Jesus Christ is building HIS church. What church are you participating in building?
—- TODAY, in this prophesied hour of great apostasy before our LORD’s return, it’s nearly impossible to find a group of true, New Testament, God-fearing, Bible believing, Christ exalting disciples to fellowship with. It’s virtually impossible to locate a local gathering where the pastor and his wife aren’t carried away with building their own little (or large) kingdom. When this is present (heart greed) then their is the denial and hiding of convicting biblical truth so that the good times keep on rolling and the finances. This “little leaven” leavens or ruins the whole loaf (Galatians 5:9). … Jesus Christ is building HIS church. What church are you participating in building? Let’s face it, most people claiming to be Christians are biblically-illiterate as are those who lead them. And, wolves love ignorant people because they are easy to manipulate and control and get money from. Gullible people vainly believe that because their is a lot of noise and excitement going on, then it must be God moving. They never stop to prayerfully and through daily, diligently biblical study compare things to the Word of God as did the Bereans (Acts 17:10-11).
Saints, it’s the hour to return to BEING Christ’s church, His holy (set apart) PEOPLE and to cease patronizing the wolves who are our LORD’s enemies!
—–ARE YOU TRULY A MEMBER of the one, blood-bought, born again, body of Christ? If so YOUR ONLY IDENTITY IS CHRIST AND HIS ONE CHURCH. Cease saying you go to such and such a church. That has nothing to do with your identity. Well, actually, if it does matter to you, you may wish to repent and put your faith in the one, nail scarred risen LORD and Savior. The early church preached JESUS and only JESUS. It’s past time for you to cease being a pawn of mere men who are insidiously building their own empires and using you as free labor to do so. Jesus’ apostle Paul declared, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6:14)
There is no calculating the number of false prophets today who have set up their ministry businesses and build it on lies, half-truths, and the intentional refusal to study, know, and declare the whole counsel of God’s Word (Acts 20:20, 27, etc.). They are building their own ministry empires instead of dying to self, assuming the place of a humble servant, and letting God use them to participate with Christ in the building of HIS eternal kingdom … which these wolves will be excluded from if they don’t repent.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
CHRIST SAYS “I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH” AND SO WE MUST UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS AND WHAT IT DOES NOT MEAN, RIGHT?
We know by this definitive declaration from our LORD Jesus Christ, that He surely IS building His called-out ones (church). This means that He leaves no life the same when He finds and saves that soul. That disciple must continue in His Word, progressively being sanctified and made free from sin and stagnation (John 8:30-32, 36; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, etc.). Such change and growth, which begins by obeying Christ’s command to repent, has little or nothing to do with the church world in existence today. The grossly out of step modern church world has no resemblance to the earliest Christians we read about in Acts. Such becomes obvious to any born again student of Holy Scripture.
Real New Testament fellowship greatly edifies Christ’s saints.
What Church?
What “church” was Jesus speaking of that He promised He would “build”?
One thing that is grossly lacking is the simple definition of what/who the church is that Jesus is speaking of and what His apostles further established. The word “church” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word ekklesia which simply means the called out ones. So many Christians have never been told this simple truth and are therefore left to be deceived and exploited by hireling pastors who are merely using them to build their church business while pretending to be serving the LORD. Without this understanding of what Christ’s church truly is, one will be left to believe that His church is a physical building or one or more of the organizations of mere men we see in the modern church world.
Maturing and Equipping the LORD’s People
According to the divine revelation of the church given to the apostle Paul, if a group of Christians are not being matured and equipped to literally do “the work of the ministry,”then they are NOT a New Testament assembly/church – period. Such maturity is the duty of those called out to servant lead.
Unfortunately, so many today holding positions of leadership over people, are not divinely called. Others who are called out by God, have refused to truly lay down their lives for Jesus and His beloved people. Here’s how the apostle Paul describes and contrasts them with those truly obedient to Jesus.
“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction (hell), whose God is their belly (serve their own selfish desires), and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:18-21
Ninety nine percent of all local churches in America intentionally create good church members who are spectators, but that’s not what God had in mind when He purchased a people with the blood of His only begotten Son! Spiritual growth, maturity, and equipping would mean that if the elders are fulfilling God’s purpose for His New Testament church, there are many of those they lead that are fruitful in doing “the WORK of the ministry”and that’s not singing in the choir or cleaning the bathroom! (see Ephesians 4:8-15) No, that’s communicating God’s Word to the people and teaching people the whole counsel of God’s Word (Matthew 28:18-20).
