http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU
It seems like such a short time ago, yet in reality was at least 40 yrs ago when I first noticed the worlds attempt to destroy the memory of the day when PEACE began.
It started as best as I remember with a magazine article announcing to the world that God was dead.
Then seemingly just a short time later the Secular Humanist agenda began a well thought out and patient campaign to modernize the Christmas message and to market it to a generation who was beginning to fall away from the only truth that is unchanging, that truth of God coming in the form of man in the body of Christ Jesus .
It all started with an “X” the universal symbol that means no, or stop, or cease.
Innocent enough at first, yet unrelenting in its effort to change the mind of the world in its belief in the birth of a Savior of all who would only accept Him in faith.
The “X” was despised by some, yet embraced by so many, and was more evident as the years went by.
A few Christmases after the “X” appeared, the greeting was changed to “ Happy Holidays” and again went unchallenged by most who claimed to have met the child who was born in a manger, as all of Heaven rejoiced.
Consumerism was in full drive by now and there was no end to the amount of things that the world made us lust for, with the full result becoming disappointment and discouragement to far too many who could not afford to purchase all that the world insisted that we should.
Happiness seemingly must be measured by the amount of things that we can either give or receive.
It is now December 18 2010, and in my little city, of approximately 10000 folks, I have been told Merry Christmas by only 2 people and one of them only after I initiated the greeting.
A few days back it dawned on me that the greeting had almost disappeared in the streets and market place.
After searching storefronts and businesses along with Churches and ministries, I have seen only two places among 100s of possibilities where Christmas is mentioned. Mostly for the first time that I can remember the places of businesses and Churches have undecorated windows and properties, and if they are decorated it is with only candy canes, snowmen, and the like.
Whenever the greeting “Happy Holidays” is given to me, I have begun to respond by looking the greeter squarely in the eye and asking them “Which one?”
It is humorous to see the quizzical looks and stuttering tongues as they try to respond, as they apparently have overlooked the day of Christmas, that we are approaching.
Christmas to many has been forgotten or at least overlooked as our culture has been driven to other concerns.
The Bible tells us without doubt that there would be a time when humanity would fall away from truth, (2 Timothy 2:4) and would follow the lies of the world.
The same Bible tells us of a story that we as Christians have not put into application often enough.
In the book of Acts ch 3 is a story of a man who is reading the story of the Savior to come and cannot understand its full meaning until it is explained to him by someone who has knowledge of the gift.
The same Bible has many eyewitness accounts of the child that was born fully God and fully man.
It does not however give us His exact birthday, and thus it is that we have chosen a day from our calendar to celebrate His birth, the exactness is unimportant the memory of the event is what matters.
Here are a few words from the Bible that tells us who was born on that day that the world wants to “X” out.
John 3:16 tells us “That God so loved the world that He sent His only Son, and that whoever believes in Him that was sent, would not perish but would inherit eternal life.”
Isaiah the prophet wrote in ch 9 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
He had foreknowledge of the day that peace would be realized.
In ch 2 of Matthew we see that the "wisemen" learned of him through a diligent study of scripture, and were questioned about their knowledge by the unlearned, yet the same scriptures are not often read by organizations who have changed the meaning of Christmas to a time to garner a larger offering to further the agenda of builders of buildings and not of builders of a heavenly kingdom.
In the 2 chapter of Luke we see the Heavenly armies of Angels declaring that Peace was now birthed and available to all men.
The disciple Peter made this statement regarding whom the baby of Christmas had become, Matthew 16:16 “thou art the Christ the son of the Living God.”
Pilate the earthly judge of record, stated that “I bring this man to you and declare that I find no fault in Him.” John 19:4
Pilates wife declared Jesus a just man.
Judas after betraying Him to his murderers, declared Him as innocent.
The Centurion who was in charge of civil order at the execution site, “The Cross” stated that “truly this was the son of God.”
Thomas, who doubted for so long, realized the truth and named Jesus as my Lord and my God. John 20:28
The Apostle Paul was so captivated by Jesus that he wrote “Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”
In the book of Luke ch 3 is that account written “ And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”
He is born, it is well evidenced.
He is not a myth.
He is not a liar, nor are those who witnessed his birth, his life, his death, or his resurrection.
He is coming again, please know that it may be very soon.
Christmas is here again.
Will you shun the Progressive Humanist desire to place an “X” over the name above all names.
We celebrate the birth of Peace, and of Hope.
Merry Christmas from d2lifeministries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
One of the most crucial and challenging commands Jesus issued is found in the Sermon on the Mount…”Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33)
Are we truly looking after our relationship to God “first,” before all other responsibilities and interests however necessary or desirable?
The unflattering reality is that Jesus doesn’t enjoy first place in most Christians hearts and days.
In all fairness, He’s not in last place either, but instead He’s somewhere near the top of our list of loves and duties.
Why is He not at the top of our life agenda?
Several things may account for this.
For instance, we may have neglected to destroy heart idols from our old life.
Or in these lukewarm times we may never have seen any “sold out” Christians who actually put Jesus first in all areas of their lives.
Or we may have seen others who loudly proclaim their zeal bur were frankly fanatical and scary.
Or we may have never been taught how to seek the King and His kingdom “first.”
How do we do this?
Specifically, we do so by seeking God first every morning, feeding on His Word, praying, and worshiping before doing other things.
In every situation daily, we first “give thanks” to God (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and go to Him about every question and need first, before seeking counsel and assistance from human sources.
We put God first in our friendships, turning away from acquaintances who impenitently practice sin and turning to others who live righteously.
We put Gods truthfulness first, confessing our sins quickly and thoroughly and abiding consistently in the light of full honesty before God.
We put the fear of the Lord first, choosing to stand in awe of Him and refusing to be overawed or intimidated by anyone.
We put Gods guidance first, trustingly following the leading of His Holy Spirit, even when we don’t know our ultimate destination.
We put Gods chastening first, humbly receiving our heavenly Fathers correction, whether through His Word, voice, counselors, or instructive interventions, and quickly changing our ways to please Him.
We put God first in our finances, giving His tithes promptly and our offerings cheerfully, prayerfully for divine purposes in diabolical persecutions.
We put God first in our worship, worshiping by choice, not feeling, and learning to always refuse to be offended with Him who is always good.
These are the “building blocks” with which we build a life of seeking Christ first.
And here is another hard fact to face: Putting Christ first means putting other people and interests second.
Are we prepared to say “No thank you,” to people in order to say “yes” to Jesus command?
And we ready for the ridicule and shaking of the head that comes when our choices and commitments cause other peoples wishes to be deferred or denied while we do the things Jesus wants first?
If we are wise we will choose to always please God and pray for those who take offense with us for doing so.
Remember, we cant have it both ways.
Would we rather make Jesus take second place?
Many Christians do just that.
Our response to Christ’s challenge is crucial for this reason: Were just not going to go very far in God until we put Him first, not religiously but practically and passionately.
Are you tired of nominal Christianity and ready to step boldly into phenomenal Christianity?
Then reprioritize your life.
Seek the King and His kingdom interests first.
Fresh life, flowing joy, and a new, deeper sense of Gods approval await your bold step.
Are we truly looking after our relationship to God “first,” before all other responsibilities and interests however necessary or desirable?
The unflattering reality is that Jesus doesn’t enjoy first place in most Christians hearts and days.
In all fairness, He’s not in last place either, but instead He’s somewhere near the top of our list of loves and duties.
Why is He not at the top of our life agenda?
Several things may account for this.
For instance, we may have neglected to destroy heart idols from our old life.
Or in these lukewarm times we may never have seen any “sold out” Christians who actually put Jesus first in all areas of their lives.
Or we may have seen others who loudly proclaim their zeal bur were frankly fanatical and scary.
Or we may have never been taught how to seek the King and His kingdom “first.”
