The Great Benefit of Suffering for Christ by F.B. Meyer
F.B. Meyer, Joseph
The Great Benefit of Suffering for Christ
Of sufferings and as it related to the life of Joseph, son of Jacob, F.B. Meyer wrote:
“But besides all this, his religious notions added greatly to his distress. He had been taught by Jacob the theory which comes out so prominently in the speeches of Job’s three friends, and which was so generally held by all their teachers and associates in that olden, Eastern, philosophic, deeply-pondering world; that good would come to the good, and evil to the bad; that prosperity was the sign of the Divine favour, and adversity of the Divine anger. And Joseph had tried to be good. Had he not always kept his father’s commandments and acted righteously, though his brethren were men of evil report, and tried to make him as bad as themselves? But what had he gained by his integrity? Simply the murderous jealousy and hatred of his own flesh and blood. Had he not, in the full flush of youthful passion, resisted the blandishments of the beautiful Egyptian, because he would not sin against God? And what had he gained by that? Simply the stigma which threatened to cling to him of having committed the very wickedness it was so hard not to commit; and, in addition, an undeserved punishment. Had he not always been kind and gentle to his fellow-prisoners, listening to their stories, speaking comfort to their hearts? And what had he gained by that? To judge by what he saw, simply nothing; and he might as well have kept his kindness to himself.
Was it of any use, then, being good? Could there be any truth in what his father had taught him of good coming to the good, and evil to the bad? Was there a God who judgeth righteously in the earth? You who have been misunderstood, who have sown seeds of holiness and love to reap nothing but disappointment, loss, suffering, and hate – you know something of what Joseph felt in that wretched dungeon hole.
Then, too, disappointment poured her bitter drops into the bitter cup. What had become of those early dreams, those dreams of coming greatness, which had filled his young brain with splendid phantasmagoria? We these not from God? He had thought so – yes, and his venerable father had thought so too; and he should have known, for he had talked with God many a time. Were these imaginings the delusions of a fevered brain, or mocking lies? Was there no truth, no fidelity, in heaven or earth? Had God forsaken him? Was he to spend all his days in that dungeon, dragging on a weary life, never again enjoying the bliss of freedom: and all because he had dared to do right? Do you wonder at the young heart being weighed almost to breaking?
And yet Joseph’s experience is not alone. You may have never been confined in a dungeon; and yet you may have often sat in darkness, and felt around you the limitation which forbade your doing as you wished. You may have been doing right, and doing right may have brought you into some unforeseen difficulty; and you are disposed to say, “I have been too honest.” Or you may have been doing a noble act to someone, as Joseph did to Potiphar, and it has been taken in quite a wrong light. Who does not know what it is to be misunderstood, misrepresented, accused falsely, and punished wrongfully?
Each begins life so buoyantly and hopefully. Youth, attempting the solution of the strange problem of existence, fears nothing, forbodes no ill. The minstrel, Hope, keys her chords to the loftiest strains of exultation. The sun shines; the blue wavelets break in music around the boat; the sails swell gently; Love and Beauty hold the rudder-bands; and though stories of the wreckage of the treacherous sea are freely told, there is no kind of fear that such experiences should ever overtake that craft. But presently disappointment, sorrow, and disaster overcloud the sky and blot out the sunny prospect; and the young mariner wakes as from a dream, “Can this be I, who imagined that I should never see ill?” Then come several tremendous struggles of the soul to wrench itself free. The muscles are strained as whipcord; the beads of perspiration stand on the brow: but every effort only entangles the limbs more helplessly. And at last, exhausted and helpless, the young life ceases to struggle, and lies still, cowed and beaten, as the wild denizen (citizen) of the plains, when it has lain for hours in the hunter’s snare. Surely there was something of this sort in Joseph’s condition, as he lay in that wretched dungeon.
II. THESE SUFFERINGS WROUGHT VERY BENEFICIALLY. – Taken on the lowest ground, this imprisonment served Joseph’s temporal interests. That prison was the place where state prisoners were bound. Thither court magnates who had fallen under suspicion were sent. Chief butler and chief baker do not seem much to us, but they were titles for very august people. Such men would talk freely with Joseph; and in doing so would give him a great insight into political parties, and a knowledge of men and things generally, which in after-days must have been of great service to him.
But there is more than this. Psalm 105:18, referring to Joseph’s imprisonment, has a striking alternative rendering, “His soul entered into iron.” Turn that about, and render it in our language, and it reads thus, Iron entered into his soul. Is there not a truth in this? It may not be the truth intended in that verse, but it is a very profound truth, that sorrow and privation, the yoke borne in the youth, the soul’s enforced restraint, are all conducive to an iron tenacity and strength of purpose, and endurance, a fortitude, which are the indispensible foundation and framework of a noble character. Do not flinch from suffering. Bear it silently, patiently, resignedly; and be assured that it is God’s way of infusing iron into your spiritual make-up.
As a boy, Joseph’s character tended to softness. He was a little spoilt by his father. He was too proud of his coat. He was rather given to tales. He was too full of his dreams and foreshadowed greatness. None of these great faults; but he lacked strength, grip, power to rule. But what a difference his imprisonment made in him! From that moment he carries himself with wisdom, modesty, courage, and manly resolution, that never fail him. He acts as a born ruler of men. He carries an alien country through the stress of a great famine, without a symptom of revolt. He holds his own with the proudest aristocracy of the time. He promotes the most radical changes. He had learned to hold his peace and wait. Surely the iron had entered his soul!
