Excerpt from the book I Die Daily
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14
“The cross” is all about relationship. “The blood of His cross” purchased us back to God from sin (Acts 20:28; Col. 1:20). Paul here says in essence that His love for the Savior, who bled for his sins, warranted his full allegiance to Him and crucifixion with Him. Nothing was more important to this servant apostle than knowing Christ and remaining in Him (1 Cor. 9:27; Phil. 3:7-10). All else was counted as “dung” compared to the supreme and surpassing importance of his relationship with Jesus Christ. This is the “mark” the apostle pressed “toward” with all of his being (Phil. 3:7-14). Paul knew the eternal danger of not keeping under the sins of his body and in the end becoming a “castaway.” (1 Cor. 9:27) He was fully aware of the five specific sins that kept God’s own people out of their promised land, and would keep him out of the promised land of Heaven if he allowed his sinful nature, which was at “enmity against God,” to rule in his life, bringing defilement in the eyes of a holy God (Mk. 7:20-23; Rom. 8:7; 1 Cor. 9:27-10:12; Heb. 12:14-16). God’s stated will is to bring people “out from” spiritual death and “in” to the place of His divine life, that He might preserve them alive (with His life—Deut. 6:23-24; Rom. 8:1-13).
The purpose and point of “the cross” is not that God is trying to deprive anyone of something valuable, but rather that He seeks relationship with that person—“for our good always.” (Deut. 6:23-24) It is by the blood of Christ’s cross that we are saved, and “through faith” in Him that we are “kept.” (1 Pet. 1:5) Those in Him must “endure to the end.” (Matt. 10:22; 24:13)
It is “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” (Rom. 2:4) From the beginning, He made us for relationship with Him (Exod. 25:8). This is why Jesus came to the earth—“And this is life eternal (the reason for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
Since the LORD is holy, and the self-life or nature is sinful and at enmity with Him, it must be put to death because He who is “Holy, holy, holy” will not commune with a sinful vessel (Isa. 6:3; 59:2; 2 Cor. 6:14 -7:1; 1 Jn. 1:3-9; Rev. 4:8). Sin breaks that fellowship (Rom. 6:23). Like it or not, “the wages of sin is” still spiritual “death” and always will be, due to God’s eternal and unchangeable nature of holiness. The cross of Christ is the answer.
Holiness or pureness of heart and thought is of supreme importance in the eyes of the Almighty. His eyes are upon our hearts and the thoughts that we are dwelling upon (1 Sam. 16:7; Ps. 51:10; 139:23-24; Prov. 15:3; Matt. 5:8; Acts 15:9). The cross, which must be daily applied to the inner life by the disciple, is the implement of death to the sinfully self-loving, self-driven, self-willed, and self -consumed life. The fervent worship of Jesus, which always leads one to the application of the cross, brings the glorious liberty that only Christ can grant—to be fully filled, led, and made free by the Holy Ghost of God.
One manifests his love in relationship with the LORD when he chooses to obey Him in denying the iniquitous deeds of the sinful nature, in order that he might commune with and serve the Father and Savior, who died on the cross to reconcile him to the One who is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isa. 6:3; 1 John 1:3-10; Rev. 4:8) Otherwise, sin will prevent his relationship with the LORD. Sin must be confessed to be cleansed (1 John 1:9). Saving faith will always drive one to obey Christ, which includes the premium He places on His people being “pure in heart.” (Matt. 5:8; 1 John 2:3-5; James 1:22) Christ told us that only the “pure in heart” will be blessed.” (Matt. 5:8) If one who has been saved goes back and ceases to obey Christ, it’s because he no longer loves Christ supremely, nor does he now possess saving faith (1 Tim. 5:12; 2 Tim. 4:10; James 2; 2 Pet. 2:20-21).
If a person does not want more of Jesus, he is not a part of the remnant of Christ’s elect (Rev. 17:14). If a person is always looking to circumvent the “daily” cross, and looking for doctrinal ways to justify not giving over his whole will and being to Christ, he is willingly lost (Rom. 12:1). Those who are truly His “depart from iniquity,” as they daily “present” their “bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.” (Rom. 12:1; 2 Tim. 2:19)
If one will guard his heart and be preserved to the end in his relationship with Christ, he must beware of the numerous cross-less and Calvinistic wolves who occupy positions of leadership and influence in the modern church world. Millions have already been deceived and will be shocked on Judgment Day (Matt. 7:15-23; Luke 13:27-28).
The LORD bless you richly today, and fill you with His Holy Ghost afresh to subdue your own self-life, that Jesus’ life might be manifested in your life (2 Cor. 4:10-12). God is able as we do things His way. His grace is fully sufficient for us (Rom. 6:14; 1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 12:9-10).
In God’s economy, holiness in His people is a must, and it’s the blood of Christ that enables the recipient and possessor of His salvation to experience overcoming victory through the cross (Rom. 6; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 21:8, 27). His enabling grace was made possible through Christ’s redemption, and there is therefore no excuse for living in sin (Rom. 6). There can be no variance from such biblical truth in true Christian preaching. Sin separates and hell awaits all who die in sin—no matter what their previous relationship with God may have been (Rev. 21:8, 27; 22:11, 15). Relationship with Christ, personal holiness, the cross, overcoming sin, and repentance, go hand in hand; and today, none of these essentials can be found prevalent in the mouths of most so-called “Christian” pastors, writers, and leaders (Isa. 9:16; 1 Cor. 1:18; Phil. 3:18-19). By “the blood of his cross,” Christ made us holy in our position with God, and He commands each of us to take up our own cross and count ourselves crucified with Him in our daily lives, that His holiness might be manifest experientially in our lives (Rom. 6; 2 Cor. 4:10-11; Gal. 2:20).
David Kupelian, vice president and managing editor of WorldNetDaily.com, writes:
“‘I die daily’
In ages past, Christians dwelt a lot more on the concept of taking up the ‘cross’ than they do these days. Today, the phrase ‘it’s my cross to bear’ is usually a somewhat self-congratulatory reference to the fact that we have to put up with a vexing medical condition, or a child in trouble with the law, or perhaps an overbearing, live-in mother-in law.
Admonitions from the pulpit may not shed much more light. Oh sure, a well-intentioned minister will reverently read one of the scriptures cited above on ‘taking up the cross,’ and he might even briefly plug the ideal of self-denial. But too often this amounts to a polite nod to a notion that seems both archaic and almost irrelevant, or at least unattainable, and the pastor just moves on to more pleasant topics—like how grateful we are that we’re saved by Christ’s death and resurrection.
It wasn’t always so. Throughout past centuries, Christian philosophers and mystics dwelt at length on the crucial, life-and-death need for repentance, resignation, ‘mortification,’ the ‘crucifixion’ of sin in man, and the ‘death of the carnal man’ or of ‘the creaturely self’ and so on. The Apostle Paul said it most powerfully and succinctly when he wrote: ‘I die daily.’”