How do we do this?
Specifically, we do so by seeking God first every morning, feeding on His Word, praying, and worshiping before doing other things.
In every situation daily, we first “give thanks” to God (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and go to Him about every question and need first, before seeking counsel and assistance from human sources.
We put God first in our friendships, turning away from acquaintances who impenitently practice sin and turning to others who live righteously.
We put Gods truthfulness first, confessing our sins quickly and thoroughly and abiding consistently in the light of full honesty before God.
We put the fear of the Lord first, choosing to stand in awe of Him and refusing to be overawed or intimidated by anyone.
We put Gods guidance first, trustingly following the leading of His Holy Spirit, even when we don’t know our ultimate destination.
We put Gods chastening first, humbly receiving our heavenly Fathers correction, whether through His Word, voice, counselors, or instructive interventions, and quickly changing our ways to please Him.
We put God first in our finances, giving His tithes promptly and our offerings cheerfully, prayerfully for divine purposes in diabolical persecutions.
We put God first in our worship, worshiping by choice, not feeling, and learning to always refuse to be offended with Him who is always good.
These are the “building blocks” with which we build a life of seeking Christ first.
And here is another hard fact to face: Putting Christ first means putting other people and interests second.
Are we prepared to say “No thank you,” to people in order to say “yes” to Jesus command?
And we ready for the ridicule and shaking of the head that comes when our choices and commitments cause other peoples wishes to be deferred or denied while we do the things Jesus wants first?
If we are wise we will choose to always please God and pray for those who take offense with us for doing so.
Remember, we cant have it both ways.
Would we rather make Jesus take second place?
Many Christians do just that.
Our response to Christ’s challenge is crucial for this reason: Were just not going to go very far in God until we put Him first, not religiously but practically and passionately.
Are you tired of nominal Christianity and ready to step boldly into phenomenal Christianity?
Then reprioritize your life.
Seek the King and His kingdom interests first.
Fresh life, flowing joy, and a new, deeper sense of Gods approval await your bold step.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Three Things That You Do Not Know About Islam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0deanRGb8w
As you read this you are urged to do some research and verify for yourself the facts that are about to be presented.
1. Islam has not been hijacked!
That Islam has been hijacked is what non-Muslims have been repeatedly told. They mistakenly believe that all religions are basically the same.
The reason that non-Muslims are so easily confused is that most people don’t realize the difference between the Quran and every other religious document that they are familiar with.
The Christian Bible is a collection of writings from various authors written, sometimes hundreds of years apart, with Parables, Advice, and Dreams all compiled into one book.
The same is true with the Jewish Torah.
Even those in the west who are neither Christian nor Jews are still familiar enough with these religions to know this much, and therefore we assume the same is true for the Quran.
But the Quran is only one book written by one man in his own lifetime.
It is meant to be taken literally and is not full of symbolism or vague analogies.
The Quran is mostly direct commands.
Of course the Quran contains contradictive statements like many of the other religious books, (the Bible not included) but the Quran itself lets the reader know what to do with the contradictions.
It is explained in the Quran that if you have two passages that contradict each other, the one that is written later will always supersede the earlier statement.
Most Westerners are unaware that the peaceful, tolerant passages were written early in Mohammad’s prophetic career. According to the Quran those early passages have been abrogated by later, more violent and less tolerant passages.
With that information we can now understand why we are confused when we hear Jihadists quoting violent passages from the Quran and then peaceful Muslims quoting peaceful passages, we cannot interpret the meanings as we would if we were listening to someone quoting the Bible of the Torah.
Do not think that there are different contradicting passages, as those who know the Quran fully understand that in Islam there is no picking and choosing of the verses as the Quran says in no uncertain terms that a Muslim must not alter or ignore any part of its clear and direct message, or they will burn in a fiery place of torment forever.
2. Striving to institute worldwide Sharia law is a Religious Duty.
Many people don’t realize how politically oriented Islam is at its core.
In fact Islam is less of a “religion” than it is of a “religious ideology.” It includes a mandatory and highly specific legal plan, for the whole society: Sharia.
There is no separation between the religious and the political in Islam, rather Islam and Sharia constitute a totalitarian means of ordering society at every level including ritual worship, financial transactions, and contracts, morals, manners, beliefs, and punishments.
In the Quran, Allah makes it clear that man made government (such as democracy) and free speech (such as criticizing the Quran) are abominations and must be eliminated.
The modern expression of “Creeping Sharia” is used to describe the slow, deliberate and methodical advance of Muslim Law into non-Muslim countries. Official Sharia courts already operate in the United Kingdom and are handling cases ranging from divorce, and financial disputes along with domestic violence. Attempts to institute Sharia into the legal systems of Germany, Sweden, and other European nations are ongoing. Sharia has a foothold in the American legal system, now that a judge in New Jersey has stated that Sharia is compatible with the laws of his jurisdiction and can be practiced within the constraints of the American constitution.
It should be very concerning to you that drinkers and gamblers are to be whipped, allows husbands to hit their wives, allows and injured plaintiff to exact legal revenge, literally and eye for an eye, commands that the thief must have a hand removed, commands that homosexuals are to be executed, unmarried fornicators are to be whipped, and all adulterers are to be stoned to death. It orders death for both Muslim and non-Muslim critics of Muhammad, the Quran and even Sharia itself, it orders apostates to be killed, commands offensive, aggressive and unjust Jihad.
As written in the Quran, Sharia is the law of Allah.
Any other form of government is a sin
It is the holy duty of all Muslims to strive until all governments have been converted to Sharia Law.
3. Muslims are allowed to deceive non-Muslims if it furthers the cause of Islam.
For non-Muslims this principle is called “TAQIYYA” and is another surprising concept of Islam.
While most other religious teachings of the world require truthfulness, the Quran instructs Muslims to lie to non-Muslims about their beliefs and their political ambitions to protect and spread Islam.
There are many examples of today’s Islamic leaders saying one thing in English to a Western audience and then saying something entirely opposite to their own followers in Arabic a short time later.
Deceiving the enemy is always useful in war, and make no mistake about it, Islam is at war with the non-Muslim world, until the whole world adheres to Sharia Law.
All non-Muslims living in non-Islamic states are therefore enemies. With that as an accepted fact, deceiving Westerners is totally acceptable and even encouraged, if it can further the spread of Islam.
As a very recent example the Islamic American Relief Agency was seemingly raising money for orphans but in fact were giving the funds to terrorists. They knowingly deceived good hearted Western infidels into giving money to organizations that were actively engaged in killing other Western infidels.
Do the research yourself, this is not an isolated case.
Islam as a religion of Peace.
Muslim organizations worldwide continually declare that Islam is a religion of Peace.
But what does that really mean?
It seems easy for a Muslim to quote a peaceful verse from the early parts of the Quran while by following the principle of TAQIYYA, neglecting to mention the fact that it has been officially abrogated by later more violent verses.
According to the Quran the world will be at Peace only when Islam and Sharia reign in every country-and never until then.
This is why every Muslim can truthfully say that Islam is a religion of Peace.
If any of these points took you by surprise then there is surely much more that you still do not know.
This subject is affecting us now and will only be more ominous in the days to come.
I urge you to make a stand today.
You can ignore the facts that you have just learned.
You can continue along in the way of tolerance of everything , by hiding your head in the sand.
You can educate yourself to the enemy that knows no rule except domination.
Or you can do as Joshua urged the people of his day who were uncertain as to their future
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
The day is coming when you will be required to make the choice.
Join with Joshua, join with many others as we too take a stand and choose to serve the Lord, who is the Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0deanRGb8w
As you read this you are urged to do some research and verify for yourself the facts that are about to be presented.
1. Islam has not been hijacked!
That Islam has been hijacked is what non-Muslims have been repeatedly told. They mistakenly believe that all religions are basically the same.
