve HIM going to “GIVE” unless they are receiving? Some are misusing this verse. In the context of Matthew 10, the apostles had RECEIVED the Word, the Gospel from Christ and therefore were to GIVE it to others freely. That’s what ministry is and this is spoken in context of Jesus sending forth His disciples to minister. This in no way negates that God’s people are to be givers as they obey His command to lay up treasure in Heaven, to work so they “have to give”, but supporting His work – the going forth of His Word to feed, nourish, and equip Christ’s saints (Matthew 6:19-21; Ephesians 4:28). “How dwelleth the love of God in” those who don’t give? And where else to give but to poor Christians and the elders and work of Christ?
“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” 1 John 3:17
Are God’s people not instructed to fund those who feed them God’s Word? Yes. (Galatians 6:6)
How nonsensical for God to send forth men to be used of Him without the plan in place to provide for them. (1 Corinthians 9:1-14)
How nonsensical for the LORD to instruct His saints to give, to lay up treasure in Heaven and not waste it on earth, without the plan in place for where they are to give? (Matthew 6:19-21)
Some make the common novice mistake of concluding that God’s Word should be disobeyed, His true elders should not be funded but rather starved out, all because his enemy, Satan, has used false prophets to make merchandise of many (2 Peter 2:1-3).
What Does the Bible Say about the Compensation of Christ’s True Ministers? Is this topic addressed in God’s Word? If so, what does it say?
Compensation for true ministers is the stated ordained will of God (1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14)… problem is not pay but rather the hirelings who are getting paid…. to mislead!
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” – 1 Timothy 5:17-18
Reading these 2 verses together makes it clear that “double honour” includes financial compensation. Otherwise the command of v. 18 is being violated—when called out elders are labouring in the Word and doctrine are being muzzled. Seems this could not be more clearly stated than the Holy Ghost through Paul penned it.
“Double honour” is to be given to divinely called-out elders “especially they who labour in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” – 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 KJV
Recently one man attempted to reduce “double honour” to mere respect until shown the never verse, verse 18. He blocked me instead of amending his ways to believe the contents, the Word of Holy Writ.
“Double Honour”
“And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.” Luke 10:7
What does the Bible tell us concerning those who minister the Gospel?
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour (sufficient of generous financial reward), especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18
“Double honour” specifically means twice the average pay of the present economy. In general that means that God wants those He calls out into ministry to be well taken care of. And, that’s the responsibility of those who are fed by that ministry.
“Elders (5:17-25) 5:17 The rest of this chapter deals with elders. First of all, Paul lays down the rule that elders who rule well should be counted worthy of double honor. Rule might be translated ‘take the lead.’ It is not a question of control, but of example, such elders are worthy of double honor. Honor might mean respect, but it also includes the idea of financial reimbursement (Matt. 15:6). Double honor includes both ideas. First of all, he is worthy of respect from God’s people because of his work, but also, if his time is devoted to this work fully, he is also worthy of financial help. Those who labor in the word and doctrine are probably the ones who spend so much time in preaching and teaching that they are not able to carry on regular employment.
5:18 Two scriptures are introduced here to prove the statement that the elder is worthy of recompense. The first is Deuteronomy 25:4, and the second is taken from Luke 10:7. … These scriptures teach that an ox which is used in the harvesting process should not be deprived of a share of the grain. Also, a laborer is entitled to a portion of the fruit of his labor. So it is with elders. In spite of the fact that their work not be be physical, yet they are worthy of the support of God’s people.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, pp. 2096-297
Let’s address a very important, core issue: Do you believe that you are worthy of the money you are paid to do the work you do for a living? Do you believe in your heart, that those who do the work of the ministry are worthy to receive financial blessings from doing this all-important work? If you don’t, may I suggest that there may be a poverty curse on your life that needs to be broken (Deuteronomy 26,28). At the very least, there could be a lack of what the LORD has stated about this.
Many of the servants of the LORD are suffering at the hands of those who have the opportunity to give to the work of the ministry and haven’t. Beloved, let’s turn things around for those who bring us the Word and do the most important work in the earth.
