The Great Apostasy: Lost Forever
An apostate soul is lost forever.
There is an abundance of Biblical proof that shows anyone that apostatizes cannot repent – and even stronger – has been given a reprobate mind and will not repent.
The Greek word apostasion means a divorcement.
The apostate person has divorced the truth of God and has been divorced by the Holy Spirit. They are lost forever.
There is a multitude in today’s church, which are so captured by the watered down message that they refuse to even believe “plain truths” from the Holy Scripture.
Please consider what is evident in the very term apostate.
We are not discussing someone going back into sin or simply ceasing to walk with the Lord.
That is backsliding and we see a clear picture of that in the prodigal son in chapter fifteen of Luke. He left the Father’s House and wandered far from home, but he came to himself and returned.
I have often said that there is a little of the prodigal in every one of us. We have all had to repent because we failed to be fully obedient.
This state of a soul has no real kinship to apostasy.
Apostate people are more religious than the true saints.
They have departed from the great principles and established doctrines of the Holy Bible and are committed to guaranteeing that everybody else does the same.
Apostasy is a departure from truth while being convinced that they have discovered greater truths.
It is the replacement of the eternal truth with religious human imagination.
The book, The God Chasers, by Tommy Tenney is an excellent case in point. He states that the Bible is where God has been and the new revelation is where God is now at work. Rick Warren is clearly at the same point. He has replaced the Born Again life by the Holy Ghost with a “purpose driven life” of psychological relativisms.
In the apostate world there are many paths to God, and Jesus Christ is only one of them.
The absolute teaching of Jesus Christ about an eternal Hell and eternal Lake of Fire is now to simply lie in the grave and fail to enjoy God forever.
The Bible can be pen-knifed by the apostate church and almost every truth can have varied meanings.
Separated living is a relic of the past and the Christian is free of all restraints in the Ten Commandments, etc.
A ballgame on Sunday night is just as spiritual to this company as a great sermon from God’s eternal truth.
Romance music has replaced the music that lifts the spirit of man into the Holy of Holies, where God’s Spirit sanctifies and purifies the soul.
The Holy Bible warned us of this End Time phenomenon.
The most powerful Scripture about apostasy is in the great book of Hebrews.
This passage has been almost ignored by most Bible teachers because it upsets their weak theology. “And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall “Fall Away,” to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:3-6).
Apostle Paul does not just suggest the end results; he proclaims without question that this state of apostasy cannot repent.
Please note the words, “fall away,” which identifies the apostate person and states that they were once partakers of the Holy Ghost, were once enlightened, and had tasted the Word of God and the world to come.
But, now, they have turned from all of that great life and cannot return to their former spiritual state.
The term “fall away” is from a unique Greek word that applies to the person that is part of the “falling away” or “apostasia” we see in II Thessalonians chapter two, verse three.
The prophecy of II Thessalonians is a clear companion to the truth in Hebrews. As the apostle writes about the coming Antichrist and the Day of Christ, he warns us of the “falling away.” “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (II Thessalonians 2:3-4).
Again, we see “falling away” from the two Greek words, apostasia and apostasion.
These are very religious persons who have turned to “another gospel.” They did not love the pure word of God and were wise in the flesh to create their own theology.
They watered down the truth to draw the crowds into their great fold. And, then, they must keep compromising to keep the crowds.
The Holy Ghost takes the apostle right down to the fine point of what the results will be, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (II Thessalonians 2:7-12).
God’s omniscient Spirit warns them that He will give them “strong delusion,” and “that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned.”
It is not the truth that saves the soul.
The world is full of people that know the Bible.
Many souls study the Bible just to argue their deception more successfully.
It is the “love of the truth” that saves the soul.
Now, we are discovering the real heart of apostasy. It is to reject the truth for error and our highly intellectual church world is fulfilling this prophetic design to a tee.
There is clear evidence that this condition of apostasy is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.
The Spirit of Truth is absolutely the Holy Ghost.
To reject truth, to change truth, to water down truth is to grieve, quench, and blaspheme the Spirit. The whole matter of apostasy is the forsaking of truth.
