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Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages

Ephesians 2:7

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us 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 show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:4-8

Here are a few phrases from Scripture concerning the beautiful grace wrought by Jesus Christ for all who will come and take of the water of life freely:

  • “the glory of his grace” (Eph. 1:6)
  • “the exceeding riches of his grace” (Eph. 2:7)
  • “the inheritance of the saints in light” (Col. 1:12) 

Do you realize what you have?

Oh My! What unfathomable riches have we been given in this “so GREAT salvation”? (Heb. 2:3) Do we even begin to realize that in Christ ALL of our sins and iniquities have been and are forgiven as we have and do come before His holy throne of grace!?

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14

In God’s Word and eternal kingdom economy, the forgiveness of sins is always accompanied and surrounded by divine initiating grace and the personal responsibility of each person to appropriate the salvation provided for us in Jesus Christ.

Of God’s grace, the Bible says that it brings salvation (Tit. 2:11).

There is so much to God’s grace for us to learn, know, experience, and walk in.

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10

The Scriptures inform us that God’s glorious grace is “manifold” which simply means many-faceted. There are many beautiful facets to the grace of our God (1 Peter 4:10).

God’s Grace is:

  • Abundant (Acts 4:33)
  • Rich (Eph. 1:7)
  • Glorious (Eph. 1:6)
  • Manifold (1 Pet. 4:10)
  • Sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9)
  • To be multiplied in believers (Jn. 1:16; 2 Pet. 1:2; 3:18)
  • Is a teacher and enabler (Eph. 3:7; 4:7; Tit. 2:11-12; 1 Pet. 4:10-11)

GOD’S PART

  • The redemption that is in Christ’s shed divine, sinless blood (Matt. 26:28; Col. 1:14; 1 Jn. 2:1-2)
  • The riches of His precious grace (Rom. 3:24-25; Eph. 1:7; 2:7; Tit. 3:4-7) – G.R.A.C.E. = God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
  • The “good pleasure” of God and “his goodness” (Ps. 86:5, 15; Lk. 12:32; Eph. 1:5-14; 2 Thess. 1:11)
  • The throne of His grace (Heb. 4:14-16)

MAN’S PART

“Repentance toward God, and faith toward our LORD Jesus Christ” (Acts 3:19; 20:21)

  • The fear of God (Ps. 2:11; 103:11; Prov. 14:26-27; Matt. 10:28; Lk. 12:5-6)
  • Transparency – the act of openly admitting sin our of a pure and broken heart and the outright refusal to deny that which we have done which violates a holy God (Ps. 32:5; 38:18; 69:5; 51; Prov. 28:13; 1 Jn. 1:9)
  • Specific confession of our sins (Ps. 32:1-5; 1 Jn. 1:9)
  • Fellowship/relationship with the LORD (1 Jn.1:3-2:2)

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (atoning sacrifice) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” Romans 3:24-25

Have we not all had the “everyone else is doing it” thought and believed that somehow the holy LORD and Judge was going to somehow overlook our sins when all is said and done? Well, be sure He will not pardon those who do not fall upon His mercy before it is too late (Exod. 34:7; Isa. 55:6-7; Ezek. 33:12-13; Lk. 13:3,5; Acts 2:37-40; 2 Cor. 5:11; Rev. 21:8, 27). Yet, all sins are washed away completely in the very instant the believer confesses and forsakes them (Ps. 103:2-3; Prov. 28:13; 1 Jn. 1:9; 2:1-2).

What we must realize is that all things work according to His divine wisdom and on His terms and not our terms. Neglecting or refusing to know, understand and embrace His Word (terms of the covenant) will result in shunning the grace and salvation of Christ and the loss of one’s soul (Heb. 2:1-3). Altering or ignoring His clear terms, revealed in His Holy Word, is the beginning of the creation of a false god in our hearts. Separation, despair, delusion and damnation will always be the result of disobeying the One who is worthy of all our praise (Deut. 28).

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Acts 20:32

The “inheritance” of our “so great salvation” and “the exceeding riches of his grace” is discovered in “the word of his grace.” We see in this blessed passage that the disciple of Jesus Christ is introduced to and matured in the divine “inheritance” of His salvation as he desires and devours “the word of his grace.”

The terms and conditions of the covenant inheritance purchased by the very blood of our Savior are contained in the canon of Holy Scripture – the Holy Bible. Saint of Christ, have you embarked upon the rewarding task of mining the golden truths of the Scriptures? If not, how can you know His nature and covenant blessings and terms? How shall we appropriate the myriad of rich benefits He has in store if we know not His precepts? LORD Jesus, please bless us with an ever-deepening hunger and thirst to know You more and to unearth the treasure chest of golden nuggets You have given us in Your Word! Amen.

