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“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? … For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:1-2, 14

Are you familiar with Romans 6 as every disciple should be? If so, you know that between verse 2 and 14 is what? The cross!

A priesthood of wolves, false preachers, have pawned off to us the heretical notion that we are woefully relegated to a life of sin after Jesus saves us. Paul warns us of these “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

Is this defeatist perspective what we read on the pages of New Testament Scripture? Is God that powerless? Was Christ’s coming in vain? Read Romans 6:1-2.

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:5-6 

Abiding in Jesus (John 15), integrally involves the daily cross, and those abiding in Him truly, are not living in sin.

The cross means that because we love God supremely as the “first love” of our lives, we are willing to lay down our lives and die that He might live, move, and reign in our lives (Revelation 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Isn’t this exactly what Jesus did for us? Did He not lay down His very life so we could have life? Did He not also command that we deny ourselves, die to self, that He might reign in us and that we might reign with Him forever?

It all boils down to WHO we love the most today saints – self or the Savior.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

IF the sins of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) are having victory in our lives, what does that mean? That simply means that there is the lack of the cross in our lives and that God is calling us back to Himself as “first love,” to repent (turn back to Him), deny self, take up the cross, and follow Jesus (Revelation 2:4-5). The sins of the flesh are resident in every one of us and can only be crucified out of our lives by the daily cross! Jesus is so good and more than able saints! Oh, and He told as that we are not alone is such a battle. He promised that “through the Spirit” we can have the whole victory over the flesh! Read Romans 8:13-14.

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:13-14

YOU are not a slave to sin but rather a friend and servant of Christ! Read Romans 6.

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.” Romans 6:12 

“I was personally not able to get out of my own way. I finally began to accept it when people and adverse circumstances pushed me out of my own way. I learned not to fight to regain my own way.”

Paul’s flesh was and our flesh is a constant reminder of the ever momentary need for the grace of Jesus. Romans chapters 6-7.

Until you realize the depth of your own iniquity, depravity, you’re not going to realize or understand the purpose of the cross Jesus mandated you to take up. The Son of God ordained Himself to be at the center of your daily life and that requires you getting out of the way (Genesis 6:5; 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18, 24, etc.).

Every believer grapples with the downward gravitational pull of the flesh (Galatians 5:17; Hebrews 12:4). Obeying God is the only way victory will erupt, manifest in our personal lives (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Death and burial will be followed by resurrection! And, when Christ is truly reigning is us, victory will be sure! Time to get down low and watch the devil and sin go! See James 4:6-10.

“GOD is able” saith the LORD! (Ephesians 3:20)

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20

The law of God is “holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12).

The holy law of God and the depraved nature of fallen mankind could not be further apart – the righteousness of God inherent in His law vs the “old man,” the iniquitous fallen nature of mankind (Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9).

Nothing but a caustic reaction, explosion could be the result of the two colliding (Romans 7). One or the other must reign.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17

For your own edification, you may wish to peruse this category linked here.

The Christian life will not work without the power generator of the cross. Let the addiction begin – as the resurrection life of Christ fills, teems in, and works through His crucified saints! Read 2 Corinthians 4:10-12. Are you ready to exchange your sin, guilt, misery, and shame for Christ’s resurrection life? Cross – Resurrection Gospel Life

Those who claim to know Jesus and have no victory over sin in their daily lives, are not abiding in Christ according to HIS definition! That would mean that Jesus isn’t powerful enough to conquer the sin He died to free His people from! No, such a person is not in obedience to the cross message Christ and his apostles gave us – which means they are not following Jesus on His terms (Galatians 2:20, etc.).

Lately I’ve been pointing Christians I meet back to their water baptism after Jesus saved them and how that was the symbolism of how their life in Christ was to go from that point onward – they are dead, buried, and Christ is raising them upward. This is the only way the Christian life works. The cross life is the power generator for our whole life in Christ saints (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Nothing else works without it.

IT would be impossible for a preacher to be taking up the cross himself and not be preaching the cross, the crucified life. What’s that say for America’s preachers? (Philippians 3:18-19)

The dictates of the flesh, the motions of sins, will reign and wreak havoc in our lives until the cross takes its proper place to bring a crucified vessel to naught. Romans 6 and 7 summated.

Sin is avoidable, right? Yes. Jesus Christ died to take away our sins and not to enable us to live in them (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; Titus 2:11-14, etc.). Note the word “IF” in this following verse. It does not say WHEN but rather “IFFFF any man sin.” Big difference. Watch this…

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And IF (not when) any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2

There really is victory in Jesus – meaning that when we do things the simple way He prescribed, not following a cross-less false message, victory will manifest in our personal lives as God has ordained that it be!

