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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

Jesus Washes the Feet of His Own [podcast]


What was Jesus demonstrating and teaching us when He washed the feet of His disciples?

The Washed Way – begins with “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” – being born again (Titus 3:5-7; John 3:3, 7).

“On the way back from the public bath, a person’s feet would get dirty again. He didn’t need another bath but did need to have his feet washed. ‘He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean.’ There is a difference between the bath and the basin. The bath speaks of the cleansing received at the time of one’s salvation. Cleansing from the penalty of sin through the blood of Christ takes place only once. The basin speaks of cleansing from the pollution of sin and must take place continually through the Word of God. There is one bath but many foot-washings.Believer’s Bible Commentary

“If these last words of our Lord had any spiritual reference, it is not easy to say what it was. A common opinion is the following: He who is washed – who is justified through the blood of the Lamb, needeth only to wash his feet – to regulate all his affections and desires; and to get, by faith, his conscience cleansed from any fresh guilt, which he may have contracted since his justification.” Adam Clarke

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2  And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
3  Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. – John 13:1-17

Those not happy prove they are not humble nor holy (John 13).

“If loving the person in front of you seems like too small of a ministry opportunity, you’ve forgotten the simplicity of the Gospel.” unknown

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet as an Act of Final Sealing of His Mercy, His Will

 “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end (to the end, to the utmost).” John 13:1

“Before the feast – Namely, on Wednesday, in the paschal week. Having loved his own – His apostles, he loved them to the end – Of his life.” John Wesley

Adam Clarke writes:

 “He loved them unto the end – Continued his fervent affection towards them to his latest breath, and gave them that convincing proof of it which is mentioned Joh_13:5. That the disciples alone are meant here every man must see.”

Of these cornerstone verses of John 13, F.B. Meyer writes:

“John 13:1-11

JESUS GLORIFIES HUMBLE SERVICE

In the Temple the laver preceded the brazen altar. It was kept filled with pure water for the constant washing of the priests; Exo_30:18-21; Lev_16:4. We cannot have fellowship with Christ at Calvary or on Olivet unless we draw near with our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

The Synoptic Gospels tell us that on their way to the feast the disciples had yielded to contention and pride. It was needful that these should be put away, and our Lord’s love was equal to the occasion. He loved them to the end of His life and to the end of love. Only such love could have made saints and apostles out of such material.

Jesus began a work which has never ceased, and which will continue “till all the ransomed Church of God be saved to sin no more.” When we have contracted guilt, we have not to begin our whole life over again, but to go back to the place where we dropped the thread of obedience and begin there.”

May we never forget how merciful our LORD Jesus was to the woman at the well (John 4), the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8), and the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8).

It’s of interest to note how this 13th chapter of the glorious Gospel of John begins with Christ’s love to His disciples and closes with His command for them to “love one another” as He taught and personally demonstrated to them:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35 

“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

YOUR PRAYER: Father, in Jesus’ name, please reduce me to love.

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Antichrist

The Mission of the Spirit of Antichrist [podcast]

How do we discern the “many antichrists” operating in the church world today? (1 John 2:18)

The Antichrists are Multiplying [podcast]


Message from an Antichrist Refuted [podcast]


How the Spirit of Antichrist Works [podcast]


Our Glorious Inheritance in Christ vs Messianic Antichrists [podcast]


Antichrist or Christ? [podcast]


Antichrists Among Us [podcast]


“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12

How is Satan bringing his great wrath on mankind in this last hour? Isn’t it the same way he’s always done it, yet now in an even more feverish, intensified way? Yes. His tools, his “devices” are the same—from the Garden to now! This is exactly what the Holy Ghost told us through Paul:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man (it’s Satan’s same temptations/tactics): but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Knowing and walking in this divine knowledge will help us stop Satan from getting an advantage over our lives.

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11

In summation, “the spirit of antichrist” is Satan and exists to mislead people away from his arch enemy, the LORD Jesus Christ. This “spirit of antichrist” seeks to demote, to denigrate, and destroy the testimony of Holy Scriptures which reveal, which hold as their grand subject—Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, God Almighty, who was bodily crucified, buried, and raised again from the dead.

“The spirit of truth” vs “the spirit of error.”

