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Oneness Refuted

We who are mere men, finite, cannot possibly understand the magnitude of the infinite God who made us and all things (Deuteronomy 29:29). Yet we must believe what He did tell us about Himself. In fact, some may be surprised to know that the LORD requires that we do such, the we believe what He said about Himself.

“Godhead” appears 3 times in God’s Word.

“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.” Acts 17:29

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 1:20

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Colossians 2:9

“The Father and the Son”

“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father ANDDDDD the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” 1 John 2:22-23

Message Received:

“The word ‘trinity’ or ‘triune’ is never found in the Bible.”

Reply:

The term/word “oneness” appears no where in Scripture. Did the wolves in your oneness cult whose message you are regurgitating forget to notice that? The concept of the Triune nature of the “Godhead” is found throughout Scripture.

We are indwelled and led by the Holy Spirit and approach the Father through the name/authority of Jesus Christ (John 14:13; 16:23-24; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 John 3:24, etc.).

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7 (KJB)

Some will list, will cite 3 names here and yet say they’re all one name. One man said to me: “the name of Jesus Christ is the name of the Father AND OF THE Son AND of the Holy Ghost.” Yet in the Bible verse above John says there are three, not one, who bear record in Heaven and lists Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (1 John 5:7).

Jesus said “I and my Father are one.” Note that Christ identifies two divine Members of the one “Godhead”I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30)

When we collate all that Christ says of Himself and His Father in relationship to one another, over and over we see Him identify Himself and His Father as two distinct divine Persons.

Here’s an example:

“my Father hath taught me John 8:28

Why would one Person speak of teaching Himself while identifying TWO Persons?

Why would there be, why would there exist the name of the Father, the Word/Son, and the Holy Ghost throughout Holy Writ if they were all one Person? The fact that the Bible uses the word “Godhead” speaks of plurality.

How many divine Members of the Godhead are named here? – “For there are THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one (in unison).” 1 John 5:7 (KJB)

Message Received:

“There is One Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism. The Name of The Lord is Jesus. The Faith once delivered to the original Church brought forth submission to God and caused people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus. They were filled with the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave the utterance. There was no teaching during those days of a trinity of god in three persons. Nobody had ever heard of such a thing. All the people in the original Church were Jesus Name One God Non Trinity Apostolic believers filled with the Holy Ghost. The Church is still the same today. We serve the same God, and all the truth of the original Church is in your Bible. There is no excuse for anybody to teach or believe in a three person god. To believe in a god consisting of three persons is to forsake the truth and worship a false idea. There has never been a trinity of gods in three persons co-equal, or co-anything. Trinity is a lie. God is a Spirit. The Spirit of God is in Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ is in the Spirit. The invisible things of God can be clearly seen including his power and godhead as we experience the power and majesty of the mighty God in the presence of Jesus. Jesus is the everlasting Father and the prince of peace. There is no way that God would ever approve of the teaching of a three person god. Get out of that mess and be converted to the only truth that can set people free. Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, deny the trinity, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Stick with this truth until you die, and then you will truly be able to say that you have been saved by the blood of the lamb.”

Reply:

We are indwelt and led by the Holy Spirit and approach the Father through the name/authority of Jesus Christ (John 14:13; 16:23-24; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 John 3:24, etc.).

“For there are THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7 

Why would God here identify “THREE” if there were only one? The “THREE are one” not the three equals one. That would be bad math.

Jesus said “I and my Father are one.” Note that Christ identifies two divine Persons – “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30

When we collate all that Christ says of Himself and His Father in relationship to one another, over and over we see Him identify Himself and His Father as two distinct divine Persons.

Here’s an example:

“my Father hath taught me.” John 8:28

Why would one Member of the Godhead speak of teaching Himself while identifying TWO Persons?

Let’s look to Luke 3:21-22 and Genesis 1:26.

“Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that JESUS also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the HOLY GHOST descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven (the Father), which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22

So Jesus is being water baptized on earth and the Holy Ghost is descending upon Him while the Father speaks from Heaven. Just like we read in 1 John 5:7 – “the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost.”

“And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26

An egg – 1 egg yet 3 parts to that egg as there are 3 divine Persons that make up the “Godhead.”