As remarkable and unfathomable as the sacrifice of Jesus is and the grace that was provided through it to us, He has left the appropriation of such up to the individual. An initial one-time reception does not forever seal the individual indelibly. Initial and ongoing saving faith is required to receive and remain in His salvation (Jn. 15:1-6; Rom. 5:1-2; Eph. 2:8-9; Col. 1:22-23; Heb. 3:6, 12-15).

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The false security gospel that seeks to exploit the LORD by over-emphasizing and redefining His grace, has blanketed our land through misled men. This is a lucrative message to them because it gives the people what they want and yet is not the truth (2 Tim. 4:2-4). This insulating and inoculating message is readily received by those who do not know God’s Word for themselves and/or those who are not willing to lay down their own lives to serve Jesus (Lk. 9:23-24).

Loving God is commanded and yet it is also left up to the individual to engage in a relationship with Him (Matt. 22:37-39). If one is to do so, it must be under His non-negotiable conditions and not on ones own terms.

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Note here what God’s Word tells us. It is only “IF we” choose to “be dead with him” that “we shall also live with him.” It is only “IF we suffer” with Him and for His holy name and Gospel’s sake that “we shall also reign with him.”  And perhaps this following portion of the Bible text is a real clincher – “if we deny him, he also WILL deny us.”

Some tout the last part of this text while ignoring the whole passage. They will say “yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” Ah let’s talk about this. The LORD says “he cannot deny himself” but He doesn’t say anywhere that He cannot deny us! In fact this very passage says “if we deny him, he also WILL deny us.” Could the Almighty have said it plainer?

The individual disciple must enjoin the LORD in His desire and will and choose to abide in Christ and be conformed to His holy image in vital relational union (Rom. 8:29). We know the LORD will do His part – He is working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Isa. 59:1-2; Phil. 2:12-13). What remains to be seen is whether the individual believer will do his part. “Choose ye (you choose) this day whom you will serve…” (Jos. 24:15) He has called His people to keep the white garments of His righteousness spotless and to do such one must choose to remain in a faith-filled, obedient relationship with Him. The fear of the LORD is necessary.

Have you ever contrasted people in the Bible who feared God and those who didn’t? Such a study is telling. For example, Cain, Esau, king Saul, and Judas chose not to repent when each of them was given by God the same ability and privilege as their counter parts. The fact that the LORD granted each of the eight persons in question the exact same opportunity is best summed up in Genesis 4:7 when the LORD spoke to Cain:

And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth (mad)? and why is thy countenance fallen? 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.” Genesis 4:6-7

Why get mad? Why not do things God’s way and get glad? Why get bitter instead of better? You have a choice. The LORD said to Cain If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” He said in other words the LORD said to Cain: “Will I not accept you fully if you will do things my way? Cain, My desire is to bless you and not hurt you and I will accept you just as I accepted your brother Abel if you will simply forsake your own way and do things My way as he does.”

Cain had the exact same opportunity as Abel to get right and stay right with the LORD. This Bible fact alone disproves Calvin’s false presumptions and premise. Each of these brothers made a choice. Abel joyfully served His Creator and rejoiced to do things just as He asked him to. Cain refused to turn to the LORD from a humble heart and do things on His terms. He then slew his brother Abel. See Genesis 4.

David and Abel and Peter and Jacob all had many struggles with the sinful nature just as we do daily. Yet each of these men chose to continue coming before the Savior, approaching boldly to His holy throne of grace (not condemnation) for help and forgiveness (Matt. 11:28-30; Heb. 4:14-16). These God-fearing men chose to have hearts after the LORD of love. They each continued to make the decision to seek His holy face and not allow anything to derail them from intimacy with the LORD. Precious Jesus bless us to keep You as the first and foremost love of our lives!

God never intended for any person to rebel and go to hell and yet He is holy and just in all of His dealings with men. If He sends someone to hell it is because that person freely chose to not believe and obey Him. Unfortunately the majority of people will end up in the unalterable and conscious state of eternal damnation (Matt. 7:13-14). It’s a choice made by each individual human by how they live their earthly life. Remember that the LORD never separates what we do from what we believe (Prov. 20:11; Matt. 7:21-23; 25:40-46;  Jn. 14:21; James 1:22-25; 1 Jn. 2:3-5). There will be no second chance to do things God’s way and not our own. You my reader friend, will never be granted a second opportunity to obey God –  “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:27) As we die so shall we remain throughout eternity (Eccl. 11:4; Rev. 21:8, 27; 22:11).  If you choose not to literally love Him supremely and place your full trust in Him and perform His holy will in this life His divinely-executed and just punishment will be the result.