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:1-6

“That Spirit of Antichrist”

“Theological liberalism and religious cults (and cultists) betray themselves as ‘antichrist’ (v3) when they deny the full deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, or His redemptive death and resurrection for our salvation (v 9-10; 2:2). Every departure from Biblical revelation concerning Christ opens itself up to demonic ‘spirits’ of deception (v1) because it sets aside the authority and complete trustworthiness of God’s Word.” Life in the Spirit Study Bible

“4:3 And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. This is how you can detect the false teachers. They do not confess the Jesus who was described in the previous verse. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which has been prophesied and which is now already in the world. There are many today who are willing to say acceptable things about Jesus, but they will not confess Him as God Incarnate. They will say that Christ is ‘divine,’ but not that He is God.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“Spirit of antichrist – All the opponents of Christ’s incarnation, and consequently of his passion, death, and resurrection, and the benefits to be derived from them.” Adam Clarke

Seems to me that anyone who denies the essentials of the Messiah (virgin birth, divinity, etc.), is an “antichrist.”

Jesus told the antichrist pharisees:

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24 

“8:24 Jesus often used repetition for emphasis. Here He solemnly warned them again that they would die in their sins. If they steadfastly refused to believe on Him, there was no alternative. Apart from the Lord Jesus, there is no way to obtain forgiveness of sins, and those who die with sins unforgiven cannot possibly enter heaven at last. The word He is not found in this verse in the original, though it may be implied. It reads literally: ‘if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.’ We see in the words I am another claim to deity by the Lord Jesus.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

As was the case in the Garden, Satan’s mission is to misdirect, to remove Christ’s people from worshiping and upholding Him as the Head of His body, as the Captain of our salvation, who alone, who exclusively came as God the Word in the Flesh, Immanuel, and paid the full “It is finished” price for bringing us back to Himself and the Father from a life of sin (Matthew 1:21-3; John 1:1-4, 10, 14; 19:30). Holy Scripture informs us that “the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12).

There are a myriad of facets, methods, mediums the prince of darkness is using in his full scale war against the Son of God. One of those methods is a changing of the words of God which is what Satan did in the very Garden of Eden which led to the fall of the first man and woman into sin. Satan cast doubt on God’s Word in order to lead the man and woman to doubt to, lose credibility in God and His Word, to weaken their resolve, and get them to not believe and obey what the LORD had stated to them in 2:17 (Genesis 3:1). Then the enemy altered what God had said (2:17) by adding a word (“not” — Genesis 3:4) This led to the fall of mankind into sin. New “bibles” equals/is apostasy and there could be no other spirit behind these corruptions of God’s words but “the spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:3).

It’s interesting that the Bible uses the phrases “many antichrists” and also “many, which corrupt the word of God(1 John 2:18; 2 Corinthians 2:17).

“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17

There’s a direct connection between the snake in the Garden, animated by Satan, and those who question and pervert the words of God today.

“…ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.” Jeremiah 23:36

Perverting the words of God comes in many and various ways. His time is short and Satan is on an all-out offensive and many do not see it (1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:12).

How can anyone involved with, or agreeing with, or defending the changing of God’s Word be anything but an antichrist?

From our growing knowledge of God’s Word, just WHAT “spirit” do we think is behind the removal of the very “BLOOD” of Jesus from Colossians 1:14 in the new versions? Certainly we know this was “that spirit of antichrist” and surely we can conclude that is could only be “that spirit of antichrist” anointing, behind those who defend those who attack corruptions of God’s Word.

SO YOU agree with SATAN having removed the BLOOD of Jesus from Colossians 1:14? You are going to take sides with Satan himself against the Almighty you pretend to serve?

If your “bible” doesn’t have the BLOOD of Jesus in Colossians 1:14, you are now accountable. God knows you know!

The antichrists by Stacy Strother:

“I think it is worthy to mention that John is addressing the church in with this passage (1 John 4:1-3). He is warning the people, God‘s people, to be on the watch, and to be doctrinally ready to discern that antichrist spirit. I believe John is imploring the church that these antichrists are not just a bunch of people out in the world that noticeably hate God, but they are people who seem to appreciate God, who pretend to be saved. No, rather that they are coming from WITHIN the church body, serving a separate or different agenda and doctrine.

