The Answer to this Question May Shock You
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:12
SO, what sin is it that you committed that is greater than the cleansing power of Christ’s blood? Is it not idolatry of the worship kind to place anything above “the blood of His cross”?
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: … And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:14, 20
Any person who has a problem with forgiveness, has a serious problem with God. That’s why Jesus came – to forgive the sins of the world.
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall his people from their sins” Matthew 1:21
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
“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
Isn’t it time you let God forgive you? Yes, He already has forgiven you when you sincerely confessed that sin but the problem is with you (your lack of understanding). You see, perhaps you have not taken the LORD at His Word and simply believed what He told us. – “If we confess our sins, HE IS FAITHFUL and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Dare we call the LORD a liar? Is that not what we do if we hesitate to believe what He plainly stated? Either He has forgiven you or He hasn’t. What’s it going to be in your mind and heart?
“Let God be true and every man a liar” beginning with you (Romans 3:3).
To those who believe that perhaps their sin was especially egregious and unforgivable, I want to ask you some simple questions:
- In light of God’s “Holy, holy, holy” divine nature, just what sin can be committed and has been committed that He didn’t send His Son to die for?
- Was our sin paid for in full by Christ on that cross or did He lie to us? (John 19:30)
- Why is your sin any worse than anyone elses in the eyes of a Holy God?
- Just what sin did Jesus not die for?
- Are we saying that God’s redemption through His only begotten Son is not complete?
- If in fact Jesus came and died to take away your sins, why do you somehow believe you are still guilty of them that you’ve acknowledged and confessed to Him?
Hindrances to Our Having a Clean Conscience
It’s clear from many Scriptures that God wants His children to have a clear conscience.
“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” 1 Timothy 1:5
He wants to “forgive us our sins” and “cleanse us from all unrighteousness” all the way to the conscience level. See also Hebrews 9:14.
Could it be that we have not fully and completely released someone we know who committed a sin? Could that be the reason we have struggled to sense a clean, clear conscience? Perhaps if we ourselves are not freely forgiving all as God has freely forgiven us, we are reaping bad results. Could it be that if we are not showing God’s mercy to others and letting them free (in our minds and attitudes), then we are hindering the blessing of a clear conscience. See Matthew 18:21-35 and James 2:13 and Matthew 7:1-5. Remember that God “looketh on the heart” of man (1 Samuel 16:7). Why is their sin any worse than the ones you have committed?
Those who oppose the ease of receiving God’s forgiveness through Christ are antichrists – they deny Christ’s redemption for works and they deny Him by disbelieving what He stated when He said: “It is finished.” (John 19:30) “It is finished” means that all of the sins of mankind – the whole fallen race – are “paid in full.” (1 John 2:2) And Jesus taught that if we individually answer the call to be “born again,” we are in His kingdom and can receive forgiveness for any sin we may commit along the way.
You see, there are many who want to use your past, already forgiven by Jesus sins against you and so, to preach this forgiveness of sins by His blood is to remove the tool of control they seen to wiled over you by holding a past sin over your head. Beware! This is witchcraft.
To combat this, we must know of a surety that Christ has completely paid for and has washed away all our sins in His blessed, precious blood. | Redemption Through Christ’s Sacrifice
“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” Psalms 103:8-16
The Bible tells us that sin is a choice and of our own lusts and not of God at all (James 1:13-15). Yet, God made full provision for His people if they sinned after He saved them (Psalms 103:2; 1 John 1:6-2:2, etc.). The intercessory work of Christ didn’t stop when He bled on that cross to pay for our sins (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26, etc.).
“In him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not.” 1 John 3:5-6
We know from this passage above that as we are truly abiding in Christ, we are not living in sin.
If you somehow believe that you have reached a place of sinless perfection, there is no need to read this article, but there is the need to read 1 John 1:8-10 and Proverbs 20:9.
What should a born again Christian do after he sins? Here’s the answer: Repent (turn back to the LORD), receive God’s forgiveness in confession through Jesus Christ and go help someone else! To this, some may respond with: WHAT are you talking about?!?! Are you crazy!? Go do ministry?! Are you crazy?! How can a person who recently sinned do ministry or show God’s love?!
