IT IS WRITTEN – HIS HOUSE FELLOWSHIP

May 20, 2020

WE ARE ONE

Until recently, I wasn’t paying attention to the “we are one” faction of the “New Age” (eastern religion) movement. We’ve all seen it: “We Are the World” (video: YouTube), “Imagine” (Beatles –John Lennon), “We’re all in this together” (current meme for the virus issue), the “United Nations”, et. al.. We even hear that “all roads lead to God” so we are all “children of God”; therefore, “we are all one”.

Through the years I’ve heard “we are one” many many times (for at least four decades) and have, long ago, read the book, “Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow” by Constance Cumbey. Though glaringly evident, I had not otherwise connected it to anything until now when all of these pieces came together in a meaningful way.

Today, that message is being propagated constantly in these “end-of-the-end times”. There is a reason: it is Satan’s plan: “We are one”…..one body connected through “energy” (i.e. connected spiritually). One body; get that? “We” are one body: the body of the Anti-Christ.

This should be no mystery. Christ has His body; Satan has his. Satan copies God (not vice versa) and will have his body in the earth to rule and reign with him and to fulfill his will.

What we see happening before our eyes is the “perfecting of the body of the Beast”. People are being manipulated into becoming the “body of the Beast” so that they might do his will and not God’s (Isaiah 58:13). They will seek his pleasure and not God’s (Isaiah 58:13) and they will speak his words and not God’s (Isaiah 58:13).

Some will be his bride, as well. They will know “the depths of Satan” (Rev 2:24) just as the body of Christ will know the depths of Christ their Lord and husband.

This is a direct copying of Christ. Christ, the Son of God, is filled with all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He has His own. Therefore, the Beast, the son of perdition who is the son of Satan and who is filled with all the fullness of Satan, has those who are his.

The Beast’s bride is as deeply committed to him as Christ’s bride is to Him. Make no mistake; they (those who are the Beast’s) are delusional (2Thess 2:11) and their faith will not be changed nor mitigated by any means because this “strong delusion” is from God. This is important to remember because it is they who will persecute “all who would live Godly in Christ” (2Tim 3:12). We must expect persecution and “think it not strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you….” (1Pet 4:12) .

Just as we are the “body of Christ” and are “sealed” with the Holy Spirit (the earnest of our salvation, 2Corin 1:22; 2Corin 5:5), so Satan will unify his body into one “perfected” body and bride and “seal” them with his name.

We need to notice that, just as not every believer is the bride of Christ (“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” – Ga 5:24; 1Corin 15:23), not every “unbeliever” will be the bride of the Anti-Christ. His mark and the number of his name will be for others who are not his bride. They will all be indoctrinated and brainwashed to be part of the “system” (otherwise, they will be left out and outlawed).

This “system” is a theocracy (religion combined with politics with God/god ruling over all (Islam and Israel prior to the “Law of Moses” are archetypes). Pastor Greg Laurie states it this way: “The antichrist’s economic policy will be very simple. Take my mark and worship me, or starve to death; no mark, no merchandize; no seal, no sale”.

These partakers of the Beast’s socio-economic religious system will be readily identifiable by their commitment to the beast and they will bear the “mark” of that commitment. They will worship him and him alone and he will be their god.

Note, also, that there will those who will not have a mark but they will have his seal in their foreheads (i.e. it will rank higher than a mere mark of identification). These are they who have his name and are his body. They will be identifiable in some way though it is yet unclear as to what that presentation will be.

The identifier is the number of his name, or his mark (note: no one knows what the mark is at this point. We only know the number of his name [666] but not his mark).

Satan will “perfect” those who are his and bring them into “unity” (i.e. “we are the world”) in a “new world order” that has been created out of chaos. That unification (that “army”, if you please) will be used against God and His people so that only the Beast and Satan/the Dragon get the glory that is rightfully God’s (Rev 13:4).

Please note that the acceptance of the Beast’s name, the number of his name, or his mark is not merely an “allegiance”! To take his name, the number of his name, or his mark, is to take the Beast as lord and be willingly subservient to him! It is to bear his name (as a bride), his number (as a calculable commodity and partaker of the system), or his mark (an identifiable mark of being indentured to the system).

All of these categories are qualifiers to be partakers of the “Beast’s system” of commerce, religion, and society. If you do not belong to the Beast, you do not belong on the earth; you will be eliminated because the Beast and Satan will not share the glory with anyone (but especially God). Because Christians are direct representatives of God and His glory (i.e. we are to walk in His glory as the light of the world), they cannot be allowed to interfere. That light must be extinguished for darkness to be able to rule.

Many (believers) will be persecuted but will not love their lives unto death. And, many of those who are persecuted will be beheaded (Rev 2:10; Rev 20:4 respectively). Those who do not overcome but submit to the Beast and his system (very likely the “great falling away” from their faith and from the love of God) will experience the wrath of God and will be found in the same judgment as the Beast and Satan (and his angels).

This is why the Bible calls for unification of the body of Christ and not unification with the world. We are to be separate from the world altogether and are not to love the world or the things that tare in the world (not even our own flesh!). We are to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and are to labor to enter into the Sabbath rest of God in Christ. It will be a fearful thing in these end-of-the end times to be found outside of Christ and found more in the world than in Him.

We must be work out the saving of our souls so that we are one with Christ in our spirit, our soul, and our body (being dead in likeness of His death). We must be manifestly be one with Him. To not be manifestly one with Him is be manifestly one with the word. It is only “in Him” that we will survive the end of the world and the “temptation that is to come upon the world to try all who live therein”. We cannot “endure to the end” unless we are obedient to Christ and be one with Him. It is only “in Him” that we are one.

EPILOGUE

We can now see why the penalty for taking the “mark of the Beast” is so brutal and final. If anyone, including a Christian, takes the mark, they will lose their soul in the “Lake of Fire” (Rev 14:9-11). To take the mark is to take the Beast (the “Son of Satan”) as lord and there can be no other result than that which is written (i.e. there can be no forgiveness or repentance).

There are pastors today who are now saying that it’s OK to take the “mark of the Beast” (and, presumably, his name or the number of his name) because “God will understand and will forgive you” (e.g. Pastor John McArthur – “Grace to You”; Tom Stewart – “What Saith the Scriptures”; Dr. Jimmy DeYoung)!! Be advised: this is patently false teaching. The Bible is unequivocal that the final destination of those who take the mark is the “Lake of Fire”. Attempts of religious exegesis to explain away the obvious are simply false doctrine and are heresy.

It’s time for all believers to study to show themselves approved unto God (and not unto man and his doctrines). It is time to hear and obey the word of the Lord with all diligence lest the enemy gains a foothold in our lives and we be deceived and fall into a trap and/or we fail to overcome. “Be not deceived” is a commandment and not a suggestion (Deut 11:16; Luke 21:8; 1Corin 6:9, 15:33; Gal 6:7).

——————————

AND THIS IS LOVE: THAT WE WALK AFTER HIS COMMANDMENTS

This passage is from a man who ought to know, the Apostle John; he heard it from Jesus Himself who said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (Joh 14:15) and “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words….” (Joh 14:23). Love is the end of all matters concerning Christianity because it is the fulfillment of the “Mosaic Law”. Christ is love incarnate and is God (Love) made manifest in the flesh; we are His body: the body of love.

And, when we obey His word, we are walking in love just as the Apostle John taught. In other words, the Lord is telling us that we should walk in obedience to His word of love that we also may walk in love of God. We are to be filled with His word (which is His commandments) so that we are filled with the words of love. We are to be the word of God (which is the word of Love) made manifest in the flesh.

We know that love is the fulfillment of the “Mosaic Law” which God made with man: “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (1Ti 1:5). Therefore, there is no law (especially the “Ten Commandments”) against those who walk in love and who bear the peaceable fruit of righteousness because love will always do that which is righteous: “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Ga 5:22-23). When we obey His word of love, we become love in the flesh. The reward is not only abiding in peace but that He, the “Prince of Peace”, will abide in us as we abide in Him (Jn 14:23).

FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE

“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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2Ti 4:3-4)

This is the Apostle Paul speaking to his protégé, Timothy. He is exhorting him to observe how he, Paul, lives his life in the face of adversity and persecution. He advises that, “All who live Godly in Christ shall suffer persecution”. Paul then advises him that “they” (underlined above) will not endure sound doctrine. He is speaking about Christians and that time has come; it is now.

What is understood is that “they” actually believe that they have found teachers who have “true and sound doctrine”. These teachers have doctrines that sound great because there’s no effort required to be a Christian when you follow their doctrines. They remove the responsibility to actually be a Christian from the believer and place it upon God. In other words, they teach a doctrine that there’s nothing you can do or must do to further your salvation after you have been born again. They tell the believers that the work of the cross was complete therefore there’s nothing you can add to it by “working out” your salvation despite the fact that the Bible commands us to do so (Phil 2:12).

This teaching is dangerous because no faith is required to follow it. All that is required (so they say) is to just “trust in Jesus” and “Let Him fly the plane”. This is dangerous and pernicious teaching which steals the “truth that makes free” from the believer while he struggles to understand why God leaves him in bondage.

The Bible says that “The just shall live by faith”. In other words, the application of faith covers every single aspect of the believer’s life. And, it’s not just “by faith” that’s being made without effect but the entire “Law of Faith” (through faith) is hidden from the believer by these false teachers.

We cannot access grace except “through faith”. All things of the grace of God and the atonement are accessed “through faith”. “By faith” and “through faith” are always active and never dormant and, if not acted upon, are dead (“Faith without works/a corresponding action is dead” James 2:26). This is why contemporary doctrines are heresy; they teach that the believer must do nothing to further to accomplish “salvation” when the Bible instructs us to “work out our salvation” by being obedient to God’s word and Christ’s commandments. Obedience is an action taken by the believer which proves that he loves Christ (“If ye love me, keep my commandments/words”).

Likewise, they don’t find any need to obey the scripture that commands us to “Build up your most holy faith…” and never teach how to do that. We can call them “faithless teachers”.

If we do not do what Jesus commands us to do, we do not love Him and neither will we be mature, faith-filled, blessed peacemakers in the earth. Neither will we complete His will in the earth for our lives and our ministry. In fact, we will be found in rebellion (which is as the sin of witchcraft) and will remain un-weaned babies without the (manifest) peaceable fruit of righteousness. We will be fruitless trees and not ready for the harvest when Christ returns for the fruit of the earth.

It is our responsibility to know God’s word and to be able to discern the true teachers from the false ones. It can be done and it must be done. We have but to obey His word and He will give us all things that pertain to life and Godliness (of which holiness is no small part). This includes a revelation of His word: even the word of truth that makes free indeed.

AND, IF CHRIST BE IN YOU, THE BODY IS DEAD BECAUSE OF SIN

“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness”( Ro 8:10)

There are two things that we must immediately notice with this reference. One is the “if” factor. There are many “if’s” in the Bible. God’s promises are unilateral but we are only going to benefit from them if we obey His commandments.

On too many occasions, the “if’s” are replaced with the word “because” which immediately forces a rewriting and reinterpreting of scripture. That seems to be an acceptable practice with far too many preachers today. But, I can assure you that such disregard for the truth will have its reward in due season. This is also to say that it is only “the truth” that makes free.

We have an immutable word on the matter that states that “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”. Then, even the word “if” is significant and must not be altered in any way.