Should this truth cause us to do a serious self-examination to find out where we really stand with the LORD and not where we think we stand? (2 Cor. 13:5) Doesn’t the Bible warn us that it is entirely possible that we can be and that “many” are presently self-deceived? (Matt. 7:21-23; James 1:22) Make no mistake: Those who genuinely fear the Most High trust and obey Him in their daily lives. Didn’t He forewarn us all that what we do and do not do to His people is the way we are actually treating Him? In this we can see a crystal clear and true picture of our literal spiritual state. See Matthew 25:40-46. What is the revelation and end of those who do not bless God’s people? What is the clear state of those who do bless His people? Go see for yourself in this Matthew 25 passage.

Friend, since you and I can read these very words we know we have the privilege to make the needed adjustments and be forgiven – which is God’s will for us. We all have equal opportunity to love and serve God and such is proven by how we treat His people. Consider this:

  • Cain had the same opportunity as Abel.
  • Esau had the same opportunity as Jacob.
  • Saul had the same opportunity as David.
  • Judas had the exact same opportunity as Peter.

Cain’s love of self and hatred for God was manifested in the way he treated his brother Abel (he killed him). The same is true for how Saul treated righteous David (he attempted to kill David 21 times). What did Judas neglect to do for the other eleven? Think with me for a moment – Each of these four men who chose to rebel instead of repent have been in the excruciating, conscious torment of hell for thousands of earthly years while their counterparts are in the bliss and glory of Heaven with the One they chose to trust and obey in their brief earthly life.

Remember the story Jesus told about the “certain rich man” and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31? Didn’t their state flip flop in eternity? What do we know about the earthly life of these two men and what led to their eternal placement? Investigate Luke 16:19-31.

The Bible tells us that the LORD is “holy, and just, and good” and His desire and ability to redeem and bless have not diminished (Rom. 7:12; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). Jesus Christ came to the earth to set men free and yet if we continue to live in sin it will cause us to be alienated from Him and deprived of His delivering power (Lk. 4:18; Jn. 8:31-32, 36; Isa. 59:1-2).

Willing Participants

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and HIS WIFE HATH MADE HERSELF READY.” Revelation 19:7

Those who appear at “the marriage of the Lamb” to His bride, will be those who make themselves ready by becoming and remaining cleansed by His blood and Word (1 Jn. 1:7, 9; Eph. 5:25-27). The true Bride of Christ identifies herself by her willing obedience to work in cooperation with the Bridegroom. See also Matthew 25:1-13.

According to the whole counsel of Scripture the LORD initiates the relationship with the individual and the individual chooses to or not to respond affirmatively to His grace (divine influence upon the heart). See John 1:12. He left the final choosing up to the individual. Contrary to false teaching today, no unwilling participant is in or will be in the kingdom of Christ. Every single individual who is in and will be in the eternal kingdom, has and will have chosen to willingly and freely agree with and obey the Truth Himself (Jn. 14:6; 15, 21). Everyone else has or will have chosen the path of unbelief and denial of Christ – the Truth.

“For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:” Proverbs 1:29

God is holy and only those who choose to allow Him to forgive and wash away their sins are fit for His family. There of necessity must be a mutual agreement and alignment in any good relationship. There is the sense that the LORD initiates and man responds. This continues to hold true throughout the life of the one who has been initially saved. Jesus told us plainly that only those who are converted (born again) and become humble and dependent upon Him like little children, will enter His eternal kingdom (Matt. 18:3).

Make no mistake, the individual believer is not fit to cleanse himself initially nor ongoing. He has no ability to change his filthy rags to righteous garments (Isa. 64:6). No, instead he must fall upon and continue to collapse upon the mercy of the LORD to be continually cleansed (Heb. 4:14-16). Coming continually to His throne of grace is essential to remaining in Christ. As mud soils our clothes, so sin stains the garments once made white by the blood of Jesus. This is the imagery given in Scripture. Let’s peek into what Jesus told the church (saved people) at the city of Sardis:

“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:4-6

What we know from this passage (Rev. 3:1-6):

  • The people Jesus is addressing have been born again – “the church in Sardis” v1
  • Garments of righteousness can be stained and remain that way till washed afresh/again – “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments” v4
  • Of the “few” whose “garments” were not defiled by unrepentant sin He promised that “they shall walk with me in white” v4
  • He told us that only these whose continued to repent and have their garments washed from the stain of sin in the blood of Christ “are worthy” v4
  • Condition for Heaven given – “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment” v5
  • He gave a promise to all those once saved who keep their garments washed in the blood of Jesus through abiding in Him – “I will not blot out his name out of the book of life” v5
  • To those who overcome and are found in washed in the blood of Christ at the end of their lives – “I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels” v5
  • Warning to hear His voice and fear Him – “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” v6