It is just this that suffering will do for you. The world wants iron dukes, iron battalions, iron sinews, and thews of steel. God wants iron saints; and since there is no way of imparting iron to the moral nature than by letting his people suffer, He lets them suffer. “No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Are you in prison for doing right? Are the best years of your life slipping away in enforced monotony? Are you beset by opposition, misunderstanding, obloquy (contemptuous speech), and scorn, as the thick undergrowth besets the passage of the woodsman pioneer? Then take heart; the time is not wasted; God is only putting you through regimen. The iron crown of suffering precedes the golden crown of glory. And iron is entering into your soul to make it strong and brave.
Is some aged eyes perusing these words? If so, the question may be asked, Why does God sometimes fill a whole life with discipline, and give few opportunities for showing the iron quality of the soul? Why give iron to the soul, and then keep it from active service? Ah, that is which goes far to prove our glorious destiny. There must be another world somewhere, a world of glorious ministry, for which we are training. “There is service in the sky.” And it may be that God counts a human life of seventy years of suffering not too long an education for a soul which may serve Him through the eternities. It is in the prison that Joseph is fitted for the unknown life of Pharoah’s palace; and if he could have foreseen the future, he wold not have wondered at the severe discipline. If only we could see all that awaits us in the palace of the Great King, we should not be so surprised at certain experiences which befall us in the earth’s darker cells. You are being trained for service I God’s Home, and in the upper spaces of the universe.” F.B. Meyer, Joseph, p. 44-48
In His book Joseph, F.B. Meyer captures and conveys a treasure chest of truth concerning the blessed benefits of suffering.
“JOSEPH’S COMFORT IN THE MIDST OF THESE SOFFERINGS. – “He was there in the prison; but the Lord was with him.” The lord was with him in the palace of Potiphar; but when Joseph went to prison, the Lord went there too. The only thing which severs us from God is sin; so long as we walk with God, God will walk with us; and if our path dips down from the sunny upland lawns into the valley with its clinging mists, He will go at our side. The godly man is much more independent of men and things than others. It is God who makes him blessed. Like the golden city, he has no need of sun or moon, for the Lord God is his everlasting light. If he is in a palace he is glad, not so much because of its delights as because God is there. And if he is in a prison he can sing and give praises, because the God of love bears him company. To the soul which is absorbed with God, all places and experiences are much the same. “If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night (of sorrow and of confinement) shall be light about me; yea, the night shineth as the day.”
Moreover, the Lord showed him mercy. Oh, wondrous revelation! … God our Father has often to turn down the lights of our life because He wants to show us mercy. Whenever you get into a prison of circumstances, be on the watch. Prisons are rare places for seeing things. It was in prison that Bunyan saw his wondrous allegory, and Paul met the LORD, and John looked through heaven’s open door, and Joseph saw God’s mercy. God has no chance to show his mercy to some of us except when we are in some sore sorrow. The night is the time to see the stars.
God can also raise up friends for his servants in most unlikely places, and of most unlikely people. “The Lord gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” He was probably a rough, unkindly man, quite prepared to copy the dislikes of his master, the great Potiphar, and to embitter the daily existence of this Hebrew slave. But there was another Power at work, of which he knew nothing, inclining him towards his ward, and leading him to put him in a position of trust. All hearts are open to our King: at his girdle swing the keys by which the most unlikely door can be unlocked. “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” It is as easy for God to turn a man’s heart, as it is for the husbandman to turn the course of a brook to carry fertility to an arid plot.\
There is always alleviation for our troubles in ministry to others. Joseph found it so. It must have been a welcome relief to the monotony of his grief when he found himself entrusted with the care of the royal prisoners. A new interest came into his life, and he almost forgot the heavy pressure of his own troubles amid the interest of listening to the tales of those who were more unfortunate than himself. It is very interesting to notice what a deep human interest he took in the separate cases of his charges, noticing the expression of their faces, inquiring kindly after their welfare, sitting down to listen to their tale. Joseph is the patron of all prison philanthropists; but he took to this holy work not primarily because he had an enthusiasm for it, but because it gave a welcome opiate to his own griefs.
There is no anodyne (medicine) for heart-sorrow like ministry to others. If your life is woven with the dark shades of sorrow, do not sit down to deplore in solitude your hapless lot, but arise to seek out those who are more miserable than you are, bearing them balm for their wounds and love for their heart-breaks. And if you are unable to give much more practical help, you need not abandon yourself to the gratification of lonely sorrow, for you may largely help the children of bitterness by imitating Joseph in listening to their tales of woe or to their dreams of foreboding. It is a great art to be a good listener. The burdened heart longs to pour out its tale in a sympathetic ear. There is immense relief in the telling out of pain. But it cannot be hurried; it needs plenty of time; it cannot clear itself of its silt and deposits unless it is allowed leisure to stand. and so the sorrowful turn away from men engages in the full rush of active life as too busy, and seek out those who, like themselves, have been “winged,” and are obliged to go softly, as Joseph was, when the servants of Pharoah found him in the Egyptian dungeon. If you can do nothing else, listen well, and comfort others with the comfort wherewith you yourself have been comforted by God.
