When to Reconcile and When NOT to [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and IF HE REPENT, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4

Though we should forgive from our hearts those who harm us, forgiving seems to be spoken of here as concerning bringing them back into fellowship. It’s one thing to forgive someone in your heart and another thing to continue to spend time and energy on a relationship with them.

Of this passage, John Wesley wrote:

“If he sin against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day return, saying, I repent – That is, if he give sufficient proof that he does really repent, after having sinned ever so often, receive him just as if he had never sinned against thee. But this forgiveness is due only to real penitents. In a lower sense we are to forgive all, penitent or impenitent; (so as to bear them the sincerest good will, and to do them all the good we can;) and that not seven times only, but seventy times seven.”

Wondering about reconciling with someone? You will know when someone should be back in your life when they truly repent and openly confess their sins before the LORD and their offence against you. And, until they do this, you can know they have not repented before the LORD. WHEN they truly repent before the LORD, He will send them back to you to sincerely admit they were wrong. Fruit.

God requires that we forgive and yet, He also instructed us not to give our pearls to the swine – don’t put yourself in harms way unnecessarily by remaining in fellowship with those who have not truly repented and therefore are under the influence, the control of and operate according to the agenda of their father, the devil – to steal, to kill, and to destroy (Mark 11:25-26; Matthew 7:6; John 10:10).

“Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27

God’s Word commands us to forgive and yet, this is qualified. That’s not all it says.

QUESTION RECEIVED:

“Are we to still forgive them even if they never repent to God or apologize to us? What is true forgiveness? The world has their ways but I want to know what it really looks like.”

REPLY:

Yes we must forgive and yet, receiving them back into our lives seems to be another issue.

We must of necessity view all things from the full counsel of God’s Word. Remember: It was the LOVE and MERCY manifested to the unrepentant fornicator which was the goodness of God which led him to repentance, lest he perish irrevocably in hell.

In Luke 17, Jesus seems to teach that we are not to let some offending brother back until they repent. He is not to be shown the LORD’s acceptance until he truly repents and that will always bring forth making amends with those he’s offended (fruit). Offending one of God’s children is punishable by eternal damnation:

“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:1-2

This teaching from our LORD seems to coincide with His teaching about not giving that which is holy to dogs (Matthew 7:6). Church Discipline

Forgive unconditionally from the heart yes and yet there’s the Luke 17:1-4 teaching.

PERHAPS we should today consider that God is attempting to protect His children. Following His wisdom, His Word, will do just that (Proverbs 30:5). Those who allow a swine, a heretic, to remain in close range, will again be stabbed in the back by that swine (Matthew 7:6; Titus 3:10). Swine – unrepentant evil doers are to be rejected (Titus 3:10). In this life, there are people you will have to forgive and also, to get out of your life, to keep them at a distance. Beware of the Swine

“Years ago I was hurt by a certain person, and when I found myself in a prayer meeting with that one lady I felt I should ask her for forgiveness if I had offended her someway and the Lord spoke clearly and immediately, saying, ‘Do not cast your pearls before swine’ and stopped me seconds before I asked.” Anita A.

Perhaps we can say that if we forgive too early, we may hurt someone – prevent them getting right with God due to the divine working of repentance not being able to take its full course.

“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Repentance is a yielding to the conviction of the Spirit upon our conscience. Repentance is a work of God and yet GOD requires that we hearken to it. Repentance is an absolute work of God and yes He made it an essential (Luke 13:3, 5, etc.). Repentance is the very first word of the Gospel (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31, etc.).

“True repentance is actually speaking of firstly an internal change more than outward expression or external change of behavior.”

The inward change by the working of the Spirit of God will always bring the fruit of that change on the outward (Matthew 3:7-10). In this case that would bring forth the fruit of an apology, readily confessing ones sin, wrongdoing – a leaving of ones gift before the altar until things are cleared up (Matthew 5:23-24; James 5:16).

Repentance is a gift and yet that gift must be received and CAN be rejected:

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will GIVE (it’s a gift) them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Remember, when someone sins against God by deliberately harming a one of God’s people, it’s only because their own heart is not right with God.

The consequences for harming one of Christ’s people is severe and will be eternally irrevocably if that sinning soul isn’t brought to repentance. Jesus issues this severe warning:

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6

When a professing believer wrongs you, this is no excuse to retain hatred in your heart toward them even though there’s a separation and before there’s a reconciliation or restoring of fellowship. God will not forgive us lest we forgive others from our hearts (Matthew 6:14-16; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-25).

God is not going to bless our lives unless we are willing to sincerely admit our sins, repent and confess them, and make amends (restitution) with anyone we’ve harmed (Proverbs 28:13). In the divine economy, there’s no such thing as being right with God when you’ve done another person wrong, haven’t repented, and haven’t made amends for what you’ve done. Such a person will be outside of the will and blessings of God until he makes things right with God and man (Matthew 5:23-24; 7:12; 22:37-39).

God will not answer the prayer of any person who does not honor and obey His Word and if a person has an outstanding offense He wants them to clear up these matters (Proverbs 28:9, 13).

