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Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. (KJV)
Do you want to draw close to God and grow in Him? Then you need to withdraw yourself from the law and the works of it to succeed. Many begin in the Spirit and still try to perfect or become mature in the Lord by the flesh and its carnal ordinances. Ever wonder why so many Christians are weak and sickly? Those that should be a beacon of spiritual light are a flickering candle getting dimmer and dimmer. Galatians 3:10-14 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (11) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. (13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (KJV) The promise that mankind has been waiting for, the promise of the Messiah that the Old Testament prophets wrote of has arrived and brought us a perfect plan of salvation that would release us from the curse of the old law. If you read back to the beginning of this Chapter 3, you will find that many begin in the Spirit with a simple belief in Christ and then go and spoil the plan by reverting back to laws and rituals that are done away in Christ. Rather than having faith in the work Jesus Christ did on our behalf, and the sacrifice that was paid and accepted of the Father as complete, we in essence by these dead works are telling the Lord that He didn’t do a complete work. God the Father accepted the blood sacrifice of His Son, then released the debt of sin and separation from Him, and has given us a ministry of reconciliation through Jesus Christ. If you plan on continuing your walk in the Spirit, and would like to grow closer to the Lord, then from this point on it can only be accomplished by faith. Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (39) And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (KJV) No matter how you slice it, no matter how much you twist and turn things to try to make them fit, the only justification with our Lord is apart from works. The man being referred to in the above verses is none other than Jesus Christ; and in order to be justified, which means to render free, innocent and righteous, it can only be accomplished by faith in Him. Anytime one steps outside the realm of faith they are walking away from the Lord and trying to find another way into the kingdom, which the Bible refers to them as a thief and a robber; letting the devil steal the life and cut off the line of communication of the believer. It’s the simplicity of the gospel that many miss. Rather than keeping it simple, they complicate a simple plan of salvation by faith with a bunch of man-made additional works that cause more confusion than peace. Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (3) And this will we do, if God permit. (KJV) Our indoctrination into God’s plan of salvation came in the form of Jesus Christ, who came and fulfilled the law, which culminated in the perfect sacrifice through His laying down His life for all mankind. Having resurrected and now seated at the right hand of the Father, this simple plan of salvation is manifest through a law of faith. Many today still seek forgiveness and repentance through dead works thinking something else needs to be done in order to be justified. Many believe in God and have a faith toward Him but are unable to tap into the measure of faith they were given; so rather than look inward they are still seeking the answer in the outward. It goes without saying that many still keep the doctrine of the external baptism in play, which is nothing more than a watered down dead doctrine. Verse 3 uses the word permit, which means to give liberty or be set free. The only way a believer can be set free and draw nigh or close to God and go on to perfection (maturity) in Christ, is by leaving the works of the law dead and buried. Hebrews 6:4-6 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, (5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (6) 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. (KJV) Without faith it is impossible to please God and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. The reason many believers fall away and get duped by the devil is because they miss the simple fact that it was faith that got them into the kingdom, and only faith in the completed sacrifice of Jesus Christ can keep them in it. Many crucify the simple doctrine of Christ by basically telling Him that He didn’t do a complete job, and that there is still work that needs to be done. John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (KJV) Christ in you is the only hope of glory. This is the hope that was brought to all mankind, the gift of life given to bring healing and restoration to a fallen world. Anytime you look outside the realm of faith to find your answer you are stepping away from the Lord instead of being drawn closer to Him. Anytime you put yourself back under the old law and its dead works which were nailed to the cross you are telling the Lord that He is a liar and did not do a complete job. Matthew 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (KJV) The word idle means, inactive or useless; which sounds like dead works, those things that keep a person from moving forward. Words of faith will build up the believer and bring them closer to the Lord. Your words which come from the heart will either bring you justification or condemnation. And those that speak in line with the Lord and operate according to the law of faith will find themselves innocent and just before the Lord. Anything less will just keep one stagnant and idle, and they will not be going anywhere for a while. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Isaiah 44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. (KJV)
