Should Christians be in the Military? Is Being in the Military a Sin?

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

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

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

Written by a disciple who is a Marine veteran, with full respect to the final divine authority of the Word of God (Romans 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Imagine a World without Law and Order

Third world countries are full of anarchy, unbridled crime, and danger. This is due to the lack of proper God-ordained civil government (Romans 13; 1 Peter 2:14-15).

Recently I listened to a video from a preacher who is saying that it’s a sin for a Christian to go into the military. Is that true?

” … work out YOUR OWN salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

May God bless us to work out our own salvation and cease attempting to meddle in the affairs of others, their own God-given liberty, lest He call us a “busybodies.” (2 Thessalonians 3:11; 1 Timothy 5:13)

If a house is broken into, it is the duty of the husband, the father, the man, to defend his family and estate. And, there will be no guilt in the eyes of God for doing so! Read Exodus 22:1-3; Luke 22:36. In fact, what kind of a “man” wouldn’t defend his own family?

If a nation is attacked by another nation, namely on its own homeland, it is the duty of that civil government to protect its people and for the men of that nation to be involved in that defensive effort.

Did you realize that the police are the domestic MILITARY of our nation? They certainly are and what is their God-given purpose as “God’s ministers”? – “the punishment of evildoers.” (Romans 13:6; 1 Peter 2:13-14)

To say that joining the military for mainly foreign purposes is evil, is to say that being a policeman is in sin. Both have the divine purpose of protection of its people by punishing “evildoers” because God’s stated desire for society is that it be “quiet and peaceable” in contrast to anarchy (1 Peter 2:13-14;1 Timothy 2:1-3).

Serving God or mammon is the context of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:19-24, not being in the military. This has nothing to do with being a civilian or being in the military. It applies to all men – military or civilian. So evil minions have used war to make money BUT so have civilian, non-military minions. Think about that in light of this video message.

Keep in mind that there is a proper use of force, of military – for the divinely ordained purpose – “For the punishment of evildoers.”

“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF EVILDOERS, and for the praise of them that do well.” 1 Peter 2:13-14

God Himself ordained family, the church, and civil government. Civil government is specifically ordained “for the punishment of evildoers.” (1 Peter 2:13-14; Romans 13). “Evildoers” are to be punished and such a duty is assigned by God to civil authorities. The civil government, as the LORD has ordained it, is “For the punishment of evildoers,” namely within the jurisdiction of an individual country….to protect the citizens from foreign and domestic enemies, “evildoers.”

Didn’t God send His people into foreign lands to destroy, to kill? Yes? Why? It was for His protective purposes because of His love for His beloved people. In this video, the presenter is meddling, talking out of turn, and out of context, instead of letting each individual believer work out HIS OWN salvation with fear and trembling before the LORD (Philippians 2:12-13).

Notice the bookshelf positioning of his (the video presenter’s) stage. Be not deceived: books make no one wise. Only GOD can do that. Having knowledge does not make one wise. Only God can instill wisdom in a man.

To say that a Christian should not be in the military due to ungodliness would mean that no Christian should leave home, definitely not work for a secular company.

Should we not allow GOD to work in the individual lives of HIS people – that He bought with HIS precious blood – and not meddle with non-essentials, with God-given liberties afforded to each individual saint of Christ? (Romans 14) | Liberty in Non-Essentials

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4

Example of the foolishness: In his video, he uses the idea that military men will have to submit to women military leaders and so for that reason no Christian man would ever join the military. Apparently, and sadly, this man doesn’t yet realize that the civil military is not the church. Very novice. Let cross examine: Just as there are women in leadership in the military, so there are even many more times the women in leadership in the secular world. So, should every Christian who has a female boss in the civilian world quit? Are they in sin? No. They just need to have a mature biblical perspective and realize that the whole world – weather civilian or military – is presently under the dominion of Satan and so it doesn’t matter if your boss is male or female (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1-3, etc.). The Bible is speaking of THE CHURCH environment when it says to “suffer not a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man.” (1 Timothy 2:11-12) That doesn’t apply to the secular work world or a military environment. Rightly divide please. The whole world is a kingdom of sinners and not under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. So, being that they are not the body of Christ, they live according to the god of this world (Satan) and we are there to reach them with the Gospel. Salt and light must “GO ye INTO ALLLLL (that includes the military) the world” to “preach the gospel to EVERY creature,” right? (Mark 16:15)

