The Cross is a Non-Negotiable Original Gospel Imperative [podcast]
Grasping the Concept of the Cross
Are we looking for a promotion or a demotion today? Jesus alone can promote and He only does such in the lives of those whose lives are laid down! (Matthew 23:11; John 12:23-25; Psalms 75:6-7).
“Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain (death), and be raised the third day (resurrection).
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:22-26
In the above passage, we see Jesus speaking of His own death, burial, and resurrection. Then immediately following, Christ speaks of the necessity of the daily cross for those who will follow Him. Please read the passage again. His obvious inference is that those who do not lay down and lose their lives in this world for His sake, will “be cast away” and “ashamed.” Of these the Son of man will be ashamed at His soon return.
The First Act of Surrender
One disciple noted that: “True freedom is not choosing our own way, but submitting to God’s way.”
Choosing to love the LORD with all our being requires the living sacrifice of self – as we choose the LORD Jesus over ourselves.
“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 are full of self cannot love God or others as Jesus commanded (Matthew 22:37-39). Their capacity to love is being wasted on the false god of self. The cross exes out self so Christ can reign and His love will fill the heart of the disciple! Self love is not what the LORD made us for nor His intention for our lives. His stated reason for creating us is to know Him, to love and worship Him, and to humbly serve others. If you read this following passage prayerfully every morning this week, your life will change forever. Philippians 2:3-5.
Next: Admit Your Own Utter Spiritual Poverty
TODAY: We declare with Paul:
There is NOOOO good thing in me except Christ! … “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth NO good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (Romans 7:18).
This is the first step to victory! Get very familiar with this truth in Romans 7:18.
“Self control” is not Bible but rather NIV (Not Inspired Version). The real Bible, the King James Bible, uses the word “temperance” in the list of the 9 fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Big difference. We don’t control self (self control). No, we die to self. deny self, lay down self in surrender to Christ and He raises self up by His resurrection life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). This is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ – the Gospel – in our daily lives…. We cannot control self but rather must release self to the Savior in surrender. The use of the term “self-control” instead of “temperance” (KJB) is yet another corruption of God’s Word found in the new versions as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Please get a King James Bible beloved of Christ.
“Romans 8:7-8 ‘Because the carnal mind (flesh) is enmity (hostile) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.’
“Our flesh is our sinful selves! I lived many years in my flesh! Works of the flesh. (Galatians 5: 19-21). If we live out of our sinful selves we cannot please God.
“We must take it to the cross of Christ to die.
“Dying to self is a total surrender of yourself to Jesus. Just as Christ did in the garden when He said not my will but yours be done! (Luke 22: 42). You have to want a relationship with Jesus and be willing to give up whatever He asks of you. I have had to give him my shame, anxiety, pain, anger, all of my heart! So He can purify me and make me more like Him! And we then begin to take on His characteristics and attributes. Which are holiness,( 1 Peter 1:15-16) righteousness (Romans 3:21-31), and purity (1 John 3:3). Fruits of the spirit Gal. 5: 22-23.
“It’s a choice to allow your flesh to control you or to live by the Spirit of Christ! John 3:30. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Karen Cochran
Overcoming Sin Requires Surrender
Overcoming sin is a Gospel necessity and all who don’t will be damned.
THE more I let go, the freer in Christ and from sin I become! This original Gospel truth of the cross of Christ is catching on among His remnant body!
To this point, Anita Armagnac writes:
“SELF EFFORT CAN BE IDOLATRY; KEEPING SELF ON THE THRONE, THINKING THAT WILL PLEASE GOD WHEN IN REALITY WE FIND WE FALL AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT’S GOT TO BE A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.”
PRAYER! “JESUS PLEASE GET ME OUT OF YOUR WAY!” Insert the cross here! WHATEVER words I use cannot top God’s WORDS …. ministry is all about simply putting forth HIS words and not making a brand out of ourSELVES which need to die. You are going NOWHERE in God without this!