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

You see, just previous to this resurrection “victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” Paul is speaking of in 1 Corinthians 15, he says “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Life can only spring out of death (John 12:23-25). Daily dying and the consequent raising up of the LORD causes a foretaste of what lies ahead in eternal glory with our LORD.

The Cross – death, burial, and resurrection – grants God’s people a “daily” foretaste of glory divine!

The whole of New Testament doctrine testifies to the necessity of experiencing our own death in order to be raised up by Christ eternally (2 Timothy 2:11-12, etc.).

When we truly “follow” Jesus, who went to His own death in order to be raised, we see the same in our own lives as the Gospel takes its place daily in us. We are dead, buried, and raised again to new life in Christ daily.

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

In the professing church world, the Gospel, the work of Christ is seen only as that which the Son of God accomplished on the cross 2,000 years ago. Yet, that’s not what Jesus and His holy apostles taught. The Gospel is “daily” according to the original Gospel.

Jesus Christ Died to Grant His People the Whole Victory

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from ALL iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-14

In light of the biblical revelation of the fallen nature and the cross, there’s no need to wonder WHY we sin if we sin. If the “old man” is not “put off” by the daily cross life, there will be sin in our daily lives and we know that brings dismal results (Romans 6-7; Colossians 3:9, etc.) right? SO, we must see that our weakness reveals that Christ was not reigning in us when we sinned, right? Right (Romans 6-7).

God is able! (Ephesians 3:20)

In Colossians 3:9 we read this:

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9

Yet, what precedes this? Watch this, just a few verses before the one above:

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

This crucified life Jesus prescribes must not only be recognized positionally but also practically, daily in our personal lives. That is what brings the victory Jesus died to procure for each and every one of His saints in whom He has all His delight (Psalms 16:3).

The same Savior who said “It is finished (HIS work, not yours) also said that to follow Him, one must daily deny himself and take up his cross (Luke 9:23-24).

Putting off the old sinful man is only divinely possible when we “reckon (count) ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11).

In short, the answer to the question posed… If we sin, we are to:

Admit it, repent, confess the sin transparently, and get back to the cross – lay down your life afresh and march forth – “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

Yet, we all wonder…. How do we continue to live in God’s overcoming grace? How do we live consistently in Christ, glorying Him daily?

The Solution – What it is and What it’s Not

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Read together, as this is written, it begins to come clear that the cross necessarily precedes the transforming of our minds, right? Read this again please. Notice that as the born again saint presents himself a living sacrifice (the cross), he is then divinely enabled to be transformed by a renewed mindset – attitude, cross perspective – where Christ reigns, not us!

Transform your thinking? Yes and yet that’s only generated by the cross. Read Romans 12:1-2 together. The answer to glorifying God is not better mastery of our thoughts. No it’s not trying harder – but rather dying deeper. No, it’s not having a positive mental attitude (PMA). Instead, it’s worshipful faith-obedience to God – a consenting to the cross where you say “Jesus, I want YOU to reign in my life!”

Sure those things like thinking on the things of Christ play a part and yet, without the cross nothing works (Philippians 4:8).

Lots of people today preach peripherals and not the primary – the cross. Regrettably, there is no cross in the modern false gospel, which makes it “another gospel” and false (Galatians 1:6-9).

Jesus is Coming but for Who?

“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

So we know from Scripture that Jesus will return for “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemis.” (Ephesians 5:25-27). So it is clear to see that Jesus is going to return for a people, His people. His people are defined in Scripture as those who are simply obeying His instruction to deny self, take up the cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). Here is the message of Savior – the only prescription for following Him:

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

Becoming saturated in the central Gospel message of the cross, is essential to being rooted and grounded in Christ and thereby receiving His divine grace to overcome. This is exactly why the ministry site features the cross category – for your edification in your walk with Jesus. Peruse….

Becoming Saturated in the Message of the Cross

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Articles

How Do You Get Around the Idea That All Israel Shall be Saved? Steve Gregg [video]

“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:” Romans 9:6

“The remnant shall be saved, not the race.” Steve Gregg

If one reads Romans Chapters 9-11, he will see that all the way through, it was only a remnant that would truly believe.” unknown

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Articles

Bearing the Precious Seed of God’s Word [podcast]


“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (harvest) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6 

A harvest of blessed souls is going to be the result, the ministry produce, the fruit of all who bear and distribute, scatter the seed of the incorruptible Word of God into the hearts of men (1 Peter 1:23).

The LORD didn’t say “go explain who I am to other people.” No, He said “preach the word” and “preach the gospel” (2 Timothy 4:2; Mark 16:15).

Our cute little thoughts and sayings are not even within the same universe of power as the Word of God. Obey God. “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). We can’t explain someone into salvation. No, only God can draw and convict the lost soul and He instructed us to simply communicate His Word to them.