The reason that non-Muslims are so easily confused is that most people don’t realize the difference between the Quran and every other religious document that they are familiar with.
The Christian Bible is a collection of writings from various authors written, sometimes hundreds of years apart, with Parables, Advice, and Dreams all compiled into one book.
The same is true with the Jewish Torah.
Even those in the west who are neither Christian nor Jews are still familiar enough with these religions to know this much, and therefore we assume the same is true for the Quran.
But the Quran is only one book written by one man in his own lifetime.
It is meant to be taken literally and is not full of symbolism or vague analogies.
The Quran is mostly direct commands.
Of course the Quran contains contradictive statements like many of the other religious books, (the Bible not included) but the Quran itself lets the reader know what to do with the contradictions.
It is explained in the Quran that if you have two passages that contradict each other, the one that is written later will always supersede the earlier statement.
Most Westerners are unaware that the peaceful, tolerant passages were written early in Mohammad’s prophetic career. According to the Quran those early passages have been abrogated by later, more violent and less tolerant passages.
With that information we can now understand why we are confused when we hear Jihadists quoting violent passages from the Quran and then peaceful Muslims quoting peaceful passages, we cannot interpret the meanings as we would if we were listening to someone quoting the Bible of the Torah.
Do not think that there are different contradicting passages, as those who know the Quran fully understand that in Islam there is no picking and choosing of the verses as the Quran says in no uncertain terms that a Muslim must not alter or ignore any part of its clear and direct message, or they will burn in a fiery place of torment forever.
2. Striving to institute worldwide Sharia law is a Religious Duty.
Many people don’t realize how politically oriented Islam is at its core.
In fact Islam is less of a “religion” than it is of a “religious ideology.” It includes a mandatory and highly specific legal plan, for the whole society: Sharia.
There is no separation between the religious and the political in Islam, rather Islam and Sharia constitute a totalitarian means of ordering society at every level including ritual worship, financial transactions, and contracts, morals, manners, beliefs, and punishments.
In the Quran, Allah makes it clear that man made government (such as democracy) and free speech (such as criticizing the Quran) are abominations and must be eliminated.
The modern expression of “Creeping Sharia” is used to describe the slow, deliberate and methodical advance of Muslim Law into non-Muslim countries. Official Sharia courts already operate in the United Kingdom and are handling cases ranging from divorce, and financial disputes along with domestic violence. Attempts to institute Sharia into the legal systems of Germany, Sweden, and other European nations are ongoing. Sharia has a foothold in the American legal system, now that a judge in New Jersey has stated that Sharia is compatible with the laws of his jurisdiction and can be practiced within the constraints of the American constitution.
It should be very concerning to you that drinkers and gamblers are to be whipped, allows husbands to hit their wives, allows and injured plaintiff to exact legal revenge, literally and eye for an eye, commands that the thief must have a hand removed, commands that homosexuals are to be executed, unmarried fornicators are to be whipped, and all adulterers are to be stoned to death. It orders death for both Muslim and non-Muslim critics of Muhammad, the Quran and even Sharia itself, it orders apostates to be killed, commands offensive, aggressive and unjust Jihad.
As written in the Quran, Sharia is the law of Allah.
Any other form of government is a sin
It is the holy duty of all Muslims to strive until all governments have been converted to Sharia Law.
3. Muslims are allowed to deceive non-Muslims if it furthers the cause of Islam.
For non-Muslims this principle is called “TAQIYYA” and is another surprising concept of Islam.
While most other religious teachings of the world require truthfulness, the Quran instructs Muslims to lie to non-Muslims about their beliefs and their political ambitions to protect and spread Islam.
There are many examples of today’s Islamic leaders saying one thing in English to a Western audience and then saying something entirely opposite to their own followers in Arabic a short time later.
Deceiving the enemy is always useful in war, and make no mistake about it, Islam is at war with the non-Muslim world, until the whole world adheres to Sharia Law.
All non-Muslims living in non-Islamic states are therefore enemies. With that as an accepted fact, deceiving Westerners is totally acceptable and even encouraged, if it can further the spread of Islam.
As a very recent example the Islamic American Relief Agency was seemingly raising money for orphans but in fact were giving the funds to terrorists. They knowingly deceived good hearted Western infidels into giving money to organizations that were actively engaged in killing other Western infidels.
Do the research yourself, this is not an isolated case.
Islam as a religion of Peace.
Muslim organizations worldwide continually declare that Islam is a religion of Peace.
But what does that really mean?
It seems easy for a Muslim to quote a peaceful verse from the early parts of the Quran while by following the principle of TAQIYYA, neglecting to mention the fact that it has been officially abrogated by later more violent verses.
According to the Quran the world will be at Peace only when Islam and Sharia reign in every country-and never until then.
This is why every Muslim can truthfully say that Islam is a religion of Peace.
If any of these points took you by surprise then there is surely much more that you still do not know.
This subject is affecting us now and will only be more ominous in the days to come.
I urge you to make a stand today.
You can ignore the facts that you have just learned.
You can continue along in the way of tolerance of everything , by hiding your head in the sand.
You can educate yourself to the enemy that knows no rule except domination.
Or you can do as Joshua urged the people of his day who were uncertain as to their future
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
The day is coming when you will be required to make the choice.
Join with Joshua, join with many others as we too take a stand and choose to serve the Lord, who is the Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Enjoy the process of Sanctification
Sanctification, simply stated , is sweet surrender.
When one becomes saved, he takes Christ’s blood upon his soul.
In that, he receives divine mercy.
Sins are cleansed.
This is a divine act beyond our fondest imaginations.
When the saved one then becomes sanctified, he yields his all to Christ.
In salvation, one takes grace.
In sanctification, one gives all to God.
Picture yourself now standing before God.
In your hands are all that you have and are: wardrobe, vehicles, property, family, friends, wallet, health, or sickness, desires, reputation, abilities, dreams, future ambitions, finally death, and eternal destiny.
Lift all of this to God. Give it all to Him without reservation.
That is the surrender of sanctification.
You received at salvation; you now yield at sanctification. In that moment of submitting completely, the Holy Spirit accepted your all.
He then cleansed it in order to return it as holy to you. Now what you submitted is ready for the kingdom’s “good.”
At the time of sanctification, you are made pure by the Holy Spirit. He takes away your selfishness, stubbornness and stupidity which clung to things for you own welfare. In place of all that, He gives you grace to abandon to God.
Now you no longer live for self but for the Savior alone.When you were saved, your sins were blotted out. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold , all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
How does the Christian remain sanctified?
Simply put: remain surrendered to the Holy Spirit in everything. Do not take back anything that you yielded to God. Leave all with Him; everything old, everything new, past present, future. As long as your soul submits completely to the Lord, you are continually cleansed.
This is all accomplished by His grace, not of works, lest anyone should boast of own human achievements.
Grace saves us from our sins.
Grace sanctifies us from our sin nature.
Therefore, God receives all the glory.
Can one remain sanctified completely until death?
Certainly.
By an act of free will, one becomes saved and sanctified.
One chooses these opportunities of divine grace.
Likewise, the believer may exercise free will for holiness till death.
The decision is always left with us.
Less than total surrender is misery.
It is a double-minded life---living for God, yet living secretly ( and sometimes obviously) for one’s self.
This is evidently difficult and trying for the soul.
Total surrender is sweet in that it returns one’s soul completely to God. Instead of straining to plot one’s own benefits, one yields all such maneuvering to God. Therefore there is a freedom from striving in everything.
The ongoing life of sanctification then is perfecting perfect surrender. It is learning from the Holy Spirit how to consecrate the most practical items to God, all of life’s minors and majors.
It is being taught how to think with God (“the mind of Christ”).
