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Evidence of Control and Concern

Jesus calls men to serve His body – never to exploit them!

Those in leadership who refuse to truly repent and walk the crucified life, will be cast upon the trash heap of false prophets – in the irrevocable “damnation” of hell (2 Peter 2:1-3).

WHEN a local pastor begins to hammer the “local church” drum repeatedly, he’s going in the wrong direction. This is the sign of control, being desperate, holding on tight to what is not his but rather “God’s heritage” (1 Peter 5:1-6). This begins to happen when pride creeps up in a man’s heart due to lack of a crucified life. He begins then to take control of the people around him, to use them for his own purposes instead of nurturing them, cherishing them, protecting and feeding them and being the wind underneath their wings to grow in the grace of Christ.

“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith (in GOD not men) ye stand.” 2 Corinthians 1:24

Fanning the Flames!

God’s Word tells us that believers are to be “…fervent in spirit (maintaining zeal to the boiling point); serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11

One evidence of undue control would be when leaders shut down individual believers from sharing Scripture. Paul exhorted the members of Jesus’ body to let the Word of God dwell richly in our midst, among us.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (abundantly) in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

When individual believers begin becoming rich in God’s Word, that indicates that God is using us to help get them into His Word. That’s an occasion to rejoice greatly and never the time to shun or squelch such bless-ed zeal!

True New Testament fellowship will always include His Word and will get God’s people stirred up in Christ! God forbid that we shun or shut down that fire and not fan the flames of it with great rejoicing! Only an antichrist seeks to control or stop the work of Christ in His people.

After all, isn’t getting Christ’s people into His Word what ministry is all about? YES!

We should be fanning the flames of God’s Word in others and never in any way hindering or squelching them! We are to greatly rejoice when God uses other of His saints! (1 Corinthians 12)

Dare we seek to shut down the work of God in others? Forbid Him Not [podcast]

Think: It’s to the personal advantage of those pastors who over-emphasize and push the local church doctrine of men – where they define it as being THEIR organization/local church.

Who were the Nicolaitans and why did Jesus say He hated their deeds and doctrines? (Revelation 2:6, 15) The Nicolaitans: Then and Now.

The reason for the joy in the hearts of every individual believer is CHRIST who died to save them. Joy is of divine origin. Every true servant of the LORD Jesus is merely a helper of the joy of Christ’s salvation in the lives of HIS people.

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Psalms 51:12

As we see in David’s prayer recorded in Psalms 51, the LORD will cleanse our hearts of all sin, deceit, control, manipulation, etc., when we cry out to Him in sincere repentance.

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2   

Saints, we must cry out to God daily for a pure heart. SO many in ministry who do not have pure hearts but rather darkness (Psalms 51; 139:23-24; John 3:19-21; Matthew 5:9).

God exclusively uses crucified vessels (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). he doesn’t powerfully use men due to any other credential! in fact, all those other “credentials” (SEMINARY, Bible college, etc.) are a circumventing of the fruit-bearing cross life Christ calls His true servants to (Luke 9:23-24; John 15). Jesus alone can prepare and ordain a man to do His work and it will always be according to the cross life – daily death, burial, and resurrection (John 15:16). Things like SEMINARY are many times an evasion of dying to the self-will, the self-life. Facts about God, false doctrines learned at seminary, are no substitute for a real walk with Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit.

In Psalms 51, by divine providence, we have on full display the prayer of repentance of beloved David who like ourselves, did not always remain in abiding relationship with the LORD. This man of God’s own heart had drifted and sinned grossly against the LORD (2 Samuel 11-12). He took possession of what was not his own. Root: This was due to not giving possession of his own life to the LORD who gave him life.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15

Beloved of God, we must always walk in the revelation that we are not our own.

“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 

Today really is the day to let go and let God – let Him have us, let Him possess that which He purchased with His own blood. Only then will He be glorified in us.

Christ’s kingdom authority is vast and never limited or bound by any mere man’s small domain or leadership. Jesus told His people to “Go” and that He’d be with them everywhere they went (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20). God wants His love and truth everywhere and not hiding in a physical building, corralled by self-serving hirelings who claim to be representing Him.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:10

There is no place in the New Testament where Christ’s apostles are seen telling a believer to “go report to the building where the local pastor is set up and submit to him.” No. The kingdom of Christ is as vast as His creation in that it’s where ever His domain is. King-dom = domain of the King. Beware of those who subtly insinuate that God only moves through their little building-based “ministry” they’ve set up.

God has a much larger plan for His called-out elders than being in leadership in a physical building. His sphere is much more expansive, unrestrained, unencumbered by man’s imposed borders and limits. If a physical building defines or determines a man’s ministry, would that not be an indictment upon Christ and His twelve? Jesus and His apostles don’t qualify as much if possessing real estate where man is king is a defining factor. None of them chose to have a building to minister out of. No, instead they went to the people and were free to be led by the Holy Spirit to the exact places and people whom God wanted to bless.

