“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 

Today’s priesthood of wolves, who falsely claim to be the LORD’s elders, nearly all insist that they MUST have and operate out of a physical so-called church building (Jer. 12:10; 23; Ezek. 34; Matt. 24:11, etc.). Well, wouldn’t that mean that Jesus and His holy apostles weren’t legitimate elders – because none of them raised a penny for, or built a physical building?

A temple is a holy place, a sanctuary of worship. The temple the LORD had Moses construct was in order that He might dwell among His people. – “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” (Exod. 25:8). Why was there a tent of meeting? – “that I may dwell among them.” We must never lose sight of the original and perpetual purpose for a temple – for God and man to abide together in relational communion and that the Creator’s will could be advanced in the earth (Gen. 1:26; Jn. 14:15, 21, 23; 17:3; 2 Cor. 6:16-18).

In the divine economy, a temple is a place where God dwells. And, just where is that temple today?

The temple of God is the place He chooses to dwell – to reside. Where did the LORD tell us He chooses to dwell?

“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for (now) he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also … Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient (better) for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” John 14:17-19; 16:7 

When Jesus spoke these words He had not yet ascended back to Heaven. The Son of God here promised that when He went to the glory of His Father He was going to send the divine Person of the Holy Ghost to dwell inside every born again believer (His temples). This is why Jesus tells us in John 16:7 that it was “expedient” or better for them His disciples (and us), that He went away – so that upon re-entering His Father’s heavenly throne of glory, He could send into the hearts of every saint, the divine Person of the Holy Spirit. Apparently, up until this point the Holy Spirit was only with His saints and not inside of them in the special way He dwells with us under this glorious New Covenant (read the book of Hebrews). Christ here foretells that soon, when He rose again from the dead and ascended up on high, He was going to send forth the Holy Ghost and though now “he dwelleth WITH you,” soon He “shall be IN you.” (Jn. 14:17) But not everyone can receive the divine presence, the divine Person of the Holy Spirit. There is a qualification to receive the very presence of the Holy Spirit – “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (Jn. 14:17) Only those who know Jesus and have been cleansed by His holy blood will receive the Holy Spirit and be His temples – the place He dwells. Now that His blood was shed to take away the sins of the world, the divine presence of “the Spirit of truth” was now going to dwell in those temples whom He had regenerated and cleansed in preparation for His abiding (Jn. 14:17).

There is a shadow of this in the law and days of Moses. This truth (that one must be washed in the blood to receive the Spirit) is a prophetic prefiguring of what Christ become the reality and fulfillment of. Jesus Christ has become the substance of what this was a mere “shadow of things to come.” Hebrews 10:1 says – “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”

The blood of Jesus has provided for us much better things in our relationship with God, including the truth that we are His temples – the place He has chosen to dwell. The sacrifices under the Old Covenant were infinitely inferior to that of the supreme and matchless perfection of Christ’s sacrifice through which He has granted us a “better covenant.” – “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant (far superior), which was established upon better promises.” (Heb. 8:6)

The shadow: Do you remember that under the law, the blood was first applied to the priest and then the oil? The substance: There is order with the LORD – one must first be cleansed of all unholy contamination (sin) by the blood of sacrifice before the oil of God the Holy Spirit will come and dwell there.

“And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.” Exodus 29:21 

With these truths at heart and for a deeper understanding, let’s peruse through a larger portion of this vital passage recorded in John 14, even the words of our LORD:

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide (dwell) with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:16-26 

The Holy Spirit is now dwelling in us as His temples – “he abideth (dwells) IN US, by the Spirit which he hath given us … greater is he that is IN YOU, than he that is in the world.” (1 Jn. 3:24; 4:4)

“…ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9 

The person who does not understand what God’s Word teaches concerning the identification of God’s real “church”– “God’s building” – is prey for a wolf to make him loyal to his own cause, diverting and intercepting his focus and funds from the LORD God (soul-damning idolatry – Eph. 5:5-9).

Did Jesus ever build a physical building to further His heavenly kingdom? No. So what does He mean by the declaration “I will build my church”? (Matt. 16:18)

“Many have no idea that 1 Cor 3:16 means God dwells within us. They pride themselves on how often they attend church. It becomes a ‘holier than thou’ attitude (Isaiah 65:5). And they believe they are morally superior because they attend ‘church.’ God forbid you leave their apostate building and become the real church! At our last ‘church’, we were ostracized for that. Because according to them, when you leave their physical building, you have now left God. They believe that Jesus is only in those buildings and not in us! But those church buildings are only made of wood. And Jesus does not dwell there because of the defilement, self-righteousness, and sin. He dwells in us. We are the temples of the living God! And we are to carry His Word and shine His light into the world and not to hide it behind a fake, lukewarm, religious building!” Karen Cochran

How does the Bible define His “church”? Greek – ekklessia, which means called out ones (people). 

What Jesus is building is “a spiritual house.” (1 Pet. 2:5) This is transpiring as His Word is sown into the hearts of men.

The Carpenter from Heaven promised to build and work on His “building” causing it to prevail against all hell could offer (Matt. 16:18). His people are the “church” Jesus promised to “build.” We are each lively stones – “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 2:5) Each one of His people are a living stone making up His “building,” His “temple,” His “spiritual house.” (1 Cor. 3:9, 16; 1 Pet. 2:5)

“And I (Christ) say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock (the revelation that I am the Messiah)I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 

Jesus says “I will build my CHURCH.” (Matthew 16:18) His “church” is HIS PEOPLE, not a physical building – but rather He is building His kingdom in the hearts of His PEOPLE. Are you STILL wasting God’s money on physical buildings many erroneously call “church” ?????