Whenever you see the word blot or blotted out in the Bible it refers too, to smear out, erase, abolish, even obliterate is used as well. Jesus Christ ran a spiritual campaign on behalf of mankind, and having paid the price for sin was able to erase and cancel out the debt of sin. Now He is seated at the right hand of the Father and is lobbying on mankind’s behalf so that we too can receive the reward of His inheritance. But do beware Church, because not only is the sin blotted out, but the word of God is quite specific to point out that the sinner is erased as well, even those that may have been saints for a season, but left their first love. Exodus 32:31-33 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. (32) Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. (33) And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. (KJV) Keep in mind that you can’t be blotted out of something unless your name was first written in it. Just like many people today, they may begin their walk with the Lord but it is of utmost importance that one continues to follow through with their commitment to Him. Because what it comes down to simply put, is that if we erase the Lord from our priority list we may find ourselves in the same predicament as well. The fact that God is no respecter of persons, sin is sin, no matter what vessel it manifests through. Revelation 3:5-6 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (6) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (KJV) Wannabes, has-beens or any other pretenders will find themselves unable to gain access to their heavenly reward; left out because their name is no longer written in the heavenly book of life. When you delete the Lord and ignore Him the same measure is returned unto you. Once you have accepted the Lord you are required to walk in the Spirit and no longer be in bondage to the desires of the flesh. You are now held to a higher standard, and will need to follow through with your commitment to the end if you hope to receive the reward of inheritance. It’s up to you on a daily basis to spend time in the word of God and hear the Lord’s message of faith so that you can keep your mind renewed in the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Like a daily role call, make sure your name is still in the book of life and find out your assignment for the day. Ezekiel 18:21-22 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. (22) All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. (KJV) Your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life because you were willing to turn away from your old sinful nature and be a partaker of the divine nature of Christ. You need to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness on a daily basis so that you can keep your spiritual reservation intact in your heavenly home. Ezekiel 18:24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. (KJV) You began a walk with the Lord on the path of life having forsaken a dead end trail of sin. It is of utmost importance that you keep on this path, and not fall away and return to the dead works of the past; the sin that was blotted out and removed. The Lord has cast our sins into the sea of forgetfulness; and for those that fall from grace and return to their old ways they too will find themselves forgotten and lost at sea also. Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV) Don’t wait until it is too late to find out that your name is no longer in the heavenly register. Many begin their walk with the Lord and may have had good intentions, but somewhere along the line got sidetracked and erased. Instead of showing up for their daily role call assignment with the Lord, they were a no show in His realm; having left the Lord off their list they find themselves left off His also. Colossians 2:13-14 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (KJV) One of the ordinances that is blotted out that kept mankind in bondage to sin was the old law. Christ is the end of the law to everyone that believes. Where I see so many stumble and fall away again, is that they begin in the Spirit but try to justify themselves with God in the flesh and its dead rituals, which the Lord said were blotted out and nailed to His cross. By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified; so simply put, if the old law and its dead works are blotted out then those that operate in that realm are subject to the same thing also. We are saved by grace through faith and not works; which definitely leaves no room for boasting. The sign of a good preacher is one that will teach the people what the Lord has done for them. And a false preacher will tell the people what they are doing for the Lord. The only work left for the true believer is to believe in the Son God sent with His message of salvation. Galatians 2:16-18 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (17) But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. (18) For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (KJV) If you seek to gain access to the kingdom of God through works of the law you will find yourself in violation of Him, and forbidden access. If you try to build your foundation on ordinances that were blotted out, you will find yourself blotted out with them. So take the time today and make sure your name is still written in the book of life, and the only thing that is smeared out and erased is the sin. Make sure that when the Lord casts the sin into the depths of the sea you’re not still hanging onto it with a millstone tied around you. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (KJV)
In a time and a realm where we are constantly trying to remember things, and remind ourselves of things that are vital in our daily walk, there are certain things that we need to forget as well and leave behind us. Once you have put your hand to the plow it is important not to be looking behind you, but rather forward so that you will be able to work in whatever field our Father has you in today. The prize is in front of you and not behind you. So if someone is trying to remind you of your past or bring any transgressions from that imaginary realm, be certain it is not of God. Psalms 103:11-13 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. (KJV) Did you know that the Lord not only has forgiven our trespasses but has forgotten them as well? We still at times try to equate God to our thinking and standards rather than realizing how much higher His mercy is. God is not bound by emotions and mood swings, but is longsuffering to all; not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Although mankind may try to bring up the past and hold it against us the Lord has already forgotten our past transgressions that we have asked forgiveness for, and we are now walking in a newness of life. Any time we start wandering in the past it is similar to a grave robber, digging up dead things that are buried and unhealthy. Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. (KJV) It is our Father’s delight to take our iniquities and throw them into the depths of the sea. It is like a parent who is able to watch a child that has been addicted to drugs take a boat ride out to the deepest part of the sea and dump their stash into the depths of it and begin a new life free from the addiction. You forget the heartache of the past and rejoice in the joy, peace, and liberty of the new life that is brought forth. Isaiah 57:20-21 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. (KJV) Are you as willing to forgive others the way you were forgiven? Not only forgiving, but how about the forgetting part also? Are you able to forgive yourself or are you deep sea diving in the sea of forgetfulness trying to dig up dead things that should be left buried there? Your answer is not down below wallowing in the mire, but it is in front of you; look forward and walk in the new life God has given you. You wonder at times why you don’t have peace, well quit digging up dirt, whether it is on others or yourself, because basically you end up calling God a liar and saying His mercy didn’t cover the transgression. Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (KJV) Is every day new to you also? Are you walking in the newness of the life given you in Christ, and not bogged down with your old fallen nature? Are you staying in the word of God, and renewing your mind with all the spiritual blessings you have been blessed with? Or are you drifting out to sea in uncharted troubling waters being blown to and fro with every wind of doctrine? The Lord never fails, so if you are not experiencing the peace and joy you should be, most likely you have fallen overboard and have forgotten your life preserver. Luke 6:36-37 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (KJV) Are you as merciful to others as our Father is to you? Are you as forgiving to others also? The key is learning to rightly divide the word of truth, as well as being able to identify the difference between the voice of God and the voice of a stranger, the enemy. God is dealing with us today, right now, this moment, while the enemy is trying to get us to go deep sea fishing in the dead sea to get us to dredge up another distraction that is vain and empty. Knowing the difference will save you from a lot of heartache and misery so that you will be reminded not only of the forgiveness for yourself, but that of others also. Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (KJV) Have you noticed in political campaigns how the first thing the candidates do, is try to dig up some dirt on their opponents? So to add insult to injury, they then go out and about broadcasting their opponent’s former transgressions, or alleged ones that are only meant to discredit them. The devil runs his own smear campaign on the body of Christ also, making false accusations to discredit them as well. For those that know the truth and keep their minds renewed in it, they will not be pulled into these mudslinging campaigns, but rather they will continue in the liberty in Christ, and walk in the freedom of mercy and forgiveness; not continually asking or seeking forgiveness for things that are not only forgiven, but forgotten. The reason some keep laying this foundation of repentance from dead works is because they are still entrapped in the works of the law. And rather than receiving the grace and mercy afforded by the new law of faith, they continue to seek justification through the works of the old law and its dead rituals. It is so much easier to forget the past if we are no longer living in it and the dead works of our youth; which, what we thought would bring us closer to God was actually drawing us farther away and sinking our ship. Out of sight, out of mind; so the further removed we are from our old way of thinking the more we are able to walk in a newness of life; each day being a new opportunity to worship our Father in spirit and in truth. So if there is something or somebody trying to remind you of your past, forget it and keep pressing forward. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 3:12-15 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (KJV)
Paul didn’t claim to be perfect but he was mature in Christ and was able to grow up into Him in all things. Paul had quite a past, one that included his involvement in persecuting the Church and wasting it. We all have our own past and for every different believer there is a different one. But as we clearly see, Paul found that his answer was before him, the path in front of him this day, right now. How much easier would your path be if you only dealt with the things God has for you this day, at this moment; not thinking on things behind, neither getting caught up with things too far down the road ahead of you. Are you open to change and willing to walk a new path of life the Lord has for you, or are still trying to get results by doing things the same old way? Does your life seem stagnant at times; like on a treadmill, you keep exerting energy but don’t get anywhere and always end up at the same place you started from? If you keep doing the same thing trying to get to your spiritual destination by old watered down doctrines you will find yourself coming up short and missing the mark. If you desire new results it will require a new mindset and a willingness to walk in it as well. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (KJV) The reason Paul was able to forget the past is because the old things were passed away and he wasn’t reliving them over and over again. The reason many Christians have a hard time forgetting their past and moving forward is because they are not willing to let go of the old so that they too can walk a new path in Christ. Similar to a movie that came out years ago called Groundhog Day; the character in the movie kept living the same day over and over again and getting the same results. When something is passed away it should be buried and left there. So if there is someone or something reminding you of your past get out of the cemetery and move on to a new life the Lord has for you. Is every day a new experience for you? One of joy and peace, with a confidence and trust in the Lord that builds you up more and more on a daily basis, or are you being let down again because you expected to get new results from your old ways? A new life means you will need to walk a new path, one that draws you closer to the Lord not further away. Romans 7:4-6 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (KJV) Paul was well versed in the Old Testament and the things of the old law. It was his zeal in holding to the law that caused him to be at odds with the early Church. It was his willingness to let go of the old ways that set him free to walk in the newness of the Spirit; and in the end he went from being one of the Church’s worst enemies to one of its best assets. Is there something you are hanging onto from the past that keeps you from walking in the new instead of being a new creation in Christ, walking in the victory afforded you? Are you hanging onto something from your past and because of this you can’t get past the hindrance in your walk that keeps you buried in defeat? 