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-15
Make no mistake: Wherever the LORD is honored, His saints are being built up, taught, warned, and prepared and activated in “the work of the ministry.” (Ephesians 4:11-14).
The vast majority of local churches today are apostate and that’s easily seen by the truth remnant in that they are entertaining, teaching false doctrine, and selling their unlearned audiences into the coming one-world religion. No true preaching is going on in the fear of the LORD and fullness of the Holy Spirit. People are not becoming disciples, personally learning to walk with the LORD daily, having a prayer life, and studying God’s written Word for themselves. Beware!
The very fact that equipping Christians is nearly nowhere to be found in that which calls itself the church is clear proof that the great falling away is in full swing (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:1-4, etc.).
Instead of training people up to be fruitful to the eternal glory of God, modern wolves keep them dumb (out of God’s Word), entertained, and teach them to be good tithers and church members, no different than the rotary or country club.
Without fail, where the LORD is being honored, there is maturity transpiring in His saints:
“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:11-14
THE TRULY OBEDIENT SERVANT ELDER IN CHRIST’S BODY, PRAYS, DILIGENTLY LABORS, AND LIVES TO SEE THE WORK OF CHRIST TRANSPIRE IN HIS PEOPLE. GOD-FEARING SERVANTS AREN’T INTERESTED IN BEING CALLED BY A TITLE, PREACH THE PURE WORD OF GOD, REFUSE TO ENTERTAIN, NEVER HESITATE TO SPEAK DIVINE TRUTH WHEN THEY KNOW IT’S GOING TO OFFEND SOME, COULD CARE LESS IF SOMEONE GETS OFFENDED, AND LIVE IN THE HOLY FEAR OF THE LORD, EAGERLY EXPECTING HIS SOON RETURN AS THEY PREPARE A PEOPLE TO MEET HIM. THEY PREACH ON SIN, REPENTANCE, THE ESSENTIAL OF PERSONAL HOLINESS, THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS, HIS SOON RETURN, AND THE NEED TO OBEY GOD AND BE FRUITFUL FOR HIS ETERNAL GLORY! (Proverbs 28:1; Matthew 10:26-28; Acts 5:29; Galatians 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:2-4, etc.).
Paul, the master builder apostle, told us that he labored diligently to prepare Christ’s body to meet Him. He gave us the three specific things that he feverishly worked to accomplish in light of Christ’s soon return:
“… Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” Colossians 1:27-29
PWT =
- Preach
- Warn
- Teach
If you go to a church where the pastor/leadership refuses to preach, to WARN, and to teach, you should leave immediately. That is not a New Testament assembly. A man who refuses to warn you of false teachings and false prophets is himself a wolf. Any man who will not teach you the pure Word of God and get you in the Word daily yourself, is a wolf.
BELOVED, A TRUE SERVANT OF CHRIST, ONE CALLED OUT TO SERVE HIS PEOPLE, DOESN’T NEED A PHYSICAL BUILDING. IN FACT, THE LORD SEEMS TO BE CALLING OUT TRUE SHEPHERDS WHO HAVE REFUSED TO BE A PART OF THE APOSTATE SYSTEM. THESE MEN ARE ACCOMPLISHING MORE ON A DAILY BASIS THAN MOST CHURCH-BUILDING-MANAGERS EVER ACCOMPLISH.
Sadly, the vast majority of those leaders who have buildings are merely real estate managers, money raisers, and they are simply building a business for their own glory – a church business. Since this is the case, they dare not speak a hard word from Holy Scripture, such as a message on sin, repentance, the daily dying/cross, or the need for personal holiness.