It is discovering that material less is spiritual more.
Sanctification in this life has no conclusion but “more.”
There is always more to come upon in God, more to precision, more to uncover of one’s own self and of God’s self. That is why it is such and exhilarating adventure.
How then does “the law” enter into this sanctifying grace?
Is one at liberty to do as one pleases once one comes into this release?
No.
Instead, one finds that God’s commandments are the key to freedom within. Therefore, the sanctified yearn for more of God’s statutes. (Psalm 119).
The Bible speaks of the “law of liberty.” This is one more aspect of the sweet surrender. It is experiencing being a slave to God in order to be free from sin and self-centeredness. These paradoxes are lived out dynamically in the sanctified walk.
When the sanctified read of God’s expectations(laws) in the Word, they become as delicacies to be enjoyed. Before sanctification, the double-minded believer shunned Gods laws for they appeared restrictive. After sanctification, the believer binds Gods laws to his heart for they are indeed liberating.
Abiding by Gods law releases one from being legalistic.
Legalism is adhering to man-made laws, even if the adherence is the dismissal of responsibility towards the stated laws of God.
Living by Gods law is not cold, sharp and unkind legalism,; instead, it is gentle, understanding and patient.
Satan thrives on a legalistic religion.
The Holy Spirit tutors the sanctified in the eternally true laws of God.
First century Judaism was founded upon legalism.
Jesus offered the truth which would set one free from such humanly manufactured bondage.
Live out the law of holy love and you yourself will be set free.
Strap the commandments of God to your soul joyfully; and in that you will be released from your chief enemy, your stubborn self.
Sweet surrender not only includes yielding tangibles and inner drives. It also includes pain, confusion, tormented thinking, betrayals of the past, disappointment, ponderings of suicide, doubts and dreads.
The true sweetness of this surrender is realizing that the Father is willing to accept these hurts for healing. Many have been made whole when they submitted those wounds of the heart which they thought they had to contend with till death.
No.
“Cast all your cares…” (1 Peter 5:7 )
Sanctification is one of the most fulfilling dimensions of the gospel.
It is sad that it is not set forth more often. Our souls are made for this opportunity of grace. To lack this experience is to remain partially bound in spirit.
When Jesus said that He came to set us free, he meant it. Sanctification is that wide, open door.
Have you come to God with your all?
Have you stood before Him with everything?
Then have you yielded all of this, pain and pleasure to the One who formed you?
Let Him take this package for its cleansing.
Satan will lie to you that God will rob you blind, leaving you bankrupt.
Do not believe the father of deceit.
The Holy Spirit will instead make your offering holy, returning it to you for heavens sake.
From that moment onward, keep that package in Gods plan. In that , you will experience in the depth of your soul the sweetness of your on-going surrender. Such will continue, if you will it, till you see Him face to face when walking through the door of death, or at the time of the calling away of His church.
When one becomes saved, he takes Christ’s blood upon his soul.
In that, he receives divine mercy.
Sins are cleansed.
This is a divine act beyond our fondest imaginations.
When the saved one then becomes sanctified, he yields his all to Christ.
In salvation, one takes grace.
In sanctification, one gives all to God.
Picture yourself now standing before God.
In your hands are all that you have and are: wardrobe, vehicles, property, family, friends, wallet, health, or sickness, desires, reputation, abilities, dreams, future ambitions, finally death, and eternal destiny.
Lift all of this to God. Give it all to Him without reservation.
That is the surrender of sanctification.
You received at salvation; you now yield at sanctification. In that moment of submitting completely, the Holy Spirit accepted your all.
He then cleansed it in order to return it as holy to you. Now what you submitted is ready for the kingdom’s “good.”
At the time of sanctification, you are made pure by the Holy Spirit. He takes away your selfishness, stubbornness and stupidity which clung to things for you own welfare. In place of all that, He gives you grace to abandon to God.
Now you no longer live for self but for the Savior alone.When you were saved, your sins were blotted out. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold , all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
How does the Christian remain sanctified?
Simply put: remain surrendered to the Holy Spirit in everything. Do not take back anything that you yielded to God. Leave all with Him; everything old, everything new, past present, future. As long as your soul submits completely to the Lord, you are continually cleansed.
This is all accomplished by His grace, not of works, lest anyone should boast of own human achievements.
Grace saves us from our sins.
Grace sanctifies us from our sin nature.
Therefore, God receives all the glory.
Can one remain sanctified completely until death?
Certainly.
By an act of free will, one becomes saved and sanctified.
One chooses these opportunities of divine grace.
Likewise, the believer may exercise free will for holiness till death.
The decision is always left with us.
Less than total surrender is misery.
It is a double-minded life---living for God, yet living secretly ( and sometimes obviously) for one’s self.
This is evidently difficult and trying for the soul.
Total surrender is sweet in that it returns one’s soul completely to God. Instead of straining to plot one’s own benefits, one yields all such maneuvering to God. Therefore there is a freedom from striving in everything.
The ongoing life of sanctification then is perfecting perfect surrender. It is learning from the Holy Spirit how to consecrate the most practical items to God, all of life’s minors and majors.
It is being taught how to think with God (“the mind of Christ”).
It is discovering that material less is spiritual more.
Sanctification in this life has no conclusion but “more.”
There is always more to come upon in God, more to precision, more to uncover of one’s own self and of God’s self. That is why it is such and exhilarating adventure.
How then does “the law” enter into this sanctifying grace?
Is one at liberty to do as one pleases once one comes into this release?
No.
Instead, one finds that God’s commandments are the key to freedom within. Therefore, the sanctified yearn for more of God’s statutes. (Psalm 119).
The Bible speaks of the “law of liberty.” This is one more aspect of the sweet surrender. It is experiencing being a slave to God in order to be free from sin and self-centeredness. These paradoxes are lived out dynamically in the sanctified walk.
When the sanctified read of God’s expectations(laws) in the Word, they become as delicacies to be enjoyed. Before sanctification, the double-minded believer shunned Gods laws for they appeared restrictive. After sanctification, the believer binds Gods laws to his heart for they are indeed liberating.
Abiding by Gods law releases one from being legalistic.
Legalism is adhering to man-made laws, even if the adherence is the dismissal of responsibility towards the stated laws of God.
Living by Gods law is not cold, sharp and unkind legalism,; instead, it is gentle, understanding and patient.
Satan thrives on a legalistic religion.
The Holy Spirit tutors the sanctified in the eternally true laws of God.
First century Judaism was founded upon legalism.
Jesus offered the truth which would set one free from such humanly manufactured bondage.
Live out the law of holy love and you yourself will be set free.
Strap the commandments of God to your soul joyfully; and in that you will be released from your chief enemy, your stubborn self.
Sweet surrender not only includes yielding tangibles and inner drives. It also includes pain, confusion, tormented thinking, betrayals of the past, disappointment, ponderings of suicide, doubts and dreads.
The true sweetness of this surrender is realizing that the Father is willing to accept these hurts for healing. Many have been made whole when they submitted those wounds of the heart which they thought they had to contend with till death.
No.
“Cast all your cares…” (1 Peter 5:7 )
Sanctification is one of the most fulfilling dimensions of the gospel.
It is sad that it is not set forth more often. Our souls are made for this opportunity of grace. To lack this experience is to remain partially bound in spirit.
When Jesus said that He came to set us free, he meant it. Sanctification is that wide, open door.
Have you come to God with your all?
Have you stood before Him with everything?
Then have you yielded all of this, pain and pleasure to the One who formed you?
Let Him take this package for its cleansing.
Satan will lie to you that God will rob you blind, leaving you bankrupt.
Do not believe the father of deceit.
The Holy Spirit will instead make your offering holy, returning it to you for heavens sake.