Instead of doing just another little video of yourself or posting a nice little saying, trying to entice people to Christ, why not just post HIS Word – the KJB? You and I have no power to save anyone, not even yourself (John 6:44; 12:32). Only Jesus can do that and He told you to go preach His Gospel and not try to entertain people into His kingdom (Mark 16:15).

“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

When this revelation (recorded for us in Isaiah 55:11) truly hits and settles in your heart, you will never be the same.

People need to hear from God, not us. Have you memorized Isaiah 55:11?

IF Jesus taught something and we’re not teaching it – it’s because we are not following Him correctly – on HIS stated terms (Matthew 28:18-20; John 8:47; 2 Timothy 3:16; 4:2-4, etc.). Are you following Jesus Christ or mere man? Do you preach Christ and His doctrines from HIS Word or are you just regurgitating the pitiful poisons of mere men?

We are still very wise in our own conceits. May the LORD bless us to true repentance with the fruit of allowing God to speak for Himself by simply giving people His Word in His love and wisdom (Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:2, etc.).

Leveling endless explanations of the faith is futility if the person communicating is not speaking God’s very Word! God’s words are all-powerful because He spoke them and He alone is ALL-mighty. The Source of God’s words is God Himself and so inherent in His words are His power, His presence, His conviction (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 1:8, etc.).

The Word of God must become the emphasis and not us, not our wonderful, skillful explanations of who God is. After all, have we forgotten that He is infinite and we finite? Are we not but dust? See Psalms 103:14. Regrettably, many in our day have been elevated in the church world for being able to render endless explanations in their international apologetics ministries. Most of these same men used very little if any Scripture which means they helped no one. Many of those in the “Christian” audiences that elevated these men simply wanted to see the arguments of the enemy of souls defeated and not to be grounded deeply in God’s Word for themselves. One such man was the late Ravi Zacharias.

The Words of the Divine vs the Dust

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:23-25 

The “incorruptible seed” is the Word of God, it’s power packed with divine energy. If we are but “dust” before the Almighty, does that not convey just how futile it is to attempt to explain God and His will? Shall we choose to trust the divine or the mere dust created by the divine?

“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 103:13-16

It’s not that we don’t speak our own words also in communicating to others in ministry, yet the substance of what we communicate in those moments is not our words but rather God’s words. He is divine and we are but dust.

In 1 Peter 1:23 Scripture informs us that people are “born again” by the “incorruptible seed” of the Word of God, not our explanation, not by our words.

“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

It’s the Word that never returns back to God void, not our explanation. If you wish to be used of God powerfully, you must read, study, be resourceful with, and communicate HIS words.

When you encounter a person in darkness, don’t take it personally. No, rather, see it as an opportunity to kindly plant the seed of the Word of God in their heart – which never returns back to the LORD void but always accomplishes that which pleases Him (Isaiah 55:11). “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16).

The emphasis should not be on our ability to explain God but rather on his word and simply obeying him by preaching it. It’s the incorruptible seed that brings conviction of salvation not our words.

Did the LORD command His people to go explain to others who He is or to simply “preach the gospel”? Mark 16:15

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

When you read, when you are daily studying God’s Word, do so with the truth in mind that God wants you learning of Him for your own relationship with Him and also to help others.

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 6

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

Our LORD Jesus studied and knew the Word well. Notice how the Son of God readily navigated through the Holy Scriptures to find the exact Scripture He wanted to communicate:

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written…” Luke 4:17

Notice another prominent biblical example of how true elders of Christ, as they stand before one or many people, put full emphasis on God’s Words and not their own. They concentrate and put full priority in God’s Word and not their own explanations:

“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8

  1. read in the book in the law of God distinctly”
  2. gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”

Note how these godly elders read God’s Word to the people and then gave the sense of it. This speaks for itself and reveals to us just who is a godly elder and who isn’t. Rare is the man today, in this late hour, who reads Scripture upon Scripture to the people. Many are so busy giving you their explanation that they have no concern that you are hearing the actual, literal words of the LORD. Sad.

Regrettably lots of people brag about their pastor and how he (supposedly) preaches the Word. In most cases it’s obvious that they’re telegraphing that they trust him, the mere man, the pastor and have no life with Christ in His Word daily for themselves – which the LORD commands (2 Timothy 2:15). Hell is full of people who took men at their word instead of loving God enough to find out what He said in HIS Word for themselves firsthand. Sad. If you don’t love God enough to pour over His words, His instructions, His promises, and His doctrines and warnings for yourself, you are in utter need of true repentance and to seek His holy face continually (1 Chronicles 16:11).

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:13-17

Preach the Word

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4

The Parable of the Seed Growing

“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 

Getting in on the Gospel action begins with a simple prayer, perhaps something like this …. LORD, please prepare and use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Apostasy

“Simple Concerning Evil” [podcast]


Holy Scripture uses the phrase “simple concerning evil.”

