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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Warn them from Me:: The 3 Things Paul did to Protect God’s People [podcast]
Apostasy
Jesus Promised Judas an Eternal Throne in Heaven but He Chose to go to Hell #shorts [video]
Judas died and went to eternal hell, irrevocably as every lost soul shall experience (Acts 1:25). Judas is the “son of perdition” and “perdition” means damnation (John 17:12).
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Judas was even sent out with the other apostles to heal the sick, raise the dead, and preach Christ’s Gospel (Matthew 10:1-8). He was real, then backslid and is in hell (Acts 1:16-25).
“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones (not 11), judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)
Judas wasn’t kept and Jesus specifically and irrefutably promised him an eternal throne in Heaven – Matthew 19:28. “TWELVE” not eleven~!
At the time of this divinely-given promise, it is more than abundantly clear that Judas was eternally secure, otherwise Christ would have never given this promise to the “twelve” which includes Judas Iscariot (Matthew 19:28). It is only after this that Judas allowed iniquity in his heart and by his own deliberate will fell by his own iniquity (Acts 1:25; Heb. 3:12-15).
“Saying, I (Judas) have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.” Matthew 27:4
“Eternal security”? Don’t kid yourself. Moral cowards who refuse to take person accountability for their every thought, motive, and deed love this lie. Satan’s first lie – which led to the fall of mankind (Gen 2:17; 3:4).
“For if AFTER they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are AGAIN entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, AFTER they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21
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Articles
Obedience or Love – Which is Most Important? [podcast]
“IF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
Have you ever noticed the “If” of this statement by our LORD Jesus?
Okay, reread the words of Jesus above and see what comes first in the sentence – “love” or keeping His commands.
“IF you love me, keep my commandments” says Jesus (John 14:15)…. IF we don’t know and love Him there’s no use trying to keep His Word…. He’s not speaking of keeping His Word in order to earn His justification but rather as the fruit of knowing Him in a saving relationship….
“Few seem to understand the huge difference between obedience and legalism. We obey because we love God and we know obedience doesn’t save us. Legalism believes by obeying they are saved by it. We that are born again know only the blood of Jesus saved us but we also know that obedience proves we are saved and keeps us saved. It is joy to obey the Lord as we love what He loves and we hate what He hates. Amen.” Shirley Bruso
—- JESUS IS NOT GLORIFIED BY THE KEEPing OF HIS INSTRUCTIONS/COMMANDS BY THOSE WHO DON’T LOVE HIM …. LOVE COMES FIRST – LOVING AND WORSHIPPING HIM IS MOST IMPORTANT TO GOD. “IF IF, IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.” JOHN 14:15
“Ye are my friends, IF ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14
LOVE is the governing factor:
“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Of John 14:15 and 15:14, one source notes the following:
- John 14:15: Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” He makes keeping His words the direct proof of love.
- John 15:14: Jesus says, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” He shows that friendship with Him requires action and obedience.
- Love is the root: Jesus starts with love as the inner heart motive.
- Works are the fruit: Doing His commands is the outward action that proves the love is real.
- They are not separate: Jesus does not say love replaces works; He says love produces obedience.”
Love begins with God and any relationship requires reciprocating love – love flowing from each of the 2 parties to one another.
“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD TO HER.” Genesis 29:20
Jacob didn’t mind serving a whole 7 years for Rachel, because he loved her so much. The true disciple doesn’t view serving God as drudgery but rather delight – because he loves God supremely!
“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” John 16:21
“His commandment are not grievous”
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3
IF I don’t love Jesus, do you think He’s honored when I try to obey what He said? No.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…” Matthew 22:37
“IFFF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
IF WE LOVE JESUS, OBEYING HIM IS JOY, JUST AS IT WAS FOR JACOB AS HE SERVED A WHOLE 7 YEARS TO OBTAIN A LIFELONG MARITAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS BELOVED RACHEL (GENESIS 29:20).