Next, we see the matter of faith. “The just shall live by faith” and that principle is not going to change because it is a commandment. That means that we are dead to sin, the world, and the flesh “through faith” which speaks of those things that we cannot yet see with our natural eyes as though we can see them and until we do naturally see them. We see in this reference that we are dead because Christ is in us. Our death cannot be seen with our natural eyes but through faith which is the unseen spiritual substance. It is only when we are dead to the world and our flesh that Christ can abide in us and we can be the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Through faith (not by faith), we are to be “dead in Christ” and dead to the world (and the world dead to us) so that Christ may live in us (we are His body). Again, we do this “through faith” with the corresponding action to that faith being the daily crucifying of our sinful flesh. If we are dead in Christ, then we are alive unto righteousness and are sinless.

At that point, we must remain sinless by daily dying to our own flesh, our own will, our own pleasures, and our own words lest we defile holiness with worldliness; we “die daily” by daily being crucified with Christ.

This also makes us “Sabbath keepers” because, when you are righteous and holy, you are one with the “Lord of the Sabbath” who is holy. That which is un-holy cannot be one with or abide in Him who is holy.

Therefore we must realize that, if the holy and righteous Christ is in us through faith, then we must live a manifestly holy life that we may be one with Him and abide in His Sabbath rest in God. We cannot do this if we are not dead to sin and world (i.e. crucified with Christ through faith) and alive unto Christ.

EVEN NOW THERE ARE MANY ANTICHRISTS WHEREBY WE KNOW THAT IT IS THE LAST TIME

“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1Jo 2:18 )

All of the apostles and disciples of Christ had a tremendous revelation of Christ and His word. It is imperative, then, that we hear every word that they give us.

Here, John, who was loved by Jesus, tells us that we are “little children”. He doesn’t just say, “children” but says, “little children”. That should give all of us the perspective that we must grow up from being “babes in Christ” and grow into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). It doesn’t mean that we don’t know anything about the Bible or that we are handicapped. We simply must understand that we have a vocation (i.e. a career) requiring work and labor to bring to fruition the fullness of our salvation.

In fact, to be a child is an asset in the Kingdom of God because it shows that we are entirely dependent upon our Father and that we won’t rebel against His words and commandments. It is to be humble and obedient as the sons of God and we are sons of God right now.

Next, most of us already understand that Anti-Christ shall come. He shall come because it is written in the Bible. But, there is more to this than solely his appearing. The “spirit of Anti-Christ” is already here and it is the same spirit as the “spirit of error”.

Not only is this spirit against Christ (i.e. is against “the truth that makes free”), it tries to usurp and replace the truth (“the gospel of Christ) with the doctrines and traditions of men. It also uses deception as a tool to deny the body of Christ access to the truth. This is why the Bible commands us to “be not deceived”.

And, because the “last time” was 2,000 years ago, we can say that we are in the “last-of-the-last-time” now. It’s even more urgent that we pay attention to God’s word than ever before. Our life depends upon it.

AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)

This is one of the most abused passages in the entire Bible and is certainly one of them most dangerous ones. It is virtually never cited in context and, because it is not used in context, it is extremely dangerous because it forces the believer to adhere to and embrace philosophy and not scripture.

Here’s the context: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Ro 8:26-28).

The context concerns prayer; it’s about praying in the spirit (with the Holy Spirit helping us) so that we pray the will of God. When we pray the will of God then, “all things work together for them who love God (i.e. those who are obedient to what He says) and who are those called according to His purpose”. Therefore, if we love Him, we obey Him because we understand that we are called to do what He purposes. If we do these things, then, yes, all things will work together for good.

A problem arises when this passage is taken out of context. The issue is that it no longer is “the truth that makes free” but is Stoic philosophy. Stoic Epictetus states, “Whatever comes your way (whether good or evil), that is what is intended for your life and you must embrace it”. Sound familiar? It should because it’s part of the philosophy of “Calvinism”. It is not the truth and it does not make free. It is doctrine base on a false teacher, John Calvin, who was never a Christian and who deceived (and continues to deceive) the world with his doctrines which allow for evil in the body of Christ rather than what God’s word has promised.

The “truth that makes free” is available to all. God has withheld nothing from us and neither does He hinder. But, we must seek for that truth and be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual understanding. We must be disciples and not merely “converts”.

BEHOLD WHAT MANNER OF LOVE THE FATHER HAS BESTOWED UPON US

Did you know that it’s perfectly fine with God to call ourselves the “sons and daughters of God”? It really is! And, it’s His idea! How can it be anything else when we have been begotten of God and born again by His Spirit? We may boldly and openly proclaim, “I am a child of God!”. We can say “I am a child of the King!” with all confidence and we should do just that! As we confess this fact, we hear it and believe it!

Our Father is God! This is something that we all should rejoice in and daily remind ourselves that we are not of this world but of the spirit realm in which our Lord abides. Being the children of God is a fact that we don’t see with the natural eye but that we know by faith and revelation. As we abide in His word, we get a revelation of what it means to be one of His children.

As we study, we get a revelation that we are abundantly blessed! But, we must have faith and confidence that our Father’s word is true or we will lose out on these blessings. We must know His word intimately and fully believe it.

Do remember that we are not of this physical realm but the spiritual realm. That means that those who are not born again but are of this earthly realm don’t know us or our Father. In fact, they love their own but hate us. Think it not strange that they hate us. Know also that their hatred does not take away the Lord’s blessings from us or diminish His love for us.

God’s word and our being partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light cannot and will not change. This is because He never changes neither is there any variableness or shadow of turning with Him. His word and promises are forever settled in heaven. The great news is that they are accessible now in this life! We need but to believe our Father.

BEWARE LEST ANY MAN SPOIL YOU THROUGH PHILOSOPHY

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col 2:8)

The Bible is replete with warnings. “Let no man deceive you by any means…” is one. “Let no man beguile you…” is another. “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation” is yet another. The above example from the Apostle Paul warns us of the potential to fall into ruses and temptations to take a different pathway than prescribed by the Lord in His word. Such pathways are those which stray from orthodoxy and which invariably lead to un-peace and failure; they can even result in a loss of faith which then insures a loss of salvation.

In this example, the warning is not about being “spoiled” in the sense that food spoils. The context is that you must be aware that someone can take you as a spoil (which is to say as “booty” or a stolen item). That makes perfect sense when we see that the Bible says that ignorance is captivity (Isaiah 5:13). So, if we are ignorant, we are not aware of our circumstances and will not discern that someone is trying to beguile us that they may take us captive.

Taking someone captive is not as difficult as you may think. For one thing, God will not stop someone from being taken captive. His word warns us to be responsible and to know the truth which makes free. He will not protect us from disobedience and rebellion. For another, Satan works non-stop to try to take captives. He never takes a day off and we shouldn’t either. Defending ourselves is warfare and it is ware that never ceases. And, there is no end to the tools of his deception.

Also, the enemy’s tools are “fleshly” and are quite comfortable to us. They are “natural” to us because we came from the natural realm but must resist such carnality or we will lose the battle/war. These temptations will (subjectively) seem to be truthful and sensible but they are, in fact, deadly pirates that will capture us and sell us into slavery: a slavery that we will find to be “comfortably uncomfortable”. Let us beware lest we blindly walk into slavery.

Contending for the Faith Pt 1

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3)

When we listen to Jude in his epistle, we hear him speaking very soberly. The Lord has directed him to send a letter “…to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called” (Jude 1:1). He wasted no time in doing so. This matter is important.

Then, we can see who these people are to whom the letter was sent; it’s you. It is to all believers because all are sanctified by the Father through the blood of the Lamb. We are all called to be those who live by faith. There are no exceptions. And, it is sent to any of us who are preserved “in Christ” (through faith). In other words, it’s to those who understand that we are in Christ through faith which speaks of those things that cannot be seen with the natural eye as though they can be seen until such time that they are manifest to the natural eye. All things are “in Christ” and we must be found “in Him”.

Next, we see a verb: “contend”. We’ve learned that, when we see such action words, they are commandments. And, we know, also, that verbs involve “work” or “labor”. Such work is part and parcel of our Christian experience (e.g. Philippians 2:12). Also, scripture exhorts us to obey every commandment with all that we know how to.

So it is with maintaining “orthodoxy” (i.e. “straight doctrine”). It is this doctrine, “The Doctrine of Christ”, which was delivered in the beginning. It must be maintained with all diligence. Today, we have a mish-mash of doctrines. Therefore we must give diligence to seek the “truth that makes free” and keep it from being corrupted by the doctrines of men. If we do not maintain orthodoxy but are satisfied by and embrace the doctrines of men (which make the word of God of no affect), then we will not have holy faith toward God. Instead, we will have unholy faith toward the world.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of truth. If we do not contend for the bottom line truth of God’s word, we cannot abide by the command of God that clearly states, “The just shall live by faith”. Because He has given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness, we can have keep orthodoxy free of the defilement of men’s doctrines and we can have the truth that makes free. We can be “free, indeed”.

Contending for the Faith Pt 2

We’ve learned that we must give diligence to seek the “truth that makes free” and keep it from being corrupted by the doctrines of men. There are many many doctrines and denominations all of which claim to be defenders of the gospel and proclaimers of the truth. However, given that there are so many, it isn’t possible that they are all preaching the “ truth that makes free”.

Part of the problem is that men will, according to their own understanding (upbringing, tradition, et.al.) blindly choose to follow after a given doctrine. And, we are constantly being tempted by this doctrine, that doctrine, and whatever wind of great-sounding doctrine so as to keep us from actually finding the “truth that makes free”.

Know that our own flesh and un-converted (i.e. darkened) soul will (naturally) want to follow after any one of these that we may seek to find satisfaction and fulfillment. It also means that we must contend with our own self by realizing that we all start in error and must work our way out of that darkness. We must not lean unto our own understanding and must fight our own desires to be accepted by those of the “mainstream” teachings of men. We cannot find the truth otherwise.

If we do not find the bottom line truth of God’s word, we cannot be “free, indeed” and will not have faith to access the promises of God “in Christ”. In fact, we can never manifestly be “Christians” (Christ-like) because He is “the truth” and we will never be one with Him. We will never have the God-kind of faith required to access His grace and will find ourselves being powerless, hopeless, and cursed babies all of our time on the earth.

God has given us all things pertaining to life and Godliness but they will do us no good if we don’t obey His commandments and take them and act on them. We must contend with (i.e. fight for) the truth of God’s word then we must maintain it so that we will have the faith of Christ, who is the Truth that makes free.

FOR GOD HATH NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2Ti 1:7)

The Bible says: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1Jo 4:18). We should immediately note another scripture that says: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:20-21).

If we obey the word of the Lord, then we will have success in walking in love. When we walk in love, we walk in peace because there will be no fear of any kind. Fear defiles and disrupts our peace and, therefore, our relationship with the very God of peace. Where peace is, God is; where peace is not, God is not. When we are abiding in peace, we have fellowship with the brethren and with God who is in the midst of His people (if and when they are manifestly in peace).

The perfecting of love is a process; it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to for the word of love grow in us. This is because all things come from the seed of the word of God. We plant His word in our “garden” (our soul) and we are, in due season, perfected. In other words, we, as trees of the Lord’s planting, bring forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness. The first on the list is “love”. All diligence needs to be given to keep ourselves in the love of God even as the word of the Lord has commanded.

THE SONS OF LIGHT

The Bible says: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God” (1John 3:2). When it says that, it’s also saying, “Beloved, now are we the sons of light” because God is light and in Him is no darkness. This means that we are to be the light of the world even as Christ our Lord is the light of the world. We are His body and we are to walk in the light as He is in the light (1John 1:7) and the world will see that light.

When we walk in the light, there is no occasion for us to stumble as we walk in the service of the Lord (1John 2:10). But, most importantly, here’s the main reason: “But, if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1Jo 1:7). We are constantly walking in cleanness. To be clean is to be holy and to be holy is to fulfill the command of God to “Be ye holy for I am holy”.