The LORD requires that His people “examine” and “judge” themselves.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine and honest judge yourself and amend your ways or God will judge you.

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

Divine wisdom and mercy would have the offending, backslidden believer to be restored and He has chosen His people to be His “ministers of reconciliation” in such matters due to desiring that none should perish (2 Corinthians 5:18; 2 Peter 3:9).

When the believer forgives and restores an unrepentant sinning saint, giving that approval, they short circuit the repentance needed in the offending party and without which God will not forgive them. So, they stand in danger of hell fire.

Also, when we restore a departed saint who has not truly repented before God and rendered the fruit of true repentance by sincerely admitting and apologizing to us, we bring a “swine” back into our lives who will certainly stab us in the back again (Matthew 7:6). Jesus instructed us not to do this.

When you allow an offending person back into your life without them having truly repent and show that by their fruits, you have brought a swine in to wreak more havoc.

If you seek to reconcile with someone who has clearly attacked you without their real, sincere repentance before God and confession to you of their wrong doing, it’s just going to be a patch job that will again end tragically. They are still a “swine” until after they hearken to the LORD’s conviction and repent.

Jesus instructed us:

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:6

“Wait, the Bible says we must forgive no matter what.”

Good point. Can we seek to sort this out as we seek out the whole counsel of Scripture? Jesus says:

“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Matthew 18:35

This is in context with a man who was wronged and humbling asking for forgiveness. Read Matthew 18:21-35 for the context.

Are we to forgive no matter what or are we to forgive freely, unlimited those who truly repent? Perhaps “forgive” in this context below is dealing with restoring that person back to fellowship.

“IF he repent”

The words of Jesus immediately preceding the above passage are very important….

The LORD is a God of Restoration! | God’s Desire to have Unity Among the Brethren

Subverted Hereticks [podcast]

WHY Christians Sin and the Only Solution

The Miracle Working Power of God Manifesting in Your Daily Life [podcast]

Abiding

Modern Day Cult of Personality Exposed [podcast]

What is the Cult of Personality?

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

Beware when you see any mere man enshrined, basically worshipped by his followers. This is all too common in today’s church world and sometimes it’s very subtle. When people begin putting what a mere man says above what God says in His Word, when they quote him instead of the Bible, you know you have a cult.

One source notes:

“A cult of personality, or a cult of the leader, is the result of an effort to create an idealized and heroic image of an admirable leader, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.”‘

CS Lewis has a cult following today, 100%. I’ve encountered it first hand. These people don’t care what you show them as far as the blatant falsehoods he spoke, and have soul tied their affections to him and will defend him no matter what.

A quick search on “what CS Lewis said about the Catholic church”…

“As an Anglican, C.S. Lewis shared many beliefs with the Catholic Church, including the Real Presence in the Eucharist, the necessity of confession, and a belief in Purgatory. However, he explicitly rejected papal authority, the concept of papal infallibility, and certain Marian doctrines.

Shared Beliefs

Lewis held a deeply sacramental and traditional view of Christianity, which aligned closely with Catholic theology:

The Sacraments: He regularly went to confession to a priest and viewed the Eucharist as central to the faith.

The Afterlife: He famously argued that “our souls demand Purgatory”, writing that we would naturally want to be cleansed of our sins before standing in God’s presence.

Devotion: He had a high view of saints and appreciated traditional liturgical practices.”

The same is true for modern day celebrities such as Candace Owens. On a recent live broadcast where she interviewed a man, he showed her live on air, that she was wrong about several things and kindly asked her to apologize several times. Regrettably, Candace was unwilling to apologize, and most of her cult followers backed her up, cheered her on.

She was called to account for false info and didn’t apologize when asked to.

Her followers cheered her on, never stopping to question things.

Their hearts are set on her not Christ (Colossians 3:1-4).

No matter WHAT she says, they believe it.

Wow.

Jesus says:

“I receive not honour from men. … 44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” John 5:41, 44

By saying this, Jesus condemns putting trust in any mere man.

Jesus makes it clear here that anyone who puts their heart affections in a mere man or woman, is unable to believe on the LORD Jesus Christ for eternal life.

“And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:6-7

“4:6 He first explains that in speaking about the Christian ministry and the tendency to follow human leaders (3:5-4:5), he used himself and Apollos as the examples. The Corinthians were not forming parties around Paul and Apollos alone, but also around other men who were then in their church. However, out of a sense of Christian courtesy and delicacy, Paul transferred the entire matter to himself and Apollos so that by their example the saints would learn not to have exaggerated opinions of their leaders or to gratify their pride by the formation of parties. He wanted the saints to evaluate everything and everyone by the Scriptures.
4:7 If one Christian teacher is more gifted than another, it is because God made him so. Everything he has, he received from the Lord. In fact it is true of all of us that everything we have has been given to us by God. That being the case, why should we be proud or puffed up? Our talents and gifts are not the result of our own cleverness.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.” John 8:37

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 139:4-5

“A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” Jeremiah 17:12

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5

“that no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

“2:5 Paul knew that there was the utmost danger that his hearers might be interested in himself or in his own personality rather than in the living Lord. Conscious of his own inability to bless or to save, he determined that he would lead men to trust in God alone rather than in the wisdom of men. All who proclaim the gospel message or teach the word of God should make this their constant aim.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.” Psalms 17:2

“Sentence” here means verdict.