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (atoning sacrifice) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” Romans 3:24-25
Remember when Peter was going to deny Christ, even with cursing, etc.? What did Jesus say for His child Peter to do after he had sinned and was restored back to rightful relationship with Him? Check this out:
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22:31-32
Jesus told Peter what to do after he was recovered from that fall. Note initially here that Jesus didn’t instruct Peter (nor does He instruct anyone) to go do some kind of catholic penance to work off his sins and display some kind of outward work of false humility, but rather the refreshing command to “strengthen thy brethren.” What a freedom! We are to go and pour out God’s mercy to others as it has been abundantly poured out on us! Remember that one day Jesus spoke to a sinful woman and said: “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven (freely); for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” As we realize how much undeserved mercy has been shown to us by God, we will naturally rejoice to share this unspeakable gift with others. Our sins were/are many and His mercy is enormous and endures forever to those who fear Him (Psalms 103:11).
Here are some of the things we glean from the words of Christ in this passage (Luke 22:31-32):
- Satan seeks/desires to “Sift you as wheat” away from God – to cause your fellowship with God to be interrupted. This is how the devil works. Yes, there is a real devil and he hates God and you because you are the Lord’s. If the leadership of your church doesn’t acknowledge a real devil and a real spiritual battle that rages daily, let me encourage you to either talk to them about it or find an honest fellowship where God’s Word is truly honored.
- Jesus is praying for each of His saints (YOU) – “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (see also Hebrews 7:25; John 17:9).
- “When thou art converted”
– When we sin, we are to be restored to fellowship with our Lord who loves us and has our best interests in His heart and is
- “Strengthen thy brethren”
– Strengthen the brothers and sisters around you when you are restored – and consequently refreshed – (Acts 3:19-21). Nothing could be more important than your vital union and communion with your Lord. Rejoice in His goodness toward you! Rejoice that He has shown you mercy and ponder sharing that same mercy with others as you have received such.
- “Freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8) Comfort others who have fallen or are in a season of difficulties with the comfort you have received from God (2 Cor. 2:1-4).
- “ready (postured) to forgive” Psalms 86:5, 15 say: “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. … But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”
Nothing could be more important than your vital union and communion with your Lord. Rejoice in His goodness toward you today!
Chris Sitter writes:
“I can relate to that scripture that says Satan hath desired to sift you as wheat (Lk. 22:31-32). But, because of His mercy and blood, and longsuffering, and merciful kindness, I must share what He – in his great grace, has chosen to share with me – with His sheep. For only He, can make me accepted in the beloved. Oh, that I can share a part in the Savior’s blood. A thousand hymns will not be able to capture the greatness of HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT! Let us press on towards the mark – one moment at a time, for there is no promise of tomorrow. Grateful for Calvary.”
Wait just a minute!! What about the people who know I sinned? What will they say? What if they condemn me and call me a hypocrite because I am seeking God afresh, putting the past behind me, and serving Him by ministering His grace, love, and truth to others – after I sinned?
“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Romans 8:32-35
When we lapse in our faith for some reason or the other, perhaps we shouldn’t wallow in the mire of that experience, but get right back to being about our Father’s business. After Peter had sinned many times, Jesus told Him to “Feed my sheep.” (Jn. 21:16-17)
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24:16
It’s no time to wallow in the mire of past sins, but rather to rise up (yes again) and seek the infinitely beautiful face of the LORD. This one thing is what is needful.
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.” Psalms 27:4
ORIGIN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Every false religion in the world has some type of penance or asceticism (personal works or torment to earn God’s forgiveness or favor). Christians stand alone, placing all of their trust and hope in the Son of God for full and complete forgiveness for all of their sin. Scores of true believers have given their lives for this very truth, which is at the very heart of the Gospel. Jesus Christ + nothing = total forgiveness and eternal life. Now this is a good moment to verbalize our thanksgiving to our heavenly Father of this unspeakable gift!
“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; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
Please allow me to strongly urge you to memorize this text above.