And, to be in the light is to be in the spirit realm. God is light and He is “that Sprit”. So, walk in the light is to walk in the spirit realm. In fact, we are to do all things in the spirit. We are to walk in the spirit, abide in the spirit, be spiritually minded, be led of the Spirit, and even speak that which is spiritual for the good of edifying one another.

To walk in the spirit is also to be free from all condemnation. As it is written: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Ro 8:1). We cannot be judged when in the spirit realm because Christ, who has already been judge, is in the spirit realm and we are to be “in Him”.

But, that’s not all; when we walk in the light, the wicked one, Satan, touches us not (1John 5:18). Satan cannot touch Christ and if we are “in Christ”, he cannot touch us!

We must come out of the darkness and into His marvelous light (1Peter 2:9). We do that by abiding in His word (day and night) and by walking and abiding in the spirit realm “in Christ” (the anointed living word of God that cleanses us).

LITTLE CHILDREN, THIS IS THE LAST TIME

“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1Jo 2:18 )

This scripture is of no little importance. Let’s parse it and see why. For one thing, we are “little children”. This is not a slight or is it meant to be demeaning. It’s a proper assessment by an Apostle. He understands that we, starting as “babes in Christ, are all learning and growing and that we really don’t know much about Christianity. We all start at the same place knowing little (and what little we do know is usually the doctrines of men) and (hopefully) desiring the “sincere milk of the word” whereby we may grow and be able to eat “meat” (i.e. the deeper things of God).

As little children who are not fully mature, we are easily deceived. We need to look to the word of God and the Apostles for guidance all the while seeking the Lord of a revelation of “the truth that makes free”. We also need to be led of the Holy Spirit at all times (and not merely when it seems to be convenient or comes to mind).

And, it is the “last time” when this book of the Bible was written by its author. How much more is it the “last time” some 2,000 years later? According to the Bible, we are living in “perilous times”. This is more serious than simply being “dangerous times”; our lives are in danger. It is not the time to be “playing church” or being less than diligent in our disciplines and obedience to the word of God.

If we are not paying attention and studying God’s word and meditating on it both day and night, we will not be able to tell “the truth” from the “anti-truth”; we will be subject to being deceived .We know that because, if it were not so, then the Bible would not command us to “be not deceived!” four separate times. We must never take things of God for granted or be lax in our seeking His Kingdom and His will.

If we lean unto our own understanding, then we will rely upon carnally mindedness as the correct approach in finding our way. Though our thinking is comfortable and seems right (“The way of a man is right in his own eyes…Pr. 21:2), it is actually the way of captivity at the least and darkness and death at the worst.

Are you confident that, if the Anti-Christ (who is a great deceiver) was to appear today, you would recognize him or would you fall for his deception and accept him? Would you be able to bear witness with his “truth” or with “the truth that makes free, indeed”?

There will be a “great falling away” soon. Not discerning between “a truth” and “the truth” (because of not knowing God’s word which gives discernment and which divides between truth and lies [Heb. 4:12]) will be a significant reason why many believers will end up being “non-believers” who have believed “the lie” of Satan. It is written that, “The just shall live by faith”. But, if they believe “the lie” (2Thess 2:11), they will have faith toward the world and not toward God and will fall away from grace (i.e. we do all things “by grace through faith”: no faith, no grace).

This danger is completely avoidable if we but do what the Bible says and simply obey Christ’s words and commandments.

HE SHALL NOT BE AFRAID OF EVIL TIDINGS

“Surely he shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies” (Ps 112:6-8)

During trying times, every person will have an opportunity to fear. Fear is the “natural” response to any tiding/news which may cause hardship, trouble, or even death. But, this also means that fearing is optional. Being optional means that the opportunity to fear is a temptation to surrender one’s peace to the darkness of fear. In doing so (surrendering), we defile our peace and our faith.

There really is no need to fear when we have access to the “mountain-moving faith” spoken of in the Bible. There is no need to fear when we realize that we are the children of God who have access to the throne of their Father and access to His word (which means that we have access to His faith because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word). Furthermore, having the righteousness of Christ meaning that we have His ear when we pray! That means that He will answer our prayers when we pray in faith believing that He hears us.

As the body of Christ, we need not to surrender to fear if we are understand that we are “in Him, Christ, our Lord who is that “strong tower” into which the righteous run and are safe: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence” (Ps 91:1-3).

We need not, and therefore, must not fear when we have the sure word of God. We must hold fast to His word in all confidence and hope and confess it out of the abundance of our heart so that our own ears can hear it (speaking being part of “building up our most holy faith” dynamic). When we speak His word, we speak His protection through faith which speaks of those things that are not seen with the natural eye until they are seen.

Fear not and take no thought for the plague called “Covid-19” which is in the earth and take no thought for any other temptation that would have you bow down in fear to its attempts to rule over you.

MY LITTLE CHILDREN, SIN NOT

“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” (1Jo 2:1)

There are a couple of things we need to immediately notice about this passage. One is that we can stop sinning. If the Bible commands us to do something, then we must simply believe what it says instead of making (doctrinal) excuses as to why we can’t (which makes God a liar).

The Bible confirms that we can be without sin and able to (manifestly) abide in Christ in many places in scripture (e.g. 1Cor. 15:34 and Eph. 4:26). In fact, God, Himself, makes the matter of not sinning a commandment: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1Pe 1:15-16). This not a suggestion and there is no “wiggle room” involved here.

God says what He means and means what He says. He also has given us all things pertaining to life and Godliness and being holy is definitely Godly. It is these things (provided in His grace which we access through faith) by which we may be obedient to all of His commandments.

Being set free from sin and the “Law of Sin and Death” by the blood of the Lamb, we now have conscious and willful control over whether we sin or not. Not sinning is a choice that must be made by an act of our will. If we do sin, that isn’t the end of our imputed righteousness or stop our growth process unto manifest righteousness (i.e. bearing the peaceable fruit of righteousness). We simply ask for forgiveness and, because of the atonement, the Lord is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1John 1:9).

The next thing we need to note is that, if we are cleansed, then we are clean. And, if we are clean (and you can’t get any cleaner than being cleansed by the blood of Christ, we are holy. But, then we must discipline ourselves to stop sinning and to maintain that cleanness (i.e. maintain that holiness). In other words, we must learn to protect our holiness and defend it (i.e. keep it) from unholiness and from all darkness and un-peaceful defilement (i.e. keep our garments clean and unspotted from the world [James 1:27]).

Over time, as we mature, we are grow into the measure of the fullness of the stature of Christ (Eph 4:11-15). In other words, as we grow, we learn to sin less until we are sinless and perfected and are like Christ. We become the manifest body of Christ; we manifestly become “Christians” as we mortify our members in the earth (Col 5:6) and no longer allow our flesh to rule over us to cause us to sin.

Jesus was the spotless “lamb of God” who was without sin. We are His body in the earth. We are expected to be spotless as well and the Bible is adamant and quite bold in saying so.

We can do it because we are no longer under the “Law” but under grace and are free to walk in the spirit realm where Christ abides. We need only to obey the word of God as little children who love our Lord (“If ye love me, keep my commandments” [Joh 14:15]).

IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES, INDEED

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Joh 8:31-32)

If we do not do what He says, we cannot be His disciples. In other words, the word “if” is of great importance. To put this in perspective, let’s says say it this way: “If you do not continue in my word, you are not my disciples and you shall not know that truth and you cannot be made free but will remain in darkness and captivity”. Can you see just how important even the smallest of God’s words are?

Yes, we can be born again and we will certainly make eternity our home. However, we cannot be made free now in this lifetime if we are not obedient to His commandments (His commandments and His words are the same).

This is confirmed when we hear what He says in the next verse: “And, ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Joh 8:32). Have you never wondered why you don’t see free Christians (those who are free from fear and in peace)? It’s because they have listened to those who preach the doctrines of men that make the word of God of no effect. It is they who teach that “If God wants you to be free, He will make you free” (or words to that affect).

These doctrines will try to explain to you such things as “Why bad things happen to good people” (there is a book with that title). But, these doctrines will never address the fact that Christians are more cursed than blessed because they will not obey the word of the Lord. Rather they lead adherents to believe that God is sovereign and that all things, good and evil, come from or are allowed by Him.

This is despite the fact that no covenant made by God to man and with man ever promised cursing, evil, and poverty. His covenants were always for the good of man and never evil. If, on the other hand, man disobeyed the covenant, he was found outside of God’s word and was cursed. Nothing has changed.

Such teachers only reinforce the error that keeps the Lord’s heritage in bondage and never allows them to be free (it’s literally against these teachers’ religion for the body of Christ to be “free indeed”). If we but look at the words of our Lord, the answer becomes clear why there is no freedom in the church; the body of Christ is not doing what He has commanded us to do. Instead, they have embraced the teachings of men like Pastor Chuck Swindoll who advises that, “There is nothing you can do to be a better Christian” (heard by this teacher with his own ears). We can say it this way, “The doctrines of men leave the children of God without His word that makes them free indeed and leaves them in darkness and cursing”.

It’s this ignorance and disobedience that is unnecessary and which can be immediately remedied by our acting upon God’s word. In other words, we need only to “turn around and go the other direction” toward God instead of in the pathway of false teaching. This is, in fact, the very definition of “repentance”: to turn the other way.

Not matter who we are or how long we have been (ignorantly) following false doctrines, the “truth that makes free” is immediately available if we but act on it. If we obey His commandments (e.g. put off the old man, put on the new man that is made in the image of Christ, pray without ceasing, beloved, let us love one another, hold fast that which you have heard in the beginning, put on the whole armor of God, seek first the Kingdom of God, et. al.), we will be made free from fear, sin, cursing and all other darkness. Then, if we continuously seek the Lord and are obedient to His commandments, we will be found in peace and will be free indeed.

GRACE BE WITH YOU

“Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love” (2Jo 1:3)

As the Apostle John speaks in the passage, we see a servant of the Lord voicing the will of God to one of the Lord’s children and who is one of his sisters in Christ. It is an exact detailed expression of God’s will and yhat will is to manifest the work of the cross (i.e. His grace) to His creation that they may be healed (“He sent His word and healed them…(Ps 107:20)”.

It is also the expression of God’s love toward His creation: an expression found throughout the New Testament. It was because of His love for His creation that He gave all grace to them in Christ.

For instance, we see the Apostle Paul speaking in the same manner as the Apostle John: “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ga 1:3): “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (2Ti 1:2): “To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior” (Tit 1:4).

Notice that this is not just some perfunctory social protocol that they used in that day to salute someone. These servants are pronouncing a blessing upon those they serve and upon their fellow servants. They are edifying one another with the words of their mouth which they speak by the power of the Holy Spirit. God created the worlds with the power of His word. Ought we not to direct the power of our words to the good of edifying one another?:

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Eph 4:29).

The Lord wants His people to understand who He is and to know His thoughts towards us. He wants us to understand and know His loving-kindness and tender mercies and His love that passes human understanding. But, He also wants us to understand that we are the body of Christ and that we are to convey His will to others by speaking the powerful life-changing words of God unto peace and edification in the life of others.

When we see these examples, we also faith in action because the messengers are speaking by the Spirit and are doing so by faith (and the just shall live by faith). They expect the other person to hear and believe their words that they may be blessed. They expect results because, while they are conveying a message, they are also conveying an edifying ministry. It is a ministering word of the Lord to someone. They understand that the ones hearing it should know that they need to receive the powerful word of the Lord that was sent to them.