Many once sincere men have become greed-driven wolves.

Did Phillip need some local pastor’s permission to be led of the LORD to minister to the Ethiopian eunuch whom Christ saved? (Acts 8) No! There are some modern pastors in need of true repentance. When they do, they will get over themSELVES. The cross.

“(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, whose God is their belly (carnal appetites), and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3:18-19

Sobering Fact: In the 27 book New Testament canon, not 1 red cent of money was ever raised to build a “church building.”

Those who scorn disciples who don’t choose to patronize their church busine$$ are acting like the LORD’s disciples in the early days when they were immature. Remember when they sought to shut down another brother who was doing Christ’s ministry? Remember that?

“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” Luke 9:49-50

John seemingly thought this was a good thing. Yet Jesus sternly rebuked this sinfulness.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

In context, this is speaking of remaining in the liberty Christ died to grant all of His people. And this would include standing in Christ’s salvation and standing against the warlocks who bewitch, use witchcraft to conquer those saved by the grace of Jesus Christ by placing them under Moses’ law or any other works-based law (Galatians 3:1-3; 5:1, 19-21, etc.). New Testament saints are blessed to walk in “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” which “hath made me (us) free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).

Today, some pastors have set up and organized their ministries and begun to over estimate such. This an over reach which is coming out of an unrepentant heart. They’ve stretched their measure of rule above that which Christ has ordained. For some they see those not submitted to themselves or some other supposedly ordained pastor as rebels, out of God’s will. This is a false notion and is scattering some as Ezekiel points out when exposing false leaders (Ezekiel 34).

Men of God must be content with whatever of His sheep Jesus is trusting to them to feed and help and cease all covetousness through a crucified life (2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 4:5, 10-12, etc.).

The most on fire, precious saints I know, do not report to a “church building” on Sunday mornings. Such a notion flips the wigs of modern pharisees.

Could it be that there is a connection between lukewarm, cold, dead “Christians” and local church bondage (the control of sinful men)?

Those who seek to control the sheep of Christ’s pasture prove they have not repented, been crucified with Christ, and therefore haven’t given control of their own lives over to the LORD.

Each member of Christ’s body was bought by His very life blood on that cross and never to be ruled with cruelty and force (Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34).

So many pastors are reaching out for more prey while they neglect the sheep already attending their gatherings. This reveals their utter fakery. Instead of taking good care of those already under their care, wolves market their communities to garner more nickles, noses, and numbers.

In contrast with tenderly feeding and guiding our LORD’s flock, the false shepherds of Israel ruled harshly, in cruelty.

“with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” Ezekiel 34:4

In the kingdom of Christ, one of the ways we learn is by the bad example of others, right? Example: Matthew 23 where Jesus lambastes the false leaders of His day.

Dear pastor: Whose sins did you die for? Do you have nail-scarred hands and feet? Were you raised from the dead? 

Men called out to servant lead are always to point those they have the privilege to lead to God Himself and His Word … never to self.

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Acts 20:32 

Those with a heart like the “Great Shepherd of the sheep,” feed and guide His flock tenderly, graciously, and never forcefully or with undue, unwarranted control (John 10:1-16; Hebrews 13:20).

“Feed the Flock of God” 1 Peter 5:2 … Christ and the apostles were the salt and light every day. They had no building. They went to the people as did all the disciples upon being scattered from Jerusalem during persecution. “They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Pastors According to Mine Heart 

Leading by Example

Those men truly following Christ the way He exclusively prescribed – by daily dying – will lead His sheep according to His heart (Luke 9:23-24; Jeremiah 3:15). They will teach them His cross message!

Bible knowledge is one thing. Life reality, example is another.

What are people catching by our lives?

Recently, I reached out to one of the godly elders the LORD has graciously granted to this life. I expressed my thanks for not only the teaching of God’s Word he does but also the blessing of his example of Christ-likeness to my life.

Knowing how much I need to grow in His grace, the LORD has given some of His best elders!

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

It has been wisely stated that “More is caught than is taught.” This begs the question as to what we are putting forth, putting out there by our actual life.

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” Philippians 3:17

“But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,” 2 Timothy 3:10   

“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.” Hebrews 13:7

Prophecy Against the False Shepherds of Israel

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 

2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 

3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. 

4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them

5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. 

6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. 

7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; 

8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; 

9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; 

10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.” Ezekiel 34:1-10 

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Abiding

THE DEVIL IS A LIAR [podcast]


Eternal Security is not taught in God’s Word – Other than by Satan and his false prophets.

After being saved, one cannot live in sin and remain in relationship with Christ.