The professional clergy we have in place today is never what God planned nor does He endorse it. In most cases it does not fulfill His will. This ‘clean as a whistle,’ never been bruised, battered, or in a battle persona is a farce. Jesus promises that all who will truly follow Him (not tradition and flesh) will certainly “be hated of all men for my name’s sake” and shall suffer great persecution (Matthew 10:22; 24:10-13; 2 Timothy 3:12-13). The word “affliction(s)” appears 14 times in the New Testament. Paul the apostle of Jesus was in many grueling, painstaking, scar-inducing battles. He suffered many things at the hands of wicked men and the elements for obeying God’s will (2 Corinthians 6:5-10; 11:23-30; 12:7-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:2). Never mind these sad spineless seminarians who do nothing much more than fund raise, entertain, and count nickels, noses, and numbers. Like the unqualified imposter in the White House who has never owned or run a business and is merely spending our money like it’s going out of style, the majority of these modern real estate managing, pulpit pansies have never gotten their hands dirty helping the poor, witnessing on the streets, or suffering vicious false accusations and afflictions and attacks by antichrist beguilers such as Alexander the coppersmith (2 Timothy 4:14-15). No, instead they have studied the church business industry, learning how to market and manipulate their communities to building their local franchise.
Deborah Blanchard notes:
“Paul knew he was facing imprisonment and afflictions in the very near future yet he said, “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) O that we had that same resolve to testify to the Gospel of God’s grace all the days of our life regardless of what may come of us! Testify! Acts 20:24″
If you will be with Christ in eternity, you must run for your life from any morally spineless leader who refuses to preach the hard truths of God’s Word. Such a man is serving self and Satan, not Jesus. Lay down your own life today.
For more on the LORD’s warning of and characteristics of false leaders, you may wish to begin by reading Jeremiah 23, Ezekiel 34, and Matthew 23.
“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” 2 Peter 3:17
The fruit of a true servant, according the Word of the Judge Himself, is that such a man has those he is leading who are learning to:
- Walk in the Spirit and holiness (Romans 1:4; 6-8; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:15-16, etc.)
- Deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.)
- Discern truth from error and true servants from false prophets/wolves (Ezekiel 44:23)
- Personally study God’s Word diligently and daily (2 Timothy 2:15)
- Have a life of prayer (Matthew 6:6; 26:41; Mark 1:35, etc.)
- Communicate the Gospel, the Word of God, to others (Matthew 28:18-20; Philemon 1:6, etc.)
It does not matter what else is going on at a local church – if people are not being prepared to do His work, it’s a false ministry.
It’s time to cease propping up the local circus and entertainment center we call “church” … lest we be found guilty of bidding Godspeed to the very enemies/imposters of the Almighty and be judged with them – 2 John 7-11
What’s Wrong with The Modern Church World? | How to Find a Good Fellowship | Wolf Expose’
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Feedback:
Assembly Dialogues:
Message Received:
It’s disgusting to go into a church and listen to a pastor who obviously has little wisdom from God. It frustrates me. I believe God has me away from the church world for a reason. I have prayed many, many times about finding a church home and God has yet to open that door.
Reply:
Many are in this same place and perhaps the LORD is protecting His people and showing us just how much we need Him and causing us to cease depending on a local assembly so much. We are learning to trust Him in a real way now. Maybe it’s a season. True, biblical fellowship is needed. Think about this: When and since He saved most of us, we immediately and without interruption had a local church we have been a part of. So, we have never known what it means to truly trust Him and to sincerely walk with Him daily. May He grant each of us rich fellowship with Himself and His body (Acts 2:42-47).
Email Received:
“Last night there were 13 of us. We are studying the end of the age and Jesus’ 2nd coming. We have discovered that home fellowship can be similar to “Churchianity” if we aren’t aware of the pitfalls of offense, personal agendas, etc. We are learning to love one another with the love of Christ…and..we have a long way to go on many levels, but we are sticking with it. It took our core group 1 yr. to decompress from the church “drug” and from our woundedness over some things that happened and the loss of relationships from those who felt we were the enemy once we left. Well, you know this common story. We’ve been meeting for about 16 months now. We’ve had some come in and go back out again. I guess that is to be expected. We’ve had some leave because of doctrinal offense and not liking that most of us do not believe in eternal security. Our agreement is that anyone whom the Lord brings may come, but it’s not up to us to make them stay. What a journey this has been. I still miss the energy from a larger body, but have since learned that all the bells and whistles we used to enjoy in way of music, guest speakers, programs, etc. are not necessarily about the King. The decreasing is hard, the increasing of Christ is wonderful and supernatural.” Janet
Reply:
This is a great testimony for sure! This can help a lot of people who are coming out of the apostate church world and gathering in homes or elsewhere as Jesus’ body. It seems that people bring their baggage from the church mentality and culture to home groups. They put on their religiosity. We are all prone to this and this must be crucified. I often say this which I think helps and is according to 1 Corinthians 12, the every member functioning truth…. I say: “IT SIMPLY DOES NOT MATTER WHO TEACHES OR SAYS SOMETHING – WHAT MATTERS IS THAT GOD’S HOLY TRUTH GETS COMMUNICATED IN HIS LOVE.”