The revealed divine goal is to “build” His family by saving and changing lives that are houses of clay and being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:28-29). Christ didn’t come to give license to sub-leaders to build their own little kingdoms using His name. He is orchestrating all things to this divine and holy end – it’s all about Him and not us. This is why He has redeemed us and come to dwell in us – to do what He promised and is doing, build His church. Any movement, leader, or organization that does not own and communicate this foundational truth through the Gospel, is preaching another gospel and is false (Gal. 1:6-9). Defining the true Church as the LORD has in His Word is ultra important, especially in this late hour of epidemic apostasy (Matt. 24:3-5; 2 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; Rev. 12:12). Jesus Christ told us that His kingdom was “not of this world” and that His kingdom was within His people and not an organization of mere men or physical building – “the most High dwelleth NOT in temples made with hands.” (Lk. 17:21; Jn. 18:36; Acts 7:48)

Just as the blood of an animal sacrifice preceded the application of the anointing oil, so the precious blood of Christ made it possible for His Holy Spirit to dwell inside each and every one of His saints. This is why Jesus told us that it was “expedient” for us that He go to Heaven after paying the full price for our sins on the cross – so He could send the Spirit into each heart (Acts 2:1-4).

Did you catch that? – “the most High dwelleth NOT in temples made with hands.” (Acts 7:48) God is holy and cannot dwell in any place prepared by the hands of sinful men. As God would have it, only the divine blood of His only begotten Son via His nail-pierced hands and feet could have possibly prepared the place in us for His holy presence to dwell.

This “so great salvation,” wrought by the very blood of Jesus, provided for the indwelling Spirit to inhabit us as His temples and gives full access and blessed provision to every disciple for communion and any need (Heb. 2:3; 4:14-16).

JESUS WANTS THE GATHERINGS OF HIS PEOPLE CLEANSED FROM THE HIRELING WOLVES WHO MONETIZE HIS NAME AND HIS CHURCH! They refuse to emphasize the divine desire for God’s people to have pure hears nor the cardinal doctrines of the doctrine of God.

God is all about people and yet cannot bestow His blessing until there is true repentance and humility (Isa. 1:18-20; Acts 3:19; James 4:6-10). We should ask His forgiveness for the idolatry of having other gods before Him and therefore aggrandizing self, physical temples, organizations, programs, and mere men.

“For the LORD taketh pleasure in HIS PEOPLE (not physical buildings, organizations or leaders, etc.): he will beautify the meek with salvation.” Psalms 149:4

The Father sent His only begotten Son for people. The earth and everything else is only in existence for His highest creation for which He came and bled. The eternal Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, ultimately purchasing our redemption with His own blood in order to wash away all our sins and grant us intimate relationship with Him who is “holy, holy, holy.” (Isa. 6:3; Matt. 26:28; Rev. 4:8). Christ did not come to the earth so that men could use His name to amass organizations to their own glory, ruling over the people – such is the occupation of “evil workers.” (Phil. 3:1-3, 17-19) Jesus told us that those who truly followed Him would be the greatest servants (Matt. 20:24-28). Any person in leadership who does not strive to be “servant of all” is in direct disobedience to the command of Christ and will inevitably become a wolf operating among the sheep if he does not repent and lay down his life (Mk. 9:35). Hirelings are those who are in ministry positions for their own personal gain – they serve their own carnal appetites (Phil. 3:17-19). As we were repeatedly forewarned, there are “many” who erect physical monuments and perpetuate the existence of religious organizations of mere men while claiming to be Christ’s leaders. This they do while simultaneously rejecting His words (Matt. 7:21; Mk. 8:38).

The LORD is all about “HIS PEOPLE” and not physical buildings, organizations, religious politics, or the undue and idolatrous worship of human leaders, etc. Those who do not emphasize this truth that Jesus Christ is “Head” and is building His people – His Church – His building, are those who are “not (up) holding the Head (Christ), from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” (Col. 2:18-19)

Oh yeah to the naked and untrained eye it looks like Christianity is growing in America with all the church buildings that are being constructed. That’s a picture of the organized, visible apostate church world. As Elijah and the apostle Paul were taught and reminded of, God’s remnant people are not always readily visible to the physical eye (1 Kings 19:14, 18; Acts 18:9-10). But we must ask ourselves if the growth of the kingdom of God is parallel with the construction of brick and mortar buildings and the numeric growth of organizations or local churches.

According to history, organizations, properties, and numbers of people can be thriving while men are simultaneously departing from the LORD.

“For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.” Hosea 8:14

“Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples” – From this telling statement it seems that as men forget God, they tend to migrate to the idolatry of self by building physical structures as a way to make up for what they lack spiritually and what they would otherwise be receiving from God if they were worshiping Him “in Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24) The innate tendency in the man who has a mere form of godliness yet does not know the LORD, is to construct physical things, believing that he is contributing to the building of God’s kingdom. For this sin the LORD promises to send the “fire” of His judgment which must begin at the house of God (Isa. 5:20-24; 1 Pet. 4:17-18).

