Where Are My Sins Rooted?

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WHERE is “the Root of the Matter”?

The hypocrite continues to look outward, evading his own person responsbility to repent and get his own heart right with God (Matthew 7:1-5).

ALL we have to do to see the sinner most in need of God’s grace today – is look in the mirror. All we have to do to see the hypocrite most in need of divine mercy is to look in the mirror! What’s job saying to us in 19:28?

“But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?” Job 19:28

Are you personally seeing that “the root of the matter is found in” you and no one else?

WHERE is “the Root of the Matter”? ARE YOU BEING SHOWN MERCY FROM GOD? God has shown “abundant mercy” upon our wicked souls and requires that we show mercy in our attitudes (and disposition) toward others, or, He will cease to forgive us and all our sins will be upon us (required of us). (1 Peter 1:3)

The LORD is our Maker and Judge and has called us to discover and deal firstly with the sin in our own hearts and lives.

Matthew 15:18-20

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceedevil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.”

According to the One who created each component of us, emanating from our hearts are the things which “defile” us.

It has been wisely stated that The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9.

The only hope we have for a “clean heart” is in the LORD Himself. Like David, the Psalmist and man after God’s heart, we should cry out to the LORD for such while flooding our hearts and minds with the Scriptures, hence the Biblical term “with the washing of water by the Word.” (Eph. 5:26)

David cried:

“…Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin…Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:1,2,10

When I become preoccupied with the state of my own heart before God and seeking His face to make it “clean,” I will cease to sit in the seat of the scornful in judging others wrongly in the attitudes of my heart (Ps 1:1; Matt. 7:1-6; John 7:24). No, instead I will pray for them and seek to see the LORD restore them to full righteousness and fellowship with Him Lk. 22:31-32; (Gal. 6:1-2; James 5:19-20).

Unforgiveness is sin. Despising others who have fallen morally is sin. The Bible says that when we are walking in God’s love, we believe to the best about others and not the worst (1 Corinthians 13).

Christ’s Riches Discovered Through the Realization of Our Own Depravity

To the degree that we are receiving the revelation of CHRIST’s righteousness, to that degree we lose self-righteousness (Romans 3-8). Understanding your own utter depravity is never a license to sin but rather the starting point to be able to truly cherish Christ and what He did for us.

How can we possibly begin to appreciate Christ and His perfect sacrifice if we don’t yet begin to understand the depth of our own depravity outside of Him and what the Bible has to say about such? – “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)

We are saved because “He first loved us” and has given us “abundant mercy” through Jesus Christ our LORD (1 John 4:19; 1 Peter 1:3).

“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7

Where are Mankind’s Sins Rooted?

—- SEEMS to me that the life and mission of Christ and His holy apostles and the early church were “to teach and to preach Jesus Christ” and not to segment or fragment into different mere causes which are the out workings (manifested fruit) of sin.

So many ministries today are based on certain causes instead of simply preaching Christ – the One who still forgives, saves, delivers, and sets the repentant (previously bound) captives free (John 8:31-32, 36). – “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42) Is it time we get back to Jesus and the original Gospel?

“And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. 20 And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. 21 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. 22 So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.” 2 Kings 2:19-22

The waters of that city were healed because the servant of the LORD chose to be directed by our LORD who had him pure the healing agent (salt) into the source of the city’s problem. Healing was the result. So it is today – when we observe and obey the divine pattern revealed to us in God’s Word, we go and preach His saving original Gospel without being diverted and the healing salt of His Word brings men to Him whereby all the mere symptoms (sin) are healed.

If someone wants their lawn to be all dirt, they are wasting their time cutting the grass that covers it. What they should do is pluck up from the roots all the grass. Getting to the root of fallen man’s problem is what the LORD does – not wrestling with futility with the symptoms.

THE ROOT DETERMINES THE FRUIT. BEING ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN CHRIST IS THE ONLY ANSWER TO MAN’S CORE DILEMMA – SIN.