For the record: God is the only really holy One and we are made holy only by being in communion with Him. So, when we have truly repented, turning fully back to Him, He makes us holy again, instantly!
Friend, as a believer, you may struggle within with the fleshly temptation towards doing penance – trying (after sinning) to do enough good works to somehow satisfy the claims of God’s holy justice and regain His favor. Nothing could be more antichrist. Nothing could strike at the heart of the Gospel more than such unbelief in the hearts of those who call themselves His children. There could be no more severe denial of the blood of Christ than this, whether one realizes it or not. Such is a clear denial of the precious propitiatory blood of the Savior, and reveals a complete misunderstanding of the Gospel. Either Christ’s blood was the full payment for all of your sins, AND/OR 1) God is a liar, 2) His whole Word (the Bible) is not true, and 3) You should immediately give up playing the part of a Christian because there is no amount of perfect works you can do to pay for your own sins.
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6
Let me encourage you to study Romans 1-5 at least 7 times. Get this essential Gospel truth deep down in your heart. Pour over this text. Hi-lite, outline and cross reference. Write down on index cards select texts the Holy Spirit puts His finger on and memorize them.
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10
No person can begin to understand divine forgiveness until he first understands the utterly depraved and sinful state of un-redeemed men and the ultimate righteousness and sinless perfection of Christ Jesus. Listen and let your heart be blessed by this life-changing passage from Romans:
“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 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. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 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; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:19-26
WHEW! Does this truth not lift the heavy and vain burden of self-righteousness? Read this last part of Romans 3 until it does. Pour over this passage until it saturates you heart, mind and thoughts.
Is our righteousness based on self-works, goodness or merit, OR the one supreme work of the Son of God? Such is a matter of life or death. Any person who leaves this earth trusting in any of there own righteousness instead of Christ’s, is going to certain damnation. There is no neutral ground – “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” (Phil. 3:9)
If you are going to try to be justified by your own works, instead of relying completely upon Christ’s work on the cross to make you righteous, you better not make even one slight mistake of sin:
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10
Saints, have we not all lusted, coveted, hated (heart murder), and committed adultery by entertaining evil thoughts? How can we repay Him? What are we going to do to merit His forgiveness and righteousness? What have we to offer the infinitely holy God of all that is? What are we in comparison to His Majesty?
We owe a debt we cannot pay
He paid a debt He did not owe
Friend, is it time for you to put away the notion or practice of self-dependence? If you are ready to repent of all traces of self-reliance and self-works for righteousness, then it is time to get excited and rejoice in the Savior who came from glory to pay the full price for all of your sins – to make you free to love and serve Him now and forever!
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19
Let’s get something straight: As a believer, living in this sinful world, we do not proclaim or declare our own goodness or righteousness – we have none other than what is imparted from God through Christ, the perfect One. Hello! No, rather, we declare Christ Jesus the LORD, the One who said “It is finished”, as He drew His last breath in dying and becoming the supreme and only sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the world (Jn. 19:30; 1 Jn. 2:2). Yes, we ”worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Phil. 3:3)
“And he is the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2
We should not sin again with “an evil heart of unbelief” by not accepting God’s forgiveness through Christ who lives forever to make intercession for us at the Father’s right hand (Heb. 3:12-15, 4:14-16, 7:25). The fact is that we were never personally worthy to be forgiven in the first place, but God did such on the basis of Christ propitiatory sacrifice.
Notice “if” not When – God expects His people not to sin. Sin is always a choice, a bad choice (James 1:13-15).
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.…My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 1:9; 2:1-2
Notice “IF any man sin,” and not “when you sin.” In God’s kingdom, overcoming is expected, not sinning. Yet, the LORD, through the blood of His only begotten Son, has made full provision in the whole package of the salvation He wrought through our LORD Jesus. See the book of Hebrews.
What do you think? Do you have a testimony of forgetting those things which lie behind you and getting back up and running the race – full speed? Will you accept His mercy and forgiveness in faith without which you cannot please the LORD? (see Heb. 11:6) Is your sin greater than Christ’s divine, holy, sinless blood and the power of His divine grace to break all shackles in your life?
