Deliverance from False Obligation
WHEN you minister the Word and someone rejects you, they are really rejecting CHRIST in you! Don’t get upset, “REJOICE” !!!!
THE WAY SOME CHRISTIANS PRESENT THE LORD AND HIS GOSPEL TODAY IS SO VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE LORD, HIS PROPHETS, HIS APOSTLES, AND THE EARLY CHURCH. TODAY, MANY ACT LIKE THE ALMIGHTY OWES SINNERS SOMETHING. THEY DEAL WITH OTHERS AS IF GOD IS SOME KIND OF A SAP AND IS BEGGING PEOPLE TO COME INTO HIS KINGDOM. EXCUSE ME …. WHILE I GIGGLE, AND FROWN! ALL REBELS NEED GOD – HE DOESN’T NEED THEM!!!!
“But foolish and unlearned questions AVOID, knowing that they do gender strifes.” 2 Timothy 2:23
IN LIGHT of this instruction from the LORD, are there times when we attempt to answer questions that divert us from preaching God’s truth to the lost? Is Satan routing us away from the core issue that all men have – sin? Is the enemy hindering us from giving them the Law to convict them of their sins as we are told to do in 1 Timothy 1? Do we ever see Jesus or His apostles entertaining or answering questions such as, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Are not rebellious hearts the ones who demand to know such answers in order to condemn God and cloak their own sin? Why would we think that God owes them an answer?
Obviously, people who are sincerely seeking the truth ask questions too. Answering questions is the open doorway to communicate the Law and Gospel which will convict and bring salvation. Christians should wisely discern between those seeking answers and those who are not interested in repenting. It is this writer’s humble opinion that far too much time is spent preparing to and answering questions that are “foolish questions” and that we should obey God’s instruction in 2 Timothy 2:23 to “avoid … foolish and unlearned questions.” Note – “foolish” AND “unlearned.” Perhaps “foolish” refers to a question that is coming out of a mocker in ridicule, while “unlearned” refers to a question from someone who is unlearned at the time yet perhaps sincerely seeking. Even “unlearned”questions are to be avoided according to 2 Timothy 2:23.
The way an “unlearned” question can be avoided is to springboard off their question into the truth they desperately need in order to bring conviction of sin and salvation to that soul (Psalms 19:7). May God grant His true saints His wisdom!
Typical Foolish Questions
Someone has stated:
“Why do bad things happen to good people? Well, it has only happened once, and He volunteered!”
The father of lies is laughing as so many Christians unwisely follow mere misled men who call themselves apologists.
The following question is commonly asked by those who seek to divert attention from their own personal and core problem – sin:
“What about the people who have never heard the Gospel? Is God going to send them to hell too?”
A good way to handle this question can be to quote 2 Peter 3:9 which states: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3) (AMEN!)
Do we honestly think that people who are truly seeking would ever ask such a question? I doubt it. Yet, much of ministry today that calls itself “apologetic”, wastes huge amounts of time and resources trying to answer this question and other “foolish questions” which the LORD told us to “avoid.”
The Almighty has given all men life, untold blessings, and His only begotten Son. This is all spelled out plainly in His creation, in their conscience, and in the Gospel or Good News of Jesus Christ. What more does He owe them?
When was the last time you saw someone who asked one of these “foolish questions”get saved after they received an answer from an apologist or Christian? You see, it’s the Word of God by which we are “born again” and it’s the law of the LORD that is perfect and that converts the souls of men (1 Peter 1:23; Psalms 19:7). It’s the very Word of God that never returns to Him void and always accomplishes that for we He sends it forth and not our explanation to a foolish question asked by a rebel.
“The Secret Things”
The very use of the term “secret things” by our LORD reveals that there are some things He will not reveal to mere men; especially not in this life. He most certainly will not reveal the deeper things to the rebellious.
“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29
Some who demand to know more than is fitting for a mere human, have not learned the critical foundation doctrine of fearing God in humility and wisdom. They cloak their rebellion and pride behind their requests to know more (Proverbs 1; Romans 2:1-7). They act as if God owes them the answer that they have already come up with. Have you ever met someone who acted like God owed them something? The very God who is their Creator and the Judge of their eternal soul?
“Nothing in life is insignificant or trivial when weighed in the balance of eternal justice.” FB Meyer
Romans 1 and 2 will offer great insight into the rebellion of sinful men against God. Part of what He says here is that all men have His truth in their conscience, know He exist, know His wrath is upon those who refuse to obey the truth, and that they are “without excuse.”