If they are not crucified on the cross we are instructed to “take up,” the deeds of the body will cause one to displease the LORD by the manifestation of the soul damning “works of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:19-21)
There is perhaps room to see Paul’s words “I die daily” both concerning our lives being laid down and subject to being martyred daily and also in dying daily to self that the Savior might reign (John 12:14; 2 Cor. 4:10-12). These two truths seem to dovetail together; Being dead to self is going to be essential to dying as a martyr.
The Two Cross Deaths
There are two kinds of dying seen in the Scriptures—positional and experiential.
Positional death speaks of our oneness with the death Christ experienced when He died on the cross, when he did “taste death for every man.” (Heb. 2:9) Positionally we are dead and buried with Him (Rom. 6:3-4).
Experiential death of the inner self-life = the willing crucifixion of the personal will out of a far surpassing love for and desire to see Christ reign supreme. When we love Him more than ourselves, we will die so He can live. Life can only spring out of death (Jn. 12:24). The problem is that most people who claim to be Christians love themselves more than Christ (2 Tim. 3:1-7). They have freely chosen to resist loving the LORD with all of their hearts, souls, minds, and strength (Matt. 22:37-40).
The Positional Cross
The word “baptized” is used in more than one way in the Bible. It is used to express both a literal and a figurative immersion. Immersion simply means being placed all the way into. In Romans 6, speaking figuratively of our baptism into Christ (not water), the apostle writes:
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4
We have been immersed (baptized) completely into Christ figuratively—“we are buried with him by baptism into death.”
Our justification and sanctification are wrapped up in being buried with Christ. We are then raised with Him and enabled to “walk in newness of life.” Our position—buried with and in Christ—enables the literally manifested life of Christ to be experienced in our daily lives.
We are united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. The phrase “in Christ,” seen throughout New Testament Scripture, is short for our immersion into Him—His death, burial, and resurrection and our own death, burial, and resurrection with Him. Jesus died and was raised up once, and we died and are raised up with Him in type/proxy.
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us (made us alive) together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:5-7
THE LORD has “raised up” those He has found and saved out of their sinful state and into His eternal kingdom. They are “raised up” to “sit together” with Him—“in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” This He did for His eternal purposes. He “made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” so this is our positional standing with Him; yet His desire is that such a positional place become an experiential reality in our “daily” lives, as we “follow” Him. And how does such a translation happen? This manifested “newness of life” occurs as we lay down our self-will in full surrender to His Majesty, crying out “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) Victorious living in this “newness of life” happens when we follow His instructions to “deny” ourselves and “take up” the cross, and let His will and life reign in our mortal bodies in place of our own. This positional seating in Christ and with God in heavenly places becomes a reality in our daily experience as we sentence our lives to death, being rooted in Christ, as we “take root downward.” (Isa 37:31) He then raises us upward in “newness of life”—with His life to bear fruit to His pleasing.
Our positional place with Him means that we died with Him, and we are seated in heavenly places in Christ. Yet, we are still on earth and subject to temptations. This is why the experiential cross is so important.
The Experiential Cross
“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:5-6
The believer, who is buried with Christ and raised in “newness of life,” is told that he “should not serve sin.” Serving sin or the Savior is always going to be a choice as long as we are on the earth.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14
Paul told us that he had to keep under the sinful desires/deeds of his body so that he would not become a “castaway” from Christ in the end (1 Cor. 9:27). What can we learn from this? Our relationship with Christ is both positional and practical. It began in our past when we were born again, and exists now daily as we deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him. This is our personal participation with Christ as we take up the yoke and walk with our Master—His blessed Gospel—dying, being buried and then raised up daily with Him.
In studying the subject of dying daily and Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:31, “I die daily,” I have read a few commentaries which seemed to only acknowledge the positional death of the believer. This is because the misguided Calvinist wants no part of anything that might cost him the suffering of death to his own will. He wants to believe that God did it all, and subsequently ignores the commandments of the very same God for him to personally experience dying to self and self-will. The Calvinist is a moral coward who wants the crown without the cross, so he objects to and flees any notion of personal responsibility. In the face of a mountain of Scriptural commands and conditional blessings, he insists that there are no requirements placed upon him. If that were so, why were we then given the many commandments of Christ and His holy apostles? The diabolical dynamic of Calvinism is to escape and deny by any means possible, any teaching that calls for a personal cost. In contrast, the Bible teaches us that to lose is to gain (Matt. 10:3839; Jn. 12:24-26; Phil. 1:21). The spiritual coward wants to hide away in his false security zone, where he is protected from all that would cause him to suffer—the circumcising sword of the Word, persecutions, tribulations, dying to sin and self, purging, and the chastening of the LORD. This is why this theology always migrates to the line of least resistance to the flesh—no baptism in the Holy Spirit or lordship of Christ, due to the myth of ‘once saved always saved,’ and a pre-tribulation rapture. (Actually, although he holds no strong position on the exact timing of Christ’s return, this writer believes that there is the possibility of a pre-tribulation rapture. In the previous statement, I was just making a point.)
Some may despise the idea that people teach the Scripture “I die daily” as something that needs to be done by the individual recipient of salvation. The Calvinistically infected mindset believes that everything that needs to be done has already been done, and that man has no choice or accountability in the matter of participation. It’s true that Christ initiated and earned our salvation, and that without Him we are hopeless. It is also just as true that this same Jesus instructed those who would follow Him to be “daily” crucified with Him, by denying themselves and taking up their crosses. Romans 6 says “Our old man is crucified with him” (v 6), and yet it also says:
- “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” (v 1)—The question “Shall we” denotes volition, option, and choice.
- “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” (v 5)—The “if” here speaks of volition, option, and choice.
- “Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (v 11)
- “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” (v 12)
- “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” (v 13)
- “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (v 16)
The honest student of the Bible, the one that refuses to allow himself to be infected with any predisposed notion, will see this.
The work of Christ to position us in heavenly places is a settled fact and truth (Eph. 2:6). As we are discovering from Holy Writ, the experiential cross of the individual must be taken up and died upon. Paul the apostle of Christ said, “I KEEP under my body.” (1 Cor. 9:27) The denial of the self-life and following Jesus is only accomplished by the enabling grace and Holy Spirit of the LORD, who is perfecting that which concerns us as He continues His good work in us—we who have been apprehended by Him for His purpose and glory (Ps. 138:8; Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13). This occurs as we “work out” our “salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil. 2:1213) It is “through the Spirit” that we are blessed and empowered to “mortify the deeds of the body.” (Rom. 8:13)
There are those who know only the positional application of the cross, where we “are dead” and buried with Christ, and raised up by the faith of the operation of
God, and seated together in heavenly places in Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Eph. 2:6; Col. 3:3). In spite of understanding that we are dead, buried, and raised up with Christ, men misunderstand or do not know about the doctrine of the daily cross—the keeping under or subduing of the sinful nature on a daily basis. The essential nature of such a biblical and vital truth is tragically seldom, if ever, spoken about in most “ministry” that transpires in the modern church world.
Love is a daily test.
Love is a daily choice.