The Son of God uses the word “few” here which means that perhaps a majority of those who once had a walk with the LORD had succumbed to the call of the world and were now living in a cold state of heart (backslid – Prov. 14:14). The word “few” here is key. Doing a study on the word “few” in the New Testament Scriptures can be very fruitful to ones understanding of the divine economy and should promote the fear of the LORD in the student of Scripture. Do you recall that when He spoke about Heaven Christ said it was a “narrow” path that leads there and that “few there be that find it”? (Matt. 7:13-14) Conversely He told us all that “wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction (eternal hell), and many there be which go in thereat.” Why? Because He created all men with the choice and foreknew that most will not choose to fear and obey Him even though such is His desire (Jer. 29:11).

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15

To His very own people Jesus Christ warns here of the necessity of keeping ones “garments, lest he walk naked.” The dreadful threat of walking “naked” or uncovered is clearly inferred here. The fact that He spoke these words to His own people (not the lost) makes it crystal clear that the possibility exists that one once washed has the personal responsibility to “keep(eth) his garments.” And, the one who chooses not to will be found “naked” and shamed before the LORD – which simply means he is not covered by the blood of Christ. The Almighty set forth conditions which must be met in order for the individual to be saved and remain saved. Initial and ongoing faith (includes a contrite and penitent heart), willingness, and obedience are the conditions (Ps. 34:18; 51:17; Isa. 1:19-20; Jn. 1:12; 3:16; Rev. 2-3).

To the Corinthian Christians Paul wrote these telling words:

And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.” 2 Corinthians 12:21

The opposite of “uncleanness” is cleanness. One who is cleansed is adorned with garments washed white in the precious blood of Jesus. Obviously there were those believers in this assembly who had repented of their “uncleanness” and sin – they were washed fresh and clean! Yet regrettably the Holy Spirit had revealed to the apostle that “many” in that church gathering at Corinth had not turned back to Christ (repented of sins) and still retained their sins and were under divine condemnation until they repented (see Romans 8:1 in the King James Version – this verse is astoundingly chopped in half in the new versions).

I don’t know about you, but this believer never ceases to be grateful for the fount of His precious blood in Heaven which is accessible to all of His people 24/7. I have worn a path to His holy throne of grace, crying out again and again and afresh for the cleansing of the blood of Jesus Christ. He has blessed me to “obtain mercy and find grace to helping time of need” on innumerable occasions and for that I am eternally grateful! See Hebrews 4:14-16. Come boldly and rejoice!

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and HIS WIFE HATH MADE HERSELF READY.” Revelation 19:7

In case one is still not yet sure about whether man’s will is involved and remaining washed pure is essential, let’s look at two additional passages below. Friend, please read these words for all they are worth and in the knowledge that these are God’s words not mans:

“…we know that, when he shall appear (He’s coming soon), we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope (the return of Jesus) in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 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 (that God will punish all who are not separated in holiness unto Him), dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

“Willing and Obedient”

“IF ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:19-20

“If” here denotes choice. Each of us continues to choose to be either “willing and obedient” or to “refuse and rebel.” I don’t know about you, but this believer is ultra glad for the lovingkindness of the LORD and how He is a “God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” (Ps. 86:15)

The Father in Heaven requires that men be willing participants in His Gospel program in order to receive the benefits of the salvation He freely provided through Christ’s blood (Deut. 30:18-20; Isa. 1:19-20; Jn. 3:16; Rev. 3:20; 19:7). All those who believe and remain in Him, will receive the fullness of His blessings and those who don’t place themselves under His judgment.

“I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Deuteronomy 30:18-19

PRAYER: Holy Father, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die for my sins on the cross and for raising Him from the dead. Thank You for loving and finding and saving me, an otherwise helpless and lost soul. Please help me to understand Your plan and submit humbly to You whether my heart understands or not. I trust You Jesus and ask You this moment to infuse my heart with Your holy fear and bless me to love and trust You fully as I seek Your face this hour. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: 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). Sign up here.

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Abiding

What Church is Jesus Coming Back for? [podcast]

Are you personally, intimately familiar with the words of Holy Scripture found in Ephesians 5:25-27?

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:21-27

Jesus is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing but one that is “holy and without blemish.” So this speaks of those who were His and yet presently have spotted garments, sin they haven’t repented of (Ephesians 5:25-27).