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold (surpress) the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: … Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.” Romans 1:18-20; 2:1-11
God has given all men more than enough for them to act on and get right with Him. He owes them nothing more.
Also, we must reckon with the truth that there is only one Savior and He is Jesus, not us.We cannot even save ourselves, much less someone else.
We are responsible to give others God’s Word and yet, only God can bless and save them.
Scott Alderman writes:
“The Gospel is a two-edged sword. People will either accept it or run away from it in anger. It’s not you Trudi. Here’s an example from the Bible. When Jesus raised Lazarus, He told men to roll the stone away, then He raised Lazarus. You’re doing your part. You’re rolling away the stone. It’s not up to you to raise the dead. If they are going to be raised, He will do it. Just keep rolling away the stones, relax, and don’t get discouraged. If the dead are going to rise, it will be His work. There’s absolutely nothing you can do, and there is great comfort in that.”
“Shake Off the Dust!”
I often find myself speaking straight to sinners who make excuses and throw questions out as a smokescreen for their own rebellion. I say “God owes you nothing. You are drowning in the beauty of His creation and breathing HIS air that keeps you alive. He made you and you will stand before Him to be judged. You need God, He doesn’t need you!”
“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick (refuses the truth) after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Titus 3:9-11
The disciple of Jesus should communicate God’s truth in love and yet never coddle the unrepentant in their sins (Proverbs 16:6; Ephesians 4:15).
For years I operated under the false assumption that it was MY duty to make sure everyone got saved. Yet, as the LORD has and is continuing to teach my heart, it becomes more and more clear that such a notion is false, and a false obligation. Before you ever met that person you are trying to lead to Jesus, the LORD has been convicting them and in most cases, had someone else minister to them. The Holy Spirit has been at work. So, we should give them His Word but never play into the scheme of sin and Satan that seeks to draw us in to this deceptive, false obligation. The LORD says in Romans 1:18-20 that all men have His truth in their consciences and in by the testimony of His creation, and that they are “without excuse.”
Jesus told us that if men refuse to receive the Gospel message, we are to “shake off the dust” and move on.
“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” Matthew 10:14
Beloved, God is not going to beg any soul to take Him up on this most grand privilege that He procured for us in His blessed Gospel. Since God is not going to beg any soul to be saved from sin and hell, we should not beg them either, nor should we pander to their rebellion, which they cloak behind their “foolish and unlearned questions.” The LORD commands us to “avoid” these foolish diversions (2 Timothy 2:23).
There’s even a time to shake off the dust and depart from religious folks who refuse biblical truth, especially in the foundational or major doctrines of the Christian faith. Jesus told His apostles to let the false leaders of His day alone.
“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matthew 15:14
We are responsible to give others God’s Word in love. We are not responsible to believe for them. God requires that of them. There are no grandchildren in His kingdom.
Beware of Dogs and Swine
One sister in Christ admitted:
“I also have wasted too much time on people who had NO interest in the Gospel thereby throwing precious pearls to swine.” Carol Z.
The LORD also tells us never to give the good things of God to the “swine” or rebels. This clearly reveals that He won’t allow them to have those good truths and blessings anyway, so why, O why, would we waste His time trying to give His blessed truth to the rebellious who refuse to repent after being shown His truth? If we do try to force the issue, will they not use them against us in the end?
“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:6
Dogs and swine are the most despised and lowest form of God’s creation, especially in middle-east culture. This is why Jesus used them here.
You are ONLY responsible for your own soul as far as the decision to repent, worship, trust, and obey the LORD is concerned. Every single individual is responsible to obey God. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that others don’t have the same full access to the LORD as you do. Yes, teach all men all these things and preach the Gospel as He commanded, but never think that you are obligated to go beyond what He has told us. Make a decision right now to never live under the spell of false obligation again. Read Ezekiel 3, 18, and 33. Much will be revealed to you concerning the individual responsibility God gives every single soul.
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. … 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” Ezekiel 18:4, 20
Secret and Revealed Things are Exclusively for those Who Love God
“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” Proverbs 25:14
The LORD has chosen to give men understanding according to their faith in Him. He gives enough light for men to trust Him. If they choose not to, they lose even that light of understanding. This is what Jesus taught in His parable of the sower and the Word which is a teaching found in each of the three synoptic Gospels (Matthew 13; Mark 4: Luke 8).