2 Kings 5:9-12 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. (KJV) Naaman was a great captain of Syria and had leprosy. He was instructed to go to Elisha a man of God to find a cure. Naaman was angry at the answer he received because he had his own preconceived ideas and notions on how God should provide the answer. Sound familiar? Ever wonder how in reading the Old Testament our own lives correlate with these situations, and how similar our old way of thinking is at times? How we at times have been trapped in our own spiritual leprosy and are unable to be set free because we were not willing to follow through with the spiritual prescription God had for us. If you desire something new, then you have to let go of the old; otherwise, instead of leaving the past behind we end up left behind, and falling short of the mark of the prize. 2 Kings 5:13-14 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. (KJV) If the Lord sends someone to give you sound advice, will you give heed to it or throw a hissy fit and keep trying your old stagnant ways? Will you walk in a newness of life today, walking by faith and not by sight, a faith in that which the Lord has promised? He is more than able to deliver, but only on His terms and conditions, which are at times so much different than our way of thinking. You have a Bible, the word of God, full of first-hand accounts of what the Lord is ready, willing, and able to provide for any that are willing to leave the past behind and partake of the river of life that will make them clean and renewed. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 5:1-4 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. (KJV)
When reading these verses one needs to understand that the writer John was giving an account of what was taking place at this pool and what the belief was among the people that were gathered around it. John was not giving credence to the fact that an angel was actually coming down from heaven and troubling the water, but his own eyewitness account of what the people were believing. To this day we have many who hold to this same belief. Having watched a documentary concerning this, there are many springs around the world that are considered to have waters that produce special powers, holy water if you would, which many swear by. For every different denomination they have their own watering hole, which shows you where they are at in their walk. Like so many, they look to the outward realm for something to cure their inward sickness, which in the end results with many being left out. These verses in John are an example of many of today’s so called churches and religious organizations who have a bunch of weak spiritually diseased followers waiting for someone or something to come along and get things stirred up. Rather than go to the source, accessing the Father through His Son Jesus Christ, many jump at the opportunity when some so called prophet or evangelist comes to town; someone they think is sent of God who is coming to get things stirred up. John 4:12-14 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (KJV) What well are you drinking from today? Are you looking to the spiritual well of life to find the eternal healing waters, or are you sitting around some stagnant polluted pool of man’s doctrine waiting for something or someone to stir you up? Are you looking to quench your spiritual thirst, or are you still seeking some outside source that many think will provide them some quick fix? The devil would like nothing better than to see God’s people sitting around being idle rather than taking hold of the blessings afforded His people; many are like passengers at an airport, always on standby and never taking off. Psalms 84:11-12 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. (KJV) God is no respecter of persons. He doesn’t play favorites and all of His promises are there for the taking to any and all that are willing to walk in the Spirit. Rather than sit around all week waiting for Sunday to come so that you can go to some building and wait for someone to get you stirred up again why not spend your time in the word of God seeking the Lord for yourself; building up your own confidence and assurance so that you can get out of your stagnant lifestyle and walk in the newness of life that is rightfully yours. Instead of lying around hoping something will happen, get up and walk uprightly in the Spirit and get back on the path of life. John 5:5-9 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. (KJV) If you notice, the Lord himself didn’t give credence to their belief about an angel showing up and stirring the waters. Neither did the Lord wait around for this so called angel to show up so that he could push this man into the water first. Rather He was able to give the truth to a man that had been afflicted for so many years. The Lord set a perfect example for us of how we should be ready always to give an answer of the truth to those that we encounter who have been caught up with a false belief that something in the outward would bring a healing and restoration to the inward. Only the truth can set one free. And only the word of God is able to provide the healing and make one whole; spirit, soul, and body. Our purpose in life is to point those that we come in contact with on a daily basis to the Father through His Son Jesus Christ so that they can access the One true healer and not be afflicted with the bondage of sin and sickness again. Many of us have spent time in the past afflicted and spiritually impotent; not able to walk a consistent path in the Spirit, but falling short because of sin. But now, having been set free, it is time to get up; arise from your spiritual slumber and sickness, and walk the path of life Father has for you. Walk in the blessing of healing and restoration. John 5:10-11 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. (KJV) Watch out and beware, because just as quick as the Lord gets you back on your feet, the devil and his workers will be right there again to get you to fall back to your old ways. Many today are still so caught up in the letter of the law that they miss the blessing of the Spirit. And rather than continue in the restoration they end up weak and on their backside again; the latter worse than the beginning. So beware of man-made stagnant doctrines that keep many in bondage to physical laws and religious regulations rather than accessing the One spiritual healer that actually makes house calls free of charge, and is available 24/7, 365 days a year. 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (KJV) We still see, to this day, many who are weak and sickly because they don’t know the difference and do not take the time to discern what is of God and what is not; and so they end up drinking from polluted wells instead the pure living waters. Many do not take the time to dig deep enough into the well of life to find pure living waters. Instead they settle for easier to reach stagnant pools that are toxic and unhealthy. 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (KJV) The sad thing about reading the account in John 5 is that many of those around the pool (as many are still today) were actually believers, those that were seeking the answer. But as so many believers today, many are still being knocked down, ending up on their backside again, because they look and hold to the letter of the law rather than the Spirit to find true life and peace. So be ready Church, that when you get a spiritual 911 call from one of God’s people in distress you can follow the example the Lord gave to the man at the pool and give the right spiritual medicine; to all those that have been miss diagnosed and have had a bad reaction to mans’ doctrinal medicine. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Genesis 1:11-12 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. (12) And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (KJV)