And as you listen, and comfort, and wipe the falling tears, you will discover that your own load is lighter, and that a branch or twig of the true tree – the tree of the Cross – has fallen into the bitter waters of your own life, making the Marah, Naomi, and the marshes of salt tears will have been healed. Out of such intercourse you will get with what Joseph got – the key which will unlock the heavy doors by which you have been shut in.
And now some closing words to those who are suffering wrongfully. Do not be surprised. You are the followers of One who was misunderstood from the age of twelve to the day of his ascension; who did not sin, and yet was counted as a sinner; concerning whom the unanimous testimony was, “I find in Him no fault at all”; and yet they called Him Beelzebub! If they spoke thus of the Master of the house, how much more concerning the household! “Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.”
Do not get weary in well-doing. Joseph might have said, “I give all up; of what profit is my godliness? I may as well live as others do.” How much nobler was his course of patient continuance in well-doing! Do right, because it is right to do right; because God sees you; because it puts gladness into the heart. And then, when you are misunderstood and ill-treated, you will not swerve, or sit down to whine and despair.
Above all, do not avenge yourselves. When Joseph recounted his troubles, he did not recriminate harshly on his brethren, or Potiphar, or Potiphar’s wife. He simply said: “I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the hole.” He might have read the words of the apostle, “Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath.” “If when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” We make a great mistake in trying always to clear ourselves; we should be much wiser to go straight on, humbly doing the next thing, and leaving God to vindicate us. “He will bring forth our righteousness as the light, and our judgment as the noonday.” In Psalm 105:19 there follow words which, rightly rendered, read thus: “The word of the Lord cleared him.” What a triumphant clearing did God give His faithful servant.
There will come hours in our lives, when we shall be misconstrued, misunderstood, slandered, falsely accused, wrongfully persecuted. At such times it is very difficult not to act on the policy of the men around us in the world. They at once appeal to law and force and public opinion. But the believer takes his case into a higher court, and lays it before his God. He is prepared to use any means that may appear divinely suggested. But he relies much more on the divine clearing than he does on his own most perfect arrangements. He is content to wait for months and years, till God arise to avenge his cause. It is a very little thing for him to be judged adversely at the bar of man: he cares only for the judgment of God, and awaits the moment when the righteous shall shine forth in the kingdom of their Father, as the sun when it breaks from all obscuring mists. “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Ah! what a clearing-up of mysteries, what dissipating of misunderstandings, what vindication of character shall be there! Oh, slandered ones, you can afford to await the verdict of eternity; of God, who will bring out your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noon day.
In all the discipline of life it is of the utmost importance to see but one ordaining overruling will. If we view our imprisonments and misfortunes as the result of human malevolence, our live will be filled with fret and unrest. It is hard to suffer wrong at the hands of man, and to think that perhaps it might have never been. But there is a truer and more restful view, to consider all things as being under the law and rule of God; so that though they may originate in and come to us through the spite and malice of our fellows, yet, since before they reach us they have had to pass through the environing atmosphere of the Divine Presence, they have been transformed into his own sweet will for us.
It was Judas who plotted our Saviour’s death, and filled the garden with the capturing bands and flashing lights; and yet the Lord Jesus said that the Father was putting the cup to his lips. And though He was murdered by the chief priests and scribes, yet He so thoroughly acquiesced in the Father’s appointment, that He spoke of laying down his life, as if his death were entirely his own act. There is no evil to them that love God; and the believer loses sight of second causes, so absorbed is he in the contemplation of the unfolding of the mystery of his Father’s will. As the dying Kingsley said, “All is under law.” F.B. Meyer, Joseph, p. 48-53
The More I Suffer, the Freer I Become
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Articles
Deliverance from Works-Righteousness or Law-Keeping
“Justified Freely by His Grace”
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 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; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:23-28
A MUST-GET!!! Please share saints……
ANY PERSON who teaches that blood-bought NEW Testament saints, saved by grace through faith, are under the law of Moses, is an antichrist! Run!
The law makes no one righteous but only convicts and reveals just how sinful we are and how much we need Christ! (Romans 7; Galatians 2:16; 3:24)
WOW! WHEN Jesus says the law will not pass away, He’s speaking of the holy standard and not the way of righteousness! (Matthew 5:17-18) The law is “holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12) and reveals just how wicked we are, bringing us to Christ, the only ONE who ever kept the law perfectly then nailed it to the cross, taking it out of the way-for righteousness! (Galatians 3:24; Colossians 2:14-19) CHRIST is “THE END of the law FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS to every one that believeth” the only One who kept the law perfectly! (Romans 10:4)
Ultimate blasphemy is to say Jesus Christ’s death on the cross wasn’t enough and so you have to go back to law keeping, to torah keeping. You are unsaved, hell bound. Repent now wicked one.
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14
Of this, one disciple writes:
“The law has not gone away but through our death, burial and resurrection with Christ we have died to its tyrannical hold and influence over us. We have been removed from its curse. Rom 7:6 and Gal 3:10-13. Also, the administers of the law, the principalities and powers, tyranny over us, thru the law, has been broken and we have been moved, thru the cross, beyond their evil reach. Col 2:15, 20.