Christ stated: “And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me (Jesus).” John 8:16

More death nails to the oneness falsehood …

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name (Jesus), he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I (Jesus) have said unto you.” John 14:26

“How God (the Father) anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38

John 17 is the written record of Jesus praying to the Father for His people:

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me (Christ), and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:21

Note here that Jesus is praying to the Father for all of His people to be “one.” Could Jesus be trying to make you and I and the millions of Christians who dwell on the earth today and in centuries past “one” person? OR, what Jesus speaking of being one in unity? Obviously Jesus isn’t trying to make us into one person. Read these words of Christ again. Why then do we seek to limit and make the Godhead to be one Person/Member? 1 John 5:7 says “these THREE are one” cannot mean one person but rather must mean one in nature and unison. When speaking of marriage/holy matrimony, Jesus says:

“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain (TWO) shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain (TWO), but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Matthew 19:4-6

Jesus here says that when “a man” and “his wife” (two separate individuals) are “joined together” they are “one.” So, they are not just one person but rather two people joined together as/into one family unit – “man” and “wife.”

Also, ask this: How could they be put asunder (divided) if they were only one numerically/one person?

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:24

Now, are a man and a woman who are married one person or are they “one flesh”? They are two people but one in unity as a family.

The oneness of God is clearly not that there is only one Member of the  “Godhead.” Otherwise why would the Bible even use the term “Godhead”? (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9)

Look up the word  “Godhead” in the KJB.

The Holy Spirit and the Word are the teachers (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:13). – Simply go by what God’s Word tells us and “Lean not to thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Pray for understanding.

Whenever someone asks me about the Triune nature of God, I quote 1 John 5:7. Who can explain who HE is better than the very One we are seeking to understand? Also, trying to explain some things that are far too high for finite humans to understand is a futile endeavor.

Colossians 2 speaks of those who are “intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” (Col. 2:18)

We should never go beyond what the LORD said of Himself in His Word or attempt to deny such. If people demand an answer beyond that, invite them to delve into God’s Word for themselves (which is what we are to do anyway).

“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29

Only God Himself can reveal Himself in an individual’s heart and He only does that when an individual bows down in humility, repentance, and faith, falling upon the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. Some are being led astray by oneness cult leaders due to their own refusal to get honest with God and His Holy Word (Luke 8:15; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16). Beware of the perversions of oneness cults and their Scripture-twisting tactics.

God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself (2 Cor. 5:19). Jesus was also full of the Holy Ghost (Lk. 3:21-22; Jn. 3:34; Acts 10:38). This speaks for itself.  In Jesus dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col. 2).

As you read the Gospels you begin to see how that the text constantly refers to the Father, the Word/Son, and the Holy Ghost. That is, unless you are allowing your mind to be conditioned to deny all “THREE” members of the Godhead (1 John 5:7).

According to Holy Writ, we are indwelt and led by the Holy Spirit and approach the Father through the name/authority of Jesus Christ (John 14:13; 16:23-24; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 John 3:24, etc.).

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these THREE are one.” 1 John 5:7 (KJB)

“These THREE are ONE” could not possibly mean that there is only one member of the Godhead. No, instead is simply tells us that there are “THREE” members and they are one in substance and unity, etc. How can “THREE” be one numerically?

Why would God here identify “THREE” if there were only one? The “THREE are one” not the three equals one. That would be bad math.  Jesus said “I and my Father are one.” Note that Christ identifies two divine Persons – “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) When we collate all that Christ says of Himself and His Father in relationship to one another, over and over we see Him identify Himself and His Father as two distinct divine Persons. Here’s an example: “my Father hath taught me.“ (John 8:28) Why would one Person speak of teaching Himself while identifying TWO Persons?

As you read the Gospels you begin to see how that the text constantly refers to the Father, the Word/Son, and the Holy Ghost. That is, unless your mind is being conditioned to deny all “THREE” members of the Godhead (1 John 5:7).

It should be more than obvious that the new versions of the Bible are corrupted. They are clearly the work of the arch enemy of God and mankind. Satan is behind them and he is the one who wanted the clearest verse in the Bible conveying the triune nature of God to be completely neutered. In fact, it might as well be removed. This is clearly an attack on the divine nature of the Almighty, the triune Godhead. This is more proof that Satan is behind the oneness doctrine.

1 John 5:7 Comparison

KJB (King James Bible):

“For there are THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7

NIV (New International Version):

“For there are three that testify:” 1 John 5:7

NASB (New American Standard Bible):

“For there are three that testify:” 1 John 5:7

More on Bible Versions here.