When we truly begin to aggrandize divine truth, we will then begin supporting only those who truly preach all of it (full-counsel) fearlessly and cease from funding the ministries of false prophets who allow most of their ministry revenues to be absorbed on things other than that which is at the core of importance in the divine economy, like the true building up of the saints – getting them into the Word for themselves, and winning lost souls.
Concerning the work and workers of God’s kingdom, the Bible instructs us in Ezra 6:8 – “forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered” – that is, that God’s Gospel laborers be not hindered in carrying out His work.
The reason all of God’s people are to give to His authentic work is “that they (Christ’s workers) be not hindered” (Ezra 6:8).
It’s quite alarming how some have a death grip on their earthly riches and so come running to defend their refusal to give to the LORD, to HIS work.
“All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
May our LORD bless each of us to be cultivated in a heart filled with sincere and true worship and thanksgiving to Him.
“Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8
We should understand that we have freely received the salvation of our God in Christ and that those who don’t give out of the mercy, forgiveness, love, supply that He has given us, are not in God’s will. Out of what God gives us we give out and this clearly proves we have given ourselves to the LORD. We are not still serving the false god of self and therefore mammon (Matthew 6:19-24). When Jesus spoke of giving and it will given back to us, He’s speaking of all these things and not just giving out of the monies God has prospered us with (Luke 6:38).
These darkened souls seem to attempt to reduce giving to merely giving out the Gospel that we received. The Bible says there’s much more to the stewardship of the LORD’s resources (Matthew 25).
RECEIVING and GIVING in God’s Word expands far being saved and giving others the Word.
Every disciple is to give his life to the LORD as Jesus came and gave His life freely to saved us (Luke 14:33; 17:33; 19:27; John 12:23-25, etc.). BUT first that life, eternal life, is to RECEIVE from Christ and we give it back to Him.
There is no giving until we have received of the hand of God.
“ALL THINGS COME of THEE and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
Have we really given our lives to Christ who gave all if we don’t have a giving heart and hand?
There are seriously some people who HATE giving. They blame their refusal to be generous givers on the many false prophets who have made merchandise of them and many others. Also, they are greed driven hoarders who don’t want anyone suggesting that they should be cheerful, generous givers.
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Read that passage again and note that there is no “foundation against the time to come (eternal judgment),” no laying “hold on eternal life” if one doesn’t have saving faith, whereby he would otherwise be a giver. And everyone has something to give—just as the widow with the 2 mites (Mark 12:41-44). She gave all she had and Jesus honored it and yet did not honor those who gave a token tip, small percentages of what they possessed.
Every saint is to give of his substance, as he has received of God, so he is to give with a cheerful heart (Matthew 10:8; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Ephesians 4:28, etc.).
It seems that the hoarding covetous, greed driven among us are possessed with deep hatred at the idea of giving. Their earthly gold is their god and they have rejected Christ (Matthew 6:21-24; Philippians 3:18-19). They have a deep and dark issue. Luke 12 and 16.
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Ephesians 5:5
“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3:18-19
The following scathing rebuke was sent to a woman who denies that God has a plan in place to compensate the men, the elders He has prepared and called out to “labour in the word and doctrine.”
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18
You have no biblical clue on this topic. It’s obvious from such a false statement.
Have you ever read, studied 1 Corinthians 9?
You’ve placed your personal issues above the Word of God which He has magnified above His own holy name and are in need of repentance (Psalms 138:2).
Were the Levites compensated? Yes.
So you like that the men who are prepared and ordained and sent out by God, to do the infinitely most important and only eternal work in the earth starve, and their families as well? Repent now.
Not one thing they state in arguing against Christ’s ministers being compensated undoes, negates the following Bible truth, facts:
1 Corinthians 9
Paul Surrenders His Rights
1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Many are biblically illiterate on this topic and yet argue in their ignorance (Proverbs 18:13). Note that they will say things like:
“Paul worked and said for them to follow his example. We are NOT in the Old Testament.”
Paul specifically refers in the New Testament to the Old Testament divine pattern of God-called elders who wait upon and serve the LORD and His people to be compensated—for doing the most important and only eternal work in the earth. Paul ties together and builds on his argument by drawing from the divine pattern as it was with Levites, the Levitical priesthood.