From that moment onward, keep that package in Gods plan. In that , you will experience in the depth of your soul the sweetness of your on-going surrender. Such will continue, if you will it, till you see Him face to face when walking through the door of death, or at the time of the calling away of His church.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Dont Ignore The Urging of Your Conscience
What is the conscience?
We are talking about that inner voice that comments upon moral matters and conduct.
It gives us a sense of approval when we do what is good, and it bring guilt when we do what is wrong, or evil.
The best available commentary on moral matters is the Holy Bible.
It speaks frankly about the “good versus evil” struggle.
It clarifies the dividing line between good and evil.
It teaches us about the holy God who promotes morality, and it exposes the adversaries of God and of morality. It gives insight into the spiritual realm, where the good versus evil struggle is very intense.
This holy God is personal.
He knows us and we can know Him in our spirit.
He is righteous, just, meek, loving, merciful, caring, all-wise and all-powerful. He is vitally interested in mankind.
He made our first parents “in His own godly image.” He warned them that seeking to know evil would lead to death, but they chose to seek it anyways.
This caused a break in their relationship with God, and it started the process of degeneration and death in the human race, and it activated the conscience.
You can read an account of this in the first chapters of the book of Genesis in the Holy Bible.
The conscience speaks silently to us.
It is like a personal warning from God against evil and its degenerating effects. When temptations come to us, the conscience tries to restrain us from disobeying, or sinning against, the moral code that is written in our image. It even monitors our thoughts and tries to dissuade us from thinking evil. Since our self-will is biased towards evil, the conscience often generates conflict in our being.
The conscience is meant to be a benefit to us.
It is meant to help to restore the broken relationship with God.
To heed it will save us from moral failures, shame, guilt and remorse. It will help us to live the way that we were designed to live to develop a godly and loving character, to have friendship with God, and to be a blessing to humanity. It will help us to coexist in peace with our neighbors. If we offend others, our conscience urges us to apologize and make amends. If others offend us, it urges us to forgive them. If we yield to lusts and selfish desires, it urges us to confess our weaknesses and to ask God to help us to overcome them.
On the contrary, to disobey the counsels of the conscience will result in our hearts hardening against God.
This leads to moral defeat, inner conflicts and troubles, sin and despair.
By continued abuse, its voice gets weaker and it may even seem to be dead; however, it does not die. Romans 2:1-6 tells us the conscience will be the prime witness at the final judgment. There it will reveal its secrets.
How can we escape the feeling of guilt and condemnation?
Guilt is the evidence of unforgiven sins, and only the pardon of those sins will remove the guilt. Pardon for sins against others should be sought from the offended ones. Then we need to extend pardon to those who have offended us. Pardon for sins against God and against our godly image needs to be sought from God. God fully knows our weaknesses and He invites us to ask for pardon.
He is merciful, and He will respond to the sincere pardon-seeker.
Can a guilty conscience be cleansed?
Yes, it can be, thanks to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
To cleanse a human conscience, God needed a human to break the power of evil. The Son incarnated and identified with mankind. He was tempted in all ways to do evil, but he did not yield to evil; He did not sin.
Please, read His biography in the New Testament part of the Holy Bible. His many opponents succeeded in having Him condemned to death. He submitted to their evil plots. He knew Gods will in the matter and He voluntarily offered Himself to His Heavenly Father as an atonement, or a sacrifice, for the sins of mankind.
He paid the ransom price, so that sinners can be reconciled to God, be forgiven of their sins and be redeemed from the power of evil. God offers this redemption to whoever turns from their sins and trusts in Jesus Christ.
Death had no claim on Jesus Christ. God raised Him from the dead and then took Him up to Heaven. He is now, as a Mediator, helping those who trust in Him (Hebrews 2:14-18). He indwells His followers with His Holy Spirit, and empowers them to live a godly life. If we fall in a temptation, and repent, He will pardon us and encourage us to continue following Him.
The Bible tell us that “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” Romans 8:1.
We can be guilt free, our sins forgiven and our conscience clean, by trusting in Jesus Christ and by living as He directs.
We are talking about that inner voice that comments upon moral matters and conduct.
It gives us a sense of approval when we do what is good, and it bring guilt when we do what is wrong, or evil.
The best available commentary on moral matters is the Holy Bible.
It speaks frankly about the “good versus evil” struggle.
It clarifies the dividing line between good and evil.
It teaches us about the holy God who promotes morality, and it exposes the adversaries of God and of morality. It gives insight into the spiritual realm, where the good versus evil struggle is very intense.
This holy God is personal.
He knows us and we can know Him in our spirit.
He is righteous, just, meek, loving, merciful, caring, all-wise and all-powerful. He is vitally interested in mankind.
He made our first parents “in His own godly image.” He warned them that seeking to know evil would lead to death, but they chose to seek it anyways.
This caused a break in their relationship with God, and it started the process of degeneration and death in the human race, and it activated the conscience.
You can read an account of this in the first chapters of the book of Genesis in the Holy Bible.
The conscience speaks silently to us.
It is like a personal warning from God against evil and its degenerating effects. When temptations come to us, the conscience tries to restrain us from disobeying, or sinning against, the moral code that is written in our image. It even monitors our thoughts and tries to dissuade us from thinking evil. Since our self-will is biased towards evil, the conscience often generates conflict in our being.
The conscience is meant to be a benefit to us.
It is meant to help to restore the broken relationship with God.
To heed it will save us from moral failures, shame, guilt and remorse. It will help us to live the way that we were designed to live to develop a godly and loving character, to have friendship with God, and to be a blessing to humanity. It will help us to coexist in peace with our neighbors. If we offend others, our conscience urges us to apologize and make amends. If others offend us, it urges us to forgive them. If we yield to lusts and selfish desires, it urges us to confess our weaknesses and to ask God to help us to overcome them.
On the contrary, to disobey the counsels of the conscience will result in our hearts hardening against God.
This leads to moral defeat, inner conflicts and troubles, sin and despair.
By continued abuse, its voice gets weaker and it may even seem to be dead; however, it does not die. Romans 2:1-6 tells us the conscience will be the prime witness at the final judgment. There it will reveal its secrets.
How can we escape the feeling of guilt and condemnation?
Guilt is the evidence of unforgiven sins, and only the pardon of those sins will remove the guilt. Pardon for sins against others should be sought from the offended ones. Then we need to extend pardon to those who have offended us. Pardon for sins against God and against our godly image needs to be sought from God. God fully knows our weaknesses and He invites us to ask for pardon.
He is merciful, and He will respond to the sincere pardon-seeker.
Can a guilty conscience be cleansed?
Yes, it can be, thanks to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
To cleanse a human conscience, God needed a human to break the power of evil. The Son incarnated and identified with mankind. He was tempted in all ways to do evil, but he did not yield to evil; He did not sin.
Please, read His biography in the New Testament part of the Holy Bible. His many opponents succeeded in having Him condemned to death. He submitted to their evil plots. He knew Gods will in the matter and He voluntarily offered Himself to His Heavenly Father as an atonement, or a sacrifice, for the sins of mankind.
He paid the ransom price, so that sinners can be reconciled to God, be forgiven of their sins and be redeemed from the power of evil. God offers this redemption to whoever turns from their sins and trusts in Jesus Christ.
Death had no claim on Jesus Christ. God raised Him from the dead and then took Him up to Heaven. He is now, as a Mediator, helping those who trust in Him (Hebrews 2:14-18). He indwells His followers with His Holy Spirit, and empowers them to live a godly life. If we fall in a temptation, and repent, He will pardon us and encourage us to continue following Him.
The Bible tell us that “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” Romans 8:1.
We can be guilt free, our sins forgiven and our conscience clean, by trusting in Jesus Christ and by living as He directs.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
All true Christians have the same relationship with God, but not the same knowledge of Him or fruitfulness for Him.