Those who understand the biblical truth about the true Church and that we are His temples, will cringe when we hear a pastor stand up and say “Welcome to the house of God.” We are the Church (called-out ones) and therefore cannot go to church as many insinuate. We are the temple or house of God and therefore cannot go to the house of God. Now we can fellowship with those in “the household of faith” yet the house of God is not a physical building where we gather (Gal. 6:10). Any leader who misleads people to believe that his little church program or business is “the house of God” simply does not possess a foundational knowledge of the kingdom of God.

Like apostate Israel, in America we see the exponential proliferation of “church houses” at the expense of the advancement and spread of the kingdom of Heaven. Wasn’t this the case with the Laodiceans? They appeared to have substance with all their material wealth and yet God saw them as ready to be rejected out of His body because they were “lukewarm… wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked…” (Rev. 3:14-22). Let’s freshly read these vitally important words of Christ and examine our own hearts in this light:

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. 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: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22 

One deceived pastor of a large and financially affluent church here in the Dallas area attributes the financial increase and his accumulation of real estate properties to the growth of God’s kingdom. Is that biblically accurate?

“Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.” Isaiah 66:1-5 

The LORD is not impressed with physical buildings and organizations of religious men who don’t know Him. The Almighty told us that He only chooses to commune with that redeemed person who is of a “poor and of a contrite spirit” and therefore trembles at His holy Word (Isa. 66:2).

Being His dwelling place requires that I obediently keep His temple clean. (God be praised for repentance, His holy throne of grace, and the restoring love of Christ). Such is a condition for remaining His son and receiving His blessings:

“And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 6:15-7:1

PRAYER: Father, please do a fresh work in my heart. I ask You in Jesus’ holy name. Grant a heart of flesh and please remove all stony places in this heart. Bless this vessel to please You in all thoughts, meditations, and acts in this short life. Please dig in deep, probing the depths of this heart. Please test the substance of my life and reveal the true value or lack thereof. Grant repentance and the holy fear of the LORD. Let me be clothed with Your righteousness through the precious blood of Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This message was sent out to each person who is on our Moments For My Master email devotional list. We would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (1 Tim. 4:6). Click here to Join.

If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here okay:  Born Again: What is It?

PEACE with GOD

Feedback:

“Brother TODD you are such a blessing .. I came out two years ago .. HE kept taking me out.. I thought something was wrong with me.. not anymore .. brother AUSTIN shared this teaching on the living stones and gave an illustration.. I will send this to him he will love it and I have sent it to a few others as well.. thank you for writing it for the FATHER is using you and all your past experiences HE is using for his glory!” Marsha O.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | More on Assurance here | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Knowing God | The Cross Life | 100’s of Christ-centered Scripture-rich Podcasts | Christology = the Study of Christ

The Gospel: What is It? [podcast]

Do We Understand the Gospel? The book of Romans is called by some “The ABC’s of the Christian faith,” and for good reason. “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. 17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 The words “gospel of Christ … is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”  The […]

Making Merchandise of You

(excerpt from the book Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us) Greedy Gold Grubbers who Prey on Gullible Dupes PAUL warned us that there are “MANY” who twist God’s Word in order to profit off of the people of God (2 Corinthians 2:17). Peter told us the same thing when he warned of those who “through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you.” (2 Peter 2:1-3). In the beginning and end of His ministry our LORD Jesus cleared the temple to express the divine mandate of holiness among those who name the name of Christ (Matthew 21; John […]

The Reign of Christ! [podcast]

We are at the precipice of HIS-story, the beginning of a new day, the Day of the LORD, is at hand… Matthew 24 and Luke 21 are in full play before our very eyes. Jesus is coming to scatter all the rebel squatters from HIS earth and set up His kingdom reign! “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:27-28 Christ is going to deal […]

Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages

LOTS OF FRAUDS WHO CLAIM TO BE SAVED BY GRACE YET DEFEND INSTEAD OF ADMITTING, REPENTING, CALLING OUT AND CONFESSING SIN. “Grace” that isn’t leading you to live godly in this present world, denying ungodliness instead of living in it, is NOT saving grace. You are lost if this is the phony “grace” you have.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” Titus 2:11-12 

YES God’s grace in Christ is certainly amazing and yet, the evangelical, calvinistic worlds have grossly emphasized and perpetrate a perverted view of God’s grace…. Fulfilling the prophecy of Jude 3-4. God says these are “ungodly men” who we are to “earnestly contend” against! (Jude 3-4)

It’s only the sin-justifying, grace-perverting frauds who hate personal accountability and obedience as the manifestation, the fruit of true worship and love for God (Titus 2:11-12; Jude 4).

IF you love God, truly, you will obey Him. Those who do not obey Christ, don’t love Him (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).

Hell is full of people who got saved, then made excuses for their Christ-denying cross-less life on earth (Matthew 7:21; Titus 1:16).

This is how true grace manifests IF someone is saved by it….. otherwise they have either never been saved or have since fallen away from saving grace (Luke 8:13; Galatians 5:4; 2 Peter 2:20-22, etc.).