Let go and let God is a Bible truth – we must LOSE our lives to gain them Jesus taught. “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it” (Luke 17:33).
The cross. Surrender is the key, and that is faith – in GOD not us (Romans 4:4-5).
Overcoming Sin? Yes!
Surrender is what Jesus did at Gethsemane and that’s what made Calvary possible! Surrender IS following Christ – His pinnacle, ultimate example set forth for us (1 Peter 4:1-2). Focus on JESUS! In the Garden of Gethsemane, as the Son of God agonized, sweating blood, He cried to the Father “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). And, while dying for our sins on that cross, Jesus cried to the Father “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
See if you catch the divine Gospel prescription for overcoming sin in this 1 Peter 4 passage:
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2
Jesus was submitted, surrendered to the will of His Father and so should we be.
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30
ADDICTION WARNING
If you begin to learn the daily cross – laying down your own feeble life – and saying “JESUS YOU reign in this life” …. letting go and letting God….. settling that issue every morning as you awake ….. you are going to get addicted and wonder why you didn’t obey the Savior much earlier!
WARNING: If you get this message of the cross in you, the full victory of Jesus will begin manifesting in your personal life! Don’t say you haven’t been solemnly warned! The Daily Cross: Let the Addiction Begin!
God requires and has ordained that His children walk in full victory and yet it must and can only be done HIS way. That is the problem because most of us have been misled to believe that it’s just up to us! No! This should concern us utterly and cause a desire to search out what the LORD’s prescription is for total victory! David says He HATES “EVERY false way” and there are many false ways being peddled by the pied piper pastors today (Psalms 119:104, 128).
Are We being Foolish?
“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3
Shall we overcome sin and Satan in the flesh? If so, why did Jesus come? (Galatians 2:20-21)
IF WE DARE BOAST OF ANYTHING EXCEPT THE CROSS OF CHRIST – the altar he chose to shed His blood for our sin – WE ARE AMISS (GALATIANS 2:20; 6:14).
The original Gospel of the cross of Christ will no longer be withheld! God’s men are preaching it! Be gone devil! (1 Corinthians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 6:14; Jude 3-4)
Are we being “foolish”? See Galatians 3:3 … Are we not in utter need of proclaiming …
“It’s no longer I that live but Christ! I am dead and my life is hid with Christ in God! Without JESUS I can do nothing to glorify God! I give up Father. I lay my life in Thy holy hands right this moment. Into Thy hands I commend, release, and submit my spirit, in Jesus’ name! Amen LORD!”
When you struggle with sin, being tempted as we all are, surrendering is the divine answer, not more self effort which is what has gotten us in sin instead of out of it, right?
THE WORK OF CHRIST IN APPLYING THE CROSS IN OUR LIVES IS NOT A WORK OF THE FLESH BUT RATHER A CRUCIFIXION OF THE FLESH AND WILL OF MAN SO THAT CHRIST is REIGNing SUPREME (JOHN 12:23-25; ROMANS 8:11-14).
The Bible prescription scares the legalist, the immature, misled believer who has been taught that through his own self-effort, trying harder, he can overcome sin. Such is a false notion saints and it’s proven in that it never has nor ever will work, right? In his blinded mind the misled believer sees surrender as justification of sin. NO, never! To please God in all things, which brings complete victory over all sin, is letting go so GOD can prevail in victory over sin! Faith – in CHRIST instead of self (Romans 4:4-5; Hebrews 11:6). YOU and I are no match for sin and Satan! Christ is the Victor over sin and Satan and only IN HIM are we victorious and not in our flesh or self. We must say with the angel of God “The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 9). We are dead with Christ and our lives are hid with Christ in God. Memorize Colossians 3:3 today!
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
Yes, the Bible says “Be ye holy; for I am holy” and so such is not nor ever will be in question. Yet, reading further, what is the biblical prescription for being holy and not mere human self-effort? Our part is to die and Jesus, the resurrection and the life, then raises us up in HIS victory! Child of God, please prayerfully catch this, okay:
“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12
Make this passage (above) your spiritual meat, feeding daily on it.