“And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables.” Mark 4:11
God will give further light (understanding) only as the individual’s heart seeks Him. As the true servant of Christ embarks upon seeking His face, the veil is lifted little by little.
“But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail (that blinds our understanding) shall be taken away.” 2 Corinthians 3:14-16
God never promised to reveal all mysteries or knowledge and understanding to men. For now, “we see through a glass darkly.”
“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:9-12
The LORD requires faith – that we believe Him at His Word. – “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
The promise of greater understanding is ours for the seeking:
“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.” Proverbs 2:1-7
All the treasures of Heaven’s knowledge are found exclusively in the crucified and risen Son of God sent from Heaven (Colossians 1-2).
“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. … For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:2-3, 9-10
As we with “open face” behold our LORD Jesus, He is changing us into His holy “image from glory to glory” or from one level of understanding and maturity to the next.
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I ask You to remove from my heart and thinking, any notion of false obligation towards others. Make my heart whole that I might love without dissimulation with Your pure love. Thank You for dying for me Jesus and I now praise You afresh that You are the Resurrection and the Life! Teach me Thy holy ways O LORD! Amen Jesus!
https://youtu.be/fd4yBMP7EJw
Articles
The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]
What exactly does the Bible mean by the phrase “the sure mercies of David”?
The divine guarantee in Christ is that God’s mercies are upon your life, is available to you – as His divine mercies were upon the beloved David, from whose lineage came the promised Messiah. This grants no license for sin, which leads to judgment – now and forever (Romans 11:20-22; Hebrews 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21). God’s mercy in no way negates the biblical truth that we must all reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8).
Biblical examples of Sinful People God Forgave:
- Adam and Eve (Genesis 3).
- David (2 Samuel 11-12; Psalms 51).
- The prodigal son (Luke 15).
- One of the two men who stood before the LORD to pray (Luke 18:9-14).
- Peter (Matthew 26:26-69, Luke 22:31-32; John 21:15-17).
- Thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43).
- Woman taken in adultery (John 8).
- The fornicator in Corinth (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2).
According to Ezekiel 16:8-13 and many other Bible passages, God takes care of His beloved people.
Just as was the case with our earthly parents, so God took care of us, of you, when you couldn’t take care of yourself, He, your loving heavenly Father was there, tenderly taking care of you.
“Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine. 9 Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. 10 I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk. 11 I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. 12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. 13 Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.” Ezekiel 16:8-13
The LORD saved Paul as an example to us – to every vile sinner to be born thereafter.
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:15-17
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
IF God forgave David and told you that in Christ you have “the sure mercies of David,” why wouldn’t He freely forgive you? (Isaiah 55:3-4; Acts 13:34) If God forgave the fornicator of 1 Corinthians 5 in 2 Corinthians 2, WHY wouldn’t He freely forgive your sins? Return to Him, confess all sin, forget the past, and “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
The “sure mercies of David” are exclusively reserved for those who are in Christ!
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34
What is meant by the phrase we read in God’s Word “the sure mercies of David”?
“Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.” Isaiah 55:3-4
“55:2-5 In its alienation from God, Israel has been wasting its energy and resources. True satisfaction and lasting pleasure are found only in the Lord. If Israel returns to the Lord, they will receive all the sure mercies promised to David in the everlasting covenant (see Psa_89:3-4, Psa_89:28-29). These blessings are fulfilled in the Lord Jesus and in His glorious reign. The Gentile nations, too, will share in the benefits of the kingdom, and there will be amicable relations between Israel and the nations.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“the sure mercies of David” … yes those words definitely are so beautiful….. when we realize how wicked we are, we will find no stone to cast at any other. Instead we will send out the life saving message of “the sure mercies of David” which are in Christ.
UNTIL, as an individual, you begin to realize just how wicked you really are, you will never begin to appreciate what our KING and Savior did on that cross!
Read this verse carefully:
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13
Recently, someone asked me what is meant by “mercy rejoiceth against judgment”? Reply: God’s mercy is greater than the judgment of sin…… His mercy is powerfully forgiving. The LORD would clearly rather bestow His mercy upon sinners than His judgment.
“But God commendeth (exhibited) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
All men have sinned against our Maker and yet the LORD is so very good that He “gave his only begotten Son” to be sacrificed for “the sins of the whole world” so that none “should perish” (John 3:16-17; 1 John 2:1-2; 2 Peter 3:9).
