The Importance of Personal, Organic Bible Study [podcast]
To study the Bible organically means simply to study God’s Word without the undue influence, the taintings of mere men!
God’s Word is your life (Proverbs 4:20-23). The Word is your “daily bread,” and your life depends on knowing and obeying it (Matthew 6:11). Knowing and adhering to Holy Scripture is your protection (Proverbs 30:5-6).
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield (protection) 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
RECENTLY: In a very engaging fellowship discussion this morning with a dear brother in Christ, it was a blessing to witness his Berean approach to the LORD and His kingdom (Acts 17:10-11). He was factoring everything we discussed with Scripture, stopping to meditate and cite Holy Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 anyone? Amen Jesus!
God gave us His Word in written format so we would not be deceived by false teachers, so there’d be no confusion, and also, no excuse on Judgment Day (Proverbs 22:17-21; 30:5; John 12:48; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.). The Word of God is the basis by which the LORD shall judge each of us.
ORGANIC Bible study, organic fellowship, and organic ministry. Organic simply refers to being “without foreign additives – poisons, taintings, pure.” May Jesus bless His people with absolute authenticity.
HOW do you know if someone is imposing something upon the Scripture text they are reading from IF you haven’t personally, organically, thoroughly studied the whole of God’s Word for yourself? You don’t.
So many among us are living wasted lives—lives where they’ve been seduced into systems of theology which contain poisons in the pond of their body of truth (the whole of what they believe).
The unchanging Word of God, the Bible itself, and the Holy Spirit are the divine Teachers of truth—and not mere men or sinful man’s concocted theological systems and/or charts! Beware saints. See Psalms 119:105, 130; Mark 13:31; John 14:26; 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17, etc.
Saints, let’s beware of the charts and systems men create to “help people understand the Bible better.” RED FLAG! God has ordered, commanded you to learn straight from Him and that’s why you have access to His Word. You have a Bible. Study it for yourself. Your knowledge and understanding of God must of necessity come straight from your own personal, daily study of His Word. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Antichrist cults in our midst that push the use of their charts and theological systems include the demonic dispensationalists, and many of the eschatology (end times) wolves.
The word theology simply means the study of God. And, if we shall see Him correctly, we must obtain our theology, our view, our knowledge of God, directly from the Word of God alone—allowing Him to speak for Himself, to reveal Himself to us without the tainting of mere men. We must learn of the LORD, learn for ourselves who the LORD is and what He said, and stop following man’s philosophies, notions, systems, and charts. When the Bereans tested what Paul taught, they didn’t break out some mere man’s system, theology, or a chart. No, they “searched the scriptures daily” to see if Paul was preaching the truth (Acts 17:10-11).
Many a believer has been misled by the teachings, the charts, and systems of evil men posing as Christ’s elders. Run from them! Stop and think: “Why would those men build a system, a theology, chart for you to follow instead of exhorting you to study the topic in God’s Word for yourself—just as God commanded you to do?” The only reason why wolves create systems and charts is to get you to believe their errors and to derail gullible people who refuse to study God’s Word for themselves (2 Timothy 2:15).
If a person isn’t in the Word, learning the Word and meditating on the Word, he has no business acting as if he is ministering for Christ! Such a person’s knowledge of God is second hand at best. Wisdom would be to repent now and get into God’s Word with reckless abandonment! When we get into the Word it will then and only then get into us! (2 Timothy 2:15)
Paul got Timothy into the Word for himself—else how could Timothy be an authentic minister for Christ? Think about all the phony men representing Christ today. They have a secondhand, a skewed knowledge of God—learned from mere men. Paul charged Timothy and us to:
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
In other words, Paul didn’t lead Timothy to come to Paul for the Word but rather to go to God to get His Word directly from Him!
After confronting a lady who is being misled by dispensational wolves, exhorting her to study God’s Word organically for herself instead of via wolves, she replied:
“We can’t claim the whole Bible to ourselves. We don’t all have to go out and build arks … Paul’s epistles are different for a reason as with Hebrews.”