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
The Imperative of Personal Holiness
God requires personal holiness and anyone with the spot of sin will not be with Him eternally (Ephesians 5:25-27, etc.). But being spotless comes by surrender, by faith resting in Christ from our own self-effort, allowing the power of the grace (divine enablement) of Christ to have full victory!
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
WHEN IT’S ALL SAID AND DONE, IT’S JESUS CHRIST PLUS NOTHING THAT EQUALS JUSTIFICATION AND ALSO SANCTIFICATION – BOTH OF WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL FOR FINAL SALVATION INTO ETERNAL GLORY!
To Be Holy, We Must Get Lost!
NOT one of us is without the daily necessity of dying! As we do, Christ raises us up in HIS victory! (Colossians 3:3)
WHO is “the resurrection and the life”? Is that you, I, or is it Jesus?
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25
The resurrection life of Christ is essential to victory in our own lives and such happens only as we lay down our lives in death and burial with Him! (Romans 6:1-14; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). God will never raise up someone who is not dead with Christ! And, the Bible says we are fools to think He would (1 Corinthians 15:36).
Lay it all Down or Lose it All
“He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:24-25
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:35
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:24
“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:33
“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” John 12:25
Yes it’s God. Christ! He initiates and enables. We respond, and as we do, the LORD Himself works His good pleasure in our lives:
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
Dying is not a work of the flesh…. However, it does take our choice …. Then “through the Spirit” of God it’s accomplished – see Romans 8:13-14.
Yes we make the choice daily to obey Christ in participating in co-death with Him – Romans 6:1-12; Galatians 2:20. Make these passages your spiritual meat!
It’s surrender to the Savior and not asserting self that brings God’s glory. That’s the obedience, that’s “the faith of the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20).
THIS DISCIPLE (TODD) IS NOTHING BUT FILTHY RAGS WITHOUT JESUS TODAY AND LESS THAN THE LEAST OF ALL WHO ARE OUTSIDE OF JESUS! EPHESIANS 1:6; JOHN 15:5
Exerting Our Energies in Surrender
“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:9-11
“REST”! OVERCOMING sin requires surrender, not more SELF-effort. Our part in laboring to enter into HIS rest (Hebrews 4:11) is surrender, not self-effort. That is a lie being peddled by many a preacher today. Beware. “Not I but Christ” (Galatians 2:20)! SELF-effort comes out of self-worship in place of SAVIOR worship. Selah. That never works nor does it bring glory to the only One who died for our sins and who alone can presently deliver us from all sin! Jesus!
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Christology | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Modern Church | Peace with God



Apostasy
White and Clean: Garments of the KING’s Bride [podcast]
“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40
Was recently asked to be the care giver for a family friend the last week. Saw daystar TV preachers by the dozen…. and heard not even 1 of them speaking of and preaching to warn the body of Christ to be “ready” for Christ’s return. Unreal. Apostasy. I hadn’t watched “Christian” TV for many years and found it to be just as apostate as before. Not one of those wolves was preparing Christ’s body for His soon return which means at least many of them will not be ready as Jesus says you must be to be with Him (Luke 12:40). Paul preached, warned, and taught the body of Christ in preparation of Christ’s return (Colossians 1:28).
Any and every preacher not warning you constantly to be “ready” for Christ’s soon return is an agent of Satan.
In discerning true and false leaders, it’s at least as important to judge what they are NOT preaching as to judge what they ARE preaching. What they are purposely leaving out is deadly. And, you don’t know what they are leaving out if you don’t have a growing and working knowledge of Holy Scripture which can only come by way of diligent, daily study (2 Timothy 2:15).
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34
Repentance is Essential
NOTHING in God happens until we surrender in repentance …. Refreshing awaits ….
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:7-8
JESUS CHRIST, THE ONE WHO BLED FOR OUR SINS ON THAT CROSS, ISSUED CLEAR CONDITIONS FOR ENTERING HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM.
