“The Letter Killeth, but the Spirit Giveth Life”

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

See if you’ve ever heard this verse mis-used to block the light of truth.

“… the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6

Yes this verse says “the spirit giveth life” and yet this in no way negates the divine command to live out and to “preach the word… in season and out of season.” (2 Timothy 4:2-4) The point is that many are using this Scripture out of its context to say or insidiously insinuate that God’s people shouldn’t “preach the Word” as the LORD commanded us to do (2 Timothy 4:2). Ephesians 6:17 says “the sword of the Spirit is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17) Neither the Word nor the Spirit of God can be discounted or separated from each other.

The LORD commands His people to …

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

There is power in the Word of God and when it is sent forth from the mouths of His anointed people, lost souls are convicted, they repent, and are saved!

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

THIS is why Satan aims at stopping the preaching of the Word of God – it is wrecking his evil kingdom of darkness.

“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. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:2-5

Satan wishes to keep his prey, his captives in darkness, blinded. His goal in using his embedded agents to twist God’s Word aims at shutting down the preaching of the oracles, the written Word of God. This is how God has ordained that lost men should be saved and saved men should be further sanctified (John 15:3; 1 Peter 1:23, etc.).

There is power in the Word of God!

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

When convicted, when those who are lawless, unaccountable, hear something they don’t like, they will shoot out a deflection by misusing this verse as they declare “… the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6) In other words they don’t wish to be corrected by the Word of the LORD which is one of the four stated reasons God gave us His written Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The way this verse, this truth is being used today is due to the rebels who refuse to be accountable to the Word that we know of 100% certainty is from the LORD.

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

According to our LORD Jesus, we know who is “of God” or “NOT of God” by how they hold or don’t hold God’s written Word. Any person who does not uphold God’s Word as their final divine authority is “not of God.” It is highly recommended that you memorize the above verse.

It’s as if they are determining that a small portion of this one Bible verse cancels out, negates the mountains of Scripture which inform us that God’s written Word is the final divine authority for every matter of doctrine and the practice of the faith of Christ.

The true disciple is teachable, is captive to the LORD and therefore His Word. And so he declares with Paul “Let GOD be true and every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4)

BEWARE of misusing this verse to convey the false notion that God’s people aren’t accountable to God’s Word and are not to speak His Word.

WHEN people get convicted at the preaching of biblical truth, many of them will misuse the “The Letter Killeth” Scripture, lifting it out of context in order to deflect the guilt away from their darkened, lawless hearts instead of repenting (John 3:19-21). What does God’s Word mean when it says “The Letter Killeth, but the Spirit Giveth Life”? (2 Corinthians 3:6)

Many throw this verse out there to block intrusion upon their falsehoods. They want to stifle conviction and get a free pass to pretend they are “led by the Spirit” with no accountability to the written Word. They want the freedom to do their own thing and then claim it was the Holy Spirit that led them to do so. These antichrist flakes are not grounded in Holy Scripture. Beware of the lawless ones!

In 2 Corinthians 3, the apostle Paul was contrasting the old and new covenants and not dismissing any accountability to the written Word (2 Corinthians 3).

2 Corinthians 3:6 is often misused to convey the idea that God didn’t really mean what He stated and that we aren’t accountable to it – so we are free to do what we wish, call it ministry, and blame it on the Holy Spirit. Then the misuser introduces his own twisted explanation, perpetrates his/her supposed visions, words, or dreams he claims are from God. Some of these deceivers use allegory to dismiss the literal. Beware.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:16

“How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;” Jeremiah 23:26

False prophets perpetrate their own “words”, their own “visions” and “dreams” they claim are from God and expect their prey to believe them. Yet, they simultaneously discredit and denigrate the divine authority of God’s written Word. Now that friends, is Satan at work! Beware saints!

Test all against God’s written Word. Anything that contradicts is from counterfeits, from “another spirit” which is of Satan (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 12-15).

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

People who are lawless, do not want to be held accountable to the Word of God which is the final divine authority (Acts 17:10-11; 1 John 4:1).

What does “the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” really mean? Does this mean that the Word of God should not be spoken or adhered to or taken literally whenever possible? Does it mean that individuals can claim to be “led of the Spirit” while contradicting or twisting what God’s Word states? Never. The divine Person of the Holy Ghost gave us the written Word and “the scripture cannot be broken.” (John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

Some, upon hearing the words of God preached, do not wish to repent (are un-repentant) and therefore attack the messenger. They will use “private interpretation” by misquoting 2 Corinthians 3:6 out of its context (2 Peter 1:19-21).