REPLY:
You are using mere human reasoning. The Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures are our Teachers, not mere men. Paul told Timothy to study the Bible for himself (2 Timothy 2:15). Yes we, as Christ’s true body, are to dwell richly in God’s Word and yet, regrettably, you’ve been misled by an enemy of Christ, a false teacher, who is not the body of Christ but rather one of the wolves Jesus and His apostles so often warned us about (Acts 2:42; Colossians 3:17, etc.).
Contrary to the apostles of Jesus, Most ministries and ministers today intentionally foster in their target market, their prey, a dependence upon them and not Christ. They want to entice and seduce in order to create a following, a repeat customer, and build their church or ministry busine$$. Beware saints.
Are you “Taught of God” or are you taught of man? (John 6:45; 1 Thessalonians 4:9) | “Taught of God”
“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” Isaiah 29:13
Those not diligently, daily in God’s Word for themselves are sitting ducks for a deceiver to come along in their vacuum and fill the void with heresy. IT WILL HAPPEN IF IT HASN’T ALREADY. If you wish to endure to the end, you must personally fill your heart and mind with God’s Word or you will be turned over to “strong delusion” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). God takes it personally when you don’t choose to LOVE His truth!
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
The personal nature of this instruction is introduced at the onset of this verse – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God.” YOU do it.
Yet, instead of personally studying the Bible organically, some want a short cut and so what they do is hook up with some ministry that is pushing a system. Laziness is also a contributing factor when men choose to go to seminary—to supposedly study a book they’ve had in their possession for years. Enlisting to be indoctrinated would sum up the course of seminarians.
SAINTS of Christ, be aware that clever men, operating as Christian pastors, authors, singers, etc., can make nearly anything look biblical. They perform this slight of hand, this trickery by selectively siphoning out Bible verses to make THEIR point, to make THEIR tradition look legit. Yet they do this to the exclusion of the whole of Scripture, which they hope you never thoroughly study. These are the very wolves in sheep’s clothing whom we’ve been warned about. They prey upon the ignorance of their prey (Hosea 4:6). We must ask, we must test the spirits by asking whether or not their doctrine is expressly, directly, explicitly stated in Holy Scripture, or not—just exactly as the Berean disciples did (Acts 17:10-11; 1 John 4:1). Again, nearly anything can be extrapolated using select Scriptures and yet, is that what the whole of Scripture communicates? Test. Discern.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
TODAY, the true body of Christ is “Looking unto JESUS” and not mere men (Hebrews 12:1-3).
One of the great deceptions in today’s “church” land is that many “pastors” verbally claim that God’s Word is the highest authority and then they cling to some thing(s) that contradict God’s Word. When confronted they ditch the Word of God for their tradition, their heresy, or doctrine of men. This is exactly what Jesus cited the false leaders of His day for doing (Mark 7:6-9, 13).
Praying in the name of Jesus to the Father, asking Him to help you never be misled, is vital.
“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail.” Isaiah 34:16
Many today would rather find someone to tell them what the Bible says instead of studying it for themselves. Deadly mistake.
IF YOU don’t personally diligently study God’s written Word for yourself, you will forfeit a myriad of divine blessings and will be deceived—and in the end “destroyed” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Hosea 4:6; Matthew 22:29; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17).
Studying the Bible organically is the best method; thoroughly, topically, stacking Scripture upon Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:13). The less involvement of man, the better.
What happens in most apostate modern churches is indoctrination—not true Bible learning. People are being poisoned by the doctrines of men and devils.
YOU have a Bible? Good. Read it for yourself (2 Timothy 2:15). Stop relying on mere men to teach you what only the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit who gave them can teach you.
Let the Bible speak for itself. If somebody is having to tell you that the Bible says something instead of letting God speak for Himself, letting His Word speak to the individual, that should be a red flag. There are lots of voices saying “the Bible says” and yet until you personally behold it with your own eyes in God’s Word, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses” in Scripture, you should not embrace it.
“In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” 2 Corinthians 13:1
We as men can find Scripture to justify nearly anything. Men can deceitfully extrapolate and “prove” nearly anything using the right mixture of Scripture taken out of the context of what the whole of Scripture teaches.