“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple (innocent) concerning evil.” Romans 16:19

“But I would have you – Not only obedient, but discreet also. Wise with regard to that which is good – As knowing in this as possible. And simple with regard to that which is evil – As ignorant of this as possible.” John Wesley

Concerning Romans 16:19 Donald Stamps writes:

“God wants believers to be innocent (Gk. akeraios) in what is evil; this word means ‘unmixed’ or ‘pure,’ i.e., innocent like a child whose mind has not yet been exposed to evil or mixed with the values of the world (cf.1 Cor. 14:20). (1) This biblical principle is in direct opposition to the idea advocated by some that children of Christians should be exposed to sin, immorality, ungodliness, and the things of Satan in order to learn to confront temptation. Some suggest that children need not be guarded from ungodliness. However, according to biblical revelation, the philosophy is not only against God’s will for the believer, but also represents Satan’s own desire that everyone be exposed to the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3:5). (2) Knowledge of evil, along with continual exposure to Satan’s ways, will lead many from the path of faith and obedience. Lot found this out to his deep sorrow, losing his entire family for this reason (Gen. 13:12-13; 19:1-38). Scripture warns that ‘evil communications’ (i.e., company) corrupt good manners (1 Cor. 15:33), and that ‘Jesus Christ … gave himself … that he might deliver us from this present evil world’ (Gal. 1:3-4). Those who advocate exposing innocent children to an ungodly environment and/or influence are in danger of violating Jesus’ warning in Matthew 18:6. (3) Believers should do all within their means and power to guard their children from being exposed to the deceitfulness and sin and the perverseness of this generation. To refuse to protect our children in this respect disregards the Holy Spirit’s desire that they be innocent and babes regarding what is evil.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 1959

Spoil the innocence of a child or others and God will spoil, bring ruin to you.

“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

“Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” 1 Corinthians 14:20

Concerning the fact and principle of offering children to Satan on the altar of Moloch, one source notes the following:

“Based on historical and biblical accounts, child sacrifice to Moloch was a Canaanite and Phoenician ritual, often described as offering children to a deity in a “tophet” (place of burning). Scholars interpret this act as a desperate attempt to appease a god associated with the underworld or to ensure divine favor in exchange for the ultimate sacrifice.

Why Children Were Offered to Moloch:

Appeasement of a Deity: Moloch (or Mlk) is identified by some scholars as an underworld deity or a Phoenician god linked to the underworld, requiring the ultimate sacrifice to ensure favor or safety.”

“Lot … Pitched His Tent Toward Sodom”

“Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13  But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” Genesis 13:12-13

Of the act of Lot pitching his tent toward Sodom, the late Donald Stamps wrote:

“PITCHED HIS TENT TOWARD SODOM. Lot’s great failure was that he loved personal gain more than he hated the wickedness of Sodom (v10-13). (1) If he had loved righteousness sufficiently (see Heb. 1:9), it would have caused him to remain separate from the wicked ways of sinful people. Instead he tolerated evil and chose to live in wicked Sodom (v13). Perhaps he reasoned that the material advantages, culture, and pleasures of Sodom outweighed the dangers, and that he was strong enough to remain faithful to God. Thus, he exposed himself and his family to the immorality, and ungodliness of Sodom, only to learn the bitter lesson that his family was not strong enough to resist its evil influences (Gen. 19:24-26; 30-38). (2) Parents must be careful not to place themselves or their children in a “Sodom,” lest they come to spiritual ruin as did the family of Lot.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 27

“Although Lot was distressed by the filthy deeds he saw and heard (2 Pet. 2:7-8), he still was willing to tolerate the wickeness of Sodom for social and material advantages (13:12 note). This compromise brought tragedy to his family (v24). Likewise, believers today who expose their families to ungodly environments and evil influences for social or material gain are setting themselves up for family tragedies.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 34

Gentlemen, if we lust for the things of this world, it will cause us to sacrifice God’s truth on the altar of our greed and cause needless destruction in our families.

Ephesians 5:1-17

“1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 

2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 

3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 

4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 

5  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 

6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 

7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 

8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 

9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 

10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 

11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 

12  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 

13  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 

14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 

15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 

16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” 

“And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18  And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19  And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:17-19

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

Key to a pure, innocent heart…. is that the LORD Almighty is truly first in our lives, that we are truly one with Him—just as Jesus prayed in John 17. The futile god of self must be denounced, as well as the sin of spiritual adultery and idolatry.

“Keep thyself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22

PRAYER: “LORD, right this moment, I release everything and everyone that I might be holding onto tighter than You….I will have no other god before You dear LORD…You Jesus Alone Are My LORD And Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” Marlene Austin

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