I believe the latest false doctrines that have emerged over the last 20 – 30 years are part of this antichrist spirit, which is basically a doctrine. WOF, the emergent church, IHOP, NAR and so on, all seep with the stench of this antichrist spirit.

John is telling them that they are living in the last hour and that the antichrist spirit is not just coming, it is abounding now, presently, within the professing church world.

A thought to glean from this might be that John was teaching his disciples that there would be certain doctrines come forth that might argue that Jesus left, and His kingdom is so distant that it doesn’t really affect our lives here and now. By doing this, it would leave room for the false teachers to implement a devised doctrine. Such doctrines would appear as authentic, but rather when the student of the Word peers into those false doctrines, he finds that it is actually another Jesus altogether. It is antichrist.”

Paul L. Freeman writes:

“Are we to believe the scholars when they tell us that no important doctrines are affected by the new Modern Versions? It is obvious that they are not correct. What they really mean to say is that when all the changes have been made the Bible Doctrines are still there somewhere else in the Bible. If there are ten verses showing the Virgin Birth of Christ, and they have removed two, there are still eight remaining to prove the doctrine. That may satisfy them, but the Fundamental believer sees that as a piece by piece destruction of the Word of God.

We would accuse them of taking away from the Word of God. They would accuse us of using a Bible which has many additions inserted by overzealous Christian copyists. The issue now becomes quite clear. We must either believe that overzealous heretics have corrupted the original Word of God or believe that overzealous believers have added to the original Word of God. I can understand why heretics would want to corrupt the original Word of God, but I cannot believe that Christians would add one word to the Word of God which they have been entrusted to copy and pass along. The Spirit of God within Christians would put a holy awe and reverence around the sacred word and guided by that same Spirit they would copy what God had given them. My conclusion is that the new Modern Versions are based on Greek manuscripts that have been corrupted by heretics who changed the Word of God to agree with their rejection of the Deity of Christ and their Humanism regarding salvation. The Greek Text underlying the King James Version is not filled with additions made by overzealous Christians. It is the Word of God preserved by the Spirit of God and it exalts the Lord Jesus Christ, giving him his proper place and the glory due unto his name.” | Bible Doctrines Affected by Modern Version (includes the deity of Christ maligned and attacked)

Anyone who participates in heretical doctrine or practices proves themselves to be under the control of “another spirit” which is the same devil as in the Garden of Eden, right? Read this, the Holy Spirit’s warning to us from Paul the apostles. Paul is seeing the body of Christ as Adam and Eve before they were beguiled by the serpent:

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled (deceived) Eve through his subtilty (cunning trickery), so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-4

“the simplicity that is in Christ” would be what is recorded about Christ the Messiah in God’s Word with nothing added or taken away.

  • “another Jesus” – as in one that was not born of a virgin, was not God, did not die and rise bodily, etc.
  • “another spirit” – that evil “spirit of antichrist” behind the denigration of Christ, the attempt to rob Him of His glory (Colossians 2:18-19).
  • “another gospel” – a message, a false gospel that does not uphold Christ as that “the record” of Holy Scripture reveals Him.

Divine Commands Forbidding the Altering of God’s Words/Word

The obvious mission of Satan, “that spirit of antichrist” is to deceive and to destroy and to devour the saints of Christ. Adam and Eve were in perfect, sinless communion with God, right? Right. How did Satan derail them—get them removed from His holy presence? He simply questioned and changed the words of God.

If a person is not opposed to the desecration of “the RECORD that God gave of his Son”, such a person is against Christ. Such a person is not with but rather against the LORD—regardless of his mere profession (Matthew 12:30; Titus 1:16). Isn’t the very definition of antichrist to be opposed to or against Christ, right?

What do we call anyone pretending to be an American who “shreds the Constitution”? A traitor right? And traitors are worthy of death, right?

At this dark time in the history of Israel, the Scriptures had been lost and out of circulation among the people of God. Then they were found and read before the king, king Jehoiakim (the son of Josiah) and his servants. As a result, conviction of sin came and certain parts of God’s Word were rejected and thrown into the fire to burned and to be vanished out of their presence. Jehoiakim was a Bible burner. What he didn’t like, due to the darkness of his own heart, he thought in vain that he could just burn it and that it would go away. Not.