“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23
Maybe something you say could strengthen another believer. The LORD truly is working and orchestrating all things together for the good to those who truly love Him. In conjunction with their obedience to Him, God is conforming their lives to the image of Jesus (Rom. 8:28-29).
Remember that YOU have a personal “advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”, who restores your soul in the green pastures of His grace as you present yourself before Him in love. What a SAVIOR!!! What a Counselor!!! What a Shepherd!!! What a God of Restoration!!! What words could possibly do justice to His majesty?!
“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee…But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalms 86:5,15
Jesus is coming soon saint of the Most High. Remember to be about your Father’s business so that Christ will find your hand to the plow of worshipping Him supremely and feeding His sheep, helping others come to repentance and place all their trust in “the great Shepherd of the sheep.” (Heb. 13:20)
Restoration is the aim of the Father. Sin is wrong because God (not men) determines what is sin – it is a violation of the holiness of the LORD (1 Jn. 3:4). No excuse can be made for our sins (Rom. 6). Yet, the past sins of others should never ever be utilized by other sinners (forgiven sinners) to manipulate or control that person. Jesus did no such thing with Peter, nor anyone else. To in any way use another person’s sins against them, is unmitigated witchcraft and actually happens in local fellowships. If this is going on with people you are in relationship with, send them this article and lovingly call them to repent. If they don’t, run for your life beloved (see 1 Tim. 6:3-5 KJV). Also, for more in-depth study on this topic of control, order a copy of Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us. Two whole chapters are dedicated to exposing the control of other men and its detrimental effects.
Have you considered getting some Gospel tracts and beginning to sow the seed of God’s Word? Visit the TRACTS page on this site for more information.
Blessings In Christ,
todd tomasella – “less than the least of all saints” (Eph. 3:8).
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Abiding
How Christ’s Kingdom Evangelism Works [podcast]

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
“The Word of God, like rain and snow that water the earth and cause it to produce fruit, will be sown in the hearts of men and produce fruit in the moral world (Isa_55:11; Deu_32:2). As the rain and snow fall on various kinds of ground, so does the Word of God (Mat_13:3-8, Mat_13:20-23). Like rain and snow, it will accomplish its best good in the eternal reign of the Messiah, when the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth (Isa_11:9). Thus, the final fulfillment of this scripture will be in the future; there is only a partial fulfillment at present in the preaching of the gospel.” Dake
“God’s word is just as irresistible and effective as the rain and snow. All the armies in the world cannot stop them, and they accomplish their intended purpose. God’s Word never fails to achieve its aims.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23
ANY person who doesn’t understand the power of God’s Word, when sown into the hearts of men, has no business pretending to be a pastor or elder in Christ’s body.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
The power of God’s Word when it enters the human heart:
“He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. 29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:28-29
The Harvest is Plentiful – So many lost souls hungry to hear the Gospel – the Laborers Few
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
Sin separates men from God.
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2
People are born again by the WORD of God which means the Word must be sown in their hearts and germinate.
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Faithfully sowing the seed of the Word of God in the hearts of men assures that God will be glorified in saving each of those souls who receive and believe His truth in repentance and faith.
Here’s how evangelism and our LORD’s kingdom work works—layers of Gospel workers. Usually we are the second, third, etc., Gospel labourer, following up on the seed planted in the hearts of the people we minister to. Let’s gain this vision, this illustration from Christ concerning our work for Him, in His kingdom.
Anyone putting off, pushing into the future, evangelizing the lost, is disobeying Jesus Christ. Anyone not evangelizing the lost around them cannot rightly claim to love Jesus. They are full of self and in need of crying out to God in repentance.
John 4:34 – 38
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”
“In the elderly home we minister in, we met a new resident, that had been there only a few months. When she came to our meeting, she seemed down, so I began to talk with her. She said, “well I don’t leave my room much anymore as my very good friend just passed away.” She stated her name and said, “before she passed I gave her the gospel and she received Jesus.” God is so good, as we had ministered to her friend as well, and seeds were planted, and this new Lady watered! The more I continued to talk with her, I learned she has been preaching the gospel and some residents are getting saved. Alleluia! Next week, we will give her some Jesus tracts.” Karen Cochran
Picture planting a seed in a garden, then standing back and watching the ground you planted that seed in and expecting to see it sprout up visibly from the soil it was planted in. Not wise, right? Right.