TO LEARN TO FUNCTION IN GOD’S LOVE AMONG HIS PEOPLE, WE MUST DAILY BEGIN PORING PRAYERFULLY OVER PASSAGES SUCH AS JOHN 13:35, ACTS 2:42-47, ROMANS 12, 1 CORINTHIANS 12-13, AND EPHESIANS 4, PHILIPPIANS 2:1-16, AND COLOSSIANS 3:16 … PLEASE SPREAD THIS WORD …. MAY IT BECOME OUR HOBBY TO BEGIN DIGGING OUT, SHARING, AND MEMORIZING VERSES AND PASSAGES ON HUMILITY BEFORE GOD AND MAN AND LOVE! PLEASE SPREAD THIS WORD …. THESE CAN BE PORED OVER TOGETHER ALSO (AS A GROUP).
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Romans 12:4-5
This is simply an absolute wonderful testimony Janet!!!! God is able precious. The lower we get – that He blesses us to get – the less we are offended about anything!!!! Because at that low level, you can’t be knocked down so nearly everything is a blessing. Taking that lower seat, right (Matthew 23).
Isa 37:31
Abiding
The Chosen are being Called and Prepared to “Go” [podcast]
Jesus didn’t say “stay.”
Jesus commanded us to “Go” ( Matthew 28:18-20).
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
“They Desire a Better Country”
“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country , and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:” Genesis 12:1
“By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange COUNTRY, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:” Hebrews 11:9
“For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a COUNTRY.” Hebrews 11:14
“And truly, if they had been mindful of that COUNTRY from whence they came out, they might have had the opportunity to have returned.” Hebrews 11:15
“But now they desire a better COUNTRY, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:16
Billions lie unreached.
” Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” Psalms 2:8
BE WARNED….
That if you dare ask God to prepare and use you, the adventure of serving as you are accomplishing His Great Commission is going to begin and gain steadily increasing traction and fruitfulness! Read John 15:1-16.
It all begins with a simple, sincere prayer, a request to God to use you — and therefore begin now to prepare you.
“If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and met for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21
The LORD can use us to the degree we’ve sought Him for and submitted to His strippings, purgings, His preparation.
“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10
God has a plan to remove that which does not belong in you and to establish what does.
- “to root out” (destructive)
- “to pull down” (destructive)
- “to destroy” (destructive)
- “to throw down” (destructive)
- “to build” (constructive)
- “to plant” (constructive)
When Jesus cleansed the temple, after rooting out the evil, He then installed the purity, prayer, praise, and power (Matthew 21; John 2).
God has His order. One thing comes before the other.
When you Go, that’s when you are going to Know!
“Christianity is not American and America does not define Christianity! We need to stop trying to merge the two together. Jesus died for people all over this world, and Christianity existed long before America was even a thought. I am a Christian who physically resides in the USA, but this world is not my home. I long for an eternal kingdom.” Gloria Sykes
When you obey Christ and “Go” there will be a harvest of souls — some you will see and many you will not.
” They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and forth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him .” Psalms 126:5-6
Thanking God and you for pausing to lift up the blessed saved souls to Jesus in PA. From Tom and Karen Cochran:
“God has opened up a door for us to minister in a nursing home. People in there are hungry. They have been stripped of their pride! They need help just to do everyday things we take for granted. Very few have family or friends who visit. All their material possessions are pretty much gone, and once put in a home they know this is probably where they will die. They have no hope. And that is why they are hungry! Jesus gives them hope! We have seen many completely changed by the gospel and power of Christ! Jesus saved one-hundred- and-five-year-old woman, and after she prayed she began to sing ‘Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so’!”
People are eternal. Are you investing in people, eternal souls?
Are you personally participating in, contributing your time, talents, and treasures into the Great Commission Jesus gave us? See the end of Matthew and Mark.