Feedback / Dialogue:

Jason Frost writes:

Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus doesn’t change and yet modalism says He does. That Jesus is a shapeshifter speaking in the 3rd person which is not only unbiblical but illogical. Take time to consider these questions and scripture please. I’m not here to attack but in love and concern. Proverbs 27:5-6.

  1. Hebrews 1:5 tells us that Jesus was begotten by His Father. Did He beget Himself?
  2. In Matthew 22:44, the Father said Jesus would sit at His right hand until His enemies were made His footstool. Was Jesus to sit at His own right hand?
  3. In Matthew 24:36, when Jesus told His disciples that no one knows the day or hour of His return but the Father only, did He really know but made up an excuse to not tell them?
  4.  In John 14:28, Jesus said His Father was greater than He was. Does this mean He was greater than Himself?
  5. In John 17:1, Jesus prayed to His Father. Was He praying to Himself?
  6. In Matthew 27:46, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” Had He forsaken Himself?
  7. In John 20:17, Jesus said He would ascend to the Father after His resurrection. Did He ascend to Himself?

These and many other biblical passages demonstrate to a rational Bible reader that the modalism teaching is not only unbiblical, but also utterly illogical! Dangerous doctrine of modalism.

Phil Snow notes:

“So then, If we are Created in God’s Image, which we are. And ‘We’ are Three in One, we being spirits, who have a Soul i.e. mind, emotions etc. and we live in a Body.

Then why is it so hard to see that God, who’s image we are created In, is Three in one????The Three Unique and Distinct persons the Father, The Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit Are the One True God. They work in unity and purpose just like our body does when we are in perfect health and physical, mental and spiritual condition. The teaching of the Three in one God is everywhere in the Bible, from Genesis “Let US create man in OUR image.” Why is this so hard to see????

Use the testimony of All of Scripture, like the verses in the article above, just take time to think about it, and ask the Holy Spirit, who is our Teacher, if there is something else to it or anything you just might have missed.”

Message Received:

The early church new nothing of the triune nature of God.

Reply:

Really? Jesus’ apostle John obviously understood “the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST” and that “these THREE are one.” 1 John 5:7 Are the Scriptures not the final authority of God? Are the Holy Scriptures, the record of Christ and His holy apostles not the early church?

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Abiding

It’s not all Going to be Pretty [podcast]


“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3

One of Paul’s resumes of the sufferings he endured as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10

“3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8  By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

9  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10  As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

You are His. Cling to Him. The LORD Jesus is going to bring you through, not matter what you face (Deuteronomy 13:4).

“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.” Isaiah 43:1-2

“Hated”

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22

“Ye shall Laugh”

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21  Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22  Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” Luke 6:20-22

“Through  much Tribulation”

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

Eternity with Christ, “with Joy”

“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

“To Make them White”

“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33  And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34  Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35  And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:32-35

“Made white … the wise shall understand”

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10

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Articles

7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]


What Final Statements Did Jesus Make on the Cross and What Did They Mean?

Our LORD Jesus Christ said 7 things while as He was offering His body and precious, sinless blood to buy us back to God. He was suffering for the sins of mankind and for no sin of His own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:18). He was shedding His blood to Re-deem (buy us back) and that’s what Jesus did for “the whole world” when He died on the cross, was buried, and raised again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 2:2). Do you know Him?

1. “My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me” (Matt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34; Ps. 22:1).

This concerned those who hung Him on the cross and how He became the sin bearer, the sin sacrifice and how the Father could not look on sin, so temporarily turned His head. Jesus was forsaken so that we might be forgiven (Isaiah 53).

Application to us: Job 19:6-10; Psalms 139:8; 2 Corinthians 12:7-12; Hebrews 13:5-6

2. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34).

He asked the Father to forgive them – a token of what His shed blood would pay for and facilitate – forgiveness of sin for all who come to Him on His terms to be saved. The sacrificial death of the Son of God satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to justify mankind (Isaiah 53:11).

Application to us: As God forgave us due to Christ’s perfect sacrifice, He mandates, without exception, that we freely forgive all others, from our hearts. Matthew 5:44; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26; Ezekiel 36:24-26; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-14

3. “Verily, I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Lk. 23:43).