“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Psalms 89:34

This is a fascinating occurrence captured, recorded in Jeremiah 36 that is transpiring today in full scale, perpetrated by false leaders like king Jehoiakim (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Read Jeremiah 36. Remember that anyone participating in the altering of God’s words, is an antichrist.

“Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” Proverbs 13:13

Anyone defending the altering of God’s Word, which is what the new “bibles” have done, is under the control of a devil, the murderer who rebelled in eternity past, was cast to the earth, and began his war against God and His people by casting doubt upon and changing His words (Genesis 2:17; 3:1, 4).

If altering, changing God’s Word isn’t satanic, nothing is! See Genesis 2:17; 3:1, 4; 2 and Corinthians 2:1

New “bibles” are altered versions of God’s pure Word. They are the altering, the changing of “the RECORD that God gave of his Son”.  The very premise of such is forbidden by the LORD (Deuteronomy 4:2; Jeremiah 26:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Mark 13:31; Revelation 22:18-19). Read these carefully, prayerfully:

“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6

“… for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.” Jeremiah 23:36

“Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:” Jeremiah 26:2 

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Mark 13:31

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19

“Antichrist” simply means to oppose or more insidiously, to put something, anything in front of, in place of the Jesus Christ divinely testified to in “the record” of Holy Writ.

There are “many antichrists” and anyone opposing or putting something or someone (including self) in front of Christ is an idolater and in my opinion can be referred to as an antichrist.

“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” 2 John 1:7

Anyone defending these alterations of “the record that God gave of his Son” is under the control of “the spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:1-3). In their allowing the very words of God to be perverted is the denial of “the record” or the recorded testimony that Jesus Christ is God.

It all goes back to what he did in the Garden (Genesis 3:1; 2:17>3:4): If you want to discern the work of Satan in this late hour and how he has “come down with great wrath,” look at the changing of God’s Word via the new versions (Revelation 12:12).

Fake “bibles” Exposed


Support | STORE | Podcasts | H.O.T. Bible Study [podcast] | Bible Agnostics Exposed | How to Spot a Fake Bible [podcast] | WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO CAN’T UNDERSTAND THE KJB? [podcast] | New American Standard Version “Bible” NASV Catastrophe Exposed | The Audacity of Defending the New Versions | Do We Have God’s Word or Do You Need to Know the Original Languages? [podcast] | Bible Versions Category |

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Articles

Jesus Paid it All [podcast]


by the sacrifice of himself

“Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Hebrews 9:26

“ALL have sinned” against our God and so our own good works do not atone for our sins (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10, 23; Ephesians 2:8-9, etc.). ONLY Jesus could and did do that for us – make the atonement that brings us back to God.  

The LORD is “Holy, holy, holy” and therefore takes sin seriously (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). The coming of Jesus to die on that cross reveals how loving God is and how personal He takes sin. The LORD therefore “appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” The Son of God came in person to pay the full debt for the sin of mankind – “It is finished” which means paid in full (John 19:30).

Jesus “obtained eternal redemption for us” “by his own blood.”

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but BY HIS OWN BLOOD he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:12

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins IN HIS OWN BLOOD,” Revelation 1:5

“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.

Jesus, I thank You for shedding Your precious blood for me and washing me afresh right now. I love You LORD Jesus!

The LORD desires to take His people “from glory to glory.” Think about that.

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 

As we seek and behold the face of our LORD, He will take us “from glory to glory” – deeper into the revelation of who He is, His eternal plan, and the inestimable blessings of the covenant He secured and ratified in His own precious blood (Matthew 26:28).

Jesus ALL “BY HIMSELF purged our sins” … Christ single handedly paid the sin debt with His perfect sacrifice on that cross – “It is finished” means paid in full (John 19:30).