We are the children of the “very God of peace” and are to bring the powerful word of peace to others and to speak His powerful, healing, and edifying words to them. We are to minister to, edify, and bless one another in love and do so by the power of the word and Spirit as He leads and gives us His words to speak. That’s what Jesus and the Apostles did. The entirety of their ministry was to simply to resolve others to peace as “peacemakers”. We’ve been given the words of life and all things pertaining to life and Godliness and the Lord desires that we know that this grace is with us to accomplish His will in ever place. Let fulfill His will.

The Sons of Light

The Bible says:

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God” (1John 3:2).

When it says that, it’s also saying, “Beloved, now are we the sons of light” because God is light and in Him is no darkness. This means that we are to be the light of the world even as Christ our Lord is the light of the world. We are His body and we are to walk in the light as He is in the light (1John 1:7) and the world will see that light.

When we walk in the light, there is no occasion for us to stumble as we walk in the service of the Lord (1John 2:10). We can see our pathway and there is no darkness with which to contend. There is great benefit when we obey His word: “But, if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1Jo 1:7). Not only are we in constant fellowship with the body of Christ that we may edify one another, we are constantly walking in cleanness. To be clean is to be holy and to be holy is to fulfill the command of God to “Be ye holy for I am holy”.

And, to be in the light is to be in the spirit realm. God is light and He is “that Sprit”. So, to walk in the light is to walk in the spirit realm. In fact, we are to do all things in the spirit. We are to walk in the spirit, abide in the spirit, be spiritually minded, be led of the Spirit, and even speak that which is spiritual for the good of edifying one another. Our abode is to manifestly be “in Christ” and He certainly is in the spirit realm at the right hand of the Father. That’s precisely where we are to be:

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6)

To walk in the spirit is also to be free from all condemnation. As it is written:

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Ro 8:1).

We cannot be judged when in the spirit realm because Christ, who has already been judge, is in the spirit realm and we are to be “in Him”. He is that “high tower” into which the righteous run and are safe.

But, that’s not all; when we walk in the light, the wicked one, Satan, touches us not:

“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” (1John 5:18).

Satan cannot touch Christ and if we are “in Christ”, he cannot touch us!

IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, THEN ARE YE MAY DISCIPLES, INDEED

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Joh 8:31-32)

We, as believers, must hear what Jesus says then obey his words. Stop and think about it. To disobey is rebellion and the Bible says that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” and that “stubbornness is iniquity and idolatry”! Do we really want to explain to the Lord why we prefer witchcraft to obedience to His word and will?!

Yes, we can be born again and we will certainly make eternity our home and our disobedience won’t likely preclude heaven as our home. However, we cannot be made free now in this lifetime if we are not obedient to His commandments (His commandments and His words are the same). Likewise, there are certain rewards stipulated for those (and only those) who are servants and are obedient to their Lord.

Having the reward for obedience is confirmed when we hear what He says in the next verse: “And, ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Joh 8:32). Have you never wondered why you don’t see free Christians (those who are free from fear and in peace)? It’s because they have listened to those who preach the doctrines of men that make the word of God of no effect. It is they that teach that “If God wants you to be free, He will make you free” (or words to that affect). God has made freedom available but obedience to His commandments is required to obtain this grace.

These doctrines will try to explain to you such things as “Why bad things happen to good people” (there is a book with that title). Such teachers only reinforce the error that keeps the Lord’s heritage in bondage and never allows them to be free. If we examine these respective doctrines, we see that it’s literally against these teachers’ religion for the body of Christ to be “free indeed” because they disavow the responsibility of Christians to be disciples who act on God’s word. They teach that God will complete His work in them and that they need not to do anything to help Him. This is the “Doctrine of Irresponsibility” and it is error. Let’s explore this matter somewhat further.

If we but look at the words of our Lord, the answer becomes clear why there is no freedom in the church; the body of Christ is not doing what He has commanded us to do. Instead, they have embraced the teachings of men like Pastor Chuck Swindoll who advises that, “There is nothing you can do to be a better Christian” (heard by this teacher with his own ears). According to them, you just sit back and “Let Jesus fly the plane”.

It’s this inordinate and inexcusable ignorance and disobedience that is unnecessary and which can be immediately remedied by our acting upon God’s word. In other words, we need only to “turn around and go the other direction” toward God instead of in the pathway of false teaching. This is, in fact, the very definition of “repentance”: to turn the other way.

No matter who we are or how long we have been (ignorantly) following false doctrines, the “truth that makes free” is immediately available if we but seek for it and act on it.

If we obey His commandments (e.g. put off the old man, put on the new man that is made in the image of Christ, pray without ceasing, love one another, hold fast that which you have heard in the beginning, put on the whole armor of God, seek first the Kingdom of God, et. al.), we will be made free from fear, sin, cursing and all other darkness. Then, if we continue in His word/commandments, we will be found in peace and will be free indeed and not recaptured.

Love One Another

“And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another” (2Jo 1:5)

It shouldn’t be surprising to anyone of the Lord’s heritage that our Father, who is love, wants His children to be like Him and be the sons and daughters of love. His love is such that He unselfishly sent His only begotten son (the “Prince of Peace”) who was His express image and who demonstrated His will to man: peace and good will.

This is precisely why we see the Apostle John, not just making a request, by earnestly beseeching (i.e. “calling near”) the “lady” to whom he has written the epistle to walk in love. He understands that, to walk in love, is to walk in Christ.

Christ Jesus showed the world, not only how love operates by doing good and healing all who were oppressed by Satan, but also showed us that we are to be like Him in the earth as His body. We are to love the unlovely; we are to love the lost; we are to love our Lord who gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins on the tree. We are to be love incarnate.

This means that He now expects us to manifest and demonstrate that same “agape” love (i.e. God kind love) to all men but makes a commandment that we are to love one another. It isn’t a suggestion; it is a direct commandment to those who would be His disciples.

Two things happen when we obey His word. One is that we will dwell in peace. Where peace is, the very God of peace is; and, where God is, love is. God will be in the corporate midst of His people and in their midst (i.e. in their inner most being).

When the world sees us loving one another, healing on another and resolving each other to peace, and edifying one another and also bringing peace and good will to men, how can they not want to be part of the family? Instead, they see rebellious, selfish, infantile converts who are blown about by every wind of doctrine and who are divided by hundreds of doctrines of men and demons. It means that the world doesn’t see the love for Christ in the church and that Christians aren’t walking in Godly love. It’s a primary reason that they condemn us.

Let us obey the commandment of our Father: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (Joh 13:35) so that the world will know what true Godly love is.

KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:20-21)

Please notice that this scripture is yet another of the many commandments that the Bible gives us. It is not a suggestion. None of these commandments should be taken lightly because we are to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of our Lord.

Notice also that the Lord doesn’t require anything of us except those things necessary for our own good, our own health, and our own prosperity. Love is never selfish and God is love. He requires these things of us so that we may abide in Him in His Sabbath rest and that we no longer abide in this cursed peace-less world.

If we are to walk in the “fear of the Lord” (an act of our will), we must keep His commandments; His commandments are not grievous but can be accomplished because He has given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness. The primary commandment is that we love one another as He loved us.

Therefore, there is no time as “Christians” that we should not be keenly aware of who our God is and who we are. God is love and we are the children of love. This means that God is always going to love and that we should do the same. Do you really understand that? He is love so He loves His children regardless of what they have done or how they represent themselves to Him and to others.

In fact, He loved us while we were yet dead in sin and made a way to free us from the bondage of sin and death. He made a way to take away our sins by sending His only begotten son to pay the price for Adam’s rebellion. In doing so, He made a way to, not only reach His children, but to fellowship with them and to bless them. Only love would do such a thing for such fallen, filthy, creatures.

Love is never selfish. It never allows itself to consider selfishness much less practice it. When we notice the grace which came down to us from above, we see how limitless it is in abundance. This exemplifies the limitless unselfishness of the love God. There isn’t a single provision that hasn’t been accounted for. Every single thing pertaining to life and Godliness has been given to us by our Father. Only limitless unselfishness love would give His only begotten son to die for us.

This certainly means that He desires that we understand this fact and wants us to get a revelation of who we are: “Beloved, now are ye the sons of God”. Does this not mean that we are to be “the sons and daughters of love” like our Father? Doesn’t this mean that Jesus meant what He says when He commanded us to love one another? Doesn’t it also say that we are to love our wives as Christ loved the church and as men love their own flesh? Do we not have an entire chapter devoted to defining and explaining what love is and does (1Co 13)?

What should be understood is that love must be perfected. Being a fruit of the (human) spirit (i.e. part of the “peaceable fruit of righteousness”), it doesn’t ripen overnight. We are children and children must be reared correctly and brought into completeness until they are fruitful (i.e. being the fruition of their parent’s efforts) and can fend for themselves . Our parent’s love is manifest in this dynamic. We will be fruitful also if we obey our Heavenly Father’s commandments.

We are also “trees of the Lord’s planting” (Ps 1). It takes time for fruit (again, the fruit of the human spirit) to grow and become ripened. This is done by planting the seed of the word of God and nurturing that seed until it ripens (Mark 4). Because we have a new nature, believers desire to do that which is right and to walk in love. They just need to be trained like any other child. We are trained by the word and commandments of the Lord.

But, then, we must abide in that love. Looking at the context of this passage, we can see that love is a “maintenance project” and that it must be monitored and nurtured like any other fruit or any other garden (i.e. we are to be like a watered garden – Isaiah 58:11). If our love is not protected, then it becomes subject to the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life and the deceitfulness of sin and riches (Mark 4). These “weeds” will defile our garden and choke out the love of God in our lives. All diligence must be given to avoid this.

The Apostle John tells us exactly who to do this. First, we must build up our most holy faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. We must obey another commandment at this point: “Study to show yourselves approved unto God…” so that we can rightly divide the word of truth and obtain a revelation of our Lord. God is holy therefore His word is holy which means that our faith is holy because it comes from hearing His word.

Then, we must “pray in the spirit” which edifies the human spirit with the help of the Holy Spirit. If this is not being done, then keeping oneself in the love of God is not possible. The Bible gives no other example on how to keep ourselves in the love of God. If you are unfamiliar with “praying in the spirit”, then you will need to find someone who can explain this simple dynamic (all of the things of God are simple) so that you may be able to comply with scripture (which is never selfish but only for our edification).

Then, we must make a decision to walk in (i.e. abide in) love on purpose. We are not called to stop in and visit Jesus now and again and are not called to occasionally walk in love. So, we must learn to defend that love from our own flesh and any other temptation to do that which is unseemly or un-lovely. This is nothing more than part of the “good fight of faith” because being a “love-ian” is a continuous fight against the default darkness of this world and our flesh.

When we abide in love, we are abiding in Christ and in God and they are abiding in us. If we are not abiding in love as scripture teaches, we are not (manifestly) abiding in Christ because you cannot separate Christ from God and cannot separate God from love. To abide in love is to abide in Christ; to not abide in love is to (manifestly) abide in the world and in hate.

If we are going to be “Christians” (Christ is the express image of the Father and so is His body), shouldn’t we do everything we can to perfect and maintain our love and be like Christ our Lord? We call ourselves “Christians” but are we really “love’ians who obey the commandments of our Lord?

Let’s not delay in increasing in the knowledge of God because, to increase in the knowledge of God is to increase in the knowledge of love. God and His word are one therefore we must know His word to be able to know Him. God is only revealed by His word, the word of love.

UNTO THEE, O LORD, DO I LIFT UP MY SOUL

“Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause” (Ps 25:1-3)

When we look at King David, we see a man who knew his God. He knew and understood God, His word, and the covenant which He had made with Moses. Because of this, David was a blessed man even though he disobeyed God on no few occasions. He would invariably rely upon the steadfastness of the word of God and His covenant.