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

This 2 Corinthians 3 passage in no way negates the need for speaking God’s Word. Such would be blatant disobedience. Jesus and His holy apostles commanded that His people “Preach the word.” (Mark 16:15; 2 Timothy 4:2, etc.). In fact, it’s only those who do not “endure sound doctrine” who misuse 2 Corinthians 3:6.

Some would say “life can’t be found in the rules” but God’s Word states: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63) Since Jesus is “the life” and “the Word”, do His word not have divine life in them? (John 1:1, 14; 14:6) Yes they do.

When stating “the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life”, Paul here is in no way minimizing the Law or Word of God. In fact, “the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” (Romans 7:12) Instead, rather the apostle is contrasting mere words with the words from/of God coupled with and enlivened by the Spirit of God through Spirit-filled New Testament vessels. Read 2 Corinthians 3 prayerfully.

Notice the context. Paul is speaking of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in and through the believer in ministering to others. Because of the Holy Ghost living in His people, we are said to be “able ministers of the new testament.”

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter (the law), but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Corinthians 3:5-6

If Paul was is speaking of the sword of the Word harming someone, it would only mean that the human vessel is not walking in the Spirit of God at the time he is ministering.

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

Under the far superior New Covenant, ratified with the very sinless blood of the only begotten Son of God, the regenerated spirits of born again men are the very temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). The born again saints of Christ are possessed by the Holy Spirit who brings life, grace, divine enablement, and divine empowerment to fulfill God’s will in contrast with the Old Law which gave no man the ability to keep it…. Romans 8:3-4

“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 slays us (death and burial) and the Holy Spirit raises us up in Christ’s salvation (Romans 8:3-4, 11).

“2 Cor. 3:6, the letter stands for the whole Mosaic Law. It kills because, of itself, it could not give life (Acts 13:39). The work of the law was to make men conscious of sin (Gal.3:21-25) 1 Tim. 1:9). The Spirit, by contrast gives life to believers.” Steve Smull

God sent His only begotten Son to die for us, establishing a new covenant, so we could be redeemed and the vessels, the very temples of His Holy Spirit.

“Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” 2 Corinthians 3:3

Here is the verse in question…

“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6

Of 2 Corinthians 3:6, in the Believer’s Bible Commentary, William MacDonald writes:

“In verse 6 the ‘letter’ refers to the Law of Moses, and the ‘spirit’ refers to the gospel of the grace of God. When Paul says that ‘the letter killeth’, he is speaking of the ministry of the law. The law condemns all who fail to keep its holy precepts. ‘by the law is the knowledge of sin.’ (Rom. 3:20) ‘Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.’ (Gal. 3:10) God never intended the law to be the means of giving life. Rather it was designed to bring the knowledge of sin, to convict of sin. The New Covenant is here called ‘spirit’. It represents the spiritual fulfillment of the types and shadows of the Old Covenant. What the law demanded but could never produce is not effected by the gospel.” p. 1829

One commentary discloses the following of this glorious 2 Corinthians 3 passage and uncovers where the misuse of 2 Corinthians 3:6 began, at the hands of a known false teacher:

“Not of the letter, but of the spirit. In other words, “not of the Law, but of the gospel;” not of that which is dead, but of that which is living; not of that which is deathful, but of that which is life-giving; not of bondage, but of freedom; not of mutilation, but of self-control; not of the outward, but of the inward; not of works, but of grace; not of menace, but of promise; not of curse, but of blessing; not of wrath, but of love; not of Moses, but of Christ. This is the theme which St. Paul develops especially in the Epistles to the Romans and the Galatians (see Rom_2:29; Rom_3:20; Rom_7:6, Rom_7:10, Rom_7:11; Rom_8:2; Gal_3:10; Gal_5:4, etc.). Not of the letter. Not, that is, of the Mosaic Law regarded as a yoke of externalism; a hard and unhelpful “thou shalt” and “thou shalt not;” a system that possessed no life of its own and inspired no life into others; a “categoric imperative,” majestic, indeed, but unsympathetic and pitiless. Both the Law and the gospel were committed to writing; each covenant had its own book; but in the case of the Mosaic Law there was the book and nothing more; in the case of the gospel the book was nothing compared to the spirit, and nothing without the spirit. Out of the spirit. That is, of the gospel which found its pledge and consummation in the gift of the Spirit. The Law, too, was in one sense “spiritual” (Rom_7:14), for it was given by God, who is a Spirit, and it was a holy Law; but though such in itself (in se) it was relatively (per aceidens) a cause of sin and death, because it was addressed to a fallen nature, and inspired no spirit by which that nature could be delivered (see Rom_7:7-25). But in the gospel the spirit is everything; the mere letter is as nothing (Joh_6:63). For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. This is one of the very numerous “texts” which have been first misinterpreted and have then been made, for whole centuries, the bases of erroneous systems. On this text more than any other, Origen (false teacher), followed by the exegetes of a thousand years, built his dogma that the Scripture must be interpreted allegorically, not literally, because “the letter” of the Bible kills. The misinterpretation is extravagantly inexcusable, and, like many others, arose solely from rending words away from their context and so reading new senses into them. The contrast is not between “the outward” and the inward sense of Scripture at all. “The letter” refers exclusively to “the Law,” and therefore has so little reference to “the Bible” that it was written before most of the New Testament existed, and only touches on a small portion of the Old Testament. Killeth. Two questions arise.