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21

This “so great salvation” (Heb. 2:3) that “hath appeared to all men” was wrought for us by the grace and life blood of the Son of God (Lev. 17:11; Rom. 3:23-26). We were down and out “having no hope” and “when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Rom. 5:6; Eph. 2:12)  We were “without strength!” – In other words we had no ability in and of ourselves to get back to the one true God we were separated from due to our own sin (Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 5:12). Yet, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) He saved us to be made progressively more free and to please and serve Him with joy in the Holy Ghost. He is our Salvation and enabler in all things. We truly CAN do “all things through Christ which strengtheneth” us! (Phil. 4:13)

Whenever God commands something, He also provides the grace for it to manifest in your life – as you are submitted and therefore obedient to Him (James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 4:10-11). His grace, divine enablement, operational power, is always sufficient to bring His perfect will to pass in our lives and to bring us through any and all difficulties, grueling seasons we may find ourselves in! (2 Corinthians 9:8; 12:9-10; 1 Peter 5:10) 

No gift could possibly be so “great.” See Hebrews 2:3. It is to Jesus Christ the LORD of all lords that we as vile and depraved sinners, owe all thanksgiving and have the immeasurable, grand and blessed privilege to worship. There is no fathoming the magnitude of the blessing, of the grace and mercy of our God poured out to us through “the blood of his cross.” (Rom. 11:33; 1 Cor. 2:9; Col. 1:20; Tit. 3:5-6) His grace truly is amazing and yet He is holy and righteous and will not permit sin into His presence.

“By him (Christ) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15

Seems to me that in “grace” circles grace itself is deified instead of the One who alone granted that grace?

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

My identity, my salvation is first and foremost in CHRIST JESUS Himself and not in the grace He brought and provided via His death on the cross! First things first! Keeping the main thing the main thing! (1 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 2:20; 6:14; Hebrews 2:9)

The apostle Paul, the divinely inspired grace teacher, stated here in our theme verse (please re-read Titus 2:11-12 above) that when God’s grace is genuinely at work in a person, that person is being taught and learning certain things. Let’s go to the divine source, God’s Word, to discover what these things are:

According to Titus 2:11-12, just what does God’s grace teach one who possesses it?

• To “deny ungodliness…in this present world”
• To “deny…worldly lusts…in this present world”
• To “live soberly…in this present world”
• To “live…righteously…in this present world”
• To live “godly, in this present world”

If a person claims to be saved (secure for Heaven) and yet is not “denying ungodliness” and “worldly lusts…living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world,” he is simply deluded. See also Matthew 7:21; Titus 1:16; James 1:22; 4:4 and 1 John 2:3-6.

If you don’t mind, I am nominating Titus 2:11-12 as that place in Scripture believers think of when they think of the grace of God. Do you think that saints and/or those who claim to be saints might take on a whole new level of responsibility if such were the case?

The person who currently possesses and is living in the grace of God can be assured of eternal life (Heb. 12:14). One can know or verify whether or not he truly possesses the grace of God by reading closely this enlightening theme passage of Titus 2:11-12. The authentically saved person is presently abiding in Christ’s grace – “Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts” and living “soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (life).”  

If these things are not manifesting in our lives, be sure that we are not presently living in the grace of God and should immediately repent before the LORD (James 4:6). In verse 11 of Titus 2, the Word states that it is “the grace of God that bringeth salvation.” And then Holy Writ reveals how those who truly and currently possess this essential grace live their lives – “in this present world.” 

“‘For whom ye yield yourselves, servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey.’ (Rom. 6:16)  If we are compelled, therefore, to yield ourselves servants to sin, and be subject to Satan’s power, insomuch that we cannot help but obey him, and really have no choice in the matter, then our free agency, our volition, is destroyed; and to make matters worse, the devil has more power than God. Satan can make us disobey God, but alas, God cannot make us disobey Satan. The devil compels us to be sinners, but God cannot compel us to be righteous. What kind of doctrine is this?” –Howard W. Sweeten

In America, the vast majority of those who are called evangelicals do not even realize that this Titus 2 text exists. The masses have never had this text pointed out to them and expounded upon by their leaders. What is it these leaders are afraid their audiences will discover if they unveil this text? Some leaders just simply do not teach the Word (2 Tim. 4:2-4). This alone makes them false. For the Calvinistic leader I must ask: What are they hiding? What are they afraid people might find out? Why are other Bible passages on grace spotlighted and not Titus 2? Why is this Bible passage purposely neglected and avoided? What are our leaders afraid will be revealed to the people they communicate to? Do these leaders fear that the divine truth revealed in Titus 2 will contradict what they are teaching? Do they fear offending people by communicating what the evidences (fruit) of true grace and salvation are?

Unrepentant rebels who claim to be saved lack the discernment and ability to rightly divide the word of God because they refuse to turn their hearts over to the LORD – 2 Corinthians 3:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. OSAS dupes reject the mountains of Scripture that teach a conditional eternal security because they simply do not want to repent and lay down their lives in this sinful world.

Speaking of “A Foreign Grace,” David Servant, in his book The Great Gospel Deception, says:

“It is not only the fruit of people’s deeds that mark them as false teachers, but also the fruit of their words. If they teach what is contrary to essential New Testament doctrine, they are false teachers.

Of course, no teacher in the church is going to stand up and declare that he is teaching what is contrary to the New Testament. Rather, he will neglect certain important scriptures and twist others to persuade his constituency that he is teaching the truth. This is being done today by many very popular and influential teachers who teach about a grace that is foreign to the Bible. The grace they proclaim is not the true grace that leads to holiness…

How is it possible that people who denied the only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ, could have ‘crept in unnoticed’? The answer is that they were not standing in front of congregations declaring, ‘I deny Jesus Christ.’ Rather, they were denying Jesus Christ through their false teaching about grace, turning it into licentiousness.