Perhaps we are not understanding the divine economy as Christ meant us to understand Him. Jesus says “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14) It’s only IF I love Jesus that He is interested in my doing the things He told HIS true people to do, otherwise, my good works are in vain, even if I suffer martyrdom by burning my body – “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) IF WE DON’T LOVE HIM – truly – with our whole heart, mind, and strength He’s not interested in us obeying Him (Matthew 22:37-39). Now, of course, if I truly do love Him, I will obey Him and yet Jesus doesn’t want us to think we are impressing Him by outward obedience only. In the divine economy, it all begins with LOVE – “God so LOVED the world that He gave ….” (John 3:16) The Bible informs us that “The Lord looketh on the heart” and if He sees that I don’t truly love Him, He’s not interested in my vain outward show (1 Samuel 16:7).
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Those who truly know and love Him do His commandments. They don’t live on their own terms but rather on His. They delight to do His will because they truly seek, know, and love Him who bled to redeem their otherwise hopeless, wretched souls. Yet, obedience saves no one. Keeping His commandments doesn’t save you – the pharisees claimed to do that while refusing to come to Christ whom (John 5:39-40). No, God alone can save and He does so on His terms – initial and ongoing faith “which worketh by love” which is relationship. Yes, “faith … worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:6) Remember that even if a person goes so far as to give their body to be burned and has no love – they don’t love God, their obedience, their sacrifice is in vain (1 Corinthians 13:3).
1 Thessalonians 1:3 speaks to those already saved using the phrases “work of faith, and labour of love.” Please pay close attention to the words “faith” and “love.” “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
When God initially saves us, He puts a love in our hearts for Him which is manifested by putting our faith in Christ. Jesus taught that knowing the Father and Himself were cardinal in His kingdom. – “And this is life eternal (the whole purpose for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10
DID GOD send His only begotten Son to create an army of mechanical law-keepers OR a family who knows, worships, and adores Him? What does the Bible say is the cardinal reason for the whole plan of redemption? Why did God send His only begotten Son to bleed, be buried, and raised again to justify all who would come to Him? Are you familiar with what the LORD told us in Exodus 25:8, Matthew 22:37-40, and Philippians 3:10? We must have anchored in our hearts this glorious truth of knowing Him! Nothing else matters if we don’t relish Him, adore Him, and worship Him. If you name the name of Jesus Christ, it would greatly benefit your life, understanding. and ministry to memorize the words of the very Redeemer Himself as is recorded in John 17:3. More on that later.
If we love the LORD truly and our neighbor we will not steal, lie, covet, bear false witness, hate, commit adultery, OR any of those other sins and be walking in God’s perfect will. It’s really quite simple actually. But first we must examine this day whether or not we truly love Him.
One writer notes:
“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.”
IT IS MY OPINION THAT WE SHOULD BEGIN TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OVER-EMPHASIZE OBEDIENCE WHILE NEGLECTING TO PREACH THE COMMAND TO KNOW, LOVE, AND ABIDE IN CHRIST. ALL OF OUR OUTWARD OBEDIENCE IS IN VAIN IF WE DON’T AUTHENTICALLY LOVE HIM. MANY WHO PREACH SEEM TO BE DOING THIS AND ARE CALLING MANY TO WORSHIP AT THE ALTAR OF SELF BY PERPETRATING THE FALSE NOTION THAT CHRIST’S ONE PERFECT SACRIFICE WAS NOT ENOUGH. THIS SEEMS TO RESONATE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT TRULY AND UNRESERVEDLY SURRENDERED TO CHRIST AND WHO WANT TO FEEL AS IF THEY ARE HELPING TO EARN THEIR OWN SALVATION WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE. WHAT DOES ROMANS 4:4-5 TELL US?
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5
So, while it’s absolute that ALL who have saving faith in Christ are obedient and have good fruit in their lives, those good works and good fruit aren’t what saves them. No, good fruit merely evidences that there is a relationship. Christ alone can save and He does that instantly when a lost soul believes upon Him (John 6:47; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:1, etc.). The Great Shepherd of His sheep keeps His people saved as they keep themselves in the love of God, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 21: 1 Peter 1:5)
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21
The story of Jesus, Mary, and Martha is yet another place in the Scriptures of truth that clearly reveal what God is looking for from us – to love and to worship Him supremely.