That person who has a mere “form of godliness” and yet denies the power of Christ to reign in his life, will never experience the fellowship of His sufferings and the blessed “fruit” He desires to bring forth “upward” to His glory (Isa. 37:31; Rom. 8:11; 2 Tim. 3:5). Many seek to render rote adherence to the command of Christ while lacking the positional revelation of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Gospel. In contrast, the true disciple of Christ is that one who is driven by the greater desire and love that possesses his heart for Christ. His love for Jesus far surpasses his love for self and the pleasures of this world.
Throughout Holy Scripture, we are afforded the blessing of witnessing the joyful delight many had for the LORD. Here is a sampling:
“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” Psalms 73:25
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death … 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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:10, 13-14
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalms 27:4
The “one thing” that most deeply and profoundly moved these men and women was knowing Him more and more, seeking His face in earnest as they experienced Him daily.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” 1 John 3:1
The love we are blessed to possess of Him, and the cross, go hand in hand. Because of His love in us, and our own decision to reciprocate that love, we make a daily choice to experience the cross. The daily cross is the application of death applied into our life and will in order that Christ’s will and life might be in control and reign in our mortal bodies (2 Cor. 4:10-12).
God made man with a choice (Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Gal. 6:7-9). Firstly, it makes no sense at all biblically speaking, to say that the person and volitional will of the individual believer plays no part in his decisions. That is a diabolical and Calvinistic heresy that has no biblical ground beneath it. Those in denial of the cross Jesus commanded us to “daily” take up, simply do not wish to deny self and sin as Christ commanded. Many of them have placed the teachings of mere men—who were heretics—above God’s Word. Instead of setting aside the “doctrines of men” for Christ’s teachings, they set the teachings of the Son of God aside for the teachings of mere men (like John Calvin). Like the Pharisees of Christ’s day, these men love their traditions more than the LORD and His Word (Mark 7:6-9). Every generation in history has its pseudo-theologians, who cast away the Word of God for their own traditions of mere men. Every day also has a remnant, which says, “Let God be true and every man a liar.” (Rom. 3:4)
Letting “God be true” in our personal lives includes silencing the call of the sinful nature, Satan, and the voices of the myriad of cross-denying wolves, who come in Christ’s name yet do not preach His original Gospel.
“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.” Luke 9:23
Throughout His teachings, the Son of God taught us that following Him was a “daily” experience and not a onetime event. He made it abundantly clear that this “daily” experience of His life was only possible in conjunction with the disciple’s self-denial, and his choosing to prefer the Savior above himself (Matt. 16:24-26; Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-26).
“Many admit the positional death (at initial salvation), but there is also a present salvation (progressive sanctification or transformation) that is experiential, the daily death, burial and resurrection. The Leviticus 1 burnt offering occurred daily. The first thing the invader always did at the Temple was to do away with the daily sacrifice. This will also be 1st order of business for the antichrist, and for those who possess the spirit of antichrist today.”
Christ told us that if we would follow Him, we must “daily” take up the cross and follow (Luke. 9:23-24). As one writer has pointed out here, the daily sacrifice is attacked by the invader and enemy of our souls, and this is seen in the absence of such preaching in that which calls itself the church today. The Bible tells us that “Satan” has his “ministers,” and these men are “deceitful workers” who have infiltrated the modern church and so-called higher learning institutions (seminaries, etc.). See 2 Cor. 11:12-15. These “false apostles,” who are imposters, have hi-jacked the pulpits and publishing houses of this last hour with a message that is void of the cross and is sending many to eternal darkness (2 Pet. 2:1-3). They can be identified as the “enemies of the cross of Christ,” who do not take up their own crosses daily, and therefore do not preach the cross as a daily implement of death to self and self denial (2 Cor. 11:12-15; Phil. 3:18-19). Instead, they “mind earthly things,” even using Scripture to justify their misplaced affections (Phil. 3:18-19).
The “adversary, the devil,” can “devour” us by drawing and seducing us out from our daily and experiential death and burial with Christ, where we are “hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3) When the enemy is able to draw one out into the open, he is then vulnerable as a deer that comes out of the forest and is no longer hidden and protected by the camouflage of the trees. When a deer is out in the open and in a prairie clearing, he is then prey for predators. The lions can then see and smell him, and will seek to devour him.
Taking up the daily cross and experiencing knowing Him in “the fellowship of his sufferings” demonstrates our agreement with God that we are utterly depraved in our Adamic nature, and wholly in need of His righteousness and life to reign in our “mortal” bodies (Rom. 6; 2 Cor. 4:10-11; Phil. 3:10).
In this following passage, watch for the daily experiential cross to be practiced by every true disciple of Jesus:
“Always (daily) bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest (a reality) in our body. For we which live are alway (daily) delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-11
As we related earlier in this chapter, the removal of the “daily” cross is the work of our “adversary.” The same vulnerability (removal of the daily cross) exists today wherever the redeemed saint allows for the “daily” sacrifice to be stolen from his life. The daily presenting of ourselves to Him as “a living sacrifice” is our “reasonable service” in light of what He has done for us (Rom. 12:1).
Because He loves us as His own, Christ instructs those He saves to “daily” deny themselves and take up their crosses to follow Him (Luke. 9:23-24). It is only in being
“dead” to sin and self that our lives “are hid with Christ in God.”
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
“Precious Things” Stolen
“There is a conspiracy of her prophets (leaders) in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.” Ezekiel 22:25
Ezekiel the prophet of God is writing here concerning the leaders of the very nation of Israel. This “conspiracy” he speaks of is a reality and not a theory. We have the divine word on it here. The Bible tells us definitively here that “There is a conspiracy of her prophets” or leaders who claim to be representing the LORD. We are also informed here that these beguilers “have taken the treasure and precious things.” They have stolen away those things which are most important for believers to be aware of, believe, dwell upon, and do.
The enemy invader is now empowering his agents in the pulpits and those who hold the pens of modern publishing. This is seen in the deafening silence of the modern messages we hear. There is a gross lack of hearing the essential truths of Holy Writ spoken or written by men who have positions of influence. In fact, in fulfillment of last day’s prophecy, hoards of self-serving people (who claim to be Christians) are heaping these smooth and deceitful messages, and the messengers who give them, to themselves. Their un-crucified sinful nature seeks out ear-tickling messages that feed their sinful nature instead of beckoning them to crucify it (Rom. 6; 12:1).
In his messages, the beguiling leader feeds the sinful nature, while the leader who is a true servant of Christ calls for the denial of and death of it (Rom. 16:17-18; Phil. 3:1-3; 18-21; 2 Pet. 2:1-3).
Many who love the truth, and therefore deeply desire more of Christ, are coming out of the cross-less and apostate modern church system. Like Paul, their deep desire is “to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (Phil. 3:10) They have seen the folly and the “famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” (Amos 8:11)
Where We Stand
In a passage often referred to as defining the true Gospel, the apostle Paul reveals that this “gospel” is that “wherein ye stand.”