Failure to assimilate and rightly divide the whole of Scripture: Notice that the presenter in this video is saying that the military is full of sinners and under evil leadership. SO is the whole world, the non-military, the civilian people in this fallen world! And what did Paul say of such? He said in order to get away from all the sinners, we would have to leave this world. But we are to be the salt of the earth, the light of Christ to shine to them, to lead them to Jesus. Running and hiding from everything and everyone is cowardly and not Christlike or according to His instructions, His Great Commission mandate.

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16

Believers are to judge those within the professing body of Christ – NOT those outside of it – whom GOD will judge.

“For what have I to do to judge them also that are WITHOUT (the unsaved)? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without (the lost) God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

Did you catch that? Read it again. Paul is saying that Christ’s disciples are not to judge “them … that are without” or outside Christ’s kingdom. Let’s wake up.

When Scripture speaks of coming out from among them, it is speaking mainly of the way we live, not necessary always physically removing oneself. If you are weak, immature in Christ, the LORD is not going to send you on a mission that requires a mature man in Christ. If you are that rare mature man in Christ, He may send you on such missions as require maturity.

Whether in the civilian world or in the military, just because others around us sin, in no way means we are forced to sin just because others are sinning. “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:9) Those who are weak in the faith will be influenced to sin and so should stay clear – because they are not ready for such a mission.

If the military is evil in and of itself, WHY did Paul use it as an illustration for the life of a disciple of Jesus? – “endure hardness, as A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST.” (2 Timothy 2:3) See also 1 Corinthians 9 “No man that WARRETH….”

“The LORD is a man of WAR.” Exodus 15:3

Can and does God only move and work among civilians and not those in the military?

Thank God for the Christian brother who in Marine Corp boot camp planted the Word of God into my heart, the seed of the Gospel, in word and deed (the way he lived), which led to my being saved. Jesus be praised that this man didn’t have this flimsy, run for the hills, hide in a bunker, “Touch not; taste not; handle not” cop out perspective (Colossians 2:21). Instead, he went boldly into the midst of the military to make Christ know! The LORD used him mightily!

Jesus warns us of the deceivers among us posing as being godly while being devouring wolves who are the most dangerous, not the rank heathen who need to be saved in the military or the secular world. When Jesus walked the earth, Jerusalem and many of the places He ministered were under Roman military occupation and it was the religious Jews (professing believers) who had the greater sin when they delivered Jesus into the hands of the Romans to be killed. – “Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath THE GREATER SIN. “ (John 19:11)

Did Jesus ever condemn the military? Not once. In fact, He healed the ear of a military man named Malchus whose ear Peter cut off, right? (Luke 22:50-51; John 18:10-11) What about Cornelius, a military soldier who was of the Italian band? Didn’t Jesus send Peter to get him saved? Yes (Acts 10-11).

If the military is all about money, and much of it has been, SO IS THE REST OF THIS WHOLE FALLEN WORLD. So the point of this video message is a ridiculous conflation.

The unsaved cannot possibly serve God and so until they are saved, they WILL serve mammon. That’s why the body of Christ is here – to bring them to Christ. The reality is that anyone reading these words who works for a company in this world, unless the ownership is truly Christian, is working for a company that is all about money. Let’s be wise in our assessments and not just believe something because someone staged a video about a topic.

In this video, he’s conflating things out of proper context, not taking in the whole of the matter (Proverbs 18:13). Think about it: Just because some in the military do evil, doesn’t mean all military personnel are that way or agree to that evil. If, according to this man, Jesus’ disciples aren’t to go into the military they also shouldn’t go out into this secular, sinful world. Being a civilian is just as evil according to him, because there are even more wicked non-military, civilian personnel. So, since there are many, even more wicked non-military personnel, then do people now need to denounce that they are civilian, stop being a civilian? See the point?