No Greek or Hebrew is needed and is certainly not the main rule of interpretation. We must take God’s preserved Word for what it clearly states in our own language, as we compile, compound, put together, and compare Scripture with Scripture (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13). This is the method of priority in apprehending truth, the highest, stated rule of interpreting truth. A thorough gathering of all Scripture pertaining to the given study, is essential.
Just because someone’s book, this website or any other, or some man standing in a pulpit says something, in no way makes it true. You must “prove (test) all things” and only hold fast the true (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This is exactly what the disciples at Berea did when they heard Paul preach—they put what he taught to the test, diligently searching Holy Scripture to see if it was God’s truth:
“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:10-11
Are You being “Taught of God”?
Praying daily for the LORD’s understanding is imperative.
To bring light to the reality of how people are imposing things upon the Bible that simply do not bear out through honest, organic, thorough study, below is a list of examples. These are some of the falsehoods being peddled as biblical that simply aren’t. Those who thoroughly study God’s Word for themselves, being “taught of God” Himself, will never come out of their study of God’s Word and say things like:
- “keeping Saturday as the sabbath is essential/important”
- “once saved always saved”
- “man has no free will” (calvinism)
- “eternal security”
- “the gifts of the Spirit passed away with the apostles” (cessationism)
- “there’s more than one gospel”
- “you have to learn the Bible through dispensationalism”
- “pretrib rapture” (escapism)
- “Jesus only died to save a pre-selected elect people” (calvinism)
- “you have to keep the law to be saved”
- “I received all of the Holy Spirit I need at the moment of salvation”
- “God no longer does miracles” (cessationism, agnosticism)
- “every believer needs a human, pastoral ‘covering‘ (deeds and doctrine of the nicolaitans)
- “God doesn’t require that His people apply ‘ALL scripture’ to ourselves and gave us permission to decide what in His Word applies and what doesn’t” (Revelation 22:18-19)
- “You can’t understand the Bible without mere men teaching you” (John 14:26; 16:13-14; 1 John 2:20, 27)
- “All whom the LORD saves lose their free will and are forced to continue serving Him and forced to go to Heaven” (robotic, calvinism)
- “fellowship is limited to a certain physical “church” building and organization that meets on Sunday mornings”
- “The town drunk was saved and bearing fruit for Christ earlier in his life, is now living in open sinful rebellion but is still going to Heaven” (once saved always saved)
These are all errors induced upon the minds of men by other beguiled men. They misuse, twist Scripture as we’ve been warned about.
The list of man-imposed heresies goes on and on and on…… This is a mere sampling of man-induced falsehoods which Scripture never expressly states and that other known biblical truth contradicts. Letting God speak for Himself is essential to remaining in His truth saints. Today, there are countless doctrines of mere men imposed upon the Bible and being called “biblical” by those who perpetrate them.
Many things are being said to be “biblical” today which simply aren’t. Only the astute student who is being taught God’s Word via personal study and the Holy Ghost, will escape the many false “wind(s) of doctrine” blowing through the church world in this last hour (Ephesians 4:14).
“For we are not as many, which corrupt (twist) 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
“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (corrupt, twist), as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:15-16
Notice that Scripture tells us that “destruction” is the future of all “false teachers” (2 Peter 2:1-3).
Paul warned and was very concerned about the “enticing words” of mere sinful men who pose as men of God:
“And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. … Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:4,8
Men are misled, deceived due to their own dishonesty before the LORD.
“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. … But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:7,13
Remember, the LORD says this concerning the 4th and only heart soil His Word falls upon who will be eternally with Him:
“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15
Many men today, refuse to follow Paul’s example of denouncing all motives except knowing Christ. Their own depraved hearts therefore beguile and ultimately destroy them and those who allow themselves to be misled by such men.
“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Like David, God-fearing men cry out to God perpetually for the purification of their heart motives (Psalms 19:12-13; 51:1-13; 139:23-24). They are able to lead many to righteousness as they handle the Word of God without guile.