“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?” Romans 6:1-2

Reading Romans 6 each morning this week prayerfully will greatly benefit the disciple of Christ.

God said (Gen. 2:17): 

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE.”

Satan said (Gen. 3:4): 

“And the serpent said unto the woman, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE.”

Eternal Security Proof Text Plundered

1 John 2:19-29

Warning Concerning Antichrists

18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21  I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

24  Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

25  And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

26  These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Children of God

28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

29  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

John makes it clear that the antichrists in their midst which departed, did so because they were departing from the faith (1 timothy 4:1-2). Verse 19 does NOT say they were never of us but rather “they were not of us.”

Teddy Caldwell writes:

“OSAS insists that those are professing believers, but 1 John 2:18 says such people are antichrists. 1 John 2:22 says an antichrist is one who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Anyone who does that isn’t a believer and isn’t even trying to look like one.”

Concerning 1 John 2:19, Donald Stamps, in the Life in the Spirit Study Bible, writes:

“‘THEY WENT OUT FROM US.’ When the antichrists departed from their fellowship with true believers, they were not in a saving relationship with Christ. This allows for two possibilities: (1) They were never true believers to begin with, or (2) they had once been in a saving relationship with Christ but afterward abandoned their faith in Christ.”

Right here in verse 24 of this passage we see the doctrine of personal responsibility to “remain” in faithful obedience to the LORD or lose one’s place with God (1 Cor. 15:2; Gal. 6:9; Col. 1:23). This is a teaching found throughout Holy Writ – the divine requirement to stay saved or lose all in eternity, “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 7)

“Let that therefore abide (remain) in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. IF (denotes condition) that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” 1 John 2:24-25

Verse 24 alone tells us that we cannot think that verse 19 means that someone who is at some point in right standing with God can never depart from Him and lose out. Also, verse 25 tells us that “eternal life” (not just rewards) is at stake and the promise contingent upon the believer abiding or remaining in that “which ye have heard from the beginning” which is the Gospel. “Eternal life” is assured as long as one is remaining rooted in Jesus Christ. This is the overwhelmingly consistent message of God’s Word.

In verse 26 John says “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” Verse 19 is written about the deceivers who sought to “seduce” these disciples John was addressing and not of true believers.

With all of Scripture in consideration, we can conclude that 1 John 2:19 is a specific example and not a rule of doctrine.

If you truly wish to search out this matter, let me encourage you to closely examine, break down and study this entire text (1 Jn. 2:18-29). In order to ascertain truth, one must compare the verse in question with all other related Scriptures, beginning with the context in which the verse is set (Isa. 28:9-10; 1 Cor. 2:13).

Adam Clarke note on 1 John 2:19

“1 John 2:19
They went out from us – These heretics had belonged to our Christian assemblies, they professed Christianity, and do so still; but we apostles did not commission them to preach to you, for they have disgraced the Divine doctrine with the most pernicious opinions; they have given up or explained away its most essential principles; they have mingled the rest with heathenish rites and Jewish glosses. While, therefore, we acknowledge that they once belonged to us, we assert that they are not of us. They are not Christians; we abhor their conduct and their creed. We never sent them to teach.

They were not of us – For a considerable time before they left our assemblies they gave proofs that they had departed from the faith; for if they had been of us – if they had been apostles, and continued in the firm belief of the Christian doctrines, they would not have departed from us to form a sect of themselves.

That they were not all of us – They were not expelled from the Christian Church; they were not sent out by us; but they separated from it and us. None of them had been inspired as we apostles were, though they pretended to a very high teaching; but their separating from us manifested that they were not taught, as we were, by the Spirit of God. These false teachers probably drew many sincere souls away with them.”

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Articles

The First Commandment with Promise [podcast]


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

Any person who mistreats their father or mother has brought a curse on themselves. Unbelievable.

“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.” Proverbs 20:20

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and m

other; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

To honor simply means to highly esteem.

Does the Bible say “Honor your parents but only if they’re perfect and only if you agree with them”? No! And thank God because none of us are perfect parents, right?

God has a plan and it’s the only perfect plan! If you follow it, your life will be blessed.

Does it seem like it’s easier for some children to honor their parents? Does their relationship with their parents seem more fluent? At least in some cases, could it be due to the graciousness that the parents fostered in their children? Genuine love governing and fostering a sincere relationship.

David Taylor writes writes this exhortation on honoring our parents:

“Hope you are enjoying mom today brother with blessings. Please do so. Mine is gone. I took her for granted during her life. Not honoring her, not loving her as I should have. What’s that old saying ‘You never know what you have till it’s gone.”

The greatest heritage we give our children is God’s Word.

“Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Psalms 119:111

Sharing how God is working in her life concerning her relationship with her beloved mother, Karen Cochran writes:

“I had to die to being right. Pride! How could I love her (my mother) with the love of Jesus? How would she see Jesus in me? She would not see Him in me in all my pride and arrogance! By being full of pride, all I did was stir up strife. Proverbs 10:12 ‘Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.’ Because she would retaliate and would be angry. I had to learn to keep my mouth shut. And it has completely changed our relationship. But first the Lord had to change me and cleanse me from my ‘know it all’ attitude and my pride. I went to the Lord and said ‘why is she (my mother) so mean to me?’ The Lord straightened me out quick. It was me not her! I couldn’t control her! All I could do was allow God to root out what was sin in me.”

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Proverbs 13:10

PRAYER: Father, bless this life to be crucified with Christ, to be truly humbled before You – that You might raise me up to glorify You. Thank You for my beloved parents that You chose to bring me into this life through. Help me walk in Your wisdom which is Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Abiding

Jesus’ Counsel to the Lukewarm [podcast]


Laodicea: How Jesus Instructs the Backslidden to be Restored

Jesus’ Letter to the Church at Laodicea

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 

17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

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

20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 

21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 

22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

The cross, the crucified life is the cure to the curse of sin—sin dominating our lives.

Romans 6

Inflation is part of the judgment of God upon a wicked people, nation. We see such in Sodom and in Laodicea (Ezekiel 16:49-59; Romans 1; Revelaton 3:14-22).

“It appears that in this scarcity each might be able to obtain a bare subsistence by his daily labor; but a man could not, in such cases, provide for a family.” Adam Clarke

Your money doesn’t go far….. inflation

“Revelation 6 describes the opening of the first six seals, which represent God’s judgment, often called the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The third seal, broken by a “black horse,” is interpreted to show hyper-inflation and famine, where a day’s wage (a denarius) buys only a quart of wheat. The judgment includes a command to preserve the oil and wine, which some interpret as luxury goods, while essential food becomes scarce and expensive.”

“6:5, 6 In obedience to the third living creature, a rider holding a set of scales came forth on a black horse. This represents famine, which often follows war. A voice in the middle of the four living creatures announced that wheat and barley were being sold at prohibitive prices. The scales were used to weigh the rationed grain and were thus a symbol of famine. The expression do not harm the oil and the wine is difficult. Some say that these were the food of the poor. If they were staple items, then they must be protected in order to preserve life. It seems more likely, however, that the luxury items of the rich are contemplated here: historically, even in famine the rich can get some luxuries.Believer’s Bible Commentary

The only thing needed to go to hell is to not be on fire for Jesusto be “lukewarm” (Revelation 3:15-16).

Jesus instructed the Laodicean church… to obtain, to “buy of me….

“3:18 The people were counseled to buy from the Lord gold refined in the fire. This may mean divine righteousness, which is bought without money or price (Isa_55:1) but received as a gift through faith in the Lord Jesus. Or it may mean genuine faith, which when tested in the fire, results in praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1Pe_1:7).

Also the people were counseled to buy white garments, that is, practical righteousness in everyday life. And they should anoint their eyes with eye salve, that is, gain true spiritual vision through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. This counsel was especially appropriate, since Laodicea was known as a center for banking, textiles, and medicines—especially eye salve.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee – O fallen and deceived soul, hear Jesus! Thy case is not hopeless. Buy of me.
Gold tried in the fire – Come and receive from me, without money and without price, faith that shall stand in every trial: so gold tried in the fire is here understood. But it may mean pure and undefiled religion, or that grace or Divine influence which produces it, which is more valuable to the soul than the purest gold to the body. They had before imaginary riches; this alone can make them truly rich.
White raiment – Holiness of heart and life.
Anoint thine eyes – Pray for, that ye may receive, the enlightening influences of my Spirit, that ye may be convinced of your true state, and see where your help lies.” Adam Clarke

Warning

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15 

Coming forth as Purified Gold

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

To “come forth as gold” refers to the finished product, where gold has been purified of all its impurities.

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7 

“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.” Proverbs 17:3 

Idolatry is Sin

Putting, having anything or anyone before Christ in our lives is the soul damning sin of idolatry. Such a person has rejected Christ for something, anything else.

One such idol, one such cause today is patriotism for one’s earthly country. See Hebrews 11:14-16.

SO, you are fighting to save America (impossible) and not see souls saved for and by Jesus? Yet you claim to be following Christ who said “I MUST be about my Father’s business”? See Luke 2:49. You are deceived and in need of repentance before it’s too late. You left your “first love” and are in sin, in darkness (Revelation 2:4-5).

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

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

PRAYER: Father in Jesus’ name, please grant to my heart Your gift of repentance and the deep desire to have Your righteousness, to not be deceived by sin, Satan, or counterfeits and false teachers. Please forgive all my sins afresh, here and now by Your precious blood LORD Jesus. Unite my heart to fear Your name. Fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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