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
As those found and regenerated by Him who first loved us, we “stand” in the Gospel of Christ—both positionally and experientially. In fact, the very next words speak to the essential responsibility of personal participation of the individual recipient of His “so great salvation.” (Heb. 2:3)
“By which also ye are saved, IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:2
The “if” here clearly denotes condition. Our salvation is contingent upon “if” we “keep in memory” the original “gospel” the apostle Paul preached, “unless ye have believed in vain.” Our initial salvation becomes ineffectual if we do not “continue” in Christ or “endure to the end.” (Matt. 10:22; Col. 1:23; Heb. 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; 2 Pet. 2:20-21)
Daily experiencing death to self and the raised up life of Christ, is essential to keeping in memory the work of Christ, the coming King.
See if you can identify both the positional and the experiential standing of the believer in this Colossians 3 passage:
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3
He has accomplished salvation for us and we are thereby “risen with Christ,” positionally. In light of this, we should then follow suit in seeking “those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” This includes setting our “affection(s) on things above, not on things on the earth.” Positionally, we are to count ourselves “dead,” and consider that our lives are “hid with Christ in God.”
Some erroneously teach that the believer’s positional place with Christ is irreversible, but the Bible tells us differently in a myriad of places. Only when we keep our place or position “with Christ” are we “hid with Christ in God.” Otherwise we are not hidden away from the wrath of God and the enemy. Such a place of being “hid with Christ in God” is conditional upon the recipient of His salvation remaining in Him. One’s place with God is reversible if one does not “abide” or remain “in Christ.” Jesus told us that “If a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (Jn. 15:6) Our LORD also told us that there are those “which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” (Luke. 8:13) It should be more than obvious that someone could not possibly “fall away” from something he has not previously possessed. Also, the basic fact that Jesus invented the term “fall away” plainly reveals that such is possible.
That positional standing He purchased for us is ours only as we remain “with Christ,” and “if” a redeemed person chooses to cease following Christ, he is no longer “in Christ” or “with Christ,” and is therefore no longer the recipient of any of His blessings. The Father told us on several occasions that it is only in His only begotten Son that He is “well pleased,” so anyone presently outside of Him is not pleasing to God (Matt. 3:17).
The sacrifice of Christ is a fixed reality. He is invariable and unchanging (Mal. 3:6; Jn. 19:30; James 1:17). But the experiencing of the cross of Christ in the daily life of the recipient of His salvation is volitional. One must count all else “dung” compared to knowing Christ, and in order to “know him,” one must be willing to experience “the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (Phil. 3:7-10).
All of Holy Scripture testifies to the truth that God’s blessings to individuals are conditional (Deut. 11:26-28; 28:1-67; 30:19-20). The fulfillment of His promises and blessings are contingent upon the obedience of the individual (Gal. 6:7-9; Heb. 6:11-12). The recipient of His free gift of eternal life must by faith “abide” or remain in Him, or he will be “cut off.” (Ezek. 33:12-13; Matt.
10:22; Luke 8:13; Rom. 11:19-22; 1 Cor. 15:2; Col. 1:23; Heb. 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; 2 Jn. 9; Rev. 2-3) This important subject is covered extensively in the book titled Lie of the Ages, which can be ordered on this site.
“Many of His Disciples Went Back”
In the record of John 6, we read of “disciples” who continued not with Christ after He taught them. They chose not to partake in His death and life. They did not want to suffer for His sake, and therefore “many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” John 6:66
These people forfeited their place with Christ and all the associated benefits, both here and eternally (Ezek. 33:12 -13). Suffering is part of following Christ, and those who “draw back,” not esteeming Christ and being unwilling to suffer for His sake, will lose out (Rom. 8:17; Phil. 1:29; Heb. 10:38-39; 1 Pet. 4:1-14; Rev. 2-3).
According to God’s Word, those who refuse to follow up in their daily lives with experiential living with Christ, partaking of His blessed sufferings and the associated benefits, will lose out on their positional place they once had with Him (2 Pet. 2:20-21). Those who after being bought by His blood, “deny him,” will also be denied by Him for having “trodden under foot the Son of God.” (2 Tim. 2:12; Heb. 10:29)
One will not experience His resurrection life if he refuses to experience a dying with Him—to self, sin, Satan, and this world.
Many today are seeking to gain, but they are trying to go around the cross. These people do not yet realize that it’s only in dying to self that God’s “gain” will come to them. It’s only in dying that they can live by the resurrecting power of God in Christ, who is “the resurrection and the life.” (Jn. 11:25) He promised to raise up by the power of His Holy Spirit those that be bowed down in death to self and sin (Ps. 145:15; Rom. 8:11). The LORD promises to raise upward in fruitfulness those that “take root downward.” (Isa. 37:31)
The cross is the place of safety—being in the center of God’s will. We are safe on the cross, buried, sunk down, and hidden in Christ while being “raised up” by His power and to His glory (Rom. 6:3-4; 8:11; Col. 2:11-12; 3:3). Beware of the wiles of Satan, who seeks to lure us off the cross where we are “hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3) The enemy’s design is to keep you ignorant of the necessity of the cross—to keep you from experiencing Christ’s resurrection power. When you do choose to learn of Christ to get on the cross, the enemy’s scheme will be to get you to come down from that cross—to keep you from dying that Christ’s life might reign in you and over the enemy (Luke 10:18). Is this not what he did to our LORD? (Matt. 27:42)
The only way to have upward mobility—divine resurrection power—is to plant yourself deep into the death of Christ. The further down one descends, the more powerful the raising up will be (2 Cor. 4:10-12).
Jesus told us that we must lose our lives to gain His life and eternal life.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” John 12:24-25
PRAYER: Father, not my will but Thine be done. You must increase and I must decrease. I now this moment, choose to lay my life down—to die to self and all of its fleshly facets. I honor You, LORD Jesus and Father, and joyfully bow in humility before Your Majesty. Grant Your enabling grace to my life, so I might please You in all things. I am crucified with Christ. I am dead, and my life is hid with Christ in God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Capture Points
- Discuss John 12:24-26 and what it means to “fall into the ground and die,” as pertains to Christ and also all of those who would follow Him.
- According to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, what is “the gospel” that we stand in defined as? (KJV recommended)
- What did Jesus tell us was the purpose for which He came? John 17:3
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Apostasy
“Avoid Foolish Questions” [podcast]
What Does Christ’s Great Commission Call Us to do?
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12
The dire need of the salvation of eternal souls necessitates that we walk in God’s wisdom in these final of days before our LORD’s return.
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:2-6
Paul on Mars Hill
Did Paul believe he had to answer every question? Did he entertain questions?
“The hill is historically significant as a site of philosophical debate and as the location where the Apostle Paul delivered a sermon to the Athenians, as recorded in the New Testament.”
On Mars Hill Paul didn’t seem to affront his audience as much as he sought to reveal who the known God is as they had built an altar “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.” (Acts 17:23) Paul sought to turn them to the one true God, to inform them of who He is – The One who sent His only begotten Son to be crucified and raised again for their justification, calling them to repentance.
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts 17:30
Romans 1 informs us that God’s wrath abides upon all who hold or suppress the truth in unrighteousness …. and that the Gospel of Jesus is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” (Romans 1:16-20)
Ascertaining by Scripture what the LORD sent us to accomplish
What did Jesus send us, His people, to do?
“What a tragedy to spend precious time on these things (foolish questions) while a world is perishing!” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Preach the word” is the divine command (2 Timothy 4:2).