(1) What and whom does it kill? And

(2) how does it kill?

The answers seem to be that

(1) the letter—the Law regarded as an outward letter—passes the sentence of death on those who disobey it. It says, “He who doeth these things shall live in them;” and therefore implies, as well as often says, that he who disobeys them shall be cut off. It is, therefore, a deathful menace. For none can obey this Law with perfect obedience. And

(2) the sting of death being sin, the Law kills by directly leading to sin, in that it stirs into existence the principle of concupiscence (Rom_7:7-11; 1Co_15:56; Gal_3:10, Gal_3:21). But the spirit giveth life. This contrast between a dead and a living covenant is fundamental, and especially in the writings of St. Paul (Rom_2:27-29; Rom_7:6; Rom_8:11; Gal_5:8; 1Co_15:45). The Law stones the adulteress; the gospel says to her, “Go, and sin no more.”

2Co_3:7

The ministration of death. The ministration, that is, of the Law, of “the letter which killeth.” St. Paul here begins one of the arguments a minori ad majus which are the very basis of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Written and engraven in stones; literally, engraved in letters on stones (Exo_31:18). The reference shows that, in speaking of “the letter,” St. Paul was only thinking of the Mosaic Law, and indeed specifically of the Decalogue. Was glorious; literally, occurred in glory, or, proved itself glorious. In itself the Law was “holy, just, and good” (Rom_7:12), and given “at the disposition of angels” (Act_7:53); and its transitory glory was illustrated by the lustre which the face of Moses caught by reflection from his intercourse with God (Exo_24:16).”

Misleading vs Grounding Voices in Our Midst [podcast]

A Generation of False Prophets Unleashed [podcast]

The Written Word vs Prayer

Abiding

“A Faithful Man shall Abound with Blessings” [podcast]

Do you desire to abound in the blessings of God?

Jesus our LORD taught that as we are faithful with what the LORD has already given us, then, and only then, will He multiply it.

ASK YOURSELF: Are you faithful to abide, to obey Him by obeying His Word? If so, Jesus and the Father are dwelling richly with you and will multiply you according to your proper, wise, faithful stewardship of what is already in your possession – which is from Him. See John 14:21-23.

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20

God is not going to add to or multiply His supply and blessings to anyone who is sitting around, doing the church attendance thing, and not doing His biblically stated will – of loving, tending to, giving to, serving, and blessing others (Matthew 22:37-39). Every true disciple is a doer of the WORD (James 1:22; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.). A true disciple is not known merely by being a church attender, which any old dead fish counterfeit can be. No, the true servant of Christ is known by his supreme love for, and faithful obedience to Christ his King, his “first love” (Revelation 2:4-5).

“For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14

Every good gift and blessing is from God (James 1:17). We take from what He’s given us and we share it with others – whether that be supply, or spiritual blessings in Christ, or material blessings.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. ⁷Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: ⁹(as it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. ¹⁰Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) ¹¹being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

“Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8

ARE GOD’S BLESSINGS CONDITIONAL? Yes they are. Here’s but one example of how God’s people forfeited His blessings due to living life on their own terms instead of complying with His.