MESSAGE ON AMERICA:
“Lately I have been seeing many taking to the streets to preach the gospel and it is shocking to see the response of Americans. In their pride and arrogance they keep right on walking and don’t even look up. Too busy in their comfortable lives. Headed for the path of destruction and they could care less.”
REPLY:
Seems this is how America could, should be viewed: “And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matthew 10:14-15).
Who are the people who are going to be with Jesus?
“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are CALLED, and CHOSEN, and FAITHFUL.” Revelation 17:14
Luke 9:57-62
” And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 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 in my house .
Of this passage at the end of Luke 9, one writer notes the following:
“9:61 The third would-be disciple resembled the first in that he volunteered to follow Christ. He was like the second in that he uttered the contradiction, “Lord…me first.” He wanted first to say goodbye to his family. In itself, the request was reasonable and proper, but even the common civilities of life are wrong if they are placed ahead of prompt and complete obedience.
9:62 Jesus told him that once he put his hand to the plow of discipleship, he must not look back; otherwise he was not fit for the kingdom of God. Christ’s followers are not made of half-hearted stuff or dreamy sentimentality. No considerations of family or friends, although lawful in themselves, must be allowed to turn them aside from utter and complete abandonment to Him. ….
And so we have three cardinal hindrances to discipleship illustrated in the experience of these men:
1. Material comforts.
2. A job or an occupation.
3. Family and friends.
Christ must reign in the heart without a rival. All other loves and all other loyalties must be secondary.”
Matthew 9:35-38
The 3 Ways God’s People Participate in Christ’s Great Commission
1. Praying for Christ’s laborers (Matthew 9:35-38).
2. Witnessing, sowing and communicating the Word (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 8:11).
3. Supporting, supplying those of God’s people who are doing His Great Commission, preaching the Word (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Philippians 2:25; 4:16-20).
“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
PRAYER: LORD, sanctify my life. This is YOUR life. Put me exactly where you want me on Your planet. Use this life dear LORD. In Jesus’ name.
Prepared to be Used of God | Great Commission
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Articles
“A Just Weight is His Delight” and Gouging is Sin
Gouging is Ungodly – and God is Watching, Sees All, and will Repay Accordingly
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8
Scripture informs us of the LORD that “true and righteous are thy judgments” and God requires that those who know Him will deal justly – in just weights and measures (Revelation 16:7).
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8
Doing justly before God would mean dealing equitably with men. When you read the following passage, keep justice, greed, and fearing God in mind:
“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. 2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. 8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.” Proverbs 11:1-8
Wicked unrepentant people forge ahead in their sin, continuing to live separated from God, vainly believing that because He hasn’t yet judged them that He won’t in the future. Justice is a death march to the irrevocable fire of eternal hell.
“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11
So when you go to a store, who has decided the pricing on each item? you or them? obviously when 2 individuals negotiate for the sale of an item between themselves, they come to an agreement on the price. the fact that a person in a situation like this, can pay whatever they wish for something if it has value to them, in no way negates just weights and measures as begins with God Himself …. There are standards to be measured against in determining the value of something. you can’t blank out what we find originating in Scripture. So, have you ever heard of real estate appraisal? If so, what’s this field of work for? What does it measure? What’s its purpose?
Charging more than the actual value is sin unless the buyer requests to pay more for it perhaps in order to obtain the item before someone else does.
Gouging arises from wicked hearts who greedily covet the things of this fleeting world. Greed is not a virtue, it’s a soul damning sin.
“Labour not to be rich (the sin of greed): cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. 6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. … 17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.” Proverbs 23:4-7, 17
The utmost fear and wisdom of God must be observed from His Word when setting prices for products and services. Seems best to under price a bit rather than over price, gouge. In the flesh, is it not easy to get greedy when setting prices for the product and/or services your company offers? Yet what is the long term affect on your community, your clients?
Think about those people you’ve done business with who price fairly and how that made you feel about them and how it affected your repeat business with them. Seems to me that those who fairly price their product/services are exponentially more likely to be established in a community with good reputation and honor.
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1
In every economy there are standards of measure and appropriate pricing or prices set accordingly…. The further a people distance themselves from God, from the instruction of His Word, the deeper in rebellion that nation plunges, the more skewed are the weights and measures. John Quincy was instrumental in laying the foundation for just weights and balances in America.