“Be ye holy”

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

“NO MAN shall see the Lord” without “holiness”

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14

Regrettably, most preachers today are so busy making excuse for sin that they refuse to disclose this preeminent, self-evident New Testament truth.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” 2 Peter 3:10-12

As this fallen world system and its inhabitants spiral unalterably downward in darkness and disarray, it becomes even more essential for the wise virgin saint to be anchored in the LORD in private prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and Bible reading. No man shall withstand the darkness of this late hour who is not seeking the LORD diligently, daily, relentlessly – demonstrating perpetually that they love the LORD supremely more than self or any other (Matthew 24:10-13, 22). Memorize 1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 57:7; 63:8.

IF he’s not hastening you to the holiness of God, he’s playing you for your allegiance to him, and perhaps your money! are you a gullible pawn? Read 2 Peter 2 and 3.

SO, the sinful seminarian wolf you call your “pastor” isn’t preaching the return of Christ, the cross, the necessity of personal holiness, hell, the essential of repentance, or Christ, the Messiah….. and you still sit under that darkness? Repent.

“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

SO MANY have more faith, more confidence in SIN than they do in the SAVIOR who came and died to make us free from ALL SIN! That’s a cross-less false gospel! Just as Jude foretold, these deceivers – “ungodly men” – cover their sins with a false grace message (Jude 3-4). With no exception, the saving grace of God – IFFFF you really have it – delivers you from sin and never justifies you in sin! Time to repent and be changed today! …. These grace abusing tares want to relish a false grace message that erroneously says that God is going to save them IN their sin but the Bible says Jesus came to save us “FROM” our sin – not in our sins (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; Titus 2:11-4, etc.). SO, God’s grace isn’t sufficient to deliver you from sin? If you believe that you don’t know Him.

Some among us are so enthralled in listening to modern end times teachers as they seek to figure everything out, that they are not abiding in Christ. These are among the foolish virgins.

ARE YOU spending more time engrossed in some supposed end times scenario than you are obeying God by doing the Great Commission mandate? If so, you are not ready to meet Jesus and in big trouble. Isn’t it time to let God be God and to get about the Father’s business?

The Return of Christ |  The Book of Revelation Narrated [podcast]Support | STORE | PodcastsTop 12 Missing Essential Doctrines in the Modern Church World! [podcast]Repentance and FruitLoving not our Lives unto the Death [podcast]

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Abiding

How we walk in “Strong Confidence” [podcast]

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“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.” Proverbs 14:26

“Strong confidence” is only found in fearing God, in walking in the fear of the LORD.

“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:27 

We are instructed to “forget not all his benefits” (Psalms 103:2) …… In this passage, we are promised benefits from our LORD:

  • “strong confidence”
  • “a place of refuge”
  • “depart from the snares of death”

Our part is to walk in the fear of the LORD.

“Strong Confidence” that glorifies God and not man, comes from walking in the fear of the LORD, which means we are obeying Him.

Like the psalmist, we should pray to God to “unite my heart to fear they name.”

The psalmist prayed:

“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalms 86:11

To “unite” in this verse means to combine, to become one…. permeate our innermost being.

When we truly walk in the fear of God, we fear nothing else.

Fearing God means we fear no man.

“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Psalms 118:6 

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32 

David and Paul walked in the fear of the LORD, and thereby were possessed with “strong confidence” and consequently feared no man or devil.

We can fear God without walking “In the fear of the LORD.” We should pray and endeavor to live in the fear of the LORD.

“Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.” Proverbs 23:17

So there seems to be the desire of God for His children to be permeated with His fear, to live in the fear of the LORD.

“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” Acts 9:31

The members of the early church were “edified” ….

  • “walking in the fear of the Lord,
  • and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost,
  • were multiplied.”

Let us always be grounded in the foundational essential biblical truth of knowing God—that He created us to know Him (John 17:3).

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

The life of the disciple of Jesus is learning to let God have His way in us, to lay our own will…. to let God be in control.

How many of us are realizing just how much sinful chaos and calamity transpires when we are in control instead of God?

Is this not part of the reason John the Baptist could so readily cry out “He must increase but I must decrease”? (John 3:30)

Are you reading Romans 6 each morning beloved of God?

Are you learning the cross life?

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” Luke 12:4-5

“In the fear of the LORD” the born-again believer is “hid with Christ in God” and fully assured, full of divine confidence!

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

In being crucified with Christ, we are hid not only from the evil of others, but primarily and most importantly, we are hid from the evil of self, the self-life.