Have you ever sat around and heard stories, versions of things that took place or those that claim they took place and how sensationalized they would become the more the tales were told. Whether it’s a fisherman, hunter, or even truck drivers they either caught the biggest fish, or made the most impractical shot, or drove their rigs through the most impossible situations; tales that are told to impress others without much regard for truth. Hey let’s face it, we all have told our own versions of things and added our own interpretations to make ourselves look and sound better than what really took place. Sometimes this mindset continues into the realm of the Church or what man claims to be the church, and the truth gets stretched, fabricated and told in a way to impress or to get the attention of others with little regard to truth. The verses in Genesis above are specific in the fact that what God created and how it continues to grow results from the seed; and only a certain seed will produce a certain offspring. To say something grows from a different seed is a fabrication and contrary to the word of God and is quite an exaggeration to say the least. Genesis 6:4-5 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. (5) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (KJV) Ever hear the one about fallen angels and women procreating and then there were giants? Talk about a knee slapper. That is as bad as any fishing story I have ever heard; talk about a whopper of a tale. How this tale continues to grow and spread! So many are taken in by this sensationalized version of something that sounds more like the X-Files than anything that is Biblical. Fallen angels are no longer considered the sons of God. Once they are expelled they are no longer a part of the heavenly family. Only those that belong to His family are able to partake of His name and inheritance. Before you choose to spread this any further it may do you good to take the time to see what this really refers to concerning giants. Strong’s definition for giant: 5303 nephiyl (nef-eel'); or nephil (nef-eel'); from 5307; properly, a feller, i.e. a bully or tyrant: KJV-- giant. As you can see from the definition, a giant is nothing more than a bully or tyrant, and not some offspring of the devil and women. Today we have the same issue within the Church realm also. Godly people marry the wrong person for the wrong reason and end up with a giant problem. Today we still have many bullies and tyrants. We see them in the pulpits, those who preach fire and brimstone and demand that the congregation live a rigid Biblical lifestyle which most of them are not willing to live by themselves. We see it in the workplace also, the hearts of many have waxed colder and colder; the love of God is drowned out by bottom lines and corporate stockholders rather than what’s fair and just for the employees. Our elected officials rule by force. Those that were elected to serve the people are in reality only serving their own special interests and desires. 1 Corinthians 15:38-40 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. (39) All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. (40) There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. (KJV) Paul also wrote of seeds and that only a certain seed can produce a certain result or offspring. You don’t see fish and birds cross breeding and producing a half and half offspring. Man and animals don’t cross breed either, although man keeps trying to act like them. So how did this simple truth get so stretched and farfetched? I see absolutely no where in the word of God where fallen angels developed gender between heaven and earth. Yet to this day, this doctrine has spread and is preached whole heartedly as truth and not for the fabrication that it really is. Matthew 7:15-18 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (16) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (17) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (KJV) Again we see how simple and obvious the word of God is concerning the seed and what it produces, and how one seed cannot produce a different crop or harvest. Do you want to hear a tall tale? Then go get a tabloid magazine. But if you choose to be speaking on behalf of the Lord and are sharing His precious word of life, be much quicker to hear and slower to speak, especially when it comes to second hand fabricated versions of the word of God. Matthew 22:24-30 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. (25) Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: (26) Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. (27) And last of all the woman died also. (28) Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (30) For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. (KJV) Mankind has been trying to equate the physical into the spiritual realm, and continues to miss the mark because of their lower carnal thinking. If angels are not given in marriage in heaven, then how could the fallen angels be when they supposedly landed here on planet earth? By not taking the time in the word of God and rightly dividing it, instead of standing on a rock solid foundation, you will end up falling for any tall tale man comes up with, and believing any gigantic fabrication of simple truth. Don’t be bullied around with a bunch of nonsense and sensationalized doctrines which produces more questions than answers; which by the way someday those that spread this stuff will have to answer for it. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Isaiah 9:6-7 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (KJV)