“What the judiazers miss is that Jesus Fulfilled the Law at the Cross….Jesus being the perfect sacrifice was the Fulfilment.” Byron Wilson

“THE Lamb of God” has come and died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to fully justify His people, having redeemed them by the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:20)

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

Christ is our passover (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). The passover of the OT was a mere shadow of what Christ is the substance, the solution. The passover, the sprinkling of the blood of sacrificed lambs by the people of God was prophetic of the coming Messiah which merely prefigured what He has come and already did – shed His precious blood on that cross to redeem us from our sins (Exodus 12; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 3:18). The doorposts were sprinkled/brushed with sacrificial animal blood in the shape of a cross which was a prophetic foreshadowing, prefiguring of our LORD Jesus Christ who was to come and has now come to die on that cross (Exodus 12:22-23). “It is finished” means paid in full (John 19:30). The price for your sins has been paid in full. Read Hebrews 8-10 several times prayerfully.

Why would anyone go to eternal damnation in hell when Jesus paid the full price for their sin, to bring them to Heaven? Unbelief.

Anyone who gets saved and then doesn’t drill down into the doctrinal letters and epistles and get grounded in grace through faith justification and living, will be susceptible to being deceived by the antichrist judaizers in our midst. It will cost many of them their eternal souls. There will be not 1 law-keeping judaizing snake in Heaven. If you don’t know that, you are biblically illiterate. Romans. Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians. Colossians. Hebrews.

Biblical Justification

Dear law-keeper, Torah-keeper: Tell us all how NEW Testament saints are not justified by Christ’s sacrifice…. Tell us how we must help God out to justify us …. when the Bible declares that ALL of our own righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

ANY person who adds anything to salvation except Christ, is antichrist! Salvation is Jesus Christ plus nothing.

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, WHEN HE HAD BY HIMSELF purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” Hebrews 1:1-3 

Jesus sealed the New Covenant in His own blood when He died on the cross.

“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:28

Moses vs Jesus …. Every person must choose – John 1:17.

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

2 Corinthians 3 and Hebrews 8-10 contrast the infinitely superior NEW Covenant with the old covenant it replaced, superseded. Amazing! Now check out John 1:17. Moses = OLD. Jesus Christ = NEW!

Shall we be under Moses, the law, or Christ, the Gospel? Do you want the bondage of the law or the freedom of Christ, the only One to ever keep the whole law perfectly – before He nailed it to the cross and took is away?! (Colossians 2:14-19)

“Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke (the law) upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” Acts 15:10

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (the law).” Galatians 5:1

Of this distinction between Moses and Jesus, law and grace, one disciple writes:

“The yoke of Moses’ law is heavy and oppressive.  The yoke of the cross is easy and light.  Matt 11:28-30.  Why?  The law cannot give one resurrection life.  Rom 7:10.  The cross, through faith, confers resurrection life and power on the recipient.  The cross is on every page of the Bible either in type and shadow (OT) or reality (NT).

The cross and resurrection with Christ (grace) is totally antithetical to law/tradition/external observances/human effort.  It astounding to see how much of the New Testament is devoted to teaching the difference in the two.  Identifying Sin (behavioral management) and its consequences is addressed far far less.

Why?  Because righteous living is a spontaneous byproduct of resurrection life and power.  Without resurrection, the law multiplies the number of sins committed.  Rom 5:20; 7:5″

If you will be planted deep into Christ, your Christology, your study of, your personal knowledge of Christ must be deep, not shallow (Colossians 2:6-10).

The Book of Hebrews!

Reading the book of Hebrews, pouring over it perhaps several times, will do wonders for your understanding and lay the foundation in New Covenant truth. In no other book of the Bible is the comparison, the contrast of the Old and New Covenants so poignantly displayed.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

GOD values our FAITH in HIM, most (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is a Gospel essential. It is rebellion to try to merit or do something GOD alone can and did do – paying the full, the whole, the entire, the perfect price for our sins! Christ! His cross! Faith connects us with God. Faith in Christ, His perfect sacrifice for us, appropriates His blessed salvation and all of His many benefits to those who are His. FAITH not works! (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 

Just because Jesus paid it all does not mean that Jesus doesn’t have stated conditions for receiving His gift of salvation. Repentance and faith are those conditions and true repentance and faith will be demonstrated, proved by who we love which is who we obey! (Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 9:23-24; 14:27, 33; 17:33; John 14:15; 15:14; Romans 6; James 2; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.). – “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5

Was Christ’s sacrifice perfect? What it enough? Yes or no?

One MUST leave Christ, to depart from the only Savior, to go back to law-keeping. Such a person has denied Christ, has “fallen from grace” – is under a spirit of witchcraft, and is no longer saved (Galatians 3:3; 5:4).