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16
Theological systems are an overlay, a structure of Bible organization that makes things easier to understand. That’s the appeal to some. Yet, the person who hasn’t personally studied God’s Word diligently for himself is not able to discern the errors of the system and thereby easily misled as he becomes swept up with the program. After all, the ministries which do this are usually large and lots of people are participating. A theological system pretends to organize and make the Bible easier to understand and yet in most cases, has built-in error that poisons the pond. Examples would include dispensationalism, Calvinism, etc. Can you add to this list?
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2
Lots of the systems of theology induce or impose things on Scripture. The novice has no depth of knowledge of God’s Word and so cannot possibly discern such. They are consequently indoctrinated.
Topically studying God’s Word is extremely beneficial – where Scriptures are gathered on a certain topic. Yet, when the wrong ministry is putting those verses together, it can be dangerous. Again, this is why it’s imperative to study God’s Word for oneself.
Exhorting other saints to study God’s Word for themselves is one thing and a godly thing. Yet, forcing YOUR interpretation is another, an evil thing. Jesus gave us His Word and told us that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate Teacher. We must thoroughly study it, collate it, and let God, the Author, speak for Himself (1 Corinthians 2:13).
Beware of any man who unduly uses his position to usurp unwarranted control over your mind concerning the Holy Scriptures. This is how many have been deceived—when they allow mere men to impose their own views, or some regurgitated theology over their minds. Millions today abide deceived via this method of indoctrination, mind control. Beware of the curriculums.
Seeking to have or to exercise dominion over others, over their faith, is witchcraft!
“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” 2 Corinthians 1:24
Trust no man with your eternal soul. God paid for your sins in Christ and commanded you to trust Him, and to lean not to your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-7).
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23
The LORD made you. He intentionally gave you the complete faculties to know Him for yourself by reasoning out the whole counsel of His Word—synthesizing it all together (Isaiah 28:10, 16; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). Study His Word daily, diligently and ask Him to lead you into all truth. Trust the Holy Ghost to teach you, to lead you into His holy truth and to protect you from the many poisons in the pond of the modern church (John 14:26; 16:13-14; 1 John 2:20, 27).
When man is controlling the study and interpretation of the Bible, that in itself is dangerous. People, individual saints are to be “taught of God” and not taught of men. There are people in leadership who insist upon presiding over the interpretation of Holy Scripture instead of letting GOD’s people read it for themselves, being “taught of God.” This presumption to supposedly hold the keys to interpretation is a farce. GOD alone holds the keys to understanding HIS own Word and He alone can ultimately teach HIS own people. When undue control is asserted by mere men over the interpretation of God ‘s Word, that’s a big red flag. This is how indoctrination occurs, this is how heresies spread.
“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all TAUGHT OF GOD. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” John 6:45
“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are TAUGHT OF GOD to love one another.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9
Are you being “taught of God” or are you being taught of men? Jesus warns:
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Revelation 3:11
Beware of Being a “Back it Up” Bubba
Personally studying God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation, organically, is ultra-important. | The Importance of Personal, Organic Bible Study
To “back up” a belief with Scripture seems to really indicate: “I believe ABC doctrine and I’m hell bent on finding Bible verses to prove it!” In other words someone like this doesn’t really care what the whole of Scripture teaches as much as they care to hold on to some pet doctrine (it’s usually something to justify their sin such as the falsehood of eternal security).
Some put forth their subjective beliefs and defend those beliefs by saying “I can back everything up with scripture.” Satan can too as we see him do when tempting Jesus (Luke 4). The devil used Scripture out of context as many today do. Are we merely backing up what WE say and what WE currently believe with Scripture, or are we simply reading and diligently studying the whole counsel of Holy Scripture and letting GOD speak for Himself as we “compare spiritual things (Scripture, known truth) with spiritual things”? See 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15. Big difference. Think about that. Men and devils can deceitfully make the Bible say anything THEY want it to say but that doesn’t make it biblically sound and true. We must beware of our own tendency to espouse and hold on to philosophies, notions, and doctrines that do not line up with the whole counsel of God’s Word and we must be corrected (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We must honestly examine our own selves to see WHY we believe WHAT we currently believe. Discernment, “rightly dividing the word of truth” seems to be concretely connected to searching the Scriptures as we see with the Bereans who tested Paul and all that he taught (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:10-11). Lots of people who talk about discernment trust their own subjective discernment instead of letting the written WORD be their two edged sword of discernment (Hebrews 4:12). Many believe they are discerning correctly and yet aren’t daily, diligently being grounded in the written Word, which God will never contradict (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).