Why?
In one word, fellowship.
Some believers will draw near to fellowship with their Lord regularly, while others do so irregularly.
Or rarely.
Or never.
Why is intimate relationship with Jesus important?
Our closeness to the Lord determines our knowledge of Him and the determines our fruitfulness for His kingdom.
When we walk closely with Jesus daily, the Holy Spirit blesses our study of Gods Word by giving us an exceptionally deep knowledge of Jesus, His ways and His plan.
It is from a deeply rooted tree of knowledge that the exceptional fruit of Jesus Spirit and works spring.
But if our fellowship with Him withers, so does our knowledge of Him and fruitfulness for Him. So some Christians have a superficial, incomplete, and unsatisfying knowledge of Jesus, while others enjoy an accurate, rich and growing understanding of Him. And some are very fruitful, while others bear Him little or no fruit.
During Jesus earthly ministry there were various circles of fellowship with Him, from the outer fringe to the “inner circle.”
The outer fringe of believers were made up of the local crowds. They saw Jesus when He visited their village or region to teach, heal, and deliver, but only for a few hours. So they knew Him, but in a very limited way. Many believers in the Church have chosen to exist in this fringe as the only knowledge they want of Him, can be garnered in an hour or two on Sunday Morning or Wednesday Night.
Moving closer there was a larger body of followers.
This consisted of believers who, like the twelve, followed Jesus on His ministry tours. The many women who supported Jesus ministry were among these (Luke 8:1-3), as were many other men, of whom Judas replacement was later selected (Acts 1:21-22) These experienced not one but many of Jesus meetings, teachings, and miracles. So they knew Him better than the local crowds.
Drawing nearer still, there were the twelve.
Jesus handpicked these future church leaders, calling them from the larger body of disciples. They, too, experienced many of Jesus messages and miracles. But, unlike the other disciples, they had special access to Jesus.
The were privileges that allowed them to lodge, lunch, and linger with Him daily, they frequently asked for and received special insights from Him: “When they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples” (Mark 4:34).
So they knew not only the public, but also the private Jesus, the miracle worker and the man as well.
They closely observed His reaction to prosperity and adversity, fame and shame, and His private habits of prayer, worship, and meditation. So they knew Him better than the other disciples.
But even they were not Jesus most intimate followers.
That distinction was reserved for His “inner circle”---Peter, James and John.
These three apostles enjoyed several intimacies denied the other nine.
They alone witnessed the raising of Jairus` daughter.
They alone witnessed the unspeakable wonder of His transfiguration.
They alone observed the intense agony of Jesus pleading with God during that final night in Gethsemane.
Why were these extraordinary privileges granted to the three of these?
From Jesus perspective, He was preparing the “inner circle” for the top level of church leadership. Jesus knew well that extraordinary intimacy with Him would lead to extraordinary knowledge of Him and extraordinary fruitfulness for Him.
And He was right.
Consider the exceptional fruit born in spirit and in works.
The three were the first to be transformed in character as He had been in appearance.
They were the first to work miracles like His miracles.
And they were the first to suffer as He suffered.
From our viewpoint, there is another key fact here. The “inner circle” drew near and fellowshipped with Jesus more than the other nine.
Why?
They loved Him more: “Simon, lovest thou me more than these others do?” (John 21:15).
They loved His words more.
They loved His presence more.
They loved His approval more.
And they loved His people more.
How can we prove these statements?
Simply by seeing that, they labored more for His gospel, and for His kingdoms sake---and suffered more!
“We have left all and followed thee” (Mark 10:28)
Let their example probe you.
Do you love Jesus more than others do, or less?
Enough to seek Him daily?
To work hard to accomplish His will?
To suffer for His sake?
Then let their example also prompt you.
Don’t be satisfied with the outer fringe.
Rise up and seek the “inner circle.”
Why?
In one word, fellowship.
Some believers will draw near to fellowship with their Lord regularly, while others do so irregularly.
Or rarely.
Or never.
Why is intimate relationship with Jesus important?
Our closeness to the Lord determines our knowledge of Him and the determines our fruitfulness for His kingdom.
When we walk closely with Jesus daily, the Holy Spirit blesses our study of Gods Word by giving us an exceptionally deep knowledge of Jesus, His ways and His plan.
It is from a deeply rooted tree of knowledge that the exceptional fruit of Jesus Spirit and works spring.
But if our fellowship with Him withers, so does our knowledge of Him and fruitfulness for Him. So some Christians have a superficial, incomplete, and unsatisfying knowledge of Jesus, while others enjoy an accurate, rich and growing understanding of Him. And some are very fruitful, while others bear Him little or no fruit.
During Jesus earthly ministry there were various circles of fellowship with Him, from the outer fringe to the “inner circle.”
The outer fringe of believers were made up of the local crowds. They saw Jesus when He visited their village or region to teach, heal, and deliver, but only for a few hours. So they knew Him, but in a very limited way. Many believers in the Church have chosen to exist in this fringe as the only knowledge they want of Him, can be garnered in an hour or two on Sunday Morning or Wednesday Night.
Moving closer there was a larger body of followers.
This consisted of believers who, like the twelve, followed Jesus on His ministry tours. The many women who supported Jesus ministry were among these (Luke 8:1-3), as were many other men, of whom Judas replacement was later selected (Acts 1:21-22) These experienced not one but many of Jesus meetings, teachings, and miracles. So they knew Him better than the local crowds.
Drawing nearer still, there were the twelve.
Jesus handpicked these future church leaders, calling them from the larger body of disciples. They, too, experienced many of Jesus messages and miracles. But, unlike the other disciples, they had special access to Jesus.
The were privileges that allowed them to lodge, lunch, and linger with Him daily, they frequently asked for and received special insights from Him: “When they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples” (Mark 4:34).
So they knew not only the public, but also the private Jesus, the miracle worker and the man as well.
They closely observed His reaction to prosperity and adversity, fame and shame, and His private habits of prayer, worship, and meditation. So they knew Him better than the other disciples.
But even they were not Jesus most intimate followers.
That distinction was reserved for His “inner circle”---Peter, James and John.
These three apostles enjoyed several intimacies denied the other nine.
They alone witnessed the raising of Jairus` daughter.
They alone witnessed the unspeakable wonder of His transfiguration.
They alone observed the intense agony of Jesus pleading with God during that final night in Gethsemane.
Why were these extraordinary privileges granted to the three of these?
From Jesus perspective, He was preparing the “inner circle” for the top level of church leadership. Jesus knew well that extraordinary intimacy with Him would lead to extraordinary knowledge of Him and extraordinary fruitfulness for Him.
And He was right.
Consider the exceptional fruit born in spirit and in works.
The three were the first to be transformed in character as He had been in appearance.
They were the first to work miracles like His miracles.
And they were the first to suffer as He suffered.
From our viewpoint, there is another key fact here. The “inner circle” drew near and fellowshipped with Jesus more than the other nine.
Why?
They loved Him more: “Simon, lovest thou me more than these others do?” (John 21:15).
They loved His words more.
They loved His presence more.
They loved His approval more.
And they loved His people more.
How can we prove these statements?
Simply by seeing that, they labored more for His gospel, and for His kingdoms sake---and suffered more!
“We have left all and followed thee” (Mark 10:28)
Let their example probe you.
Do you love Jesus more than others do, or less?
Enough to seek Him daily?
To work hard to accomplish His will?
To suffer for His sake?
Then let their example also prompt you.
Don’t be satisfied with the outer fringe.
Rise up and seek the “inner circle.”
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
WHATS YOUR EXCUSE
LORD, I have come for a pardon.
And who are you?
Me! Don’t you know me Lord? I am the best man in all of my hometown. I’ve been as honest and upright with all of my neighbors as is humanly possible.
And your name?