Their message could be summarized as follows: ‘Isn’t God’s grace wonderful? Because our salvation stems from His grace and not from our meritorious works, holiness is not essential for salvation. Because of God’s wonderful grace, all who believe in Jesus are saved, even if they continue practicing sin.’” p. 230, 231

As David Servant points out, the false teacher is not going to stand up and announce that he is a wolf. It is the individual believer’s responsibility to discern leaders by the fruit of their teaching. What is not taught (left out of the message) can be more deadly than what is taught. What we don’t know can kill us. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hos. 4:6) To be able to discern one must study the Word diligently and be exercised therein (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16; Heb. 5:11-14).  This gross lack of knowledge among some who claim to know the LORD is also an indication that many have not diligently studied the Word of God for themselves, but rather have relied upon their leaders to tell them what God has said. Consequently, so very many have been deluded with a false gospel.

Saints of the LORD, let us allow Jesus Christ to become important enough to our hearts to learn for ourselves what He has stated to us in His Word. Is the LORD truly your first love? Are you actively and fervently memorizing Scripture – His very words? Let me encourage you to do so from the Authorized Version (KJV). See Proverbs 4:4 and Psalms 119. Index cards are a great way to do such.

“In This Present World” – Holiness Now Or Then?

If we do not possess His grace “in this present world,” evidenced by our denial of ungodliness and holy living here and now, then how can we deceive ourselves into thinking we are truly His? If not now, the then (eternity) is surely eternal damnation. According to God’s Word, without holiness, no person will be with Jesus Christ in eternity (Matt. 5:8; Heb. 12:14; Rev. 21:8, 27). Think with me for a moment of how many people who are at this very instant, residents of the domain of the damned – hell. What is their unalterable and horrible future? These eternal souls will shortly be cast into the lake or ocean of fire (Rev. 20:11-15). Why? These people were given the choice and willfully and deliberately chose in their brief earthly life to make something else more important than the LORD and doing His will (Exod. 20:3; Matt. 7:21; Eph. 5:3-6; 1 Jn. 5:21). Pretty simple, yet the consequence is forever fixed – They have reached the point of no return. Hell’s eternal occupants who have gone before us to damnation will, after a million years of excruciating and conscious torment, have not one less second to spend there.

Is it worth it? Is living apart from life-giving fellowship with Jesus in this short life worth eternity in torment? Is justifying instead of crucifying the sins of the body worth spending eternity in the prison of fire? Jesus told us we must abruptly cut off the hand and pluck out the eye that causes us to offend the one true and holy God with our sin, that we might be in Heaven (Mk. 9:42-50). Ready or not – Jesus is Coming!

The Fruit of True Grace: Grace that is not taught with responsibility and the fear of the LORD is not Biblical grace at all. Be not deceived! (Tit. 2:11-14) According to Titus 2:11-12, true grace produces a specific fruit. God’s grace is active. When it truly abides in a person, it has specific earmarks of its possession while “grace” without this fruit is shown to be no saving grace at all. This is a sham that so many today have been taught. It is the bill of goods that is being sold from pulpits across America every week.

Comprehensive grace includes the fear of God which alters the lifestyle and causes the recipient to live a holy life. The adherent is led into intimate fellowship with Christ and from living in habitual sin that would disqualify him from the prize of eternal life. The good news is that there is the precious blood of the Savior available at the “throne of grace” to grant us all a fresh start! This believer, who is less than the least of all saints, has had enormous reason to rejoice in that he has fallen short so many times, only to be drawn back in by the LORD to receive mercy and grace afresh! This priceless grace, purchased with the blood of Christ, is available at all times to those who are born again. We therefore have no excuse to have any sin remaining on our account (Heb. 4:14-16; 1 Jn. 1:7, 9). We are blessed to have EVERY sin washed away in His holy blood as we simply go before His precious throne of grace and cry out in repentance and receive His priceless mercy which we do not deserve yet was merited by Christ’s blood. This truth makes me want to shout for joy!

What a rich blessing it is that God’s grace empowers the believer to fulfill what its Author demands. Through the apostle Paul the Holy Ghost tells us that “sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom. 6:14)

PRAYER: LORD Jesus thank You for Your saving grace which enables me to experience relationship with You and live completely pleasing in Your holy sight in all things. Right this moment I denounce all dissimulation and self-deception, lies, and excuses. LORD I beg You to make my heart pure LORD Jesus! Thank You that sin shall not have dominion over my life as I obey You in the daily crucified life, as I remain in fellowship with You, forsaking all thoughts and deeds that offend You. Your grace is sufficient to bring about Your perfect will which is holiness. In the name of Jesus, amen.   