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.” Jeremiah 5:25

Jesus’ Parable of the Talents:
Matthew 25:14-30

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Prayer: Holy Father, I come to You in the name of my LORD Jesus. Please make my heart to long for more of You, to love and worship You as my supreme God, Supplier, and Provider. Please unite my heart to truly fear Thy holy Name and to be quickened by Your Word and Holy Spirit unto obedience. Please multiply Your grace to my life as You are working in me and Your body both to will and to do of Your good pleasure. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Proving Jesus Matters to You [podcast]

Kingdom Opportunity “All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14 May our LORD bless each of us to be cultivated in a heart filled with sincere and true worship and thanksgiving to Him. “…freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8 We should understand that we have freely received the salvation of our God in Christ and that those who don’t give out of the mercy, forgiveness, love, supply that He has given us, are not in God’s will. Out of what God gives us we give out and this clearly proves we […]

The Powerful Furtherance of the Gospel [podcast]

“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; … 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;” Philippians 1:12, 25 Instead of being a hindrance, we can become a powerful helper, to “the furtherance of the gospel” of our LORD. As His “ambassadors” He is using us, His people, to propel His Gospel to the end of the Earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). Are YOU supporting the work of Christ, of […]

PARABLE OF THE TALENTS [podcast]

The Eternal Consequence of Obedience vs Neglect A parable is an earthy story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus’ parable of the talents is a teaching and severe warning of stewardship and the eternal consequences of obeying or disobeying God in the matter of our handling of His resources in this fleeting life. “And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.” 1 Corinthians 7:31 It is said that of the 38 parables Jesus taught, 16 of them involve stewardship. To further underscore the divine importance placed on stewardship, we should note that […]

Abiding

The Victory of the Crucified Life [podcast]

The victory of God in your life comes through the victory of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection. And thereafter, from adhering to His instructions on how to walk with Him – the way of the cross.

“Praise be to God! Glory, glory, O what a wonderful Saviour we have in Christ Jesus! What salvation! What beauty of holiness that can change ashes into beauty! We praise Thee, Most High in all Thy beauty and holiness, and thank Thee for salvation found in Thy holy One, Jesus Christ.” Jon Crane

WHO are truly Christ’s?

“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (the cross, crucified life).” Galatians 5:24

Read that verse above again. Memorize it.

There are many who claim to be Christians, followers of Jesus, yet regrettably, but a miniscule few are actually His, are actually serving the Son of God on His stated terms – recorded in God’s Word, the Bible. One cannot pretend to honor the Savior who bled on that cross, was buried, and raised again and yet not be diligently learning what He said and obeying Him.

MOST who claim to be Christ’s live according to what suits THEM, not Christ. “Depart from me” is coming if they don’t repent (Matthew 7:21-23; 25:40-46).

“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15

You are no longer your own. You are a new creature in Christ, an ambassador of Christ, the temple of the Holy Ghost. Read 1 Corinthians 6 and 2 Corinthians 5.

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

There’s War Going on

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Galatians 5:17-18

This war, the warring against the flesh, cannot and will not be won outside of the crucified life and yet, scarcely do we ever hear the daily cross, the crucified life original Gospel message, even mentioned today by pastors, much less taught on regularly. They are what Paul calls “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19) The days of the prophesied great apostasy are in complete fulfillment (Matthew 24:10-11; 2 Thessalonians 2; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:2-4; 2 Pter 2; Jude 3-4; 2 John 7-11; Revelation 2-3, etc.).

God has already said that you can walk in His full victory – the victory won by the sinless Son of God who alone was crucified, buried, and raised again from the dead.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

And His victory is to empower His people to do HIS work:

“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

WHEN you begin seeing GOD raise you upward into His victory, the victory He alone can bring in your life, you are going to scratch your head and wish you’d heard and applied this cross message a long time ago! It’s going to be one of those Boom Jesus! moments.

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

“Wish I’d have known about walking in this original Gospel cross message a long time ago! Why did I wait so long? If you want to have more fruit you must die! Want to to be resurrected and have new life in Jesus? Die. God doesn’t use anyone who hasn’t fully surrendered themselves to Him.” Karen Cochran

Do We Truly Have and Walk in Christ’s Victory Beloved of God?

It’s one thing to say “I have victory in Jesus” and yet another to actually be walking in, experiencing that victory over sin and Satan by way of the crucified life which Jesus and His holy apostles prescribed as the only way to actually possess, or be possessed by that victory. Think cross economy – death, burial, and resurrection – the Gospel being re-enacted in your daily life (Romans 6).

WE CAN only preside as master over the flesh, the self-life, as we are crucified with Christ – and thereby is the flesh kept under the authority and power of Christ, who is raising up into His victory the crucified saint.