Most ministry today is done amiss of God’s Word – it seems to nip at symptoms instead of placing the axe of God’s Law/Word to the root of the tree which is God’s way (Matthew 3:7-10). There’s the forgetting or total ignorance of basic biblical truth such as the fall of mankind by sin against a Holy God (Genesis 3:1-5; 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3, etc.).

Note what comes first here:

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10

PRAYER: LORD Jesus, please cleanse my heart of all iniquity. Wash my heart that I might glorify You from a clean heart that You have purified. Help me to see others as You do and to be used of You to restore the fallen – by bringing them to You through Your Holy Law and blessed redeeming Gospel! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Root of the Matter

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Matthew 7:6

“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.”

God’s wisdom is that you have to get rid of the “SCORNER” in order to get rid of the “STRIFE”.

“Cast out the SCORNER, and contention shall go out; yea, STRIFE and reproach shall cease.” Proverbs 22:10

How do we know when someone has truly repented?

“… to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” Acts 26:20

When someone has truly repented, their changed life will be full of the fruit of the Spirit.

“Bring forth fruits meet for repentance” simply means prove you’ve repented with the corresponding restitution of making things right (Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 19:8-9, etc.).

Luke 17

1 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.
3 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.

“And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.” 2 Thessalonians 3:2

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16

Jesus saw the heart and proof of Zacchaeus’ repentance and granted him salvation.

“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:8-10

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Rich in Faith [podcast]

“Them that Love Him”

——WHAT one temporarily has in this fleeting world or doesn’t have, has NOTHING to do with that person’s spiritual state. This is what Jesus taught: “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) In fact James says:

“HEARKEN, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, HATH NOT GOD CHOSEN THE POOR OF THIS WORLD RICH IN FAITH, AND HEIRS OF THE KINGDOM WHICH HE HATH PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM?” JAMES 2:5

James says God chooses those for His eternal kingdom “that love him,” namely “the poor of this world.” We are justified by “faith” and not by what we do or do not temporarily possess in this fleeting life.

IF in your mind you rate people by what they have or don’t have in this fleeting sinful world, you are deeply deceived and in utter need of repentance and the washing of water by the Word of God. You are carnally minded (Romans 8:5-6).

Regrettably, it seems that most people professing to be following Christ, the One who gave all, are not the least bit concerned if their brother or sister has a need. God have mercy upon us and grant us repentance in Jesus’ Name! Are these people truly saved?

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” 1 John 3:16-19

“If we are in Jesus we have the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8). Unfathomable (in our small minds), infinite wealth and spiritual blessings! Endless mercy, grace, and forgiveness. That is inexhaustible! Why do we need any worldly riches that will rot and corrupt our hearts!? Lay up in your hearts God’s riches! Which are eternal!” Karen Cochran

Some have tens of thousands in the bank and could care less to find out if a sister or brother has a need. The Bible assures us that they are not saved. If you have even a little to give and don’t, it’s because you simply have chosen not to know and abide in Christ.

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:14-17

The financial institutions and their salesmen are vying for your money. They want your money to invest so that you and they earn a financial gain in this life. Christians in need, orphans, and Gospel workers are also available to invest in. To help them is to invest in the LORD’s kingdom and be repaid dividends for eternity. Oh, and your heart will follow where you choose to place your money. Jesus says “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)

PRAYER: Holy Father, please break me and make me Your authentic follower. Jesus I love You. Let me walk as You walked, live as You lived, love as You love. Bless this life You gave to be truly crucified with You – dead, buried, and raised up – a vessel of honor for Your glory! In Jesus’ name.

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“Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.” Proverbs 20:18

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalms 37:23

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12

“Safety” in wise counsel from God’s wisdom, Word, and including at times with the help of His beloved saints.

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14

“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.” Proverbs 21:31

“For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 24:6

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“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:13-18

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