The Galatia believers allowed themselves to be sucked in, to be seduced, and the result was that they fell from saving grace (Galatians 3:1-3; 5:4). They were drawn away from saving grace in Christ to law-keeping and then fell away.

Memory Verse

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

God desires that the hearts of His people be “with grace.”

“Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” Hebrews 13:9

Hebrews 8-10 contrasts the infinitely inferior Old Covenant with the infinitely superior New Covenant which was ratified in the very blood of Jesus Christ, which was merely foreshadowed under the Old Testament.

Redemption Through Christ’s Perfect Blood Sacrifice 

None of us is perfect. We have “ALL sinned” against our Maker (Romans 3:10, 23). And that makes us fully guilty of breaking the whole law and worthy of divine judgment (James 2:10). Only Jesus was perfect in keeping the whole law. He then nailed it to the cross and “took it out of the way.” (Colossians 2:14-19) This is the testimony, the message of Holy Scripture.

Read Romans 3-5 repeatedly.

Romans 10:4 – the law is over for righteousness. “The end.”

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:4

WHO is “the end of the law for righteousness”? “CHRIST”! (Romans 10:4)

1. The Ten commandments are the Old Covenant: Ex 34:27-28
2. The Old Covenant was abolished: Heb 8:13
3. The Ten Commandments are therefore abolished! “For righteousness” (Romans 10:4)

One disciple writes: “The law causes people to sin, people who would not otherwise have sinned without the law. Rom 5:20 (“causes transgressions to INCREASE, not decrease); 7:5 (the motions of sins which are caused by the law); all of Rom 7 which says the apart from the law sin is dead. The law revived sin in Paul’s life when it was formerly dormant. Moses’ law is a slavery and a curse which Jesus died to free us from. Rom 8:2; Gal 3:10-13. The law is the enemy of the Christian just as much as Sin and Satan are. The law kills. 2 Corinthians 3:4-7 and is a ministry of condemnation and death. 2 Cor 3. The law killed Jesus. Jn 19:7”

The keeping of a certain day, circumcision, or reenacting Jewish festivals that merely foreshadowed Him who has now come for all people, has no value. For the Jews (not NT Christians), those things were instituted and were mere “shadows” pointing to Christ Himself before He came, but now He has ALREADY COME. He completed His work perfectly and put away the law for righteousness and replaced that Old Covenant with His new covenant which is based upon better promises (Hebrew 7-10; Colossians 2:14-17; Galatians 4:1-10). This is a basic truth of New Testament Christianity and if the saint doesn’t get this in their heart, he can be vulnerable to be deceived by judaizers as we are so often specifically warned concerning.

YOU MUST CHOOSE: If you are going to be a law-keeper, you’d better not miss even one jot or tittle of the law or you are guilty of breaking it all.

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10

Or, you could repent and trust Christ who is the only One to perfectly keep the law. Then He nailed it to the cross and took it away for righteousness (Colossians 2:14-19).

DO you realize that if you are a law-keeper, you are an antichrist? You have openly denied Christ, denied His perfect sacrifice and are foolishly attempting to keep the law perfectly instead of repenting and trusting the only One who ever kept the law perfectly and then nailed it to the cross, taking it away for righteousness (Romans 10:4 Colossians 2:14-19).

ANY person trying to keep the law to be justified in God’s eyes has no clue who the Son of God is nor why He came. They are lost. This includes all sabbath-keeping idolaters and Jewish feast keepers, etc.

Are you seeking to earn your salvation, your place with God? Or, are you trusting Christ, the only Mediator between you and God? (1 Timothy 2:5)

Obeying God after He saves us is the expression of our love for Him and not that which justifies us. HE alone justifies us. Only God Himself can justify a man and yet He set conditions. And yes, those who know Him will definitely obey Him and yet their obedience doesn’t justify them, God alone can do that. Memorize Romans 4:4-5 today.

Resting in God’s Love

Heather Hunter McKowen writes:

“Romans 7 says: ‘For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”

The law reveals it is man who is full of sin, dead and in need of a Savior. The law is still a school master for those who have yet to come to the faith.

Galatians 3:

“Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Galatians 3:21-25

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