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“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32 

YES Jesus was a friend of publicans and sinners – because He loves all men and came to die for all men (1 John 2:2).

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15 

Bible 101

Jesus came to die to save sinners. And, anyone not preaching this paramount Gospel truth is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Interestingly, most pastors today avoid the biblical topic of sin which removes the dilemma Jesus came and died to solve….. Beware!

Yes, Jesus is the “friend of publicans and sinners!” – whom He came specifically to save them from that sin, because it separates them from Him and the Father who are “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; Luke 7:34)

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Acting is if we love Jesus and others by befriending the lost and yet not disclosing to them their separation from God due to sin, is evil.

In a recent conversation, a brother and sister in Christ said:

Tina says:

“Funny I’ve always said it’s more genuine to be around unbelievers because they don’t pretend.” These heresies of modern heretics make the gospel look like a joke and their so egotistical they can’t see beyond self. I just can’t understand because they are deceiving themselves right to hell and are missing the biblical truth. And really it’s grieving to the Holy Spirit.”

One brother says:

“I know that’s right! I’d rather be in a room full of unbelievers myself. Truth be told, heretics are not even our brothers or sisters. They’re preaching another gospel and deceiving the simple. Not only are they lost, they have blood on their hands! They’re blinded by hubris.”

Are you sinfully Angry? (Ephesians 4:26; James 1:20)

If you are preaching hard against sin you better be preaching hard on mercy too – because without it, YOU, self-righteous hypocrite, are doomed to eternal damnation (Matthew 21:31). “Repentance AND remission of sins” is to be preached – not just one but both (Luke 24:47). Memorize James 1:20. Sit down. Shut up. Learn of the LORD. Be accountable for your own sin first and foremost (Matthew 7:1-5; Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 1:8-10). The very reason you are not living the crucified life, the cross, is the reason your don’t preach it and it is the only solution GOD gave for sin. What’s Romans 6:7 say? Case closed.

Today’s self-righteous preachers preach as if everyone needs to repent except them. They preach hard against sin but never offer the only solution to holiness – the cross! Wow. Romans 6

Preaching Against Sin but Not Offering the LORD’s Solution to Overcome Sin?

I agree fully with these observations and it’s much more peaceful among rank sinners. Sounds like Jesus’ life on earth. He was a friend of sinners but hated by the false religionists of His day.

Jesus did not befriend religious hypocrites but He did befriend and seek to help, to save sinners – and so should we.

Some today have chosen to take a harsh, self-righteous stance against the wicked, instead of the biblical posture. When Jesus’ disciples did such, what was our LORD’s reply?

“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:51-56

Some today are completely misguided, as were Jesus’ young disciples.

Our heavenly Father went so far as to send and allow His only begotten Son to be crucified in order to rescue, to save the world.

“For God so LOVED (not hated!) 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.” John 3:16-17

James 4:4 is misused by some. They say we are not to befriend sinners and use this verse as a proof text:

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4

“A friend of the world” is different than being a friend to a sinner in order to win him (1 Corinthians 9:22). In this context of James 4:4, “a friend of the world” is one who conforms to the sin of the world and not one who befriends a sinner in order to win him to Christ.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

To demonstrate God’s love to the lost is to “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” This is so they can “see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Paul said that we’d have to leave the world to get away from all sinner (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). We are in this world temporarily to be the salt and light of Christ (Matthew 5:13-16).

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

The very same spirit of antichrist dwells in the self-righteous false religionists of our day as dwelt in the Pharisees of Christ’s day. notice below how these self-righteous false leaders specifically condemned Jesus for being “a friend of publicans and sinners!”

“But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. 31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! 35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.” Luke 7:30-35 

How could we win them if we are so busy condemning them?

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that WINNETH souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

“The more we grow in grace and the knowledge (relational) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (who is holy) the more capacity there is to reach out to “sinners” because it’s Christ’s love in us doing that. We are in the world but not of the world. We are of Christ who while we were yet sinners…….. So, instead of becoming more haughty, snooty, pharisaical, hypocritical, self-righteous and “holier than thou,” we are filled with the very mercy, truth and compassion of Jesus! Truly “the great exchange.” Debbie L.

And even the very grace of Christ that is growing in us is of HIS doing and for HIS glory! He is the potter and we are the clay — the work of the Father’s hands.

Christ’s apostle Paul said:

“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22

The following words of Christ completely expose the message of the self-righteous posture this video assumes:

“And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. 30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:29-32

IF Jesus wasn’t our friend “while we were yet sinners,” we’d all still be doomed (Romans 5:6-8).

“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.” Luke 6:32

Jesus is saying or asking the rhetorical question: “What godly good have you done if you don’t reach out to those who hate God and you – sinners?” It seems that part of what Christ is teaching here is for His people to reach out to, greet, and befriend people they don’t already know, including sinners.