I love this verse which puts it all in perspective…. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Stay in the mirror – the Word. When we are not in the Word we forget just how wicked WE are, how in desperate need WE are of God’s mercy, and that’s when we judge others when we should be extending that bless-ed divine mercy upon them.
“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass (mirror): 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty (Gospel), and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:23-25
God freely forgives His people on the basis of Christ’s perfect sacrifice…. and requires that we forgive all others as He freely forgives unworthy sinners like us on behalf of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. We are unworthy in and of ourselves. Jesus’ righteousness alone provides for our salvation, the justification of God.
If God were not a forgiving God who restores the backslidden, NOT EVEN ONE of us would still be alive and headed for eternal glory.
It takes no less than to read Jesus’ 3 parables which make up Luke 15 to witness this glorious truth concerning His great mercy! Read it afresh with the restorational love of our God in mind!
Well, most of us would admit that we are not sinless… and sin is sin…. because God is holy….. and so we should have no stone of condemnation to cast at anyone except ourselves for any sin we committed in the past 😉
“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” Luke 6:37
Does God forgive all sins? Yes, all except one…
“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” Matthew 12:31-32
Well Judas committed perhaps the worst sin in history by betraying Christ and yet Jesus offered him mercy but he refused it.
Note that even in the midst of Judas betraying the innocent Son of God, Jesus called Judas, the traitor “friend.” This would clearly convey that Christ had his forgiveness in mind, had the desire to restore him.
“And Jesus said unto him, FRIEND, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” Matthew 26:50
Of this verse where even while betraying the LORD Jesus, He refers to Judas as His “friend” or companion, Adam Clarke writes:
“Jesus said – Friend – Rather, companion, wherefore, rather, against whom art thou come? How must these words have cut his very soul, if he had any sensibility left! Surely, thou, who hast so long been my companion, art not come against me, thy Lord, Teacher and Friend! What is the human heart not capable of, when abandoned by God, and influenced by Satan and the love of money!”
God’s Word informs us that the LORD will love us all the way into hell if we choose to refuse to turn back to Him. Nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love (not life) of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39.) We see such unconditional love extended from the Savior upon the very man who was previously His close companion, one hand picked by the LORD Jesus and promised an eternal throne (Matthew 19:28). All men are given free will – till they die (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15, etc.). Instead of turning back to the Lamb of Glory before it was too late, Judas chose to kiss the Gate of Heaven and turn and plunge headlong into eternal hell (Acts 1:25).
God’s love is unconditional but His acceptance is not. | The Truth about Judas
“I would have been eternally lost if not for Jesus’ parable in Luke 15…O, may the prodigal, lost in this world, hear the good news, turn, and repent before its too late. O the tender mercies of God!” Jon Crane
As we see illustrated in Luke 15, RE-TURNING, turning back to God (repentance) is always the answer (Hosea 14:1-2). Denying such a need simply prolongs the separation and the misery of being in sin (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23). Just ask the prodigal son in Luke 15. Take a fresh look at the before and after on his life! Our loving heavenly Father, His mercy and desire to restore the fallen is so beautifully depicted in the three parables which makes up Luke 15.
Take a look at what our glorious LORD and Savior is depicting, is showing each of us in His parables of the lost sheep, silver, and son.
Mankind is already fallen, condemned, and separated from Him in sin. Never forget beloved that Jesus came to save and not to destroy! That’s His stated desire and will (Psalms 86:5, 15; Luke 9:56; 19:10; John 3:17; 1 Timothy 1:15, etc.).
ALL sin is first and foremost committed against God, not man. God is the only law giver who determines what sin is (James 4:11-12).
ANY sin one would commit is first and foremost against our Maker, God Himself.
“Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” Psalms 51:4
God is the only One who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).
David is forever a trophy of God, set forth with the characteristic of the Messiah….. and yet, like all men, he fell, and was shown mercy….. in this we take heart and are forged with confidence by this example that if God forgave David, He will surely forgive and show mercy upon my life…. the key is to have a heart after God, which causes us to be honest and repent and confess all sin (Ps. 51).
“And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.” Acts 13:34
The promise of “the sure mercies of David”
“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” Revelation 22:16
“The sure mercies of David” are secure to us in Christ because they are from our loving merciful God who forgive the beloved David.
God’s people are commanded to forgive others, to show them mercy toward, upon others as God has showed us His mercy in our sin.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
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Articles
Following Christ’s Great Commission Command [podcast]
The future belongs exclusively to Jesus Christ and His followers. Read the book of Revelation!