This speaker speaks as though we presently have wars being waged for money. Not so. God threw a monkey wrench into history named Donald Trump. So, this speaker fails to mention that under trump the military is in better hands than the previous puppet presidents who perpetuated endless wars for money and other evil NWO dealings. Since the beginning of his term, Trump has begun to bring home the military and continues to do so by the tens of thousands. Unlike the previous luciferian presidents, namely the last 4-5, Trump has started not 1 war nor been engaged in any conflict or war.

Much of modern war has been about money but that’s sin to the handlers, not the individual military men (Individual accountability: Deuteronomy 24:16; Ezekiel 18).

Being in the military doesn’t equal loving mammon. Keep in mind that military pay is minimal, very low. It would seem that most people can earn more money outside of the military.

Also keep in mind that there is a proper use of force, of military action, including killing someone if needed…. Romans 13; 1 Peter 2:13-14…. to punish evil doers, namely within the jurisdiction of an individual country….to protect the citizens from foreign and domestic enemies, “evildoers”. This is the stated divine purpose of civil governments (1 Peter 2:13-14).

Under trump the military is in better hands, is being pulled out of foreign wars, etc. The previous NWO (both Bush’s, Clinton, Obama, etc.) luciferian puppet presidents perpetuated endless wars for money and other evil NWO dealings. They were all satanists. Trump is not. I didn’t say he’s saved. I simply said he’s not an avowed satanist and seeks to do the right thing for this nation.

Just because someone stands up and preaches a message, does not mean that you have to believe it, to buy it without thoroughly comparing his points to the whole of Holy Scripture (Acts 17:10-11). It’s the mind of Christ on the matter that matters and such can only be apprehended by way of thoroughly studying, knowing, and understanding the whole of Scripture. Only then can we rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17).

Many times, wrong assessments like this one addressed in this post come out of our own self-righteousness, namely that of novices (1 Timothy 3:6).

The Second Amendment | Trump Needs Prayer | Government | America

The Most High Ruleth in the Kingdom of Men: Last Days Encouragement! MAY we be encouraged in our LORD today and always be reminded that GOD is in control.

Abiding

The Joy of God’s Word [podcast]

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.” Psalms 119:89

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

PRAYER: Heavenly Father please match and exceed every trial You allow me to go through with Your joy! For You said that the joy of the LORD is my strength! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

H.O.T. BIBLE STUDY [podcast]

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 Memorize 2 Timothy 2:15 today. Index card perhaps. Read it aloud over and over. YOU cannot personally know the ORIGINAL Gospel if you don’t study the naked truth of it for yourself beloved. KJB So very many today are deceived due to not studying God’s Word for themselves. They live for years with erroneous notions men told them. Instead of repenting and getting into the Word for themselves, many of them go to their graves having embraced […]

Teach the Bible [podcast]

JESUS IS COMING AND THE TRUE BODY OF CHRIST IS “HOLDING FORTH (BOLDLY DECLARING) THE WORD OF LIFE” “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:16 WHEN you speak God’s Word, you are speaking divine authority. “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:15 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing […]

The Majestic Eternal Word [podcast]

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21 Did you know that God has magnified His Word even above His holy name? “I will […]

Audios

Current Events and the Name of Jesus Christ [podcast]

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

IF we are praying God’s WORD in the name of JESUS CHRIST…. in His bless-ed humility, God is answering!

I don’t think we begin to realize the power that is in the name of Jesus Christ – and available exclusively to those who are HIS.

Memorize the word of our LORD Jesus recorded in John 14:13-14.

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

One commentator notes: “The universal fascination with knowing what is going on in the world has ancient roots. Knowing that Jesus is a well-known rabbi, some ask for his take on the hot news of the day. “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices” (Luke 13:1). Pilate, the governor, has executed some Jews while they were in the act of offering their sacrifices, mingling their blood with the animal blood. Jewish sentiment is likely strongly against Pilate, although some seem to be critical of the people who have suffered. Maybe they deserved it.”

End Times

America is Under Divine Judgment [podcast]

Chasing the American dream all the way to hell? Are you bowing before your Maker who came and died to save you from sin and this world? Or, are you bowing before “old glory—the red, white, and blue”? “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Revelation 3:17 Every person reading these very words is making his eternal bed in Heaven or in hell. “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near […]

WHAT is the Context of Fighting the Good Fight of Faith?