The picture our LORD gives here is planting that seed and then moving on, just like anyone who plants seeds to grow some plant, crop.
The Parable of the Seed Growing
Mark 4
26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Mark 4:26-29
“And should sleep and rise night and day – That is, he should sleep by night, and rise by day; for so the words are obviously to be understood. He knoweth not how – How a plant grows is a mystery in nature, which the wisest philosopher in the universe cannot fully explain.” Adam Clarke
In ministry, it’s always seeding, planting. It’s GOD, not us, who brings the increase. This pertains to the invisible work of God in the hearts of men.
“The parable may be intended to encourage the disciples. Their responsibility is to sow the seed. They may sleep by night and rise by day, knowing that God’s Word will not return to Him void, but will accomplish what He has intended it to do. By a mysterious and miraculous process, quite apart from man’s strength and skill, the Word works in human hearts, producing fruit for God. Man plants and waters but God gives the increase.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalms 19:7
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16
YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, please break me. Unite my heart to fear Your name. Thank You for choosing and ordaining me to Your kingdom work. Please bear Your fruit in and through this life, this vessel for Your eternal glory. Let that fruit remain dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Abiding
Jesus Washes the Feet of His Own [podcast]

What was Jesus demonstrating and teaching us when He washed the feet of His disciples?
The Washed Way – begins with “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” – being born again (Titus 3:5-7; John 3:3, 7).
“On the way back from the public bath, a person’s feet would get dirty again. He didn’t need another bath but did need to have his feet washed. ‘He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean.’ There is a difference between the bath and the basin. The bath speaks of the cleansing received at the time of one’s salvation. Cleansing from the penalty of sin through the blood of Christ takes place only once. The basin speaks of cleansing from the pollution of sin and must take place continually through the Word of God. There is one bath but many foot-washings.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“If these last words of our Lord had any spiritual reference, it is not easy to say what it was. A common opinion is the following: He who is washed – who is justified through the blood of the Lamb, needeth only to wash his feet – to regulate all his affections and desires; and to get, by faith, his conscience cleansed from any fresh guilt, which he may have contracted since his justification.” Adam Clarke
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 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.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. – John 13:1-17
Those not happy prove they are not humble nor holy (John 13).
“If loving the person in front of you seems like too small of a ministry opportunity, you’ve forgotten the simplicity of the Gospel.” unknown
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet as an Act of Final Sealing of His Mercy, His Will
“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end (to the end, to the utmost).” John 13:1
“Before the feast – Namely, on Wednesday, in the paschal week. Having loved his own – His apostles, he loved them to the end – Of his life.” John Wesley
Adam Clarke writes:
“He loved them unto the end – Continued his fervent affection towards them to his latest breath, and gave them that convincing proof of it which is mentioned Joh_13:5. That the disciples alone are meant here every man must see.”
Of these cornerstone verses of John 13, F.B. Meyer writes:
“John 13:1-11
JESUS GLORIFIES HUMBLE SERVICE
In the Temple the laver preceded the brazen altar. It was kept filled with pure water for the constant washing of the priests; Exo_30:18-21; Lev_16:4. We cannot have fellowship with Christ at Calvary or on Olivet unless we draw near with our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
The Synoptic Gospels tell us that on their way to the feast the disciples had yielded to contention and pride. It was needful that these should be put away, and our Lord’s love was equal to the occasion. He loved them to the end of His life and to the end of love. Only such love could have made saints and apostles out of such material.
Jesus began a work which has never ceased, and which will continue “till all the ransomed Church of God be saved to sin no more.” When we have contracted guilt, we have not to begin our whole life over again, but to go back to the place where we dropped the thread of obedience and begin there.”
May we never forget how merciful our LORD Jesus was to the woman at the well (John 4), the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8), and the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8).