The law however is still for unbelievers who have not died to it and are still slaves to it. 1 Tim 1 lists those still under it i. e. Whores, murderers, thieves (unbelievers), etc.
The true Christian’s spirit and soul has been freed from the law but his physical body is still under it. Therefore, if a believer breaks the speed limit law his physical body will get a traffic ticket but his inner spirit man is not condemned or punished.
The rule of life for the unbeliever is the law. The rule of life for the believer is the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. Rom 8:1-4.
The unbeliever is only capable of conditional (performance-based) love. The believer is capable of unconditional, non-performance-based love. Matt 5:38-48.
The Mosaic law is the STRENGTH of Sin. 1 Cor 15:56. The law AROUSES sinful passions and causes sin to INCREASE. Rom 7:5; 5:20. It leads to sins of self-sufficiency, self-righteousness, arrogance, conditional love (that only loves conditionally based on performance) and religiosity. This is why the very legal and religious Judaizers were ENEMIES of the cross. Philippians 3.”
TORAH KEEPING CHRIST-DENYING ANTICHRISTS EXPOSED! Christ’s apostle Paul warned Titus and us of many judaizer devils! Nothing has changed! Expose them!
“For there are MANY unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision (judaizers): 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” Titus 1:10-11
HEAVEN’S SALVATION is all about Heaven’s KING – Jesus – and not you or your foolish little sabbath-idolatry cult or your fake, pretended observance of the whole law! (James 2:10) Repent and believe on the LORD Jesus Christ sinner – before it’s too late!
How any true Christian could read that passage of Scripture above and still think they have to keep any part of the Old Testament law is beyond me. They have been duped and are in jeopardy of hell fire for denying Christ – denying that He paid it all – “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
WHAT good work did the thief on the cross, a life-long rebel sinner, do to help earn his justification? (Galatians 3:3)
“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43
Concerning this fact, Faith Ranger notes: “The thief on the cross wasn’t baptized either. Imagine that, Jesus saved someone without anyone else’s permission.”
You are one deceived individual if you think your vain attempt to “keep torah” is going to save you from hell. You are a sinner who has broken God’s law repeatedly and unless you repent and believe on the only ONE who ever kept the law perfectly, you are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If keeping torah was enough, WHY O WHY did God bother to send His only begotten Son to die for us?! (Galatians 2:21)
Pretending to have always and currently be keeping the 10 Commandments saves no one (James 2:10). Only Jesus can save and He does that by His grace as one repents and believes upon Him (Ephesians 2:8-9). There is no requirement to keep the law to earn righteousness and anyone teaching such a heresy is a devil! Memorize Romans 10:4. Anyone who is justified by the grace of God by faith will be under “the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus” and only then fulfill God’s righteousness (Romans 3:31; 8:2-4; 10:4).
“We abhor the doctrine of justification by works as a most perilous and abominable doctrine. And though no one is a real Christian believer who doeth not good works … yet our works have no part in meriting or purchasing our justification.” John Wesley
The only way to honor God is to honor the truth of His only begotten Son whom He sent to pay in full for the sins of mankind. It really “is finished” which means paid in full! (John 19:30)
Always remember that you are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans3:25) The only reason any human being (“ALL have sinned”) is justified – declared righteous – in the eyes of the One who is “Holy, holy, holy,” is due to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ and not by any goodness or right doing of their own.
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7
The old law is not for born again NEW Testament believers to try to keep or live by.
—- “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is NOT made for a righteous man…” 1 Timothy 1:8-9
JUSTIFIED BY FAITH? YES! Someone might now say: “But wait a minute, doesn’t God require me to obey Him?” Yes, but not before you are brought to realize your own personal wretchedness, desperate wickedness, and sinfulness, and trust Him in a saving relationship – abide in Him (John 15:1-6). Your obedience is useless to the LORD if you don’t love, worship, and trust Him by faith, relying on the sacrifice He made on that cross for your sins. These are “the weightier matters of the law.” (Matthew 23:23-24) The Bible goes so far as to inform us that even if we give our very bodies to be burned for Christ, it’s all in vain if we don’t have His love in our hearts (1 Corinthians 13:3). If that doesn’t spell it out, what does? The fruit of obedience always follows in the lives of all those who truly know the LORD. Yes, the fruit of good works is important and yet, they save no one – only Christ saves – and all whom He saves and remain saved, bear the good fruit consistent with true repentance and faith (Matthew 3:7-10; Titus 2:11-15; James 2; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).
If you still somehow think that any goodness of your own or any good works or law keeping of your own make you righteous in God’s holy eyes, you have denied Christ. – “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21) In fact. have no slight clue of who Jesus is, why He came, and the depth of your own sinfulness, not to mention that you are openly denying Christ, calling the Son of God a fool for coming to this earth, as if He came for no reason! It’s time to repent.
What they are doing is trading Jesus in for their own impossible “ability” to keep the old, obsolete law. They have “fallen from grace” and are now unsaved “again.” (Galatians 4:19; 5:4)
WHO are You?
Here’s WHO you are – “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
You are deceitfully acting the part of being a child of God under false pretense – “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully …” (Jeremiah 48:10)
WHAT Merit do you have with God?
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6
WHAT do you have to offer the Almighty?