Lie of the Ages (the book)

No honest Bible student reads the whole of Scripture and comes out with the idea that he’s OSAS. No, such a doctrine is taught by men who lure in their un-repentant prey with ear-tickling promises. “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.” (2 Peter 2:18) Instead of preaching the original Gospel message by calling their audiences to repentance and live a holy, cross-bearing life, they assure them in their sins, just like the false prophets Jeremiah cited (Jeremiah 23:17). This is exactly why those wolves who teach this lie of the ages have such lucrative “church” businesses. They’ve gotten rich peddling Satan’s first lie and are fulfilling prophecy as they lead many to damnation (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4

The OSAS believer is vested in his own flesh which he serves instead of Christ and so he doesn’t care how many Scriptures contradict the lie he loves – because he refuses to truly repent and bring forth fruit consistent with that authentic repentance. Instead of overcoming all sin he wallows in it, justifying that which God condemns because he’s self-deceived with this antinomian (lawless) lie.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Eternal Security/OSAS | Accounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] |Sealed? | The Return of Christ | Support | Lie of the Ages [podcast] | 10 Questions about Eternal Security | Is Salvation Eternal? | The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast] | The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast] | Lie of the Ages (Blockbuster book exposing OSAS and calvinism)

"Sealed unto the Day of Redemption” Ephesians 4:30 [podcast]

Salvation Sealed or Doom Sealed? Cross-less moral cowards never cease to look for new ways to twist Scripture to justify their rebellion – to excuse themselves from personal responsibility and accountability to Christ. They are “enemies of the cross.” (Philippians 3:18-19) They want to crown but refuse the cross that Jesus says is essential to following Him (Luke 9:23-24). The sealed counterfeits simply want the guarantee that they are going to Heaven no matter what. They don’t want anything to do with that bless-ed cross Jesus commanded to be taken up daily (Luke 9:23-24). Sealed Pushers Smashed! When Ephesians uses […]

Grace vs Holiness [podcast]

  “The horrible travesty we have in America today is Christianity without holiness.” A.W. Tozer Grace and holiness come only from God. The LORD is Holy and He extends salvation by grace to repentant, believing sinners at the moment of conversion. Grave vs Holiness: WHY is one of these two so overwhelmingly overemphasized by today’s pastors and self-appointed “grace teachers,” when the other is prioritized by God as is demonstrated by the number of times it appears in Holy Scripture? Which word appears more times in the Bible?: Grace, or Holiness LET’S DO THE MATH: Comparing Grace and Holiness 170 […]

Resurrection Grace [podcast]

NOTHING – NO MAN, NO DEVIL CAN STOP THIS! Just as no man, no devil could possibly stop the resurrection of Christ, no entity or army can stop the resurrection life of Christ in His saints, as they submit to their own death and burial. Resurrection follows! “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 […]

His Grace is Sufficient for Thee [podcast]

  “WHEN HE HAD BY HIMSELF purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3  ALL “BY HIMSELF” Jesus redeemed us, bought, brought us back to God by the shedding of His precious blood on that cross. Jesus needed no help: He alone was sufficient to propitiate, expiate, atone for the sins of mankind. The grace of Christ which saved us through His perfect sacrifice is the same and only grace that keeps us and enables His perfect will in our lives! Here’s how that works in His kingdom economy: He who died, was buried, and […]

Beware that this message received, below, is from a slick antichrist who misuses Scripture, leaving out truth to promulgate his denial of Christ’s divinity.

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“I agree that Jesus is the Son of God, King of Kings, my savior, the rock on which the church was built. I agree that the Bible from the beginning to the end tells us about God’s plan toward Jesus, his role in establishing the Kingdom of God and freeing the creation from sin. I love Jesus. This is why it’s hard for me to fathom how on one part you quote that “Jesus is the Son of the Living God” and say that it is this revelation that the church is built on and not Peter, and a moment later you say that Jesus is “the God of all creation”. I think this needs to be clarified. In one place you say that Jesus is God’s “only begotten Son”, then you also say that he always existed. It’s either one or the other. Either Jesus was begotten, or he ever existed. You said that everything in the Bible is about Jesus. So let’s read Micah 5:2: “And you, O Bethʹle·hem Ephʹra·thah, the one too little to be among the thousands of Judah, from you will come out for me the one to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from ancient times, from the days of long ago.” I think we will agree that this scripture speaks about Jesus who will come in the future, but “whose ORIGIN is from ancient times, from the day of long ago”. God, who always was, has no origin. Jesus does. Jesus was begotten, he is “the beginning of the creation of God” (Rev. 3:14), “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Col. 1:15). Peter correctly believed that Jesus is the Son of the Living God. The Holy Spirit revealed it to him. Jesus said so. Jesus also was very clear about the fact that he had God, the Father, who is more powerful than him: “Jesus said to her: “Stop clinging to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.’”” (John 20:17). “If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I am.” (John 14:28). “Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God.” (Phil. 2:5,6). “But I want you to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn, the head of a woman is the man; in turn, the head of the Christ is God.” (1 Cor. 1:13). “But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.” (1 Cor. 15:28). Thanks be to God and to his Son Jesus Christ for giving us a second chance and showing us a way out of darkness. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). May the truth reach everyone. “This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3). Hallelujah!”

REPLY:

Isaiah uttered this prophetic word of the coming Messiah: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty GOD, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6-7

Jesus Christ existed “from everlasting” which clearly reveals He has no beginning or ending and is divine.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, FROM EVERLASTING.” Micah 5:2

It’s both. Jesus Christ is both God and man. He’s God from eternity past with no beginning or ending and yet became flesh to redeem mankind (Galatians 4:4).