Beware of the often-peddled cheap counterfeit, where people are instructed to learn to love themselves. The Bible commands us to love and fear God and love others, not self. In fact, loving self is the root sin that brought the original fall of mankind and remains as that sin which keeps men from God—pride in self instead of fearing God!

Those who walk in the fear of the LORD, live a crucified life. They walk in the “strong confidence” of the LORD (Proverbs 14:26).

You are no longer your own, you’ve been bought with the price of the very and precious blood of Jesus.

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, please forgive me for the sin of self-idolatry and not fearing You. I now repent. Please forgive and cleanse me of this sin. I here and now declare and choose to trust You with my life. I love You Jesus!

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | The Return of ChristStewardshipApostate Modern Church Exposed | Beware of the BUZZ WORD Bandits [podcast] | Preach the WordWolves Exposed | Church Membership Exposed | 100’s of Christ-centered, Scripture-rich Podcasts | Knowing God | The Cross Life | Christology = the Study of Christ

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Abiding

Knowing the Word of God and also the God of the Word [podcast]

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The highest priority of the true disciple is knowing God.

So many strive to know God’s will.

It’s only when you know God that you will know His will.

We all know people who are now away from God. They backslid. They no longer serve Him as they once did. Well, were they truly serving Him, or the church? They had some kind of a departure from the local church they were so fond of and consequently have no semblance of a life with Christ presently. Could this be due to them putting their energy and affections into the local church friends they met and the festivities? Yes. They were in love with the externals and not Christ.

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11

“God’s greatest desire is for us to have a relationship with Him. We were created for His great pleasure. Revelation 4:11” Karen Cochran

“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

Kingdom Priority

KNOWING and LOVING, WORSHIPPING God. Read Matthew 4:10; 22:37-39; John 17:3.

Pinnacle Revelation

Knowing God is the paramount divine purpose for which He sent His only begotten ….. and for which He created, made us.

“And this is life eternal (the whole reason, purpose), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

Knowing God is the reason He sent His only begotten Son—to bring us to Himself in a present and eternal relationship (Exodus 25:8;Psalms 27:4, 8; Philippians 3:10, etc). One of Satan’s tricks is to get the elders to intercept that heart affection worship.

It has always been about Jesus. Before Christ came to save us from our sins, the Bible was pointing to Jesus. Now after Christ came, we still look to Jesus. It has always been about knowing and trusting in Jesus. Before He came people just did not know His name, but now we do!” Serena Wagner

It’s not about elders, bishops. or pastors—Christ’s eternal kingdom is all about Jesus and no other. Read John 1; Colossians 1-2; Hebrews 1; Revelation 1.

WHAT will you say to the nail scarred risen LORD on Judgment Day when you made it about something else other than Him?

Christianity can quickly become ‘Do this and Don’t do that.’ Jesus is quickly forgotten. Instead, repent and fall in love with JESUS, and through the power of the Holy Spirit you will live a life that pleases Him. When You are filled with the Holy Spirit You will hate the sin you once loved.” Alan Brayshaw

WHO is “known of” God as opposed to those He will tell “I never knew you”? (Matthew 7:21)

“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” 1 Corinthians 8:3

“Those are the most frightening and terrifying words anyone could ever hear! That is why I always ask Jesus, ‘Do you know me?’ I want to be with my Lord and Savior for eternity! But I do not want to be so arrogant and prideful as to believe that God doesn’t have every right to spue me out. Or I that I am safe! I deserve hell. The only reason I have been spared is because of Jesus’ saving work for me on the cross! He redeemed me! But there are many conditions to be eternally with Jesus. We are to have a healthy fear of God knowing He has the power to determine the fate of our very soul! Matthew 10:28 It means nothing to Jesus if all we have is head knowledge of the Bible without any heart. He told the Pharisees they knew scriptures but they didn’t know Him in their heart (John 5: 38-47). It’s not based on what we know it’s based on knowing Him in an abiding relationship (John 15). The cross is the way to a real intimate relationship with Jesus. Through the dying of self He becomes your first love. And you begin to love Him with your whole soul, heart and mind (Matthew 22:37). I ask God daily ‘increase my hunger for Your Word.’ I want the hunger and love for God’s Word that David had! Just read and study Psalm 119. He cried out for more understanding even in the midst of persecution! That was his whole priority in life! David loved God, therefore he loved God’s Word as evidenced in Psalm 119. Every word is filled with love, devotion, respect, rejoicing and delighting in God’s words, pleading with the Lord that He might learn His statues and he might not err from God’s judgements. Psalm 119 is a treasure chest of David’s love for God’s word! If you want to truly fall in love with all of God’s word read, study and memorize Psalm 119!” Karen Cochran

Knowing the Facts and the Father

Recently, in order “to provoke unto love and to good works” I posted the meme above this paragraph and as has happened before, was confronted about how the Pharisees knew God’s Word but rebelled against Jesus (Hebrews 10:24). Let’s cross examine this position against the counsel of Scripture.

