True and False Authority

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Which Are You Under?

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

As you may very well know, when we set out to communicate the truth – all of it – without apology, He promised that we will be ousted by those professing to know Christ, namely those in positions of leadership. Jesus was! Paul was! The Jewish prophets were! Anyone who embarks upon going all the way with the LORD will be rejected and falsely accused, attacked and cut off (financially) by the antichrist spirit operating in the organized church world (See Matt. 10:22; Jn. 16:1-3; Matt. 5:10-12, 1 Kings 18:4, etc.).

When we learn true authority, by deduction we will discern false authority.

Always remember that “ALL” authority has been given unto our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ and He only gives it to those who obey Him (Matt. 28:18-20; Jn. 14:21,23; 2 Cor. 10:6; etc.). The unchanging Son of God, in whom “ALL” authority is vested, never grants His divine authority to any person who holds a position of leadership in a corporate setting – unless that individual is abiding fully in Him.

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18

How much power/authority has been given to the Son of God? “ALL power.” What/Where is the sphere of this power specifically? “Heaven and in earth.” Where do you live? On “earth?” Are you living in fervent obedience to the Master of the Universe in Whom all authority abides? How much of His power is entrusted into your life at this time?

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20

While on earth, Jesus walked a life flawlessly committed to His Father and purposely did not commit Himself to mere men. Unlimited authority was invested in Him (Jn. 2:24-25; 3:34; 5:30, etc.).

“For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.” John 3:34-35

“How God 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

The early believers met in houses as well as at times in the Jewish temple (Acts 2:42-47; 5:42; Philemon 1:3, etc.). When those who held the positions of leadership refused to purge themselves of unbelief, wrong beliefs (false doctrine), sin, and rebelled against the Word, Paul “departed from them, and separated the disciples” (Acts 19:9). Church splits can be a blessing! Beloved, we need not be so naïve as to believe that those who have the positions (hirelings in most cases) are necessarily in the right – correct. When we view life from a Scriptural perspective, we find that throughout Old and New Testament history, in the vast majority of cases, those who held offices in organized religion, were the greatest enemies of Christ – antichrist (Is. 56:10-12; Jer. 23; Ezek. 34; Matt. 23; Phil. 3:17-20, etc.). Is anything different in our day? No.

Jesus spoke a more piercing, furious, potent, and lambasting rebuke to religious authorities than any other class of men (read Matt. 23). It was men who held leadership positions in organized religion who called for the death of Jesus Christ. They did this while believing they were serving God, deceived and not knowing that they had been turned over to a demonic, deluding spirit because they did not love and obey divine truth (Matt. 27:12,18; 2 Thess. 2:9-12).

When looking at history we find that it was when the church (called out remnant) was removed from homes in the 4th century that men were able to begin to come in and mislead, distort, deceive, separate, polarize, and bring blindness to people’s lives. The purity of worship was lost in most cases. The Holy Ghost foretold that this was coming. This is exactly one aspect of what the Holy Spirit was prophetically foretelling and revealing to the apostle Paul when he told the Ephesian elders: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29-30)

This they were able to do by moving the gatherings to their own buildings, separating people from intimate fellowship in the Word, Holy Spirit, and among themselves. Compare Acts 2:42-47.

It should be no surprise that the Roman Catholic Church, which is an antichrist system, began about that time. No one system has corrupted the Gospel of the grace of God through Christ more than this system which Jesus Christ defined and told us He will destroy in “one hour” (Rev. 17-18).

“And he went into the synagogue (man-organized church), and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” Acts 19:8-12

We see that these believers began to gather “in the school of one Tyrannus.” The whole point of gathering is to worship the LORD Jesus Christ – when this is lost, no matter the physical locale, all is lost. A separate gathering place is not sinful. It only becomes sinful when men rule in lieu of Christ, the Supreme Ruler and Head of His body (Col. 1-2).

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11

“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” Revelation 5:12

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:16-17

His saints are to diligently and joyfully worship Him alone who is “the Almighty,” the One in Whom “all authority” resides – The Eternal Word, Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:8). Of the divine Person of Jesus Christ, the Book of Revelation states:

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8

Note in the text we visited above (Acts 19:8-12) that:

V8 – Paul the apostle is an incredible gift to all believers under the New Covenant. He determined to know nothing except Christ and Him crucified (Gal. 6:14; 1 Cor. 2:2). No matter where he was, the apostle Paul spoke “boldly … concerning the kingdom of God.”

In Paul’s ministry, it was all about King Jesus and the “things concerning the kingdom of God,” not men and their religious notions, fame, organizations, denominations, building and curriculum programs and projects.

V9 – In this arena of organized religion, the leaders were “hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of that way before the multitude,” so Paul pulled the true believers out of that house of rebellion (Ichabod) and began gathering and teaching in an atmosphere of pure faith in Jesus. Nothing has changed: It is all too common for organized religious leaders today to speak evil of the LORD’s truth and those who are messengers of it.

V10 – For two years the apostle Paul taught and the Word of God reverberated to Asia.

V11 – As He promised, His power followed the preaching of the pure Word – “the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mk. 16:15-20).

V12 – Notice in this verse that there was the power of the LORD Jesus present to bless people as Paul and the other disciples walked unwaveringly in the Spirit and in divine truth. This is the remnant.