PLEASE show us all where the words “once saved always saved” or “eternal security” or anything similar appear anywhere in Scripture. They don’t. IF God wanted us to believe this heresy, 1. He’d be contradicting Himself, and 2. He, the Almighty sure forgot to tell us so….. now repent and denounce the lie of the evil one and preach the truth.
The remnant body of Christ is identified by their love for and preparation to meet their soon coming KING, Jesus (1 John 2:28-3:3).
TODAY, each of us is proving manifestly exactly WHO we are serving – Christ or self. Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 6:16; Galatians 6:7-8; Revelation 1:3; 22:14, etc.
“But IF (denotes the conditional nature of this divine promise) we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:7-10
The fact that this passage says that we must admit that we have sinned does not give excuse to live in sin. No, we are told in verse 7 to “walk in the light” in order to be continually washed by the blood of Jesus and verse 9 tells us we must confess all sin to be forgiven of sin.
—– We must let Him wash us … initially and perpetually … “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” John 13:8-10
Notice the “IF” here … “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 …
Christ is the One who saves us and we know from the full counsel of His Word that all who are presently in Him are set apart to Him/sanctified/holy (Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Hebrews 12:14-17, etc.). Sanctification is a work done by God in those who are born again and currently abiding in Him (John 15). These alone are ready for the soon return of Jesus (Luke 21:34-36).
THIS SUNDAY, many will sit under a wolf who instead of preaching Scripture like 2 Corinthians 7:1 and 1 Peter 1:15-16, will make excuse for sin. SMH You know you are listening to an apostate when there’s no call to true repentance and the crucified life in light of the soon return of Christ! RUN or you are going to hell with them!
From sister Debbie Lord this morning, for Christ’s body:
“May we stand cleansed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ
and full to overflowing with the presence/work of the Holy Spirit and God’s holy Word, in Jesus’ Name, amen. P.S. — Lord, we really want to see Your perfect will accomplished in our lives. Thank You Lord for your great mercies and faithfulness. This verse has been on my mind: Romans 11:33.”
Let’s Grow Together! Sign up here to begin receiving the Moments with Our Master email devotional that is sure to help you grow in His grace and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:2; 3:18). It’s sent out for the edification of the body of Christ. Sign Up HERE.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | The Bridegroom is Calling His Bride | Purifying Ourselves as He is Pure [podcast] | 10 Clues Your Love for God is Waxing Cold [podcast]



Abiding
What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]
In spite of all the evil that is me, dear LORD You have been so gracious (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7; Titus 3:5-7). Thank You Jesus. Please bless this life to be crucified with Thee!
If OSAS/eternal security is true, WHY did Paul say he himself that he could be “castaway” from God in the end if he didn’t endure to the end, perpetually keep under his body (the cross life)?
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27
Here Paul speaks of his own need for the crucified life – to keep under his body, the flesh – in light of the sins that kept God’s people out of their promised land and his own jeopardy of soul if he were to neglect the cross in his own personal life (1 Corinthians 9:27-10-13).
Why O why would this apostle of Christ have uttered these words if he believed he was “once saved always saved”/”eternally secure” or that he was automatically going to be in Heaven no matter how he lived his life after being genuinely saved? Why would he ever had said that he would be cast away from the LORD in the end if he didn’t keep under his body if such were not possible? Paul follow Jesus and knew he was responsible to “endure to the end” of his earthly life to be saved into eternal glory (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39, etc.).
Most evangelicals have been sold on the lie that initial salvation means a saved person will automatically be in Heaven, no matter what he does after being saved. Not. Jesus and His holy apostles taught initial and final salvation.
Though the vast majority of those who pretend to represent Christ today do not preach His original Gospel, Jesus says that to follow Him, one must deny self and take up the cross daily (Luke 9:23-24). These are what Paul calls “enemies of the CROSS of Christ” who are building a ministry busine$$ and know that the golden calf heresy of eternal security $ell$ (Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3).