My, name Lord, is Mr. Morality.
Hmm, Mr. Morality, let me see. Most of these pardons read, “I am not come to call the righteous, but the sinner. (Matthew 9:13)
I don’t see a pardon made out for any Mr. Morality.
But, are you a sinner?
A common sinner! I should say not! There is not a single person who knows me who can charge me with a single wrong. Why, I would dare say that I am the most respected citizen in my town.
Well then, Mr. Morality perhaps this pardon will do.
It reads “Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6) Are you ungodly, my friend?
No sir Lord, I have never been looked upon as being an ungodly man.
Possibly then, this is the one for you, Mr. Morality. It reads; “There is none righteous, no, not one!
Are you unrighteous?
I unrighteous, Lord! How could I ever be unrighteous, when the very essence of my name is Mr. Morality!
Well, then Mr. Morality, I’m sorry, very sorry, but I’m afraid that there is not a single pardon available for you.
Another steps forward and asks for a pardon.
Who are you friend?
Mr. Religionist, Lord.
And what claim have you to present for a pardon, Mr. Religionist?
“Lord, have I not been the most faithful worker of all in my home church?
Was I not a deacon and then an elder, not to mention the founder of the church.
Lord, I labored for the uplift of the people of my community, and gave thousands of dollars to the church.
Surely, for all of this, I deserve a pardon, Lord.”
“But are you a sinner, friend?”
“A sinner! Indeed I am not! I have been religious all my life. I never strayed from the fold. In fact I was brought up in church.”
“Well, Mr. Religionist, your claim of being religious I do not for a moment dispute.
You are certainly well named. But I am compelled to tell you that all these pardons are made out to sinners. I have none for you .”
“None for me! Me, the most faithful church member in the whole city! None for me! Don’t I deserve one?”
“Not on the grounds of being religious, my friend. But hold on, wait a minute. Here is one that reads; The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Do you realize Mr. Religionist that you are lost?”
“Lost, Lord! Why what do you mean? I have never been lost, never in my life. In fact, I’ve always been a Christian, Lord.”
“Perhaps so, friend, but I cannot recognize such claims as you present. My pardons are not for you.”
“Not for me, Lord! Not for me! But wait, I see one that might be for me. Please read what it says.”
“This one? Oh, yes, I see it. Well, here it is listen: “All are guilty before God!” Do you plead guilty? If so, this pardon is for you.”
“Not for one moment do I plead guilty, Lord. Mr. Religionist is proud to say that he has never been guilty, never!”
“Obviously, then, my friend it is not for you.”
Then walks up another.
He bows low as he approaches and humbly requests a pardon.
“And who are you my friend?”
“Me. Oh, I’m nobody at all, Lord. I’m just a poor sinful man.”
“Well upon what grounds do you expect to get a pardon?”
“Only on the ground of the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I have never done anything to merit or deserve it. I’m just a sinner. Lord. Is there a pardon for a sinner like me?”
“Indeed there is, friend, and an abundant one, at that. Here, take this one. It reads, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’. I have plenty for sinners. You are pardoned.”
In the book of Ephesians chapter 2 we read “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved;)
and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” vs. 4-9
We receive our pardon only by means of redeeming faith, not in who we are nor in who someone else says that we are, but only through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone.
And who are you?
Me! Don’t you know me Lord? I am the best man in all of my hometown. I’ve been as honest and upright with all of my neighbors as is humanly possible.
And your name?
My, name Lord, is Mr. Morality.
Hmm, Mr. Morality, let me see. Most of these pardons read, “I am not come to call the righteous, but the sinner. (Matthew 9:13)
I don’t see a pardon made out for any Mr. Morality.
But, are you a sinner?
A common sinner! I should say not! There is not a single person who knows me who can charge me with a single wrong. Why, I would dare say that I am the most respected citizen in my town.
Well then, Mr. Morality perhaps this pardon will do.
It reads “Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6) Are you ungodly, my friend?
No sir Lord, I have never been looked upon as being an ungodly man.
Possibly then, this is the one for you, Mr. Morality. It reads; “There is none righteous, no, not one!
Are you unrighteous?
I unrighteous, Lord! How could I ever be unrighteous, when the very essence of my name is Mr. Morality!
Well, then Mr. Morality, I’m sorry, very sorry, but I’m afraid that there is not a single pardon available for you.
Another steps forward and asks for a pardon.
Who are you friend?
Mr. Religionist, Lord.
And what claim have you to present for a pardon, Mr. Religionist?
“Lord, have I not been the most faithful worker of all in my home church?
Was I not a deacon and then an elder, not to mention the founder of the church.
Lord, I labored for the uplift of the people of my community, and gave thousands of dollars to the church.
Surely, for all of this, I deserve a pardon, Lord.”
“But are you a sinner, friend?”
“A sinner! Indeed I am not! I have been religious all my life. I never strayed from the fold. In fact I was brought up in church.”
“Well, Mr. Religionist, your claim of being religious I do not for a moment dispute.
You are certainly well named. But I am compelled to tell you that all these pardons are made out to sinners. I have none for you .”
“None for me! Me, the most faithful church member in the whole city! None for me! Don’t I deserve one?”
“Not on the grounds of being religious, my friend. But hold on, wait a minute. Here is one that reads; The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Do you realize Mr. Religionist that you are lost?”
“Lost, Lord! Why what do you mean? I have never been lost, never in my life. In fact, I’ve always been a Christian, Lord.”
“Perhaps so, friend, but I cannot recognize such claims as you present. My pardons are not for you.”
“Not for me, Lord! Not for me! But wait, I see one that might be for me. Please read what it says.”
“This one? Oh, yes, I see it. Well, here it is listen: “All are guilty before God!” Do you plead guilty? If so, this pardon is for you.”
“Not for one moment do I plead guilty, Lord. Mr. Religionist is proud to say that he has never been guilty, never!”
“Obviously, then, my friend it is not for you.”
Then walks up another.
He bows low as he approaches and humbly requests a pardon.
“And who are you my friend?”
“Me. Oh, I’m nobody at all, Lord. I’m just a poor sinful man.”
“Well upon what grounds do you expect to get a pardon?”
“Only on the ground of the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I have never done anything to merit or deserve it. I’m just a sinner. Lord. Is there a pardon for a sinner like me?”
“Indeed there is, friend, and an abundant one, at that. Here, take this one. It reads, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’. I have plenty for sinners. You are pardoned.”
In the book of Ephesians chapter 2 we read “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved;)
and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” vs. 4-9
We receive our pardon only by means of redeeming faith, not in who we are nor in who someone else says that we are, but only through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
In the book of Matthew we read about a turbulent storm that befell the disciples second Galilee crossing coming “straightway” or immediately after Jesus fed 5000 and just before He healed in Gennesaret “that they might only touch the hem of his garment…….as many as touched were made perfectly whole. (Matthew 14:22,35,36).
No accident , this storm was not only a divine assessment but also a diabolical assault.
That is, God not only sent the storm to test His apostles but the enemy also hoped, however futilely, that it would stop Jesus` growing ministry.
He was storming mad because Jesus was busily blessing God’s people.
Jesus walked about three and one half miles across a rough, vicious body of water before meeting up with His disciples, landing and ministering in Gennesaret.
Of His subsequent ministry there, a question could be posed, “Did these people of Gennesaret, know that Jesus had come through a storm to meet their needs?”
Likely they did not, but we can be sure that His disciples knew it.
They went through the storm and experienced His presence in a marvelous way, both seeing Him walking on the water, and controlling the storm, at its epicenter, understanding that what He did, was done so that He might come to the people across the stormy sea.
Later , after the apostles` healing and preaching ministry resulted in the salvation of 3000 in Jerusalem, another storm beset them.
This however was not a meteorological event, but a religious disturbance, as the Jewish clerics rose to persecute them.