“And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.” Mark 1:22

Praise the LORD: Take a look at this snapshot of the blessed power from on high that was present in our LORD’s ministry:

“And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about. And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.” Luke 4:31-44

When we are submitted under the “mighty hand of God” and not the religious props of mere men posing as His authority (wolves in sheep’s clothing), we can be assured that the blessing of His presence and healing power will be present in the midst of the pure worship of His holy saints (1 Pet. 5:6). Jesus is all-powerful. Jesus still heals broken hearts, broken lives, and broken bodies!

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

“O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.” Psalms 96:9

When men and women obey the LORD in sincerity and in truth, He promises to purely manifest His power to bless and meet all needs in the midst.

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.” Psalms 24:3-6

To find or enjoy an environment of pure worship, there has to first be a cleansing of our own temples – first our own lives, then the gatherings. This ocurrs when we sincerely humble ourselves before the LORD our God our Maker and rend our hearts – tear them open and bare before His holiness (Joel 2:13).

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23

It is a diabolical lie to believe that one is right with God while serving mere men. Pleasing God and pleasing men can be two totally different things – and usually is. So many today vainly believe they are in right standing with God while they serve the religions of sinful men.

We are only to submit to men inasmuch as they follow the LORD – according to His Holy Word.

“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation…Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:7,17

We are only to “submit” to God-fearing leaders who speak “unto you the word of God” and “they watch for your souls” in the fear of God and “warn” you to “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Heb. 13:7,17; Col. 2:8).

Those leaders who are true and not false “watch for your souls.” They oversee the people of the LORD by “preaching,” “warning,” and “teaching.” This is according to the apostolic pattern (Col. 1:28; 2:8).

So many leaders today want people to submit to them (including giving tithes and offerings) and yet they are not doing what the LORD told them to do. These men do not fear Him nor feed and protect the sheep of His pasture. Incredible! And most people in their audiences do not know the Word of God enough to discern that these men are smiling, charismatic wolves posing as sheep (Matt. 7:15-23). This accounts for much of the devouring doctrines which are rampant in parts of the church world.

“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” Proverbs 27:23

Isn’t it time that we cease from propping up false authority and begin putting the LORD’s money into true works of Christ that align with the New Testament revelation?

Any leader who does not diligently watch over and protect with truth the saints of the LORD, is clearly identified as false authority according to Holy Scripture. Delivering a nice little sermon and shaking the hands of the people on Sunday morning, does not constitute the biblical model of God-fearing, obedient leadership.

Jeremiah 23 is a landmark chapter dedicated to the exposure of false shepherds among the people of God. This is how it begins:

“Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:1-2

Make no mistake: The LORD is “against” these “pastors” who have “scattered” His “flock” and “driven them away, and have not visited them.” He promised to judge these wolves in sheep’s clothing.

False leaders have time and energy to collect tithes and offerings, yet they conveniently find little or no time to dwell among the people and visit them. Amazing! Any leader who is too busy for people, the people Christ came and died for, is too busy and totally deluded.

How long shall we fund the ministries of these wolves?

The LORD is angry with these men who usurp and intercept His worship, but it is only when people support these deceivers that they are able to continue beguiling and ravaging the sheep of His pasture.

Jesus Christ bought us with His very own precious blood – so we could know and worship Him and the Father (Jn. 17:3). Satan’s emissaries, wearing sheep’s clothing, are in our midst, diverting pure worship to themselves or something else other than the LORD – entrenching the affections of men deeper into this fleeting world by building greater and greater buildings, involving them in programs and fostering their allegiance to an organization of mere men. This is idolatry and spiritual adultery. Men are not to usurp, subvert, and intercept the authority invested in and granted by Jesus – “All power.” When such occurs, there is the quenching of His Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19).

God is calling us to repent and be broken before Him before it is too late. He loves us. He loves you, and here is the proof of His love:

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19

Let’s look at the divine prescription for getting right with the LORD and upholding Christ as the Supreme Authority of our lives and His body. At the beginning and end of His ministry on earth, Jesus cleansed the temple. In doing such He established a memorial of the zeal of God for holiness among His people, namely in having undiluted, unpolluted, pure worship:

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out (purged, cleansed) all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.” Matthew 21:12-17

Note what we see in this important text:

Purging – “cast out (purged, cleansed) all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves” (v12)
Prayer – “My house shall be called the house of prayer” (v13)
Power (to heal) – “And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them” (v14)
Persecution from Pitiful Pharisees – “And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased” (v15)
Praise – “And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” (v16)
Peace – “And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.” (v17)

We see from this biblical model that when there is first purging and prayer, there will then be power, persecution, praise (to God), and divine peace. First we must assure that the LORD Jesus Christ is truly the “Head” of our lives – exalted as the Supreme Authority and not subtly replaced by mere men (Col. 2:8-10, 18-19).

Ready or not – Jesus is Coming.

PRAYER of Consecration: LORD Jesus, I need Your holy grace in submitting fully to Your Lordship. I want to truly and genuinely love and serve You Jesus and be Your unspotted sheep – kept from the lure of the evil one and his false leadership that poses as Your true authority. Thank You my LORD for dying for me and rising again from the dead. Cleanse this temple – my heart, mind and body afresh with Your holy blood. I know You are coming soon LORD and I want to be fully pleasing to You in all things. Right this moment, I ask You to please take over my life completely. Reign upon the throne of my heart. Into Thine hands I commend my spirit. Wash and fill me my Savior. I love You supremely Jesus. Amen.

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“Be Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus” – 2 Timothy Chapter 2 [podcast]

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 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.

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

A Workman Approved by God

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

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Ephesians 1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus […]

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“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.

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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 |

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