While it’s clear that we must know not only the Word of God but the God of the Word, the God revealed in His Word, how does that negate the need for Bible knowledge? It simply doesn’t.

Just because the Pharisees of Christ’s day knew His Word but didn’t choose to turn their hearts to Him, how does that mean that believers today should neglect knowing His Word? Such logic is not only bad, it’s un-scriptural and evil.

“When you fall in love don’t you want to shout it from the rooftops? He, the man you are in love with, is all you talk about! Should be the same with Jesus! You want to tell everyone about this man, the Savior who saved your life! Just as the woman at the well did. She told the whole city ‘Come, and see a man, which told me all the things that ever I did: is this not the Christ’ John 4: 28-29.” Karen Cochran

Beware of anyone who discourages learning God’s Word in any form, including memorizing Scripture. This is a novice error and it could only be coming from the evil one. Because the Jews knew the Bible and rejected Jesus, novices reason that this means that New Testament saints, saved by grace, are not to intimately know or memorize God’s Word. Nonsense!

Is the primary responsibility of the disciple of Jesus to:

A. Follow the instructions of God’s Word? or

B. Don’t be like the Pharisees (false leaders)?

A. is the correct answer.

The fact that the LORD cited the false religionists of His day for not coming to Him, for not opening their hearts to Him, in no way communicates that those who are His should not learn His Word too well. That would be like saying that just because the false leaders of Jesus’ day knew His Word and yet didn’t turn their hearts to Jesus, anyone who learns His Word too well (as if that’s even possible) will automatically not turn their hearts to Jesus.

Let’s look at the passage that is being taken out of context:

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” John 5:39-40

“And isn’t that just what Jesus told the Pharisees? You know scriptures but you don’t know me in your heart! John 5: 38-47. It means nothing to Jesus if we only know of Him. We must know Him in Spirit and in truth! John 4:24.” Karen Cochran

Did Jesus rebuke them for knowing His Word? No.

Notice, Jesus says that His people are to “Search the scriptures”   and the Scriptures “are they which testify of” (reveal) Him.

“Even the Pharisees knew the scriptures and knew of Jesus, but they did not know Him. Jesus told them they did not have Him in their hearts and therefore did not have eternal life . John 5: 38-47. Head knowledge means nothing to Jesus. We need to know Him in our hearts in a relationship with Him. Digesting His words! Getting to know Him. We should be emulating the sweet savour of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2: 15. How can you be like someone that you don’t know?” Karen Cochran

The Gospel message is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

In fact, it’s the seed of God’s “incorruptible” Word that is the instrument of His regeneration in our lives.

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:23-25 

The very way God ordained and orchestrated that we learn about and know Him, repent and believe upon Christ, is through the knowledge we get from “the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Listen to the apostle Paul instruct Timothy:

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The man of God cannot be perfected, matured, “throughly furnished unto all good works” without a deep knowledge of the Scriptures which the apostle reveals here is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

So the first of the 4 stated reasons God gave us His Word, the Bible, are for…

“doctrine”

Must know the facts and the Father!

Must know the Word and the God of the Word.

How are God’s people going to learn His Word if they don’t study and memorize and meditate upon it? How are God’s people going to be sanctified by the truth and washed by the water of the Word if they’re not in that Word daily and engaged in learning and obeying God’s Word?

So if the Pharisees did not know God’s Word would they not have also rejected him? How can knowing God’s Word be negative in any way? It’s simply can’t.

Is trying not to be like a Pharisee more important than actually following Christ?

In John 5:39-40 Jesus said nothing negative about the Pharisees knowing His Word but rather about them refusing to come to Him. Let us rightly divide saints and correct those who bear false witness (2 Timothy 2:15). In fact, in another place Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for not knowing His Word: “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God (Matthew 22:29). God’s people need to know “the scriptures” and walk in “the power of God.” Only Satan could be behind the attempt to hinder either!

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” John 5:39-40

There will be those who come and go who know the words of God but not the God of the Word. Beware saints. Many times they know all the right things to say and yet have not truly repented and are living in sin, darkness, pride, and deep-seated rebellion.

On this note, sister Karen Cochran writes:

“Modern Pharisees know the Scriptures but like the Pharisees of old they don’t know Jesus. Just like Jesus told them in John 5:38- 42. They knew the Scriptures but they didn’t know Him. What good is it if we don’t know Jesus? We can know of Him but not know Him. We must love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Matthew 22:37- 38”

These counterfeits are saying that God’s people shouldn’t know God’s Word too well, we shouldn’t memorize it, because then we may become like the Pharisees and not come to Jesus. Foolishness at best.