“John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States, liked to measure things – the width of a river, the distance between two points – by counting his steps…. When Adams became Secretary of State in 1817, his fascination with measurements coincided with the desire of Congress to establish a uniform standard for weights and measures across the United States. After three-and-a-half years of obsessive work (which frustrated his wife, Louisa), John Quincy Adams produced his Report Upon Weights and Measures. He thought it would be his most important literary accomplishment.
Fixing the Standard of Weights and Measures
The importance of everyone in the country using the same system of weights and measures was recognized by the founders of the United States. The Constitution gave Congress the power to ‘fix the Standard of Weights and Measures’ (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 5). However, there was no agreement as to which weights and measures should become the national standard. Each of the original thirteen states was using its own weights and measures, which differed from those used by other states. No Congressman wanted to be blamed for changing his constituents’ customary way of measuring things.
All of the early presidential messages to Congress included an appeal for legislation to establish a uniform system of weights and measures. In 1790, at the urging of George Washington, the House of Representatives asked Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson to draw up a plan. Jefferson put forward two options: one a refinement of the existing English system of weights and measures; the other a new decimal system based on the foot. Jefferson’s report was transmitted by the House to the Senate, where a select committee concluded that, since Britain and France were each considering national standards of measure which could become a universal standard, it was not desirable, ‘at present, to introduce any alteration in the measures and weights which are now used in the United States.’ (2) In 1796, the House passed ‘An act directing certain experiments to be made to ascertain uniform standards of weights and measures for the United States,’ but the bill was never taken up by the Senate.”
Applying a higher or lower price for what something is actually worth is the definition of unjust weights and balances. Today we see the greed of men manifested when they overcharge or gouge their neighbor by charging more than what is just for a service or product.
Gouging is sin, it’s a form of not loving your neighbor, it’s taking advantage of your neighbor, your fellow man.
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:39
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:10
A friend of mine told me: “Those in business today who gouge people by overcharging them do it because no one stands up and holds them accountable.” In other words, as long as they can get away with it, they will do it.
He is correct. As I think back, there one particular example that comes to mind of recent, where in my estimation, I was the victim of gouging, of unjust weights and balances.
$22 for a plate lunch, a to-go lunch which was not a large volume of food and no drink was included (which I personally never get anyway) and they didn’t even have empty cups or water available.
These gougers have all kinds of ways, sayings, they use to “justify” their charges, such as “it’s industry standard pricing,” or “standard price charged by everyone in our industry.” etc.
After being gouged, I contacted them, their leadership, and sought to reason. Neither budged and so I exposed them with one star reviews and an explanation as to why I viewed their charges as gouging, as an unjust weight and balance.
“Just balances, just weights… shall ye have.” Leviticus 19:36
“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.” Proverbs 11:1
We usually quote the first part of this verse and apply it to spiritual balance, which is fitting and true. Yet the application of this statement involves charging our neighbor equitably for goods and services.
Isn’t it best to charge fairly and sleep well?
Stealing from others, gouging, unjustly greedily overcharging others, brings curses which includes not being able to sleep soundly. Listen to the wisdom of our God in Solomon:
“The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?” Ecclesiastes 5:12-16
Covetousness and greed run rampant among fallen men and yet greed and covetousness will reap the just reward of eternal damnation.
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:5-7
“Thou shalt not steal.” Exodus 20:15
Overcharging another, gouging, is stealing. Any person who is perpetrating thievery on others, and this includes overcharging/gouging, is ungodly and cannot sleep well. Such is an unrepentant sinner. Is it really worth and unclean conscience? Is it worth spending eternity in hell? Though completely ignored by the professing apostate church world today, all sin must be cut off from our lives, must be crucified (Mark 9:43-49).
“Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36-37
“Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Leviticus 19:36
“A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.” Proverbs 16:11
“But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Deuteronomy 25:15
PRAYER: Father You are holy. Please forgive any greed in my heart. Please, from this moment forward, bring deep conviction of sin to my conscience LORD. Break me to the core of my being and grant that all stony places in my heart be replaced with an heart of flesh. Please unite my heart to fear Thy name dear LORD. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
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“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.” Romans 8:11
Romans 6:1-14
“1 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 (brought to naught, nullified), 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.”
The Crucified Life | Travis Bryan III
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