By knowing God’s mercy, David was able to repent of his sins and quickly re-establish his covenant relationship with God. By re-establishing his relationship, he regained his confidence. And, importantly, his boldness, too, because he understood his righteousness under the “Law of Moses”. King Solomon stated it this way: “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Pr 28:1). We see that boldness when David, as a young man, slew Goliath.

This restoration of confidence between David and his God is demonstrated when we hear him pray. Regardless of what the issue is, David is utterly confident in his prayers because he has made himself right in the eyes of the “Law” and the Lord. This confidence also preserved and protected his faith and we know that “the just shall live by faith”.

We, too, can pray with the same effectual prayers and have the same boldness with confidence to approach our God in prayer. We have the (imputed) righteousness of God in Christ and full access to His throne room and His ear. He has even obligated himself to answer our prayers if we but do what He says and according to His will. Since we know His will, then, if we know His word, we can pray with all confidence with every expectation of our God answering us.

By confessing our sins (daily, if necessary), He is faithful and just (because of His work of the cross and covenant with Christ) to forgive our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Having been cleansed, there is no sin issue between us and our Father. Therefore, there should be no guilt or guilty conscience and we may stand confidently and without fear.

Let us believe our Father’s word and confidently come before His throne. Let us bring our petitions and prayers to Him in all boldness without doubting in our hearts and not wavering in our minds. He will answer us the same way He answered David; He said He would.

SHEW ME THY WAYS O LORD

“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and

Here is a covenant man, King David, who knows His God and he knows how to pray. We must learn from men like this if we expect to be able to pray effectually.

First, David knows his standing with God. He understands that the covenant was made by God to His creation (but more specifically, to His chose people). He is bold in coming before His God at any time for any reason. Given the fact that we have a new and better covenant, we should do the same. In fact, scripture confirms this fact:

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). Boldness is part of an effective prayer life.

Next, David is seeking to know more about his Lord and His ways because he knows that, if he does things Gods way, he will be blessed; though he know much, he wants to know yet more about the mercy of His God. He knows that obedience to the covenant is very beneficial (and that disobedience has its own reward, as well). It also means that he knows that, if he prays and believes, the Lord will answer his prayer; he has no doubt and wouldn’t waste his time if thought he had to guess about any part of the matter.

That’s another part of an effective prayer life: doubt not in your heart. Jesus confirms this: “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done” (Mt 21:21).

Without faith, our prayers cannot be answered because “the just shall live by faith”. Absolutely nothing we do as “believers” can be accomplished apart from faith. But, it requires “un-wavering faith” which is spoken of in James 1:16:

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed”

Also, he acknowledges that God is the God of his “salvation” which means that He is the God of his “deliverance” (from all enemies including death and Hell). Listen to his confidence when he prays! Here’s what the Bible says: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward” (Heb 10:35). Let us also pray with confidence.

Lastly, he waits on the Lord all of the day: not part of the day, but all of the day. He found that principle in God’s word:

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” ( Ps 1:1-2)

Here’s what the angel of the Lord said to Joshua:

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Jos 1:8)

Waiting on the Lord, in itself, has astounding benefits! “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa 40:3).

Let us do what David did and find the Lord’s ways; let us seek His will and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (i.e. doing His will in the earth though obedience to His word); we will have the same results a David because God is no respecter of persons.

Holding fast the faithful word

“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Tit 1:9 )

In this passage, we have Paul the Apostle advising Titus on how to appoint elders. He tells him to choose men who are qualified for the position. He then tells him to exhort them to “hold fast the faithful word” that they had been taught by the Apostle Paul himself. Note that this is how orthodoxy is maintained.

What is understood here is that, though he is speaking about elders in the church, no individual believer is left out of this qualifier. In other words, yes; not all believers are called to be elders; but all believers are called to know the word of God as it was intended (i.e. must know orthodoxy and not the doctrines of men). It should be no surprise, then, if any particular believer who is full of the word is called upon to be an elder.

Not all are chosen for the “Five-Fold Ministry” but that doesn’t mean that can’t be elders in the church. This is because older folks are usually more experienced in the things of God and are (or should be) wiser than the younger believers. They should also know more of the word of God (and there is no excuse if they don’t).

The word for “elders” in the Greek is “presbuteros” which simply means “elder ones”. And, it is the “elder ones” who are appointed as “overseers” (episkopos— from which we get our word Episcopalian) of the church.

All believers should be able to defend the faith with all confidence. But, that will only happen if we study to show ourselves approved unto God and not unto man. We must know that word.

FOR THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGETH SALVATION HAS APPEARED UNTO ALL MEN

This is an amazing scripture. It tells us that the grace of God brings salvation and has appeared to all men and that it’s teaching us that we can actually manifestly be Christ-like (the very definition of “Christian”). Grace, we have learned, is all of God’s provision for all things, for all time and to all men, to fulfill all of His will in the earth. And, it is always accessed through faith (“By grace are ye saved through faith (not by faith)” and “The just shall live by faith”).

This is His grace that is made available through faith that we may live according to God’s will, word, and commandments. It’s this amazing grace that He is able to make abound towards us that we, having all sufficiency for all things, should abound unto all good works (said works being the doing of His will in the earth to do good and to heal all who are oppressed of the Devil). In this grace is no lack or deficiency at any time.

We also see that God’s grace is administered by the “Spirit of Grace” who is the Spirit of God who is our teacher and who teaches us all things (if we study scripture according to scriptural principles). It is He who reveals the word of grace to us (all of God’s grace is in His word and His word is Jesus, the Christ, the anointed living word of God). It is the Holy Spirit who quickens it in our spirit and makes it alive unto soul.

This scripture also reveals that God’s grace has made it possible for us to be able to obey His command to live a Godly life. There is no power in the heavens, in the earth, or even our own flesh that has any authority over us than what we allow; nothing can stop us if we make the decision to be Godly!

But, do notice that the grace of God teaches us and does nothing for us unless we obey the word of the Lord. Without obedience to His commandments (all of the words that proceed out of the mouth of our God are commandments), we cannot know His word. Therefore, let us access His grace because it is sufficient.

THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MY HEART THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Ps 119:11)

Though this passage was written three thousand years ago, it is still relevant today. Why? Because God’s word is eternal and what it did three thousand years ago, it still, does today. All of the spiritual principles from then are the same spiritual principles today because God is that Spirit and He, His word, His will, and His Kingdom never change.

If we do what the Bible says to properly study so that we have a revelation of Him and His word, the knowledge of God’s word will help us not to sin because we know what “sin” is and isn’t. We learn the difference between light and dark and between peace and un-peace. We learn the difference between the wisdom which is from above and the wisdom which is below and which is carnal.

If we know His word and we plant it in our hearts (God’s word is a seed), then we know right from wrong (according to God’s definition and not man’s) and will act. We will have knowledge of those things that are pleasing in His sight but also those things that are not pleasing in His sight. We will also know the difference between loving the world and loving God.

This is important because, if we do those things that are pleasing in His sight, we are righteous and He hears us (i.e. His ear is always open unto the righteous) and we then have our petitions and requests. In other words, living a righteous and sinless life (with all sins confessed and under the blood) is a requisite for answered prayer.

The more word we have in our hearts, the more we do those things that please the Lord (who is light) because we have more of His light in us; we are cleansed by His word which is the word of light. The more we please Him the more blessed we are because of our obedience to His word.

Did Jesus please the Father? Did He only do His will and only speak His words by hiding His word in his heart? Yes, and because He did, his prayers were continuously answered. We are His body and are to do the same thing as Jesus did and just like the word of God says we are to do (Isaiah 58:13-14). By entering into the Lord’s holy Sabbath rest, we can be blessed above measure.

We can only do that by hiding His holy cleansing word of light, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption, peace, and Sabbath rest in our heart. We hide it there by meditating and memorizing it as we wait on Him. We are to study to show ourselves approved unto God who will reveal Himself by His word. When it is in our hearts and minds, it will transform our lives from darkness into light that we may abide in Christ, the Prince of Peace, the Lord of the Sabbath, and who is light. We will be one with all aspects of our Lord and Savior.

We are His body and should please our Father at all times. He delights in answering our prayers and blessing us as we walk without sin in our lives.

If Any Man Sin, We Have An Advocate With The Father

“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” (1Jo 2:1)

One of the mistakes that Christians make is to try to list or quantify what “sin” is. Usually, it’s things like “you do this but don’t do that”. If it’s not on the list, it’s not a sin but if it is on the list, then it’s a sin and you’d better not do that. But, the Bible actually makes the matter fairly simple if we only pay attention to what it says.

“Sin” is basically anything that is not of love. If it’s not of love, then it’s not of God because God is love. Therefore, sin is “un-Godliness”.

In fact, anything that separates us from His holiness and light is sin. So, if we are not walking in love, we are not walking in the light as He is in the light (because His is both love and light); we are walking apart from God, have violated our relationship with Him, and are, therefore, sinning. It just so happens that that act of sinning is quite injurious to us! To continue to sin and to not be in an intimate relationship with Him and to not abide in Him is to die!

If we follow after the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and are taken captive by the deceitfulness of riches, then we are driving a wedge between us and God! These things are worldly and all worldly things are dark because there is no default light in the world.

Thus, to love darkness is called the “love of the world and the things in it”.

How can we say we love Him and yet we do not maintain our relationship by obeying His commandments? We cannot love Him because we are not walking in love and light and obedience to His word.

His commandments are not grievous. We are to believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and are to love one another. And, we are to obey all of His commandments in the Bible. Some examples of His commandments are:

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Eph 4:22)

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (Col 3:12)

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness” (Col 3:14)

“Pray without ceasing” (1Th 5:17)

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7)

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1Pe 5:6)

But, we do sin; there are times when we do walk in darkness and fall from the light and from righteousness and from our relationship with Him. However, our God, who is good for His mercy endures forever, has made provision for us to be reconciled if we but act on His word. If we confess our “sin” (i.e. our breech of relationship by walking in world and fleshly lusts instead of in the spirit), we have only to confess it before Him. He is faithful and just to (immediately) forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1Jo 1:9).

Let us do just that! Then, with a pure conscience (so that our faith is not defiled), we can continue to fight the good fight of faith and disciplining ourselves so that we are submitted to God in righteousness and holiness instead of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, the pride of life, and are persuaded by the deceitfulness of riches.

And I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal even as unto babes in Christ

Pastor/Teacher Randy Minnick

His House Fellowship Porterville, CA

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1Co 3:1-3)

How would you like to have the Apostle Paul walk through the front door and say this to us? Wouldn’t it be exceedingly embarrassing to be considered a “babe in Christ” and needing milk even after having sat under his teachings for a while? How would it feel to be told that you are still carnal and are not even close to being “Christians” (other than in name only) after being born again for say 30 years or so?

How would it feel to be told that you have rebelled and have not obeyed the word of the Lord? In other words, you’re not able to hear the word of truth that makes free because the world and your flesh means more to you than being like Christ and obeying the King? How would it feel if you have been a believer for decades and the Apostle makes that same pronouncement?

Think about this. The Apostle is sent to the church we attend and states the above word to us. He would be basically saying that “I have taught you in person and have sent epistles to you. Yet, you are still carnal and are babes who are more worldly than Godly. You haven’t grown at all and you still don’t have the spiritual capacity to grasp the deeper things of God. You have no fruit because you haven’t done what the Bible says to do. Do you not understand that, if you are not obedient to the words and commandments of Christ and do not abide in Him, you cannot be fully grown and mature?!”. To me, this would be shameful as well as embarrassing to think that I was still a small, stunted, fruitless tree that had withered leaves (in contrast to the tree in Psalms 1:1-3).