This promise of forgiveness and eternal comfort given to the thief who believed on Christ in his final moments is the same promise for all who come to Him and are saved (John 6:47).

Application to us: Immediate glory, comfort, and bliss with our LORD at the moment of death. Luke 16:19-31; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 21:4; Luke 21:28

4. “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Lk. 23:46).

Jesus closes with the prophetic words of Psalm 31:5, speaking to the Father. We see His complete trust in the Father (John 5:30, etc.). Jesus entered death in the same way He lived each day of His life on earth, offering up His life as the perfect sacrifice and placing Himself into the Father’s hands (Luke 22:42).

Application to us: This is a great prayer! Stephen emulated his Savior when being stoned to death for Christ (Acts 7:51-60). “Commend” means to submit. Personally I find these words, while in prayer, rolling off my lips – submitting afresh, daily, and asking the LORD to take full control.

5. “Woman, behold thy son … Behold thy mother” (Jn. 19:26-27).

Jesus, looking down from the cross, was still filled with the concerns of a son for the earthly needs of his mother. None of his half brothers or sisters were there to care for her, so He gave this task to the apostle John (Mark 6:3). Here we see Christ’s humanity.

Application to us:  We must take care of earthly responsibilities according to the counsel of the written Word of our God (Psalms 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

6. “I thirst” (Jn. 19:28)

Jesus refused the initial drink of vinegar, gall, and myrrh offered to alleviate his suffering (Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23). But here, several hours later, we see Jesus fulfilling the messianic prophecy found in Psalm 69:21. By saying He was thirsty, Jesus prompted the Roman guards to give Him vinegar, which was customary at a crucifixion, thereby fulfilling the prophecy which showed that everything was happening according to God’s plan.

Application to us: We must endure hardness, bitter sufferings and seasons (Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 2:3; James 1:2-4, 12, etc.).

7. “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30).

This means “paid in full.” The sin debt for all was fully satisfied in the sacrifice of our LORD Jesus Christ, the ultimate price was paid to satisfy the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem fallen mankind (Isaiah 53:11). He is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Application to us: Jesus accomplished our salvation single handedly, satisfying the claims of divine justice to redeem fallen mankind. He died to abolish law-keeping for righteousness and so we must “walk by faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:14-19; Hebrews, etc.) Read Romans 3-5; Galatians.

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Abiding

Counting the Cost – Following Jesus to the End of Your Life [podcast]


The Cost of Discipleship

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

Those who count the cost refuse to count their own life dear to themselves and this is the only way not to be derailed, to finish our course, enduring to the end.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11

Those who balk at and ignore that Jesus says you MUST “endure to the end” to be “saved” into eternal glory, simply do not love Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13, etc.). Jesus is not worth their life. They were worth His life which He gave for them on the cross, yet the Son of God is not worth giving up their own life in this fleeting world. Counterfeits. These are the frauds who hide behind the eternal security sham.

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33  

EARTHLY FAMILY DOES NOT COME FIRST – THE LORD DOES

By divine design, there’s an order of priority in the Ten Commandments. Here’s the first of the ten:

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

And the fifth:

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

Honoring God supersedes even the love we have for our husband/wife.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus knew that if we don’t love Him supremely, we will allow other relationships to interfere and circumvent our relationship with Him.

If we don’t hate those other relationships compared to our love for Him, our decisions will be affected, will be to please them and not Him. When we love the LORD supremely, His will takes precedence, priority over all others.

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26 

We must love the LORD so much that our love for others is near to being hate in comparison. If we don’t love God supremely, others will without exception, drag us downward and away from Him.

Of this passage in Luke 14, FB Meyer wrote:

“Our love must be greater than the ties of family affection, Luk_14:26; must be greater than our love for our own way, which must be nailed to the Cross, Luk_14:27; must be greater than our love of possessions and property, Luk_14:33. Christ has done more than any other teacher to cement the relationships of human love, but He always asks that they should be subordinated to the claims of God. Oh, for the love that Paul had! See Php_3:8.”

“What a comfort it is to realize that God counted the cost before He set about the task of redemption, whether of a world or of us as individuals. He knew all that it would cost, and surely He did not begin what He cannot complete!”

In Matthew 10, after speaking of the essential of enduring to the end (v22), Jesus gives warning concerning those things most likely to derail and prohibit our enduring to the end in His will.