The idol of self is the enemy, the antichrist we deal head on with everyday with the cross which slays the god of self!
We therefore can safely conclude that this daily denial of self, this cross, this crucified life, is exactly what the apostle is speaking of when speaking of keeping under his body, his flesh. When Paul penned these words, he was speaking of what he so often spoke about – the cross.
What is there to crucify, to “keep under”, to subdue?
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24
Believing we can live sanctified, abiding in Christ without the cross He prescribed is self-deception and only further confirms our need to be truly crucified with Christ, buried, and raised up daily by Jesus (Galatians 2:20).
“I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection” = the cross, the crucified life.
Some who are hell bent of corrupting the plain words of Christ would say that this is not speaking of eternal glory, of one’s salvation being in jeopardy. Better think again.
Of this passage, Donald Stamps, in the Life in the Spirit Study Bible notes:
“9:24-27 RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN. Paul illustrates the principle that if one fails to exercise self-control, self-denial, and love with regard to others, he himself will be rejected by God, even if he is a gospel preacher.”
“9:27 I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY. ‘Be a castaway’ (Gk. adokimos) conveys the idea of ‘failing the test,’ ‘being rejected.’ Paul uses this same term in 2 Cor. 13:5, where he states that Christ does not dwell in any who are ‘reprobates’ (Gr. adokimoi). Paul is not referring merely to the loss of ministerial reward. What he recognizes is the possibility that he may fail to obtain the prize (i.e., the inheritance of final salvation (vv24-25) if he should cease living a holy life, exercising self-control, and enduring hardships for Christ (vv 25-27).”
The correct preaching of the full counsel of God’s WORD creates in us the desire to be set apart to our LORD (holy) and to cease the things, the sins that defile such purity necessary to abide in vital union with our Maker who is our Savior!
Notice below how Jesus knits the denial of self, the daily cross, the putting off the deeds of the body, of keeping under the body – the iniquitous fallen nature – with the destiny of the eternal soul.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25
Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him! The cross is essential to eternal glory. In other words, following Jesus on His stated terms – living the crucified life! (Luke 9:23-24)
Each of us proves exactly who we love the most by the way we are living! – God or self!
Everything that is happening in your life now is being allowed by God in order to get you down low into the death and burial with Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 4.
There’s no such thing as a Heaven-bound person who does not love God enough to offer their life to Him a living sacrifice and thereby overcome sin. Read this passage closely.
“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death (separation); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:15-23
Notice in verse 22 that those having been born again and now truly abiding in Christ of the fruit of holiness, not sin. And to them alone will end up with everlasting glory!
Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him! The cross is essential to eternal glory. In other words, following Jesus on His stated terms.
The deeds of the body must be kept under the power of the Holy Ghost and such is only possible by way of adhering to the cross Jesus mandated!
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13
The cross is the condition for overcoming the ensuing 5 sins that Paul then teaches kept some of the children of Israel out of their promised land. Our promised land is Heaven and just as some of the God’s people didn’t make it, didn’t “endure to the end”, were like the 5 foolish virgins, some of those Jesus had saved will not “endure to the end” and be in glory with Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 25:1-3, etc.).
Here are the ensuing words, the text immediately following 1 Corinthians 9:27. It’s a contiguous theme, warning from the apostle. Let’s read the whole passage, the context. He made no chapter divisions when he penned this divinely-inspired letter. Paul speaks of the personally responsibility and necessity of the crucified life in light of the 5 sins we all face which if we live in, will disqualify us from eternal glory. Here’s our main Bible verse, truth again and what follows:
“27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea (represents salvation);
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also LUSTED.