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14
Jesus, the apostles, nor the earliest followers never set up a location where they entertained every question and potshot the heathen could throw at them. No, they were on mission, as Christ’s “ambassadors” to preach and teach the Gospel, the Word of God.
“Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
“Preach the word….” 2 Timothy 4:2
Notice, no mention of “going and asking people what they believe or setting up a table and answering questions. Sorry to those who balk, such is not the Great Commission.
“Stop the tip toeing around people. Preach the whole counsel of God ‘word. Let the Holy Spirit do the work in them. You are not the Holy Spirit.” Darlene Dusza
We are so far removed from original Gospel learning, adherence, and obedience that this revelation will shock some and even anger others. Yet an honest study of the Holy Scriptures reveals these things plainly.
A.W. Tozer declared:
“We are called to preach the Bible. Not to prove it. The Holy Ghost is all the proof we need.”
I agree with his statement as it plainly aligns with the mission and Gospel action of Christ, His holy apostles, and the earliest followers of Jesus as is recorded on the pages of New Testament Scripture.
Perhaps many a follower of Jesus is hindered in his ministering by thinking he’s not qualified since he sees so many modern day question answerers…. Yet is anyone getting saved? No. Those who are answering the questions of our day thrown at them and recorded, are not preaching the Word of God. At best they may sneak something from the Bible or mention the Bible but they are not preaching the Gospel under the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus mandated (Acts 1:4-8, etc.).
One disciples declared:
“It is incumbent on us to lead them to His Word (to give them HIS Word). The Holy Spirit will bring them to the Cross!”
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23
“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
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” James 1:18
Satan’s work is to ensnare, to entangle Christ’s messengers in “foolish questions” in order to distract and divert them from planting the seed of the Word of God from which salvation springs.
Satan is always the one behind the diversions, the tactics to block sinners from salvation… to create the noise pollution in an attempt to stop them from getting saved and therefore being translated out of his kingdom (Colossians 1:12-14). Do we remember how….
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” Acts 13:8-10
Gentlemen, you don’t owe everyone an answer to their every question. Just obey God by preaching the Word. God gave us all His Word, the Bible. Beware of being misled by the whiners who act like Christians owe them an answer to their every question which emanates from an unbelieving, rebellious heart. They have a Bible but have refused to repent truly. When someone repents, they begin to devour the WORD for themselves and don’t whine about not understanding all the answers to life (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2-4).
Are we not told to “avoid foolish questions”? And questioning the Creator while drowning, living in His creation seems to be one of the reasons for the many “foolish questions” we see being entertained today.
“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 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
We should be armed with the knowledge, ahead of time, that there are many who throw out “foolish questions” to entangle and divert Christ’s disciples, to derail them from preaching the Word as God commands (2 Timothy 4:2).
“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” 2 Timothy 2:23
Examples of “foolish questions” people use to divert from the truth that they are sinners in need of the Savior:
- “What about the people who have never heard the Bible, the Gospel preached to them?”
- “What about all the hypocrites who claim to be Christians?”
- “But the Bible has been translated over and over and so it’s not accurate.” –
- “What about the lost books of the Bible?” –
- QUESTION: “Where did Adam and Eve’s son’s wives come from?”
POSSIBLE ANSWER: “We can understand the discomfort this interpretation might cause. Incest taboos are deeply ingrained in human societies for both biological and social reasons. But in the context of the first human family, such unions would have been necessary and not yet forbidden.” ChristianPure.com
The priority command of Christ via His Great Commission mandate, is for His people to go preach the Gospel, to teach the Bible (end of Mark end of Matthew).
Perhaps we can surmise that avoiding “foolish questions” involves navigation, sticking to the most important Bible truth – salvation – upholding, planting the seed of the truth, the Word, keeping the main thing the main thing…
Recently I had a man who is a new ager, spiritual type ask me if it concerned me that babies are being killed by Jews in Palestine….
“Foolish questions” being asked is the diversionary tactic of the enemy of souls. Concerning “foolish questions”, one source notes:
“All four of these practices—pointless debate, arguments over genealogy, quarrels, and debates over the law of Moses—are considered a waste of time. All they accomplish is taking energy and resources away from the ministry Paul had entrusted to Titus.”
Another source notes the following on “foolish questions”:
“Examples of foolish questions include those that are unprofitable, speculative, and serve no purpose beyond generating strife or satisfying curiosity, such as debates on the number of angels on a pinhead, excessive speculation about the antichrist, or questions about biblical prophecies that God has not revealed. The context of Titus 3:9 is a directive from the Apostle Paul to avoid such debates and instead focus on maintaining good works and godly living.”
Don’t be distracted. You are on mission for the LORD. You are there to preach the Word and not win arguments…. to win souls…. Deal meekly and mildly as is possible and deposit the convicting law of the LORD which is able to convert the soul, to make wise the simple, to rejoice the hearts of men, to enlighten their eyes,
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” Psalms 19:7-9
God did not send His only begotten Son nor us to try to talk anyone into the greatest blessing and gift that every has or will exist – all done to save them from the sin that is destroying them and will result in their irrevocable eternal damnation.
God instructs us not to waste our/HIS time:
“Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” Proverbs 23:9
We are to “be ready” to give a biblical answer and a personal testimony of the saving grace of Christ we’ve personally experienced at the moment and thereafter of being born again.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15
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America
Viewing Charlie Kirk Through the Eyes of God’s Word [podcast]
Did Charlie Kirk do more for Christ than many of those who have become preoccupied with condemning him?
“The world shall rejoice”
Some people (even some falsely claiming to be Christians) rejoice when others, when Christians die.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” John 16:20
Earlier in this very chapter Jesus foretold that the way they hated and persecuted Him, so shall they do to you, His followers. Take a look:
“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” John 16:1-3
Sorting things out…
IF someone sees a NON-essential issue, such as the Charlie Kirk issue, differently than you see it, that does not make them unsaved. Get a clue and get over yourself. Dare we cause division in the body of Christ based on things NOT essential to salvation!?
“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. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Romans 14:3-4
Nothing the haters of Charlie Kirk can say undoes, negates the preaching of God’s Word Kirk did. Just before he was murdered he declared that “It’s ALL about Jesus!” and “Jesus died so we could live.”
Charlie died as a young man and didn’t have the seasoning and experience of 40-, 50-, 60- or 70-year-olds. He had been misled in some ways and yet it seems he finished in the faith. The more of his videos one may watch, the more this may become evident. Yet, either way, the way we view him is no essential to salvation. The way we view and believe or disbelieve Jesus Christ IS essential to salvation.
Earlier today, a man told me to “repent” for seeing this Charlie Kirk issue differently than he sees it. So, it seems he is acting in the place of God, being his own god, to whom everyone around him must bow down and serve. Seems that anyone who doesn’t see everything the way he does, in his corrupted self-serving mind, needs to repent. There was no sin he cited that I committed so, what should I repent for? For seeing something different than he sees it?