But, receiving and enduring such a word isn’t necessary. In fact, it’s entirely optional because we have been given all things pertaining to life and Godliness. To be sure, knowing the word of truth that makes free is Godliness. Nothing is hid from us.

Shouldn’t we rather desire to know the meat (the deep things of God) instead of being satisfied with carnality and mere religion (i.e. the powerless doctrines of men which leave us famished for the truth)? Would not our soul be much more nourished with the bread of life and not the leaven of the Pharisees? Should we not desire to be in great peace (in Christ) instead of the un-peacefulness of the world? Should we not reveal our love for our Lord (and the brethren) by being obedient to Him and being led of His Spirit?

Let’s ask this question: what would we do if it was Jesus who came through the door and not the Apostle? Would we fall at His feet in adoration and worship or in shame that we are not like Him and don’t know Him. How would we explain this to the Lord seeing that He has given us all things pertaining to life and Godliness and has withheld no good thing and who hinders not?

Now, consider this. Is He not in our midst as we gather in His name? Does He not see all things and is He not there to help us in all things so that we may be blessed and spiritually healthy? Has He not given us the ministry gifts so that we can be found in the measure of the fullness of the stature of Christ (Ephesian 4:11-16)? And yet, we…remain…babes who are without wisdom and understanding and little if any fruition (i.e. not bearing the peaceable fruit of righteousness because of not abiding in the vine).

Let us no longer be babes. As obedient holy children, let us grown in grace unto the perfect man and be like Him in the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ our King. Let us perfect holiness in the fear of God (2Corin 7:1). For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness (1Th 4:7):

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Ro 13:11)

For We Are Saved By Hope

“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it” (Romans 8:24-25)

Let’s parse this passage by starting with the word “saved”. It’s the Greek word “sozo” which means “made whole; kept safe; rescued from danger or peril; made well; healed”. It means to be totally and completely delivered from darkness and all un-peacefulness in our spirit, our soul, and our body. This means that our Father (who is light) wants His children (the children of light) to be made completely free. He has given us all things pertaining to life and Godliness (i.e. has given us all grace) to the end that we may be completely free from darkness and living in the light.

Let’s look at the word “hope”, which is one of the five pillars of faith. While faith is a substance (one could say it is a “building material”), hope is a blueprint and a picture of things to come. We cannot see it with our natural eyes but only with our spiritual eyes. If we could see it, it would no longer be hope.

When we see with the spiritual eyes, we believe what God has said about deliverance though we can’t yet see it. We endure all things because our faith and hope are set upon the word of God. And, we know that God’s word is the truth; it’s sure and unchangeable.

But, there is an adjunct to hope and that is “patience”, which is also one of the pillars of faith. In our patience we possess our soul (Luke 21:19). Without patience, our hope is made ineffectual and our faith is dead. Without patience we cannot “endure to the end” and cannot be made perfect and entire, lacking nothing.

The end result of not being patient is that we cannot access the promises of God and cannot be delivered from this present evil world. Our faith will waver and we will receive nothing from God.

We can say it this way: God cannot be our deliverer if we lose hope in His word. Therefore, patience is a most potent and powerful matter. Let us hold fast to our hope and employ our patience and be watchful and mindful that we lose neither of them.

And I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal even as unto babes in Christ

Pastor/Teacher Randy Minnick

His House Fellowship Porterville, CA

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1Co 3:1-3)

How would it feel to be told that you have rebelled and have not obeyed the word of the Lord? In other words, you’re not able to hear the word of truth that makes free because the world and your flesh means more to you than being like Christ and obeying the King? Again, how would it feel if you have been a believer for decades and the Apostle makes that same pronouncement?

“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame” (1Co 15:34)

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Ro 13:11)

But the Natural Man Receiveth Not the Things of the Spirit of God

Pastor//Teacher Randy Minnick

His House Fellowship Porterville, CA

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1Co 2:14)

This is another scripture that gives us the key to knowing the truth of God’s word. Don’t be carnally minded if you want to know that truth. It is understood that only the Holy Spirit can reveal God’s word to man. This reference also reveals to us that you must be filled with God’s Spirit or He cannot show us things to come or reveal the deep things of God to the His people. It is only He who shows us sound doctrine.

There is a problem. Because of doctrinal error, there are believers who have refused to receive the Holy Spirit. In other words, there are those who, through the “spirit of error”, think that they were already filled with the Holy Spirit when they were born again. Though the Bible quite clearly teaches the opposite, many believers have not obeyed the word of God to seek the Lord for the truth that makes free. They have no revelation of God’s word but only man’s.

This means that far too many of the Lord’s children will never be free and in peace. It means that they will never bear the peaceable fruit of righteousness. It means that they will never be free from the bondage of sin and their flesh.

This is a serious problem. Being in this type of error disallows even God from helping His children. In other words, since these believers are already convinced of their doctrines and since they refuse to study to find the truth that makes free, they are carnally minded. We can say it this way: they have not put on the mind of Christ. Who is Christ? He is “The Truth That Makes Free’.

What can we do? How can we communicate with those who think that the things of God are foolishness? What can we say when we try to help them and they reject us? The answers is actually simple: nothing. Yes, that’s what I said. We must, as much as is possible, remain in peace with all men. Though you want to help them, you will be scoffed at and even mocked as being a fool or some sort of zealot. It’s clear that, if they remain in today’s carnal religious system, our own brothers and sisters may actually persecute us. What to do? Pray and expect to suffer for righteousness sake. It’s all right there in the Book.

Charity Suffereth Long and is Kind

Pastor/teacher Randy Minnick

His House Fellowship Porterville, CA

“Charity suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth” (1Co 13:4-8)

There are a couple of things that we need to note as we approach this passage. One is that the word “charity” used here is the Greek word “agape”. It is translated “love” throughout the New Testament. Never lose that point.

A second note is that God is “love”. So, when you hear the word “love”, you need to hear “God”. In other words, in the above verse, you need to hear “God suffereth long and is kind”. Since we’re the body of Christ, then we are to be the body of love, be longsuffering, and be kind. This is why Jesus gave us gave us His first commandment:

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (Joh 15:12)

He gave us this example of how He loves (agapes) the church and gave Himself for it. Paul the Apostle then gave us other similar commandments regarding love:

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it”, That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband” (Eph 5:25-33)
“Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them” (Col 3:19)

The Apostle John, likewise, gave us this exhortation:

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1Jo 3:18)
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (1Jo 4:7)

With these scriptures, we see that love is an action.

Yet another note is to understand that love is both a noun (e.g. God) and a verb (e.g. to love). The Bible explains it this way: “For God so loved the world….”. Love is a Godly action. It’s what God does because it’s who God is.

Because of this understanding, let’s say it this way: love is not a passive matter. Love, like faith, is only a dead word unless acted upon. If we say we love and do nothing to prove it, we are liars.

This is also because there is no passivity in the Kingdom of God which is the Kingdom of Light. Light is always active. If we are the light of the world and hide that light or refuse to act on our faith (which also requires a corresponding action) and/or our love, we will have neither. If we stop being “believers” through disobedience to or ignorance of God’s word, we are found liars.

Finally, we are the body of Christ. We are the body of love and light. We are the manifestation of love and light to the world if so be we have committed to walk in love and to dwell in and walk in the light as He is in the light. If we abide and walk in the spirit in obedience to our Lord, who is love and light, our light also will shine.

What is also understood is that we must be infilled with His (Light’s) Holy Spirit (who is the Spirit of Light and Love). The Apostle Paul spoke of this matter:

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Ro 8:9)
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Ro 8:11)

Of serious note and as a short aside: the Apostle is clearly signifying that being filled with the Holy Spirit is subsequent to being born again.[1] He states “if” not “because” as the wording of many contemporary teachers falsely demand and use as a substitute to satisfy their false doctrines.

There are only two ways to receive the Holy Spirit and both of them are evidenced by power. That power is a manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit and they are given to every person who is filled with the Holy Spirit (without exception):

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1Co 12:7)[2]

For, the Kingdom of God[3] is not in word but in demonstrable power.[4]

One way is seen in Acts 2:4 and Acts 19 when the Spirit sovereignly falls on people. There was a very demonstrable presentation of both speaking in tongues and prophesying.

The other way is by the laying on of hands as we see in Acts (and other places as well):

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost” (Ac 8:14-19)

Paul the Apostle spoke to Timothy about this same dynamic:

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2Ti 1:6-7

Side note: the original Greek states, “…fan the flame of the gift of God….” which ties directly to the fire of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:4. Paul further show us that he is speaking specifically about the Holy Spirit (which Timothy received by the laying on of the Apostle’s own hands) in the seventh verse.

If you haven’t been filled with the Holy Spirit and have no evidence of gifts/power in your life, you must seek to be filled or you are not one of His:

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Ro 8:9)

Having said these things, do you find this thought strange or do you think that it’s impossible to believe that you can be the embodiment of agape (i.e the embodiment of the “God-kind” of love and light)? Is it strange or difficult for you to think that the head (Christ) and the body are one and the same flesh?

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh” (Eph 5:31)

Did not Christ leave the Father[5] and come to be joined with His body, His flesh? Is He not in our midst and did He not say, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”? Is He not in our midst when scripture states, “…Christ in you, the hope of glory”[6]. So, He is both in our corporate midst and in the midst of the individual. We are all one flesh with Christ in our midst and, again, in our midst.

When we observe the Apostle Paul’s teaching, we see that all we need to do is do what love does and obey Love’s commands. In other words, God is love and God and His word are one and all of God’s words are commandments. Therefore, the words of God are the words and commandments of love (noting that love is never selfish but is always and only concerned about the other person). If we obey His words and commandments, we will walk in love and faith.

Let’s examine ourselves to see if we are in “the faith” (i.e. to see if we are obedient. For, without obedience, there is no faith). Are we full of His transforming word of love? Or, are we full of worldliness and carnality?:

“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” (1Jo 2:15)

Can people see us as trees of the Lord’s planting who bring forth love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, and temperance? Are we abiding in the “Vine”. No man can bring forth fruit without doing so. Are we abiding in the word of God (Christ is the word of God)? Is there enough of the seed of the word of God in us to bring forth a harvest of the peaceable fruit of righteousness?

How shall all men know that we are His disciples if we are not abiding in love?:

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (Joh 13:35 )

Up this examination, are we satisfied by representing and presenting Christ any other way than this?

Are we full of His words of light or are we full of darkness? How shall we be the light of the world except we abide in light? Do we not understand that our word level is our love and light level?[7] And, our word level is also our faith level. Do we really desire to be in the “oh, ye of little faith/word/love” crowd? Remember: the just shall live by faith. It is a commandment and not a request.

Therefore, are we not to be obedient to the above example? Is it so difficult to understand the words of the Lord?:

“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and]to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1Sa 15:22-23)

Is God’s word not a mirror that gauges our growth in grace, love, faith, light, and peace? Has He not given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness so that we may be obedient to His commandments?

Are we such faithless children that we don’t believe we can be like our Lord who is love and light? Are we so simple that we cannot be led of the same Spirit that He was led by or harken unto the words of the Father as He did? Can we not do those things that are pleasing and acceptable to the Father as did our Lord? Can we not do His will? Can we not speak the words of the Lord as did Jesus?[8]

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Ro 8:14)

Can we not walk in the fear of the Lord as did Jesus? Ought we not fear and tremble at the word of the Lord?

Can we not even obey His first commandment to us that we love one another? Can we not even love our own flesh (i.e. both other members of the body of Christ and our own spouses)? Are not all men watching us?

Know this: just as we are called to walk in love, we are called to holiness because God is both. Where God is, love is. Where God is, holiness is. Therefore, where love is, holiness is.