What was Paul speaking of when he declared that Christ’s disciples must “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses”? (1 Timothy 6:12) First off, it’s a “good fight” because we are going to win – yet only if we do things God’s way with no compromise. What do we fight against? What must we put under foot, conquer and reign victorious over? What did the Holy Spirit in Paul mean by fighting the good fight of faith? Think context. You have to […]

"Faith is the Substance of Things Hoped for"

If you don’t understand how your vehicle works, why do you still drive it? “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 Is there “substance,” that which is substantial in our faith in God? The Greek word from which “substance” is derived is hupostasis. Definition: hoop-os’-tas-is From a compound of G5259 and G2476; a setting under (support), that is, (figuratively) concretely essence, or abstractly assurance (objectively or subjectively): – confidence, confident, person, substance. In the times, the seasons of testings, of attack, we are undergirded, supported by the substantial presence, the […]

Fight, Finish, and Keep! FFK [podcast]

“Run that Ye May Obtain” (1 Corinthians 9:24) Prophetic perspective… ” Daniel 11: ” Daniel 12: Finishing Strong requires becoming weak in self (the cross) that Christ might reign supreme in us! (2 Corinthians 4:10-12; 12:9-10) Empowered by the Cross The Laid Down Life [podcast] https://safeguardyoursoul.com/the-laid-down-life/ run that ye may obtain podcast WHO are the only people to get free from sin? “For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7 Resurrection victory follows death and burial. Wolves can be known in that they don’t get their prey in the Word for themselves 2 Timothy […]

Articles

The Golden Rule Life: What’s that Really Mean? [podcast]

Thinking, Knowing, Applying, and Doing the Golden Rule of Jesus

Golden Rule living is the only way to live in glorification of our Maker. Spread this word. God calls you, yes you – to love Him supremely and to love your neighbor as you wish to be loved, treated (Matthew 7:12; 22:37-40; Philippians 2:3-5).

We must teach ourselves, our children and those around us the Golden Rule. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Jesus is coming.

“Golden Rule, precept in the Gospel of Matthew (7:12): ‘In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. . . .’ This rule of conduct is a summary of the Christian’s duty to his neighbour and states a fundamental ethical principle.” Unknown

Taken from the teachings of Jesus, the Golden Rule is summed up as ”treating others how you want to be treated” or, ”doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

WELCOME TO THE LAST DAYS! The self-worshiping false gospel being taught by the enemies of the cross of Christ is epidemic these days as was foretold (Philippians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-8; 4:2-5, etc.). Beware of the self-love they are teaching. It’s the “What’s in it for me” gospel of self-love. THIS CAUSES THEIR PREY TO WALK IN SELF-SERVING HATRED, MALICE, STRIFE, ETC., NOT GOD’S LOVE.

SOBERING! DO WE REALLY GET IT? Are you omitting love, charitable acts? How are you treating Christ’s body and servants? Ready to meet Jesus today? The way you are treating His body is the exact way you are treating Jesus (Matthew 25:40-41, 46).

The way we are treating others is the exact way we are treating Jesus – who created, died for, and rose again from the dead to save those people! If our relationship with Christ isn’t translating into the love of God filling us for others, we’re departed from Him and in need of swift repentance. Matt 7:12; 22:37-39

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40

“The way we treat others sets the standard of how we will be treated by God. And this includes receiving God’s gifts! Amen.” C.

If you aren’t respecting someone, you aren’t walking in God’s love toward them. Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12). Didn’t the LORD command us to treat others BETTER than ourselves (Philippians 2:3-5)? Would you like to be treated the way you are treating that person? Others?

“Treat others the way you want to be treated.” V.

Would you like to be treated the way you’re treating others? Golden Rule! Live it! Would you like to be neglected or inflicted as others have done to you?

Are you elevating other people ABOVE – “BETTER than” – yourself? This is the very “mind of Christ.”

THINKING, Applying, and Doing the Golden Rule of Jesus

Don’t want something done to you? Then don’t do it to someone else. Don’t want something thought about you? Then why think such about another person, especially if it’s not proven? Read Exodus 23:1-2. Don’t want something said about you (slander)? Then why believe the sowing of discord among the brethren which is an “abomination” to the LORD and the work of Satan himself, the accuser of Christ’s brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 12:10) …. MEASURE THIS!