Personally, I’ve lost count of all the people the LORD has had me befriend who later repented and received Jesus!

Jesus not only was a friends of sinners, He still is a friend of sinners and so is His true body. Jesus calls those sinners to repentance.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The Holy Spirit and God’s People are Calling Sinners to Christ

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

Those who take an enemy position against the lost for whom Jesus died, are blinded in their own sin. To these self-righteous hypocrites, Jesus says:

“Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” Matthew 21:31

Matthew 5 

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect (mature in your perspective), even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:44-48

The heart posture of the disciple, the student of Christ is conveyed in the following passage:

“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 (perhaps) 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.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Prayerfully declaring this truth aloud this morning will help defuse that fleshly self-righteousness that is part of the fallen nature – and posture us to invite sinners to the Savior.

“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; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7

How mercy works in the divine economy …. Memorize and live Matthew 5:7; Ephesians 4:32.

What Does “Be ye Separate” Mean and What Does it Not Mean? 

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Articles

Read the Handwriting

A weary mother returned from the store,
lugging groceries through the kitchen door.

Awaiting her arrival was her eight-year-old son,
anxious to relate what his younger brother had done.

“While I was out playing and Dad was on a call,
T.J. took his crayons and wrote on the wall!

It’s on the new paper you just hung in the den.
I told him you’d be mad at having to do it again.”

She let out a moan and furrowed her brow.
“Where is your little brother right now?”

She emptied her arms and with a purposeful stride,
She marched to his closet where he had gone to hide.

She called his full name as she entered his room,
He trembled with fear — he knew that meant doom!

For the next ten minutes, she ranted and raved
about the expensive wallpaper and how she had saved.

Lamenting all the work it would take to repair,
she condemned his actions and total lack of care.

The more she scolded, the madder she got.
Then stomped from his room, totally distraught!

She headed for the den to confirm her fears,
When she saw the wall her eyes flooded with tears.

The message she read pierced her soul with a dart.
It said, “I love Mommy,” surrounded by a heart.

Well, the wallpaper remained, just as she found it,
with an empty picture frame hung to surround it.

A reminder to her, and indeed to all,
take time to read the handwriting on the wall !!!!

Pass It On to Another

If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here okay: Born Again: What is It?


YOUR CHILD is your heritage from God not money or materialism!!!!! (Psalms 127-128) WHAT King James Bible verse(s) are you teaching you child today? PARENTS who aren’t teaching their children literal SCRIPTURE in God’s love and joy today are out of God’s will. Repentance needed. Are you misleading your own children by teaching them to be “good church goers” OR authentic disciples who truly walk daily with Jesus? The LORD never told anyone to “let the local church teach your children”! That is the work of a counterfeit. YOU train your own precious children in God’s Word – instead of making them a churchianity hypocrite! Are you an authentic disciple or a typical counterfeit church goer?

Time to thoroughly TEACH OUR CHILDREN GOD’S LITERAL WORD – THE HOLY SCRIPTURES!!!!!!

The character of your children tomorrow depends on what you put into their hearts today.” Liza Young

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Sign up for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out or the edification of the body of Christ.

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Abiding

The Blessing of Being Born of God, Born Again [podcast]


QUESTION:

“What does it mean to be ‘born again’?”

REPLY:

Great question. I am praying for you now. Born again is the same as regeneration we see in Titus 3:5-7. When the sinner (ALL of us) comes to God humbly, in repentance, turning his life to the LORD, and putting all of his faith now in Jesus Christ alone, God does a miracle in the person’s life—a change on the inside that is unmistakable and transforms that persons nature and life forever. From that moment onward, Christ reigns in that person’s life, filling him with love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). The LORD works from the inside out. First He saves, washes our sins away, and then dwells in that newly saved, born again temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

To be born again you have to go to God directly…. admitting you have sinned against Him, and receive Jesus into your life. It has to be personal. Religions are designed to keep you from God while claiming to be the way to God. Beware.

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (2nd birth).” John 3:7

“The birth for which Christ contends is from above—by the agency of the Holy Spirit. Every man must have two births, one from heaven, the other from earth—one of his body, the other of his soul: without the first he cannot see nor enjoy this world, without the last he can not see nor enjoy the kingdom of God. As there is an absolute necessity that a child should be born into the world, that he may see its light, contemplate its glories, and enjoy its good, so there is an absolute necessity that the soul should be brought out of its state of darkness and sin, through the light and power of the grace of Christ, that it may be able to see, or to discern, the glories and excellencies of the kingdom of Christ here, and be prepared for the enjoyment of the kingdom of glory hereafter. The Jews had some general notion of the new birth; but, like many among Christians, they put the acts of proselytism, baptism, etc., in the place of the Holy Spirit and his influence: they acknowledged that a man must be born again; but they made that new birth to consist in profession, confession, and external washing.