IT’S ESSENTIAL TO PRAY ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS LIFE AND AS WE STUDY HOLY SCRIPTURE—FOR THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF KNOWING THE LORD (John 5:39-40; 17:3; Philippians 3:10; Hosea 6:6).
Knowing the text, the words of Scripture is one thing—and knowing the LORD and possessing HIS understanding of HIS Word is yet another.
Those in ministry must be careful never to be forceful, coercive toward “GOD’s heritage” (1 Peter 5:1-6; Ezekiel 34:4).
“But with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” Ezekiel 34:4
It should be a concern when we see men who spend more energy getting people to listen to themselves and to go through a curriculum than they do exhorting God’s people to seek His face in prayer for HIS understanding of HIS Word. Isn’t this exactly what Christ’s apostle Paul prayed for the body of Christ?
“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:15-20
PRAYER: Holy Father in Heaven, I come to You now in the name and by the blood of my LORD Jesus Christ. LORD, I confess that I’ve been dishonest and deceitful before You and those around me. I confess the deceit and guile for what it is—sin. Please forgive, cleanse and allow the mind of Christ to dwell in, to find a home in, and to permeate my being. I ask this for Your glory and in Your holy name LORD Jesus. Amen.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates|| Top 12 Missing Essential Doctrines in the Modern Church World! [podcast] | Repentance and Fruit | Loving not our Lives unto the Death [podcast]
Articles
The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]
What exactly does the Bible mean by the phrase “the sure mercies of David”?
The divine guarantee in Christ is that God’s mercies are upon your life, is available to you – as His divine mercies were upon the beloved David, from whose lineage came the promised Messiah. This grants no license for sin, which leads to judgment – now and forever (Romans 11:20-22; Hebrews 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21). God’s mercy in no way negates the biblical truth that we must all reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8).
Biblical examples of Sinful People God Forgave:
- Adam and Eve (Genesis 3).
- David (2 Samuel 11-12; Psalms 51).
- The prodigal son (Luke 15).
- One of the two men who stood before the LORD to pray (Luke 18:9-14).
- Peter (Matthew 26:26-69, Luke 22:31-32; John 21:15-17).
- Thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43).
- Woman taken in adultery (John 8).
- The fornicator in Corinth (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2).
According to Ezekiel 16:8-13 and many other Bible passages, God takes care of His beloved people.
Just as was the case with our earthly parents, so God took care of us, of you, when you couldn’t take care of yourself, He, your loving heavenly Father was there, tenderly taking care of you.
“Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine. 9 Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. 10 I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk. 11 I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. 12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. 13 Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.” Ezekiel 16:8-13
The LORD saved Paul as an example to us – to every vile sinner to be born thereafter.
“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. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:15-17
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
IF God forgave David and told you that in Christ you have “the sure mercies of David,” why wouldn’t He freely forgive you? (Isaiah 55:3-4; Acts 13:34) If God forgave the fornicator of 1 Corinthians 5 in 2 Corinthians 2, WHY wouldn’t He freely forgive your sins? Return to Him, confess all sin, forget the past, and “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
The “sure mercies of David” are exclusively reserved for those who are in Christ!
“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.” Romans 8:33-34
What is meant by the phrase we read in God’s Word “the sure mercies of David”?
“Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.” Isaiah 55:3-4
“55:2-5 In its alienation from God, Israel has been wasting its energy and resources. True satisfaction and lasting pleasure are found only in the Lord. If Israel returns to the Lord, they will receive all the sure mercies promised to David in the everlasting covenant (see Psa_89:3-4, Psa_89:28-29). These blessings are fulfilled in the Lord Jesus and in His glorious reign. The Gentile nations, too, will share in the benefits of the kingdom, and there will be amicable relations between Israel and the nations.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“the sure mercies of David” … yes those words definitely are so beautiful….. when we realize how wicked we are, we will find no stone to cast at any other. Instead we will send out the life saving message of “the sure mercies of David” which are in Christ.