The Holy Ghost inspired every Bible writer and they wrote as “they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:21). There is no way you can blaspheme Him more readily than when you attack His revelation. From Moses, the writer of the Pentateuch, to John, the writer of the Book of Revelation, the Bible is the pure Word of God.
The final proof of apostasy is found in Revelation chapter twenty-two. The Spirit said, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19).
When you alter the Bible, you are an apostate person and will be eternally lost.
Joseph R. Chambers
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Every Christian is called to successfully minister Jesus to this world and to the church.
To that end all of us, especially Christian leaders, should understand the difference between worldly and spiritual success.
Worldly success consists of the things highly valued in this present social order, such as power, position, wealth and fame. Prideful and selfish in spirit, it seeks popularity, financial increase, numerical growth, recognition and reputation. It is a crass outward show, not a noble inward state; a work of fleshly ability, not of the Spirits grace and power. Its products are visible, never spiritual. Its goals are immediate, never eternal. It focuses on this world, never the next.
Utterly ignoring the Bibles revelation of Gods desires, plans, methods and standards, worldly success is measured solely by human standards.
Too often Christians, churches and ministers judge success by these worldly standards instead of setting their sights on spiritual success.
Spiritual success focuses on receiving and retaining Gods favor.
It is measured by biblical, not popular, standards.
Succinctly, its goal is fulfilling Gods will.
To spiritually minded Christians, success is fully being and fully doing Gods will-being all He wants us to be and doing everything He charges us to do in life.
The components of spiritual success are simple things such as faithfulness, truthfulness, steadfastness in adversity and humility in victory.
These things are motivated by love for God and His people, never pride.
They move us to serve others for Christ’s sake, not use them for selfish ends. They prompt us to seek eternal rewards, not those of this passing world.
Spiritual success seeks to build permanent character in Gods people, not personal kingdoms in a passing world.
It covets more of the Spirit, not more mammon.
It dreams not of being blessed but of being a blessing.
Spiritual success occurs whenever God is honored. His truth is proclaimed, and His will is done in individuals, churches and ministries, irrespective of all other worldly measures of success.
The Apostle Paul was a spiritual success.
Yet when Paul’s execution day drew near in Rome, his life was a total failure, if measured by worldly standards.
He was unknown among the leaders of Roman high society.
He was not financially wealthy.
He was not politically influential.
He held no high office in any respected religious body. (The faith of Christianity was not legalized until 250 years after Paul’s execution.)
His achievements went unnoticed.
Though inspired and extensive, his writings were not acclaimed by the great philosophers and educators of the Greco-Roman world.
Though he planted many churches, he had not founded any great universities, libraries or religious institutions. Yet Paul’s last words to his prize student Timothy and to us, were not the sad concessions of failure, but the glad declarations of a successful soul.
Why?
He had fully seen and done Gods will.
Not tragically but triumphantly he wrote, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown [reward]…” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
And there is a reward laid up for you, too, if you follow Paul’s example.
Guard and nourish your faith, fight well your spiritual fight and finish the course of your calling.
Be a roaring spiritual success and have no fear of finding all of your efforts eaten by moths or covered in rust..
To that end all of us, especially Christian leaders, should understand the difference between worldly and spiritual success.
Worldly success consists of the things highly valued in this present social order, such as power, position, wealth and fame. Prideful and selfish in spirit, it seeks popularity, financial increase, numerical growth, recognition and reputation. It is a crass outward show, not a noble inward state; a work of fleshly ability, not of the Spirits grace and power. Its products are visible, never spiritual. Its goals are immediate, never eternal. It focuses on this world, never the next.
Utterly ignoring the Bibles revelation of Gods desires, plans, methods and standards, worldly success is measured solely by human standards.
Too often Christians, churches and ministers judge success by these worldly standards instead of setting their sights on spiritual success.
Spiritual success focuses on receiving and retaining Gods favor.
It is measured by biblical, not popular, standards.
Succinctly, its goal is fulfilling Gods will.
To spiritually minded Christians, success is fully being and fully doing Gods will-being all He wants us to be and doing everything He charges us to do in life.
The components of spiritual success are simple things such as faithfulness, truthfulness, steadfastness in adversity and humility in victory.