It’s of interest to note how this 13th chapter of the glorious Gospel of John begins with Christ’s love to His disciples and closes with His command for them to “love one another” as He taught and personally demonstrated to them:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35
“When you fall in love don’t you want to shout it from the rooftops? He, the man you are in love with, is all you talk about! Should be the same with Jesus! You want to tell everyone about this man, the Savior who saved your life! Just as the woman at the well did! She told the whole city. ‘Come, and see a man, which told me all the things that ever I did: is this not the Christ?’ John 4: 28-29.” Karen Cochran
YOUR PRAYER: Father, in Jesus’ name, please reduce me to love.
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Antichrist
The Mission of the Spirit of Antichrist [podcast]

How do we discern the “many antichrists” operating in the church world today? (1 John 2:18)
The Antichrists are Multiplying [podcast]
Message from an Antichrist Refuted [podcast]
How the Spirit of Antichrist Works [podcast]
Our Glorious Inheritance in Christ vs Messianic Antichrists [podcast]
Antichrist or Christ? [podcast]
Antichrists Among Us [podcast]
“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12
How is Satan bringing his great wrath on mankind in this last hour? Isn’t it the same way he’s always done it, yet now in an even more feverish, intensified way? Yes. His tools, his “devices” are the same—from the Garden to now! This is exactly what the Holy Ghost told us through Paul:
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man (it’s Satan’s same temptations/tactics): but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Knowing and walking in this divine knowledge will help us stop Satan from getting an advantage over our lives.
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11
In summation, “the spirit of antichrist” is Satan and exists to mislead people away from his arch enemy, the LORD Jesus Christ. This “spirit of antichrist” seeks to demote, to denigrate, and destroy the testimony of Holy Scriptures which reveal, which hold as their grand subject—Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, God Almighty, who was bodily crucified, buried, and raised again from the dead.
“The spirit of truth” vs “the spirit of error.”
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:1-6
“That Spirit of Antichrist”
“Theological liberalism and religious cults (and cultists) betray themselves as ‘antichrist’ (v3) when they deny the full deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, or His redemptive death and resurrection for our salvation (v 9-10; 2:2). Every departure from Biblical revelation concerning Christ opens itself up to demonic ‘spirits’ of deception (v1) because it sets aside the authority and complete trustworthiness of God’s Word.” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
“4:3 And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. This is how you can detect the false teachers. They do not confess the Jesus who was described in the previous verse. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which has been prophesied and which is now already in the world. There are many today who are willing to say acceptable things about Jesus, but they will not confess Him as God Incarnate. They will say that Christ is ‘divine,’ but not that He is God.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Spirit of antichrist – All the opponents of Christ’s incarnation, and consequently of his passion, death, and resurrection, and the benefits to be derived from them.” Adam Clarke
Seems to me that anyone who denies the essentials of the Messiah (virgin birth, divinity, etc.), is an “antichrist.”
Jesus told the antichrist pharisees:
“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24
“8:24 Jesus often used repetition for emphasis. Here He solemnly warned them again that they would die in their sins. If they steadfastly refused to believe on Him, there was no alternative. Apart from the Lord Jesus, there is no way to obtain forgiveness of sins, and those who die with sins unforgiven cannot possibly enter heaven at last. The word He is not found in this verse in the original, though it may be implied. It reads literally: ‘if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.’ We see in the words I am another claim to deity by the Lord Jesus.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
As was the case in the Garden, Satan’s mission is to misdirect, to remove Christ’s people from worshiping and upholding Him as the Head of His body, as the Captain of our salvation, who alone, who exclusively came as God the Word in the Flesh, Immanuel, and paid the full “It is finished” price for bringing us back to Himself and the Father from a life of sin (Matthew 1:21-3; John 1:1-4, 10, 14; 19:30). Holy Scripture informs us that “the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12).