“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
Is your hand on “the plough” – that which God has called you to do in His kingdom work? Have you looked back?
“Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Colossians 4:17
Have you grown weary in well doing?
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
Are you obeying God by forgetting, by putting behind you the past – good and bad? Declare aloud in prayer before the LORD today: “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16
GOD WILL REWARD ACCORDINGLY
“And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” John 4:36
ALL WHO PARTICIPATE IN GOD’S WORK WILL BE EQUALLY REWARDED!!!
DO YOUR MISSION. Colossians 4:17
Think about this…..
Every laborer of Christ, no matter what small part he plays in God’s work, will be equally rewarded.
“For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24
Are we praying this specific prayer?
Whatever you do, never cease to preach Christ’s original Gospel!
The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
Being kingdom minded means that your life is all about King Jesus and you are living a life of prayer, busy about the ¨Father´s business¨, waiting with baited breath to jump in and engage in and support the teaching, preaching, spreading, the communication of God´s Word – fulfilling the Great Commission Jesus gave us (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20).
Whose business are you about today – Christ´s or your own?
The answer to this question plainly reveals which kingdom you are in – Christ´s or Satan´s. The remnant body of Christ is all about the ¨Father´s business.¨ (Luke 2:49)
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Abiding
Chosen, Ordained, Joyfully Fruitful [podcast]
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16
- “Ye have not chosen me”
- “I have chosen you”
- “and ordained you”
- “that ye should go and bring forth fruit”
- “and that your fruit should remain”
Of this truth, the Believer’s Bible Commentary notes the following:
“15:16 Lest there be any tendency for them to become discouraged and give up, Jesus reminded them that He was the One who chose them. This may mean that He chose them to eternal salvation, to discipleship, or to fruitfulness. He had appointed the disciples to the work which lay before them. We should go and bear fruit. Fruit may mean the graces of the Christian life, such as love, joy, peace, etc. Or it may mean souls won for the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a close link between the two. It is only as we are manifesting the first kind of fruit that we will ever be able to bring forth the second.
The expression “that your fruit should remain” leads us to think that fruit here means the salvation of souls. The Lord chose the disciples to go and bring forth lasting fruit. He was not interested in mere professions of faith in Himself, but in genuine cases of salvation. L. S. Chafer notes that in this chapter we have prayer effectual (v. 7), joy celestial (v. 11), and fruit perpetual (v. 16). “That whatever you ask … .” The secret of effective service is prayer. The disciples were sent forth with the guarantee that the Father would grant them whatever they asked in Christ’s name.”
Adam Clarke writes;
“The first ministers of the Gospel were the choice of Jesus Christ; no wonder, then, that they were so successful. Those whom men have since sent, without the appointment of God, have done no good. The choice should still continue with God, who, knowing the heart, knows best who is most proper for the Gospel ministry.
To be a genuine preacher of the Gospel, a man must –
1. Be chosen of God to the work.
2. He must be placed in the true vine – united to Christ by faith.
3. He must not think to lead an idle life, but labor.
4. He must not wait till work be brought to him, but he must go and seek it.
5. He must labor so as to bring forth fruit, i.e. to get souls converted to the Lord.
6. He must refer all his fruit to God, who gave him the power to labor, and blessed him in his work.
7. He must take care to water what he has planted, that his fruit may remain – that the souls whom he has gathered in be not scattered from the flock.
8. He must continue instant in prayer, that his labors may be accompanied with the presence and blessing of God – Whatsoever ye shall Ask.
9. He must consider Jesus Christ as the great Mediator between God and man, proclaim his salvation, and pray in his name. – Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, etc. See Quesnel.”
God alone ordains His people to His work and brings them through many purging seasons to cause His fruitfulness in them, preparing them to bear more of His fruit. God chose us and blessed us with the ability to repent and receive Christ. As His people, He’s also ordained us to “go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”
As we read this discourse from our LORD (John 15 and 17), we discover that He is speaking of that abiding fellowship we have with Him, and how out of it is borne the good fruit of His ministry in and through our life.
Being rooted in that oneness, the abiding relationship with Christ, is all-important to our relationship with Him and the Father. As his student, His disciple, may the reader be encouraged to pour prayerfully over these truths captured, and given to us in John, chapters 15 and 17.
Isaiah 43
“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5 Fear not: for I am with thee … “
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, please make me one with You. Please deeply root and establish my life in an abiding fellowship with You dear LORD.
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