Do you truly care for people or do you only care about what they can do for you?

This must be examined in each of our hearts.

If we care only about what others can do for us, we are Christ-less and should immediately seek Him in repentance and confession of our sins. He came and died for you and me with no guarantee we’d receive Him or with any other motive but to love us by paying the full price to redeem us from our sins in which we were otherwise hopelessly cemented.

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.” Romans 5:6-8

Instead of asking: “What’s in it for me,” we should always ask: “What’s in it for Jesus and others?”

Contrary to what we have been led to believe, we get NO “points” from God for “going to church” or for having a good record of “church attendance.” If this is true – and it sure is – why are we wasting precious time doing things God never told us to do while we leave the things He commanded us to do undone? How long shall we live outside of His will and yet still claim to be following Jesus – who gave all (John 15:13)? How long shall we allow the hirelings to exploit us with their weekly program that has never produced an ounce of discipleship in us? The divine command to “LOVE one another” appears 12 times in the New Testament. Do we truly LOVE our neighbor as ourselves? If so, then, like the earliest of Christ’s disciples, we do not consider that what we have in our possession is our own. Read, follow, and do Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35. Why should I have two coats when my brother or sister has none? …… Selah!

The ultimate expression of the Golden Rule was performed by the One who gave that Golden Rule.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

He who owed no debt to us, chose to pay the debt He did not owe – the debt we owed and could not pay. Sinners can’t redeem (pay the price) for sinners – only a perfect Savior could do that (Isaiah 53)! No man on earth was found qualified to redeem mankind but God sent His prophesied Savior, the very Son of God (Genesis 3:15; Ezekiel 22:30; John 3:16). | Redemption Through Sacrifice

Jesus Christ, the eternal God, came to the earth in fulfillment of over 300 Jewish prophecies, born of a virgin, to show us His Father’s love and to die the death that would redeem mankind. That is, the price for our sins was fully paid and whosoever will, can “Come and take of the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). The LORD still saves all who repent and receive Him as LORD and Savior (John 1:12; Romans 10:9-13). Read John 1 today.

THE GOLDEN RULE is Simple: Think about This – Do you want something believed or said or done to you that you are tempted to do to someone else? If not, then drop it and do not think it or do it toward another. Stop and pray for that person. This is exactly what Jesus told us to do and the disposition He desires us to have as of Him and His Father – love (Matthew 5:44-48).

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

“Love your enemies”
“bless them that curse you”
“do good to them that hate you”
“pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”

Read Matthew 5:44-48 prayerfully, asking the LORD to make it manifest in your heart, thinking, and life.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12

So, according to the One who gave us “The Golden Rule” (as we call it), what is the Golden Rule? Read and begin to memorize and incorporate the above verse of truth into your everyday thinking.

“The golden rule always should apply to every life! TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED! This world would be a much better place to live!” K.

EVER been used? EVER been exploited by someone? WHAT did Jesus instruct, command us to do when we are used?

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

What’s going to happen to those who maliciously wrong another? A curse is coming on that person and their household:

“Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.” Proverbs 17:13

According to the divine pronouncement above, rewarding evil to someone who did you nothing but good (never harmed you), brings a curse.

The cardinal fruit of knowing God is love.

“He that loveth not, knoweth not God.” 1 John 4:8

GOD is interested in FRUIT and fruit only comes from a ROOTED abiding relationship with Jesus (Matthew 3:7-10; John 15, etc.)!

Any questions?

If you do not have God’s love manifesting in your thoughts and actions, it’s because you do not know Him. Read 1 Corinthians 13 every day this week and ask the LORD to make every bit of it a reality in your life.

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:3-8

Golden Rule Living is following Christ – the example He set when He “came NOT to be ministered unto (be served), but to minister (serve), and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). WHOSE interests are you living for? Your own or Christs, and therefore His people? Do you realize that if you neglect those around you in need you are neglecting and affronting Jesus (Matthew 25:40-46)? Do you realize that you and I will be judged according to this exact measure and rule?

Just WHAT does preferring others ABOVE ourselves mean? How does that work itself out in our daily lives?