He cared more about his own opinion than the body of Christ for which Jesus died and rose again. Read Romans 14. There is liberty in things NOT essential to salvation. This week I have unfriended and blocked several people who are out of control with their seeking to violate the liberty the LORD gives to each of His saints in NON-essentials.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalms 133:1
“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
Jesus commanded that we “LOVE one another” and that’s what the true remnant of Christ will do (John 13:34).
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:15
Walking in God’s love does not lead us to violate the God-given individual liberty of other of His children whom He died to save. Do you understand what is taught in Romans 14?
God is and will continue to use the death of Charlie Kirk for His own glory and the Almighty didn’t need you or your puny permission to do so.
If Charlie Kirk didn’t often speak God’s Word, how is it then that now after his death, scores of people are coming forth saying they are now seeking God as a result of what was spoken out of the mouth of Charlie Kirk?
It seems that there are some among us who would rather see people go to hell than for God to dare use Charlie Kirk’s life to save those people’s souls.
As usual there are many conflicting theories including that CK faked his death …. I don’t have all the answers…. do you? What does Deuteronomy 29:29 tell us?
Just before he was murdered, Charlie Kirk posted the following statement: “Jesus defeated death so you could live.”
“This is being said in love. There are people on here who probably should step back and do a lot more reading of the word of God and praying and a lot less talking and posting. I’m seeing way too much strife, pride, slander, bearing false witness, unrighteous judgment, hypocrisy, and in some cases hatred. None of those things bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.” Gloria
God gave us two ears and just one mouth – so we do more listening (to Him and others) than speaking.
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20
“Charlie Kirk’s death is shaking the church. In more then one way, some are revealing spotted hearts, others are being humbled & coming to repentance. Whatever you think of his politics, he was not ashamed of Christ. He boldly declared his faith to millions! Charlie absolutely died in the faith. Pause and recognize this.
This is not about Trump, MAGA, False Trump prophets, NAR or politics—it is about whether we will love the brethren in spite of our differences and humble ourselves before God. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar (1 John 4:20). This is a test of the heart.
Don’t let yourself be too distracted with rabbit holes, conspiracies, and opinions of man to miss this moment in your own heart. ‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble’ (James 4:6).
This is not a call to civil uprising against the Left—God forbid! it is a call for repentance in the Church (starting in my own heart first). This doesn’t mean you have to follow MAGA, or stop using critical thinking.” Robin Figtree
The WORD of God he spoke shattered and will continue to destroy the lies told in our generation. There’s no denying this. God even uses donkeys to speak His Word and the effect is the same because it’s GOD’s Word (Numbers 22). Isaiah 55:11 ….. Nothing can undo that Word of God he spoke by which sinners are saved, born again (1 Peter 1:23).
“Charlie Kirk was faithful unto death. He stood boldly against abortion, LGBT indoctrination, and Islam’s denial of Jesus Christ. For lifting up the Gospel he was martyred in front of his family. He finished his race and will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
Is Charlie’s life and death not galvanizing many to overcome the fear of man and preach Christ’s Gospel?
True & False Disciples: Many will say ‘Lord, Lord,’ pointing to works and miracles, but Jesus will say, ‘I never knew you; depart, ye that work iniquity.’
Two Foundations: The wise build on the rock by hearing and doing Jesus’s words. The foolish build on sand , hearing but not obeying, and their fall is great.”
The Shaking of Our Time
Hebrews 12 says God is shaking all things. We are seeing the separation between those who endure in Christ and those who walk in Balaam’s compromis.
Charlie Kirk HAD FLAWED DOCTRINE & Limited understanding but chose bold faith.
Only those who build on the Rock — hearing and obeying Jesus’s words — will endure the storm and stand WITH CROWNS in the FINAL judgment.
Final Word:
Claiming the name of Jesus isn’t enough. Works and ministries aren’t enough. Obedience, endurance, and faithfulness unto death are required (Revelation 2:10, Matthew 24:13).
“The question is not: Do you say ‘Lord, Lord’? The question is: Are you building on the Rock or the sand?” Glenn Langohr
“For those who say Charlie didn’t share the gospel, of which I could share multiple videos of him doing such, I think this is about as close as it gets! ‘Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.’ 1 Corinthians 12:3 KJV.” Stacy Strother
Having limited knowledge, that is my opinion on it….. the truth he spoke cannot be unspoken nor minimalized and it lives on.
I’ve actually exposed this on a post on the ministry site safeguardyoursoul.com ….. yet IMO it seems Kirk, being only 31, didn’t understand many things and erred … yet that does not negate the fact that he did boldly declare the Word of God.
“There are videos of Charlie Kirk rebuking Catholicism for praying to Mary etc and rebuking Mormonism. Charlie Kirk was ignorant of much on sound doctrine for sure. But was he faithful to what GOD called him to do?” Glenn Langohr
This seems to reveal that Charlie Kirk didn’t understand with any depth what is “the faith” of the Gospel. He was learning. Did you understand everything in God’s Word and about the false religions before you grew in the Word? As a young Christian, I thought the mormons were Christians and later found out that was false. Even if all these evil things about Charlie Kirk are true, NOTHING negates, diminishes that he spoke God’s Word on many occasions.
The vilest of demon possessed psychopaths are celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk. Why would they do such if Charlie Kirk made no impact for the LORD? They wouldn’t.
There are some people who HATE Charlie Kirk…. but just remember, it doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a donkey, if the Word of God is coming out of their mouth, it’s still the Word of God. In Numbers 22 God used a donkey to speak to and warn Balaam. No one can deny that Charlie Kirk spoke God’s Word. If a person denies such, you know you are 1). dealing with a person who just hasn’t seen it with their own eyes, or 2). a dishonest person who has an agenda.
“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
To a man whose feelings were hurt by the straight talk of Charlie Kirk, the following reply was given:
Only a moral coward would object to a man speaking the truth straight. Too many pansies flying around these days, pretending to be men of God. Not. Read Matthew 23. Would you call Christ’s apostle Paul a man of God, of truth, or man full of “hate speech”?
Here’s what Paul said to a false prophecy:
“And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, THOU CHILD OF THE DEVIL, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” Acts 13:10
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit (act!) you like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
When a man truly repents, he will fear God and the LORD will give him a steel spine.
Charlie Kirk’s advice to a young man who asked:
- Read your Bible.
- Do what it says.
- Tell others what the Bible says
Does this murder principally resemble Cain and Abel?
“And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” Genesis 4:1-8
Cain murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy and resentment. His (Cain’s) life was not going well due to doing things his own way instead of God’s way. So he was in darkness and miserable and therefore became jealously enraged that his brother’s life was flourishing and full of life due to Abel serving God on God’s terms (Matthew 6:33).
Keep in mind that at just 31 years old, Charlie Kirk had built a movement that is worldwide and of enormous proportions of influence over young people in particular. There would seem to be lots to be jealous of if one is sulking in, living in sin.
We do know that “There is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Could this same scenario have played out between Charlie Kirk and his killer? What kind of evil drove Kirk’s murderer to plan and go climb upon a roof and wait hours to murder his fellow man?