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18
Learn Romans. Romans is the ABC’s of the Christian faith. It’s time to grow up! Study Romans right away. Get into God’s Word and have His truth established ever more deeply in your heart for your own salvation and to share with others!
Read Romans and cease believing that law keeping of any kind makes you more righteous or righteous at all in God’s eyes. Then move to the book of Galatians!
There’s no salvation outside of THE ONE MESSIAH … that means the law saves no one and how foolish and dishonest to project that we can keep it perfectly! JESUS is the only One who ever did that and He nailed it to the cross and “took it OUT of the way”! (Colossians 2:14-19) You must choose: Jesus or law?
Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly yes and He’s the only One who ever did and then took it out of our way praise God!!!!! Read Colossians 2:14-19. To deny this paramount Gospel truth is to reject Christ and to forfeit eternal glory (Galatians 2:21). Please Read Rom. 3:31 and 8:2-4 very closely and prayerfully ….
Perfected/Perfectly Justified by Christ or Our Own “Flesh”?
— DID YOU realize that it’s actually witchcraft to put someone back under law keeping for righteousness?
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently (clearly) set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:1-3
Our works/fruit don’t make us righteous they simply come out of a relationship with the Righteous One who alone made us righteous. We are made “the righteousness of God” only through the sacrifice of the “only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 1:30) Divine righteousness comes only to those who are born again and remain or continue abiding in Him. What does Galatians 3:3 say to those who have been saved by God’s grace and then go back to relying on their own law-keeping or goodness or good works?
“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3
“We are his workmanship” AFTER the fact that He single-handedly saves us by His grace through faith! – “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)
That Law was perfect and yet it has never and will never be able to be fulfilled by fallen mankind. ONLY Jesus fulfilled it – expired it – and nailed it to the cross, taking it OUT of our way so we can really serve God (Col. 2:14-19). Yes God’s standard/Law is perfect and yet it can only be accomplished in the born again believer as he chooses to walk in the Spirit. Read Rom. 3:31 and 8:2-4 very closely and prayerfully?
THAT diabolical, glory-robbing notion that subtly says we have to keep any part of the law or be good enough in and of ourselves to please God, denies Christ by saying His one sacrifice was not enough. WAS JESUS ENOUGH? Yes, God commands us to obey Him – but that’s only after the truth/fact that we are His by His justification through our faith. Faith is first and foremost in the divine economy, not works. The Bible never says “Without WORKS it’s impossible to please him” but rather “without FAITH it’s impossible to please him”! (Hebrews 11:6)
KILL ALL law or works-righteousness in your heart and mind today! Be established in “the true grace of God.” (1 Peter 5:12; Titus 2:10-12; Rom. 6:1-2, 15) HOW? Read below! Your deliverance is at hand – if you will!
Rid from your thinking EVERY trace of earning or keeping your own salvation – you can’t. The LORD keeps His children as they remain/abide in Him (John 15:1-6). Memorize this today – “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
Okay, here we go …. prayerfully read aloud this following passage every day this week – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
One disciple writes:
“We are to stand fast in the freedom from the slavery of the law, not deviating from CHRIST, not falling from grace. To deviate from CHRIST to the law is to be entangled in a snare. The yoke of slavery is the bondage of the law, which makes law keepers slaves under a binding yoke. Judaizers made circumcision a condition of salvation. (Gal.2:3-5; Acts 15:1) If believers had received circumcision CHRIST would have profited them nothing! Why? Because by going back to the law is to spontaneously relinquish CHRIST!!! Any believer going back to the law is severing themselves from CHRIST. This separation is falling from grace. The righteousness we hope for is CHRIST HIMSELF!! (1 Cor.1:30)”
——–WAS JESUS’ SACRIFICE ENOUGH OR DID HE LIE TO US? JUST EXACTLY WHAT PART OF THE LAW DID JESUS NOT PERFECTLY FULFILL????? DO YOU SEE THIS EVIL, SATANIC INDICTMENT ALREADY? ANYBODY READY to get a bit more set free by Jesus, the Truth? JESUS CHRIST is “the way” NOT the old law, and to deny such is to brazenly deny Christ and be hell bound (John 14:6).
No (not one) New Testament apostle or Jesus told any NEW Testament Christian to keep the law. The old law, now obsolete righteous “was weak through the flesh” and so Jesus, the Testator of the NEW Covenant came and did away with it for righteousness and it’s only through being made a new creature in Christ and living by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 15 when the apostles of Jesus were establishing what was “necessary” (absolutely essential to salvation), there was no mention of law keeping. Go study this. Did God somehow forget to tell us something we needed to know?
Make no mistake: CHRIST replaced the law and to deny such is to openly deny Christ and forfeit salvation which only comes through Christ.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:2-4
The law was what? A mere “schoolmaster to bring us to CHRIST.” (Galatians 3:24)
IF you still think you have to keep the law to be right with God, you have openly denied Christ’s perfect sacrifice! (John 19:30; Romans 10:4; Galatians 2:16)
The law had its place and has it’s place until superseded by Jesus Christ who is the only One to ever perfectly keep it. The Father saves the repentant soul, convicted by the razor edge of the law, bringing that sinner into His redemption plan on the basis of Christ’s perfect sacrifice and by no other way. We are “Justified by faith without the deeds of the law” –“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”(Romans 3:24-28)
Don’t be beguiled, God wants your worship and love and the rest will take it’s course to please Him (Matthew 9:13; 22:37-39, etc.).