7 Neither be ye IDOLATERS, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit FORNICATION, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us TEMPT CHRIST, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither MURMUR ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
1 Corinthians 9:27-10:12
Clearly in this passage we see that the cross is a prerequisite for overcoming the 5 disqualifying sins. | The 5 Sins that Kept God’s People from their Promised Land
Life in the Spirit Study Bible on 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
10:1 I WOULD NOT THAT YE SHOULD BE IGNORANT. The fact that one may be redeemed, partake of divine grace, and yet later be rejected by God, a “castaway” (see 9:27), because of unbelief and evil conduct is now verified by examples from the experience of Israel (vv. 1-12).
10:5 THEY WERE OVERTHROWN IN THE WILDERNESS. The Israelites had experienced the grace of God in the exodus. They had been delivered from bondage (v. 1), baptized (v. 2), and divinely sustained in the wilderness, experiencing close fellowship with Christ (vv. 3-4). Yet in spite of these spiritual blessings, they failed to please God and were destroyed by Him in the wilderness; they forfeited their election and hence, failed to reach the promised land (cf. Num. 14:30. Paul’s point is that, as God did not tolerate Israel’s idolatry, sin, and immorality, so He will not tolerate the sin of believers under the new covenant.
10:6 THESE THINGS WERE OUR ESAMPLES. The terrible judgment of God upon the disobedient Israelites serves as an example and a warning for those under the new covenant not to desire evil things. Paul warns the Corinthians that if they repeat Israel’s unfaithfulness to God (vv. 7-10), they too will receive His judgment and fail to enter the promised heavenly country.
10:11 WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION. The history of God’s judgment of His people in the O.T. was written down in the Scriptures to provide those in the N.T. with ample warnings against sinning and falling from grace (v. 12; see Num. 14:29).7
10:12 TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL. The Israelites, as God’s elect, thought they could safely dabble in the sins of idolatry, and immorality; yet they met with God’s judgments. Those who believe they can securely live without turning away from unrighteous conduct and worldly passions should take notice of the warning of God in this passage.
10:13 GOD IS FAITHFUL. A professing believer may not justify sinning with excuses that he is simply human and thus imperfect, or that in this life all born-again believers continue sinning in word, thought, and deed (cf. Rom. 6:1). At the same times, Paul assures the Corinthians that no true believer need fall from the grace and mercy of God. (1) The Holy Spirit explicitly affirms that God provides His children with adequate grace to overcome every temptation and thus to resist sinning (cf. Rev. 2:7,17,26). God’s faithfulness expresses itself in two ways: (a) He will not allow us to be tempted above that which we can bear, and (b) He will with each temptation provide a way by which we can endure the temptation and overcome sin (cf. 2 Thes. 3:3).
(2) The grace of God (Eph. 2:8-10; Tit. 2:11-14), the blood of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:24), the Word of God (Eph 6:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17), the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 1:5), and the heavenly intercession of Christ bring sufficient power for the believer to be victorious over the poser of sin and demonic influences (Eph. 6:10-18; Heb 7:25).
(3) If the Christian yields to sin, it is not because Christ’s provision of grace is inadequate, but because the believer fails to resist his own sinful desires by the power of the Spirit (Rom 8:13-14; 2 Pet. 1:3).”
Was Paul involved in a relationship with Christ? Was Paul required to participate or was he a robot? Was it “all God,” “all grace” as the calvinist would claim?
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have FOUGHT a good fight, I have FINISHED my course, I have KEPT the faith: 8 Henceforth (therefore) there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8
If a person whose has been saved in the past is not fighting the good fight, finished what God began in him and called him to do – finishing his course, and keeping the faith, how can he possibly say with Paul “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness”?
The kingdom of Heaven is to be pressed into and not taken casually.
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12;
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14
Colossians 3:1-10
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
“The old man” must go down before “the new man” can be raised out of that grave – death and burial.