Memorize this:

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Not one of us is walking in victory outside of complying with our LORD’s cross message – that we must die so He can live in and reign in us. And you are not alone. As usual God gives the grace, His divine empowerment to all who obey Him. Note “through the Spirit” …. Read this closely:

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:11-14

According to Scripture, including the above passage, there is no walking in the Spirit, walking in the raised-up-by-the-Holy-Spirit-life outside of being crucified with Christ. We have a whole generation of misled “Spirit filled” professing Christians who have never heard of the original Gospel requirement and message of the cross. Their diabolical handlers are what Paul calls “the enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18-19).

Notice that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is inseparable from the crucified life. Read this closely:

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (the cross, crucified life).
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

You do not and will never have victory in Christ until you submit to His cross – to being crucified with Christ, just as He mandates for all who will follow Him. This is His stated term:

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

Only those truly submitted to God, to His cross, are going to overcome sin, Satan, and the flesh and walking in the victory Jesus died to grant each of His people.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

TODAY, you are either dying downward and being raised up by Christ into His victory – or you are losing, you are in defeat and will remain there until there is sincere repentance, confession of all sin, and an embracing of the crucified life Jesus calls you to.

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:1-14

Reading Romans 6 each morning this week is a life changer waiting to happen. Do it.

“They want heaven without the cost …. That is a false gospel message and many are deceived by it. We are to deny ourselves take up the cross daily and follow Jesus. Trust and obey.” Darlene

Holiness is essential and there can be no holiness without the cross.

Holiness is not the way to Christ. Christ is the only way to holiness – and He prescribed, He mandated the cross for such to be accomplished. There are no shortcuts.

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

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:” 1 Peter 1:15-17

“Satan has redefined Christianity with no requirements, no sacrifice and costs nothing. You can live as you please, because God accepts you as you are. It’s been all finished at the cross as many vainly believe. If you truly follow Jesus you must crucify the flesh. There is no way to be Holy as I am Holy 1 Peter: 1:15. without dying and taking your sinful self (flesh) to the cross of Christ. Without holiness no one will see the Lord! Hebrews 12:14 Doctrines of Devils. 1 Timothy 4: 1-2 Yes. They want a ticket to heaven but nothing else. No relationship just a free ticket. They somehow believe God will welcome them with open arms.” Karen Cochran

Why would anyone in their right mind want to be filled with sinful self when we can all be filled with the Savior, with the Holy Spirit? John the Baptised cried out to the LORD with this prayer and declaration that we should all pray right now to our God in Jesus’ name:

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, thank You for finding and saving me into Your eternal kingdom family through Christ. I come to You now in Jesus’ name, surrendering to You afresh, laying my whole being, my life, at Your feet dear LORD. Please have Your holy way in this life, possessing my heart, mind, and body. Sanctify me for Thy glory dear LORD Jesus. Please wash and cleanse me of all sin, of all that is unclean and defiles, right this moment LORD by Your precious blood. Please fill this, Your vessel and use me. In the name above all name, the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Camping Out on the Message of His Cross |

The Cross and the Wolf

Excerpt from the book I Die Daily The Cross and the Wolf “There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shown difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Her […]

The Myth of Elevation without the Cross [podcast]

THE CROSS: Know it. Live it. Preach it. God will never lift up those who stand in their pride but only those who bow before Him in humility (Psalms 145:14; James 4:6-10, etc.). Running to a “revival” is not the answer. The reason people run to a “revival” is due to their refusal to deny self, take up the cross daily, and thereby be re-vived (filled with life!) daily – experiencing the resurrection of Christ each day in their personal lives as God has ordained (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). A cross-less life is a life of defeat. A life in […]

The Cross Imperative [podcast]

The cross is not about self effort but rather self denial. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 Dear LORD Jesus, please take all of me. Have Your way in this life. “not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42 The cross, the blood of Christ’s cross is what He commanded we take up daily in order to follow Him (Colossians 1:20; Luke 9:23-24). The divine economy is a cross economy and that is the only way one can truly walk with the LORD, pleasing Him in all things. Pouring over the words of 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 is […]

The Sins and Restoration of the Patriarchs [podcast]

Abraham, Moses, and David – Their Sin and God’s Restoration! “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 This fact doesn’t justify any sinning and yet, as the Word of God, must be factored in (Isaiah 28:16; Romans 6:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9 Sinless perfectionism is a lie (1 John 1:7-2:2). “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me […]

The Cross in Colossians [podcast]