Prayer of Repentance to be Restored to the LORD: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ and by His precious blood He shed to make me one with You, I come to you—in my sinful state. LORD, I openly acknowledge that I have departed from You and sinfully rebelled against You in the sin of idolatry. Right this moment, if never before, I call upon You, Holy Father, asking You to forgive my sins, to change my life, to break me to the core of my being. I fully believe that Jesus Christ is God Almighty, that He came in the flesh, lived a sinless life as the very only begotten Son of God, died on the cross for the sins of mankind, was buried, rose again from the dead, and is soon going to return! I love You my LORD Jesus and from this moment forward, I am all Yours! I will follow You according to Your Word and Holy Spirit. Please fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me every day of my life that You grant! In Jesus’ name, amen!

CS Lewis Category

“Give Us a King!” [podcast]

“Give us a King.” 1 Samuel 8:6 As it was at the tower of Babel where fallen mankind sought to have their own way, do their own thing without God, independent of their Maker, so it is today (Genesis 11). Nimrod, an antichrist, ruled over them. Then when there was no king, anarchy reigned. “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges 17:6 Yet when the people wanted anarchy gone, instead of seeking the LORD, they raised up mere sinful men and yet, mankind is fallen. The final example […]

C.S. Lewis Exposed [podcast]

“I have the deepest respect for Pagan myths, still more for myths in the Holy Scriptures” (PP, p.71). CS Lewis In the above quote from C.S. Lewis, not only did he announce his “respect for Pagan myths” but also called the contents of the Bible “myths.” But Jesus called God’s Word “truth” when He prayed to the Father, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) Any man who can read these quotes from this devil in the flesh, CS Lewis, and not wholesale reject him and his heresies, is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. “Tell most ‘Christians’ anything negative […]

Abiding

The Cross and the Throne of Grace [podcast]

“Hid with Christ in God”

“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.” Colossians 3:1-4

The safest place in the universe is in the cross of Christ: “your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Our place of protection is in the love walk with the LORD where we express our love for Him in obedience to Him. Jesus commanded that we deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Him. We are full of troubles and so it should be easy to relinquish all to Him!

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Job 14:1

In Christ alone is our rest from the toil of this life.

“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, please bring me to the end of sinful self. Rebuke and remove the foolishness of this heart! I love You LORD and thank You that I am crucified with You today and that You are raising up this life for Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]

What Final Statements Did Jesus Make on the Cross and What Did They Mean? Our LORD Jesus Christ said 7 things while as He was offering His body and precious, sinless blood to buy us back to God. He was suffering for the sins of mankind and for no sin of His own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:18). He was shedding His blood to Re-deem (buy us back) and that’s what Jesus did for “the whole world” when He died on the cross, was buried, and raised again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 2:2). […]

THE ESSENTIAL IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTOLOGY [podcast]

WHO do WE say that Jesus is? “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8), and He is asking us the exact questions today that He asked His disciples while on earth. “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Matthew 16:13 “But whom say ye that I am?” Matthew 16:15 Jesus is asking each of us “What are others saying of Me and Who do you say that I am?” In other words, perhaps He’s asking us “In a world of many swirling ideas about Me, who do you say that […]

Abiding

“I Will Uphold Thee with the Right Hand of My Righteousness” [podcast]

One source notes:

“‘I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness’ is a famous promise from the Bible found in Isaiah 41:10 (KJB). It is a comforting verse offering reassurance against fear, with ‘the right hand of my righteousness’ symbolizing God’s divine power, justice, and support.”

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

Help Me Jesus!

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. … For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:10, 13

“When we are in the fire of affliction it’s easy to feel afraid and wonder if God is there. Many of the great men of the Bible became discouraged and broken. But the secret was they took it to God in all honesty! In Job 3 he expressed a desire to die. But yet he said in Job 19:25 ‘For I know my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:’ David said in Psalm 56:9 ‘When I cry into thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’ And we know Jeremiah, Jonah, Elijah, etc. all had moments of despair and suffering, but the Lord continued to uphold and encourage them. Their faith did not waver even in the midst of doubt and confusion!” Karen Cochran

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Psalms 118:6

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 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? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

“in thy presence is fulness of joy”

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11

“at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”

"Blessed are the Poor In Spirit" [podcast]

Jesus’ longest recorded message to His people stands on the foundation of the very first words our Savior uttered in this sermon on the mount. The foundational truth of the entire sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) is found in the very first words of our LORD when unveiling this elaborate, far-reaching, and profound message to His disciples of all ages. Here are His first words: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 Note, “poor in spirit.” Not poor financially or religiously. The two should be mutually exclusive. The Greek word translated into English as “poor” is PTOCHOS. It […]

The Book of Revelation Narrated [podcast]

Chapter 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which […]