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5 

“The Word (Christ) was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Are you denying that Jesus has come in the flesh? That would make you an “antichrist” (1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7). “Only begotten Son” pertains to the virgin birth of Jesus when He was for a time made flesh to dwell among us and die for us, which is why He came (2 Corinthians 5:19). The “son” who was brought forth was God from all eternity. “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, GOD with us“ (Matthew 1:23). Jesus Christ is God, one of the Members of the triune Godhead, and as such has no beginning or ending. Read Colossians 1.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 

There cannot possibly be a perfect sacrifice without a virgin birth by divine operation.

“Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life”

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20 

Christ declared: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, THE ALMIGHTY“ (Revelation 1:8). 1 Timothy 3:16 says that “GOD was manifest in the flesh” and we know that is not the Father or the Holy Spirit but rather, Jesus who was born of a virgin, incarnate in human flesh, and “GOD … in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16). Jesus Christ is divine, has no beginning or ending, has always been and always will be God Almighty. Yet, when it pleased the Father, He was sent to the earth to be born in the flesh (incarnation), to show us the Father, and to redeem mankind. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,” (Galatians 4:4).

“But when the fulness of the time – Appointed by the Father, Gal 4:2. Was come, God sent forth – From his own bosom. His Son, miraculously made of the substance of a woman – A virgin, without the concurrence of a man. Made under the law – Both under the precept, and under the curse, of it.” John Wesley

“4:4 The fullness of the time refers to the time appointed by the Heavenly Father when the heirs would become of age (see v. 2).”

Of this truth, Galatians 4:4. William MacDonald notes:

“In this verse we have, in a few words, a marvelous statement as to the deity and humanity of the Savior. He is the eternal Son of God; yet He was born of a woman. If Jesus had been only a man, it would be gratuitous to say that He was born of a woman. How else could a mere man be born? The expression, in our Lord’s case, witnesses to His unique Person and the unique mode of His birth.

“Born into the world as an Israelite, He was therefore born under the law. As Son of God, the Lord Jesus would never have been under the law; He was the One who gave it. But, in condescending grace, He put Himself under the law that He had made, in order that He might magnify it in His life, and bear its curse in His death.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary

The Holy Spirit spoke beforetime through the beloved David of this coming event: “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” (Psalms 2:7)

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;” Revelation 3:14 – “The Lord Jesus speaks of Himself as the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God. As the Amen, He is the embodiment of faithfulness and truth, and the One who guarantees and fulfills the promises of God. He is also the originator of the creation of God, both material and spiritual. The expression, ‘the Beginning of the creation of God’ does not mean that He was the first Person to be created; He was never created. Rather, it means that He began all creation. It does not say that He had a beginning, but that He is the Beginning. He is the origin of the creation of God. And He is pre-eminent over all creation.” William McDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary

You cited Colossians 1:15 but then you stopped. Let’s look at the text which clearly reveals that as God, Jesus Christ created and sustains all that is: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:14-17

It’s becoming clear that you are under the control of the spirit of antichrist, which denies the divinity of Jesus Christ. Notice how you quoted John 20:17 yet ignore v. 28 – “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

“Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” John 14:28 – Of this, William Macdonald notes: “At first it seems as if this verse contradicts all that Jesus had taught concerning His equality with God the Father. But there is no contradiction, and the passage explains the meaning. When Jesus was here on earth, He was hated and hunted, persecuted and pursued. Men blasphemed Him, reviled Him, and spat on Him. He endured terrible indignities from the hands of His creatures. God the Father never suffered such rude treatment from men. He dwelt in heaven, far away from the wickedness of sinners. When the Lord Jesus returned to heaven, He would be where indignities could never come. Therefore, the disciples should have rejoiced when Jesus said that He was going to the Father, because in this sense the Father was greater than He. The Father was not greater as God, but greater because He never came into the world as Man to be cruelly treated. As far as the attributes of deity are concerned, the Son and the Father are equal. But when we think of the lowly place which Jesus took as a Man here on earth, we realize that in that sense, God the Father was greater than He. He was greater as to His position but not His Person.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

The Philippians 2 passage says exactly the opposite of what you asserted. Notice that Jesus “thought it not robbery to be equal with God” because He is God, He is divine and yet, for a time, He humbled Himself and was begotten by the Father through a virgin and was incarnated, clothed upon with human flesh to redeem fallen mankind.

“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 2:5-7

“PROLOGUE: THE SON OF GOD’S FIRST ADVENT (1:1-18)
John begins his Gospel by speaking about the Word—but he does not explain at first who or what the Word is. A word is a unit of speech by which we express ourselves to others. But John is not writing about speech but rather about a Person. That Person is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God has fully expressed Himself to mankind in the Person of the Lord Jesus. By coming into the world, Christ has perfectly revealed to us what God is like. By dying for us on the cross, He has told us how much God loves us. Thus Christ is God’s living Word to man, the expression of God’s thoughts.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-3, 14

The divinity of Jesus Christ stated repeatedly here: “the Word was God … ALL things were made by him … the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” The eternality, the infinitude, the divinity of Jesus Christ, the divine Word made flesh, is made known in the Gospel of John in more poignant fashion than any other place in the Bible.