UNTIL, as an individual, you begin to realize just how wicked you really are, you will never begin to appreciate what our KING and Savior did on that cross!
Read this verse carefully:
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13
Recently, someone asked me what is meant by “mercy rejoiceth against judgment”? Reply: God’s mercy is greater than the judgment of sin…… His mercy is powerfully forgiving. The LORD would clearly rather bestow His mercy upon sinners than His judgment.
“But God commendeth (exhibited) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
All men have sinned against our Maker and yet the LORD is so very good that He “gave his only begotten Son” to be sacrificed for “the sins of the whole world” so that none “should perish” (John 3:16-17; 1 John 2:1-2; 2 Peter 3:9).
I love this verse which puts it all in perspective…. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Stay in the mirror – the Word. When we are not in the Word we forget just how wicked WE are, how in desperate need WE are of God’s mercy, and that’s when we judge others when we should be extending that bless-ed divine mercy upon them.
“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass (mirror): 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty (Gospel), and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:23-25
God freely forgives His people on the basis of Christ’s perfect sacrifice…. and requires that we forgive all others as He freely forgives unworthy sinners like us on behalf of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. We are unworthy in and of ourselves. Jesus’ righteousness alone provides for our salvation, the justification of God.
If God were not a forgiving God who restores the backslidden, NOT EVEN ONE of us would still be alive and headed for eternal glory.
It takes no less than to read Jesus’ 3 parables which make up Luke 15 to witness this glorious truth concerning His great mercy! Read it afresh with the restorational love of our God in mind!
Well, most of us would admit that we are not sinless… and sin is sin…. because God is holy….. and so we should have no stone of condemnation to cast at anyone except ourselves for any sin we committed in the past 😉
“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” Luke 6:37
Does God forgive all sins? Yes, all except one…
“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” Matthew 12:31-32
Well Judas committed perhaps the worst sin in history by betraying Christ and yet Jesus offered him mercy but he refused it.
Note that even in the midst of Judas betraying the innocent Son of God, Jesus called Judas, the traitor “friend.” This would clearly convey that Christ had his forgiveness in mind, had the desire to restore him.
“And Jesus said unto him, FRIEND, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” Matthew 26:50
Of this verse where even while betraying the LORD Jesus, He refers to Judas as His “friend” or companion, Adam Clarke writes:
“Jesus said – Friend – Rather, companion, wherefore, rather, against whom art thou come? How must these words have cut his very soul, if he had any sensibility left! Surely, thou, who hast so long been my companion, art not come against me, thy Lord, Teacher and Friend! What is the human heart not capable of, when abandoned by God, and influenced by Satan and the love of money!”
God’s Word informs us that the LORD will love us all the way into hell if we choose to refuse to turn back to Him. Nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love (not life) of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39.) We see such unconditional love extended from the Savior upon the very man who was previously His close companion, one hand picked by the LORD Jesus and promised an eternal throne (Matthew 19:28). All men are given free will – till they die (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15, etc.). Instead of turning back to the Lamb of Glory before it was too late, Judas chose to kiss the Gate of Heaven and turn and plunge headlong into eternal hell (Acts 1:25).
God’s love is unconditional but His acceptance is not. | The Truth about Judas
“I would have been eternally lost if not for Jesus’ parable in Luke 15…O, may the prodigal, lost in this world, hear the good news, turn, and repent before its too late. O the tender mercies of God!” Jon Crane
As we see illustrated in Luke 15, RE-TURNING, turning back to God (repentance) is always the answer (Hosea 14:1-2). Denying such a need simply prolongs the separation and the misery of being in sin (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23). Just ask the prodigal son in Luke 15. Take a fresh look at the before and after on his life! Our loving heavenly Father, His mercy and desire to restore the fallen is so beautifully depicted in the three parables which makes up Luke 15.
Take a look at what our glorious LORD and Savior is depicting, is showing each of us in His parables of the lost sheep, silver, and son.