“Say I these things as a man? or SAITH NOT THE LAW THE SAME ALSO?” 1 Corinthians 9:8
“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:13-14
“9:13 Paul next introduces the argument from the support of those who served in the Jewish temple. Those who had official duties in connection with the temple service were supported from the income the temple received. In this sense they lived off the things of the temple. Also, the priests themselves who served at the altar were given a certain portion of the offerings that were brought to the altar. In other words, both the Levites, who had the ordinary duties around the temple, and the priests, to whom were entrusted the more sacred duties, were alike supported for their service.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Under the Old Covenant, the giving of the people went to the ordained set-apart full time ministers, servants of the LORD—the Levites, the Levitical priesthood. Paul brings that pattern into New Testament giving, supplying for the work of the LORD.
“And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.” Numbers 18:21
Clearly in his discourse on the compensation of God-called ministers, Paul is referring to this provision the LORD made for His servants under the Old Covenant in the middle of declaring and arguing that such is to be so under the New Covenant, in this time of the Church.
“Say I these things as a man? or SAITH NOT THE LAW THE SAME ALSO? … 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:8, 13-14
It is quite an indictment some dare level against God to say that He had, has a plan to call out and use His elders to feed and equip His blood bought flock and somehow has no plans, no provisions to provide for them. Nonsense. The LORD is the One who declared that “the labourer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7). Oh and He needed not nor asked for the puny permission of any mere sinner, man.
There was no money in the New Testament Scriptures collected to build a separate “church” building. The money went to the believers in need (the poor), elders teaching sound doctrine, etc. (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; Romans 15:26; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, etc.). Also, we discussed that the highest paid elders are to be “they who labour in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17-18). They are a type of New Testament full time servants of the LORD and His people—such as were the Levites, the Levitical priesthood under the Old Testament who were set apart to seek God and serve His people.
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18
It’s interesting that you are not arguing that plumbers, accountants, attorneys, teachers, etc., should not be compensated for their work. Wow. That’s the spirit of antichrist in you, make no mistake.
Your thinking is very convoluted at best, speaking of things being twisted. The King James Bible is the pure preserved Word of God (Psalms 12:6-7). Paul established as did Jesus that the workman of the Gospel is worthy of his hire. This is irrefutable. The way the individual works out his own salvation with fear and trembling is between him and God (Philippians2:12-13).
Clearing Up the Confusion
The lengths some go to in order to dismiss their clear teaching of Scripture is telling, revealing their are antichrists who are speaking against the Word of God. Notice these same people who want God’s pastoral oxen starved out, removed from their posts have never argued that plumbers, accountants, teachers, and doctors, etc. should provide their own way, to refuse to be paid for what they do. Yet what those laborers do is a temporal work, an infinitely inferior work compared to those God calls out to do the most important and only eternal work transpiring in the earth. Repent now.
The abuse of some, of wolves, in no way negates the LORD’s plain teaching that His workers are to be compensated.
“The labourer is worthy of his hire.” Luke 10:7
God’s pattern of the Levites continues:
“Say I these things as a man? or SAITH NOT THE LAW THE SAME ALSO?” 1 Corinthians 9:8
Paul uses the illustration of how the military are worthy of their hire—to be compensated for carrying out their duties to provide protection for a nation.
“Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?” 1 Corinthians 9:7
“Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges?” In other words WHO within the military comes home from war and has to pay the bill he incurred by defending our nation? Does the USA give a bill to its military when they return from war? Such would be ludicrous and yet you foolishly suggest that men called to the infinitely most important warfare for the souls of men should be forced to fund their own way? God plainly disagrees.
To continue to make his point Paul then argues: “Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof?” Yet you argue that those who plant gardens should refrain from eating of the fruits of that garden? And those who feed their flocks should not be able to drink of the milk of that flock.
Greedy, hoarding counterfeits hate the instruction to give. They have a death grip on their temporal trinkets and rusted gold which will be their eternal undoing (Luke 12, 16). Eternal damnation awaits (Ephesians 5:5).
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