To the contrary, the Bible teaches us to read, to “study,” to “retain,” and “meditate upon God’s Word ….

Did the apostle Paul correct the biblically astute Bereans for diligently, meticulously searching the scriptures to see if he was telling the truth? No! (Acts 17:10-11)

They are saying that knowing God’s Word in your God-given mind will keep you from knowing Him in your heart. Nonsense. By divine design, information is contacted, first enters our minds before it can be processed and received in our heart.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

“Most people in the churches of today prefer to follow and believe the men/pastors and their words over the Word of God at their peril. This is because they are too lazy to study and read the Bible for themselves, sadly. Biblical illiteracy is the norm and not the exception today.” B.

Concerning ruling over the masses that have been kept ignorant of God’s Word, one disciple writes:

“Lacking of knowing God’s Word, memorizing it, is the direct reason the catholic church grew to so much power in the middle ages, and others down the ages. It was only the ‘priest’ that could read the Bible. So it meant what they said it meant and not what God meant. RUN!”

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” Hosea 4:6

Checking your ignorance at the door!

Those who are ignorant of truth are so willingly (Hosea 4:6). They “willingly are ignorant” (2 Peter 3:5).

He gave us His truth, and those who reject His knowledge, His Word, will be “destroyed.”

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because THOU HAS REJECTED KNOWLEDGE, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law (Word) of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6

“There was a time when churches were teaching the whole counsel of God and most Bible believers in Bible teaching churches could carry on intelligent biblical conversations if they had been saved for five years or so. In the last ten years, I have found that most Christians today have become biblical illiterates. Due to the constant tendency toward all kinds of new experiences ( 2 Timothy 4:3-4), many are influenced to the extreme, and they settle for simply repeating various phrases that they hear without true, biblical understanding. That, then, becomes the focal point of their Christian life rather than conforming to the teachings of Scripture which they are not taught. It is getting harder and harder to find people in a local church who have even a very basic knowledge of Scripture, let alone any in-depth knowledge. The false teachers are going to have a lot to answer for in this area, but so will pastors who have encouraged this in their people rather than taking on the discipline of learning how to do a proper exegesis and expository teaching.” 1980 Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum

To a man who recently sought to discourage God’s people from memorizing His Word due to the fact that the Pharisees knew His Word and yet crucified Him.

I asked him if what the Pharisees did cancelled and negated the need for God’s people to know His Word in their minds and trust and love Him in their hearts? To this man I also wrote:

“Perhaps you should cease discouraging God’s people from learning and submitting to His Word…. there’s NO sense in which learning God’s Word is anything but a good thing…. and of course coming to Him in our hearts via His Word and Holy Spirit ….”

Our GOD-given brain is the passage way to the heart…. is it not? “Come now, and let us reason together…” (Isaiah 1:18).

God gave us a brain to “reason” with and a heart to believe upon Christ with (Romans 10:9-10). “COME now, and let us reason together” He said to His people (Isaiah 1:18).

Did Jesus memorize Scripture? Yes, beginning as a young boy. And this is how He grew in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52). In fact, He knew where things were in the Bible—“He FOUND the place” in the Word He wanted to read—“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written” (Luke 4:17).

Jesus  quoted God’s Word verbatim to the enemy during the temptation in the wilderness (Luke 4).

No way to know the Word Himself outside of His own Word. “They are they (His words) which testify of me” (John 5:39-40).

The written Word is like the tangible standard whereas at times, each of us as humans, can think we are being led by the Spirit but actually not being led by the LORD…. and so the standard is always the written Word, right?… To rightly divide His Word of truth. Right and amen Jesus (2 Timothy 2:15).

The only way we can “rightly” divide the truth from error is by personally, diligently studying God’s Word. Memorize 2 Timothy 2:15.

ALL ministries not getting you into God’s Word are fostering your faith in them!

Stacy Strother writes:

“The true Spirit of God will NEVER discard truth or lead people outside the parameter of the written word of God. The Spirit of God will search out ALL things and even the deep things, and if we are born again, have patience, we can be taught and be led to stay within harmony of His word. Read 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.”

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | The Return of ChristStewardshipApostate Modern Church Exposed | Beware of the BUZZ WORD Bandits [podcast] | Preach the WordWolves Exposed | Church Membership Exposed | 100’s of Christ-centered, Scripture-rich Podcasts | Knowing God | The Cross Life | Christology = the Study of Christ

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