The new birth which is here spoken of comprehends, not only what is termed justification or pardon, but also sanctification or holiness. Sin must be pardoned, and the impurity of the heart washed away before any soul can possibly enter into the kingdom of God. As this new birth implies the renewing of the whole soul in righteousness and true holiness, it is not a matter that may be dispensed with: heaven is a place of holiness, and nothing but what is like itself can ever enter into it.” Adam Clarke

“I can remember after getting saved my friends and my family immediately saying What happened to her?’ There was an immediate and complete change in me. God cleaned me from the inside out. I was made brand new and people noticed. My family asked ‘What has happened to her?’ Does anyone know? Yes! Jesus happened to me! Alleluia!” Karen Cochran

YOUR PRAYER TO GOD TO BE SAVED, TO BE FORGIVEN

Are You Ready to be Saved? Okay here’s a prayer to be God’s child. You have to admit the obvious, that you have sinned against God and turn to Him fully, turn your life over to Him who made you, and confess Jesus Christ as the new LORD and Savior of your life. Pray this …

Your Prayer to God … You must honestly admit your sins and receive Christ… Apply His holy blood to your life so that you may be saved, forgiven, and live eternally with Him. You must completely turn your life over to Him in repentance and faith. Now, pray the following prayer to God with all that is within you, from your heart and out loud:….

Dear heavenly Father, right now, if never before, I come to You as a broken and sinful person. Thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die in my place for my sins. Thank You Jesus for coming to this earth to die and rise again to rescue me from sin and eternal hell and to save me for Your eternal glory. Right this moment, if never before, I receive You LORD Jesus. Come in and take over my whole life. I am all Yours and You are all mine. I love You Jesus and I will follow You from this moment forward till I am with You in Heaven forever! Please use me to help others know You dear LORD. In Jesus’ Name, amen.


How do we know someone is “born of God”?

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; … Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, 20

First off, if you are born again you are changed from the inside out … you desire to do God’s will now…. and are learning the need for the cross, the daily crucified life (Luke 9:23-25).

Let us remember that the biblical words “born again” (John 3:3, 7),  “born of God” (1 John 4:7), “regeneration,” and being a “new creature” in Christ go hand in hand or we can say, are synonymous.

“Born of God” appears 6 times in God’s Word and are all found in the book of 1 John:

1 John 3:9
Whosoever is BORN OF GOD doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is BORN OF GOD.

Those who are “born of God” do not live in sin. They repent or return (turn back) to the LORD, confessing all sin. If not they will “fall away” and be outside of Christ (Luke 8:13). See Can a Born Again Man be Un-Born Again? [podcast]


1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is BORN OF GOD, and knoweth God.

Those who are “born of God” walk in His love toward others.


1 John 5:1
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is BORN OF GOD: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

Those who repent and believe upon Christ are “born of God” and they love all other of Christ’s saints.


1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is BORN OF GOD overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Those who are “born of God” overcome this fallen world. By present and perpetual faith, they “overcometh the world.”


1 John 5:18
We know that whosoever is BORN OF GOD sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

Those “born of God” do not live in sin. Rather, they “keepeth” themselves from sin and therefore Satan. This is accomplished by what we read in 1 John 1 and 2—which spells out the walk of the true disciple of Jesus.

MAY GOD bless each disciple of Jesus today to abide in Christ by walking crucified and raised up by Him today (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). May “the fruit of the Spirit”—the “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” be abundantly produced in the life of every saint of Jesus! May it be 100 fold LORD! Read John 15. If you have been drawn in by Christ (John 6:44; 12:32), have repented (Luke 13:3), have received Christ (John 1:12), and are born again (John 3:3), you are bought by the precious blood of the LORD Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:17-18).

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You found and saved me into Your eternal kingdom by way of the precious blood of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I stop this life here and now, and I give You praise. I love You LORD Jesus. I am no longer my own but Yours. I am crucified with Christ. Please work in me both to will and to do of Your good pleasure. I am all Yours LORD and I know You are all mine! Please fill this vessel with Your Holy Ghost afresh, and please use me. In Jesus’ name, amen Master Jesus!

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Ministry Today at the Local Market in Mexico [podcast]


From brother Juan:

“Glory to God, brother! We know that the Word of God is not imprisoned. Jeremiah was in the prison courtyard, and God said, ‘Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.’ And we know that the word of God never returns empty; it always fulfills its purpose, brother. So we fully trust that God will do the work to expand His kingdom for His honor and glory. To Him be all the honor, brother. Blessings.” Juan






“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

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