One overview of the Murder of Abel by his brother Cain goes as such:
It would seem apparent that Satan wanted Charlie Kirk killed due to Charlie boldly proclaiming parts of the Word of God. That alone does not mean Charlie was saved and/or doing things God’s way in all the areas of his thinking or organization. But one thing is certain, Kirk did declare God’s Word at times and no matter the human source, the human communicator, it’s still the Word of God and was reaching millions (Isaiah 55:11). Charlie was a bold statesman-like figure with communication giftings that were profound.
Cain killed Abel due to jealousy and resentment after God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s, which God found to be of lesser quality and gratitude. Although the Bible doesn’t explicitly state the exact motivation, Cain became depressed and took his anger out on Abel, leading to the first murder.
The Biblical Account
- The Offerings: Cain, a farmer, and Abel, a shepherd, both presented offerings to God.
- Rejection of Cain’s Offering: Abel offered the “first and fattest sheep of his flock” while Cain offered “some of his poorer crops.” God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s.
- Cain’s Anger: Cain became very angry and depressed after God rejected his offering.
- The Murder: Cain met Abel in a field and murdered him, taking out his anger on his brother.
Why Cain was Jealous
- God’s Acceptance: Cain was jealous that Abel’s offering was accepted and his was not.
- Pride and Resentment: Cain’s pride was wounded, and he resented God’s righteous judgment.
Interpretations
- Jealousy as the motive:
Many interpreters, including ancient exegetes like Josephus, believe that jealousy was the primary cause for the murder.
Those who do things their own way instead of God’s, are full of misery and pent up resentment and therefore jealousy of those who do things God’s way which always brings blessings to their lives. This was the case with Cain and likely the case with Charlie Kirk’s killer.
Like Cain, who was jealous of Abel and therefore murdered him in cold blood, could it be that there are those who are jealous of the influence, the diligence and success of Charlie Kirk who are now assassinating him with their heart hatred and the words of their mouths? Could that be the reason many are taking their hatred public against him, after he’s been murdered? Notice how these same people have no joy for the fact that Charlie Kirk did preach some of God’s Word and it did and is reaching many.
“What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18
So yes, Paul rejoices that Christ was preached which Charlie did much of the time and yet Charlie did speak some things that are not true……
Does Satan care if only half the things you say are Bible truth? No. If the 50% of truth you preach, it’s still the Word and getting planted in the hearts of men who need God…..
Charlie was once asked a pretty wild question:
“If I had 30 seconds to live, I’m dying of a gunshot wound, what would you actually want to tell me?”
Charlie Kirk told the man that he must repent and receive Christ as his LORD and Savior.
SUMMATION: i don’t sense in CK an intentionally evil heart…. misled by others, those older than him, yes but having a heart determined to be or work evil? I don’t see it. I have seen and heard Charlie boldly, clearly state too much biblical truth to believe he is intentionally believing other things that are error.
https://gettr.com/post/p3ryvux9aec
Of Charlie Kirk, brother Glenn Langohr writes:
“Charlie Kirk’s voice reached millions. He defended God’s covenant of marriage, the duty of men to provide, and stood against abortion — fighting demonic powers that shed innocent blood (Ps 106:37–38, Gen 4:10). He resisted LGBT propaganda corrupting the young, standing like a watchman. For this, we give God glory and remember him as a man used in significant ways.
But friends, Charlie also had errors. He confessed he ‘cringes’ at street preachers, yet Jesus Himself came preaching ‘Repent or perish’ (Luke 13:3) and commanded, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). Paul declared, ‘God commands all men everywhere to repent”'(Acts 17:30). Street preaching is God’s pattern (Jer 7, Acts 5, 1 Cor 1:18–21). To belittle it is to misunderstand the very tool God uses to save.
Charlie was also misled by Jack Hibbs’ Pre-Tribulation rapture teaching, which Scripture refutes. Paul warns: ‘Let no man deceive you… that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and the man of sin be revealed’ (2 Thess 2:3). Daniel 12 calls endurance to 1,335 days ‘blessed’. Revelation 20 says those beheaded for Jesus will reign with Him 1,000 years. The Church will face Antichrist’s persecution before Jesus returns. Charlie finished his course as a martyr, but we must carry on, warning: Only those who endure to the end shall be saved (Matt 24:13).”
He said a lot of good, Bible based things…. WHY would anyone argue with that part?
Many a celebrity has claimed to be Christian yet never spoke the Word of God publicly perhaps for fear of it hurting their career, their money. Such was not the case with Charlie Kirk. He spoke boldly and often about Christ Jesus and His Gospel.
One saint of Christ notes the following:
“The amount of deception with his (Kirk’s) death is shocking!! Everyone seems to be an expert at what they think he believed.”
The hatred of professing Christians against Charlie Kirk is a concern (1 John 3:14-15).
We should be busy about our Father’s business right? Some seem to be wasting their time nit picking Charlie Kirk, feeling like that MUST weigh in on him instead of letting God handle what is in HIS hands (Deuteronomy 29:29).
WHY would satan’s people hate him so much if he didn’t spread the Gospel, the Word to some degree?
“I was an atheist, and this event made me realize I had been asking the wrong questions. I’m going to church tomorrow to pray for Charlie’s family, and I want to learn about Christ and what made Charlie so courageous to risk his life and spread the gospel. Seeing those who celebrate and are justifying his death proved evil is real, and the only way to fight back is with grace and faith. Charlie did not die in vain. He didn’t deserve this, but his courage and faith live on. Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk.” Michael Choi
I was critical of his pumping of the pope…. and his seeming lean toward ecumenism and yet Charlie Kirk did speak God’s Word strongly at times…..I choose to rejoice at that. I saw a guy in his 40s interviewed yesterday, in tears for Charlie Kirk’s death…. he said he was a life long atheist but Charlie Kirk and how he spoke, brought the man to Christ. Also Paul rejoiced that the Gospel was preached even when preached by mixed bags with bad motives even amen Phil 1. God knows all. “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18
If Paul did, shouldn’t we, Christ’s disciples today rejoice when the Gospel is preached – regardless of who is speaking the words of God?
Yes and yet God is God
“Philippians 1:15-16
Some indeed preach Christ out of contention – Envying Paul’s success, and striving to hurt him thereby. Not sincerely – From a real desire to glorify God. But supposing – Though they were disappointed. To add more affliction to my bonds – By enraging the Romans against me.” John Wesley
“1:15 The motive in some hearts was jealousy and rivalry. They preached Christ out of envy and contentiousness.
Others had sincere and pure motives; they preached Christ from good will, in an honest effort to help the apostle.
1:16 The jealous preachers thought that by doing this they might make Paul’s imprisonment more bitter. Their message was good, but their temper was bad. It is sad to think that Christian service can be carried on in the energy of the flesh, motivated by greed, strife, pride, and envy. This teaches the necessity for watching our motives when we serve the Lord. We must not do it for self-display, for the advancement of a religious sect, or for the defeat of other Christians. Here is a good example of the necessity for our love to be exercised in knowledge and discernment. 1:17 Others were preaching the gospel out of pure and sincere love, knowing that Paul was determined to defend the gospel. There was nothing selfish, sectarian, or cruel in their service. They knew very well that Paul had been committed to prison because of his bold stand for the gospel. So they determined to carry on the work while he was thus confined. 1:18 Paul refuses to be downcast by the wrong motives of some. Christ is being preached by both groups, and that is for him a great cause for rejoicing.