Men are “justified by faith” and kept “by faith.”
“Justified by faith”
“Therefore we conclude that a man is JUSTIFIED BY FAITH without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28
“Kept by faith”
“Who are KEPT by the power of God THROUGH FAITH unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:5
Justified by faith but sanctified by law keeping????
NOT. “The just (those justified by God) shall live by faith.”
Born again New Testament disciples are saved by grace through faith. They are saved, justified, and sanctified by faith. They live by faith and not by law or law keeping. See Hebrews 11:6.
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith (not law to law): as it is written, The just shall live by faith (not law keeping).” Romans 1:17
“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live BY FAITH.” Galatians 3:11
“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back (go back to law keeping), my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38
Saved by Works or Faith? | Galatians Overview | Grace of The Highest Authority | Exploding the Sabbath Worship Heresy | Hebrew Hogwash | Justification
FEEDBACK:
“That’s right and Jesus was the only ONE that could fulfill the law, so why are those under NEW and even better Covenant trying to do the impossible???? “” But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”
THE LAW DID NOT PROVIDE A WAY OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH, BUT THE NEW COVENANT DOES (GAL. 3:10-12; HEB. 7:19). The Law did not bring acquittal, but condemnation, because no one was able to keep it perfectly. Paul states plainly, “Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘The righteous man shall live by faith.’ However, the Law is not of faith” (Gal. 3:11-12a). If you want to be justified by the Law, all you have to do is to keep it perfectly, from birth until death, not just outwardly, but in your heart! The problem is, you are defeated before you begin. THE LAW WAS BASED ON AN INFERIOR PRIESTHOOD, BUT THE NEW COVENANT IS BASED ON THE SUPERIOR PRIESTHOOD OF JESUS (HEB. 7:11-8:6). THE LAW KEPT WORSHIPERS AT A DISTANCE FROM GOD BECAUSE OF HIS HOLINESS AND THEIR SINFULNESS, WHEREAS THE NEW COVENANT INVITES US TO DRAW NEAR (EXOD. 19:12-13, 21-24; HEB. 4:16; 7:19; 10:22).” Thomas L.
Message Received:
“The Ten Commandments are different from the sacrificial laws given to Moses and written by his hand into a book. However the Ten were written by the finger of God on stone symbolizing that they should last forever. Other laws of Oblation written by Moses by God’s inspiration were to be temporary until the death of Christ on the Cross of Calvary.”
Reply:
Are the 10 commandments part of the law? YES and the NEW Testament says that even that part of the law cannot make you righteous and if you are foolishly attempting to keep them and thinking that makes you righteous 1) you cannot keep them perfectly and so are guilty of breaking the whole law (James 2:10), and 2) You are denying Christ – that He nailed the law to the cross and “took it out of the way” (Colossians 2:14-17). You have denied the only way of salvation (John 14:6). DID Jesus, the only One to ever keep the law say that the law what “the way” or that HE is the only “way”? (John 14:6)
The old law serves the purpose of convicting the sinner – showing him just how sinful he is, in order to bring him to CHRIST (Romans 7; Galatians 3:24;
1 Timothy 1).
1 Timothy 1:
“Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
1Ti 1:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Ti 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1Ti 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
1Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1Ti 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
———————–
“RIGHT ON! We are ordained to do good works. Those good works do not ordain us. It is God who ordains us. Christ is our salvation. In Him only have we any escape of hell. We shall then do good works in honor of Him and His glory. For His praises. Please, everyone, read this. Time is short. Be getting ready for the soon coming of the Lord Jesus.” Theodore W.
“This is very common-I encounter Judaizing all over the place…mixing GRACE with OT Laws…LORD told me its just pride—they want to BOAST on “WHAT THEY DO” for GOD, and look down and judge others who “DONT DO WHAT THEY DO’…..some don’t even Understand—THE NEW COVENANT, or read COL. 2-16….maranatha.” Cheryl B.
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Articles
Mission Mexico Part 47
We’ve been on the ground in beautiful Mexico now for 2 years and 3 months. It’s amazing what our LORD can and will do if we let Him take and use our lives – and He’s using each of us!!!
“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
Brother Juan ministers all day long as he travels between towns and interacts with numerous people…. every day. He also ministers to hundreds at a local jail/prison. Thank you for lifting our brother in prayer and for considering supporting. Jesus is coming saints. Let’s roll. Here is brother Mark delivering another box of 2,000 JESUS tracts to our brother, Juan the evangelist.
We are boots on the ground supporting our LORD’s saints, Gospel laborers, here in Mexico (Matthew 9:35-38). Your prayers and support are the fuel of Heaven (Philippians 1:19).
See more Gospel action here at Mission Mexico
May God perpetually imbue our hearts with His simple truth – that our lives in this world are all about loving, knowing, worshipping, and obeying Him – including helping others know Him. Matthew 22:37-39
Thank you for kindly lifting a prayer for the beloved people of Mexico – to be saved in Christ.
God tests our faith constantly in this “walk” right? “We WALK by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7)…. Walking takes “steps” right? (Psalms 37:23)
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalms 37:23
Seems as if that’s what this is. And if it’s God leading us, then He will reward as we obey, we traverse His planet with Him, right?
YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ name please ordain my every step, all for Your eternal glory. I love You LORD Jesus!
“Good afternoon, Brother Todd. Our God is a God of purpose; may God continue to bless your ministry here in Mexico—it is a great blessing. Please accept greetings and blessings from my brothers at the Actopan, Hidalgo, correctional facility.” Juan
Thursday morning is eat breakfast out and fellowship with other saints, brother Mark, Juan, etc.
Mission Mexico rolling. Thank you for your prayers. Scores of precious souls heard the Gospel preached to them in Spanish today and received a JESUS tract in Spanish. Isaiah 55:11 anybody!? Boom. Jesus is coming.
We solicit your prayers for the people of Mexico – to be saved and established in Christ.
JESUS CHRIST IS KING.
As was our LORD Jesus, let us be about our “Father’s business” beloved of God (Luke 2:49). The hour is late. Jesus is coming – and He foretold that His Gospel would be preached to every nation before He returns (Matthew 24:14).
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
Thank you for lifting the beautiful people of Mexico in prayer.
ARE YOU investing in eternity or wasting all your seed on this temporal world? See Jesus’ words of instruction, of His wisdom to us in Matthew 6:19-21.
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.” John 4:34-38
The perspective of people is completely different in Mexico.
People actually care for one another. They don’t take advantage of others.
They don’t have greed and so they don’t jack up prices, etc., at the expense of their fellow man.
Because they know such will affect their fellow man, fellow Mexicans
As the Golden rule teaches, the do things with others in mind. | The Golden Rule Life: What’s that Really Mean? [podcast]
This man above is LITERALLY harvesting the produce to cook our meal.
Brother Mark and I ate breakfast here yesterday. Mark was a 0311 Scout in the Marine Corp, otherwise we probably could not have found this place which is nestled in the mountains. Yet another treasure in Mexico. They are inexhaustible. A family who lives in a remote location, a small mountain settlement and cooks breakfast on their deck each morning. One of those things that is only know by word of mouth. Gotta love it!!!!
It’s a blessing that with your prayers, love, and financial support, you are declaring that “The People of Mexico Matter for Christ—He died to save them!”
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20
IF YOU WANT TO PLEASE SATAN …..
MAKE SURE you do NOT support authentic evangelistic ministries that are literally, actually getting Christ’s Gospel to the lost souls of this world.
The apostle Paul did “the work of an evangelist” and instructed us to do the same.
“Preach the word … But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:2, 5
Our KING is coming saints, King JESUS!
Let’s roll beloved of God!
in Christ
todd
More Mexico Mission Action here.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Mission Mexico – See more here. | Give support here. Many options
Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.
Abiding
“THE FORMER SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED, NOR COME INTO MIND” [podcast]
In Eternity “THE FORMER SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED, NOR COME INTO MIND.”
(Isaiah 65:17)
Our LORD Jesus will soon return to “make all things new.”
“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and THE FORMER SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED, NOR COME INTO MIND.” Isaiah 65:17
“I create – I am about wholly to change the state not only of my people, but to bring a new face upon the world, which shall abide until a new heavens and earth appear, in which shall dwell nothing but righteousness. Not be remembered – That state of things shall be so glorious, that the former state of my people shall not be remembered.” John Wesley
“Behold a new creation, Isa_65:17-25! The present dispensation is ended. Jerusalem, restored to her former glory, sings for very joy; and her rejoicing sends a thrill of joy through the nature of God. Long years of life and security of tenure are granted again to man. The red rapine of the forest is ended, for creation is emancipated from its bondage and participates in the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Peace shall reign in the forest glades, never again to abdicate her throne, Isa_65:25. But, best of all, there shall be such unity between man and God that prayer will be anticipated, and the pleading soul shall be conscious of the listening ear of God. Hasten, O day of days, for which creation groans, and the saints groan with inexpressible desire!” FB Meyer
“65:17 The closing verses of chapter 65 describe millennial conditions. The new heavens and the new earth here refer to Christ’s kingdom on earth; in Revelation 21 they refer to the eternal state. In Isaiah’s new heavens and new earth there is still sin and death; in Revelation 21, these have passed away.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Of Isaiah 65:17, another commentator writes the following:
a [I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind] Here God declares that He will create or bring into existence renewed heavens and a renewed earth which will be so wonderful that the present ones will be forgotten in the glory and blessing that will then be enjoyed on the earth by the eternal society.
b [new heavens and a new earth] This term, “new heavens and a new earth,” is found only four times in Scripture, being used twice by Isaiah (Isa_65:17; Isa_66:22-24), once by Peter (2Pe_3:10-13), and once by John (in Rev. 21:1-22:5). Making the heavens and earth new will be accomplished at the close of the Millennium after all rebellion is put down on earth, all enemies are destroyed, and God has become all in all again, as before rebellion was started—first by Lucifer and later by Adam (Rom_8:18-25; 1Co_15:24-28; Eph_1:10; 2Pe_3:10-13; Rev. 21-22).
c [former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind]
Great Millennial and Eternal Changes
This could not mean that the former heavens and earth will never be recalled in any way whatsoever. The idea is that comparatively speaking, the new ones will be so wonderful that people will not meditate on, long for, or regret the passing of the old ones. Mentioning the new heavens and the new earth here as an introduction to a passage about the Millennium (Isa_65:18-25) can be best understood in this light—that God’s program concerning the new heavens and the new earth is His ultimate purpose in the work which he begins in the Millennium.