Mankind is already fallen, condemned, and separated from Him in sin. Never forget beloved that Jesus came to save and not to destroy! That’s His stated desire and will (Psalms 86:5, 15; Luke 9:56; 19:10; John 3:17; 1 Timothy 1:15, etc.).
ALL sin is first and foremost committed against God, not man. God is the only law giver who determines what sin is (James 4:11-12).
ANY sin one would commit is first and foremost against our Maker, God Himself.
“Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” Psalms 51:4
God is the only One who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).
David is forever a trophy of God, set forth with the characteristic of the Messiah….. and yet, like all men, he fell, and was shown mercy….. in this we take heart and are forged with confidence by this example that if God forgave David, He will surely forgive and show mercy upon my life…. the key is to have a heart after God, which causes us to be honest and repent and confess all sin (Ps. 51).
“And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.” Acts 13:34
The promise of “the sure mercies of David”
“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” Revelation 22:16
“The sure mercies of David” are secure to us in Christ because they are from our loving merciful God who forgive the beloved David.
God’s people are commanded to forgive others, to show them mercy toward, upon others as God has showed us His mercy in our sin.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God | Grace and Truth Bible School [modules] | 7 Study Guides to a Greater Foundation in Christ
Articles
Following Christ’s Great Commission Command [podcast]
The future belongs exclusively to Jesus Christ and His followers. Read the book of Revelation!
“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
Is your hand on “the plough” – that which God has called you to do in His kingdom work? Have you looked back?
“Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Colossians 4:17
Have you grown weary in well doing?
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
Are you obeying God by forgetting, by putting behind you the past – good and bad? Declare aloud in prayer before the LORD today: “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16
GOD WILL REWARD ACCORDINGLY
“And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” John 4:36
ALL WHO PARTICIPATE IN GOD’S WORK WILL BE EQUALLY REWARDED!!!
DO YOUR MISSION. Colossians 4:17
Think about this…..
Every laborer of Christ, no matter what small part he plays in God’s work, will be equally rewarded.
“For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24
Are we praying this specific prayer?
Whatever you do, never cease to preach Christ’s original Gospel!
The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
Being kingdom minded means that your life is all about King Jesus and you are living a life of prayer, busy about the ¨Father´s business¨, waiting with baited breath to jump in and engage in and support the teaching, preaching, spreading, the communication of God´s Word – fulfilling the Great Commission Jesus gave us (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20).
Whose business are you about today – Christ´s or your own?
The answer to this question plainly reveals which kingdom you are in – Christ´s or Satan´s. The remnant body of Christ is all about the ¨Father´s business.¨ (Luke 2:49)
Sign up for free email devotional HERE... The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | Light of the World | Evangelism | Jesus, Light of the Word | Compassion in Light of Christ’s Soon Return | Striving Together for the Faith of the Gospel [podcast] | Prepared to be Used of God | The Return of Christ
Abiding
Chosen, Ordained, Joyfully Fruitful [podcast]
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16
- “Ye have not chosen me”
- “I have chosen you”
- “and ordained you”
- “that ye should go and bring forth fruit”
- “and that your fruit should remain”
Of this truth, the Believer’s Bible Commentary notes the following:
“15:16 Lest there be any tendency for them to become discouraged and give up, Jesus reminded them that He was the One who chose them. This may mean that He chose them to eternal salvation, to discipleship, or to fruitfulness. He had appointed the disciples to the work which lay before them. We should go and bear fruit. Fruit may mean the graces of the Christian life, such as love, joy, peace, etc. Or it may mean souls won for the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a close link between the two. It is only as we are manifesting the first kind of fruit that we will ever be able to bring forth the second.
The expression “that your fruit should remain” leads us to think that fruit here means the salvation of souls. The Lord chose the disciples to go and bring forth lasting fruit. He was not interested in mere professions of faith in Himself, but in genuine cases of salvation. L. S. Chafer notes that in this chapter we have prayer effectual (v. 7), joy celestial (v. 11), and fruit perpetual (v. 16). “That whatever you ask … .” The secret of effective service is prayer. The disciples were sent forth with the guarantee that the Father would grant them whatever they asked in Christ’s name.”