Are you living according to Christ’s teachings, OR, are you deceived into thinking you are following Him who is the only way to Heaven while setting aside, neglecting, and even shunning what He taught? Check out Mark 8:38; John 14:15, 21; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:3-6. If I am to love my neighbor “as myself” (equally) and even prefer others “BETTER THAN” myself, why would I keep two houses when I knew another member of Christ’s body was without a home? WHY would I keep earthly investments or items that could be sold and the money given to those in need? I simply wouldn’t. The same goes for other possessions and money. Compare your Christianity to the earliest believers in Christ to see if you are authentic. Read Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35.

The earliest disciples of Jesus were living according to His Word. They were preferring other believers “BETTER THAN themselves” (Golden Rule; Philippians 2:3-5). As true disciples of Jesus, they were naturally doing unto others as they would have them do to themselves if they were in the same need or situation.

Applying the Golden Rule in Your Thoughts and Attitudes Towards Others

“And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” Zechariah 7:10

Notice: “let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” When your iniquitous, condemning fleshly mind, or Satan, tempts you to “imagine evil against” your brother or sister in Christ, what should you do? Read the above verse again, write it on an index card, and live by it. This qualifies exactly what Paul meant when he spoke of divine charity and its place in our lives. He stated that when we are walking in God’s love, it “thinketh no evil” inside of us, His vessels and dwelling place (1 Corinthians 13). In other words, love thinks nor concludes “no evil” against any person until it’s actually proven, and then, it shows mercy even as we are so personally and desperately in need of divine mercy – moment to moment (Titus 3:3-7; Jude 21).

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21

“Imagining evil in your heart sounded foreign until I came to recognize how wretched our sins are. I pray for forgiveness when I am thinking in a wrong way. We are supposed to be forgiving and merciful to others, not having feet that are swift to do mischief.” Dana R.

The Two Great Commandments

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

1. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind”

2. “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”

Any person claiming to be a Christian – a follower of Christ – who does not have loving God and loving others as their highest priorities, is completely misled and deceived.

The Greatest of These is What?

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

GOD PLACES the highest premium and priority on love and if you don’t, you simply do not yet understand Him nor His kingdom. Cry out to Him in confession and repentance to open the eyes of your understanding. Whatever you do, make this the priority of your life – loving God and all others – above yourself. Pouring over Philippians 2:3-5 each morning is a daily kingdom recalibration!

Pass This On.

The Mind of Christ

Do you want to get deeper into God’s Word? If so, send a reply requesting the Moments with My Master email that is sent out.

Feedback:

“That is a wealth of wisdom. Usually I get laughed at for being too gullible. But that’s okay, I’d rather give a person the benefit of the doubt, unless they keep arguing over obvious scriptural passages, then I just pray for their eyes to open! So many who follow these Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing! I never want to be that gullible!” Diana M.

The Mind of Christ [podcast]

ARE YOU WALKING IN THE MIND OF CHRIST? WHAT IS THE MIND OF CHRIST? “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5 The Messiah, the Man and His mind we are blessed to know, to be known by, and to follow is seen in Philippians 2. Read it in the morning beloved of God. Life change! Father, please bless Your beloved children with “the mind of Christ.” In Jesus’ name, amen! Jesus left His world with the Father in the pristine and glorious perfection of Heaven to come this is fallen world and show […]

Returning to Christ as Our "First Love" [podcast]

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 The LORD is a “Jealous” God. “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” Exodus 34:14 If Jesus Christ is not genuinely the first love of our hearts, our lives, we are committing spiritual adultery on the Son of God. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two […]

Chosen, Called, Cleansed, Consecrated, Commissioned [podcast]

The LORD’s Vision to His Servant Isaiah and how it Relates to each of Us When the LORD revealed Himself more fully to the man Isaiah, the response of Isaiah is something we should behold and be taught by, learn from. “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which […]

One Body in Christ [podcast]

Love in the Body [podcast] “One fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16) Do we have a slight clue as to how much the LORD loves His children? (See 1 John 3:1-10.) He also requires that those who will be His obey Him, walking with Him according to His Word (Matthew 7:21; Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.). The UNITY God’s Word speaks of is ALWAYS and only on the foundation of TRUTH – the written Word! God is not the author of unity at the expense of His truth. For example: The Catholic church is a works-based antichrist pagan […]