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“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

—- In their own Self-Righteousness, have some gone so far as to make an idol of repentance? Or, perhaps they’ve made an idol of self.

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lamentations 3:22

Sometimes those who gain an understanding of the absolute necessity of repentance go off in an imbalance and are unteachable, calling others false teachers who attempt to help them learn a bit more about the LORD.

In this type case, perhaps such a person should consider their own need to repent afresh and to rely upon the LORD who would grant them this gift. Instead of just calling everyone else to repent, perhaps they should consider doing so themselves. We can get to the point where we are calling others to repent and it’s coming out of our own self righteous hearts which are actually in need of repentance (Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1-3).

Many times, sinful human nature is to project our own darkness on others rather than take personal accountability for our own sins (Romans 2:1-3).

Cache in on God’s Mercy The sins that should concern me the most are my own (Job 19:28; Matthew 7:1-5; John 8:7; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Ephesians 4:32; James 2:13).

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7

This is an important topic to say it lightly …. there are those who seek to impose a self-righteousness upon salvation …. and CHRIST Himself is lost in the mix and so anything in place of HIM is an idol. Read Colossians 1-2.

We must not lose site of CHRIST Himself in all our preaching about what He commanded (Colossians 2:18-19). The whole reason He came is so we could know Him and the Father – a truth seldom ever heard today (John 17:3).

THERE are some even well meaning people who misunderstand the things of God. They subtly place repentance before CHRIST Himself. Please listen closely and judge this against the whole counsel God’s Word: Repentance is utterly necessary to be saved (Luke 13:3, 5) and you know this is preached often here. Yet isn’t true repentance more a turning TO God than it is turning FROM sin?

“Ye Turned to God from Idols”

“For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye TURNED TO GOD from idols (sin) to serve the living and true God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9

“You can never be sorry enough to be saved.” Lisa Seiler

Of this imbalance, one believer writes:

“Holiness is first and foremost agape love. Unconditional love for all, including enemies of us and enemies of God.  This over emphasis on repentance can make us the initiator and God the responder if we are not careful.  God is always the initiator.”

—- Overcoming sin and living a holy life begins with receiving the very mercy of God which each of us is so very desperately in need of. Many times, especially in some circles, God Himself gets left out of His own salvation plan. The chief purpose for which God sent His only begotten Son was so that we could “know” Him (John 17:3). Paul told us that knowing the LORD was his all-encompassing goal. Everything else (including a holy life) will follow (Philippians 3:7-14). THIS is what he pressed toward. An ever-deepening relationship with the LORD breeds or produces that holiness which is necessary (John 17:3; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

—- WITHOUT EXCEPTION, any person who repents, changes their whole lifestyle. If a person doesn’t worship and love and obey Christ, they have not repented.

“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:8-10

—- TRUE HOLINESS can only come by way of knowing CHRIST. There is a true and therefore a false or counterfeit holiness. “True holiness” – Watch this:

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and TRUE HOLINESS.” Ephesians 4:23-24

Remember how Jesus said that the self-righteous religionists had a false form of godliness as they cleaned the outside of the cup and neglected the inside – knowing Him in their hearts and therefore yielding the fruit of “true holiness.” (Matthew 23:23-25; Ephesians 4:24)

—– If we are preaching and not personally ever deepening our fellowship with our LORD, we can easily fall into this trap and imbalance. This is the sin of idolatry and while we may be busy calling everyone else to repent, God may be attempting to get our attention and lead us to repentance. Right? Like Mary, we must make sitting at His beautiful feet to know Him our highest priority around which all our life revolves (Luke 10:38-42).

Remember, Jesus says that without HIM we can do nothing at all to please God and that we are to LOVE the LORD with all our being (John 15:5; Matthew 22:37-39). Does He matter to us? Or, have we forgotten the One we claim to be serving?

“Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” Psalms 50:22

One comes before the other. Repentance saves no one – Only Christ can save. Repentance is the divine condition for knowing Him which is what saves us – He does. Yes He without exception requires repenting and when we hearken to His drawing and obey by repenting, HE saves us. We must be very careful about the subtle idolatry of displacing CHRIST Himself even with the preaching of the imperative of repentance (Luke 13:3, 5). Some become so very heavy handed on repentance that they themselves need to repent of their own imbalance due to their own need to actually repent. Repentance is clearly a gift also and only God Himself can draw the sinner to Himself (John 3:29; 6:44; 2 Timothy 2:24-26, etc.).

On judgment day Jesus didn’t say He was going to say to the counterfeits “Depart from me because you didn’t repent” but rather “Depart from me ye workers of iniquity, I never KNEW you.” (Matthew 7:21)

Relationship mean alot to God…. you know, the ONE who invented relationship? Please memorize John 17:3.

Some preach as though God hates sinners. They misunderstand and take out of context things from Psalms. If God hated sinners so much, why did He so love the world, including you and I, that He gave His only begotten Son to come to die for us “WHILE we were yet sinners”? (Romans 5:6-8)

Listen to Jesus:

“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:56

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17

Your input welcomed. I am simply attempting to prayerfully be in God’s will in this understanding.