“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
Jesus speaks to us of an abiding union/relationship with Him where He calls us His friends. I want to encourage you to read John 15 closely this week. In this discourse on the Husbandman (the Father), the Vine (Jesus), and the branches (us), you will note that the relationship precedes the fruit bearing. While the fruit reveals the root – testifies to the relationship – fruit doesn’t save, neither does obedience. God does require us to obey Him by putting our faith in Christ to save us, but it’s He who saves us. Jesus Christ alone can save. Ephesians 2:8-10 reveals that we are saved by His grace through our faith and that we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”
Consider that our LORD was “moved with compassion” toward those in need (Matthew 9:36). The great apostle said “the love of Christ constraineth (compels) us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)
At times we quote 1 John 2:4 and yet, let’s look at a wider angle of this passage:
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:3-6
“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice…” Matthew 9:13
“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Joel 2:13
Is loving God more important that obeying God? Both are obviously important and yet, in the divine economy, which is most important?
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Am I choosing and learning to “love the Lord” with my whole heart?
Andre Alexis writes: “Christianity is more than merely believing and obeying commands and reaping the promises of God. Christianity is not a religion: it is a relationship. And a relationship requires communication. Therefore, prayer is essential, because it is through prayer that you and I communicate with our heavenly Father.” …. This is a simple truth and yet bears stating as brother Andre did above. This is especially important due to the epidemic of charlatans which have promulgated a “what’s in it for me?” self-serving lifestyle upon millions who don’t bother to truly lay down their lives and see with their own eyes the full counsel of our LORD’s Word which actually communicate the very “thoughts of his heart.” (Psalms 33:11). The LORD wants a relationship with each of His children. He’s not just there to answer our every prayer while we commit spiritual adultery by wasting our time/lives in this fleeting world playing games, giving hours to frivolous foolishness, etc. He wants our hearts. Jesus told us the reason the Father sent Him in John 17:3. This was David’s and Paul’s whole goal in their respective earthly lives (Psalms 27:4, 8; Philippians 3:10). Jesus told us He wants an abiding relationship that bears fruit that remains to His eternal glory (John 15:1-16).
After being saved, under the new covenant, it’s not law keeping but rather abiding in Christ, amen? John 15 “Abide in me.”
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
PRAYER: Holy heavenly Father, I come to You impoverished in spirit. For without You dear LORD, we can do nothing. You are love and I am not and yet, I ask You here and now to more deeply imbue my innermost man with and teach me Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Uphold Jesus (audio)
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Abiding
FROM THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT by Jon Crane
By Jon Crane
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
A life surrendered to Christ and led by the Holy Spirit is made able to become a child of the kingdom of God (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-16; etc.).
The grace that saved us: the blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary is our atoning sacrifice and become the entrance into the eternal kingdom of God for the purpose of living from the new creation we have become in Christ (born-again John 3:3-7; John 15:1-5). Putting off our old man with his worldly mindset by washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:3-7).
Let us therefore, press into this inward holy life of living faith.
“But be ye doers of the word, and NOT hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a DOER of the work (Matthew 7:24-25), this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25
More Thoughts…
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath (vengeance belongeth to the LORD who created us all
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD (actively doing God’s will in their lives; making full proof of the hope of redemption which they have by exercising their faith by works of love – Matthew 22:37-40; 1 Corinthians 13; etc.), they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the MEEK shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5); and shalt delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalms 37:7-11
When pressed above measure read Psalms. 94.
Remember whose you are …
“And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:23
Take heart…
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior yet and would like to make peace with God…
“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:15-18
Romans 3
“Moreover, brethern, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein in ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith unto them who are under the law: that every mouth (Jew, Gentile, Muslim, etc.) may be stopped, and ALL the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God, without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith (Rom. 1:16-17) of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time (today if you hear his voice: Heb. 3:7,15 conviction in your heart) his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:19-26
Confession made…
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13
Call upon Jesus Christ according to faith and be saved!
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17
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