Adam Clarke writes;
“The first ministers of the Gospel were the choice of Jesus Christ; no wonder, then, that they were so successful. Those whom men have since sent, without the appointment of God, have done no good. The choice should still continue with God, who, knowing the heart, knows best who is most proper for the Gospel ministry.
To be a genuine preacher of the Gospel, a man must –
1. Be chosen of God to the work.
2. He must be placed in the true vine – united to Christ by faith.
3. He must not think to lead an idle life, but labor.
4. He must not wait till work be brought to him, but he must go and seek it.
5. He must labor so as to bring forth fruit, i.e. to get souls converted to the Lord.
6. He must refer all his fruit to God, who gave him the power to labor, and blessed him in his work.
7. He must take care to water what he has planted, that his fruit may remain – that the souls whom he has gathered in be not scattered from the flock.
8. He must continue instant in prayer, that his labors may be accompanied with the presence and blessing of God – Whatsoever ye shall Ask.
9. He must consider Jesus Christ as the great Mediator between God and man, proclaim his salvation, and pray in his name. – Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, etc. See Quesnel.”
God alone ordains His people to His work and brings them through many purging seasons to cause His fruitfulness in them, preparing them to bear more of His fruit. God chose us and blessed us with the ability to repent and receive Christ. As His people, He’s also ordained us to “go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”
As we read this discourse from our LORD (John 15 and 17), we discover that He is speaking of that abiding fellowship we have with Him, and how out of it is borne the good fruit of His ministry in and through our life.
Being rooted in that oneness, the abiding relationship with Christ, is all-important to our relationship with Him and the Father. As his student, His disciple, may the reader be encouraged to pour prayerfully over these truths captured, and given to us in John, chapters 15 and 17.
Isaiah 43
“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5 Fear not: for I am with thee … “
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, please make me one with You. Please deeply root and establish my life in an abiding fellowship with You dear LORD.
Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at STORE and amazon. English and Spanish.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | The Bridegroom is Calling His Bride | Purifying Ourselves as He is Pure [podcast] | 10 Clues Your Love for God is Waxing Cold [podcast] | More on the Sabbath of the New Testament – Jesus!
The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]
Following Christ’s Great Commission Command [podcast]
Chosen, Ordained, Joyfully Fruitful [podcast]
The Truth about Tradition and Church Membership [podcast]
The One Essential to Victory [podcast]
Bowels of Mercies [podcast]
Kiss Jesus Or be Crushed as His Enemy! [podcast]
Mission Mexico Part 31
Mother Teresa was a Fraud [podcast]
The Truth about Fellowship and Going to “Church” [podcast]
Death and Resurrection
Settled at His Feet [video]
WHAT is the Context of Fighting the Good Fight of Faith? [podcast]
Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast]
LORD, Prepare Me! [podcast]
Mother Teresa was a Fraud [podcast]
Dispensationalism Exposed as an Antichrist Cult [podcast]
Rejecting the Swine: Swine Among Us! [podcast]
Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast]
Sending the Divine Light into “The Prison House” [podcast]
The Lying Vanity of “Eternal Security” [podcast]
WHAT’S On Jesus’ Prayer List? [podcast]
Tozer: The Cross
Bowels of Mercies [podcast]
Parenting and the Eternal Destiny of Your Child [podcast]
The Goal of the Ungodly Eternal Security Teachers [podcast]
Settled at His Feet [video]
Following Christ’s Great Commission Command [podcast]
Kiss Jesus Or be Crushed as His Enemy! [podcast]
The Truth about Tradition and Church Membership [podcast]
The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]
Following Christ’s Great Commission Command [podcast]
Chosen, Ordained, Joyfully Fruitful [podcast]
-
America10 months agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
-
Articles2 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
-
Articles8 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
-
Apostasy2 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True
Providing Christ-centered Scripture-rich resources to feed, edify, and equip the body of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15).
Navigation
Quick links
Newsletter
Stay updated of the ministry operations. We saved a spot for you on the ministry email list.
© 2025 Safe Guard Your Soul. All Rights Reserved