Abiding

The Sheep vs the Goats as Defined in Scripture [podcast]

“The goats feed their carnal appetite. The sheep of Christ feed on the Word of God! Jesus’ sheep know His voice. They follow and obey their Lord Jesus (John 10:27). The goats obey their fleshy desires (Galatians 5:16-21), and follow the hirelings and not the Great Shepherd, the LORD Jesus (John 10; Heb 13:20). Christ’s sheep are known by Him! (John 10:14,27; 1 Corinthians 8:3). The goats will be cast out and told, ‘I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.’ (Matthew 7:23). Terrifying words! Are you Jesus’ sheep, or are you a goat, a counterfeit? Search your heart today. Ask God if He knows you! It matters not if we claim to know Him. He must also know us, as this Scriptures clearly reveal!” Karen Cochran

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24

Of sheep and goats, one source notes:

“Jesus shares the story of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25:31–46 to describe the final judgment. In the story, the Son of Man separates all of humanity just like a shepherd sorts sheep from goats, placing the sheep on His right side and the goats on His left.”

The Naked Truth about Who’s Going to Heaven and Who’s Going to Hell

WANT to see those whom the LORD calls His own? Want to see who the true Heaven bound remnant are? Look at those who are about the “Father’s business” which is the Great Commission (Luke 2:49; 24:47; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts, etc.). Everyone else is doing their own thing.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

With their life, the rebel declares “Not Thy will but mine be done!”

With their life, the righteous declare with Christ “not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 24:42).

“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” John 14:21-24

“And hereby we do know that we know him, IF we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:3-6

Walk and live as Jesus lived? Yes. Those who know and love Him are about the work and “the will of him that sent” them.

Take a look:

“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). Jesus then speaks of evangelism, something every one of His people are to be doing (John 4:34-38).

“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:38

“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40

“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30

Anyone not fully with Jesus, is against Him, the only Savior.

So you claim Christ as Savior but don’t participate in prayer, support, and Great Commission action? Time to repent for real. The fruit of your life is rotten. You are presently a Savior-rejecting, self-serving counterfeit.

Read 1 Corinthians 9. The first half is concerning our privilege to give to HIS work. Then the apostle Paul speaks of running the race, to the end, becoming all things to all men to see them saved, being crucified with Christ.

The more I read God’s Word, the more convinced I am that the Heaven bound remnant are known in that they are about the “Father’s business” —the Great Commission—and not their own (Luke 2:49). They have laid down and are forsaking their own lives in this fleeting world in their supreme love for Christ Jesus (Acts 20:24). Anyone claiming to be Christ’s and not doing, participating in the Great Commission command … clearly reveals that they are in need of repentance, before it’s too late. Jesus is not their “first love” —which means they are committing spiritual adultery on Christ, the Great and coming Bridegroom (Revelation 2:4-5). Repent and obey Him or perish.

If you are committed to Christ, with no exception, you are committed to studying, knowing, and walking out His Word. You are committed to carrying out the Savior’s Great Commission command.

YOUR PRAYER: Right now dear holy and heavenly Father, please begin a fresh work in this heart. May Your love fill this heart and may You alone be my “first love.” May the love in me for You burn. Let it far exceed all other loves and interests! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What is the Great Commission? [podcast]

What is the Great Commission? Who gave it? Who was the Great Commission given to? The Great Commission is simply the spreading of Jesus’ Word by teaching it to the world. Jesus gave it. He gave it to all of His people and holds each of them personally responsible for fulfilling it. Each of us will give full account to Him in this specific matter when we stand to be judged by Him. The Great Commission “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and […]

The Father's Business [podcast]

See the BECAUSE YOU CARE page for live action evangelism pics etc. “The church is not a business. It’s a body. But when that body becomes a business, it’s prostitution.” unknown The only reason I’d not be about the “Father’s business” would be due to being about my own business – a self-serving rebel (Luke 2:49; 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; 19:27). You can know if you are ready for the return of Christ by whether or not you’re calling others to come to Him in light of His soon return. Revelation chapter 22 verse 17. The Great Commission May our LORD […]

Evangelism [study guide]

Evangelism (PDF) (Duplication encouraged. An open King James Bible should accompany your study of this topic. Carefully, prayerfully study each verse given in order to answer each question correctly. Print this document out and pencil in the answers in the blanks provided. It may be best to cut and paste it to your word processing software and then print it out. Your life in Christ will be enriched forever as you embrace and put into practice His Word.) “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:38 God so loved […]