Fifteen Millennial and Eternal Changes:
1. A new earthly and eternal Jerusalem will be created as the earthly and eternal capital of the whole earth (Isa_65:18; Isa_2:2-4; Eze_48:30-35; Joe_3:16-20)
2. Eternal Israel (Isa_65:18)
3. Eternal rejoicing of Israel for their eternal city
4. God rejoicing eternally in Jerusalem (Isa_65:19)
5. God rejoicing eternally in Israel
6. Eternal removal of all weeping and crying in Israel and Jerusalem
7. Eternal change in length of life—no more an infant of days nor an old man who will not fill his days (Isa_65:20). Men will live as long as trees (Isa_65:22) and eternally in natural bodies (Mat_25:46)
8. Change in the appointment of death for the righteous, who will not sin (Isa_65:20; Mat_25:46)
9. Change in the economy—everyone building and possessing his own home, and planting and enjoying his own crops without fear of losing any through debts (Isa_65:21-22)
10. Removal of the curse of hard labor (Isa_65:23)
11. Eternal change in purpose and production of material goods—nothing will be produced for war and trouble (Isa_65:23; Isa_2:2-4; Mic_4:1-13)
12. God’s eternal blessing upon all labor and business (Isa_65:23)
13. Eternal change of results in prayer (Isa_65:24)
14. Eternal change of animal natures (Isa_65:25; Isa_11:6-9)
15. Eternal change in society—none to hurt or destroy in all God’s kingdom (Isa_65:25)
Jesus is Returning to Make Peace by Violence, by Force
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12
No one can and will fulfill these words above more perfectly than the One who spoke these words.
“Blessed are the peaceMAKERS: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9
In this fallen world, peace cannot be kept, it must be made – that is, it must be forcefully accomplished by destroying the wicked doers.
“A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.” Matthew 12:20
Jesus will bring forth His judgment unto victory when He returns.
Jesus came to divide between the righteous and the unrighteous.
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34
Our LORD’s Gospel message which presents the occasion for some to believe and some to reject. This is the “sword” of division that divides between the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46). The Gospel brings division and strife in families and nations, because some love darkness rather than light (John 3:19-21).
The unrepentant wicked will not repent and change. The LORD will return to crush and to force them into His bowels of damnation, a place of incarceration called hell.
Jesus came as a lamb the first time and will return as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah to dispossess His earth of His enemies.
“A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.” Proverbs 20:26
All tears shall be wiped away from off the faces of those who choose to be Christ’s!
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:45
In a certain sense it doesn’t matter what has come against you, what you have gone through, what you have suffered and endured. The end is near and this life is not even going to “come into mind” for the righteous when Jesus returns! When the unrepentant wicked are vanquished into the bowels of eternal damnation, the righteous shall reign …..
“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)” Romans 5:17
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Romans 5:3-11
Future Glory
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 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? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:17-39
God’s Everlasting Love for His People…..
“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3
In and through Christ – as you are dead with Him and raised up by Him – He makes you to be, He declares us to be “more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Historically the righteous have disrupted the plans of Satan and have therefore been persecuted… a type of what’s called “political prisoners” who are imprisoned and persecuted for disagreeing with the ruling evil doers.
Let us be reminded saints, that it’s how we finish that matters most, not how we began, and not how we may have stumbled along the way. We are “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15
No saint of Christ has ever gone unscathed, unscarred in this life! It’s actually proof you are HIS! You have no earthly idea how much Jesus loves you! In fact, are we not warned by our LORD that if we are not receiving persecution, that we are not His?
“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:22-26
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him”
“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” 2 Timothy 2:11-12
Jesus promised us, His people, that we’d suffer for being His (Matthew 5:10-12; 10:22; Luke 6:22-24; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-14, etc.).
“They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6
In this life, you don’t even have the ability to imagine the blessings that await you!
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
“Joy and Peace in Believing”
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13
PRAYER: Holy Father, I come to You afresh, right now, in the name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You Father for filling Your beloved saints in the earth with all joy and peace in believing. Please bless your saints with hope dear LORD as our lives are blessed to be laid down, crucified with Christ our LORD! In Jesus’ Name, amen.
The Return of Christ | Are you Born Again? -Make Peace with God now, before it’s too late
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Deliverance from Works-Righteousness or Law-Keeping
Mission Mexico Part 47
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“Fear hath Torment” – 100% Deliverance from all Fear! [podcast]
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“Seven Women shall take hold of One Man” [podcast]
Church History or the Scriptures? [podcast]
Redemption Through Christ’s Sacrifice [podcast]
“Warn them from Me”: The 3 Things Paul did to Protect God’s People [podcast]
Apostasy Dialogues
Deliverance from Works-Righteousness or Law-Keeping
Antichrist or Christ? [podcast]
The Weapons of Our Warfare [podcast]
Deliverance from Works-Righteousness or Law-Keeping
Mission Mexico Part 47
“THE FORMER SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED, NOR COME INTO MIND” [podcast]
America1 year agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
- Articles3 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
- Articles8 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
- Apostasy3 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True
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