These things are motivated by love for God and His people, never pride.
They move us to serve others for Christ’s sake, not use them for selfish ends. They prompt us to seek eternal rewards, not those of this passing world.
Spiritual success seeks to build permanent character in Gods people, not personal kingdoms in a passing world.
It covets more of the Spirit, not more mammon.
It dreams not of being blessed but of being a blessing.
Spiritual success occurs whenever God is honored. His truth is proclaimed, and His will is done in individuals, churches and ministries, irrespective of all other worldly measures of success.
The Apostle Paul was a spiritual success.
Yet when Paul’s execution day drew near in Rome, his life was a total failure, if measured by worldly standards.
He was unknown among the leaders of Roman high society.
He was not financially wealthy.
He was not politically influential.
He held no high office in any respected religious body. (The faith of Christianity was not legalized until 250 years after Paul’s execution.)
His achievements went unnoticed.
Though inspired and extensive, his writings were not acclaimed by the great philosophers and educators of the Greco-Roman world.
Though he planted many churches, he had not founded any great universities, libraries or religious institutions. Yet Paul’s last words to his prize student Timothy and to us, were not the sad concessions of failure, but the glad declarations of a successful soul.
Why?
He had fully seen and done Gods will.
Not tragically but triumphantly he wrote, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown [reward]…” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
And there is a reward laid up for you, too, if you follow Paul’s example.
Guard and nourish your faith, fight well your spiritual fight and finish the course of your calling.
Be a roaring spiritual success and have no fear of finding all of your efforts eaten by moths or covered in rust..
Monday, January 10, 2011
WOULD YOU PRAY FOR THOSE YOU LOVE
One of the greatest stories ever told is the narrative Jesus gave of the prodigal son.
It is the tale of the young man who asked for his inheritance prematurely, then ran off and wasted it all, in wild living.
(The word prodigal comes from the word for “wasted”).
Finally he comes to his senses and goes home to his fathers house.
This story is a picture of the emptiness of running from God.
It tells of the wayward coming home to God.
How wonderful is the statement that Jesus made revealing the awesome love of the father.
He was watching, waiting, and willing for his prodigal child to come home.
“So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran toward him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him.” Luke 15:20
Maybe you have loved ones who have wandered far from home.
Perhaps you have grown weary in your heart, from the burden of worry as they live in the “hog pen” of the world.
You can know for certain that prodigals do come home in response to prayer.
If you truly love them, pray for them daily using the following model if you wish.
Lord please;
Bring them to a place of famine and need (Luke 15:14)
Create within them a holy hunger and homesickness (15:16-17)
Cause them to come to their senses (15:17)
Draw them home (15:18)
Give them the desire to receive the gift of repentance (15:18-21)
Give us welcoming grace (15:20)
Hold fast to the truth that God wants none to perish in a lost state, but for all to come home, and has already paid the fare for the voyage to His house. (John 3:16)
It is the tale of the young man who asked for his inheritance prematurely, then ran off and wasted it all, in wild living.
(The word prodigal comes from the word for “wasted”).
Finally he comes to his senses and goes home to his fathers house.
This story is a picture of the emptiness of running from God.
It tells of the wayward coming home to God.
How wonderful is the statement that Jesus made revealing the awesome love of the father.
He was watching, waiting, and willing for his prodigal child to come home.
“So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran toward him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him.” Luke 15:20
Maybe you have loved ones who have wandered far from home.
Perhaps you have grown weary in your heart, from the burden of worry as they live in the “hog pen” of the world.
You can know for certain that prodigals do come home in response to prayer.
If you truly love them, pray for them daily using the following model if you wish.
Lord please;
Bring them to a place of famine and need (Luke 15:14)
Create within them a holy hunger and homesickness (15:16-17)
Cause them to come to their senses (15:17)
Draw them home (15:18)
Give them the desire to receive the gift of repentance (15:18-21)
Give us welcoming grace (15:20)
Hold fast to the truth that God wants none to perish in a lost state, but for all to come home, and has already paid the fare for the voyage to His house. (John 3:16)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Christmas 2010 card
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
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
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.
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