Of John 1:1-5, the late William MacDonald noted:

“The Word in Eternity and Time (1:1-5)
1:1 In the beginning was the Word. He did not have a beginning Himself, but existed from all eternity. As far as the human mind can go back, the Lord Jesus was there. He never was created. He had no beginning. (A genealogy would be out of place in this Gospel of the Son of God.) The Word was with God. He had a separate and distinct personality. He was not just an idea, a thought, or some vague kind of example, but a real Person who lived with God. The Word was God. He not only dwelt with God, but He Himself was God.

“The Bible teaches that there is one God and that there are three Persons in the Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three of these Persons are God. In this verse, two of the Persons of the Godhead are mentioned—God the Father and God the Son. It is the first of many clear statements in this Gospel that Jesus Christ is God. It is not enough to say that He is “a god,” that He is godlike, or that He is divine. The Bible teaches that He is God.

“1:2 Verse 2 would appear to be a mere repetition of what has been said, but actually it is not. This verse teaches that Christ’s personality and deity were without beginning. He did not become a person for the first time as the Babe of Bethlehem. Nor did He somehow become a god after His resurrection, as some teach today. He is God from all eternity.

“1:3 All things were made through Him. He Himself was not a created being; rather He was the Creator of all things. This includes mankind, the animals, the heavenly planets, the angels —all things visible and invisible. Without Him nothing was made that was made. There can be no possible exception. If a thing was made, He made it. As Creator, He is, of course, superior to anything He has created. All three Persons of the Godhead were involved in the work of creation: ‘God created the heaven and the earth.’ (Gen_1:1). ‘The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.’ (Gen_1:2). ‘All things were created through Him (Christ) and for Him’ (Col_1:16 b).

“1:4 In Him was life. This does not simply mean that He possessed life, but that He was and is the source of life. The word here includes both physical and spiritual life. When we were born, we received physical life. When we are born again, we receive spiritual life. Both come from Him.

“The life was the light of men. The same One who supplied us with life is also the light of men. He provides the guidance and direction necessary for man. It is one thing to exist, but quite another to know how to live, to know the true purpose of life, and to know the way to heaven. The same One who gave us life is the One who provides us with light for the pathway we travel.

“There are seven wonderful titles of our Lord Jesus Christ in this opening chapter of the Gospel. He is called (1) the Word (vv. 1, 14); (2) the Light (vv. 5, 7); (3) the Lamb of God (vv. 29, 36); (4) the Son of God (vv. 34, 49); (5) the Christ (Messiah) (v. 41); (6) the King of Israel (v. 49); and (7) the Son of Man (v. 51). The first four titles, each of which is mentioned at least twice, seem to be universal in application. The last three titles, each of which is mentioned only once, had their first application to Israel, God’s ancient people.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary

Any person who denies that Jesus Christ is God, is a lost soul and an antichrist for denying the record God gave us of His Son. The Messiah was foretold to be “the mighty God,” “Immanuel,” and so anyone denying this part of “the record” of God concerning the Messiah, is antichrist (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7).

“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” 1 John 2:22-23

“2:22 John is careful to point out that to deny the deity of the Lord Jesus is to deny the Father also. Some people like to believe that they worship God, but they do not want to have anything to do with the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle says, ‘He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.’

“2:23 In Joh_8:19, Joh_8:42, Jesus said that those who failed to recognize His deity and to love Him neither knew the Father nor had Him as their Father. Similarly, John says, ‘Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.’ Here we have the wonderful truth of the unity between the Father and the Son. You cannot have the Father unless you have the Son. This is a message which should be heeded by all Unitarians, Christian Scientists, Muslims, Modernists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Jews.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary

“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.” 1 John 5:10

“The record that God gave of his Son,” is that which we have of Christ on record, recorded by “holy men of God” (2 Peter 1:19-21). We read in God’s Word, concerning Jesus, that He is “the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8), that “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), that “ALL things were created BY HIM” (Colossians 1:16; John 1:3), that “God was manifest in the flesh,” (1 Timothy 3:16), etc..  And so it’s clear that all who deny, who reject the divinity of Jesus Christ, that He is God, are antichrists and have called God a liar.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18

Your salvation in Christ is most important. Your knowledge of God’s Word determines how effectively, how powerfully you can be used of God.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Christology | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God | 100’s of Christ-Centered, Scripture-Rich Podcasts | Rooted and Grounded in Christ 

"Justified by His Blood" [podcast]

“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Romans 5:9 Wait, “we shall be saved from wrath through him” ….. and “justified by” what? Read that again. All men have sinned against God who is “Holy, holy, holy” and yet divine justice was perfectly satisfied, fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). “Ransom” means redemption price. Jesus’ blood, shed on that cross, was the redemption price necessary to buy us back to God from sin. Christ’s blood alone satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem, […]

Jesus Christ is God [podcast]

The Divinity of Jesus Christ WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST AS GOD ALMIGHTY: (Note: this is not an exhaustive look at the divinity of Jesus Christ. Also, note that some of the particular words that announce His divinity are underlined). “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (means God with us).” Isaiah 7:14 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given (He already existed as God-with no beginning or end): and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and […]

7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]

What Final Statements Did Jesus Make on the Cross and What Did They Mean? Our LORD Jesus Christ said 7 things while as He was offering His body and precious, sinless blood to buy us back to God. He was suffering for the sins of mankind and for no sin of His own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:18). He was shedding His blood to Re-deem (buy us back) and that’s what Jesus did for “the whole world” when He died on the cross, was buried, and raised again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 2:2). […]