There are a myriad of facets, methods, mediums the prince of darkness is using in his full scale war against the Son of God. One of those methods is a changing of the words of God which is what Satan did in the very Garden of Eden which led to the fall of the first man and woman into sin. Satan cast doubt on God’s Word in order to lead the man and woman to doubt to, lose credibility in God and His Word, to weaken their resolve, and get them to not believe and obey what the LORD had stated to them in 2:17 (Genesis 3:1). Then the enemy altered what God had said (2:17) by adding a word (“not” — Genesis 3:4) This led to the fall of mankind into sin. New “bibles” equals/is apostasy and there could be no other spirit behind these corruptions of God’s words but “the spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:3).
It’s interesting that the Bible uses the phrases “many antichrists” and also “many, which corrupt the word of God” (1 John 2:18; 2 Corinthians 2:17).
“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17
There’s a direct connection between the snake in the Garden, animated by Satan, and those who question and pervert the words of God today.
“…ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.” Jeremiah 23:36
Perverting the words of God comes in many and various ways. His time is short and Satan is on an all-out offensive and many do not see it (1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:12).
How can anyone involved with, or agreeing with, or defending the changing of God’s Word be anything but an antichrist?
From our growing knowledge of God’s Word, just WHAT “spirit” do we think is behind the removal of the very “BLOOD” of Jesus from Colossians 1:14 in the new versions? Certainly we know this was “that spirit of antichrist” and surely we can conclude that is could only be “that spirit of antichrist” anointing, behind those who defend those who attack corruptions of God’s Word.
SO YOU agree with SATAN having removed the BLOOD of Jesus from Colossians 1:14? You are going to take sides with Satan himself against the Almighty you pretend to serve?
If your “bible” doesn’t have the BLOOD of Jesus in Colossians 1:14, you are now accountable. God knows you know!
The antichrists by Stacy Strother:
“I think it is worthy to mention that John is addressing the church in with this passage (1 John 4:1-3). He is warning the people, God‘s people, to be on the watch, and to be doctrinally ready to discern that antichrist spirit. I believe John is imploring the church that these antichrists are not just a bunch of people out in the world that noticeably hate God, but they are people who seem to appreciate God, who pretend to be saved. No, rather that they are coming from WITHIN the church body, serving a separate or different agenda and doctrine.
I believe the latest false doctrines that have emerged over the last 20 – 30 years are part of this antichrist spirit, which is basically a doctrine. WOF, the emergent church, IHOP, NAR and so on, all seep with the stench of this antichrist spirit.
John is telling them that they are living in the last hour and that the antichrist spirit is not just coming, it is abounding now, presently, within the professing church world.
A thought to glean from this might be that John was teaching his disciples that there would be certain doctrines come forth that might argue that Jesus left, and His kingdom is so distant that it doesn’t really affect our lives here and now. By doing this, it would leave room for the false teachers to implement a devised doctrine. Such doctrines would appear as authentic, but rather when the student of the Word peers into those false doctrines, he finds that it is actually another Jesus altogether. It is antichrist.”
Paul L. Freeman writes:
“Are we to believe the scholars when they tell us that no important doctrines are affected by the new Modern Versions? It is obvious that they are not correct. What they really mean to say is that when all the changes have been made the Bible Doctrines are still there somewhere else in the Bible. If there are ten verses showing the Virgin Birth of Christ, and they have removed two, there are still eight remaining to prove the doctrine. That may satisfy them, but the Fundamental believer sees that as a piece by piece destruction of the Word of God.
We would accuse them of taking away from the Word of God. They would accuse us of using a Bible which has many additions inserted by overzealous Christian copyists. The issue now becomes quite clear. We must either believe that overzealous heretics have corrupted the original Word of God or believe that overzealous believers have added to the original Word of God. I can understand why heretics would want to corrupt the original Word of God, but I cannot believe that Christians would add one word to the Word of God which they have been entrusted to copy and pass along. The Spirit of God within Christians would put a holy awe and reverence around the sacred word and guided by that same Spirit they would copy what God had given them. My conclusion is that the new Modern Versions are based on Greek manuscripts that have been corrupted by heretics who changed the Word of God to agree with their rejection of the Deity of Christ and their Humanism regarding salvation. The Greek Text underlying the King James Version is not filled with additions made by overzealous Christians. It is the Word of God preserved by the Spirit of God and it exalts the Lord Jesus Christ, giving him his proper place and the glory due unto his name.” | Bible Doctrines Affected by Modern Version (includes the deity of Christ maligned and attacked)
Anyone who participates in heretical doctrine or practices proves themselves to be under the control of “another spirit” which is the same devil as in the Garden of Eden, right? Read this, the Holy Spirit’s warning to us from Paul the apostles. Paul is seeing the body of Christ as Adam and Eve before they were beguiled by the serpent:
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled (deceived) Eve through his subtilty (cunning trickery), so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-4
“the simplicity that is in Christ” would be what is recorded about Christ the Messiah in God’s Word with nothing added or taken away.