Memorizing Titus 3:5-6 has greatly helped me understand the relationship between God and us, His people. Can anyone relate?

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:5-6

Will we give thanks today because WE have repented and obeyed OR because of the GREAT MERCY God showed to send His only begotten Son to die for OUR SINS and “while we were YET sinners”? (Romans 5:6-8) Oh and by the way, no man can possibly partake of the divine gift of repentance unless and until God blesses Him with that gift (John 3:29; 6:44; 2 Timothy 2:24-26, etc.).

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…” Ephesians 2:4

Do you think that the patriarch Jacob could have understood a truth we also need to understand? When he really met with the LORD, here’s what he stated:

“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.” Genesis 32:10

A holy life is the fruit of truly coming to HIM, repenting and putting our faith in Him … obedience doesn’t save, JESUS saves, amen? And when He saves a soul that soul will choose to abide (remain) or not and if he remains/abides in Christ, he will live a holy life. To GOD be that glory! John 15

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

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Abiding

Speaking His Truth in Love [podcast]


“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15

Growing up in Christ involves and leads to His children “speaking the truth in love.”

Not one or the other but rather BOTH – truth and love, “speaking the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15)

A person of truth never speaks with respect to how mere men will respond nor merely for their enrichment. No, he speaks the words, the truth of God, unashamed, boldly. His desire is to please the LORD, not men (Ephesians 4:15; Galatians 1:10).

Ephesians 4:15-32

Never speak “your truth.” Speak God’s truth! Your life is over and swallowed up in Christ! (Colossians 3:3)

Saints, let us please remember that as believers, sometimes it’s best to simply pray, to demonstrate our trust before God Himself privately, and not wrestle with other saints who are struggling as all do in this life (2 Timothy 2:24-26). “Let thy words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2) At times our ministry involves caring enough to simply listen.

Walking in God’s love can never be separated from walking in God’s truth! They are divinely, eternally married! Don’t you dare claim to be walking in God’s love if you are not speaking God’s truth (Ephesians 4:15; Proverbs 27:5-6). God requires that you speak His truth in His love or you are nothing (1 Corinthians 13).

OH THIS IS GOOD!!!!!

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast]The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast] | Lie of the Ages (Blockbuster book exposing OSAS and calvinism)

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Daily Prayer Guide [podcast]

Daily Prayer Guide


PRAYING EVERY DAY FOR:

THE BODY OF CHRIST

Here’s some of the biblical truth I personally pray daily for those disciples of Jesus on my prayer list:

  • That God would take away the stony places in our hearts and grant us hearts of flesh – pliable, humble, teachable, worshipful, obedient (Ezekiel 36:24-26).
  • That the LORD would unite our hearts to fear His holy name (Psalms 86:11).
  • That He would bless us to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12).
  • That the LORD would fill us with His love and cause that love to be demonstrated through our lives daily in our interactions with others (1 Corinthians 13).
  • That He would baptize and fill us with His Holy Spirit and use us powerfully for His eternal glory (Acts 1:8; 2:4, etc.).
  • That God would quicken and give us His wisdom concerning fruitful stewardship of His resources He’s entrusted us with (Matthew 25:14-30, etc.).
  • That we would be blessed to know Him in that oneness and abiding relationship He spoke of and prayed in John 15 and 17 – bearing fruit to His glory.
  • That the LORD would teach us and bring us to be consummate soul winners as His ambassadors (Proverbs 11:30; 2 Corinthians 5:20).
  • The our LORD will multiply His grace, love, and wisdom in our hearts (2 Peter 3:18; Romans 5:5; James 1:5).
  • That God would increase our faith (Luke 17:5).

OUR LEADERS:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3

OUR CITY:

“And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” Jeremiah 29:7

GOD’S KINGDOM TO COME ON EARTH:

(Both today and the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus Christ reigns on earth for 1,000 years)

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10

GOD TO SEND LABOURERS INTO HIS HARVEST:

“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38

THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM:

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6

—— • ——

Also, Jesus gave His disciples a model for daily prayer which is an excellent starting place for each day.

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13

Prayer

Support | STORE | PodcastsBecause You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and PrayerThe Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast]The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast] |

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Abiding

Jesus will Judge Us by Our Works

By Glenn and Dezi Langohr

JESUS — JUDGED BY WORKS

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father… Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied…? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21–23

Our works clearly reveal what is in our hearts! Fruit.

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27

“…all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28–29

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: *the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:48

PAUL — CONTINUE IN GOOD WORKS

“Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.” Romans 2:6–7

 “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Romans 2:13

 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“…they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.” Titus 3:8

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10  

“…for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 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. And let us not be weary in well doing…” Galatians 6:7–9

JAMES — FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” James 2:24 

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26 

PETER — BE HOLY, DO GOOD WORKS

“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 1:17

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12 

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10 

 SUMMARY

Jesus said He will judge every man by their works (Matthew 16:27, John 5:29).

Paul taught that eternal life is for those who continue in well doing (Romans 2:7, Titus 3:8).

James declared faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 24).

Peter warned God will judge every man’s work (1 Peter 1:17) and exhorted us to abound in good works.

God’s people are called to endure to the end with living faith proven by works of obedience, love, and holiness.

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