It is remarkable that under such difficult circumstances, Paul does not feel sorry for himself or seek the sympathy of others. Rather he is filled with the joy of the Lord and encourages his readers to rejoice also.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Charlie because of you, I’m going back to church!! Thank you.” Laura
“Charlie’s departure from earth is evidence that his message was effective and darkness cannot stand the light . RIP Charlie Kirk.” Jane
“I’m going to church on Sunday due to this beautiful man.” Matt
“I’m old enough to be Charlie’s father but he inspired me and taught me some things I researched to confirm truth. He was brilliant, highly educated and a national treasure. He’s w/Jesus Christ Jesus now. They can only threaten us w/heaven.” Veteran
“Charlie brought me closer to Jesus. The pain I’m feeling from his death is indescribable. I’ve never met him, but I learned so much from him, I learned truth. The boldness in him is now released into us. Gen z, this is God putting it into our face that life is short, life is a mission to glorify God. It’s time to fully live for Jesus, and speak truth in boldness like Charlie. I truly love him, he helped transform my heart from stone to flesh. I spent so much time listening to him, getting to know him. This pain is weighing heavy, he is such a pure light, someone who’s very rare to find. I’m so blessed to have listened to him during my life, thank You God for putting him in our lives. Mission well served. Rip faithful servant.” unknown
So personally I don’t feel the need to try to prognosticate who goes to Heaven or not in general… by the fruit it is obvious with some and not with others, as in this case right
Ah yes does it not glorify satan instead of Jesus when at this critical hour in HIS-story we have fightings within….
Instead of simply obeying our LORD who is God and has everything under His Almighty control? Right
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” James 4:1
The way I see this is …..The fact that “Christians” are idolizing him doesn’t change the facts though right
That is not his fault.
He seemed to be very humble actually and didn’t seek to unduly draw attn to himself
And that’s the consistent testimony of others who knew him
We know him by his own fruit right, not the fruit of those who sinfully seeking to elevate him “above that which is written of men” right 2 Cor 4:6
Matthew 24:14 we are His ambassadors to preach His glorious Gospel and leave the God things to God right 😉
This headline is a lie: “TRANS Radicalism Responsible For Charlie Kirk’s Death.” That’s an intentional misdirection. The evil doers, satan’s children, who authored and perpetrated the “trans radicalism” to destroy the world, are the ones who murdered Charlie Kirk. Kirk had the God-given right to freedom of speech. I did not agree with some things he has said and have published those concerns. But Jesus and His apostles never forwarded the Gospel message by violence, by murdering those who differed.
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36
What was done to Charlie Kirk was the same thing John Calvin did in Geneva, Switzerland to over 60 people who disagreed with him.
“the devil … He was a murderer from the beginning”
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44
MESSAGE FROM SINNER CONCERNING CHARLIE KIRK:
“But still your God does nothing.. it didn’t even stop a person in his best interests from being killed?? Either God is weak and the devil is in control or none of them exist. The more likely observation is, that they don’t exist.”
REPLY:
Friend, sinner, if God didn’t exist, neither would you. You sound like the darkened souls who stood at the foot of the cross when Jesus was dying for their sins, our sins….. they taunted “And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.” (Luke 23:35) He ultimate victory would come from His death, which of necessity had to precede His burial and resurrection. Jesus is alive. This is the victory that God ordained and at times He allows His people also to die a natural death and out of it His triumph comes. God sees all of your sins and will save, will forgive all your sins if you will heed His simple message to repent and believe upon Christ. Your life will never be right, your heart will never be happy until you do so. I am living proof of that! Jesus is coming.
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened (made alive thereafter, raised up, resurrected) by the Spirit:” 1 Peter 3:18
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Idol Shepherds Abounding!
The LORD is Holy and will not share His glory with any other.
“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8
Your favorite pastor, evangelist or teacher among men is “at his best state … altogether vanity” (Psalms 39:5). God be thanked for the life of every true servant elder and yet they are mere men. God did not send His only begotten Son to die and be buried and raised again to make you a good church member or fan of a mere man who is supposed to be a servant leader. Jesus came to take away our sins, make us new creatures so we could know Him and His Father – and serve them and not man (John 1:29; 17:3; 1 Corinthians 7:23). We are each called to “know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10). Let’s read the whole verse: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10).
RAVI ZACHARIAS is just another pawn of Satan whom gullible dupes clung to, they hung to his every word. He rarely even mentioned the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith – the holiness of God, the precious blood of Jesus, the crucified life, repentance, etc.. Why did they cling to him, a mere man? They were unrepentant and therefore weren’t choosing to truly worship, seek the face of, love and obey Christ. The vacuum left by their idolatry facilitated their delusion. Then Ravi died in sin. When you love the LORD, truly, you love and devour HIS Word, daily. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.
“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. 6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? MY HOPE IS IN THEE.” Psalms 39:4-7
When O When will we truly repent and genuinely follow JESUS, pouring over and hanging on HIS every Word – from Genesis to Revelation? Isn’t that why He gave us HIS Word, the Bible? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” 20:31
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5
The ministries of mere men are not an end in themselves.
They are called to simply teach God’s Word itself – and to get you into God’s Word daily for yourself.
Notice how the apostle Paul reveals how the disciples at Thessalonica “received the word of God.”
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when YE RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
“Ye received the word of God – Ye received the doctrine of God, not as any thing fabricated by man, but as coming immediately from God himself, we being only his messengers to declare what he had previously revealed to us. And ye have had the fullest proof that ye have not believed in vain; for that doctrine, under the power and influence of the Holy Ghost, has worked most powerfully in you, filling you with light, life, and holiness.” Adam Clarke
They were “taught of God”, not men (1 Thessalonians 4:9).
The ministries of the servants of God are merely designed to get you to discern ….. and to get into God’s Word FOR YOURSELF – to study to show your own self approved unto God! (Acts 17:10-11)
” And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:10-11
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
YOU do it.
“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
The lazy, those who don’t truly love the LORD are being eliminated as goats. This all comes on the heels of their refusal to seek God…. and study His own Word.
No, instead the idolaters of mere men will read and listen to endless messages by mere men, their favorite preachers, mere men. They then bond with those mere men, there is an unnatural soul-tie created.
“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22
“Isaiah 2:19-22 People will seek for shelter wherever they can hide. It will be clear then that fleeting man is unworthy of trust. Only the Lord is worthy of the undivided confidence of His people.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Cease ye – Never admire or place your trust in man. Breath – Whose breath is quickly stopped and taken away. Wherein – What excellency is in him, considered in himself, and without dependence on God?” John Wesley
“Cease ye from man – Trust neither in him, nor in the gods that he has invented. Neither he, nor they, can either save or destroy.” Adam Clarke
The church world is full of wolves in sheep’s clothing. The list of “idol shepherd(s)“ is long…. Here is but a sampling:
See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.
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