Thus they walked in the masters footsteps, enduring Satan’s stormy opposition because their ministry--rather Christ’s ministry through them--was also blessing many.
The Apostle Paul also walked this way.
He famously encountered and endured many storms of persecution, on land and at sea, in order to disseminate many powerful life-giving, faith nourishing, soul-saving spiritual truths to the early churches.
When Paul arrived in cities to minister, he often did so freshly released from some turbid trouble.
He was harried for two weeks in a life-threatening hurricane, and then shipwrecked, before arriving on the island of Malta where he--or Christ in him--healed many.
Do we realize what Jesus, the apostles, and Paul knew and lived in?
That is, do we understand that if we undertake to prolifically feed God’s people the bread of the Word or minister comfort and healing to their souls and bodies by the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit, we will have to walk through great storms at times to do so?
Are we willing to endure those long, dark, dangerous, and wearisome gales of testing to make it through to the “other side” where God’s confused, famished, sick, misled, and despairing children are waiting eagerly to be helped by the ministry of the Son of God through us?
If we are willing to pay the price, God will see to it that they get the blessing.
No accident , this storm was not only a divine assessment but also a diabolical assault.
That is, God not only sent the storm to test His apostles but the enemy also hoped, however futilely, that it would stop Jesus` growing ministry.
He was storming mad because Jesus was busily blessing God’s people.
Jesus walked about three and one half miles across a rough, vicious body of water before meeting up with His disciples, landing and ministering in Gennesaret.
Of His subsequent ministry there, a question could be posed, “Did these people of Gennesaret, know that Jesus had come through a storm to meet their needs?”
Likely they did not, but we can be sure that His disciples knew it.
They went through the storm and experienced His presence in a marvelous way, both seeing Him walking on the water, and controlling the storm, at its epicenter, understanding that what He did, was done so that He might come to the people across the stormy sea.
Later , after the apostles` healing and preaching ministry resulted in the salvation of 3000 in Jerusalem, another storm beset them.
This however was not a meteorological event, but a religious disturbance, as the Jewish clerics rose to persecute them.
Thus they walked in the masters footsteps, enduring Satan’s stormy opposition because their ministry--rather Christ’s ministry through them--was also blessing many.
The Apostle Paul also walked this way.
He famously encountered and endured many storms of persecution, on land and at sea, in order to disseminate many powerful life-giving, faith nourishing, soul-saving spiritual truths to the early churches.
When Paul arrived in cities to minister, he often did so freshly released from some turbid trouble.
He was harried for two weeks in a life-threatening hurricane, and then shipwrecked, before arriving on the island of Malta where he--or Christ in him--healed many.
Do we realize what Jesus, the apostles, and Paul knew and lived in?
That is, do we understand that if we undertake to prolifically feed God’s people the bread of the Word or minister comfort and healing to their souls and bodies by the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit, we will have to walk through great storms at times to do so?
Are we willing to endure those long, dark, dangerous, and wearisome gales of testing to make it through to the “other side” where God’s confused, famished, sick, misled, and despairing children are waiting eagerly to be helped by the ministry of the Son of God through us?
If we are willing to pay the price, God will see to it that they get the blessing.
Monday, February 8, 2010
I have never been one to make resolutions for the New Year, having learned long ago that I would likely break them at the first opportunity.
However I do evaluate my life and the ministry that I have been given, annually.
During a time of evaluation in the latter part of 2009, the idea came upon me that based on some experiences during the year that perhaps I should take a more tolerant view of how I feel the gift that has been bestowed upon me should be presented.
I will share a few of those experiences, hoping that they minister to you somehow.
In the past year I have heard several prophets and pastors, declare to the church that we have entered a time to rest, and re-focus our ministry.
The truth is that the Church is not called to rest, rather we are encouraged to press on, unyielding and doing the Masters work until He returns.
I was witness to the blessing of communion (the Lords Supper) being presented at times with no mention of the sacrifice of Christ and His finished work. They did however mention, the works of men, Buddha, and puppy dogs.
In so doing, these people partook of the table of demons, bringing curses to all who approved.
I was shocked at a pastor that I love when I witnessed him bestow a blessing upon a couple who were cohabitating and had just announced to the world that they were pregnant with their first child.
When I refused to bestow a similar blessing upon them, I was scolded as being intolerant and uncharitable, and told that the truth of the message that I preach , would run people like that particular couple away from the church.
In defense of the Word of God, the pastor was told that people like that and many who fill pews in churches on a weekly basis, need to be ran away from the church and to the Cross of Christ.
I stand by my statement.
There is a great hue and cry throughout the world today on behalf of tolerance and much of it comes from a rising spirit of godlessness in the nations.
I believe in Christian charity, but I do not believe at all in Christian tolerance.
The person who hates the name of Jesus, who believes that He was not the Son of God but an imposter, deserves charity on our part.
I believe in Christian charity, but I do not believe in the weak tolerance that we hear preached so often now--the idea that Jesus must tolerate everyone and that the Christian must tolerate every kind of doctrine.
I do not believe it for one minute, for there are no dozen “rights”.
There is only one “right”.
There is but one true Bible, one true God and only one Savior of the world, Jesus!
Jesus Christ demonstrated the vast difference between being charitable and being tolerant, Jesus Christ was so charitable that in His great heart He took in all the people in the world and was willing to die, even for those who hated Him.
But even with that kind of love and charity crowning His being, Jesus was so intolerant that He taught; “ I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
I believe in Christian charity, but not to the end that the road of Universalism would take you down, that every road leads to God.
However I do evaluate my life and the ministry that I have been given, annually.
During a time of evaluation in the latter part of 2009, the idea came upon me that based on some experiences during the year that perhaps I should take a more tolerant view of how I feel the gift that has been bestowed upon me should be presented.
I will share a few of those experiences, hoping that they minister to you somehow.
In the past year I have heard several prophets and pastors, declare to the church that we have entered a time to rest, and re-focus our ministry.
The truth is that the Church is not called to rest, rather we are encouraged to press on, unyielding and doing the Masters work until He returns.
I was witness to the blessing of communion (the Lords Supper) being presented at times with no mention of the sacrifice of Christ and His finished work. They did however mention, the works of men, Buddha, and puppy dogs.
In so doing, these people partook of the table of demons, bringing curses to all who approved.
I was shocked at a pastor that I love when I witnessed him bestow a blessing upon a couple who were cohabitating and had just announced to the world that they were pregnant with their first child.
When I refused to bestow a similar blessing upon them, I was scolded as being intolerant and uncharitable, and told that the truth of the message that I preach , would run people like that particular couple away from the church.
In defense of the Word of God, the pastor was told that people like that and many who fill pews in churches on a weekly basis, need to be ran away from the church and to the Cross of Christ.
I stand by my statement.
There is a great hue and cry throughout the world today on behalf of tolerance and much of it comes from a rising spirit of godlessness in the nations.
I believe in Christian charity, but I do not believe at all in Christian tolerance.
The person who hates the name of Jesus, who believes that He was not the Son of God but an imposter, deserves charity on our part.
I believe in Christian charity, but I do not believe in the weak tolerance that we hear preached so often now--the idea that Jesus must tolerate everyone and that the Christian must tolerate every kind of doctrine.
I do not believe it for one minute, for there are no dozen “rights”.
There is only one “right”.
There is but one true Bible, one true God and only one Savior of the world, Jesus!
Jesus Christ demonstrated the vast difference between being charitable and being tolerant, Jesus Christ was so charitable that in His great heart He took in all the people in the world and was willing to die, even for those who hated Him.
But even with that kind of love and charity crowning His being, Jesus was so intolerant that He taught; “ I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
I believe in Christian charity, but not to the end that the road of Universalism would take you down, that every road leads to God.
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