“And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:36-37

Of this Adam Clarke wrote:

“He that loveth father or mother more than me – He whom we love the most is he whom we study most to please, and whose will and interests we prefer in all cases. If, in order to please a father or mother who are opposed to vital godliness, we abandon God’s ordinances and followers, we are unworthy of any thing but hell.”

Of Matthew 10:34-42, FB Meyer writes profoundly:

“RECEIVING CHRIST’S REPRESENTATIVES

In Jesus Christ we acquire a new affinity, stronger than that of family ties. When we enter into the family of God we belong to all His children. They are our brethren and sisters in the most intimate sense. See Mat_12:48-50. The new love that floods our nature does not make us less but more tender and sympathetic toward our own kith and kin; but if we are compelled to choose, then we must stand with the children of God, though it should rend us from the old happy family life in which we were nurtured.

As to the closing paragraph, may we not illustrate it thus? When the widow who sustained Elijah at Zarephath entered Paradise, she found herself standing amid the great prophets of Israel. When she asked the attendant angel whether there was not some mistake, he replied, ‘Certainly not. In treating the prophet as you did, you proved yourself to be of the same spirit and temper as he; and it is but right that you should share in the prophet’s reward.’”

To those who are entangled with earthly family, namely unbelievers who are not repenting, it would be spiritually beneficial to get free, to cease your dependence on them and to sever the soul ties and cease basing your emotional well-being on them and how they view you and your decisions. Lay the axe to the root as you denounce false obligation to them. “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). Read Matthew 10.

You are no longer your own. You are bought with the price of Christ’s blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). You now and forever are a part, a member of the eternal family of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:14-15).

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole FAMILY in heaven and earth is named,” Ephesians 3:14-15

Jesus Addressed the Excuses

Jesus addresses excuses, diversions concerning obeying Him, asserting our highest priority – the LORD, not family. The point becomes even clearer – that we are to be captive to the LORD, our “first love,” supremely, and not family (Revelation 2:4-5).

“And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father (wait till parents die). 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 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 9:59-62 

Jesus further establishes that He is to be supreme in our lives and those who are His – not natural familial bonds. The body of Christ, its members, are our eternal family.

“And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:27-28 

The harshest of biblical truth is the delicacy, the delight of the true disciple of Jesus. He runs to all of it and never from any of it. He embraces the cross, never evading it. He delights in the sword of the Spirit that cuts to the core and carves the image of Christ into his life – into the fabric, the innermost core of who he is in Christ! Christ and Christ alone is his sole identity and he counts not his own life in this world dear unto himself so that he is able to finish his course with great joy – hearing from His Savior the sweetest of all words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21; Acts 20:24; Romans 8:29; Galatians 2:20; 6:14; 2 Timothy 2:3).

Militancy is essential in our abiding relationship with Christ (Matthew 11:12). Heartfelt love also.

So many today who claim Christ view salvation as something they did in the past and not a present relationship with Christ on His stated terms (John 15; Titus 1:16).

Jesus commands His very own to “endure unto the end” to be “saved,” and unless one becomes deliberate, absolute, militant, he will not make it “unto the end” with Christ (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 9:43-49; 2 Timothy 2:3, etc.).

“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage (a messenger to negotiate peace), and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:25-33 

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:5-7

Striving Lawfully – That is, According to the Rules, the Terms

Denouncing the crippling, corrupting comforts of Laodicea. Grasping for the obedient love of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-22).

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:3-5 

May God bless each of His people to “endure hardness” as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). Take note that “there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). The LORD made His servant Jeremiah obey Him on His terms. God never bends or modifies, bends the rules (2 Timothy 2:5). We must not deceive ourselves and must “strive lawfully” which means according to HIS terms, not our own or any other.

“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:5

“Be Not 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

SATAN tempting you to give up? Who wins if you do? Where shall you turn? Turning away from God means we are without Him in our life and trials, right? The LORD, who is your Potter, has a plan. He will absolutely bring you through the floods of water and fire! (Isaiah 43:1-2; Jeremiah 18:1-6) After saving us, God has to bring us to an end of ourselves and that happens through “much tribulation” (Acts 14:22; 2 Corinthians 4; 12:7-12, etc.). Read 2 Corinthians 4. When Jesus had fed the flesh of the multitudes, they turned and walked away from the Savior. But…

“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:67-68

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