There is still only one gift given that will bring life to the spirit and bring forth an everlasting joy and peace to those that receive it. Do you know the Son that is given to us so that you can reap this bountiful unending reward of joy and peace to all that know how to operate in His realm? 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; (5) That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; (6) Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: (7) So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: (8) Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV) Jesus was the child born of the flesh, the vessel God used to house His gift from above, Christ the Son of the living God. Those that receive this gift and have knowledge of His Son given, will be able to walk in the grace of God and give you an utterance of this testimony which is being confirmed within those that continue in this fellowship of the gift given by the Father through the Son. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (KJV) This gift has come gift wrapped in the form of an earthen vessel, which is ready to be unwrapped and revealed to those seeking its contents by the Spirit. Many look at the gift of God and see the outward package and the promises of what it can deliver, but never unwrap it and put it to use. Until this gift is revealed personally and put to use being utilized properly the way it was intended, most will walk away and look for something else and neglect the gift God gave to all mankind. John 4:9-14 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. (10) Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (11) The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? (12) Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? (13) Jesus answered and said unto her, (14) Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (KJV) Many today still judge by the outward and miss the opportunity to partake of the gift of God that is being presented right in front of them. Many still seek to fulfill the physical need first, leaving the spiritual seed within dehydrated and thirsting for living waters. The gift of God is Christ, the Son within the vessel of Jesus of Nazareth, who was speaking on behalf of God to give this woman access to the gift of life. Are you still looking in the outward to find this gift, or will you seek within the realm of God for His living waters which quench our spiritual thirst? Do you know the voice of God and who it is you are getting your instructions from today so that you can effectively access this gift and utilize it correctly, or are you like many running to and fro to a bunch of dry polluted stagnant wells that are drawing the life out of the believer rather than drawing them nearer to the living well of life? Life is a gift, that’s why they call it the present. So how are you presenting His gift? Are you showing others how to unwrap it and reveal its inward contents? Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, (9) If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; (10) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (11) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV) Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost was able to demonstrate this gift, having seen an impotent man made whole. Though mankind has put many labels on the gift of God and wrapped it up in many colorful and different packages, there is still only one name given and no other way to access this gift except by the name of Jesus Christ. So try and try as mankind will, no matter how many times they try to go to the well of life they will come away empty and thirsty. The only way one can tap into this gift, the well of eternal life, is with an eternal name that will reveal its contents and allow you to drink freely. 1 Peter 4:10-11 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (11) If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (KJV) Remember how you received this gift by hearing and not by works? As you minister this gift of eternal life, it is only by the ability that God has given so that you can see His results. There is a well of life springing forth from within you, and the only way you can tap into this giver of life is through His Son Jesus Christ; God’s true gift given to all mankind. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 4:35-38 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (36) And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. (37) And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. (38) I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. (KJV)
We have all heard that whatever we sow is what we reap. The seed that is sown by the believer is the word of God. Knowing how and where to effectively sow this seed is what will produce a harvest. While many just go and scatter seed anywhere hoping it will grow, a farmer knows what field will produce the best crops and how to effectively sow the seed. Verse 37 is interesting in the fact that it refers to One sower. Knowing who the true sower is and how to allow Him to work through you is what will produce a spiritual harvest. While others may just scatter and shotgun seed all around, letting the Lord direct your steps is what will be the most productive. You wouldn’t plant corn in a desert or try and grow grass in a parking lot, the same holds true in the spiritual realm also. The Lord is sending His people into His spiritual field to reap a spiritual harvest. Will you join His ranks knowing that as many as are led by the Spirit, they are the Sons of God? John 6:27-29 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (28) Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (KJV) Jesus Christ paid the price and completed the work that brought God’s plan of reconciliation to all mankind. So in order to reap the benefits of this reward we enter into this labor of love, which is no longer based on our works, but His. There is only One sower who can effectively work through His people to sow a seed which is the word of God that will produce an eternal harvest. Will you let the Lord work through you and continue His work so that you can reap this reward? Isaiah 55:8-11 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (10) For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: (11) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (KJV) So many ideas, so many different ways which man has invented to help God out in His process and tell Him how to deliver His word. God’s word is effective and it will accomplish what He pleases. Now the question is, will you allow it to be sent forth through you so that you can do what pleases Him as well? The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few because so many continue to sow according to their carnal understanding and reap a crop of thorns and thistles. Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. (KJV) You wouldn’t spend the time to cook a steak dinner for the family and then take it outside and feed the dog. We need to be more discreet to where and how we deliver the message of Christ. Many engage in silly childish arguments concerning the word of God with those that are scoffers, and in the end they are pushing them farther away rather than drawing them near. No one wins an argument; once you have engaged in it you have already lost because you lowered yourself to their earthly standards. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (7) So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (8) Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. (9) For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (KJV) As verse 7 makes reference to; the fact that the more we can stay out of the way and not try to interfere with our own thoughts and ideas of how to sow the word of God, the more effective we allow it to work through us. Increase means to make the plant grow; and though God speaks through His ministers to get the crop started, it is up to the individual to then seek the living waters if they wish to grow and mature. Husbandry refers to a farmer, as well as a cultivated field, which is ready to receive the seed and produce a spiritual crop. 1 Peter 1:23-25 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (24) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (KJV) An incorruptible seed is brought to life by the word of God and will only continue to grow and prosper by this Word of life. The things of man and all the glory of man quickly fades away and is forgotten, but only the word of God and His seed will produce a crop that will never end. Now the question is, will you endure to the end letting this seed within you be watered with living waters, or are you settling for watered down doctrine that drowns men in destruction with the cares of this life? Some claim seed faith is based on money, which is a perfect example of verse 24. There are those that base a harvest on large numbers and big buildings, when in fact the term ‘grows like weeds’ is more fitting to those that judge by quantity and not quality. Matthew 13:37-40 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; (38) The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; (39) The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. (40) As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. (KJV) Jesus of Nazareth set a perfect of example of how to sow good seed; being led by the spirit of Christ within Him and speaking forth His word. There is an eternal harvest available to those that are willing to work in His field and allow Father to sow His seed through them also, so that they too can reap an eternal harvest. Sow what realm are you operating in today? If we sow to the flesh we will reap corruption, but if we sow to the Spirit, then of the Spirit we can expect to reap life everlasting. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 3:5-7 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (KJV)
The two births are a result of two different seeds, one is of the flesh and one is of the Spirit. As one grows and matures in the Lord they wean themselves from the things of this world and become more dependent on the things of the Lord. As children in the flesh, our desires were things that appealed to the flesh without any thought of its consequences. Whatever looked good, sounded good, and appealed to the outward is what we pursued after. You have a spiritual seed within you that was brought to life and resurrected by your hearing the word of God, the living waters that are able to nourish a spiritual seed. It is vital now that you learn how to nurture that seed within and to be able to discern what it takes to bring it to maturity. The effort and diligence you put in the past to feed the flesh and its desires will now have to be redirected to the inward seed if you wish to see this seed grow to maturity. 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (KJV) Jesus of Nazareth was a man born of the flesh after the seed of David and the first to be reborn in the Spirit to manifest God’s plan of salvation to all mankind. This is a great mystery and continues to be to this day because so many are looking to the outward for some great savior, when in fact this Savior will only become a reality to those in the Spirit. Of these two, God is able to make one new man so making peace; bringing the plan of reconciliation to a fallen world. Romans 8:15-17 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (KJV) It takes one to know one. In other words, are you allowing the Spirit to bear witness with your spirit, to give an eyewitness account to the things of God, to give life and nourishment to the inner man so that you can receive the reward of adoption? Do you take the time on a daily basis in the word of God so that you too can be justified in the Spirit, despite what you may suffer from those that seek their justification from man? You are now a joint heir with Christ, the first born of all creation, so that you too can be glorified with Him and receive your eternal inheritance. Romans 1:3-4 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; (4) And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: (KJV) One is born of flesh, Jesus of Nazareth; the other seed is the Son of God (Christ) which is where our power source comes from. If any man has not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His and is unable to walk in the newness of life given them. Just as we have parents in the flesh to nurture their newborn child, we have a Father in heaven that is ready, willing and able to nurture and feed His newborn offspring as well. As we require daily nourishment for the outward man, it is vital to feed the inward man also if one is to grow strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Adam was put in the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it. You have a spiritual garden as well that takes a constant maintenance plan so that you don’t end up on the outside looking in. Do you know the difference between the flesh and the Spirit? Do you seek the things that will feed your spirit man or are you still chasing cheap, short lived, emotional fixes that only appease the flesh and not the Spirit? You wouldn’t abandon your own offspring and leave it for dead; so why do many abandon God’s offspring and leave it for dead? A parent in the flesh can be tried and convicted for child abandonment, and someday you will have to give an account of what you have done with the seed of God that was reborn in you; and hopefully when the going got tough you didn’t bail out on the Son either. Isaiah 9:6 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (KJV) In December each year when so many talk of the birth of the Savior, we see much of the attention focused on the physical seed