To love and to be holy are commandments. In that we are commanded to love, we are, therefore, not called to uncleanness (which is worldliness) but are called to holiness:

“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness” (1Th 4:7)
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Heb 12:14)
“I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness” (Ro 6:19)
“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Ro 6:22)
“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Ro 6:22)

Let us not be faithless and rebellious; but, as obedient children, let us be “doers of the word and not hearers only” and be conformed into the image of love and light which is the measure of the fullness of the stature and image of Christ who is the embodiment of love and who is holy.

[1] Which the Bible declares in numerous places – e.g. Acts 2:4; Acts 8:12-19; Acts 19:1-6; 2Tim 1:6

[2] The gifts are given to every Sprit-filled person without exception. See 1Corin 12:1-31 for overall context

[3][3] The Kingdom of God is within you- Luke 17:21

[4] 1Corin 4:20

[5] The Father sent His word

[6] Colossians 1:27

[7] And our faith level as well

[8] Isaiah 58:6-14

Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1Co 2:12)

This scripture gives us the key to knowing the truth of God’s word. It is being emphasized because there are hundreds and hundreds of different “Christian” doctrines in world today.[1] This begs the question, “Which one of these doctrines is ‘the truth that makes free’”?.

Though it is overtly obvious, there is a serious issue here. However, it’s almost frightening to notice the fact that there are but few who seem to consider it as such. So sure are men of their doctrines that they are willing to play “Russian Roulette” with their soul. No wisdom is allowed to factor into this matter at all. Having no wisdom is a direct violation of a commandment of God:

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Pr 4:7)

Is it not confusing and even unsettling to think that there are hundreds of doctrines and that the one you believe has only a one-in-hundreds chance of being “the truth”? Is God the author of confusion? I speak as a fool: absolutely not:

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1Co 14:33)

If our Lord, who is the “very God of peace”, desires peace and His word is the word of peace, then the word of peace is “the truth that makes free”. Free from what? Free from “un-peace” which is the lack of peace that is in the world. When we are born again from death unto life, we are born from un-peacefulness into peace. When we are healed, we are changed from disease (dis-ease) to peace. When we put on the mind of Christ, we put on the mind on the “Prince of Peace” who is also the word of God; our un-peaceful mind is brought into peace and our soul is restored to peace.

The churches are not in agreement and do not all speak the same thing, This is not of God because, without agreement and unity of doctrine, there is no peace. The very God of peace cannot dwell in the midst of such disunity and unpeace. This exact matter was addressed by Paul the Apostle:

1Co 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Abiding in and justifying such discord is also a direct violation of the word of God. The churches are in rebellion to God’s word and there is no acknowledgement of this fact neither is their repentance. This ought not to be.

Having said these things, we can now make this statement: “If you are not in peace, in your spirit, your soul, and your body, your doctrines are wrong because they are of the wrong spirit, the “spirit of the world”.

If we are in confusion and any other lack of peace, is it not because we are hearing wrong teachings from wrong teachers? Otherwise, would we not be abiding in the Sabbath rest of God in the “Prince of Peace” and free from such error? The Apostle John speaks of this matter because he had to deal with the same issue: the Lord’s people who, only too easily, believed false doctrines:

“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” (1Jo 4:6)

So then, to know “the truth that makes free”, we need to obey the word of God. Who is teaching such truth? The Apostles of God and the anointed servants that the Lord has chosen to perfect the body:

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph 4:11-15)

Having the Lord’s anointed ministries (and not those ordained of men) is so that we may have a revelation of the wonderful truth that resolves our entire being to God and His Sabbath rest in Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath. It is so that we may abide in and fellowship with our Lord and His Spirit:

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, ‘If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (Joh 8:31-32)

Given the myriad doctrines, denominations, sects, and schisms in the church today, it is easy to determine that there is no peace in the body of Christ at all. This is a travesty and it is entirely unnecessary. It is a result of willful disobedience to God’s word and a willingness to accept the traditions of men as “gospel”. After all, we must “work out” our salvation[2] and must labor to enter into His Sabbath rest.[3] It’s much easier to believe doctrines that place the responsibility for salvation on Jesus rather than obey the commandments of our Lord and labor to do His will.

This is also to say that not everyone is going to wait upon the Lord and study to show themselves approved unto God rather than man. Because of being carnally minded, people find it easier to substitute intellectualism for spirituality. This is very much the carnal approach and it has very much failed the Lord’s people and violated the will of God altogether.

Being carnally minded means that not everyone is actually filled with the Spirit of Truth. Their doctrines teach that you are filled with the Holy Spirit when you are born again. This leaves the believer without the Spirit of Truth and he is left with the doctrines of the “spirit of error” which do not make the believer free. False doctrines preclude faith because faith can only come by hearing and hearing by word of truth.

This is extremely important because it is only the Spirit of Truth who reveals to the Lord’s children “the truth that makes free, indeed”. Again, He also reveals to us that there are only two spirits in the world; the “spirit of the world” (i.e. the “spirit of error” which is also the “spirit of darkness and untruthfulness”) and the “Spirit of Truth” which is the Holy Spirit who is also the “Spirit of Light” (our God is light). If truth is no revealed, then there is no truth but only ignorance which is captivity at the least[4] and even destruction at the worst.[5]

We should also be seeing the fact that our Father wants us to know His truth. He is holding back nothing and is hindering nothing at all of His Kingdom.[6] In fact, it’s all in Christ and all of it is ours. All of the blessings, all of the wisdom, and all of the peace of our God is ours already. But, we must access these things “by grace through faith”.[7] If there is no truth, there can be no faith. If there is no faith, then grace is beyond our reach.

So, what is the “understood” here? For one thing, we must believe God’s word because the just shall live by faith.[8] Next, all of the things given to us of our Father are considered “the grace of God”. This means that all grace (i.e. all provision) must be accessed through faith. After that, we must actually know what God has given us. This can only be determined by reading, studying, and understanding, His word.

This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. He reveals these things to us but only as we seek the Kingdom of God. Seeking is the corresponding action to our faith that we believe that the Kingdom is made available unto us. Note also that there is no such thing as osmosis with God. We either learn about His word through seeking Him and His Kingdom or not.

One more important matter to consider again; the Lord can only be of limited help if we are not filled with His Spirit. Some teach that we receive the Holy Spirit when we are born again. The Bible doesn’t teach that but rather clearly teaches that we are filled subsequent to being born again. If a person expects to know the truth that makes free and expects to be a “peacemaker” in the earth and fulfill God’s will, then there will be manifestations of the Holy Spirit.[9] Paul the Apostle gives us a clear example of this:

“And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1Co 2:4-5)

Remember: faith and truth cannot be separated. Faith toward God is contingent upon hearing the truth of God’s word and not the doctrines of men. To follow after false doctrines is optional because “the truth” is readily available.

Therefore, their error is obvious because they all teach a different “truth” and there is no power in the church. Which one of their doctrines teaches the truth that makes free? None of them do because none of them are free and living in peace and the power of God is not to be found in their churches.

How many Jesus’ are there? Is there not but one? Then there is only one truth and not hundreds. Therefore, being in error and following after false doctrines is purely willful and optional.

If we want to know the things that are freely given to us of God[10] and receive them, then we must ask for and receive the Holy Spirit, even the Spirit of Truth that we might be the children of truth who are free, indeed, and who know their God. There is no other way we can be spiritually minded, abide in the spirit, walk in the spirit, and pray in the spirit. We can only do this if we are filled with His Spirit.

All of God’s word and, therefore, all of His truth that makes free is available to all men. But, we must be obedient to His words and commandments and be led of His Spirit. Not all men will do this. If we rebel and follow after the doctrines of men and are not His disciples (who take up their cross and follow Him), error and cursing and even judgement will be our portion because we will not be found “in Him”, Christ the Truth. To be outside of Christ is to be outside of the covenant and the work of the cross. The wrath of God and judgement awaits the children of disobedience.[11]

It is incumbent upon all of the Lord’s people to scrutinize everything (without exception)[12] they think they know about the Bible and about their Lord. Virtually all contemporary “Christian” doctrines are in great error being based, by and large, on Catholicism. Catholicism is based on philosophy,[13] humanism[14] and intellectualism,[15] and the “spirit of error”[16].

None of what is being preached/taught today is “This gospel of the Kingdom” or the “Doctrine of Christ”. This is evident because the “Kingdom of God is not in word but in power”:

“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” (1Co 4:20 )

Again, to remain subject to error and captivity is entirely optional. We commanded to come of the darkness and cannot do that if we bound to the darkness of men’s doctrines. The entrance of God’s words brings light. Therefore, the entrance of God’s word brings truth.

Seek first the Kingdom of Truth. Seek first the Kingdom of Light. Seek first the Kingdom of Power. Seek first the Kingdom of Love. Seek first the Kingdom of God. These are commandments and not suggestions.

[1] More than eight hundred different ones just in America

[2] Philippians 2:12

[3] Hebrews 4:1-11

[4] Isaiah 5:13

[5] Hosea 4:6

[6] James 1:1-5

[7] All things of God without exception are “by grace through faith”. We are saved by grace through faith

[8] A commandment and not a suggestion

[9] 1Corinthians 12:4-31

[10] 1Corinthians 2:12

[11] Colossians 3:5-6

[12] Other than the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ

[13] John Calvin

[14] Ditto

[15] Ditto

[16] John Calvin and Martin Luther to name only two

I will praise thee O Lord my God with all my heart

“I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name forever more. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell” (Psalms 86:12-13)

Here is a man who knows His God. By an act of his will, he is committing and vowing to praise the Lord and to glorify His name forever. He is doing so with all of his heart.

The Psalmist even commanded his soul and all that was in him to praise the Lord (Psalm 103). This is to say that He was obeying the first commandment of the “Law of Moses” which is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Why is he doing this? It’s because he has a revelation of the mercy of the Lord and it’s that revelation that has caused him to praise the Lord continuously. We see him doing the same thing in Ps 34:1.

He knows of the mercy of the Lord because he has sought after the Lord, His word, His ways, and His will and did so with all of his being. He hungered after righteousness and sought to know His God.

This means that the Lord has answered him and has gave him an understanding and revelation that He has delivered/saved his soul from the lowest Hell. He has experienced and is experiencing the mercy of God. Because of this, he is so greatly thankful that he has been spared from Hell and its torment that he cannot remain quiet. He must praise His Lord.

For all of that (that God would reveal Himself and His mercy to someone under the “Law of Moses”), we have a new and better covenant in Christ that the Psalmist could only have dreamed about. We can not only know about God and His mercy, we can actually be one with our God. We can abide in Him with Him also abiding in us. Is this not something to rejoice about?

We have, indeed, been saved from the lowest Hell. But, we also have been exalted to the highest heaven in Christ. We are seated in heavenly places at the right hand of the Father with and in our Lord and King. No king, priest, or prophet could have done such a thing until the time of Christ and the work of the cross. Is this not something about which we should be in continuous praise and thanks giving? Should we not be rejoicing with all of our might?!

And, even more, we are the “seed of Abraham” (i.e. the “faith seed of Abraham”) who are the inheritors of all of the promises God made to Abraham and to his seed. These promises are for here and for now in our time and are not just “pie in the sky” that is awaiting our arrival in heaven.

Add to that that we are joint heirs with Jesus of the entire Kingdom of God, and you see that we have even more to rejoice about and to praise the Lord about than did then any Psalmist!

Ought we not, therefore, not obey His commandments and do His will and serve Him in all righteousness with all of our being? Ought we not seek our Lord for a revelation of His mercy that endures forever and that His compassions fail not? Should we not praise Him continuously from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same for saving us from everlasting punishment and for giving us His Kingdom?! Should we not continually have His praise in our mouths and offer up the sacrifice of praise both now and evermore? Should we not lift up, glorify, and praise the name of the Lord forever more?