- “another Jesus” – as in one that was not born of a virgin, was not God, did not die and rise bodily, etc.
- “another spirit” – that evil “spirit of antichrist” behind the denigration of Christ, the attempt to rob Him of His glory (Colossians 2:18-19).
- “another gospel” – a message, a false gospel that does not uphold Christ as that “the record” of Holy Scripture reveals Him.
Divine Commands Forbidding the Altering of God’s Words/Word
The obvious mission of Satan, “that spirit of antichrist” is to deceive and to destroy and to devour the saints of Christ. Adam and Eve were in perfect, sinless communion with God, right? Right. How did Satan derail them—get them removed from His holy presence? He simply questioned and changed the words of God.
If a person is not opposed to the desecration of “the RECORD that God gave of his Son”, such a person is against Christ. Such a person is not with but rather against the LORD—regardless of his mere profession (Matthew 12:30; Titus 1:16). Isn’t the very definition of antichrist to be opposed to or against Christ, right?
What do we call anyone pretending to be an American who “shreds the Constitution”? A traitor right? And traitors are worthy of death, right?
At this dark time in the history of Israel, the Scriptures had been lost and out of circulation among the people of God. Then they were found and read before the king, king Jehoiakim (the son of Josiah) and his servants. As a result, conviction of sin came and certain parts of God’s Word were rejected and thrown into the fire to burned and to be vanished out of their presence. Jehoiakim was a Bible burner. What he didn’t like, due to the darkness of his own heart, he thought in vain that he could just burn it and that it would go away. Not.
“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Psalms 89:34
This is a fascinating occurrence captured, recorded in Jeremiah 36 that is transpiring today in full scale, perpetrated by false leaders like king Jehoiakim (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Read Jeremiah 36. Remember that anyone participating in the altering of God’s words, is an antichrist.
“Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” Proverbs 13:13
Anyone defending the altering of God’s Word, which is what the new “bibles” have done, is under the control of a devil, the murderer who rebelled in eternity past, was cast to the earth, and began his war against God and His people by casting doubt upon and changing His words (Genesis 2:17; 3:1, 4).
If altering, changing God’s Word isn’t satanic, nothing is! See Genesis 2:17; 3:1, 4; 2 and Corinthians 2:1
New “bibles” are altered versions of God’s pure Word. They are the altering, the changing of “the RECORD that God gave of his Son”. The very premise of such is forbidden by the LORD (Deuteronomy 4:2; Jeremiah 26:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Mark 13:31; Revelation 22:18-19). Read these carefully, prayerfully:
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6
“… for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.” Jeremiah 23:36
“Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:” Jeremiah 26:2
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Mark 13:31
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19
“Antichrist” simply means to oppose or more insidiously, to put something, anything in front of, in place of the Jesus Christ divinely testified to in “the record” of Holy Writ.
There are “many antichrists” and anyone opposing or putting something or someone (including self) in front of Christ is an idolater and in my opinion can be referred to as an antichrist.
“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” 2 John 1:7
Anyone defending these alterations of “the record that God gave of his Son” is under the control of “the spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:1-3). In their allowing the very words of God to be perverted is the denial of “the record” or the recorded testimony that Jesus Christ is God.
It all goes back to what he did in the Garden (Genesis 3:1; 2:17>3:4): If you want to discern the work of Satan in this late hour and how he has “come down with great wrath,” look at the changing of God’s Word via the new versions (Revelation 12:12).
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