and not the spiritual. A child that was born in this realm was Jesus of Nazareth and the Son given to us is Christ which is in you and is our only hope of glory. So, where is your focus today and what realm are you looking into in order to nourish the new birth within you? Are you blindly following the traditions and doctrines of man which claim some days are more special than others, or are you walking in the peace of God that is available to any and at any time for those that seek to worship Him in Spirit and in truth? God is not a god of the dead and their dead end doctrines, but a God of the living, those that live in the Spirit and seek their justification by faith. John 8:31-37 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (33) They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? (34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (35) And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. (36) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (37) I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. (KJV) Many still claim they are of God according to their physical birthright and end up neglecting their spiritual one. It doesn’t matter to God what your family name is in the flesh, its only those that are joint heirs with Christ and follow His example that are born free and continue in the freedom of knowing the truth set forth in the word of God. Once you have been set free it is up to you to continue walking in the liberty in Christ and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Psalms 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. (KJV)
We have talked this week about evidence. Our faith is established by the things that are not seen outwardly, but rather revealed inwardly. There is a secret that is of the Lord which is revealed to those that fear or reverence Him, and respect the calling they have from Him. The secret is a mystery to those outside of God’s kingdom, but clearly visible and understood by those within His realm. So where are you looking for the answer to this secret? Have you sought it out in the word of God to find this evidence, or are you seeking it from some other source that cannot give an eyewitness account of this answer? Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, (26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: (KJV) The Old Testament prophets wrote of a Messiah that would come and bring salvation to a fallen mankind; a ministry of reconciliation that was kept secret, but now made manifest to all. The New Testament prophets now speak of a Messiah that has come and made this secret available to all that come to a working knowledge of Jesus Christ and the revelation of this mystery by the eyewitness accounts of those that are able to look into the realm of the Spirit. Ephesians 3:2-5 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: (3) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, (4) By which, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) (5) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (KJV) The calling of Paul and the writings God gave to him, were pointing to his own personal eyewitness account of the mystery of Christ and his spiritual insights into this. Many people can give an account of Jesus of Nazareth, the son of a carpenter, the son of Joseph and Mary, all based on the outward appearance. But as we see in the above verses, the mystery is of Christ, the hidden man within, and the knowledge of this secret is revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; in other words, it takes one to know one. You have to be in the Spirit to get to know a spiritual being. So, what is being revealed to you, and where are you looking to find the answer to this secret? Are you looking to man to solve this mystery, or will you go to the source to find the answer that eludes the carnal thinking? Isaiah 45:3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. (KJV) Call it a treasure hunt if you like; the Bible being your treasure map. Like with many treasures of gold, silver, and other precious metals of man, they are hidden in the earth and need to be sought and dug out if one is to claim its riches. God has hidden His plan of salvation and all the treasures of His wisdom and knowledge in Christ; and all those that seek Him and understand this revelation will find the answer to this eternal mystery. Mark 4:21-23 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? (22) For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. (23) If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. (KJV) There is no excuse, and no reason why you can’t find this answer. God has made it manifest and available to all. Now the question is, where are you looking for the answer, who are you seeking it from, and with what ears are you listening with? A spiritual mystery requires a spiritual revelation, a light to shine in your heart and give you the knowledge you seek after. You need to keep your spiritual ears in tune, and the volume turned up so that you can hear the message delivered by Christ and find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Him. Without faith (our ability to hear this message and the revelation of the mystery of Christ) it is impossible to please God, and to know the secret that has been kept hidden in the spiritual realm but ready to be revealed to those that worship God in spirit and in truth. Romans 1:16-19 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (17) For in it is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (KJV) Once you come to an understanding of this mystery and the power of God available through the gospel of Christ, it is up to you to hold fast to this message delivered by Him and not lose sight of this revelation. One way or the other God will reveal Himself to all mankind; the question now is, will you allow Him to do so by faith, or will you fall away and see it revealed through His wrath? Now playing at a spiritual theatre near you; the revelation of the mystery of God, or the wrath of God, which screening will you attend? Once you have sat through a showing of the mystery, it is up to you to go forth and give an accurate eyewitness account of what took place, and how this mystery is solved, so that the secret of the Lord will no longer be a secret, but will be common knowledge to those that are looking to find the answer for themselves. Want to know a secret; better yet, know the answer so that it doesn’t remain a secret any longer? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
AuthorWe are stewards of the mystery of Christ. Ambassadors on His behalf to share the conditions of peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Archives
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