Ephesians 4:20-24
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Prayer of Returning: Holy Father, You gave all when You gave Your only begotten Son who came and died for our sins. You’ve also called me to lay down my life, to lose my life in this fleeting world. I have not done well at giving over my life to You … You alone who are worthy of my full, unreserved worship. Right this moment I ask You to forgive my sin of having another god before You which is self idolatry and spiritual adultery. I have alienated the affections of my heart away from You LORD and onto myself. For this I ask You to forgive me and I right here and now turn to You Jesus. Right this moment I lay my life in Your holy hands LORD. Into Your hands I submit my spirit – my whole being. Not my will but Thine be done LORD Jesus! I am no longer my own. I am Yours. I am dead and my life is hid with Christ in God. I love You Jesus and am ceaselessly grateful that You bought me with the price of Your own blood! You must increase but I must decrease. I ask You to unite my heart to fear Thy holy name! Teach me daily to lay myself aside and to give the reins over to You! In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Apostate Modern Church Exposed | Beware of the BUZZ WORD Bandits [podcast] | Preach the Word | Wolves Exposed | Church Membership Exposed | 100’s of Christ-centered, Scripture-rich Podcasts | Knowing God | The Cross Life | Christology = the Study of Christ


Articles
Living with an Eternal Perspective [podcast]
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
Someone has rightly stated that covetousness and greed and the love of money is going to damn more souls than any other sin. Read Jesus’ parable of the rich fool and memorize Luke 12:15. See Luke 12:15-21. Jesus says:
“Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15
Is what you’re striving for, working for, and doing in your earthly life going to matter in 100 years? Does your focus and activities testify that you are heavenly minded or headed for hell?
“Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38
Like a good parent who instructed his child to invest where it’s going to count in the long haul, so Jesus instructs us to lay up treasure in Heaven and not waste.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Gospel ministries that feed you and others are there by the ordination of God – to help you grown in Christ’s grace and to have a place to give to further Jesus’ Gospel and lay up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21; Ephesians 4:11-12). God’s Word calls us to support those feeding us (Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, etc.). That’s all a gift of God – in your lap. Yet the “labourers are few” and so are the suppliers (Matthew 9:35-38).
“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
Would the few Gospel “labourers” be near dead broke if the LORD’s people were properly supporting HIS Work? Matthew 6:19-21; 9:35-38; 2 Corinthians 9:7-11; etc.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21
Christ’s ministers have answered HIS call, not their own (Matthew 10:1-8; 1 Peter 5:1-6). They lay down their lives daily to do His will – to feed His sheep, the highest calling on earth (Matthew 28:18-20; John 21:15-17). And by doing so they are laying up their treasures in Heaven, not on the earth (Matthew 6:19-24). This bless-ed answer to the call of our God gives each of us the bless-ed opportunity to do the same, by supporting them, by supporting the work of our Master in the lives of His people (1 Corinthians 3:6-9; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). | Support
“For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Dear saints, let us never assume that ministries that endeavor to preach the whole counsel of God’s Word are sufficiently support. That’s usually not the case.
Are You Serving Money or Christ? Test it…..
Corporatization creates robots who follow the fools. Example: the covid cons and the cowards who comply.
WHEN I was working in the Space Program for a company that was contracted to NASA, they were shooting for 100% opt-in, total cooperation for a % taken out of our checks to give to the United Way, a demonic murderous organization that supports and gives money to planned MURDER-hood. Gladly, boldly, I spoiled that party, drawing a line in the sand. They were coercively conning every single employee into giving to the planned MURDER-hood United Way and their standing was in jeopardy with NASA if they didn’t get everyone in. Not me. Nope. I plainly told them I will lay no finger on or give a single penny to assisting in the cold blooded murder of innocent babies. Didn’t care what the consequences were.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24
Far too many people are serving money and therefore have a myriad of excuses as to why they compromise. All who serve mammon are as sure for eternal damnation as if they were already there.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God | Word of Faith Wolves and Delusion Exposed | Confess This | Personal Testimony of Todd Tomasella | Beware of False Promises and Half Truths | Exposing the False Prophetic Movement [podcast]



-
America10 months agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
-
Articles2 years agoChildren being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
-
Articles8 years agoSelf-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
-
Apostasy2 years agoSHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True