By an act of our will, we should praise Him at all times. He has cleansed us of all sin and unrighteousness and given us His peace. He has given us His covenant in Christ. He has given us His unfailing word and by His stripes we are healed. For He is good: for His mercy endures forever. Let us ever shout for joy!

“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield” (Ps 5:11-12).

Be Not Terrified

“And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, ‘Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by’” (Lu 21:7-9)

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Lu 21:25-27)

Jesus has been asked about the time of His return and He answered the question in detail. In doing so, He gives us (who are 2,000 years closer to His return) some insight as well. In answer, we see that the time of His coming will be a fearful matter.

Note that He isn’t speaking to a crowd of folks who just happen to show up on their lunch break. He’s speaking to His disciples and it is understood that it includes the covenant people, the Jews (or more accurately, the children of Israel). He is prophesying what will happen to them prior to His return.

Let’s also make a quick note that He’s not necessarily explaining what will happen to everyone else on the planet. We must keep in mind that almost all things/all prophesy in the word of God are “Abrahamian centric” and which include the “Children of Israel. The promises are to Abraham and his seed (Galatians 3:16).

As we proceed, we need to immediately note that “fear” is never to be a part of our life. Fear is extremely powerful and it will savagely destroy faith. You can have fear or you can have faith; you cannot have both as they are “reciprocals” (i.e. they are mutually exclusive). We also hear the Lord speaking “Fear not” throughout the Bible. “Fear not” is not a suggestion; it is a command to one and all. Why? Because, “The just shall live by faith”. There is no place, therefore, for fear to be allowed into our lives and are to “build up” our most holy faith:

“Surely he shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies” (Ps 112:6-8)

That command, then and now, is still in effect. Despite temptation to fear, it must be defeated. To include fear is to defeat our faith and to defeat faith is to defeat our salvation for “by grace are you saved through faith….”. It will even destroy our lives, our peace, and will defeat the will of God for us to abide in the “Prince of Peace” (i.e. abiding in Christ requires faith as does all things pertaining to life and Godliness). Rather, we are to “build up our most holy faith…” and “doubt not in our hearts” and to “hold fast that we’ve heard from the beginning”. Likewise, we are to “cast not away our confidence” wherein is great reward. We are to abide in love and patience.

But, notice in Luke 25 (the passages above), that Jesus uses a different word that’s stronger than “fear”. He uses the word “terrified”. The Greek meaning/translation is to be so afraid that you fall. This is not insignificant in that, in these end times, many will “fall away” from faith. If one has fallen away from his faith, he has not obeyed the commandment to live by faith. If we are not going to be obedient to the commandments of Christ to abide in faith (and, therefore, to abide in Him through faith), then the only other abiding place is in fear and in the world where there is no protection from evil (e.g. there is no full armor of God for protection). In other words, to be in fear is to fall away from the grace of God and His promises of deliverance. It is to fail and to surrender to darkness and evil.

But, when you add the element of being terrified, you instantly have a much larger picture to deal with. One thing is that whatever wars and such are happening are on a huge scale to the point of men’s hearts failing them for fear/terror. If we are in danger of falling away due to fear (which is a lack of faith), what are the chances of not falling away during times of terror? And, and this isn’t even the end, yet. What shall it be like in “the evil day”:

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day*, and having done all, to stand” (Eph 6:13)

Do you think perhaps we need to be obedient and build up our most holy faith? Do you not also think that we should obey the rest of the Apostle Paul’s exhortation (which is also a commandment)?:

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Eph 6:14-18)

The Lord has given us all things pertaining to life and Godliness. Can you think of any reason why we shouldn’t be filled with mountain-moving faith? Can you think of any reason why we should fail while wearing the full armor of God?

We need to obey the commandments of Christ the King so that we can be overcomers in the end-of-the-end times. Those who disobey cannot stand.

*This is the same “evil” Jesus spoke of in the “Lord’s prayer”: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen” (Mt 6:13)

For Rebellion is as the Sin of Witchcraft

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Samuel 15:23)

It really doesn’t get any more clearly than this; to disobey the Lord and His word is considered as great a sin as being involved in witchcraft. And, to be stubborn and resisting His will is as iniquity and idolatry. This is no laughing matter and it’s very serious. It is so serious that King Saul’s disobedience cost him the position as King of Israel and a very blessed future. And, though he was a wise man, King Solomon forsook his wisdom and disobeyed the Lord’s commandments. It cost him his kingdom.

This should be enough to warrant our deepest concern. However, it is even more consequential than you may think. It was through the house of King Saul that the Messiah of Israel was to come. It was Saul’s lineage that was God’s first choice in bringing His Christ to the earth. All of the promises God made to King David were first destined for Saul. But, Saul disobeyed and leaned unto his own understanding.

Saul’s disobedience probably doesn’t seem like a large matter to most of us. But, King Saul’s disobedience was so serious that God had to resort to “plan B” in bringing The Christ to mankind. In other words, He had to change the entire timeline of history to account for the matter of the king’s rebellion to His word (how many people were not born into the world and how would things have been different had Saul obeyed?!). The Lord had to accommodate another entire bloodline (starting with Adam) and still make Jesus appear at the appointed time. Can you see how significant being obedient is to God?

We need to understand that being obedient (even in seemingly minor matter) may have serious consequences in our lives. And, as we see with Saul, it may have serious consequences to others!

This is to remember that God’s will and plans for us are always good and never for evil and always for us, His children, and never for Himself. Each believer fits into the overall plan of God and none of these plans are insignificant. Our disobedience now may greatly alter the plan of God and alter or prevent great rewards and blessings in the future. Our entire lives are changed when we rebel against God’s words and commandments and find our own will, seek our own pleasures, and speak our own words.

Let us repent of our disobedience and stubbornness (i.e. let repent of our witchcraft and idolatry). Let us submit to our King and be obedient to His words, His will, His pleasure, and His Sprit. We will never be sorry for doing so and will ever be blessed.

He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the LORD require of thee

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God” (Micah 6:8 )

When studying the Bible, we find (or should find) that, to study to show yourself approved unto God (2Tim 2:15), is actually a simple matter. It must be simple so that the least of us, His children, have access to His truth that makes free (understanding that it is not the doctrines and traditions of men that make free). If a child cannot understand the things of God, then He is unjust and is a liar (that, of course, is not the case):

“But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Lu 18:16)
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3)

We must also hunger after the truth of God’s word and not just follow after religion and mans’ ways and teachings.

Let’s now parse the prophet Micah’s words and see what he says.

God has shown us what is good. What does the word “good” mean in God’s mind? All we need to do is read His word and it explains it well. For one thing, God is good (for His mercy endures forever). We see that goodness in Jesus’ ministry. He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil and resolved them to peace (as a peacemaker. This is what pleased the Father; it was good.

Doing good, then, requires that we think like God and have the same heart as He does (e.g. King David whose heart was after God’s heart). We can and must put on the mind of Christ. Who is Christ? He’s the word of God made manifest in the flesh. Therefore, we should put on the mind of the word of God and let the same mind which was in Christ be in us, His body (i.e. His flesh). We will do those things that are pleasing and acceptable in His sight. We will do that which is good.

We should also be like our Father in that we should hate evil and all other things that He hates:

“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Pr 6:16-19)

The Bible further explains to us what it is to do good; it is to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free. It is to deal our bread to the hungry, bring the poor that are cast out to our house and to clothe the naked. It is also to not hide yourself from your relatives and own kin (Isaiah 58:6-7). In short, it is to be like Jesus because He did nothing else but do good and resolve others to peace. To do good is to be a peacemaker.

To do good, also, is to simply do that which is right at all times (“to do that which is right” is the definition of righteousness). In other words, walk in love and treat others the way that you would want to be treated. Some folks call it “The Golden Rule” but it really means that, since we have been partakers of the divine nature (having escaped the corruption which has entered into the world through lust ((2Peter 1:4), we are to walk in love.

Other examples of love and righteousness are having pity on the poor and visiting the widows and orphans in their affliction. Praying for one another is also an act of love.

Such things can be quantified as “peacemaking”: you help others end or at least mitigate their suffering:

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Mt 5:9)

To do “justly” is to be fair in all things and to judge rightly. It is to do what Jesus (love made manifest in the flesh) did while He was on the earth. You take all things into consideration when dealing with others and deal with them with all equity and as equally as you would a friend or a family member; you do so without partiality and without partiality.

We can say it this way: you don’t take advantage of someone just because they are a stranger. Love simply doesn’t do such things and we are the sons of God who is love. The thirteenth chapter of 1Corinthians 13 explains how love is manifested. This is how we are to be defined.

To walk humbly with our God is to obey the word of the Lord (without rebellion as disciples) so that we have a revelation of our God, His word, goodness, His mercy, His grace, and the fact that He is humble. Christ, our Lord, was meek and lowly and humble of heart. The Holy Spirit is so humble that He won’t even speak of Himself but only of the Christ of God.

We need to be humble of heart and soul (we humble our soul with fasting) so that we allow the word of God to convert our soul as we obey. This is to remember that God exalts the humble but hates pride.

All of this can be encompassed as “walking in faith and love” which is also to say “n the spirit”. That’s our new spiritual nature. We should walk in faith and love in the spirit as the obedient children of our Father who is love and who is “that Spirit”. He has shown us these things.

Men Ought Always to Pray and Not Faint

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)

This is an interesting parable in so much as it actually has the interpretation of the parable at the beginning. It’s interesting that many do not catch this. And, by not doing so, they continue to interpret the parable in a manner that is prescribed by their respective doctrine. They do not “rightly divide” the word of truth.

Jesus explains that men ought to pray always and to not give up and faint in their heart (which is where our faith is). Fainting is when someone yields to worldly, carnal, and fleshly influences and pressures rather than standing fast in their faith. They faint in their minds and give up (which means losing the “good fight of faith”. We can say it this way: “Faith that is not continuously applied but which is wavering, fitful, or ceded will not bring results”. It is only by continuously abiding in faith that we can see positive results. We are to understand and adhere to the 5 pillars of faith and not faint in our minds. Fainting for any reason causes our faith to fail in our hearts. This means that, to abide in faith is to abide in the word because “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word” (Romans 10:17).

He then gives us an example of how not to pray by showing an example of how a “carnally minded” person prays because she doesn’t have faith. She is actually bludgeoning her way through this instead of allowing God to be a part of the matter through faith. The fleshly or “religious” person (who has no faith towards God and who doesn’t have the “God kind” of faith) does not give up on what they need from another person (in this case, it’s a judge). We see that the widow has been injured or offended and seeks retribution and justice. She has no recourse but to hound the judge until he does something for her. There is no recourse but to operate in the carnal realm.

But, praying carnally isn’t how we are to pray in this new-and-better covenant in Christ. We are to do all things “in the spirit”. Being spiritually minded means that we know how to persevere in prayer until the answer comes (and it surely will). Because He hears our prayers (1John 5:14), we do not hound or nag or bug God until He wearies of us. Then, to shut us up, He grants our petition (do we really think that we can weary God?!).

We know this is correct because of His command, “The just shall live by faith”. We know it also because Christ stated that, if we ask anything in His name, the Father would do it. Therefore, living in faith and employing our faith in our prayer life is the correct (i.e. spiritual) way to pray.

But, do remember that faith requires patience and patience is one of the five pillars of faith. Let us not waver in our faith but let us let patience have her perfect work in us that we be perfect and entire and lacking nothing in our prayer life.

Addendum: The Five Pillars of Faith (without which we cannot operate in “through faith” but only “by faith”)

Faith
Hope
Patience
Confidence
Love